Coronavirus: Family’s ‘nightmare’ over communication mix-up before death of St Basil’s resident Paul Barboussas
St Basil’s nursing home has been banned from admitting new residents and an independent adviser called in after Australia’s aged care watchdog declared serious concerns about its deadly outbreak. It comes as the son of a resident who died says a communication mix-up compounded his family’s grief.
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Australia’s aged care watchdog has taken action against coronavirus-plagued nursing home St Basil’s as it declared concerns about the “serious impact” of the outbreak which has killed at least half a dozen residents.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has forced the appointment of an independent adviser to ensure the health and wellbeing of residents at the home — linked to 78 coronavirus cases — and banned it from admitting any new residents.
The nursing home’s management must also provide regular reports to the commission on a specified set of key issues in a bid to stem corona’s spread.
It comes as the son of a St Basil’s resident who died of coronavirus says a major communication blunder has added to his family’s grief.
Commission executive director Anthony Speed, in a letter to the families of worried St Basil’s residents seen by the Herald Sun, said the action was being taken to protect those in the nursing home’s care.
“On the basis of evidence available to the Commission, we have concerns regarding the serious impact of the outbreak on the residents and staff, and the response of the approved provider to the outbreak,’’ Mr Speed wrote.
“These concerns include ongoing challenges apparent in implementing an effective outbreak response in a timely manner, and in fulfilling responsibilities to provide timely communication relating to the individual care of residents.
“We believe this regulatory action is in the best interests of residents and families and we remain committed to taking every step necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of residents who have been cared for in St Basil’s during this exceptionally difficult time.”
St Basil’s resident Paul Barboussas, 79, died at the Northern Hospital on Sunday.
He was admitted to hospital on Friday night as a precaution after having a fall at his home at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged.
On Saturday afternoon, Paul’s son Nicholas Barboussas was called by a communications person working for St Basil’s telling him his father was sitting in his room at the aged care centre.
“I said to her: I’ll just stop you there, because as we speak my Dad is actually fighting for his life in hospital,” Mr Barboussas said.
Mr Barboussas said it was an “awful situation” losing his father and the pain was compounded by the miscommunication.
“That call angered me significantly,” he said.
“I was gobsmacked with what I was hearing. Since this covid situation it’s been one mistake after another, the misinformation has been incredible. The lack of information has been unbelievable. It’s a nightmare.”
He said the person from the communication team who wrongly told him his father was still at St Basil’s on Saturday was working at a South Australian call centre.
“I don’t know who’s talking to who, there’s clearly no understanding of the situation.”
He said he feared relatives of other residents may not be getting accurate updates about what was happening.
“From my point of view my Dad’s passed away but for other families I’m not sure if they’re getting the latest and greatest information. It doesn’t give you much confidence.”
Mr Barboussas said the overall handling of the outbreak needed to improve.
“Someone needs to be accountable for this. I have some empathy for the staff, I don’t think it’s their fault they’re just following orders, I’ve met a lot of them, they’re good people. But I think it’s above that, it’s the administration, the management.”
He said his father Paul would be remembered as a hardworking man who emigrated from Greece in the 1950s and loved raising his family in Melbourne and supporting Collingwood in the footy.
“He was a vibrant person, he loved a good laugh, he had a huge work ethic. He loved his footy and loved his soccer, and loved his family.”
Mr Barboussas said those not taking the Melbourne lockdown seriously needed to realise there were multiple families now preparing to bury their loved ones.
“If you don’t care about yourself and you think you’re invincible, think about your parents, your grandparents, the old lady in front of you at the supermarket checkout. People need to do the right thing.”
He said the coronavirus press conference on Monday would be particularly poignant.
“It’s actually hit home that when Dan Andrews gets up and talks about the people who have passed away, my Dad will be one of those.”
Mr Speed said the commission had been “actively engaged” with those running the Fawkner home since learning of the outbreak.
It was working alongside several other agencies providing expert advice and assistance.
“The COVID-19 outbreak at St Basil’s Home for the Aged is a very significant and challenging event for everyone at the residential service,’’ he said.
“We know it has been a distressing and traumatic time for residents and their families.”
St Basil’s Home for the Aged, as an approved provider, continues to be the operator of the home despite the action.
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