Menarock Life Highett risks losing funding after federal audit as Bayside coronavirus cases hit 100
A Bayside aged care facility has been slapped with an official warning by the Commonwealth over an ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Inner South
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A COVID-19 affected aged care facility in Highett has been slapped with an official warning from the Commonwealth after it was found to pose immediate and severe risks to its residents.
Menarock Life (Rosehill) was issued a Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Notice to Agree on Tuesday for endangering the health, safety and wellbeing of care residents.
The 60-bed nursing home was audited by federal authorities amid surging cases across the city. Bayside that saw active cases soar from 46 to 93 in just 48 hours from Monday, August 3.
“On the Rosehill facility – the delegate determined there is an immediate and severe risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of care recipients at the service following information about the COVID-19 outbreak that has been communicated to the Commission on 3 August 2020,” the notice read.
“The delegate is particularly concerned about assessment and planning, personal and clinical care and organisational governance.”
The facility is expected to immediately appoint an independent Adviser to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents and communicate weekly with the Commission on its progress.
The home has also been wanted to communicate with the families of residents.
If Menarock fails to comply with orders from the Commission, it would lose federal government funding for the facility.
The family member of an infected resident at Menarock Highett said her aunt had recently tested positive to coronavirus.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said despite her aunt’s diagnosis she remained in a shared room with her husband – who had tested negative – for several days.
The man was moved to Cabrini Private Hospital in Malvern on Tuesday.
“No signs my aunty will even be sent to hospital, or isolated,” the woman said.
She said Menarock had not been “very forthcoming” with information and had not immediately contacted her aunt’s family.
Menarock Life did not want to comment on the outbreak at its Highett facility.
A spokesman for the business said a statement would be prepared in the coming days.
On Thursday, 23 cases had been linked to Menarock Life, Highett and 67 cases had been linked to the Menarock facility in Essendon.
Menarock Life did not want to comment on the outbreak at its Highett facility.
A spokesman for the business said a statement would be prepared in the coming days.
The Highett cluster is believed to be the driver of a surge in cases across Bayside.
On Monday, August 3 the municipality had 49 but in just 48 hours that number had jumped to 93.
By Thursday the figure had risen seven more to 100.
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