Southern Cross Care chief rejects risk to elderly Tasmanians

Suggestions of neglect taking place while nursing homes are in lockdown have been dismissed by Tasmania’s largest aged care provider.

ONE of Tasmania’s largest aged care providers has bristled at suggestions lockdowns because of COVID-19 could increase instances of neglect within nursing homes.

Southern Cross Care was responding to comments from the state’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt, who put providers on notice during the coronavirus pandemic. Ms Bolt said that without robust oversight, the measures designed to protect residents from the virus could put them at a different kind of risk.

Premier Peter Gutwein last week ruled visits to aged care homes would be banned to protect the most vulnerable from the virus.

Ms Bolt said visitors played a vital role in providing essential services to residents, including social engagement, assistance with meals, personal care, laundry and shopping.

“Loss of these additional services can increase the risk of malnutrition, infection through poor personal hygiene, loss of personal property, isolation and loneliness,’’ she said.

“When the doors were open, friends, family, volunteers and a wide array of service providers from hairdressers to clinical therapists were a valuable means of oversight to what happens in aged care facilities. With the doors now closed, crucial aspects of oversight have been lost.”

But Southern Cross Care chief executive Robyn Boyd leapt to the defence of aged care homes. The provider has nine facilities in Tasmania.

“I did read the statement and I was quite amazed at the suggestion that the aged care sector as a whole is not to be trusted when we indeed care for the most vulnerable,’’ she said.

“The care that’s provided by the dedicated staff is exemplary.

“Southern Cross Care has not had any residents test positive to COVID-19, and I think that’s testament to the level of care and supervision we’ve provided.”

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Mrs Boyd said a woman at the Yaraandoo facility at Somerset, near Burnie, who had been exposed to the virus at the North West Regional Hospital, had tested negative.

She will remain in isolation until this Saturday and is still asymptomatic.

Mrs Boyd said Southern Cross Care had established a multi-disciplinary outbreak team which met daily to ensure ongoing care and protection of residents.

She said Southern Cross Care had also adapted its social inclusion programs, including the use of iPads for residents to connect with loved ones.

Ms Bolt said the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety showed that if left unchecked, “unscrupulous” facilities can engage in deficient care practices.

“The Royal Commission has confirmed that there are pockets within the aged care industry

with a grim history of breaching trust even when the doors are wide,’’ she said.

“Whether a facility is in lockdown or not; residents must be treated with respect and dignity

and provided with a high level of care.”

Ms Bolt called for “unlawful and wrongful” behaviours to be called out and reported, but she acknowledged the “very fine” aged care facilities staffed by “professional, invaluable and honourable people”.

“Their commitment to the practice of kindness and compassion should be applauded,’’ she said.

Last week, Council on the Ageing Tasmania and Aged and Community Services Australia welcomed Mr Gutwein’s edict, but said it was important aged care homes provided opportunities for residents to remain connected to their families.