Police taskforce investigates NSW deaths

SummitCare, the operator of the Wallsend facility in NSW where two residents died after suffering hypoglycaemia, has said it is unclear about the cause of the event and its staff are cooperating with the police investigating the case.

In a statement issued yesterday, SummitCare CEO Cynthia Payne said the provider was “just as anxious as our residents and their families that the police conclude quickly and successfully this important investigation.”

Contrary to some media reports, Ms Payne confirmed that on the evening of 29 October staff successfully called all but five relatives of residents about the critical incident. “Media reports that we did not contact families are not correct,” she said.

According to a statement from NSW Police, an 83-year-old woman presented to John Hunter Hospital on 18 October with symptoms of hypoglycaemia and died the next day. A 91-year-old woman and 81-year-old man presented to the hospital on 19 October, also with symptoms of hypoglycaemia. The 81-year-old man died on 29 October while the 91-year-old woman has since been discharged.

Strike Force Correa has been established by Newcastle City Local Area Command detectives to investigate the deaths.

Newcastle City Local Area Commander Superintendent John Gralton said that, as with all sudden and unexplained deaths, police are compelled to investigate on behalf of the Coroner.

“We are still awaiting the formal evaluation of medical evidence to determine the circumstances leading up to the deaths and any involvement of other parties.

“The presence of any criminal intent is still being determined. The evaluation of medical evidence will assist in this regard. As the investigation is in its infancy, we are unable to comment further,” said Superintendent Gralton.

Ms Payne said the facility has security protocols that require every person entering or leaving to sign in and out and the provider has upgraded the overall security of medical supplies in the centre. She advised that all resident and families’ codes would change that afternoon.

She said the provider remains “in direct and regular contact with the Department of Social Services and will continue to do so.”

“We have been overwhelmed by the support of our families and our staff… We extend thanks to the wider community who have expressed their support and sympathy to us and our residents.”

In a letter to residents and families on Wednesday, SummitCare extended its condolences to the residents and their family and friends and said it would “continue to keep everyone fully informed throughout the process.”

The Wallsend incident comes a week after SummitCare successfully supported 140 relocated residents from the Blue Mountains who had to be evacuated during the bushfires.

Read SummitCare’s full statement