Police referred to sanctioned home

The Department of Health and Ageing will refer a Ballarat aged care facility to Victorian police after a number of serious risks to residents were identified.

In an unannounced visit to Kirralee Residential Aged Care earlier this month, agency assessors found compliance issues with 33 of the 44 accreditation outcomes.

Areas of particular concern at the 100-bed high care facility include nutrition and hydration.

Assessors and relatives have expressed concerns about weight loss among residents.

The department has imposed sanctions on the home, requiring it to appoint a government- approved administrator and a nurse advisor to oversee clinical care.

On top of these measures, bed licences at the home will be progressively revoked – which means the department will withdraw licences as residents leave the facility.

“I make no apologies – the first priority is the safety, health and welfare of residents,” said the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot.

“The situation at Kirralee is entirely unacceptable; in the interests of all residents, the Department of Health and Ageing has imposed strong sanctions.”

The facility was last assessed for accreditation in 2006 when it was being operated by a different approved provider.

It was given the maximum period of accreditation – three years – after it was found to be compliant in all 44 outcomes, although the assessors did express some concerns about behavioural management and privacy within the home.