Proactive response to sanctions

A South Australian provider has responded swiftly and proactively after sanctions were imposed at one of its facilities.

ECH said in a statement that it has taken immediate action to address a failure in providing supervision in the dementia unit of the Charles Young Residential Care Centre in Morphetville.

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency identified serious risks to the safety and wellbeing of residents at Charles Young, particularly those with dementia.

It said the failure was due to insufficient observation of residents and behavioural issues, but stressed that no resident was harmed or sustained injury as a result.

The organisation has written to all residents and their family members, advising them of the situation.

ECH has also moved to assure residents that the sanctions will not affect the tenure of existing residents, although the home will not be able to obtain Commonwealth subsidies for new residents for a period of six months.

The organisation’s CEo, Rob Hankins said ECH deeply regretted its failure to meet the standards of care and services at the home.

“We commit to work with the Department of Health and Ageing to ensure that it is fixed,” Mr Hankins said.

Mr Hankins said that ECH senior management had been aware of issues at Charles Young since mid October. The centre’s director of care had resigned and been replaced last month, he said.

“We accept the finding [of the Accreditation Agency] and will continue to work closely with the Agency and the Department,” Mr Hankins said.