Probe into care home
Manager stood down, staff raise concerns
ONE of Tasmania’s largest aged care providers has suspended the manager of a facility amid allegations of harassment.
Southern Cross Care confirmed the facility manager of Glenara Lakes at Youngtown had been stood down pending a full investigation into the allegations.
THE manager of an aged care home in Launceston has been suspended from duties amid an investigation into allegations of staff harassment and misconduct.
Southern Cross Care confirmed the facility manager of Glenara Lakes at Youngtown had been stood down pending a full investigation into the allegations.
The provider has also launched a full review of the centre’s operations after a host of concerns raised by the union representing staff. The investigation comes on the eve of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety being delivered to the federal government.
The Glenara Lakes facility was one of the centres examined during the Hobart hearings of the royal commission in 2019. It comes after aged care workers carried a vote of no confidence in the management of Southern Cross Care after claims of a direction not to backfill staff.
The Health and Community Services Union said last week residents were short almost 100 hours of care, with 29 care hours missing on February 16 and 21 care hours missing on February 22.
HACSU said management had delayed filling empty cleaning shifts despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This unjustifiable decision puts residents and staff in danger, with management making the deliberate choice to leave the facility drastically understaffed,’’ HACSU acting state secretary Robbie Moore said.
“Glenara Lakes has 88 beds and a high care dementia wing, but the facility is in disarray with more than 30 staff quitting since February 2020 due to the systemic short staffing and other workplace issues.”
Southern Cross Care chief executive Robyn Boyd said it took any reported incident of workplace harassment or misconduct seriously.
“A comprehensive independent investigation will be conducted, and additional support services have been implemented for all staff at Glenara Lakes Aged Care,’’ she said.
“An interim facility manager has been appointed to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality care for our residents. A full review of the Glenara Lakes operations has commenced.”
Southern Cross Care confirmed residents of the facility and their representatives had been informed of the allegations and the actions taken by the organisation.
A Glenara Lakes worker said staff were doing their best under challenging circumstances.
“As always, we’re giving the best care we possibly can under difficult circumstances, but we’re afraid for the safety of residents,” said the worker, who asked not to be named.