Claims care is in the toilet

Resident speaks out

AN elderly man says he has been denied basic hygiene and an adequate walker, speaking out about his struggles within a Tasmania aged care facility.

Southern Cross Care Yaraandoo facility resident Phillip Goold said he had a special toilet seat, but when it broke after Christmas, the one it was replaced with did not meet his needs.

“The old one had a lip underneath it so it would trap the urine that’s coming out so it didn’t go all over the floor,” Mr Goold said.

“This one doesn’t. Any time I go to the toilet now it wets my shorts or my trousers. I’m constantly having to change pants.”

Mr Goold said when he raised the problem, he was told nothing could be done.

He said it was the same answer he was given when he asked for a new walker.

“They recently took my walker to be repaired. I wasn’t given any warning, and the replacement one they gave me was half the size of my normal one,” Mr Goold said.

“I couldn’t sit down on it. I went for a walk but I couldn’t stop and rest.

“By the time I got back to my room I was almost having a heart attack. I was gasping for breath.”

Health and Community Services Union assistant state secretary, Lucas Digney, said Mr Goold’s experience showed the system was strained.

He feared it would get worse if Southern Cross Care transitioned to its proposed household model, and removed enrolled nurses.

“The issue with Phil goes to show what happens when you don’t have proper care resourcing,” he said.

“If you remove enrolled nurses and place the care staff under more pressure, those issues are only going to be amplified … Care staff don’t have time to take on additional tasks.”

Mr Digney said staff were also being let down.

“None of this is the fault of hard working care staff, they do everything they can every day to provide a level of care,” he said.

“Despite the very hard work, they simply don’t have enough hours a day.”

Southern Cross Care chief executive Robyn Boyd said she could not comment on the circumstances around Mr Goold’s claims.

“We’re not keen to discuss resident’s care needs in the media,” Ms Boyd said.

“We like to maintain dignity and respect. “We supply all equipment services and supports for our clients where required, as is required.”

She rejected claims the proposed model of care would result in job losses.

“It’s an absolute lie, that not the case,” she said.

“Enrolled nurses have been offered options and opportunities of redeployment under our household model.

“We would prefer they work in our wellness program.

“Any nurses that choose not to, that’s their choice.”