Added scope in aged care probe
THE drugging of patients and understaffing at a Gold Coast nursing home will be probed by the Queensland Government at a special local hearing.
In an announcement yesterday, Queensland’s ongoing aged care inquiry has now been expanded to investigate the treatment of Earle Haven nursing home residents, in the lead-up to the facility’s sudden closure in July.
It was revealed at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety earlier this week that half of the nursing home’s residents had been physically restrained and 71 per cent were receiving psychotropic medication.
The centre closed on July 11 following a contract dispute between owner PeopleCare and care contractor HelpStreet, which resulted in the emergency removal of over 70 elderly and frail residents.
A State Government hearing into the matter will now take place on the Gold Coast next month. The inquiry was previously looking into aged care, palliative care and voluntary assisted dying.
Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon confirmed the news online on Thursday night.
She had previously written to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety requesting a hearing on the Gold Coast.
Health Committee chair Aaron Harper MP, says the committee will use all of its coercive powers to get to the bottom of what went on at the home. The committee’s powers are equivalent to the powers of a Royal Commission.
“Our investigation follows damning evidence at the Royal Commission hearings this week about poor management practices, understaffing and the overuse of physical restraints and psychotropic drugs on elderly residents at Earle Haven.” Mr Harper said.
“People are deeply shocked by what has happened there, and angry at the apparent failure of the federal agencies that are supposed to protect the safety and wellbeing of the elderly in nursing homes.”
“It is a national shame that this has happened. We feel for every one of the former residents and staff from Earle Haven and their families whose lives have been turned upside down over recent weeks. Everyone deserves answers. Our priority is to ensure what has happened at Earle Haven doesn’t happen to other homes and residents.”
Residents and their families, former staff, doctors, industry bodies and anyone else with information about events at Earle Haven are asked to come forward and provide a written submission.
The committee will hold public hearings specifically for the investigation on Wednesday and Thursday, September 11-12 at the Royal Pines Resort at Ross St, Benowa, and will report its findings later this year.
Submissions to the investigation will be protected by parliamentary privilege.
PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY SHOCKED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED THERE, AND ANGRY AT THE APPARENT FAILURE OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES
AARON HARPER MP