Lack of action investigating welfare of infirm a disgrace

I WAS appalled to read the statement in a Gold Coast Bulletin report (9/8) attributed to the “executive director of quality assessment and monitoring operations” of the Aged Care and Quality and Safety Commission.

She reportedly stated that although she was aware of “very high” use of psychotropic drugs at the Earle Haven retirement home, actually checking on the facility’s record in this matter was “not in her role”.

One may justly wonder just which of the terms “executive”, “director”, “quality assessment”, “monitoring” and “safety” precludes her taking responsibility for what seems to fall squarely within her remit.

It was hardly reassuring to hear her say that some of her colleagues were still “following up on the issue”. After all, the aged and often infirm clients of the home involved are hardly in a position to wait indefinitely for such a report on their welfare, not to mention action.

The relevant federal member was quite outspoken at the time in her criticism of the involvement of the local state member for trying on the night to assist the displaced clients of the “home”. This was despite the fact that it seems all the officers who managed to avoid a potential catastrophe were in fact from state agencies – police, ambulance and emergency services.

I don’t recall any report of any federal intervention at the time when it was most needed. In fact, it was reported that the federal member herself could not attend then as she had another (more pressing?) engagement.

Perhaps we might hear what she has to say now about the response from a presumably senior public servant, and also to hear any comment from the relevant federal minister. The efforts of federal agencies to this point seem to be mainly talk, and don’t seem to be regarded by those most impacted by the affair as showing either urgency or compassion for the aged victims.

Or more pertinently, it would be interesting to hear what the member and her federal colleagues are actually doing about resolving the issue quickly.