Authorities act on Toowoomba aged care complaints

AUTHORITIES have sprung into action following complaints of poor care and understaffing at a Toowoomba aged care facility.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said in a statement to The Chronicle the Commission conducted an “unannounced monitoring visit” at TriCare Toowoomba Aged Care residence on Wednesday, August 5, “as a result of recent intelligence received”.

A report on the visit will be published within weeks.

Groom MP Dr John McVeigh recently forwarded two complaints about TriCare Toowoomba to the ACQSC and Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck.

The controversy involving the facility began last week when a resident, who The

Chronicle has not named, tweeted about conditions she observed inside the facility.

The resident was later transferred to Toowoomba Hospital.

The Queensland Nursing and Midwives Union was advised by staff at the facility the resident was removed because of the content of her tweet, while TriCare director Peter O’Shea said there was mutual agreement between TriCare, the resident, and hospital representatives that she be transferred to Toowoomba Hospital.

QNMU regional organiser Jennifer Ballantyne told The

Chronicle on Thursday the case highlighted “dangerous understaffing” at TriCare’s Toowoomba facility.

The QNMU was previously notified by TriCare of over 500 nursing hours being cut from the roster on July 1.

Mr O’Shea denied there was any understaffing at any TriCare aged care facilities and said staff levels were determined by need.

Ms Anderson said the Commission took “very seriously” any allegations “a service was discouraging its residents from making a complaint to the Commission or taking any action against someone that may make a complaint”.