A former aged care facility manager in Sydney has been permanently banned from working in the health sector after a watchdog investigation found she drugged elderly residents without consent and accessed a deceased resident’s bank account.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) ruled that 58-year-old Darshee Ghowree, also known as Sue Daby and Seedheeta Daby, had engaged in “serious misconduct” while employed as the facility manager of Marsfield Residential Aged Care, operated by Southern Cross Care.
The four-year investigation began in 2021 after a complaint was lodged against Ghowree, prompting an interim order that barred her from working or volunteering in health care while the matter was investigated. The HCCC’s final decision has now made that prohibition permanent.
According to the Commission, Ghowree failed to provide care in a “safe and ethical manner” and breached public health regulations in multiple ways. One of the most serious findings was that she administered, or directed others to administer, Risperidone to residents without their knowledge or consent.
Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and some symptoms of autism. When given without consent or prescription, it can constitute a form of chemical restraint, a practice that restricts a person’s freedom through the use of drugs that alter behaviour or emotions.
The investigation also found Ghowree breached Southern Cross Care’s medication management policies by having unauthorised access to a range of restricted medications, including Risperidone, Seroquel, Midazolam, and Diazepam. These drugs are commonly prescribed for conditions involving anxiety, agitation, or psychosis, and must be carefully controlled within aged care settings.
In addition to medication breaches, the HCCC determined that Ghowree had used her position of authority to manipulate reporting within the facility. Incidents involving residents were either not reported or were inaccurately documented, according to the findings.
Perhaps most disturbingly, the Commission found that she accessed a deceased resident’s bank account “without proper authority” and authorised two transactions from the account.
“In providing health services in an aged care facility, Ms Ghowree was afforded significant trust by residents and their families,” the HCCC decision stated. “Her conduct poses a risk to public health and safety, and protective orders are required to safeguard the public.”
The ruling permanently prohibits Ghowree from providing any form of health service, whether paid or voluntary, in Australia.
During her tenure, Ghowree appeared in promotional material for Southern Cross Care, speaking publicly about the organisation’s “commitment to making everyday life-affirming and positive” for residents. In a 2018 article for the organisation’s magazine Goodlife, she described the facility as a place where “your choices and happiness are our complete focus”.
Marsfield Residential Aged Care is a 61-bed facility in Sydney’s north catering to residents with varying levels of care needs, including those living with dementia.
Southern Cross Care said it supported the outcome of the HCCC investigation and confirmed that Ghowree had not worked for the organisation since 2020.
“Following our own internal investigation, which included engaging police, Ms Daby’s employment was terminated,” a spokesperson said. “We have worked closely with the HCCC throughout the process and support their final determination.”
The spokesperson added that the provider remains committed to ensuring high-quality and safe care across its facilities.
“As a not-for-profit aged care provider supporting older people for over 50 years, our sole purpose is to provide care with integrity and compassion,” the statement said. “It is important that all our aged care communities are supported by people who have the best interests of residents at heart.”
The case has reignited debate about oversight in aged care management and the vulnerabilities of residents who rely on staff for both their wellbeing and their financial security.
