Feb 21, 2018

Carinity Crisis: Five Deaths Under Mysterious Circumstances, Leads to Investigation and Urgent Facility Review

A staff member at Carinity Fairfield Grange home has raised the alarm over five mysterious deaths at the Queensland nursing home.

The residents’ deaths, which occurred over the past 12 months, are currently being investigated by police.

All five residents were receiving palliative care from the one doctor, who has now been reported.

Carinity CEO, Jon Campbell, explained that they took immediate action when the matter was brought to them.

“As soon as we became aware of the breach of procedure on 21 November, the staff concerned were removed from the workplace and the matter was reported to the relevant authorities,” he said in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by these events and extend our sincere sympathies to the families affected.”

“We have met with those families who have been offered pastoral care and counselling support.”

Three nurses have been sacked and a doctor reported to the Queensland Health Ombudsman.

“Carinity removed any harm or potential for harm on 22 November last year, two weeks before the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency arrived for a six-day audit,” he said.

The nurses were sacked for breaching Carinity’s clinical policies and procedures. Reportedly, one of senior nurses administered a lethal dose of morphine and midazolam to one of the residents in November and she died the next day.

“While the nurses acted within the doctor’s direction, no system is immune from the ability of human beings to make inappropriate choices. We will continue to strengthen and improve our systems based on this experience,” said Mr Campbell.

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, released a statement about the death. He also announced that he has requested an urgent review of the facility.

“I am extremely saddened to hear of the deaths at Carinity Fairfield Grange and my thoughts are with families, friends and other residents.”

“As police continue their investigations, I have asked the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner to urgently examine that the approved provider, Carinity, has taken the appropriate actions,” said Minister Wyatt.

“The provision of safe, quality care is non-negotiable, and the health and wellbeing of senior Australians in aged care services is of paramount importance.”

“Any abuse is unacceptable and the Department of Health is continuing to closely monitor the welfare of care recipients.”

If families or friends have any concerns about the care of their loved ones at Fairfield Grange, or at any other aged care home, they should immediately contact the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner on 1800 550 552.

What do you have to say? Comment, share and like below.

CarePage’s Responsible Care initiative seeks to promote dialogue and engagement between all stakeholders in the sector. The sector has faced a history of limited transparency and accountability due to structural challenges of the sector. These issues are often left unresolved and deferred through a sector wide systemic trend historically to openly engage and commit to improvements.  We believe that the sector requires a concerted effort to look beyond negative events and individual stories of distress however important these are, and for real change, to ask questions and accept answers focusing on constructive intent, innovation, cultural change, accountability and leadership rather than blame and avoidance.

Be a Responsible Care supporter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Can The Aged Care Sector Win Back The Trust Of The Community?

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report was released three weeks ago, and this week’s Future of Ageing Conference provided ample opportunity for the sector’s most prominent figures to discuss their concerns.  The Interim Report, entitled Neglect, was scathing in its assessment of the aged care sector, but it was the candid... Read More

Coroner finds aged care staff grossly mismanaged fatal attack

  A 92-year-old South Australian woman who sustained a savage attack by another resident in the aged care home where she lived, was “unable to escape” and her carers exercised a “gross dereliction of proper management”, the Coroner has found. The South Australian Coroner Mark Johns handed down his findings into the 2012 death of... Read More

Rising Costs and Decline of Bulk Billing: Visiting a Doctor is Becoming Hard to Afford in Australia

Seeing a doctor is becoming increasingly expensive as bulk billing declines and out-of-pocket costs rise. How is this affecting Australians, and what solutions are needed? Read More
Advertisement