A government-operated aged care residence in Adelaide has come under scrutiny for the improper use of mechanical restraints on vulnerable residents living with dementia and other complex disabilities. The findings stem from a surprise inspection by the national watchdog, which highlighted practices that breach updated federal regulations designed to protect the rights of those in care.
The Northgate facility, managed by Disability SA and located in the city’s north-eastern suburbs, accommodates 23 individuals who require specialised support.
An audit conducted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission uncovered instances where lap belts were used to prevent falls or manage behaviour, along with the use of full-body suits to deter undressing and bed rails to limit movement. These measures were implemented without first exhausting non-restrictive alternatives or securing proper consent, violating guidelines strengthened following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Such restrictive interventions are defined under law as any method that limits a person’s freedom or autonomy, and they must only be used as a last resort. The initial review took place in November last year, with a follow-up assessment in May revealing ongoing deficiencies, prompting intensified oversight from the regulator.
Advocacy groups have voiced strong disapproval of the situation. Anna Willis, representing Aged Care Justice, described the practices as a profound violation of human rights to the ABC. “Confining someone to their bed with rails is essentially enforced isolation,” she said. “Lap belts physically prevent mobility, and the long-term effects on individuals can be devastating. Society simply cannot accept this level of intrusion.”
The South Australian Government remained silent on the matter until media inquiries prompted a response. Human Services Minister Nat Cook expressed regret over the lapses and emphasised her commitment to improving standards across departmental services.
“We strive for excellence in all our operations, and I’m truly apologetic that we’ve fallen short here,” she stated. “My team and I are focused on overhauling our protocols and oversight to prevent any recurrence.”
Minister Cook noted that affected families were informed promptly, though she contested the notion that the broader public needed immediate disclosure. She anticipates full resolution of the concerns within the next six months, with changes already underway to foster a more sustainable and person-centred approach to care.
This incident echoes past controversies in the state’s aged care sector, most notably the 2018 Oakden inquiry, which exposed systemic failures including routine restraint use, inadequate staffing, and cultural problems in a similar dementia-focused setting.
At the time, then Health Minister Peter Malinauskas, now Premier, pledged to position South Australia as a leader in safeguarding older people with mental health needs. However, Minister Cook drew a distinction between the two cases, asserting that Northgate serves a unique cohort and that no incidents of harm have been documented.
The audit identified several contributing factors, including a reliance on National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) protocols rather than the stricter aged care framework, and occasional understaffing that hindered proper monitoring, especially during night shifts.
In response, the facility has introduced new leadership roles, including an on-site aged care manager appointed earlier this year and a senior clinical overseer added more recently. Admissions for new residents have been paused to allow for these adjustments.
Ms Willis criticised the slow pace of reforms, arguing that state-run facilities should exemplify best practice. “As a government provider, they have no excuse for under-resourcing or substandard care,” she said. “While physical harm might not be evident, the emotional toll on residents, many of whom have cognitive challenges, could be significant and difficult to quantify.”
Despite the criticisms, the Northgate home has retained its accreditation through to 2028, having met other essential criteria. The federal authority has warned, however, that failure to implement effective changes could result in penalties, including potential loss of funding eligibility or operational sanctions.
I have seen feed trays used as restraints at several facilities