St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Victoria, which suffered one of the most deadly COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria, was deemed “an immediate and severe risk” to the health and safety of residents but is now taking the necessary steps to have sanctions lifted in future.
Between July and August 2020, the home in Fawkner, Victoria, lost 45 aged care residents to coronavirus, leaving only 72 residents remaining.
Now, the facility is home to 42 aged care residents.
The outbreak of coronavirus in the Fawkner home was so severe that 94 of the facility’s 117 residents, and the majority of staff – 97 – contracted the virus.
Following the outbreak, on 24 December 2020, the federal government’s Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission published a notice saying that St Basil’s “is not eligible to receive Commonwealth subsidies for any new care recipients at the service for a period of six months.”
Within this notice, it was outlined that the home would be required to “provide, at its expense, training for its officers, employees and agents,” and provide the Commission with a written training plan, would have to demonstrate that the training had taken place, and written evidence of completed training by June 24 to regain eligibility.
The Age reported that documents filed with the Australian Charities & Not-for-profits Commission predicted job losses and redundancies within the Fawkner home.
However, in a statement provided to HelloCare, a St Basil’s spokesperson refuted any potential redundancies, saying there “have been no redundancies and no plans for future redundancies.”
“St Basil’s management and staff were working well and adhering to all government and health authority directives and advice in relation to the preparation for and management of COVID-19 up until St Basil’s was directed by the Victorian Government to vacate the premises on the morning of 22 July 2020,” said the spokesperson.
“St Basil’s is continuing to upgrade its facility in line with the requirements of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. It is particularly focused on implementing clinical governance processes and systems to take St Basil’s into the future.
“The board is committed to executing the recommendations of the Commission and is engaging clinical and professional experts to ensure the safety and highest quality care of residents.”
This article was updated on Friday, 12 February following a statement provided by St Basil’s Home for the Aged.
