CONCERNS FOR AGED CARE RESIDENTS FORCED TO MOVE

There are serious concerns around the welfare of residents at Rosary Gardens aged care following the sale to THS, which will remove almost 100 aged care beds from an already overburdened system.

I have heard multiple reports of residents being pressured to move to other aged care facilities, which will remove them from their existing social circles and impact their quality of life.

This week I asked the Health Minister about the situation and what the government knows about it.

Residents and workers were told that they could stay at Rosary Gardens until June. But the situations appears to be that many residents have been shifted or asked to move other aged care facilities much earlier, sometimes against their will.

Not only is it distressing for residents and their families, but this has been terrible for workers – both nursing and non-nursing staff who feel bullied and pressured. Many have worked at Rosary Gardens for a very long time, offering the utmost care, and treating residents like their extended family.

I don’t think that the government as purchaser of the site (for replacement of the psychogeriatric Roy Fagan Centre) have considered the ramifications.

As purchaser, what are Minister Archer and the Health Department doing to ensure residents are treated with respect and care they deserve? What discussions have they had with Rosary Gardens and Southern Cross Care once they heard from various sources of their concern?

I know there are many in the sector concerned about the closure of 96 beds where there aren’t enough aged care beds. We know that there are ramifications for the hospital discharge.

I have written to Southern Cross Care asking about this very concerning situation.