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  2. Government Fails Aged Care Test

Government Fails Aged Care Test

Media Releases

State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, is calling on the Government to explain how the Government-run Wallsend Aged Care Facility failed a number of key benchmarks during a recent audit.

The audit by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency found the Wallsend Aged Care Facility had failed 3 of 44 outcomes, including respecting the privacy and dignity of patients, failing to provide a safe and comfortable environment by not conducting Police checks, and failing to adequately resource catering, cleaning and laundry services.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery

“I am appalled that the Government has allowed the Wallsend Aged Care Facility to be placed in a situation where it has failed this audit. They have failed the residents, staff and the community.”

“A Government-run facility should be setting the standard, it should be leading the way, but what we have here is appalling.”

“In the Wallsend electorate, aged care is an issue close to the heart of many. We care about the wellbeing and treatment of the elderly in our community.”

“In 2009 an attempt was made to privatise the Wallsend Aged Care Facility and the entire community rallied against it. Under the weight of intense public pressure the Government changed its mind on the sell-off.”

“The Government is now allowing standards at the facility to drop because of under-resourcing. This has led to staff working without appropriate Police checks and a drop in the catering, cleaning and laundry standards.”

“Staff are doing the best they can with limited resources but there is no doubt the Government is at fault here.”

“I have written to the Minister today seeking assurances that all of the benchmarks not met in the audit have been addressed and that appropriate steps have been put in place so that they don’t fail again.”

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