Merriwa Aged Care Under Council Cloud

A cloud of confusion is hanging over Gummun Place, the aged care facility in Merriwa, after a string of non-compliance issues and community uncertainty following a report from Council which has led to a petition by Merriwa residents.

As reported in Council Meeting: February 2019 the 16 bed Council operated facility had non-compliance issues for the last three accreditation visits and had received its third and final notice from the Department of Health and advised if they failed again the Department may impose sanctions such as appointing an administrator.

Council then brought in contractor Jo Bailey, from Quality Care to address the non-compliance issues, provide registered nurse coverage for the facility and after the most recent visit the facility was passed to continue operating.

Previous Council reports also highlight the thin operating budget, the struggle to keep full occupancy and the inability to attract a registered nurse.

See non-compliance details below.

Last week the Gummun Place board received a Council report, from a third party, which raised the issue of the future of the facility, said Edith Shipway, member of the board.

“The Merriwa community is reacting to the time that was in the Shire’s aged care draft plan, where it looked at other means of servicing or looking after the hostel and it’s very vague,” said Ms Shipway

“There are only two lines and it says ‘seek to devolve role as provided of aged care services where a suitable alternative can be identified’, that’s the extent of it and nobody knows what they mean by it and we want to know what they have in mind,” she said.

“Are they going to sell the place? It’s caused an uproar among the residents and of course the whole town has stirred up,” she said.

“All we really want is for the Shire to say is our intention is A, B, C or D, but what we have is open to every conceivable interpretation,” Edith Shipway said.

Ms Shipway said she has concerns that Council may plan to sell off or close the facility, but said they were also open to looking at the best way for the facility to keep running and perhaps Council wasn’t the best operator.

“I agree they (Council) couldn’t run a chook raffle,” said Ms Shipway.

“All we really want is the Shire to come out and say these are the things we are thinking of, just let us know,” she said.

“I’ve seen facilities taken over by private organisations and they have gone downhill,” she said.

“It may be a blessing in disguise it may be the opportunity to say bugger the Shire, how can we make sure this doesn’t happen again,” she said.

“If they come out and say this is not within their expertise, fine that’s ok, but give us time to look at the different options,” Edith Shipway.

The recent non-compliance issues at the facility included:

• not being able to demonstrate staff have had a police check;
• no system to manage complaints;
• clinical documentation not being updated;
• directives made by medical officers and other health professionals are not routinely followed;
• specialised nurse care needs are not identified and met by appropriately qualified nursing staff, unable to demonstrate a safe and correct medication management system;
• does not demonstrate they have a reliable system for recording and reporting alleged and suspected reportable assaults, and
• the home’s education program does not ensure all staff have completed mandatory training in fire and evacuation procedures.

Council was unable to provide any comment to scone.com.au on the matter.

Related Story: Letter: Council Not Aged Care Specialists.