The Not For Profit’s Griffith home only met 23 of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency’s (AACQA) 44 accreditation standards after an unannounced audit – just four months after the facility met all 44 outcomes in a planned audit.
The home – regarded as one of Canberra’s best – only opened in 2015, but failed to meet standards including human resources management, clinical care, skin care, continence management, behaviour management, living environment and infection control.
At a meeting with residents, BaptistCare General Manager Paull English said he was as shocked as them and the failings had largely resulted from a change of structure, management and leadership roles in recent months as well as flaws in the complaint process.
The Department of Health sanctions mean the facility will not able to admit new residents for six months, must appoint an external administrator and nurse advisor and comply with stipulated training for all staff.
DoH State director Tracey Clerke also told the meeting that the agency will continue to visit the facility over the next couple of months to monitor its progress.
Another reminder of how quickly the wheels can fall off after a change of management.
