A Darwin woman has had a ban on visiting her “lonely and confused” husband at Pearl Supported Care Facility in Fannie Bay, Darwin, overturned by the Supreme Court.

Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC), which manages the home, said Fathma Mauger “bullied and harassed” staff at the home, and banned her from visiting her 77-year-old husband Graham in his room, suggesting alternative meeting places including the chapel, a hairdressing salon and a downstairs area, The Courier Mail reported.

However, Fathma said those places were “inappropriate”.

Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) also offered to move Graham downstairs, but Fathma took the provider to the Supreme Court in an effort to overturn the ban, saying the move would be “unduly upsetting and distressing” for her husband.

Justice Judith Kelly ruled “the balance of convenience overwhelmingly favours the granting of an interim injunction in the terms sought”.

David Moran, Chief Executive Officer at Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc told The SOURCE, “Protecting the safety and well-being of our community members is our number one priority at all times.

“We have full confidence in our team and know that they will continue to deliver the compassionate, person-centred care that Pearl Supported Care has been providing to older Territorians since 2011.”

The SOURCE: It’s distressing that this dispute had to be taken to the Supreme Court.