There has been a noticeable shift around the coronavirus cases in the state’s aged care homes this week with Heritage Care’s Epping Gardens home – where there have now been 90 positive cases recorded – in particular coming in for media scrutiny about how its outbreak is being handled. Health Metrics CEO and founder Steven Strange tells us why this ‘blame game’ is unhelpful – and why he would be happy to have his own mother in one of their homes.
“Right now, there are plenty of dark stories floating around the aged care sector. Though, through that darkness, I have felt a sense of pride. It has come from the tone of our public discourse and the general sense that we would stick together and do what is needed to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. More recently however, the discourse has moved from ‘…working together to get through this…’, to casting blame.”
“This shift from solidarity to blame is disappointing on many levels. I know Heritage, they are good operators and good people. Further, I would be happy for my 93-year-old mother to live in any of their homes. I speak from over 13 years of experience in visiting hundreds of aged care homes all over Australia and the rest of the world.”
“Governments of all persuasions have noted that a viable and healthy for-profit sector is a vital part of any future aged care strategy. Let’s not throw the baby out when a pandemic comes to town.”
“Stop the blame, work together, and do your part to assist the most vulnerable.”
