The federal government cut funding to John Mercer Lodge in Perth this week after discovering serious risks to residents, including inadequate provision of food and drink. The facility, operated by the not-for-profit group Silver Chain, has been sanctioned for six months. Silver Chain chief executive Chris McGowan said: "Silver Chain are just so disappointed, devastated, by the results of the audit. Yet, in some ways it is positive, because it is going to really focus us on getting right on top of this issue and fixing it. Mr. McGowan stated a merger of two lodges that had resulted in staff losses had contributed to the facilitys problems. Silver Chain has 39,000 residents in its care throughout Western Australia; John Mercer Lodge is one of six facilities it operates in the state.
Opinion
RIP: We are seeing the death of the family-run aged care operator
It feels like I am writing an obituary to family-run aged care facilities. Once the backbone of the sector, multi-generation operators are now selling out at a pace not seen before. The sell-off is accelerating, with three landmark deals in just two...
