Jandowae’s Taralga Retirement Village Hostel has been drugging residents without consent, according to an audit by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).
The ACQSC reportedly found the Queensland facility, located near Toowoomba, non-compliant with two of the Aged Care Quality Standards in a recent visit.
Taralga has 14 days to consider and respond to the findings.
The Commission found four residents were prescribed regular and “as required” antipsychotic medication, despite not having a disorder or condition.
“(Taralga) was not aware the use of psychotropic medication for these four consumers was a form of chemical restraint and confirmed consent for the authorisation of their use had not been obtained,” the report read.
Media reports say Taralga has since obtained consent to use chemical restraints on two of the residents, with ceasing the use in two others “in consultation with medical officers”.
The ACQSC also identified 10 areas of improvement for Taralga that this facility has reportedly committed to addressing.
