The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is considering the approved provider status of aged care home Carinya of Bicton, operated by Perth-based Not For Profit St Jude's Health Care Services, after the home was issued with Sanctions and a Notice to Agree when it failed all eight aged care quality standards in a site audit last December.
Assessors found that the home, located in an upmarket suburb 10km southwest of the Perth CBD, had a "malodorous" environment, inadequate reviews and support plans for residents receiving chemical restraint, generic care plans, and residents were seen wearing soiled items, among other failures.
In January, the ACQSC issued Sanctions and a Notice to Agree to the provider to "an immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of people receiving care", noting continued failures relating to six of the eight Quality Standards.
"The Commission is monitoring the Approved Provider to ensure action is taken to fix the outstanding issues at this service," the ACQSC said.
"The Commission is considering taking away the providers approval to provide aged care at this service."
In Q2 FY25, the Commission only applied sanctions to one aged care service, and the last previous sanction was imposed a year earlier. Carinya's sanction was imposed in Q3 FY25, for which the ACQSC's Sector Performance Report has not yet been released.
Risk-based assessments
The ACQSC has reduced the number of Sanctions that it imposes on aged care homes after it moved to risk-based monitoring in 2023, which focuses the regulator's attention where there is greatest risk of resident harm, rather than reacting to incidents that have already occurred.
The regulator can use Directions for Continuous Improvement, Enforceable Undertakings, Notices to Remedy, and Notices to Agree, as well as applying Sanctions, to remedy compliance failures.
St Jude's Health Care Services has four aged care homes in Western Australia, and also offers Home Care Packages, allied health services, and disability support.
We received a comment from St Jude's:
"St Jude’s Health Care Services acquired aged care facility Carinya of Bicton in early 2024 and has worked hard to maintain high standards of care.
"A $6 million major refurbishment of the facility is under way, a new management team and adviser have been appointed and significant progress has been made.
"St Jude’s holds regular stakeholder meetings, including with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and management is confident Carinya of Bicton is on the right track and well positioned for continued improvement. Management will continue to work closely with the commission as we progress our improvements.
"We will keep residents and their families informed about our progress and remain committed to their care and wellbeing.
"An advisory service has been appointed to support management of the Bicton facility, and significant progress had been made in remedying noncompliance items.
"The facility was accredited for 12 months."
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