Screening and employment standards are being questioned after it was revealed there had been a sexual assault of an elderly patient at the condemned South Australian Government-run Oakden nursing home. In July 2011, a 99-year-old woman with dementia was indecently assaulted. Court documents show the woman’s breast was rubbed by a male carer, who then lifted up her top. Emeritus Professor Rhonda Nay from La Trobe University, who is an aged care specialist, said her immediate response to hearing about the case made her “want to weep”. The carer was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault, but the prosecution argued he was mentally incompetent. The man was a former police officer who was medically discharged in 2005. Court documents show he had a history of mental health issues, had previously attempted suicide and was thought to be in a bipolar manic state at the time of the assault.
May 1, 2017
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Armest Pty Ltd T/A Miles Witt Partnership for its RPC Care Management – Support Staff Enterprise Agreement 2017 has been approved by Commissioner Lee in Melbourne on 27 April 2017.
May 1, 2017
After a year with interim chief executive officer Jo Sheppard, Toowoomba Clubhouse has appointed Deborah Bailey as its permanent CEO.
April 28, 2017
Queenstown-based medical officer of health for Otago and Southland, Dr Derek Bell, has retired after nearly two decades in the role.
April 28, 2017
A s.365 (General protections) application made by Anne Pilbrow against Qld Prison health Services and WorkPac Pty Ltd T/A Workpac Healthcare has been dismissed by Deputy President Lawrence in Sydney on 26 April 2017.
April 28, 2017
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Embracia Communities Pty Ltd for its Embracia Communities Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2016 has been corrected by Commissioner Gregory in Melbourne on 27 April 2017. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Queensland Nurses Union, and United Voice are now the bargaining representative for the agreement.
April 28, 2017
The company that was accused of underpaying its cleaners by more than $150,000 has agreed to pay back every undercut cleaner in a meeting yesterday morning. Guardian Property Services denied any wrongdoing saying it was “blatantly untrue” that one cleaner alone was owed $70,000. But the company agreed to pay that same cleaner, Ashish Pariyar, $50,000 and reimburse another cleaner $40,000. The company also agreed to pay back a number of other cleaners that were owed lesser amounts. Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes, who acted on behalf of the cleaners, said it was fantastic result for the aged care sector. “This is a care industry and there is a moral obligation to ensure exploitation of workers who supply the services is never allowed to progress,” he said. “It’s a big win for our society. The Nepalese cleaner was being paid $14 an hour for three years, meaning he did not receive any superannuation, pay slips or annual leave entitlements. Other cleaning companies have said how hard it was to operate in the aged care sector when it was facing a billion-dollar cut from the Federal Government and providers were looking for the cheapest alternatives.
April 28, 2017
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Gastro West Pty Ltd as the Trustee for Western Suburbs Endoscopy Services Unit T/A Keilor Private for its Gastro West Pty Ltd as the Trustee for the Western Suburbs Endoscopy Services Unit Trust Support Services Enterprise Agreement 2017 has been ratified by Commissioner Johns in Sydney on 26 April 2017.
