The Turnbull Government has appointed Ms Christine Grant and Mr Phillip Gordon as Co-Chairs of the Advisory Committee for Indigenous Repatriation for three year terms.
August 23, 2017
A deadly gastro virus which has left a Brisbane aged care home in lockdown all month has been linked to the deaths of seven residents. The outbreak first hit several weeks ago, claiming the lives of two residents at the Regis aged care facility in Yeronga. Claims of poor hygiene and understaffing from families of residents were denied by Regis, which also denied gastro was the cause of the initial deaths. The centre has been in lockdown for 26 days, and five more residents, including two last Friday, have died. A Regis spokesperson on Tuesday night reiterated “there have been no deaths confirmed as being as a result of gastro”. “As advised previously, Regis has experienced an episode of gastroenteritis at the Yeronga facility. It was first identified on 28 July. We are pleased to say that the episode is nearing completion,” General Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Services said. “As of today, we are undertaking an industrial clean of the facility in preparation for the ceasing the gastroenteritis protocols tomorrow. “Protocols remain in place in one wing as a precautionary measure. “Regis has continued to work closely with the Public Health Unit as part of our established protocols and also implemented our infection control processes. “During this period there have been seven deaths at the facility. These residents had a range of pre-existing ailments and while they may have been affected by gastroenteritis, in no case has gastroenteritis been recorded as the cause of death.” The first two deaths at the home came as a gastro outbreak spread across three Australian states a fortnight ago. In addition to the Queensland deaths, 20 aged care and child care facilities in Melbourne were hit with a highly contagious stomach flu. Meanwhile, NSW Health said there had been a 34 per cent increase in viral gastroenteritis notifications across the state over the previous year. Back in Brisbane, at least 91 more cases of gastro were reported on a cruise ship which docked in the city on August 10. On-board testing found norovirus to be the cause. Regis’ Wynnum facility in Brisbane was hit with a gastro outbreak in June, which affected 15 residents but did not result in any deaths.
August 23, 2017
Visitors are urged to avoid the Mary Coram aged care unit at Goulburn Valley Health due to a gastro outbreak. ‘‘We would like family and visitors to avoid the ward unless absolutely necessary,’’ a hospital spokeswoman said. ‘‘If they want to visit they are asked to call the hospital beforehand to see whether they can come in, to help avoid the spread of gastro.’’ It is believed the outbreak started yesterday. ‘‘We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause,’’ the spokeswoman said.
August 23, 2017
Bynoe Community Advancement Cooperative Society LTD has a (s.394 – Application for unfair dismissal remedy) complaint on its hands in Normanton (Douglas).
August 23, 2017
Bidgerdii Community Health Service intends to defend a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) before Commissioner Saunders in court house cnr East and Fitzroy Streets in Rockhampton at 10am.
August 23, 2017
Peninsula Village Limited & Evergreen Life Care Limited and Others are pursuing a (s.576(2)(aa) – Promoting cooperative and productive workplace relations and preventing disputes) before Deputy President Booth at Evergreen Life Care 22-32 Yallambee Ave West Gosford NSW 2250 at 9.30am.
August 23, 2017
Shamed for licking the ear of a nurse while visiting his elderly mum at an aged care home, Joseph McDonald says he now feels extreme remorse. Bundaberg Magistrates Court heard that McDonald, 58, believed he and the nurse had been having “friendly cheeky banter” during his visits when he sniffed her neck then stuck his tongue in her ear. McDonald, from Bargara, pleaded guilty to assaulting the 23-year-old nurse on July 7 at a Nambour aged care facility. Prosecutor Senior Constable Andrew Blunt said the assault at 6.10pm happened when the nurse was backing a trolley out from a nursing station. McDonald gave her a hug, laid his head on her neck – sniffing it – “then stuck his tongue in her ear, he did it for a period of time”. Snr Cnst Blunt said McDonald had continued, the nurse in shock. A second nurse arrived with medication for another patient and when told it was a blood thinner, McDonald said: “I don’t think I need it as my blood is going to one area”. Snr Cnst Blunt said McDonald made admissions to police, saying he placed his tongue in her ear as he thought it was a cheeky friendship with the nurse and he was a very friendly person. He told officers that by his blood comment he meant that it was going to his face as he was blushing. Defence lawyer Rian Dwyer said McDonald says it was friendly cheeky banter. “He wants to apologise to her but does not want to cause further uncomfortableness,” Mr Ryan said. Magistrate Belinda Merrin said he knew the nurse for a couple of months and says he had a cheeky relationship, had put his tongue in her ear and she had tried to pull away. Ms Merrin said there was a level of persistence in the exchange. And the comment about the blood could have been taken by the complainant in context as something else. “A good behaviour bond is not appropriate. It involves a young lady at work and you subjected her to quite disgusting behaviour,” she said. “How you could believe she would want you licking in her ear I really struggle to understand.”
August 23, 2017
An application by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation & New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association (s.229 – Application for a bargaining order) will be determined by Commissioner Johns in his Sydney chambers at 4.30pm.
