A rogue dentist who used nursing homes to perform involuntary dental surgery on helpless elderly patients — including one who was 99 years old — just so he could claim government cash could be back practising in two years. Dr Andrew Istephan — who also happens to be a former Liberal Party councillor — was driven by “speed and greed” and had “no moral compass” when he destroyed the teeth of elderly patients at five aged care facilities — all in a six week period — so he could claim up to $4,250 in federal government funding per patient. Of the 69 patients, 52 were unable to give informed consent and even among those who were able to consent, Dr Istephan failed to obtain it, according to a decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday.
August 4, 2017
There has been a spike in flu outbreaks in NSW nursing homes and health authorities are warning visitors who are sick to steer clear. More than 50 aged care facilities have had outbreaks in the past week alone, taking the total number of outbreaks this year in such facilities to around 140.
August 4, 2017
Fifty more aged care jobs are up for grabs at just one of Cairns’ newest retirement villages over the next year. An agency worker charged with filling positions at the Kewarra Aged Care facility in Kewarra Beach said most of the more than 65 positions needed in the next few weeks have been filled. We Care Recruitment recruiter Sarah Hutchinson said attracting the right people for aged care jobs had proved difficult in Cairns.
August 4, 2017
Aged care homes slashing nursing staff are thumbing their noses not just at expert advice but also at a recent Senate Inquiry, according to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. This month Blue Care will reduce its nursing staff by 11 full-time equivalent positions across its three Bundaberg facilities. The ANMF says that unless action is taken, other aged care providers could start laying off nursing staff.
August 4, 2017
Advocare CEO Greg Mahney will retire this month.
August 3, 2017
Gambling issues reportedly drove Barry Patrick Ryan to steal almost $1500 from three people while in a “position of trust” as a care worker at Community Aged Care. The 59-year-old faced Warwick Magistrates Court today, pleading guilty to three counts of stealing. Magistrate Bevan Manthey said the total amount of money taken was $1486, which reportedly belonged to three people with disabilities who required care. “I accept that he has pleaded guilty early and has cooperated,” Mr Manthey said. Ryan has served twelve months imprisonment with an immediate parole release date on Friday July 28. No restitution was ordered as Ryan had returned the full amount of money prior to being charged.
August 3, 2017
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Nurses on Wheels Inc for its Nurses on Wheels Inc and the NSWNMA/ANMF NSW Branch Enterprise Agreement 2017-2019 has been approved by Deputy President Gostencnik in Melbourne on 31 July 2017.
August 3, 2017
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Estia Investments Pty Ltd have a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Commissioner Johns in his Sydney chambers.
