Government gives full marks to SA nursing home at centre of elder abuse surveillance scandal
An Adelaide nursing home at the centre of a national controversy over leaked video of a staffer abusing a patient has scored full marks in a government review and had its licensed renewed.
The woman who filmed the abuse says she is disgusted by the results.
The Mitcham Residental Care Facility became the catalyst for calls for the introduction of security camera in aged care facilities, after Noleen Hausler secretly recorded Corey Lyle Lucas abusing her father Clarence Hausler in 2015.
The video showed the man appearing to restrict the high care dementia patient's breathing and forcefully shoving a spoon deep into his mouth.
He also pinned the then 89-year-old’s arms down and flicked his nose in video released by ABC’s Four Corners.
But despite the controversy, and subsequent three week jail sentence for Lucas, the Mitcham facility received 44 out of 44 in a review of its services by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency.
The Advertiser reports the result has disgusted the woman who revealed the abuse in the facility.
“I’m just dumbfounded,” she said.
“I spent four hours with the agency prior to (the) review. They told me the facility only has to pass what is actually stated in the paperwork.
"If they dot the i’s and cross the t’s they pass.”
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The review was conducted between August 2 and August 9.
Ms Hausler told The Advertiser she had been in contact with AACQA about her experience at Mitcham before the review began.
Yet despite the facility’s operator Japara Healthcare threatening Ms Hausler with legal action over her secret recording, the facility was found to have met its obligations on complaint handling.
It also provided a safe environment for patients, the review said.
“Results show follow up actions occur in a timely manner," the reviews reads.
"Staff interviewed said they are aware of how to raise a complaint. Care recipients and representatives interviewed said they are able to provide feedback to management and feel comfortable doing so."
“Care recipients live in a safe and comfortable environment that ensures the quality of life and welfare of care recipients, staff and visitors.”
The facility's license has been extended until 2018.
Ms Hausler installed the camera in her father’s bedroom in 2015 after becoming concerned about bruises and lacking confidence in the Mitcham Residential Care Facility's ability or willingness to act.
The video was released in July, sparking angry responses from the public and politicians.
More than 40,000 people signed a petition demanding nursing home surveillance.
In response to the footage, the company released a statement saying Mr Hausler’s abuse had occurred at the hands of a rogue carer who was "dealt with swiftly".
"As soon as we became aware of the incident, the individual was immediately suspended and we have assisted with the police investigation which has since led to a conviction," it said in a statement.
However, lawyers for Ms Hausler said she had received legal threats, accusing of her of breaking the law by secretly installing cameras in her father’s room.
Lucas, 29, from Camden Park, was imprisoned for less than one month of a six month sentence after pleased guilty to two counts of aggravated assault in June.
His sentence was suspended pending an 18 month good behaviour bond.
Ms Hausler’s petition can be found here
The full Australian Aged Care Quality Agency report into the Mitcham Residential Care Facility can be found here
