General News
24 August, 2022
Lyndoch woes hit May Noonan Centre
THE May Noonan Centre has been issued a Notice to Agree (NTA) by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission after “an immediate and severe risk to safety, health or well-being of care recipients” was found.
THE May Noonan Centre has beenissued a Notice to Agree (NTA) by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission after “an immediate and severe risk to safety, health or well-being of care recipients” was found.
The NTA follows a COVID-19 outbreak which has impacted, at the time of publication, 18 residents in the last week.
On Monday Lyndoch Living stated all residents of the May Noonan Centre were being cared for and were closely monitored by medical and aged care staff.
“All affected residents have anti-viral medication, are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and continue to display minor symptoms,” the statement read.
“The outbreak is isolated to the May Noonan Centre, with the isolation period set to end on Wednesday, August 24.
“Lyndoch Living continues to closely monitor the condition of residents and provide updates to each of the affected residents primary contact.”
The statement also noted the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission had issued a NTA regarding non-compliance with responsibilities under the Aged Care Act.
As part of the NTA, Lyndoch Living was required to appoint an eligible advisor to assist in compliance with responsibilities.
According to the non-compliance notice, the advisor must be appointed for a period of no less than four months, provided all necessary information for the advisor to provide assistance and immediately implement and comply with all advice, recommendations and directions of Commonwealth and Victorian Health Authorities.
While Lyndoch Living’s statement said a current COVID-19 outbreak was the reason for the issuance of the NTA, the notice states the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission identified there was
“an immediate and severe risk to safety, health or well-being of care recipients to whom the approved provider is providing care”.
Staffing shortage was also highlighted among failures of relevance to the decision, due to non-compliance with the Quality of Care Principles 2014 to “maintain an adequate number of appropriately skilled staff to ensure that the care needs of care recipients are met”.
Staffing shortages have hit providers across the state in recent times, with Mercy Place Colac also recently found non-compliant.
Lyndoch Living’s failure to comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards was also cited as an area of concern, however Lyndoch Living stated “from the 17 non-compliance requirements under the eight standards originally flagged as areas of concern by the Commission, Lyndoch Living has successfully managed to resolve all but two requirements and is working closely with experts and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to ensure it is compliant as quickly as possible”.
In order to avoid the imposition of a revocation sanction under section 63N of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act, Lyndoch Living stated the board and senior management had agreed to the NTA and were “working to rectify all concerns identified by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission”.
This included appointing a clinical adviser from Monday to provide advice and support.
Lyndoch Living board chair Susan Cassidy said any notification from the Commission was “deeply concerning” and Lyndoch Living had appointed a clinical adviser as required while working closely with health networks to meet its compliance standards.
“The health and care of our residents is our number one priority, and we are working closely with the Public Health Unit to ensure we continue to deliver high-quality care while protecting our team and other residents,”she said.
“We are grateful for the clinical leadership and support provided by South West Healthcare and Terang and Mortlake Health Service, which have provided staffing resources and support to address the ongoing challengeswe face.”
“We are also grateful to the Commonwealth and State Governments, who have provided a surge workforce to assist our team.”
Ms Cassidy said the COVID-19 outbreak had been contained to the May Noonan Centre.
“While we continue to liaise with primary contacts of the affected residents I want to reassure our community that all affected residents are healthy and doing well, and as always, we remain focused on providing quality care to our residents and supporting our dedicated staff,” she said.
Families of any residents who have questions or concerns about the health, safety and care of their loved ones were invited to contact Lyndoch Living on (03) 5557 8888.