Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission investigating claims made against Harvey-based facility Hocart Lodge

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has confirmed it is investigating claims made against a centre for the elderly in Harvey that has come under fire in recent weeks. The Harvey-Waroona Reporter exclusively revealed last week relatives of a number of Hocart Lodge Aged Care residents were seeking answers after alleged misconduct at the facility, including a bedridden resident becoming severely dehydrated after his only liquids were left on the other side of the room. The commission confirmed it was “closely monitoring” the care and services provided at the centre. It comes after a community forum where family members of past and current residents at Hocart Lodge Aged Care facility shared concerns. Claims included medication problems, the quality of the meals served to residents and the facility running out of incontinence pads for days at a time. Concerns were also raised about the facility not meeting the eight aged-care quality standards. The claims were made at the Binningup Country Club on Wednesday. The forum was attended by more than 70 people including Harvey Shire councillors. Hocart board members and management were invited but did not attend. The meeting was organised by Carol Wright and Elaine Clohessy, whose father William Peary died in Harvey Hospital on June 18. The siblings allege their father was bedridden and became severely dehydrated after his only liquids, a glass of water, was left on the other side of the room. His funeral is due to be held tomorrow, on the one-year anniversary of his wife Marion’s death. Marion was also a resident of the aged-care centre. Mrs Clohessy is a registered nurse, registered midwife and has a master’s degree in midwifery. She teaches nursing and midwifery in a clinical setting at all of Perth’s major hospitals. “I invited Hocart representatives to attend the forum but they declined,” she said. “We offered to gather together our concerns from tonight and send them to Hocart. “They asked us to refer any complaints to the aged-care commission and not to them.” At the forum, Mrs Clohessy outlined the eight aged-care standards and alleged that Hocart lodge did not to meet those standards. “From what I know and what I teach, they did not meet those standards,” she said. “They have a duty of care. “When it is a preventable death, there is no excuse at all. “Carol and I thought it was just our dad.” Yesterday, Mrs Clohessy lodged a formal complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett and councillors Wendy Dickinson and Michelle Boylan were at the forum. Cr Gillett said the issues raised appeared to be longstanding. “I’ve been hearing stories about this from 13 years ago,” Mr Gillett said. “There have been a lot of similar stories raised here. “It shows this was not just one or two cases of problems at the facility.” Federal Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck also weighed in on the issue, telling the Reporter he was aware of claims at the facility that were being investigated. “It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter while this is happening.” WA Minister for Seniors and Ageing Don Punch was unable to attend the forum but expressed concern at the allegations. “All of us have the right to age safely, happily and with dignity and respect, which is why the allegations at the Hocart Lodge are particularly distressing,” Mr Punch told the Reporter. “It is very important that people are able to express their concerns about the care they or someone else is receiving, and I expect the Commission to satisfactorily investigate the formal complaint made by the families of Hocart Lodge residents.” In a statement last week, Hocart Lodge’s board and management acknowledged the facility was investigating a complaint made to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Facility chief executive Ishbell Reid said management had described the allegations as “deeply concerning”. “We take all complaints very seriously,” Ms Reid said. A spokesperson from the commission confirmed a number of complaints had been received. “The commission has received a number of complaints about Hocart Lodge that have included issues relating to clinical care, personal care and food,” the spokesperson said. “The commission takes all complaints seriously, working closely with the relevant provider to ensure that they address the concerns raised quickly and effectively.” Ms Reid said in a statement that Hocart Lodge management had described the serious allegations made against the facility as “deeply concerning” and acknowledged the facility was investigating a complaint made to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. A royal commission into aged care was launched in October 2018 and received more than 10,000 submissions from care recipients and their families, as well as aged-care workers and providers. The final report from the royal commission was released on March 1 and included 148 wide-ranging recommendations to overhaul the aged-care system, including a complete replacement of the Aged Care Act (1997). Mr Colbeck said in the 2021 Budget the Federal Government had made a $17.7 billion commitment to reforms in the sector as a result of the royal commission’s final report.