The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle has admitted Anglican Care "failed" the residents of its Storm Village aged care home in Taree, after the facility was sanctioned late last month for serious compliance issues.
In an email to the Newcastle Anglican community, Peter Stuart said he and the diocesan chief executive were "devastated" to have received a Risk Escalation and Sanctions Notice from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, after an unannounced site audit in late January.
"Our first through was with the residents and their supporters — we know that Anglican Care had failed them," Dr Stuart wrote.
The commission found there was "an immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of people receiving care" at Storm Village.
It found the facility did not meet 14 out of 42 requirements set by the Aged Care Quality Standards, including ongoing assessment and planning with consumers; personal care and clinical care; human resources; and organisational governance.
Information published on government website My Aged Care, shows compliance and staffing were both given one star, while quality measures received two stars.
Data shows the facility failed to meet minimum targets for nursing and personal care, as well as care from a registered nurse.
Nine or more medications were were prescribed to 47 per cent of residents, which is 10 per cent above the national average.
Seventeen per cent of residents experienced unplanned weight loss, which is eight per cent above the national average.
"Anglican Care is appalled by what the risk escalation disclosed," Dr Stuart said.
"Its board and leadership are seeking detailed understanding of why inadequate care was provided, why its systems did not detect this promptly and what improvements are being put in place."
'Deeply sorry'
In a statement, an Anglican Care spokesperson said it was "deeply sorry that the quality of care provided at Storm Village has fallen short of the organisation's own high expectations and those of the commission."
"We sincerely apologise for the impact this is having on our residents, their families, and our staff," the spokesperson said.
The statement said management met with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in December and January to outline concerns about the standard of care provided at Storm Village, and had taken actions to improve the provision of services.
These actions included "ceasing admissions; ceasing respite services; appointment of a clinical advisor; increasing organisational audit and monitoring of the service and additional training for existing staff".
Following the January site audit, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission put a formal arrangement in place with the provider to ensure improvements were made.
Commissioner Janet Anderson said under the arrangements the provider was required to appoint a specialist adviser for six months to help it address non-compliance issues.
"The provider must also train its staff in areas related to the non-compliance … submit regular written reports, and attend fortnightly meetings with the commission as part of our close monitoring," she said.
Further steps will be taken and Storm Village risks losing its approval to provide aged care services, if actions set out by the commission are not taken.
Anglican Care said the provider fully accepted the findings and had met with residents, families and staff to discuss any concerns.
"Anglican Care management … are fully involved in bringing the valued service back to compliance," Dr Stuart wrote.
