Two senior managers at Queensland's troubled Jeta Gardens aged care facility have been stood down on full pay amid concerns about the running of the nursing home amid a COVID-19 outbreak.
Announcing the decision today, Jeta Gardens CEO Wesley Carter said the managers had been stood aside pending an independent investigation into the "full situation" at the aged care facility.
"I ask all residents, families and staff not to be concerned or allow rumours and innuendo to flourish," Mr Carter said.
"This is standard corporate protocol in this type of situation, and I will advise you of any updates as the situation progresses with regards to this."
Jeta Gardens has been the subject of an Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission non-compliance order since last October after deficiencies were found in the nursing home's COVID-19 outbreak management plan and concerns were raised about staffing levels.
Earlier this month, the commission identified residents were at "immediate and severe risk", resulting in aged care consultants being brought in amid a COVID-19 outbreak.
The outbreak, declared on Christmas Eve, resulted in 100 residents and 82 staff being infected with the pandemic virus.
Sixteen of the infected residents died.
ABC News also reported on the case of a 79-year-old resident who was seriously injured earlier this month after falling from a second-floor balcony at the facility amid staffing shortages.
An incident report, seen by the ABC, listed "neglect" as a contributing factor.
Management with 'questions to answer'
In response to questions about Jeta Gardens from Labor Senator Murray Watt in Senate Estimates today, Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said: "Some people shouldn't be in the industry.
"I am concerned about management," he said.
"They have an advisory team there now."
In a statement today, Mr Carter declared the Jeta Garden's COVID-19 outbreak to be "under control".
"COVID numbers have dropped to a low level which is a strong and confident position to be in.
"No new cases have occurred since February 9. This has allowed families and visitors to return and reconnect with loved ones as our cafes reopen and our shared common areas return to normal use."
Jeta Gardens is 57 per cent owned by Malaysian-based KPJ Healthcare.
