90-Year-Old Woman Dies In Hospital Following Alleged Sexual Assault On The Central Coast

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A woman has died in hospital following an alleged sexual assault at an aged care facility on the Central Coast.

Police allege a man broke into a facility in Bateau Bay about 12:40am on Wednesday the 15th of November, 2023, where he sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.

34-year-old Brett Anthony Crawford was later arrested at a property in Caves Beach and remains before the courts. 

Police have since been notified the woman died in hospital this morning (Tuesday the 28th of November, 2023). 

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

New Report Reveals Nursing Home Beds In The Hunter Are Going Unfilled

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK/ OLIVIA DILLON

A new report detailing the extent of staff shortages in Australia's aged care sector is shining a light on vacancy rates at facilities in the Hunter. 

Findings by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) have revealed one in seven nursing home beds across the country are sitting empty. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she is extremely concerned about the under-use of local facilities, such as the Wallsend Aged Care Centre.

Workers say the Local Health District has kept 68 of the 98 beds at the Wallsend facility unfilled for the past two years, despite hospitals and other services in the region running above capacity. 

"Those in the later stages of dementia, or that need constant 24-hour assistance, that's the place to be for the kind of quality of care that people need," Ms. Hornery said.

"It's still remaining open to the public and I will be lobbying and continue to lobby to ensure it is open to the public. It's a state government funded facility, which is rare in the state, but it does mean that all of the staff are under a state award."

CEDA has proposed accelerating the recruitment of migrant workers in the care economy to free up bed block in hospitals. The report says the government must also find new ways to financially support the aged-care sector.

Sonia Hornery says the well-being of aged care workers needs to be a priority, if more local services are to thrive.

"It's very important to ensure that nurses are supported, and all staff in aged-care facilities," she said.

A government spokesperson said it had responded by funding an $11.3 billion pay increase for workers.

Health Services Union Members Rally To Keep The Wallsend Aged Care Facility Open

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Aged care workers are calling on the Hunter New England Local Health District to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility open and in public hands.  

68 of the facility's 98 beds have been left empty for the past two years, as the district claims recruitment issues are stopping them from hiring more staff.

Health Services Union members say they've seen no evidence the district has been working to recruit more staff at all.

Assistant Secretary Lynne Russell, says workers and residents alike are set to be affected if the service is closed.

"It beggars belief as to why you would use public hospital beds to accommodate our aged care residents, who really need specialised care in an aged care facility, yet close down a whole unit," she said.

"It doesn't make any sense." 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says she'd like to see the facility used for geriatric patients which are currently causing bed block at the John Hunter and Belmont Hospitals.

She says she's in discussions with the Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health to make better use of the facility.

Image: Newcastle Herald

Calls to Use Wallsend Aged Care Facility to Ease Hunter Bed Block

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Residents and MPs are calling on Hunter New England Health to explain the low occupancy rate at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility. 

It was recently revealed the facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, and has not taken a new resident for more than two years. 

It's estimated this means there are approximately 40 beds free. 

Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery has expressed concern, the government plans to privatise or close the facility altogether. 

Ms Hornery said this doesn't make sense, considering the it has higher staffing ratios and better qualified staff than most federal facilities. 

"It's so important to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in public hands and available for the community because the quality of care there is the best," she said. 

Hunter Health's Executive Director of Greater Metropolitan Health Services, Karen Kelly, told Newcastle Herald, the COVID-19 pandemic had led to the decrease in residents, with families hesitant to admit their loved ones following a string of outbreaks. 

However, Ms Hornery said two years on, Hunter Health could lift the occupancy rate if it wanted to. 

"My question to the government and to the Health Minister is, are people being discouraged from going to the aged care facility?"

Ms Hornery noted the bed block in Hunter hospitals, and said something needs to be done to ease the pressure on the health system. 

She suggested the Wallsend site be used as temporary accommodation for patients filling up hospitals in the region. 

"I'm calling on the government to ensure not only that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility remains open, but that the community is encouraged to use the facility for their family when it's needed," Ms Hornery said. 

"I'm calling on the government to consider using consider using this facility as respite, to free up some of the beds at the John Hunter and the Calvary Mater." 

"And I'm calling on the government to be open an transparent with the community about what's really happening at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility because there is some reason why we have so many beds vacant at this wonderful facility." 

The Wallsend Aged Care Facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, Hunter Health has confirmed. 

Hunter aged care providers to get involved in vaccine rollout

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter aged care providers say the Government has reached out, with the intention of allowing them to apply for tender for their nurses to be able to perform vaccinations in-house.

It comes as the Hunter records a tripling in cases in local nursing homes over the last month.

There's been little news on whether support from Defence Force personnel is on the horizon for providers in the Hunter, but the change to the vaccination rollout is being welcomed. 

Maroba Aged Care CEO Viv Allanson says it's an obvious decision.

"Now, when everyone needs to have a third vaccine to be fully vaccinated, now the Government's saying, 'Oh, well, we recognise you've got great people that can do this,'" Ms Allanson said.

"'If you'd like to put up your hand to do it, you can put in for a tender.'"

More than 80 percent of aged care residents across the country have now received their booster.

The Commonwealth says it will continue to supply in-reach clinics for providers who are unable to take part in self-vaccination.

Ms Allanson it's better late than never, but she sees more outbreaks on the horizon.

"We want to take control, and be able to do it in a timely way when people fall due for their third doses," Ms Allanson said.

"We don't want to have to keep sending people out, we don't want to have to keep setting up appointments and finding that our GP can't supply doses."

"We welcome this, but I just think, how sad, that we've had to wait so long."

Fair Work Commission to Assess Pay Rise for Aged Care Workers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Health Services Union will bring a landmark work value case before the Fair Work Commission on Thursday, hoping to lift wages for aged care workers by 25 percent.

If the case is successful, more than 200,000 staff in the aged care sector would see their pay increase by at least five dollars an hour - a qualified personal carer would see their base hourly rate jump from $23.09 to $28.86.

The union is also attempting have specialist carers in areas such as dementia or palliative care recognised.

HSU President Gerard Hayes said aged care workers have suffered from underpayment and insecure work for too long and deserved to be "recognised and paid for their skills."

"4 in 10 people plan on leaving aged care within the next two to three years, because it's just not sustainable," Mr Hayes said. "People are working two or three jobs to be able to make ends meet because they can't just work in one facility." 

"There's a whole of these issues that have been exemplified in real time, throughout the Royal Commission, and if we're not doing something immediately, then I think it's an indictment on the society that we have."

Recent modelling by the HSU has claimed a 0.65 percent rise in the Medicare levy would raise $20.4 billion and provide the necessary funds to accommodate both the pay rise and an additional 59,000 jobs in the aged care sector.

"The Federal Government cannot keep hiding behind the Aged Care Royal Commission," Mr Hayes said. "We need action immediately." 

More COVID-19 Funding Announced For Aged Care Sector

BY IAN CROUCH

The Federal Government is responding to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes with a targeted funding package.

The $205 million is being made available to all Commonwealth funding residential aged care providers to cover the costs of additional staffing, training, supporting visitations and connections and the provision of personal protective equipment and infection control measures.

Providers will receive around $900 per resident in major metropolitan areas and around $1350 per residents in all other areas.

The latest round of funding follows the $235 million retention bonus paid to residential and home care workers to strengthen the workforce during the pandemic and $78 million announced in March for residential care to support continuity of workforce supply.

It comes as Hunter health lawyer, Catherine Henry calls for an independent inquiry into a COVID-19 cluster at the Newmarch House aged care facility in Sydney's west which has claimed the lives of 16 residents.

Federal member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie says it's vital for nursing homes to receive the support they need to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.

"We are seeing how devastating the impact of COVID-19 can be if there is an outbreak in an aged care facility. I have spoken to a number of local providers who are very keen to ensure they maintain the highest of standards and care, particularly at this challenging time, and these measures are aimed at protecting the most vulnerable people in our community, " he said.

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie

Bolton Point Aged Care Facility Approved Despite Excess Building Height

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Council has given the green light to an aged care facility at Bolton Point even though the development is more than double the standard building height for the area.

The $32 million project will feature 108 rooms on The Ridgeway, but due to the steep slope of the site, the building increases from 2 storeys at the south to 4 storeys to the north, meaning it exceeds the standard building height by 9 metres.

However, a report to council says the development includes high design elements and landscaping and tree retention which softens the bulk of the project.

A artist's impression of the proposed aged care facility at Bolton Point

$41 Million Dollar Upgrade to Booragul Aged Care Facility

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Work has today commenced on a $41 million dollar upgrade to an aged care facility at Booragul.

The Anglican Care funded project aims to expand and improve aged care services available to residents and will include 126 new single en-suite rooms, a Chapel, cafe and day therapy centre.

The project will bring in 160 local workers over the course of the expected two-year project.

CEO of Anglican Care, Colin Osborne, says it's a much-needed upgrade.

"The old CA Brown nursing home was built in stages quite some years ago, and it really doesn't meet the contemporary standards of delivery of quality aged care services," he said.

The project is one of a number of Anglican Care funded projects around the Hunter set to be opened by April 2020.

"It's an 18-month building program, a very extensive building program that we're looking forward to commissioning in that second quarter of 2020."

Image: APP Construction

Hunter MP Calls For Aged Care Health Service Improvements

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

Following the recent accreditation loss of a nursing home in Waratah, there are calls for the quality of aged care health in the Hunter to be improved.

Despite our ageing population and an increased demand for services within aged care facilities, General Practitioner (GP) visits have fallen by 13 percent in the last three years.

Federal member for the Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon addressed Parliament on the matter this week, expressing that the quality of care within aged care facilities must be maintained to a high standard.

"There is surely no greater priority for the government then to take care of the elderly in our community."

Mr Fitzgibbon also spoke on the need to increase health care accessibility for those within aged care facilities.

"We need to maintain the highest quality standard for our elderly and we need to ensure that they have ready and easy access to GP services."

"We can't invest too much in making sure that older Australians have a quality of life...The Government is making it increasingly hard for GP's to make visits to facilities and those visits go to the very core of quality of life."

Image: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=joel+fitzgibbon&rlz=1C1GGRV_enAU751AU751&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiwjMXCyvDcAhXbdt4KHT-7BxsQ_AUICygC&biw=1920&bih=943#imgrc=Vu3_4ObjHjlQ1M:

Accreditation Stripped from Newcastle Aged Care Centre

BY JARROD MELMETH

Tinonee Gardens nursing home at Waratah is set to lose access to Federal Government subsidies for residents from November 2nd.

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has revoked the home's accreditation, following allegations of substandard care.

In June, the Agency conducted an unannounced visit, which found the facility failed to meet 13 of 44 required standards.

The quality agency said the home placed residents at serious risk, despite earlier sanctions handed down in August 2017.

2NURFM has contacted Tinonee Gardens for comment. 

Meanwhile, the nearby Bethel Aged Care Facility has been given a serious risk sanction after it only met 23 of 44 benchmarks.

Aged care crisis leaving Novocastrians in the lurch

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon has addressed parliament about a looming crisis in the aged care industry which will affect Hunter residents.

100,000 older Australians are waiting to access home care packages they've already been approved for, including 80,000 with high care needs or dementia.

NSW has the longest waiting list in the country, which is only set to get worse in the future.

Sharon Claydon said it's despicable one Novocastrian man was forced to call her office to discuss the issue after receiving no response from the government.

"My office is getting harrowing calls about the implications of these waiting lists," she said, "I've had one gentleman contact me who was just at his wit's end. 

"He'd done everything he could," Ms Claydon continued, "after waiting a year for a high-level care package to become available for his 90-year-old mother - he had nowhere else to turn to." 

The MP said the Novocastrian man's story was just one of many families struggling to look after their elderly members. 

"The government needs to understand the very real human consequences of their inaction...they've been marked down as a 'fail, fail, fail' in my view," she said.

Ms Claydon spoke on the issue in parliament yesterday, and was surprised to see no government ministers listed to address the matter during proceedings. 

However, the Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, happened to be in chambers at the time and responded to Ms Claydon's address. 

"Regretfully, the Minister's response was that it's a complex issue," the MP explained, "...well that is your job. That's your portfolio...you've sat on the news of waiting list times for aged-care in-home packages for 12 months.

"Only now have you bothered to share that news with the public." 

Sharon Claydon said the government's response to the 100,000 people waiting was to release 6000 additional places. 

"That's not even a drop in the ocean," Ms Claydon affirmed.

The Member for Newcastle in her address to parliament yesterday.