The tragic turn of events at a group home continue

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Public Service Association say their warning to the government to not move residents out of the Stockton Centre went unnoticed and now residents, carers and workers are paying the price.

It's been a tragic turn of events with two tragic deaths and two other resident hospitalisations from the same centre after moving into the new group home in Stockton, and now a fifth former resident has been hospitalised.

Hunter Public Service Association organiser Paul James can't believe the situation continues to happen at the group home where residents should be getting the best possible care.

"What's occurred is because of the rush people have lost out and possibly there have been gaps created. We know Sydney orchestrated the move for the clients and possibly some of those clients shouldn't have been moved out in the first place."

Now the concern is that the government won't fix the problem, and Paul James certainly believes even if they do something it won't be anytime soon.

"I don't honestly think that they care about the clients but they see this as a process and my understanding is when the NDIS initially arrived they saw this as a golden goose in terms of making and saving money."

Image abc.net.au

Death at Stockton group home

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

An investigation has been launched into the death of a disabled woman at a Stockton Group home.

Another resident is in hospital suffering serious health issues just weeks after moving into the group home.

The former centre resident and the severely disabled woman had only just moved into their new home when they experienced health complications believed to be linked to dehydration and feeding issues - the second woman is still recovering in hospital.

The quality of care is being questioned within the group homes with residents moving in from the Stockton Centre which is due to close.

The State Opposition says it highlights the concerns about transferring severely disabled residents out of the Centre, possibly into care which is not up to standard.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Kate Washington says the government promised the high level of care given to Stockton Centre would continue at Group homes.

"Governments have been providing reassurances for families and advocates that the care will be what it needs to be and we just have very little confidence that government is doing that. The government instead tells us that with giving additional resources to the ombudsman as far as I'm concerned it's all far too late by the time its gone to the ombudsman," said Kate Washington.

Image Newcastle Herald.