The Palaszczuk Government is calling on the Federal Government to act immediately on a damning report into the management of the Earle Haven aged care home.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the report showed a shocking lack of oversight by the Federal Government.
“The report makes clear that there was a complete lack of care from the providers, who clearly weren’t up to the job of looking after elderly and vulnerable Queenslanders,” Mr Miles said.
“The report also makes clear warning signs were missed by the Morrison Government due to a lack of oversight and regulation.
“Some of the stories of how that night unfolded are devastating.
“The Palaszczuk Government has been calling on the Morrison Government for months now to step up, take ownership and increase regulation of aged care facilities.
“The Federal Government yesterday promised to implement the 23 recommendations of the report – I welcome that commitment and hope they can now make the changes needed quickly.
Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the collapse happened under the watch of the Federal Government.
“I saw the devastating events that unfolded that night and the impact it had on residents, many of whom had dementia, and their families,” Ms Scanlon said.
“I want to thank all of the emergency services, health staff and those aged-care staff who stayed behind to ensure that everyone had a safe place to stay.”
Mr Miles said the report recognised the hard work of Queensland’s first responders.
“Our Ambos and Healthcare workers did a fantastic job, working through the night to care for affected residents,” Mr Miles said.
“In total around 32 paramedics were involved in the mass operation and over 250 health staff from Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service helped coordinate and respond to the incident.
Mr Miles said the Palaszczuk Government had already acted to make the sector more accountable where the Federal Government refused.
“The Palaszczuk Government has introduced a bill to parliament to ask the private providers, who deliver the vast majority of aged care places in Queensland, to publish their staffing levels so families know who is taking care of their parents and grandparents,” he said.
