Health concerns at Bupa Griffith aged care home have resurfaced following equipment breakdown.
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Due to a faulty mechanical lifter, several residents were unable to leave their beds, have a shower, or use a proper toilet.
However a Bupa spokesman said staff had made sure the residents' hygiene was maintained during the breakdown.
"In this particular circumstance, unfortunately there was a delay in repairing a mechanical lifter, which meant that some residents were offered bed bathing for a short period of time," the spokesman said.
"These bed baths were performed regularly during the time it took to repair this equipment to ensure residents' hygiene and comfort needs were met."
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One resident said he'd spent 10 days unable to leave his bed or use the bathroom, and he claimed it was the third time this had happened due to a mechanical failure.
The resident had several other hygiene-related complaints, claiming conditions have declined since the sanctions expired in May.
Bupa Griffith was sanctioned last year after the Department of Health found the home was not meeting minimum accreditation standards.
One resident attributed the problems to a high turnover in staff, claiming that several staff quit after their rostered work hours were cut.
The Area News asked Bupa whether this was the case, but they did not provide an answer.
However, a Bupa spokesman said the turnover of staff was "generally expected in the normal course of business".
"We do not believe that this is due to rostering issues, and in fact, the home has one of the highest staff engagement survey results in the region," he said.
"At Griffith we're confident that we have the right number and mix of employees based on the current care requirements and acuity of our residents, but we have committed to closely monitor this."
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Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said they would keep a close eye on Bupa Griffith.
"The commission will continue to monitor the service's compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards through unannounced visits," she said.
"If anyone has concerns about an aged care service, they should contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822."
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
