Quality and Safety Commission steps in at Newmarch House – as Commissioner warns that all operators are in its sights

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson PSM, has confirmed the ACQSC has become actively involved in resolving the communication concerns raised by families of residents at the home – and cautioned that other operators are still being closely observed.

“Since the very beginning of the outbreak at Newmarch House, the Commission has been in frequent contact with Anglicare Sydney and Newmarch House management and participated in meetings that have also included an infectious disease specialist, Public Health Unit representatives from NSW Health, and representatives from the state office of the Commonwealth Department of Health,” Ms Anderson told us. “We are all currently focused on ensuring that Newmarch House receives appropriate support to assist its management of the evolving situation in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, to concentrate on the safety and wellbeing of residents at the service, and to respond to concerns of their family members.”

The Commissioner confirmed that the Quality Commission had been bringing in staff from BaptistCare to work at the home following the recent outbreak at its Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care home where six residents passed away from the virus. However, Ms Anderson said they are still conducting short-notice site visits to other aged care homes identified as being at higher risk of non-compliance – and using a range of measures to monitor providers including phone calls, surveys and information from “third parties” – including public health units.

“If evidence of non-compliance is found, the Commission is continuing to hold the provider to account through a range of compliance powers such as issuing directions, notices to remedy, non-compliance notices, or imposing sanctions,” she said.

A reminder then that the Commission is still in the background.