Sunday, June 14, 2009

SHAME, PREMIER AND MINISTER LUCAS , SHAME: QUEENSLAND HEALTH F0UND TO HAVE BREACHED ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE AGED CARE ACT AGAIN.

SING had been informed that Queensland Health has been found by the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) to have breached its obligations to James Jenner and Mrs Jenner as Enduring Power of Attorney:

(1) The service (Queensland Health) breached its obligations in relation to communication practices and
(2) Had not conducted twice daily dressings of the tracheostomy stoma.

SING also has evidence of severe excoriation of James Jenner's genital region. Other clinical care issues regarding James Jenner will be posted soon.

There was conflicting evidence given by certain Queensland Health staff of Cooinda House, Redcliffe and Redcliffe Hospital, regarding the behaviour of Mrs Jenner's advocates. SING has copies of statements from witnesses supporting the exemplary behaviour of these advocates.

There is also conflicting evidence regarding the 28 August 2007, when advocates and witnesses presented with Mrs Jenner to both facilities - Cooinda House, Redcliffe and Redcliffe Hospital. It appears that Queensland Health senior management were more concerned that a protected Whistleblower wore her Eventide badge to these facilities, than in the clinical care issues surrounding the care of James Jenner.

Mrs Jenner was informed by a senior Cooinda House manager on the 28 August 2007, that if she wished to view or copy the files of her son, she would have to go through Freedom Of Information to do so. She stated that it was "state health department policy". This was before Mrs Jenner lost Guardianship of her son on the 31 August 2007 - only 8 days before James's death. One of the "Interested Parties" to this guardianship hearing was the same Cooinda House manager.

But Premier, who was questioned and cautioned regarding the death of James Jenner? His Mother, Premier.

And Premier, who had to endure three hours of a Queensland Police Service interview? His Mother, Premier.

And who had her Guardianship removed from her, just days before James's death? His Mother, Premier.

And who was under surveillance? His Mother, Premier.

SING SUGGESTS THAT NO ONE IS SAFE WHO REPORTS ABUSE, ASSAULT OR NEGLECT. FAMILY MEMBERS WHO QUESTION THE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONES ARE BULLIED AND VICTIMISED. SOME, LIKE THIS MOTHER END UP BEING INTERVIEWED BY THE P0LICE OR PUT UNDER SURVEILLANCE. IN FACT, IT WAS JAMES JENNER'S MOTHER WHO INFORMED THE POLICE THAT JAMES HAD DIED IN REDCLIFFE HOSPITAL - THREE DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH. EVIDENCE AVAILABLE.

WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO REPORT ASSAULT, ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN THEIR CARE, HAVE THEIR EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED, THEIR HOURS REDUCED OR REMOVED OR ARE QUOTED THE "CODE OF CONDUCT" OR AS SOME REFER TO IT AS "CODE OF COVER UP", TO STIFLE THEM FROM EVER SPEAKING OUT AGAIN. SING KNOWS OF THREE WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO HAVE EITHER HAD THEIR EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED OR THEIR CASUAL HOURS REMOVED, WHEN THEY BROUGHT SERIOUS MATTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF QUEENSLAND HEALTH.




JAMES ROBERT JENNER: BORN 12 JANUARY 1975 - DIED 8 SEPTEMBER 2007 IN REDCLIFFE HOSPITAL.


PLEASE SEE POST 17 MARCH 2009

SING is informed that an external review of the DOHA's findings can be requested within 14 days. This external review would be heard by the Aged Care Commissioner's office; but why would any family member bother? Anyone viewing the Four Corners segment on aged care atrocities on 1 June 2009, now realise that this external office of review has no teeth. James Jenner died on the 8 September 2007. Various entities were contacted before and after his death - including DOHA. This recent revised outcome from DOHA to Mrs Jenner is dated just 4 days after the Four Corners segment. SING suggests for an outcome to take so long is an insult to the memory of James Jenner and his Mother.

SING further suggests that the promise made by Minister Justine Elliot on the 26 March 2008 to Network Ten's senior journalist that: "People should not be afraid to come forward with information" carries as much weight and credibility as her interview did with Four Corners.

SING has more damning evidence to post shortly. This will include evidence of DOHA's woeful revised letter to Mrs Jenner admitting that Cooinda House, Redcliffe senior management: "that the service did not consistently ensure it communicated with you effectively". SING suggests that this comment is a gross understatement of the way in which Mrs Jenner was treated, when she dared to complain about her son's care.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

PREMIER, MISINTER LUCAS AND MINISTER JUSTINE ELLIOT: IS THIS THE "END OF THE LINE"? SING HAS MORE CASES OF ASSAULT AND ABUSE TO POST.

Premier,
It appears that many different entities with evidence of abuse, assault and neglect of our vulnerable elderly, frail and disabled citizens are definitely being heard. After the ABC Four Corners segment (please view link on the right side of the website)on Monday night 1st June 2009, it appears that many will now speak out. One of the cases mentioned on this programme has been in SING's possession for quite some time. Reporting of these serious cases will be done through the media and websites such as SING, as it is perhaps the only avenue left for credible staff to safely report such cases.

The floodgates are open and the evidence is flowing in rapidly. Please view the posts below. There are more cases to be posted by SING and the media coverage and interest has been piqued for some time.

Eventide management, Queensland Health and the federal Department of Health and Ageing cannot continue to shoot its credible Whistleblowers and family members who dare to speak out and report assault and abuse.


Watch this space.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Another breach of care at Eventide, Brighton


Premier,
This case concerned a 97 year old mental health patient residing in Flinders House, Eventide. Please see post Monday 2 February 2009.

SING SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER AND WHISTLEBLOWER WINS WORKCOVER QUEENSLAND CLAIM.

SING members have successfully proven to WorkCover Queensland that Eventide Management acted unreasonably when serious allegations of assault and abuse of residents were brought to their attention. This evidence has resulted in a successful claim. These and other matters and the way they have been mismanaged are now in the hands of the Queensland Police Service. Evidence to WorkCover Queensland regarding these cases was irrefutable.
SING was informed by the whistleblower in this case - that due to her support person's outstanding telephone interview with a WorkCover investigator - her claim was successful.
SING SUPPORT GROUP BELIEVES THAT A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO EVENTIDE, BRIGHTON IS REQUIRED URGENTLY.

PLEASE SEE POST 15 MARCH 2009.