United Voice News
Concerns raised for welfare of residents as lock out reaches fourth day
Relatives of residents at the two Carinya of Bicton aged care facilities where staff have been locked out since Monday, say they are deeply concerned for the welfare of their loved ones.
Regular carers with more than 300 years of experience are sitting on the verge outisde the care home while residents are cared for by agency staff who, through no fault of their own, do not have the same level of understanding and knowledge of the residents.
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency visited the home for the second time this week on Wednesday morning.
The LHMU wrote to the agency earlier this week raising concerns that the extended lock out would adversely affect the vulnerable residents because they would be without their usual carers for a week.
One permanent member of Carinya staff said he was worried workers from one of the agencies used by Carinya did not have adequate manual handling training. Manual handling is an essential skill in aged care where carers are helping frail residents to stand up, sit down and move around. Residents are at risk of skin tears and bruising if manual handling is not done properly.
Permanent staff are required to complete five hours of manual handling training every year. Staff from this certain agency told permanent Carinya workers that their manual handling training amounted to watching a video about it.
Dave Kelly, secretary of the LHMU, said concerned relatives could detail their concerns on forms available from locked out workers on a picket line outside Carinya of Bicton on Preston Point Road. These forms will then be taken to the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
“It is heart breaking for our members that they are not being permitted to go into the home and work with these residents,” he said.
“Family members are being very supportive of our workers and are bringing food, drink and messages of support to them as they man the picket line outside the centre. One relative even bought five bags of bread for them on Tuesday.
“It is this sort of support which is keeping their spirits up.”
A hearing regarding the lock out will take place at Fair Work Australia on Thursday afternoon.
