Over 30 aged care homes in NSW fail ‘acceptable’ standards

New data from the Department of Health has revealed more than 30 aged care homes in New South Wales were falling below ‘acceptable’ standards.

As part of the latest star ratings released in August, aged care homes in NSW were audited based on a home’s compliance performance and history.

Four facilities across the state received a one-star rating, meaning ‘significant improvement was needed’.

An inspection report by the Aged Care Quality Safety Commission (ACQSC) found that one of the four facilities was not compliant with the eight standards of compliance.

“Bowel management, nutrition and hydration, wound care, pressure injury care, diabetic management, behaviour management and sleep management are not consistently in line with best practice or tailored to (residents’) needs to optimise their health and wellbeing,” the report stated.

An audit in June showed another home was not compliant with seven of the eight standards – including a lack of on-site qualified clinicians to administer medications to residents, and delays in identifying instances of infections among residents.

A further 27 homes received two stars, which means ‘improvement is needed’.

Just 408 homes received an ‘acceptable’ ranking of three stars, and 339 homes received a ‘good’ ranking of four stars.

Only nine facilities received the top ranking of five stars. Those are Catholic Healthcare Bethlehem House, Willoughby Retirement Community Hostel, Montrose Aged Care Plus Centre, Southern Cross Care Tenison, Goulburn Residential Aged Care, Anthem Care, Wallsend Aged Care Facility, Our Lady Of Consolation Nursing Home, and Maybanke Aged Care Plus Centre.

The latest ratings come as the Albanese Government surges forward with significant reforms to the aged care sector. These include wage increases and registered nurses on-site and on-duty 24 hours across seven days.

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