More than 100 aged care homes across Australia failed to make sure they were prepared to protect residents against coronavirus
- 104 aged care homes did not comply with coronavirus prevention standards
- 29 have been named but the other 75 have been kept hidden from the public
- Many were given warnings and non-compliance notices from the government
- In Victoria total number of COVID-19 cases linked to aged care homes is 1,435
More than 100 Australian aged care homes have failed to prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Between March 1 and May 31, 104 aged care facilities did not comply with coronavirus prevention standards, a Senate inquiry into the government's response to the pandemic revealed.
Two nursing homes were sent sanctions while 23 were given non-compliance notices.
In Victoria, the total number of cases linked to aged care homes is 1,435 and 130 deaths have been recorded in residents.
More than 100 aged care homes across Australia failed to meet standards ensuring they were prepared for a coronavirus outbreak (pictured patient removed from aged care facility in Melbourne last week)
Out of the 104 homes, 29 have been made public but the other 75 have been kept secret from family members and residents, The Australian reported.
Four of the aged care facilities were sent notices to improve their preparation for an outbreak of the virus.
The other 75 mystery nursing homes were asked to explain to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission how they would improve facilities within a certain time frame.
Share this article
One of the homes that received a non-compliance notice was the Newmarch House, which has been linked to 19 deaths.
The western Sydney nursing home had 70 COVID-19 cases and will be investigated by the NSW coroner.
Julie Collins, opposition aged-care spokeswoman said Australians had the right to know the names of the 75 non-compliant aged care facilities.
Between March 1 and May 31, 104 aged care facilities did not comply with coronavirus prevention standards (pictured medical staff outside coronavirus-hit aged care home in Melbourne)
Military staff are seen at a Melbourne aged care home following an outbreak of COVID-19
'I have been saying for a long time there needs to be more transparency around the reporting of failures in nursing homes so older Australians and their loved ones know what is happening,' she said.
'We know how devastating COVID-19 has been in nursing homes so it is deeply disappointing failures relating to outbreak preparedness have been kept hidden.
'Families, loved ones and residents deserve full transparency and to know whether a nursing home is safe.'
On Wednesday the coronavirus-hit state recorded 15 deaths with 12 being linked to aged care.
The majority of residents in Melbourne's hardest hit aged care homes have since been transferred to hospital.
In Victoria the total number of cases linked to aged care homes is 1,435 (pictured Epping Gardens resident is taken to hospital)
Elderly coronavirus patients at Epping Gardens Aged Care in the city's north were reportedly left dead in their beds for up to six hours.
Staff at the nursing home were left struggling to care for as many as 14 patients each.
Senior doctors and health sources told The Australian that several residents of Epping Gardens were left dead in their beds for hours on end this week.
Personnel from the Australian Defence Force were brought into the home to help staff weighed down by an influx of sick residents.
Residents at St Basil's Home for the Aged in Fawkner, were also found in shocking conditions before being transported to private hospitals, insiders claim.
Details have emerged about the condition of residents when they were transported as many were in dirty or soiled clothes and hadn't eaten or drank anything all day.
Insiders have revealed some residents were found semi-conscious while others were suffering pneumonia and had very low oxygen levels, The Herald Sun reported.
Medical workers are seen transporting an elderly resident from the coronavirus-hit Epping Gardens aged care home to hospital
