Families want answers after Queensland nursing home evacuated in night
Families are demanding answers after more than 70 elderly and sick aged care residents were evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night.
A pay dispute exploded yesterday into a full blown medical emergency leaving families fuming and residents in distress.
With no warning, workers and carers were ordered to walk off the job.
Lorraine Cook’s husband John is one of the 70 residents suddenly abandoned and then booted from the Earle Haven Retirement Village in Nerang on the Gold Coast. Nine
Lorraine Cook’s husband John is one of the 70 residents suddenly abandoned and then booted from the Earle Haven Retirement Village in Nerang on the Gold Coast.
He has diabetes, dementia and can’t walk.
“They were still leaving at 11.30 last night. Now that’s not right,” she said.
One resident’s daughter, Rosie, said: “You wouldn’t treat animals like this.”
Families are demanding answers after more than 70 elderly and sick aged care residents were evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night. Nine
Resident John Cook, when asked how he felt about being moved, replied: “Not too crash hot.”
Late afternoon, contractual negotiations between the owner - PeopleCare - and the subcontractor that runs the home - HelpStreet - broke down.
Patient health records, computers, furniture, personal effects, safety equipment and medicine and pharmaceuticals were bundled into removalist trucks and taken away.
A pay dispute exploded yesterday into a full blown medical emergency leaving families fuming and residents in distress. Nine
But elderly and sick residents were left behind.
The alarm was raised with a Triple-0 call.
Paramedics and health authorities launched a rescue operation through the night to move residents into new accommodation.
Queensland Ambulance Service sent 20 ambulances and 32 staff. Three residents were taken to hospital.
Patient health records, computers, furniture, personal effects, safety equipment and medicine and pharmaceuticals were bundled into removalist trucks and taken away. Nine
Bernadette O’Connor from the Queensland Nurses and Midwives union said: “I think it’s a tragedy. It’s a symptom of a broken system.”
Police are investigating if it was a criminal act.
All levels of government say they will investigate what happened and exactly who is responsible.
PeopleCare is looking to reopen the home, under a different operator.
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