Melbourne Aged Care Home Fined After 45 COVID Deaths

St Basil’s aged care home in Fawkner, Melbourne, has been fined $150,000 following a tragic COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in the deaths of 45 residents. The fine was issued due to the facility’s failure to provide a safe working environment during the pandemic.

Details of the Court Ruling

The ruling was made by Victoria’s County Court, which found that St Basil’s lacked proper training protocols for its staff. During the proceedings, it was revealed that five staff members had not received adequate instruction on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Despite conducting five formal training sessions in the months leading up to the outbreak, the court found there was “no ongoing supervision” to ensure staff adherence to necessary protocols. Judge Trevor Wraight stated, “Not all staff understood the sequence and manner of donning and doffing PPE.”

Penalty and Reactions

The maximum penalty for the charge could have reached $1.49 million. However, the fine was reduced by $100,000 after St Basil’s pleaded guilty. Representatives of the aged care home were notably absent during the sentencing.

• 45 residents died due to the outbreak.
• 45 staff members were also infected.
• St Basil’s implemented digitized record-keeping and improved systems post-outbreak.

Families of the deceased expressed their disappointment at the penalty, emphasizing that the fine does not reflect the severity of the tragedy. Spiro Vasilakis, whose mother was among the deceased, stated, “At the end of the day, we have a penalty of $150,000 to pay for 45 lives.”

Ongoing Investigations and Family Concerns

A separate coroner’s investigation into the deaths is underway but has been put on hold. Families are demanding accountability, with some considering a class action lawsuit against the facility’s management.

Maxine Mitsinikos, another grieving family member, shared her feelings of frustration. “I want them to be accountable, somehow, for these lives,” she said. Many affected families are united in their demand for justice and closure.

There are currently 77 residents residing at the Fawkner facility, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by aged care homes during health crises. As families continue to seek answers, the community watches closely as developments unfold.