DESPERATE families of residents at a western Sydney aged care home are calling for more transparency, after a 13th resident died after becoming infected with COVID-19 on Thursday.
The 74-year-old man was a resident at Anglicare's Newmarch House. Nearly 60 people - 22 staff and 37 residents - at the nursing home near Penrith have tested positive to COVID-19 since the outbreak on April 11.
Since the outbreak, tensions have erupted between their families and Anglicare with many relatives saying they've been left in the dark over residents' welfare due to a lack of communication from the facility, which has been in lockdown since April 23.
Despite the introduction of window visits for some relatives - where family members can visit the facility and talk with their loved ones through a window - many families are still frustrated over the handling of the situation.
Anthony Bowe's 76-year-old mother, Patricia Shea, was diagnosed with COVID-19 over two weeks ago. He had his first window visit with her on Wednesday and said while he's hopeful his mum will make it through the illness, he described the situation in the home as "horrendous".
"My mum is usually bright as a button, but was disorientated for four days, and had lost weight," said Mr Bowe, speaking to The Senior from outside Newmarch House.
On Thursday, another three Newmarch House residents were identified as positive for coronavirus and Mr Bowe said news of the virus spreading throughout the home is upsetting.
"I haven't got the sick feeling out of my stomach for weeks," he said. "We're still hearing horror stories about the level of care.
"And the residents are there just like sitting ducks - it's another Ruby Princess. It's just a matter of time," he said. "When this is finished the number of deaths will be closer to 50 than 10."
Scores of family members have been gathering outside Newmarch House every afternoon as a vigil to the residents. "While all our relatives are in different circumstances inside, we're all united in calling for more transparency and communication," he said.
"So far 13 residents have died and no-one from the Government or state government has showed up here," he said.
'No end in sight'
Liz Lane's 84-year-old mum Rose Davies has severe dementia and is a palliative care resident at Newmarch House.
She says while steps have been taken to give families of residents who have tested positive to COVID-19 limited window visits, "for the rest of us it's a different story".
When the Senior spoke to Ms Lane on Friday morning, she had only had three brief third-party phone conversations with her mum in three weeks. Later in the day Ms Lane was hoping to get an afternoon window visit with her mum.
"It's horrific. I don't feel there is any end in sight to this. Why are we still having more cases daily? At this point, I feel desperate."
She worries that those with high-needs, such as dementia, diabetes and palliative care residents, are not being cared for.
"I just want to know that my mum is being looked after. I am over hearing empty promises. I have no issue with the staff efforts, but my worry is about the level of care they are getting. I just don't trust what we are being told and I'm very worried about the effect the lockdown is having on the residents who are being shut in their rooms."
Premier slams 'horrific situation'
On Friday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the ABC the situation at Newmarch House was "horrific" and called on the Federal Government to intervene.
"This particular operator has been left wanting on a number of levels," she said.
While the Premier acknowledged there had been some improvement in the way the facility has been communicating with family members she said aged care operators needed to "better manage themselves" to ensure family members of residents can visit.
"Relatives should not be prevented from visiting their loved ones," she said.
'Devastating impact"
In a statement, Anglicare said the latest cases came despite "having strict procedures and enforced infection control practices in place".
"The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on all our residents and families as well as our staff over the last three weeks," Anglicare said.
"This is a time of great grief for the family and we want to extend our deepest sympathies."
"These new cases may reflect historical transmissions and reflect the rigorous and ongoing testing at Newmarch House. We will be investigating further how this has occurred."
"On a more positive note, as our communication with residents is improving we have been able to turn more attention to communicating with families, and window-visits are proving successful. We are looking at ways to further improve our communications and pastoral care to both residents and families."
"Given the experience from other aged care sites that have had an outbreak of COVID-19 both here and overseas, it is very likely we will be dealing with the devastating impacts of this virus for some weeks to come."
'Families are supportive'
In an open letter, aged care advocates on Friday called for public cooperation and government support to provide protection to older vulnerable Australians.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Australian aged care homes. However, the nation can be proud of the passion and commitment to minimise infections," it said.
"We note the majority of residents and their families are supportive of the visitor restrictions put in place to protect them."
The letter was co-signed by Aged and Community Services, Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Leading Aged Care Services Australia and UnitingCare Australia.
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Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
