Western Downs Regional Council is shutting down a Tara aged care home for ‘safety, legislative, and ethical’ reasons, with Mayor Paul McVeigh saying the home had ‘unacceptably low clinical staffing levels’.
“Council has today made the extremely difficult decision to proceed with a planned, controlled, and respectful closure of a Tara Residential Aged Care Facility,” Mayor McVeigh said.
“Tarcoola has been experiencing unacceptably low clinical staffing levels over an extended period of time.
“As operators, Council must have absolute confidence its aged care facilities are operating safely and the legislative and ethical standards of care are being met.
“Despite extensive efforts to attract and retain suitably qualified and experienced clinical care staff at the facility, and several attempts to gain assistance from both the state and federal governments, clinical staffing levels remain at a critical level.”
Mayor McVeigh said Council cannot continue to provide residential aged care through its Tarcoola facility in circumstances where it cannot unconditionally guarantee sustained quality care through the presence of consistent and appropriately qualified clinical staff.
“Based on clinical and legal advice, Council has been forced to proceed with a closure,” Mayor McVeigh said.
“The closure will occur in a staged and methodical manner and the facility will continue to operate until every resident has been relocated to alternative accommodation.
“Council has engaged an experienced transition management consultant to oversee the process and give residents the best chance of relocating as close as possible to family support.
“Council is also working with affected staff to ensure they are supported throughout the transition process.”
