The Westminster Tradition Oakden aged care scandal part 1 - good in a crisis (...bad on the follow through)
Feb 3, 2025
Explore the shocking history of the Oakden aged care facility, where systemic abuse and neglect led to a royal commission in 2017. Discover the critical failures in management and compliance that left residents vulnerable for years. The discussion reveals why crisis responses are often swift, yet long-term changes are resistant to implementation. Insights from past staff highlight a culture that stifled improvement. Tune in for reflections on the struggle to address both immediate needs and deeper systemic issues in aged care.
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Oakden's 2007 Accreditation Crisis
- In 2007, Oakden failed Commonwealth accreditation, revealing shocking conditions like a broken duress alarm and widespread malnourishment.
- Dieticians called it the worst they'd seen, with residents given pies and pasties instead of appropriate finger foods.
Resource Mobilization vs. Cultural Change
- SA Health's crisis response was effective in mobilizing resources, demonstrating that money can be found when truly needed.
- However, external consultants withdrew, unconvinced of local management's commitment to change, highlighting a cultural disconnect.
Solve Root Causes, Not Symptoms
- Don't just fix immediate problems; analyze why they occurred to prevent recurrence.
- SA Health focused on meeting accreditation standards superficially, rather than embracing continuous quality improvement.