SA-BEST calls on State Government to commence immediate trial of CCTV cameras in aged care bedrooms

SA-BEST today called on the State Government to immediately start a trial of independently-monitored CCTV cameras in aged care facilities it operates.

The call follows yet another tragic revelation of an elderly person being attacked while in aged care – this time allegedly by another resident.

Neville Muscat, 82, was allegedly assaulted by another resident – who had a history of violence and aggression – at Bupa’s Morphettville aged care facility in May last year.

Mr Muscat suffered a broken arm and broken ribs in unexplained falls around the same time of the attacks and was admitted into hospital where his health deteriorated, and he eventually died.

SA-BEST MLC and ageing spokesperson, Frank Pangallo, late last year introduced a Private Members Bill which would make it compulsory for aged care facilities to provide cameras in common arears and an “opt in” option where residents or their families can choose to have a CCTV camera installed in their private living quarters.

Following a number of recent incidents where residents have died as a result of abuse or poor standards of care, Frank has contacted Health Minister, Stephen Wade, requesting he initiate the trial as soon as practical in a mix of government-run and privately-operated aged care facilities in metropolitan and regional areas.

SA-BEST will also seek to introduce legislation in this session of Parliament to establish a state-wide register of unsuitable aged care workers following a personal recommendation from Oakden whistleblower, Barb Spriggs, at the Aged Care Royal Commission.

Frank said a similar register also needed to be set up for known aggressive and violent aged care patients and any attacks by them on other patients should be mandatorily reported to authorities – something that does not occur presently.

“South Australia has the potential to set the national agenda in the vital area of protecting our elderly residents while in aged care,” Frank said.

“The State Government must start trialling CCTV cameras in common areas and bedrooms of residents of aged care facilities in tandem with my legislation being debated in Parliament,” he said.

“Yet another family has had to endure the heartache of a loved one allegedly being attacked while in aged care but have been unable to get substantial proof because they were unable to access CCTV camera footage despite the facility having cameras.

“Tragically, Mr Muscat ended up passing away shortly after the attack, leaving the family with many unanswered questions about what led to it.

“Far too many cases a serious physical and mental abuse in nursing homes have been brought to my attention by distressed families in recent months and it greatly concerns me they are not being heard by authorities.

“It is incredible to think the reporting of abuse or serious incidents isn’t mandatory.

“With a trial of cameras, SA has an opportunity to lead the nation in this reform and I know Minister Wade has seen a demonstration of the latest sophisticated technology and was impressed by it.

“The trial needs to happen now and not wait for recommendations from the Royal Commission in a year or two. The lives of our most vulnerable are literally depending on it.”

Frank said he was confident his proposed new laws would get cross-party support on the back of increasing community expectations to improve aged care standards.

Currently, there are no laws governing the installation or operation of CCTV cameras in nursing home bedrooms or common areas although their use in common areas are utilised by many aged care providers.

New advances in CCTV technology allow certain areas of a person’s bedroom to the screened out, allaying any privacy concerns. Cameras are not needed in bathrooms, but activity can still be monitored by audio and thermal imaging.

Frank said he would not have introduced his Supported Residential Facilities (Aged Care Facilities) Amendment Bill 2018 if he didn’t think the appropriate level of CCTV technology was available to protect residents’ privacy.

He cited “cutting edge” technology developed by UK-based company, Care Protect, where – at a cost of about $20 per week per room - monitoring is undertaken 24/7 by an independent third party using trained observers, qualified nurses and social workers with full security clearances to monitor and document activities of staff and residents, incidents and performance.

Monthly reports are provided to care providers, as well as families of loved ones.

Another advantage is the cameras acts as a deterrent to, and detection of, criminal activity - with the information collected used in investigations and any subsequent prosecutions.

Frank said he hoped aged care facilities would embrace the technology as a positive acquisition to their business, as well as a significant marketing tool over other facilities that did not want CCTVs in private quarters.

He said that in the four years the Care Protect system has been in operation in the UK, there has been a 24 per cent reduction in safeguarding incidents like falls, and standards at facilities have improved. A survey also found the majority of staff approved the monitoring by cameras.

“This technology is world's best practice in the care of aged and vulnerable adults,” Frank said.

“CCTV cameras in bedrooms will give family members peace of mind knowing their loved ones in aged care have that added level of security and protection,” he said.

“Oakden was a tragic indictment of the state of the aged care industry in SA. It should never have happened and we need to ensure it never happens again.

“In Mr Muscat’s case, CCTV could have provided much needed answers about what took place.”