Start of Coronial Inquest – Broughton Hall

Benetas welcomes the start of the Coroner’s inquest today (12 April) into the deaths of four residents at Broughton Hall in April 2007 during an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

The inquest is a chance for us all to hear the facts about the events of April 2007. It offers Benetas the opportunity to find out whether there are any further improvements we can make to the care we provide.

Benetas is committed to providing older Victorians, their families and carers with a full range of first class care and services.

Since April 2007 we have comprehensively overhauled our systems and procedures to strengthen our performance in outbreak management and infection control.

The improvements made include upgrading outbreak management procedures, investing in new IT systems to strengthen incident reporting and management, improving client care record keeping and enabling easy access to policies and procedures.

Broughton Hall is a first class aged care facility with high levels of occupancy and a waiting list for available places.

In February 2009, the Federal Government’s Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency assessed Broughton Hall and awarded it the maximum three-year accreditation period.

The Agency found that Broughton Hall, like our 11 other aged care facilities is fully compliant with all 44 aged care outcomes.

I can assure our residents, families and all Victorians that we will study the findings made by the Coroner at the end of the Inquest and will consider any recommendations that will further improve the quality of care at Broughton Hall.

As the Inquest begins today, I again offer my deepest sympathies to the families of the four residents who died in 2007.

Sandra Hills
Chief Executive Officer

Media contact: Michelle Low on 0400 224 852

Benetas is a not-for-profit organisation, founded by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in 1948. Benetas provides quality aged care services for more than 2,000 older Victorians within its 12 residential care facilities and through its extensive community care programs that enable older people to stay at home with support. Benetas is also one of the leading providers of dedicated day and overnight respite services in Victoria.