Families of residents in St Basils Fawkner express anger at handling of outbreak within facility

·

Families of residents in St Basils Fawkner, which has been linked to 84 coronavirus cases, have expressed anger and fear about the handling of the outbreak in the facility.

On Sunday, families gathered outside the home according to The Australian, with one woman repeatedly hitting the facility’s buzzer as she ­demanded information, while ­another sat nearby with her head in her hands.

Another family member, Nicholas Barboussas, told Nine News he received a call on Saturday afternoon telling him his father was in his room at the nursing home, isolated from the coronavirus outbreak gripping the facility.

In reality, 79-year-old Paul Barboussas was gravely unwell at the Northern Hospital. According to his family, he died on Sunday afternoon from suspected COVID-19.

Nicholas Barboussas (right) with his 79-year-old father, Paul. Photo: Nine News.

“Right then, it was just complete and utter anger,” Mr Barboussas told Nine News.

“I was just completely lost for words to hear that because seven hours earlier I had a call from the hospital telling me that my dad is fighting for his life.”

READ MORE: St Basil’s Homes Fawkner Chairman Konstantin Kontis releases open letter to inform public on the situation.

This is one of a number of upsetting communication failures to have been reported by families associated with the facility in Fawkner.

The son of another resident, John Atzarakis, was told on Tuesday his mother, 77-year-old Fotini Atzarakis, would not survive the coronavirus infection she picked up at the nursing home.

John Atzarakis has been told by doctors that his mother will not survive her fight against COVID-19. Photo: ABC News / Joseph Dunstan.

Despite the predictions, his mother has so far defied the odds but he told ABC News he believes a lack of leadership from the managers at St Basil’s contributed to the outbreak.

“I would have liked for them to test everyone immediately, I would have liked for everyone to wear protective masks from the day that coronavirus broke out, which was in March,” Mr Atzarakis told ABC News.

“They’re responsible, they’re accountable for people’s lives.”

The federal government held a meeting with families of residents at St Basil’s on Sunday to strengthen lines of communication and outline new strategies to manage the outbreak, Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said.

From Monday, the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre will coordinate efforts to manage the impact of the pandemic across multiple facilities.

A cluster of coronavirus cases at the Fawkner facility has grown to 78. Photo: Herald Sun.

“We understand the emotional impact the situation is having on residents, staff and families,” Mr Colbeck said.

“Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of those residents who remain on-site while also ensuring families have the information they need.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews added in a press conference that while the aged care sector was regulated and run by the Federal Government, “individual operators, individual providers of aged care … have to be accountable for what they have or haven’t done.”

“I will make known that individual nursing homes, every time there is a death, there is the potential of the coroner looking at that and that would be entirely a matter for them,” he said.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

US President Biden nominates Alexander Laskaris for Ambassador of Chad role

US President Joe Biden has nominated Alexander Laskaris to serve as 'Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Chad.'

Athens braces for more snowfall as severe weather front continues

Athens is bracing for more snowfall as the severe weather system 'Barbara' that hit Greece on Sunday continues to rage across the city.

Greek court drops migrant shipwreck case against nine Egyptians

A Greek court has dismissed charges against nine Egyptian men suspected of creating one of the Mediterranean's deadliest shipwrecks. The deadly boat tragedy saw over 600...