Revelations have come to light that a case of a resident in a Central Queensland government-run nursing home being sexually assaulted by an employee- was not reported to authorities for five years despite it being reported to management by a colleague.
The aged care worker continued to work at Eventide Rockhampton for two years, and was discharged only after he was caught sexually abusing another aged care resident with a mental impairment. In October 2019, the perpetrator was handed a 18-month sentence for the second offence, however questions remain as to why there it took so long for management to alert police about the original offence.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said in a statement to The Wire:
“The allegations are very serious and concerning… and the matter has been referred to the Queensland Police Service.”
“A Queensland Health inquiry is underway… where a range of matters including whether the original response to the allegations was appropriate will be investigated.”
Produced By: Tahlia Kraefft
Featured In Story: Professor Jill Wilson, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Queensland, and
First aired on The Wire, Tuesday, 23rd February 2021