A registered nurse who has worked at The Ritz nursing home in Leura has rejected claims it is in appalling condition.
“The patients are all very high care. There are lots of problems and it isn’t easy working there,” said Margaret Gargan, who worked there until struck with illness this year.
“I was so proud to work at The Ritz. I’ve been a registered nurse for 50 years. I loved working there and I’m very, very fussy,” she said.
Ms Gargan said the staff were dedicated and compassionate people who gave their all to ensure the comfort of the residents.
A September audit of the home by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, found it passed only seven of 44 performance markers.
The agency has revoked The Ritz’s accreditation from December 18.
It is understood most, if not all, of the 143 patients have been found alternative accommodation.
Ms Gargan said it was an emotional scene at the home last Friday with both staff and residents in tears as buses took some of the patients to their new homes.
She said The Ritz catered for the most difficult patients from across the state.
Residents had various forms of dementia and other intellectual and mental health issues. Many were incontinent and had difficult behaviours, including screaming, swearing and violence.
“It shouldn’t be judged as a normal nursing home,” Ms Gargan said, adding that the former assessors, who passed the home in a 2015 audit recognised that it was a “unique place”.
Another former registered nurse, Annette Peters who worked there until her retirement in January, said staff felt they were being accused of not caring for the patients ”which, in my experience, is not true”.
She said they did their very best under trying conditions. She questioned staffing levels, with registered nurses sometimes in charge of up to 100 residents at any given time.
The owner of The Ritz, Millie Phillips, insisted she was being targeted.
“The real story is that I have no right to defend myself in court against any lies and any accusations made by the Health Department.
“I am being ruined, I am being brutalised. It’s an outright lie and I can show it with all kinds of documents.”
When asked if The Ritz would close when accreditation is withdrawn next week, Mrs Phillips said: “I haven’t a clue.”
Calls to the home about future planswere not returned.
Ms Peters said the staff were “devastated”.
“They are losing their jobs a week before Christmas. They are low-paid jobs, a number are single mums and most live week to week. I am very concerned for them.”