!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERING A COMPETITION FOR PETITION SUPPORTERS.  PRIZE IS  $20 FUEL CARD # 0218337341

Before you read the information relating to my petition please check out the link below to see how a Change.org  petition encouraged Uniting Care in NSW to improve its performance 

https://www.change.org/p/unitingcare-stop-hitting-the-elderly-with-exploitative-monthly-fees

As you read the following information you will note that it isn't personalised. This is exact opposite to guidelines that Change.org gives petition creators. Reason for this is that Office of Public Advocate of SA have prohibited the use of certain words and images.

Currently there is a resident of Uniting Care Resthaven Mt Gambier who spends quite a bit of time in a passive restraint chair 

The Carers in this Facility provide very good care for its residents. If it is taken into account that both Carers and Residents are exposed to excessive, repetitive noise, created by self closing doors throughout the facility then Carers efforts are even more meritorious

The person mentioned above has capacity to go on outings in a Resthaven provided wheelchair. Uniting Care Resthaven seems to have lots of money to spend on TV and Radio advertising but spending on wheelchair maintenance seems to be minimal. Faulty brakes, low tyre pressures, wheel shudder, discomfort and difficulty pushing their wheelchairs have all been experienced.

 Late October 2015 a request was made to Public Trustee (PT) and Office of Public Advocate of SA (OPA) for purchase of an ATTENDANT ONLY CONTROLLED electric wheelchair, that would be a lot more comfortable when undertaking outings.  Request specifically stated that chair would be modified so that it could only be controlled by an attendant, As part of the request it was asked if decision could be made in a timely manner so that the person mentioned above could have more comfortable wheelchair for their birthday  in early December.

OPA asked the Manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier to prepare a report. Something went terribly wrong at this point The Manager prepared a report on the basis of the person (who has limited use of arms)  being able to use the controls which would be located at the back of the chair after its modification.

OPA used manager's report to make a negative decision. A complaint was lodged with OPA pointing out flawed manager's report. OPA doggedly stuck with its negative decision. OPA performance was reported to an independent authority. Advice received from the independent authority was something to the effect that  expectation for PT & OPA to be able to make a positive decision within a month was unrealistic.

All of the above took a lot of time and had the effect of denying the person the opportunity to enjoy a more comfortable wheelchair whilst on outings during summer and autumn 2015/16 

This year (2016) independent authority's advice  was taken onboard  and on 12th July 2016 request was re-lodged  with Public Trustee and Manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier asking that a positive decision be made within 2 months (by 12th September 2016)

Within 12 working days a dedicated staff member at Public Trustee approved request.

This was an important first step. However some of the next steps involve dealing with the Manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier.  Xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xx x xxxxx xx xxxxx x xxxxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xx x xxx xxxx xx xxxxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. This paragraph was X'd out after Mr Pike made contact with Change.org

The solution to this is for Mr Pike (Senior Manager Residential Services at Resthaven SA) to intervene by reviewing his Mt Gambier manager’s poor performance for this and a number of other issues and to put in place measures to ensure PT approved, more comfortable wheelchair is available for use as soon as possible.

Please sign my petition to encourage Mr Pike to intervene and bring about an improvement in management performance at Uniting Care Resthaven Mt Gambier

Please encourage others to sign too. Thank you.

!!!!!! COMPETITION DETAILS

On 1st of September 2016 I  have a booking with an accredited physiotherapist to be assessed for my capacity to operate the person's modified attendant only controlled wheelchair. 

After that chair will be delivered to person's room at Resthaven Mt Gambier

 I predict that Resthaven management will seek to delay me taking person on an outing in wheelchair by saying that paperwork has not been completed by their preferred physiotherapist even though I have requested  the provision of this information and they have failed to provide it. It is also possible that other delaying technicalities and tactics may be used.

Rather than thinking about this negatively, I see an opportunity for a competition for supporters of this petition.

COMPETITION AIM, RULES ETC

The aim of the competition is to guess the length of the delay (in working days) that Uniting Care Resthaven Mt Gambier management (or any other Uniting Care people) will cause, between 1st September 2016 and when I am finally able to take person for first outing in more comfortable wheelchair.  Tip!  Manager has caused a delay of about 9 months so far

To be eligible to win the one and only prize of a $20 fuel card, (#0218337341) entrants must  

•  be residents of Australia (sorry International petition supporters)
• be supporters of this petition
• only submit one entry

Email entries to sdatrhsince4711@gmail.com by 5pm SA time Thursday 1st September 2016

Prize to be awarded for nearest guess to the number of working days delay caused by Uniting Care.Resthaven ***

***  If two or more entrants have guessed the correct number of working days delayed then the prize shall be awarded to the entrant with the earliest email date & time stamp.