PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO AN OPA DIRECTIVE THIS PETITION IS TO BE CLOSED. TO SEE REPLACEMENT PETITION PLEASE CLICK HERE

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

Xx xxxxxx suffered a stroke in 2012. Since then xxx has spent a lot of time in a passive restraint chair (see petition photo) in Uniting Care Resthaven Mt Gambier

The Carers in this Facility do very good work and provide excellent care for Xxx If it is taken into account that both Carers and Residents are exposed to excessive, repetitive noise created by self closing slamming doors in the facility then Carers efforts are truly amazing.

Xxx has capacity to go on outings in a Resthaven provided wheelchair. Faulty brakes, low tyre pressures, wheel shudder, and discomfort have been experienced using these chairs.

Late October 2015 I made a request to Public Trustee (PT) and Office of Public Advocate (OPA) for Xxx to purchase an ATTENDANT ONLY CONTROLLED electric wheelchair that would be safer and more comfortable when undertaking outings. (xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxx) Request specifically stated that chair would be modified so that it could only be controlled by an attendant, xxx Xxx. I also requested that approval be given in time for Xxx to have new wheel chair  for xxx birthday in early December.

OPA asked the Manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier to prepare a report. Something went terribly wrong at this point because the Manager prepared a report on the basis of Xxx being able  to use the controls which would be located at the back of the chair after its modification. If you had the opportunity to see xx xxxxxx in xxx passive restraint chair and observe xxx limited mobility you would ask "how could manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier get her report so wrong"

OPA used manager's report to make a negative decision. A complaint was lodged with OPA pointing out flawed manager's report. OPA stuck with it's negative decision. OPA performance was reported to an independent authority. Advice received from the independent authority was something to the effect that xx expectation that PT & OPA should 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  Xxx the opportunity to enjoy a more comfortable chair whilst on outings in summer and autumn 2015/16 

This year I took the independent authority's advice  onboard  and on 12th July 2016 re-lodged request 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 PT approved chair for Mum.

This was an important first step. However some of the next steps involve dealing with the manager of Resthaven Mt Gambier.  As at 18th August 2016 she seems to be performing in a way that has the potential to further delay Xxx being able to have approved chair. The manager's very poor performance last year has already resulted in a delay of about 9 months.

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 Xxx has use of approved chair 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

Thank you

Please encourage others to sign too.