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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-03-04 Daily Xml
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Aged-Care Reform

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. In light of the release this week of the report of the royal commission into aged care, will the minister please update the chamber on the government's service development since Oakden?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:08): I would like to thank the honourable member for his question. The Marshall Liberal government is focused on working to prevent a recurrence of what the former ICAC commissioner labelled 'a shameful chapter in South Australia's history'.

Last week, as part of this government's response to Oakden and our commitment to reactivating the Repat as a genuine health precinct, I had the privilege of attending the opening of the neurobehavioural unit at the Repat. This specialised unit provides support and care for people living with advanced dementia and is now welcoming residents.

Importantly, the NBU has been codesigned with people with lived experience of dementia, including families of former Oakden residents as well as carers of people living with dementia. In particular, I would like to thank Mr Paul Brown, a lived experience and consumer consultant and also a brother of a former resident of Oakden, for his contribution to that codesign effort.

SA Health has brought together a high-quality team of more than 40 highly skilled and specialised staff: geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, nurses, allied health staff, including a family carer consultant, and support staff. This team and residents have now moved into Australia's first neurobehavioural unit. South Australia can be proud that we are moving into a new era of care for people with advanced stages of dementia in a facility designed in collaboration with those who have lived experience of dementia.

The 18-bed unit is made up of three six-bed pods designed to provide patients with person-centred and compassionate care in the least restrictive setting possible. The NBU provides a clinically appropriate environment for South Australians living with the most extreme symptoms of dementia and is part of the Marshall and Morrison governments' $110 million investment in revitalising the Repat. The design means a safe and caring space where consumers will be able to experience typical activities they enjoyed at home, as well as quiet areas where families will be able to gather and share meals.

Lastly, I would like to thank Stewart Johnston, the Spriggs family, Alma Krecu and other Oakden families for their courageous advocacy and for their contribution to the evolution of older persons' mental health services. I know their loved ones suffered at the old Oakden facility, and their tireless work has been invaluable in crafting services for the future. I am delighted to hear their positive feedback about the new Repat facility. To quote Stewart Johnston from Twitter last week:

Attended the opening of new NBU 2day W other oakden families. What an outstanding facility. I was lost 4 words as we had a tour. The innovation/design is world leading, 40 + carefully selected & qualified staff 2 kick off with. Amazing facility

With the new Repat Dementia Care Unit it puts us here in South Australia proudly at the front of best practices, a far cry from where we came from. Huge focus on a home like feel not clinical & bereft of love. It's all about the residents & families & quality, highly skilled staff

I agree with Mr Johnston: it's all about the residents and families. Having met with some of the highly skilled staff, I was very impressed with the strong values-based approach that they have to providing dementia care. To the residents, to the families, to the staff, we wish you all, all the best in your quest to form a community of care in the years to come.

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