AUSTRALIA: Nursing Home Staff Resign Over Macabre Party Game

GEELONG, Victoria (Geelong Advertiser), January 1, 2008: Three employees at Portarlington's Ann Nichol House have resigned after it was revealed photos were taken of nursing home residents' body parts and used in a shocking game of "memory" at a staff member's retirement party. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing has launched an investigation into the incident which occurred at the farewell party several weeks before Christmas. Bellarine Community Health CEO John Fendyk confirmed that staff took photographs of hostel residents' colostomy bags and body parts such as arms and legs before the party and told the residents the pictures were to be used for a school project. Mr Fendyk said a game of "memory" was played at the farewell party where the retiring female staff member had to try and identify who the body parts belonged to. He said the staff members who organised the game did not consider it a breach of policy but management did and immediately launched an investigation once they were notified by other concerned staff about what had happened. Mr Fendyk described the incident as insensitive, inappropriate and in breach of the organisation's code of conduct towards privacy, confidentiality and dignity of residents. "It was an unfortunate situation and event that took place," he said. Three staff members had resigned as a result and other employees had been counselled and warned, he said. Mr Fendyk said residents were not initially told their photos had been misused because management did not want to upset them. However, he said a meeting was held with residents yesterday and the facility would be writing to family members to inform them. Federal Department of Health and Ageing spokeswoman Kay McNiece said the department was sending an investigator to Portarlington to probe the incident and it was taking the allegations seriously. Mr Fendyk said Bellarine Community Health was happy to assist with the Federal Department of Health and Ageing's investigation requests but believed it had taken appropriate action. The facility is home to 40 low care and 20 dementia patients. By Julie McNamara The Geelong Advertiser Pty. Ltd.Copyright ©