A Queensland retirement home - which left about 70 elderly patients homeless in the wake of its abrupt closure - faced sanctions dating back to 2007, according to a letter tabled in the Senate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Earle Haven Retirement Village on the Gold Coast has also had 22 complaints made against it to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner since January.
Relatives and friends are furious at this month's shock closure saying their loved ones, many with dementia, are confused and distressed and unable to cope with the move.
The shutdown was sparked by a financial dispute between the facility's owner People Care and a sub-contractor HelpStreet, which was trusted to operate the high-care wing.
Shortly after the closure, Queensland Health said the facility had been stripped bare of essentials - including medication, food, cleaning products and fridges - so returning was not an option for residents.
The complaints and sanctions were revealed in a letter tabled on Tuesday by Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck.
The temporary sanctions happened on on four separate occasions from April 2007.
The penalties included no public funding for new patients and the removal of its "approved provider" status.
The letter also said the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission had this year made two unannounced visits to the centre which found there was no indication of standards non-compliance.
Australian Associated Press
