The following is from the Age and appeared ten minutes ago:
Fifth nursing home resident dies, April 17, 2007 - 8:44AM
A fifth resident hospitalised following the Melbourne nursing home gastroenteritis tragedy has died, officials say. The patient was one of four residents from Broughton Hall hospitalised following a gastroenteritis outbreak which claimed the lives of four other elderly residents over the Easter long weekend. Sharon McGowan, manager of the aged care facility in suburban Camberwell, said the latest death would be investigated by the Victorian coroner. "We were advised in the early hours of this morning that one of the four residents in hospital died during the night," Ms McGowan said in a written statement. "We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of our resident at this very difficult time. This death will now be investigated by the coroner to determine its cause and we will do everything possible to assist the coroner and other authorities. Our priority today is the family, our other residents, their families and our staff all of whom will be very distressed by this news." Ms McGowan said the identity of the patient would not be revealed for privacy and patient confidentiality reasons....
Federal Ageing Minister Christopher Pyne is expected to release details of an Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency report following an inspection of the Broughton Hall nursing home on Sunday. Mr Pyne said he would make a statement on any federal action that would be taken following the report.
Andrew Reiner: I wish I could say that these tragic deaths will awaken our society's conscience. I have very little faith in such an outcome, unfortunately. We just do not revere our elders the way people in more ancient cultures do. Our society has a great deal to learn from Aboriginal people in this regard, as well as other indigenous cultures - but also from many Asian, African and Latin American cultures.
