More than 400 people gathered on Scoborio Reserve, next to Lyndoch Living, to rally for greater transparency around the aged care home. Image supplied.Carol Altmann – The Terrier
For those who couldn’t make it to the Fight4Lyndoch rally last Sunday, here are links to speeches and statements from:
Federal MP for Wannon, Dan Tehan;
Member for Western Region of Victoria, Bev McArthur;
Membership applicant Dr Michael McCluskey;
Former Lyndoch Living nurse Sandy Hockley;
Community advocate Diane Riordon.
Member for South-West Victoria Roma Britnell also gave a terrific speech, but unfortunately a hard copy was only in dot point form, so I have not included it here.
[A video of my speech is available on The Terrier Facebook page.]
I also wish to repeat the simple statement of support offered to the rally by former Lyndoch CEO Rhys Boyle.
Rhys guided Lyndoch for 20 years until his retirement in 2014:
“I support a re-evaluation of the facts to ensure that meaningful and informed decisions are being made that secure the future of Lyndoch,” he wrote.
More than 350 people turned out for the rally on Scoborio Reserve last Sunday, to stand in support of residents, their families and staff, and to hear for themselves the concerns around Lyndoch Living.
Those concerns come down to three main issues:
1. Declining residential care standards, staff shortages and staff resignations;
2. The financial viability of Lyndoch and, in particular, the sustainability of the $22 medical clinic;
3. The cutting out of the community from Lyndoch, including the end of community/general memberships.
While we await to hear whether the Aged Care and Safety Commission will re-accredit Lyndoch in August, the community fight continues.
For while the commission can act on the first point – residential care – it doesn’t deal with the other two points.
It’s up to us, as the community which owns Lyndoch, to make sure Lyndoch remains transparent and accountable to the community.
After the enormous response to the rally on Sunday, despite the freezing morning, our resolve has only strengthened.