Safety breach
Aged care nurse fined $ 25k for working with Covid-19 .
By Eleanor Campbell
A nurse who attended work at a south-east Melbourne nursing home while infected with Covid-19 has been fined $ 25,000 .
On July 26 and 27 2020 , Kamaljeet Kaur Brar worked two casual shifts at Menarock Life in Highett , despite instructions to stay home from her doctor .
The 36-year-old told staff during mandatory reporting that she had received her flu vaccine and did not have any symptoms .
After attending a pathology clinic on July 30 , Brar tested positive for COVID-19 .
A resident was sent to hospital two days later after contracting the virus , prompting the facility to go into lockdown .
Brar clocked in for an evening shift the following day .
In July 2022 , the nurse became the first person to be charged over pandemic-related workplace safety violations by WorkSafe in Victoria .
She pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of her patients and colleagues .
Magistrate David Starvaggi said Brar ’ s actions showed a “ flagrant and persistent disregard ” for other people ’ s safety .
“ As we all know , tragically many people passed away as a fault of outbreaks of Covid in aged care facilities , amongst other care places ,” he told the Magistrate ’ s court . “ Fortunately , that did not occur in this particular instance .” The court heard Brar had only been working as a nurse for a few months when the pandemic hit , and was struggling financially to make ends meet .
Her lawyer said said she “ wasn ’ t thinking right ” at the time of the offending and had expressed remorse for her actions .
Brar was fined $ 25,000 and has been disqualified from working as a registered nurse in Australia .
WorkSafe executive health and safety director Narelle Beer said the former nurse had clearly failed to take reasonable care for her colleagues and residents at the facility .
“ Every worker in Victoria has a duty to ensure their actions do not put the health and safety of others in their workplace at risk ,” Beer said .
“ This includes cooperating with their employer ’ s efforts to control health and safety risks by following any instructions , policies and procedures and using supplied protective equipment .” ■
Sparrow ’ s back
Patricia Sparrow began her aged care work when she joined ACSA in 2001 . Picture : Supplied .
Patricia Sparrow returns as COTA chief .
By Elise Hartevelt
Australia ’ s major advocacy group for older people has appointed former aged care peak lead Patricia Sparrow as its new chief . The Council on the Ageing Australia ( COTA ) announced this week that Sparrow will take over the helm as chief executive from December 1st , succeeding long-time head Ian Yates .
She said she wants to prioritise major issues including age discrimination , employment , cost of living , retirement income and secure housing for older women during her tenure .
“ These are amongst the nation ’ s biggest challenges for the next few decades and ones that I am passionate about addressing ,” Sparrow said .
“ My priorities will be to improve equality in delivering all services and harness the power of the new generation of older Australians for good . “ I ’ m truly excited to be taking up the reins at COTA Australia .” Sparrow will trade her role as chief of peak eye health organisation Vision 2020 Australia by the end of this year to return to advocate for the aged care sector .
During Aged Care Insite ’ s conversation with Sparrow last year , she said she has ‘ an absolute passion and commitment to better services for older Australians ’.
Sparrow previously served as head of the former aged care provider peak body ACSA for five years and currently serves as an advisor to multiple federal ministers .
Her appointment came after Ian Yates stepped down as COTA ’ s chief after over twenty years heading the national organisation .
Yates led COTA through the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care and the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Former ageing secretary professor Jane Halton said Yates ’ contribution led to crucial reforms across the industry .
“ Yates hasn ’ t just made an important contribution to COTA Australia as an organisation ; he ’ s played a pivotal role in shaping the way older people are seen and heard in our country ,” she said . “ He has achieved great things at COTA Australia , but all good things must come to an end .” Yates plans to continue to support older Australians ’ through his role as Chair of the government ’ s Council of Elders . ■
agedcareinsite . com . au 7