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CAMBRIDGE Aged Care Group has responded to yesterday's raid of their Bendigo nursing home facility, saying it was related to "financial irregularities and a person no longer associated with the business".
They also refuted claims their staff have not been paid recently.
Cambridge Aged Care Group chair Dr Kevin Cheng reassured residents and their families that the visit from armed federal police would not impact on the quality of care provided by the nursing home.
"While we cannot speak about the investigation in any detail, we want to reassure residents and families that this matter has not and will not affect client care," he said.
"The ongoing provision of high quality care to our residents is our highest priority.
"We understand residents and families are concerned about this issue and we apologise for the disruption caused by police attending the sites."
Éarlier:
ELDERLY residents were left shaken yesterday after armed federal police raided a Bendigo nursing home.
Residents were in a meeting when about a dozen Australian Federal Police members stormed on Alexandra House in Somerville Street, Flora Hill.
A staff member yesterday told the Bendigo Advertiser the home was plagued by ongoing trouble.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged staff hadn’t been paid properly for some time.
She said the AFP raid happened during a residents’ meeting at the home.
“The federal police interviewed staff, ripped through the offices – they’ve gone right through,” she said. The woman said the police had been carrying guns. “The place was thrown into turmoil,” she said.
“The poor residents had no idea what was going on. They were frightened and upset.”
An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman said AFP was assisting with the Department of Health and Aging as part of an ongoing investigation.
“The AFP conducted operations this morning at an aged care facility in Bendigo. As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to provide further comment.”
Alexandra House is part of the Cambridge Aged Care group, based in Melbourne.
The company operates five aged care facilities, including four around Melbourne suburbs and Alexandra House.
The company’s website states the company specialises in “low care and high care, ageing in place and respite”.
“We go beyond the usual stereotypical activities so familiar to aged care. We look for opportunities to make a lasting and positive difference to the lifestyles of people who trust us with their care,” the website reads.
The head office of Cambridge Aged Care last night declined to comment.