The facility was declared non-compliant after an Assessment contact Performance Report in September in key areas of personal care, clinical care, human resources and organisational governance.

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The report found that while there had been improvements to medication charts and communication processes, actions taken have not always ensured medication was administered safely.

Over a six week period in August and September 2021, there were 12 medication incidents documented, including one relating to incorrect medication being administered to a consumer.

The report also stated the service did not demonstrate it had a workforce which enabled safe and quality care and services.

"Management advised that when the service has full staff attendance, the service runs well. However, there are regular instances where shifts cannot be filled, which affects the quality of care and services provided to consumers," the report stated.

In March 2021, another audit found the facility was non-compliant in areas of personal care and clinical care, human resources and organisational governance.

Staff from the Freemasons Flora Hill aged care facility this week sounded the alarm on the ongoing conditions for staff and residents, telling the Bendigo Advertiser they believed the situation was 'worsening by the day and little was being done to fix it'.

What finally pushed employees to speak up was the death of a resident following a recent COVID-19 outbreak within the facility.

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In a written statement provided to The Advertiser, Royal Freemasons chief executive Kerri Rivett confirmed there were five cases in the home's memory support unit and that the facility had activated its COVID-19 management plan immediately after any case was identified.

However, workers say the outbreak is significantly larger and is now up to 13 cases.

The Royal Freemasons confirmed a triple-vaccinated resident who was COVID-19 positive died last week, detailing they also had underlying health conditions.

Carers, however, were distressed with the treatment of the individual at the home and said the person was denied hospital care multiple times.

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"The resident wasn't sent to hospital and they died in the home," one worker said.

"(They kept telling) staff to just give them their puffer even though their oxygen was dropping and was low."

For many of the aged care workers the growth of the outbreak has only exacerbated their concerns.

Staff claim staff have been stretched thin, and that this had resulted in care for residents being delayed.

"In particular, the memory support unit currently is only being monitored with one staff member," one worker said.

"That's one staff member for 10 people, it's just impossible to manage.... It's just crazy that they haven't given us anymore staff."

A Royal Freemasons spokesperson declined to respond to repeated requests for comment on these claims, and to further allegations from staff that some residents were not receiving breakfast until 10.30am, due to the impact of staff shortages.

"You have to care for people who are so sick with COVID-19 in bed when they are can't even get out of bed, that's how sick they are," one staff member said.

The carers shared their concerns about the outbreak spreading further across the home.

"Everyone is so tired and stretched to the limits and it's really not good."

Concerns were also raised around the working environment at the Flora Hill home, with workers saying that they were prohibited from turning on air conditioners, however Ms Rivett said that in order to reduce ventilation within the home circulated air conditioner systems which exist in public areas are usually turned off.

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Subsequent discussions with the Department of Health saw these systems reactivated due to the recent heat, Ms Rivett said.

"The air conditioners within residents rooms remained on at all times as they are contained to the residents room."

Aged care workers from multiple facilities, including Royal Freemasons Flora Hill have also alleged they had to pay for their own rapid antigen tests on a number of occasions.

One worker said testing was not mandatory and workers had been asked to test themselves over the weekend.

"Staff were not required to do a rapid antigen tests until this past weekend," they said.

"Staff didn't previously have any access to rapid tests."

Ms Rivett said Royal Freemasons had sufficient personal protective equipment to continue to provide support and services to the residents and staff.

"However, access to RAT tests has been an issue which has been raised with the Department. Given this we have been relocating tests from our other facilities."

She said that during the current outbreak, there has been a number of staff furloughed due to community-transmitted COVID-19.

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"Staff Emergency Management Plans have been developed and are activated during periods of staff shortages to ensure all resources are directed towards resident care. When activated families are notified.

"Over the past 12 months Royal Freemasons has made a number of significant and positive changes to service delivery including the recruitment of staff at both a management and clinical level.

In line with our COVID-19 protocols, regular updates are being provided to families daily as we receive information. We have also set up a 1800 number to ensure families can access information in regard to their loved one in a timely manner."

Employees claim nothing had changed since the Royal Commission into Aged Care report was released in March last year.

"Since the report came out, it's absolutely the same," one Bendigo aged care worker said.

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"They say that we are getting more staff or they are going to implement something new but nothing ever changes."

"I honestly don't know what can be done, people are scared to speak up about what's happening," one worker said.

"Many families are unaware of what's actually happening in the home.

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"The company hasn't done anything, they say they have more staff but where are they? They will say anything to look good and look like they are doing all the right things but they are not."

Ms Rivett said Royal Freemasons is committed to ensuring the ongoing safety of both residents and staff.

"Our staff are working extremely hard with many working double shifts and overtime which we sincerely appreciate," she said.

Royal Freemasons has been approached for further comment in regards to the audit.

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