Families of residents who died during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner, Victoria, have expressed disappointment following a $150,000 fine levied against the facility.
St Basil’s Fined for Safety Breach
The fine was issued after St Basil’s pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment during the outbreak, which resulted in 45 resident deaths and 45 staff infections. Victoria’s County Court heard on Wednesday that the facility did not adequately train staff on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) procedures.
Specifically, the court found that five staff members had not received formal training on how to correctly position on and take off PPE. Although five training sessions and daily demonstrations were held in the four months prior to the outbreak, Judge Trevor Wraight determined there was “no ongoing supervision” to ensure all employees had been trained. “not all staff understood the sequence and manner of donning and doffing PPE,” he stated.
Judge Wraight acknowledged that St Basil’s was aware of the risks and had infection control practices in place, but emphasized that a system is ineffective without proper monitoring, and implementation. The organization received a $100,000 discount on the penalty due to its guilty plea on March 2.
Representatives from St Basil’s were not present at Wednesday’s sentencing.
Families Demand Accountability
Spiro Vasilakis, whose mother Maria died during the outbreak, described the penalty as “highly disappointing,” stating, “At the complete of the day we have a penalty of $150,000 to pay for 45 lives.” He expressed a desire to spot someone held accountable for the deaths.
A separate coronial inquest into the deaths at St Basil’s is currently on hold. Mr. Vasilakis too voiced anger towards the Greek Orthodox Church, which operates the facility, noting his mother specifically chose St Basil’s due to its religious affiliation. He stated, “These people were placed in there to be taken care of and they weren’t, at the most crucial time.”
Families are reportedly working with legal counsel to pursue a class action lawsuit against the facility’s management. Maxine Mitsinikos, whose mother Georgia Mitsinikos also died at St Basil’s, said the families are still seeking closure and accountability, and hoping for some form of compensation.
Currently, 77 residents reside at the Fawkner facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was St Basil’s fined for?
St Basil’s was fined $150,000 for failing to provide a safe working environment to staff during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, specifically due to inadequate training on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
How many residents died at St Basil’s during the outbreak?
Forty-five residents died from COVID-19 related complications within one month of the first outbreak at St Basil’s in July 2020.
What are the families of the victims seeking?
The families of the victims are seeking accountability for the deaths and are exploring legal options, including a class action lawsuit, and hoping for some form of compensation.
Given the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aged care facilities, what further steps might be necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents and staff?
