Following on the heels of concerns about the behaviour of aged care operator George Snowden, the federal government has taken measures against several Melbourne facilities that were found to have compromised the safety of its residents.

Sanctions and suspended funding has been levelled against three aged care operators who were found to pose ‘serious risk of harm’ to the welfare of elderly residents. Breaches included the use of unqualified staff to cut costs. Another facility failed to maintain a register for bonds, in breach of prudential guidelines.

Lynch’s Bridge Aged Care Facily was ordered to provide additional training for staff. The Reservoir Retreat could lose its approved provider status unless staff are retrained and a nurse advisor is employed, while government sanctions have recently been lifted from Adventcare Yarra Valley after the facility failed to provide appropriate clinical care.

Advocacy group, National Seniors Australia said has said that level of care must be an absolute priority.

“You obviously need the right staff to do that. We need people who are well trained and appropriately remunerated to provide quality care and unfortunately that link is breaking down,'' said Chief Executive Michael O’Neill.

Despite the actions of unscrupulous operators, the Department of Health and Ageing said that in recent years compliance had remained stable. 13 sanctions and 35 non-compliance were issued this financial year, compared with 16 sanctions and 51 non-compliance notices in 2011-12.