Ombudsman welcomes government response on Mentone Gardens
Date posted:The Ombudsman today welcomed the government's acceptance of her recommendation to make ex gratia payments to former residents of the Mentone Gardens aged care facility.
In September 2013, the Mentone Gardens facility went into liquidation with the loss of over $4.5m in bonds and deposits which had been paid by residents to secure their care.
In April of this year the Ombudsman tabled a report into her investigation into the Department of Health's oversight of Mentone Gardens, which set out a "litany of failings" by the department and recommended an ex gratia payment to the 39 residents or their estates.
Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass said of the government's response to her report:
"I have been advised that the department is preparing specifications for an ex gratia payment scheme and will shortly be writing to former residents or their representatives with the details, with a view to payments being made by 30 June 2015, subject to provision of the necessary evidence of loss," Ms Glass said.
"This is a just outcome in response to a systemic failing" she said.
"I am pleased the government has recognised that and is taking steps to make redress."
Read the report: Investigation into Department of Health oversight of Mentone Gardens, a Supported Residential Service
Media contact: Mob 0409 936 235 | vomedia@ombudsman.vic.gov.au