tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post3092640562925066893..comments2023-05-08T04:11:51.718-07:00Comments on SING: Karen Smith WhistleblowerSING (Silence is NOT Golden)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18298393310994391042noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-36397394847309226462017-02-23T21:11:02.401-08:002017-02-23T21:11:02.401-08:00I think the bullies forget one day they will be el...I think the bullies forget one day they will be elderly and nobody knows what is around the corner. They could very well be subjected to the same abuse themselves, particularly if standards are not lifted. Politicians forget this too. Sometimes i think they think their wealth will protect them but it won't necessarily.<br /><br />We do need to be kinder to our elderly people they have done a lot for us and if an elderly frail vunerable person is assaulted then yes, then the assaulter and the staff who are essentially complicit in covering up should be put infront of a tribunal or court, and their registration removed because they cannot be trusted to be caring, decent human beings.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13504986870790922886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-19261349433386497912013-11-17T15:33:20.491-08:002013-11-17T15:33:20.491-08:00I watched the Video But I have seen this before i...I watched the Video But I have seen this before in Australia ,Yes our standards have got like a 3rd world country hiring anyone, people that cant speak English. Staff are over worked and under paid but its no excuse for abuse we need to look after our age as they made this country anonymousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-10932868999776734282012-10-04T01:12:34.007-07:002012-10-04T01:12:34.007-07:00If you go back to the top of this page and click o...If you go back to the top of this page and click on the word SING in the rectangle, you will be able to catch up on the last three years. That may answer your question. In fact only today I met with an aged care worker to work out how to help her with Queensland Health minions determined to destroy her. Her crime: She spoke out about the abuse of the elderly happening in her facility. So the work still goes on. SING (Silence is NOT Golden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18298393310994391042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-1982014549130593592012-10-03T11:57:08.324-07:002012-10-03T11:57:08.324-07:00Kez....this is 2012...I am curious as a student of...Kez....this is 2012...I am curious as a student of whistleblower aftereffects, if you went further down the path of standing up for your rights and exposing the wrongdoings...Georgehttp://emaylmeatgmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-47475737599170262122012-07-26T02:00:46.149-07:002012-07-26T02:00:46.149-07:00anonymous, Congratulations karen for your brave st...anonymous, Congratulations karen for your brave stand I too was a whistleblower standing up for elderly patients rights, thought right was on my side and even though I had whistleblower protection I soon realised that nothing can ever protect you from the powerful forces sent in motion by your fellow workers who dont want to become involved. Over a period of two years I got PTSD and had a major depressive episode, ended up on sick leave on antidepressants, the nurse involved with the abuse to the elderly pts was treated like a hero by some of the staff I eventually got my life back in order, Would I do it again?I dont think so although I would always intervene immediately if i ever observed a similar situation The whole affair came to an end when we were told by someone in the Whistleblower unit thAT we were lucky not to have been charged with something ouselves,by that time all the fight had gone out of me, I still feel ashamed that I had a depressive episode over it, thought I would have been strongerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-87639017149625419172012-07-24T18:31:41.590-07:002012-07-24T18:31:41.590-07:00Hello Karen Smith,Congratulations on your bravery....Hello Karen Smith,Congratulations on your bravery.It ccertainly wears one down. Enquiry regarding self, if i may;I complained re bullying of staff & consumers by certain staff plus lack of duty of care in work practice,bad behaviours escalated & now i find myself stood down on same/similar charges pending meeting tomorrow morning! What to do? Unfortunately staff member Union rep.with history of above. Sincerly,Anne.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-72628410164542432502012-07-23T00:06:12.340-07:002012-07-23T00:06:12.340-07:00Hi Karen, I too have just watched your story on SB...Hi Karen, I too have just watched your story on SBS. I also have blown the whistle on abuse and suffered for it. I admire your perserverance. Thank you for speaking out. Recently I found myself in hospital being treated very badly by nursing staff, it is very very difficult to complain when you are in a vulnerable position needing care. When I did speak up my stuff was packed up and I was huddled off home to an empty house with no assistance. The OT who dropped me at the door and pushed my wheelchair inside left me with the parting words,"SEE HOW YOU LIKE THAT" Vunerable people need people to speak for them. It gives me hope that there are people like you who will stand up for the rights of people who have no power to address their issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-45941035227389390292012-07-22T22:36:36.511-07:002012-07-22T22:36:36.511-07:00HI Karen,
i have just watched you on sbs ....... ...HI Karen,<br /><br />i have just watched you on sbs ....... i want to say how much i admire your courage and your determination to make a difference for those who cannot advocate for themselves.<br />i have never understood the problem with telling the truth, and am aghast at how much you and other 'whistleblowers' have had to go through in order to speak up.<br /><br />my prayers are with you and as ever, with the vulnerable who you work to protect.<br />i wish you well<br />love and blessings<br />amalaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-49911206745317553592012-07-18T17:00:19.261-07:002012-07-18T17:00:19.261-07:00Angel Karen, CONGRATULATIONS on taking a stand wit...Angel Karen, CONGRATULATIONS on taking a stand with these horrible people. Our aged care should never ever be mistreated yet they always are! I have seen this with my own eyes on numerous occassions and heard the way staff talk about patients, its disrespectful and disgusting. I witnessed a patient falling off a chair & yelled out to a nurse and instead of rushing to help they sat back laughed and only when the patient had fallen onto the floor did they casually stroll over to assist. Now what they did had been imbedded into my head for many years, they "strapped" the patient to the chair whilst she was protesting saying "No not again, they are too tight". So many of these patients are someone's mother, father, daughter, son . . . .etc, one day it could be one of those nurses sitting all alone with no help from the people who are suppose to be there for them, just imagine them recalling all the horrible abuse they caused and maybe even hoping it would not come back to haunt them. Once again Karen CONGRATULATIONS and wish you all the best. KK From Sydney NSWKKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-22671133216026837572012-07-03T23:16:47.452-07:002012-07-03T23:16:47.452-07:00Hi.
i found this beauty whilst looking for docunen...Hi.<br />i found this beauty whilst looking for docunentation of organisational bulling in the psychiatric system in australia. i have been a discipline specific trained mental health RN for over ten years. i have worked in a great many establishments around australia, and finally resigned my beloved career after several incidents of horizontal violence, bullying, and unfair terminations of contracts. all of which i have documented. I continue to feel extraordinarily disgusted by the bullying and harrassment that health sevices and thier employees get away with. Im certainly very proud that through the years i remained a professional, ethical psch nurse and teacher, but i cannot any longer tollerate the torturous and disgusting conditions that remain private, cleverly, and somewhat obscenely hidden by the health services. i never cease to be amazed from a psychodynamic point of view, how these peole continue to live comfortably whilst knowing the behavours that they demonstrate to patients and other staff are immoral and poisonous. enough said i think. the nursing counsil, unions, and human resourses are useless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-92014597686411944752012-01-25T17:46:09.721-08:002012-01-25T17:46:09.721-08:00Helen
My email address is: kaz3535@bigpond.com.au
...Helen<br />My email address is: kaz3535@bigpond.com.au<br />Regards<br />Karen Maree SmithSING (Silence is NOT Golden)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18298393310994391042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-67589915444509742082012-01-25T15:19:52.844-08:002012-01-25T15:19:52.844-08:00Karen
I would like to communicate with you. I hav...Karen <br />I would like to communicate with you. I have tried to send you an email but it came back to me. If this page is still valid please post your current email address.<br />Regards<br />Helen.Helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-36980420889425919132011-12-05T15:42:43.193-08:002011-12-05T15:42:43.193-08:00interestingly karen, my mum worked at eventide in ...interestingly karen, my mum worked at eventide in the 70's and said the residents were treated like royalty...must have gone truely down hill....you are a brave woman - pity there are not more like you. I had to move mum home from Rose Lodge Wonthaggi - a terrible culture and staff with bad attitude. <br /><br />on the whole most homes are a disgrace. to paraphrase lillian jeter "if they can't get the basics right ( like the food) - you can bet there is other stuff going on" i spoke with her early 2011. <br /><br />keep the faith. janejanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-23616611044865502702011-12-05T14:08:52.239-08:002011-12-05T14:08:52.239-08:00Hi there!
i found your address after reading an ...Hi there! <br /><br />i found your address after reading an article in the courier mail. <br /><br />I spoke up as a family member and i was, in the end, sent a letter threatening me with a restraining order and 10 years jail - for complaining about the food! a bit heavy handed and in my opinion and shows what bullies the management of Rose Lodge, Wonthaggi are. Believe me we were not the only family unhappy with the food! <br /><br />http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/wonthaggis-rose-lodge-aged-care-centre-under-fire-over-sloppy-food/story-fn7x8me2-1226092171611 <br /><br />No wonder no one speaks up, especially the staff or residents - they are too bloomin' scared! <br /><br />I spoke up and i got lots of hate mail letters in the local paper. and have a look at the "i support Rose Lodge' face book page. disgraceful! <br /><br />I started a facebook page "the unacceptable food served in residential aged care in australia in 2011" <br /><br />keep the faith<br /><br />with love<br /><br />jane seaholme.Janenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-48931349093592814832011-12-05T12:23:16.423-08:002011-12-05T12:23:16.423-08:00Well done for speaking up Karen! I am studying my...Well done for speaking up Karen! I am studying my RN through university and was recently on my first 3 week placement at an aged care facility. Within the second week I reported verbal abuse of one of the dementia patients as the other AINs were too scared to say anything. The management said they would "investigate the issue" and the reception I received from the person whom I reported, lets just say was extremely cold and harsh! But I was only there for another week and the treatment she gave me I tried to ignore. I can't begin to imagine how you felt! You should be commended for standing up and not staying silent! I hope that I never have to whitness it again, but if I do, can follow your example.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-44717118198774302042010-08-29T02:36:12.168-07:002010-08-29T02:36:12.168-07:00That last one by little ozzy bloke sounds absolute...That last one by little ozzy bloke sounds absolutely false. Jump on another bandwagonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-52242000906231159752010-02-10T18:23:24.791-08:002010-02-10T18:23:24.791-08:00G'day Karen, Was given your site by a friend a...G'day Karen, Was given your site by a friend at Tafe..(sorry, i'm terrible with names)<br /><br />Admire what you have done and doing, I too am out there trying to let the public know whats going on around them, <br />The whole medical system is a disgrace, Past few years, as a patient, I have spent times in places where they have ran out of gloves, toilet paper, and can't 'borrow' from other wards..<br />There should not have to be an 'allocation' of funds for hospital services, supplies and equipment. Too many people are in control of these finances as i see it.<br /><br />And mistreatment?..Many years ago i was thrown out of the system for standing up for a elderly heart patient that had been tied to her wheelchair, tied to a post..out in the middle of the garden in the w.a sun(as she was a wanderer i was told)and she refused to be fed by a certain aggressive sister, <br />I had been feeding this lady (who was not in my charge)in my own time without issues.<br />So, after the third tray of food was dropped on the ground, this female patient suffered severe physical abuse. (shall not describe)<br />I stepped in and dealt with it very un-professionally, mother superier was not impressed, but I felt better and so did the patient. but it ended my hopeful career back then..<br /><br />nice to have found this place,...<br />love to give support.<br />Take care...The Littleozzyblokehttp://www.fbd-australia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-2338203597980426662009-12-02T03:45:14.366-08:002009-12-02T03:45:14.366-08:00Hi Karen, I just watched Law & disorder on ABC...Hi Karen, I just watched Law & disorder on ABC, hold your head high. I have had no luck with Qld Health with Dr Peter Roper at Rocky Base, and I have the proof, the CMC have not assisted either, anyway a quote from the Legend Kyokushin Karate master, "Personal greed and egoism are things that cause human beings to forget respect for <br />others and to violate rules that have been established for the sake of peace and <br />friendship."~Mas Oyama~ <br /><br />_____________Cheers Denis (denaub69@hotmail.com)<br />_____Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-48771111760123433852009-04-22T10:19:00.000-07:002009-04-22T10:19:00.000-07:00Karen you may be gone from Eventide, but managemen...Karen you may be gone from Eventide, but management is now doing everything by there policies? They are all running scared because you spoke out. It is not before time that management may some how be accountable for there actions? This will never happen? They are protecting there own arse? They are worried about a class action investigation... Rightly so.. They should worry. I would be the first one to show up...Keznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-29645913287781420412009-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:002009-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:00I see there is no comment with this? The governmen...I see there is no comment with this? The government give these people cash incentives to stay in the work place, but do they upgrade there skills? God help me if i die in an aged care facility. I will make sure this will never happen? I can only hope that these people at the top of the big salary chain will suffer this fate......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-8750750465190576212009-03-30T03:18:00.000-07:002009-03-30T03:18:00.000-07:00Education is targeted,budgets are trimmed? Why doe...Education is targeted,budgets are trimmed? Why does our government give cash payouts to the professionals that work for Qhealth to upgrade there skills? Don't give cash payouts, go back into the hospital system to upgrade there skills they would be very surprised at how hard our Rn's on the hospital wards are working? There are two nurse educators at Eventide. We have many staff over the campus, but for some reason they educate one or two people at a time? I applaud the nurses that work in palliative at Redcliffe Hospital and RBH for there dedication and there skills in managing pain. In a perfect world we will all die with dignity and respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-32516994860463242972009-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:002009-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:00I agree. Aged Care is Palliative care.Many RNs and...I agree. Aged Care is Palliative care.<BR/>Many RNs and CNs who work in age care have very out of date skills and the distressing factor is PAIN Management is one of them.<BR/>Some RNs are only too willing to earn new skills and some take on extra study and duties not funded by the organisation.<BR/>The updating in skills is the responsibility of the organisation.<BR/>The problem is when budgets are trimmed, education is targeted. <BR/>Mentoring is not funded in many organisations thus it does not happen and staff do not learn on the job with support.<BR/>Staff who choose to be employed in aged care should not have to be educated on compassion, dignity and respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-16518250536935475692009-03-29T03:15:00.000-07:002009-03-29T03:15:00.000-07:00I am an AAIN. I have a great respect for most of t...I am an AAIN. I have a great respect for most of the RN,S i work with. Some can be very caring and supportive others are hanging in there for retirement. There are many staff who are post retirement age. With all due respect to them, but they are really not interested in what is going on around them. There skills are way out dated. They cringe when a young university trained RN is employed. I have seen many elderly people pass over this world in a great deal of pain. Why? The older RN,S are lacking the skills to give these people the palliative care that they need. Good luck Karen hope you can some how make a difference. We all need to treat these frail aged with the greatest dignity we can possibly give.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-53040623339043605422009-03-22T18:13:00.000-07:002009-03-22T18:13:00.000-07:0042 Million for transitional care.Who is applying f...42 Million for transitional care.<BR/>Who is applying for this money?<BR/>Not for profit to finance budget crisis related to reduced funding under the now 12 months old ACFI funding tool.<BR/>The reality is:<BR/>Staffing ratios have been reduced.<BR/>RN hours slashed to " dangerous".<BR/>EEN now doing RN and CN duties regardless of what the QNC says is Scope of practice.<BR/>Regardless of how loud the QNU screams, this will continue.<BR/>AINs are being replaced by PC models in many organisations in both low and high care.<BR/>PCs under their award can "assist " with medication. <BR/>In high care it is not "assist" it is "administer" because most high care residents cannot be assisted they have medication administered.<BR/>Many PCs do not even have the Certificate 111 in Aged Care as a minimum education and they are " assisting " with medication.<BR/>Why are so many facilities failing the 2009 accreditation?<BR/>Lack of clinical assessment and supervision,impacting on care.<BR/>Are RNs concerned about being responsible for PC models?<BR/>Yes they are because an RN is registered and a PC is an unregulated worker not accountable to any authority.<BR/>Yes the organisation is responsible for monitoring performance but as we read on this web site - nothing is done.<BR/>Who is going to supervise and monitor the resident in the transitional funded bed in an aged care facility?<BR/>If there is no RN with the appropriate expertise ,in the unit, there should be no funding for transitional beds to that facility.<BR/>The clinical intervention at this point of transition is vital to recovery.<BR/>If there is no clinical intervention and supervision the resident might as well be admittted to an aged care facility and save the transition dollars,and the anxiety and time wasted for the resident and family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6077668539151959728.post-798064132288710862009-03-22T04:07:00.000-07:002009-03-22T04:07:00.000-07:00Paul Lucas - you are now responsible for health. W...Paul Lucas - you are now responsible for health. Welcome aboard.<BR/>Health includes QH aged care facilities.<BR/>Please read this web site .<BR/>We need your support.<BR/>We must have an Enquiry.<BR/>Some one has to listen to us because as as I type residents will be abused and staff intimidated into silenceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com