It was April 2020, and Australia was almost a month into its first lockdown. COVID-19 had swept through the country and day to day life changed dramatically, withwhere phrases like “stay home” “14-day quarantine” and “unprecedented times” became the norm.Newmarch House is an aged care home in Western Sydney, run by Anglicare Community Services. On April 11, 2020, they received a phone call from their local public health unit telling them that one of their staff members had tested positive to COVID-19.The following day, a 90-year-old resident began feeling unwell and a PCR test was performed – and came back positive. They staff member had allegedly continued working for 6 days after becoming infected.After that, all residents and staff were swabbed, and 16 positive tests were returned. Within a week, COVID-19 had been recorded in all 3 wings of the aged care home. The COVID-19 had officially hit Newmarch House.By the end of April, 37 of the 97 elderly residents at Newmarch House had been infected and 19 deaths had been recorded. At the time, this became NSW’s largest COVID-19 outbreak in aged care.
Why was Newmarch House legally investigated?
As the outbreak spread through the facility, many families claimed they were discouraged from removing their loved ones from the home. They also claimed they were left in the dark or told incorrect information about the resident’s worsening conditions.It’s alleged that COVID-19 infected residents were subjected to mismanagement of the outbreak within Newmarch House.Shine Lawyers represented clients who were direct family members of those who died at Newmarch House due to COVID-19. Many suffered psychological injuries after watching their loved ones suffer.
What happened at the Newmarch House coronial inquest?
On the July 25th, 2022, a coronial inquest was held to investigate a number of issues, including:
Whether the emergency response was appropriate;
The leadership, management and communication from staff to family members was appropriate
An infection prevention procedure and management of appropriate medication for residents was in place
Whether the treatment and management of the residents was appropriate in the circumstances
Whether the deaths could have been prevented.
Several of our clients provided evidence throughout the coronial inquest. Their evidence told of harrowing experiences of heartbreak and loss, after watching their loved ones suffer and die alone at Newmarch House. You can read the full coverage below.
Newmarch House Coronavirus Class Action
After the alleged negligence during the COVID-19 outbreak, Shine Lawyers have now commenced a class action against Newmarch House for the deaths that occurred in their facility.You can read more here about the Newmarch House class action, including whether you may be eligible to join.
Written by Shine Lawyers. Last modified: April 19, 2023.
