Council update: incident at Yallambee Lodge
Published on 24 May 2023
Snowy Monaro Regional Council is providing an update for our community on the serious incident that occurred at our Yallambee Lodge aged care facility on the morning of Wednesday 17 May.
Trauma counsellors have been on-site at Yallambee Lodge since Thursday, providing direct support to our residents and staff in the wake of this traumatic event.
The Council has sent a letter to families of residents in Council aged care facilities, and senior staff have been speaking directly with concerned loved ones about the situation and the status of our residents’ care.
“We have been assisting with both NSW Police and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission investigations into this incident, making staff and all relevant information, documentation and accounts of the morning in question available without delay,” said Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bascomb.
“The family has our deepest sympathies during this profoundly difficult time. We are available to help however and whenever they need,” said Mr Bascomb.
“Our foremost concern since the incident has been the support of the residents at Yallambee and their families, and in protecting and respecting the privacy and wishes of a resident under our care and her family,” said Narelle Davis, Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
“We are heartbroken by the events of Wednesday 17 May, and the distressing outcome for a beloved resident of Yallambee Lodge and our region. Our thoughts remain with her and her family at this deeply sad time.”
The incident is subject to an investigation by both NSW Police and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and Yallambee Lodge is and will continue to provide all available assistance to the investigations.
Council will continue to provide updates on this situation in consultation with the family and the authorities.
“We ask our community for calm while these investigations are underway. We understand this is a difficult time for everyone and emotions are running high. If we can be kind to each other, we will get through this together,” said Mr Bascomb.