Aged care staffing agency Barton Care ordered to halt operations over fears elderly at risk
Barton Care, a staffing agency for aged care homes, has had its license suspended by Victoria's Labour Hire Authority. The suspension follows findings that the agency deployed unqualified staff and potentially underpaid workers.
Why it matters
This case raises significant concerns about the safety and quality of care for vulnerable elderly populations in the healthcare system.
The Labour Hire Authority has suspended Barton Care's operations, saying aged care residents could be at risk. ( ABC Central West: Melanie Pearce )
Link copied Share Share article A staffing agency that has provided workers to aged care homes has had its licence suspended over findings it deployed dozens of unqualified staff to care for the elderly.
The discovery has prompted Victoria's Labour Hire Authority (LHA) to take the "extraordinary" step of halting Barton Care Pty Ltd's ability to deploy staff due to safety concerns.
The ABC understands Barton Care Pty Ltd has provided hundreds of workers to aged care homes across Victoria over the past few years.
The LHA halted the company's operations on Friday, after finding nearly 70 per cent of the qualifications held by Barton Care workers were invalid.
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