Planning required on sprinkler issue

If something is going to be done, then it’s important that it is done properly, according to Charles Wurf, Aged Care Association’s NSW branch chief executive.

Mr Wurf’s comment follows an audit of the state’s aged care facilities in relation to sprinkler systems, almost three months after the deadly Quakers Hill nursing home fire.

The audit finds only a third of aged care facilities are fitted with sprinkler systems. The Quakers Hill facility was one of 300 facilities that did not have a fitted sprinkler system.

Installing sprinklers will reportedly cost thousands of dollars per bed, adding up to at least $140 million across the state.

Despite Mr Wurf accepting the need for the sector to carefully consider and plan the installation of sprinkler systems in all facilities, he says there are three factors that need to be reviewed before any action is taken.

“We need to make sure we continue to provide care services, and this will become even more important in the years ahead. We can’t impose a system that is uneconomical,” he tells DPS News, adding it is “impractical to turn 600 aged care facilities into construction sites tomorrow”.

“The whole philosophy of aged care facilities is that it is somebody’s home. If changes are going to be made, then it needs to be properly done.”

Mr Wurf cites costs as another large barrier to installing sprinklers in all NSW aged care facilities, adding older buildings built more than 10 years ago were not designed to have sprinklers.

“It’s just not going to work. The industry perspective is we need an evidence-based solution to improve the safety of residents and staff,” he says.

Mr Wurf says there needs to be consideration to determine how sprinklers will be fitted in all of the state’s facilities and how it will be paid for.

“It’s in the hands of the NSW government now,” he says.