16 June 2014

Lorna Knowles
Senior Reporter
ABC TV
Knowles.Lorna@abc.net.au


Statement in response to ABC TV media enquiry
Bupa again extends its deepest sympathies to Mr Watson following Mrs Watsons death in December 2011.
The State Coroner, Magistrate Michael Barnes, found that Mrs Watsons death was from natural causes (aspiration pneumonia
associated with Huntingtons Disease).
During the Coronial inquest, suggestions were made for improvements to certain policies and procedures at our care home in Kempsey.
We implemented these improvements in April and May 2014, in advance of the Coroner handing down his findings. These changes
were deemed by the Coroner to be appropriate and have also been implemented across all 62 Bupa care homes in Australia.
In particular, we have revised our admissions procedures to address the complex care needs of respite residents (such as Mrs
Watsons), including the requirement for a comprehensive medical assessment and a signed medication chart to be provided by the
residents primary care physician.
The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency visited our Kempsey home last week and was satisfied that the Coroners recommendations
had been implemented.
This home has been serving the local community for over 30 years, providing quality, person-centred aged care to many thousands of
residents. I support the homes dedicated staff and management and I am confident of the high quality of resident care delivered at this
and all of Bupas aged care homes in Australia.



Louis Dudley
Managing Director
Bupa Care Services Australia
Bupa Care Services Australia
19/201 Kent Street
Sydney
NSW 2001

www.bupa.com.au/aged-care