Last Thursday, a Melbourne magistrate ruled there was sufficient evidence for a case against aged care provider Heritage Care to go to trial over allegations it failed to provide and maintain a safe workplace under health and safety legislation.
Heritage Care is the operator of Melbourne aged care home Epping Gardens, where, in 2020, 89 residents and 65 staff contracted COVID-19 during a single outbreak. Ultimately, 34 residents died from COVID-19 or related complications during the outbreak.
WorkSafe alleges Heritage Care failed to provide and maintain a safe working environment without risks to health between 13 March 2020 and 20 July 2020, The Examiner has reported.
The watchdog also alleges the company failed to provide the necessary training to staff and to ensure residents were not exposed to health and safety risks.
Heritage Care has pleaded not guilty, and the case will go to trial before the County Court of Victoria in June.
Heritage Care operates six aged care homes in Victoria and six in NSW.
