News | International
17 Feb 2025 4:01
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Inquest into COVID-19 deaths at Newmarch House finds transferring patients could have slowed infection rates

    During the 65-day outbreak at Newmarch House in Kingswood, in Sydney's west, 37 of the 97 residents contracted COVID-19 from April to June 2020.


    An inquest into the deaths of 19 people during a COVID-19 outbreak at a Western Sydney aged care home has found several cases were preventable, and at least three could have had a different outcome under another model of care.

    During the 65-day outbreak at Newmarch House in Kingswood, 37 of the 97 residents contracted COVID-19 from April to June 2020.

    Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee handed down the findings on Friday, uncovering that Anglicare — which owns and runs the facility — failed to demonstrate proper leadership and maintain sufficient communication with residents and their families.

    It also found a lack of support and clarity from senior Anglicare executives, staff shortages and inexperience, as well as poor infection control practices.

    During the outbreak, the facility chose to treat sick residents onsite under a program the inquest found was not viable and was inconsistent with infectious diseases.

    While the inquest acknowledged that uncertainty and underlying anxiety in the early days of the virus contributed to that decision, Magistrate Lee said transferring them could have improved their level of care, including access to enough oxygen and fluids.

    "If only COVID-19 positive residents, once promptly identified, had been transferred out of Newmarch House this likely would have slowed the rate of new infections," the final report said.

    The CEO of Anglicare, Simon Miller, apologised to the loved ones of the 19 residents who died and to staff members at the facility after the findings were handed down.

    "We are sorry for the stress experienced and the loss of life during the COVID-19 outbreak at Newmarch House, for the residents, families and their loved ones," Mr Miller told reporters.

    Families hope to move on

    The three-week inquest into the circumstances surrounding the deaths concluded in 2022, and the findings were meant to be handed down in early 2023.

    The daughters of resident Alice Bacon, who died at Newmarch House in May 2020, said it had been an anxious wait but the findings only proved what they had known all along.

    At age 93, Ms Bacon became the 100th death in Australia from COVID-19 and was one of the residents named in the findings as someone who could have had a different outcome under hospital care.

    Mary Watson is still coming to terms with her mother's death.

    "Mum's outcome could have been very different had she been cared for and she wasn't cared for," she said.

    "Being locked away in your room and starved of attention, food, water, washing your clothes in the bathroom sink … It was hard then.

    "Now we hope we can sort of move on."

    The inquest acknowledged there were instances where the basic care needs of some residents were not attended to, or only attended to after significant delay and repeated prompting by family members.

    "The evidence established that on occasion some residents were not administered regular medication, showered or provided with nutrition and hydration," the report said.

    'They tried to have inquest shut down'

    Anthony Bowe's mother, Patricia Shea, contracted the virus while living at Newmarch House during the outbreak, where he said Anglicare blocked family members from being near the facility or being able to see into the rooms of their loved ones.

    After waiting years to hear an outcome, Mr Bowe said Anglicare's response had been "grubby".

    "They tried to have the inquest shut down … they wanted no accountability at all which is disgusting. They're supposed to be a Christian organisation," he said.

    Mr Bowe said the main focus should be on the role of NSW Health, with residents unable to raise the alarm about their own health.

    "There was no monitor attached to the patient, so they went hours without anyone knowing if the person behind the door was struggling to breathe or not.

    "So, it was set up to suffocate people and people were found dead."

    In November 2024, Shine Lawyers settled a class action on behalf of 18 people whose loved ones died during the outbreak, who are awaiting settlement approval from the court.

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     16 Feb: Stampede at Indian railway station kills Maha Kumbh festival pilgrims
     16 Feb: School bullying inquiry hears Catholic Education Tasmania denies leadership roles to staff based on sexual orientation and relationship status
     16 Feb: Freed Israeli hostage learns daughter's name, as released Palestinians burn shirts
     16 Feb: Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant saga sees police 'investigating fraud' after week of drama
     16 Feb: Christian pastor denied burial as attacks on religious minorities rise in India
     16 Feb: Elon Musk's DOGE agency is at the centre of controversy in the US. So what is it?
     15 Feb: Drone attack on Chernobyl nuclear plant casts shadow over peace prospects
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson believes Joe Schmidt won't be lost to Australian rugby when he steps down as head coach at the end of the Rugby Championship More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Resale conditions are improving in New Zealand's property market More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    A motorcyclist has been critically injured in a crash on State Highway 73, the Arthur's Pass road 21:56

    Motoring:
    For South Island motorists: a crash has closed State Highway 73 between Arthurs Pass and Otira 21:16

    Politics:
    Education Minister Erica Stanford says her associate minister, David Seymour, was overstepping the mark when he announced a crackdown on teacher-only days last year 18:56

    Entertainment:
    Stampede at Indian railway station kills Maha Kumbh festival pilgrims 18:46

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has serious injuries after a crash which has closed State Highway 2 at Tutira in Hawke's Bay 18:36

    Rugby:
    New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson believes Joe Schmidt won't be lost to Australian rugby when he steps down as head coach at the end of the Rugby Championship 18:06

    Environment:
    A temporary relief station is now operating for people affected by a fire on the third floor of a multi-storey building in Wellington's Willis Street 17:46

    Soccer:
    Wellington Phoenix women's coach Paul Temple believes winning tonight's A-League clash against the Glory in Perth is vital for their play-off hopes 17:46

    Rugby League:
    Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris believes the All-Stars teams should always be at full strength 17:36

    Cricket:
    Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson believes the openers are a point of contention in New Zealand's ODI side heading into the Champions Trophy this week 16:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd