Editorial June 1 2017

Early in May, the Illawarra Mercury revealed the aged care facility had sanctions imposed due to “serious concerns” about residents’ safety, health and well-being.

Details of those concerns were revealed in an audit by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency.

The audit found the facility met only 26 of the 44 required outcomes of the national accreditation standards.

It did not meet the standards in a number of key criteria you would expect any aged care facility to meet.

Included in the standards Hillside at Figtree did not meet were _

The facility has been given until November by the Federal Department of Health to meet all 44 standards or face the loss of its right to operate as an aged care provider.

Since the imposition of the sanctions last month, Hillside at Figtree says a number of improvements have already been made to address the issues.

And you would hope so.

Let's hope this leads to a much better outcome for the residents and families.

News 300 Illawarra miners stand to lose their jobs came as a bitter blow to this region.

The Illawarra Mercury revealed on Wednesday afternoon the miners were stood down after mine contracting company Delta SBD went into voluntary administration.

Delta is involved in a number of mining operations in the region.

This is further salt into the wounds of a group of workers who have already withstood years of restructuring and job cuts.

It is yet another kick in the guts for a workforce which has taken more than its fair share in recent years.

Let’s hope the administrators can sort through the matter and there is some light at the end of this mining tunnel.