Anglicare response to ABC’s 7.30 Report (Newmarch House)

Thank you for your inquiry.

Newmarch House is a close community – we remain devastated by the events at Newmarch House and cherish the memories of the loved ones lost. They remain in our thoughts and prayers, always.

At the commencement of the Inquest hearing, Anglican Community Services extended its condolences to the families and friends of the 19 residents who tragically passed in the COVID-19 outbreak at Newmarch House in 2020 and acknowledged the physical separation of these individuals from their loved ones in the final days caused intense distress and worry.

Anglicare apologised for the distress experienced by residents, families and friends during that time. The full text of that apology accompanies this statement.

The questions you have asked concern matters under investigation by the NSW Deputy State Coroner. These formed the subject of the recent Inquest hearing into the deaths of 19 of Newmarch House's former residents during the COVID-19 outbreak in April 2020 – June 2020. The Inquest process remains ongoing at this time.

As the Deputy State Coroner has not released his findings, it would be inappropriate to comment publicly about the Inquest hearing or any matter forming the subject of that hearing.

Until such time as the Deputy State Coroner's findings are handed down, it is not appropriate to address your questions specifically.

Apology provided to the families on 25 July 2022

Anglican Community Services, trading as Anglicare Sydney (Anglicare) wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the 19 residents of Newmarch House who passed away during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Anglicare acknowledges that the circumstances in which family members of Newmarch House lost their mothers, fathers, grandparents, partners, or friends, made the loss much greater. For the residents and their families, the physical separation from their loved ones and intense distress and worry about them was traumatic.

Anglicare is sorry for the distress experienced during the outbreak by the residents of Newmarch House and their families and friends. Anglicare acknowledges that this was a time of intense anxiety and uncertainty for all those involved in the outbreak.

Anglicare wishes to acknowledge the personal sacrifice and compassion of all those people who supported Newmarch House throughout the outbreak and thank them for their contribution.

About Anglicare Sydney:

Anglicare Sydney has cared for the vulnerable and housed senior Australians for over 160 years across two world wars, two pandemics, and numerous economic recessions and depressions. We are a Christian non-for-profit that has cared for vulnerable people and seniors for over 160 years.

Anglicare Sydney employs over 4,000 people and welcomes the support of 2,300 volunteers. Anglicare Sydney operates across the Anglican Diocese of Sydney – Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra, Norfolk Island and the Shoalhaven – and the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.

Contact:

publicaffairs@Anglicare.org.au