The aged care regulator cited"an immediate and severe risk to the health,safety and wellbeing of care recipients"at Newmarch House in its notice to Anglicare on Wednesday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian welcomed the move,saying health experts had advised her of"a number of issues that have to be considered in relation to the safety of residents"at Newmarch House,and said she was"relieved"that the regulator had stepped in.
"The federal regulator has now put them on notice to say if you don’t do X,Y and Z,we might revoke your licence. I think that’s a positive step,"she said.
Families of residents at the home,where the coronavirus outbreak has so far led to 16 deaths among 37 infected residents,also expressed relief at the development.
Anthony Bowe,whose 76-year-old mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 more than two weeks ago,said he expected the independent adviser would make a difference in terms of accountability from Anglicare,and in more practical ways.
"If we need things done,or questions answered,we can go to the independent person rather than have to fight Anglicare,"he said.