A TROUBLE-plagued Adelaide nursing home is under federal investigation, after an audit raised concerns about potential neglect, including failing to provide residents with adequate food and water.

A review audit of Brighton Aged Care this month found the centre was potentially not complying with 14 out of 44 basic accreditation standards, including ensuring residents had adequate nourishment and hydration, were free from pain, and had a right to privacy and dignity and emotional support.

A senior federal nursing officer was sent to the home on Monday to examine residents in the 71-bed facility, after the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency raised concerns.

The home has 14 days to improve its standards or face sanctions. It will face daily inspections until the agency and the Health Department are satisfied the problems have been rectified.

The audit follows allegations of neglect last month at Kirralee Residential Aged Care Facility in Ballarat, owned by aged care provider Japara Group, which failed 33 of 44 basic standards.

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot ordered a check of the other 31 facilities owned by Japara and its subsidiaries. It is understood Brighton and Kirralee are the only two Japara facilities of concern to the Government.

 "If other facilities are found to be non-compliant, action will be taken," she said.

Brighton Aged Care has had a troubled history. Under former owners Jagdish Saraf and Madhu Saraf, the body of a resident was cremated two days before the death was reported. The couple has since been prevented from operating aged care homes.

Ownership of the centre was transferred to Aged Care Services, a subsidiary of Japara, on March 1.

A spokeswoman for Brighton Aged Care yesterday said the agency had inspected the facility "and has identified some areas of non-compliance". "We are working with the department and the agency to rectify those areas and we expect to have that done quite swiftly," she said.

Source: AdelaideNow - Laura Anderson, Political Reporter, Canberra