Aged care workers on standby to be deployed to nursing homes
A crack squad of aged care staff have been placed on standby in every state and territory ready to deployed in nursing homes affected by coronavirus, as out-of-work Aussies are encouraged to retrain in aged care.
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A reserve team of aged care workers has been put on standby in every state and territory ready to swoop in to nursing homes in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Morrison Government has recruited global health services company, Aspen Medical, to deploy emergency teams of nurses and medical professionals to work in aged care facilities that face significant outbreaks over the coming months.
Under the plan, the nurse first responders will provide immediate advice over the phone and deploy staff to the home within 24 hours, for a sixteen day stint.
Federal Aged Care Minister Senator Richard Colbeck told The Sunday Telegraph it was critical Australia had a strong aged care workforce so there are no gaps in care during the coronavirus pandemic.
“You can’t just close a facility because of capacity issues, you need surge capacity to be available at the time,” Senator Colbeck said.
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“There’s every chance these extraordinary measures won’t be required in full, but it’s vital we are ready.
“These are unprecedented actions because we’re facing unprecedented times.”
It comes as Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) – the body representing aged care facilities – announces a new plan to recruit out-of-work Australians to work in aged care facilities.
Under the plan, aged care homes will create a new temporary position known as an Aged Care Assistant support role, to help with daily living activities, freeing up existing staff to focus on critical health care.
LASA will team up with training provider Altura Learning to provide 10-hour online training courses that will teach jobseekers vital skills such as how to assist with meal time, some personal care services as well as leading recreational activities at aged care homes.
Leading Age Services Australia chief executive Sean Rooney called on Australians who have found themselves out of work to consider retraining for the new roles.
“To maintain care continuity, we’re asking people who may have lost positions in other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, beauty or retail to try out a new and rewarding career,” he said.
“This program is a double benefit, providing employment for people devastated by the economic impact of COVID-19 and helping guarantee the quality care of older Australians during a hazardous time.”
Leading Age Services Australia will also help to organise placements in aged care homes and ensure the new recruits are screened, have relevant background checks and police clearance.
Originally published as Aged care workers on standby to be deployed to nursing homes