Dr Nick Coatsworth reveals personal aged care tragedy as sector battles outbreaks

Australia’s ex-deputy chief medical officer has revealed a heartbreaking tragedy in aged care as the sector comes under enormous pressure.

Australia’s former deputy chief medical officer has revealed his private aged care tragedy as the Omicron variant continues to tear through the sector.

Dr Nick Coatsworth said he missed his father’s death at an aged care home in 2012, something that “stayed with him” for years.

“My dad died in aged care in 2012 and I wasn’t there to hold his hand when he took his last breath and that stayed with me for a long time,” he told Today.

Dr Coatsworth also said many of the issues facing aged cared were harsh restrictions that separate vulnerable residents from loved ones.

“The tragedy in aged care is not a tragedy of death. It’s a tragedy of isolation. It’s a tragedy of lack of human dignity,” he said.

“Until we sort of understand that, then we’re not going to be able to move forward with a solution. We do need to boost every aged care resident in the country. That’s true.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth has revealed his father died in aged care.

“If there is families out there who are wondering whether they should have their third dose, their relative, they absolutely should. They need it and need access to it.”

The revelation comes as the aged care sector battles through yet another major case surge involving its residents.

Pressure is mounting on embattled Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck.

Senator Colbeck, who is also sport minister, is under fire for attending the cricket after claiming he was too busy to front a Covid inquiry.

It is the latest in a long line of controversies to hit the minister.

In a fiery press conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese demanded Senator Colbeck’s resignation over failures in aged care throughout the pandemic.

Mr Hunt held a press conference to urge nursing home residents to get their third jab.

He and Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly offered a grim insight as to what winter would look like with another wave of Omicron expected to coincide with the first flu season since 2019.

More than 777 aged care residents have died due to Covid-19 since July 1 last year, at least 470 of whom have died since January 1.

“There will be more deaths, more elderly people will die,” Professor Kelly said.

Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck was grilled by senators following large COVID-19 outbreaks at facilities across Australia. Picture: NCA/Gary Ramage

“Despite our best efforts, despite all the infection control, there is a risk of that happening.

“The balance between deaths and increased aged care restrictions is difficult, and these are ethical and philosophical questions. They’re hard decisions.

“I do expect deaths in aged care and elsewhere over the coming weeks and months of elderly people over the age of 70.”

While 99 per cent of aged care facilities have been visited and residents offered their booster, less than two-thirds have taken up the jab.

Professor Kelly said there were a number of “vulnerability issues” that came into play when deciding whether or not to have an elderly aged care resident boosted.

“These are sometimes very difficult and complex conversations and that has been an important part of the rollout to aged care,” he said.

“The important fact is that the booster has been made available for 99 per cent of aged care residents, and that is an incredible effort.”