Aged care lockdowns ban after deluge of family complaints

A wave of family complaints over the past seven weeks is behind Scott Morrison’s decision to effectively ban unjustified aged care lockdowns.

A deluge of complaints from despairing family members unable to see their elderly relatives has triggered a ban on unjustified aged care lockdowns.

The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal visitor restrictions as the top issue raised with authorities since the onset of the coronavirus crisis, with 339 specific complaints since March 1.

On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it plain that the government was fed up with providers such as Bupa and Estia, which have ignored expert guidelines and refused entry even though they hadn’t experienced a coronavirus outbreak.

“Having people stuck in their rooms, not being able to be visited by their loved ones and carers and other support people, that’s not okay,” Mr Morrison declared.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Friday’s coronavirus update. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Unless that stops, providers will have to seek approval before they can close off a facility.

“We are not going to have these as secret places,” the PM said.

His pointed comments came after a National Cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders which decided it was “unacceptable” to impose lockdowns “other than during a specified facility outbreak”, such as those that had recently occurred in western Sydney and northwest Tasmania.

Mr Morrison said if there was no improvement under the current voluntary arrangements, aged care facilities would have to seek the Commonwealth’s permission for a visitor ban.

“We would very much like to keep these things on a basis where aged care facilities are exercising their proper discretion,” he said.

Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said the edict on lockdowns should not be taken as “a green light to go back to pre-COVID visitation routines.”

Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“We all need to remain vigilant in managing the protection of Senior Australians,” he said.

“The advice to the National Cabinet has not changed.”

Last month, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – which advises the National Cabinet – issued recommendations to aged care facilities that included limiting the number and duration of visits, as well as social distancing “where possible”. But it did not authorise total bans – except of those who had recently returned from overseas, been in contact with a COVID-19 carrier or had flu-like symptoms.

However, in response, the likes of Estia Health, barred all visitors.

It did not respond to requests for comment last night, nor did Bupa, which also imposed a ban.

However, on Saturday, Bupa contacted The Telegraph to say it had decided that from May 1 it would allow “limited visits” based on factors including government advice.

Aged Care Royal Commissioner Tony Pagone recently said barring family and carers denied some residents extra assistance with basics such as feeding and going to the toilet.

Justice Tony Pagone. Picture: Supplied

Senator Colbeck said contact with loved ones and carers was “particularly important” for dementia sufferers.

There have been reports that some providers have gone so far as to confine residents to their rooms.

The situation has been made worse because the regulator has stopped doing unannounced visits.

Senator Colbeck and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy held a webinar with industry bodies late on Friday to discuss unjustified lockdowns.

Following the meeting, the bodies issued a defiant joint statement, saying “these decisions are not taken lightly and have been made to save lives.

“We also continue to appeal for clarity and support on visitation restrictions.”

Originally published as Aged care lockdowns ban after deluge of family complaints