Coronavirus: States to establish aged-care rapid response units
All states will move to create aged-care emergency response units to manage coronavirus outbreaks similar to one in Victoria.
All states will move to create aged-care emergency response units to manage coronavirus outbreaks similar to one in Victoria, where more than 1500 active cases are linked to 110 nursing homes.
The states made the commitment at the national cabinet on Friday, where aged care was one of the key agenda items. There have been 109 COVID-related deaths in Victorian nursing homes during the virus’ second wave, including seven on Friday.
“There will be an ongoing auditing of aged-care preparedness around the country,” Scott Morrison said. “A key part of that is … being in a position to put in place quite quickly an aged-care response unit similar to that which we’ve been able to stand up in Victoria, which has aided greatly in our ability to stabilise that situation. (The other states are) very keen to get in place and to do the stress testing of their own systems.”
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre was created by the federal government in late July as the crisis in care homes escalated. It comprised emergency management, and clinical and operational expertise from the state and federal governments. Despite the creation of the body the number of cases and deaths mount daily.
Epping Gardens Aged Care in Melbourne’s north this week overtook St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner as the home with the most cases involving residents and staff, with 172 cases compared to 161. There have been 84 residents at Epping Gardens struck down with COVID-19, with 83 at St Basil’s. Nursing homes are also struggling for adequately trained and experienced staff, with nearly 1000 healthcare workers in Victoria having contracted coronavirus.
Sean Rooney, chief executive of provider group Leading Age Services Australia, said members with COVID-affected homes in Victoria were still struggling despite the new body being in place.
“They say there are still issues with access to PPE, contact tracing, surge workforce availability, the testing of staff and residents, and the timely return of results,” Mr Rooney said.
He said it was vital for all states to be prepared for the possibility of the coronavirus entering nursing homes.
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