Aug 11, 2020

Aged care peak bodies rally around decisions to move diagnosed residents to hospital

The peak bodies for aged care providers Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) have congratulated the Queensland Government on adopting procedures that facilitate the transfer to hospital of residents diagnosed with coronavirus in aged care, and urged all states to follow Queensland’s lead.

The Royal Commission heard yesterday that NSW authorities had not transferred COVID-19 positive aged care residents to hospitals because they wanted to avoid setting a precedent . 

“It’s not about precedent, it’s about saving people’s lives,” ACSA CEO Patricia Sparrow said.

“Immediate transfer to the hospital of the first people in residential care diagnosed with COVID, is the best possible protection measure against the terrible tragedy we are seeing unfold in Victoria.

“Transfer to hospital provides the best treatment for individuals and the best chance to contain the spread of the virus in an aged care home as the Royal Commission heard yesterday based on the experience of Dorothy Henderson Lodge,” she said.

“Queensland has now joined South Australia in adopting this best practise principle putting it in a much better position to prevent spread of the virus within an aged care home.”

Sean Rooney, CEO of LASA, echoed similar sentiments in his statement released earlier today. 

“South Australia has led the way and we commend Queensland for adopting this humane and protective policy which lifts confidence in the care of the most vulnerable to coronavirus. 

“We also welcome Queensland Health’s close and continuing consultation with peak aged care organisations and providers, to help ensure the practical application of transfers of the first resident or residents infected with COVID-19 out of residential care.”

Both bodies recognise that community transmission poses the highest risk to the aged care community, and position this move as one of the most sensible, calling for for other states and territories to follow suit. 

“With COVID-19 community spread the greatest risk for aged care homes, moving cases out of residential care is totally focused on saving lives,” said Mr Rooney. 

“Older Australians must have the same right to access hospital care as any other person in the community, particularly given they are a higherrisk due to their age and underlying health concerns.

“This needs to be one of the measures adopted by all states, to make keeping older Australians in care safe from coronavirus a national priority.”

“Community transmission is the enemy of aged care,” Ms Sparrow said. “Once a single case gets into a facility it can be impossible to contain. This is because aged care homes are not hospitals. They aren’t staffed like hospitals. They are not funded like hospitals. They are homes.

“It’s time that all states and territories joined South Australia and Queensland in adopting this best possible scenario for protecting older people in aged care and containing outbreaks.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19

Clarence House has confirmed, The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus. Prince Charles, 71, is displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”, a spokesman said. The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, has also been tested but does not have the virus. The spokesman for Clarence House said Charles and Camilla were now... Read More

Two Melbourne aged care homes battling COVID-19 outbreak: “This virus is a wild beast”

As Melbourne grapples with outbreaks in aged care homes, there is growing concern for the 15% of aged care residents who remain unprotected. The Department of Health has issued a reminder to staff that they should not work between aged care facilities, and also for families to please give consent. Read More

Home care clients cancel vital services amid concerns about COVID-19

  Home care clients are cancelling their appointments amid fears about contracting COVID-19. With recent attention focusing on restrictions on visits to residential aged care, concerns about home care clients cancelling services are now beginning to emerge. HelloCare conducted a survey last week asking home care workers if they had had their hours reduced. A total of... Read More
Advertisement