The vast majority of operators have completed their infectious control/respiratory outbreak management plans that meet the national guidelines from the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA), according to a preparedness for COVID-19 survey carried out by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).
But 25% of providers who responded to the survey says they still need to put in place arrangements to ensure they have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hygiene and cleaning products if required.
“Services are still working on ensuring that all staff know what is expected of them under an outbreak management plan relevant to their roles and responsibilities,” the Commission says in its latest newsletter to providers.
“Services are also grappling with staffing contingency plans if significant numbers of staff are unwell or not able to work.”
The findings support what we are hearing from providers on the ground about PPE shortages and some staff indicating that they will be unwilling to work in the event of an outbreak.
Some operators say they already have a percentage of staff on sick leave – even without any COVID-19 or influenza cases in their homes.
The Commission says it will follow up with “monitoring and support contacts for a number of individual providers” – suggesting some have outlined major concerns to the ACQSC.
“The Commission will be continuing to conduct assessment contacts, surveys and work with providers to ensure we can support them in their preparation for the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak,” they state.
But with Anglicare still struggling to obtain staff, will that support be delivered when ‘push comes to shove’?
