The Department says it can only provide masks at this stage with other PPE to be provided “when available” – raising questions about the PPE stocks available to providers and aged care staff.
In an email to providers, the Department says it has introduced a new process for aged care providers to access PPE supplies – asking aged care services and staff not to approach the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) but instead email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au for all requests.
The Department says it will then triage the requests – with priority given to facilities, programs and workers where there has been a confirmed case of coronavirus.
“It is important to remember that if you do not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 within your facility, program or service you should expect delays in receiving your PPE due to the increase in demand,” it reads.
The letter also asks providers to list in their request the details of the suppliers they have attempted to source PPE stock from – and the types and quantities of PPE required, but adds: “please note, only masks are available at this stage and other PPE will be provided when available”.
The Government had assured the sector at the previous Friday’s aged care forum on the coronavirus in Canberra that it would make the availability of PPE to aged care services a priority.
LASA CEO Sean Rooney tells us that their members are also reporting concerns about ensuring adequate stocks of protective equipment, such as masks, to keep their staff and residents safe as well as rising costs associated with PPE.
“The Department of Health has advised age services first to go to their regular providers for PPE. If there is a problem with supply, the Government is assuring the sector that it will ensure supplies are provided as and when needed,” he said.
But we have heard from providers about the difficulty in accessing supplies – in one case, a 26-week wait for an order placed late January.
Can the Government deliver? Australia has historically purchased its PPE supplies from China. Last week, they issued a public tender to any local company that may be able to produce PPE to come forward – and more than 130 companies have reportedly out their hand up. Good news – we hope.
The question is: when will these new stocks become available – and will aged care services be prioritised?
The uncomfortable question is: do you ration PPEs for hospitals and doctors treating younger, fitter patients for a long haul or for the elderly and ‘carers’? There is no right answer.
Leadership is a major burden in this sector in good times. Shouldering the ‘duty of care’ for staff when protective equipment is not fully available makes that burden exponentially greater.
Respect for the 360,000 people committed to their roles in the sector must be remembered well after COVID-19.
