The webinar – hosted last Friday after being postponed from 30 April – was supposed to provide operators with a chance to find out the latest information on how to prepare for an outbreak, an update on COVID-19 measures, and to ask the Department questions. But the comments suggest most felt it was ‘too little, too late’.
You can watch the webinar here.
As you can see from the comment section, many questioned why this information was only being provided now as the National Cabinet begins easing restrictions.
Others questioned how the Government’s promised stimulus funding for the sector was being provided and raised concerns about access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), staff, particularly in rural and regional areas and hospital beds for residents who test positive for COVID-19.
A request by Aspen Medical’s Nurse First Responder, Nicole Smith, for operators to ensure they have a one-month supply of PPE was met with derision.
“We can’t get PPE stock, let alone additional beds,” one person said.
Many also were seriously worried by the new Industry Code for aged care visits – and disputed Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson’s argument that the Code will reduce foot traffic in homes.
“Staff are feeling vulnerable when visitors are coming in and openly ignoring social distancing requirements etc. To police that would require significant additional staffing resources. Screening on entry is great in principle, but capacity to do this 7 days a week, evenings as well as daytime, requires significant additional resources.”
The conclusion seemed to be that the advice on offer was not practical.
“Some of this commentary is absolutely not possible in aged care,” someone wrote.
Is there a disconnect between the bureaucracy and the shop floor?
