A sign that staff have other priorities amid the pandemic?
Only 117,919 of Australia’s 366,000 aged care workers had completed the PPE training module as of 14 August, according to Department of Health information provided to Tuesday’s Senate enquiry into the Government’s COVID response.
However, the number is still a 43% increase on the 66,000 that had completed the training as of 4 June as we reported here.
The free online program was funded by $44,000 from the $102 million put up by the Government to assist the aged care workforce during the pandemic.
Department of Health Secretary Dr Brendan Murphy did admit at Tuesday’s hearing that training for the sector could be improved.
“The Department of Health has acknowledged, including in the Aged Care Royal Commission, that the sector is under general financial pressure, that there are instances of poor-quality care and system leadership and inconsistencies in staff training and leadership,” he said.
Should more of that funding have been diverted to training then?
670 aged care residents have now died of COVID in Australia – 633 in Victoria.
