The Department of Health has moved to telephone and telehealth aged care assessments for ACAT assessments for residential and home care – but denied assessments will be paused or reduced because of COVID-19.

“Face to face assessments are still permitted where necessary to support the needs of the client. This will be reviewed as the situation evolves,” a spokesperson for the Department said.

If a client requires urgent access to services because of the coronavirus, they will be directly referred to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme services – without an assessment – for up to six weeks for existing or new clients. After this period, an assessment would be required.

How many assessors will want to keep visiting people’s homes however unless they are provided with precautions such as PPE?