Results from the latest Guardian Essential poll indicate the majority of Australians are concerned about vulnerability in aged care settings, but are less sure where responsibility lies.
The survey of 1,068 respondents saw blame for aged care outbreaks split closely between state government (30%) and federal government (28%), with more people blaming the providers (42%).
The majority of respondents (77%) agreed with the statement “authorities failed to have an adequate COVID-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities”, and most (70%) agreed underfunding of the sector had caused increased problems.
Interestingly though, less than half the sample (49%) were able to identify that the federal government is responsible for funding and regulating aged care in Australia.
The Essential Poll also found 67% of people agree with the Prime Minister in COVID spread had been caused by community transmission, while 60% believe aged care cases should be transferred to a hospital rather than treated in a nursing home.
