Digital transformation to deliver more timely medicines for Australians and improve patient safety

The Morrison Government is making significant digital reforms to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to cut red tape for more than 4,000 businesses applying to register medicines and medical devices each year, as part of its Deregulation Agenda which will also improve the timeliness of report on patient safety.
Our Government is investing $12 million over four years to digitise, transform and modernise the TGA’s business systems and infrastructure, better connecting services to get medicines and devices to patients sooner.
New digital processes will deliver simpler and faster interactions between industry and government. This means earlier approvals of medical products, reduced administrative effort, and timelier decision-making by the TGA.
Under this Deregulation Agenda, our Government is focused on ensuring regulation is and remains fit-for-purpose – making it easier to do business while ensuring essential safeguards with the lightest touch.
This measure will yield a significant reduction in red tape, cutting costs for the medicines and medical devices industry. It will also position Australia to more quickly access emerging and new health technologies in the international market.
The TGA receives around 26,000 applications every year for medicines and medical devices to be listed or amended on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which allows them to be imported, sold and used in Australia.
The digital changes will enable simpler and more secure interactions between Government and industry to apply for, track, pay, and manage listings for regulated and subsidised health related products and services.
The TGA receives 15,000 adverse drug reaction reports on patient safety per year which are entered manually through PDF rather than through a central database.
With these reforms, medical companies will now be able to use an electronic database to report these patients safety events with automatic data transfer – saving them up to 15 minutes per report.
All Australians will benefit from a streamlined process which increases the timeliness of decisions on the safety, quality and efficacy of therapeutic goods, and their approval for listing on the ARTG.
Consumers and health care professionals can also have greater confidence in the safety and efficacy of therapeutic goods, with increased transparency built into the reforms.”
Cyber security will also be bolstered to ensure the protection of commercial-in-confidence information from industry.

Curtains go up on inaugural New Annual program

World premieres, Australian debuts and festival-specific commissions will form part of an eclectic and ambitious program being put together for City of Newcastle’s flagship arts event.
The first details of the New Annual program will be unveiled at Civic Theatre tonight, showcasing the diverse line-up of visual and performing artists on the program for the 10-day festival, which runs from 12-21 February 2021 and will feature more than 100 artists and 50 events.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the event represented a $750,000 City investment in the arts and cultural sector at a difficult time for the industry.
“City of Newcastle is proud to invest in the arts, with the New Annual celebrating the depth of talent in our thriving cultural sector and providing a platform for national artists to showcase their work in our city,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our long-term goal is to position New Annual as a leading arts festival on the national events calendar, sitting alongside Sydney Festival, Vivid Sydney and Adelaide Fringe.
“Over time the festival will grow to become a significant generator of cultural tourism, using arts and culture to share the city’s stories with the world, and position Newcastle as an innovative and creative region with a vibrant cultural history and bright future.”
The program features five festival-specific works commissioned from local artists and companies as part of a $86,096 grant from the NSW Government’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program. These include a new contemporary dance piece by Catapult Choreographic Hub inspired by and performed in the iconic Civic Park fountain and a shipping container turned cabaret theatre, bar and festival hub for local performances including an anchor show by Fingers Crossed Creative.
Lord-Mayor-with-Catapult-dancers-at-Civic-Park-Medium-1.JPGLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Catapult Choreographic Hub dancers at Civic Park.
The invited artist program will include everything from the world premiere of two new compositions performed by Omega Ensemble, to a football-inspired new urban movement form founded by Feras the Shield and Maestro Ahil, while the Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Libraries and Newcastle Museum will also present a range of performances, exhibitions and podcasts.
Councillor Carol Duncan said New Annual would enhance Newcastle’s reputation as a rich hub for visual and performing arts, while also providing a flagship cultural event with wide appeal.
“Newcastle has a thriving arts scene, with more artists per capita than any other city in Australia. We also have some of the most fantastic cultural venues, from the heritage-listed Civic Theatre and the iconic City Hall to the wonderful Newcastle Art Gallery, which houses one of Australia’s finest collections of public art,” Cr Duncan said.
“New Annual will provide Newcastle’s thriving independent arts sector with an opportunity to present work on a larger scale while attracting leading artists and audiences to share in this landmark arts event.”
Councillor-Carol-Duncan-with-Zackari-Watt-and-performers-of-Fingers-Crossed-Creative-inside-Civic-Theatre-1.JPGCouncillor Carol Duncan with Zackari Watt and performers of Fingers Crossed Creative inside Civic Theatre.
New Annual’s program has been designed with the flexibility to operate as a COVID Safe event depending on Public Health Orders. To find out more visit www.newannual.com. The full program and tickets will be released in early January 2021.
New Annual Program Preview
Examples of festival-specific local commissions, invited artists and City of Newcastle events:
Massive Band – Bree Van Reyk
Massive Band is a community-engaged project that invites girls and women to join a massive rock band. A series of workshops conducted over several months teach participants to play three iconic rock songs by legendary women artists, which are then performed on mass at the performance event, led by Bree Van Reyk.
Acquist – Catapult Choreographic Hub
Newcastle’s renowned professional contemporary dance company Catapult Choreographic Hub are working on a new site-specific commission to be performed in the iconic Civic Park Fountain. It will make use of its striking architecture and explore the same themes as the fountain itself – Newcastle’s unique balance of beautiful natural environment and history as an industrial city.
Taylor’s Run – Curious Legends
Curious Legends are a local visual theatre company best known for their large-scale illuminated puppet performances for children and families. They have been commissioned by City of Newcastle to create a new site-specific performance at Summerhill Waste Management Centre that will explore themes of sustainability, waste reduction and environmental care.
Passenger – Jessica Wilson & Ian Pidd
Passenger is a theatre work, which places its audience inside a moving suburban bus. Passenger references Western films where the cowboy seeks to ‘right’ a ‘wrong’ that the law neglects or cannot rectify. Two strangers discuss the ethics of contemporary life before the female reveals her true identity and her mission of retribution. Written by Nicola Gunn and directed by Jessica Wilson and Ian Pidd, Passenger is a sweeping and cinematic theatrical experience.
Civic Theatre Presents: Civic Bar
The Civic Theatre will come alive throughout the festival, with Civic Bar becoming a hub of nightly programming, including the return of crowd favourite Civic Bar Beats.
Newcastle Art Gallery Presents: Void
Void brings together contemporary Aboriginal artistic practice from across the country. Curated by Emily McDaniel, the exhibition features existing works across the mediums of drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, video and photography by artists including Pepai Jangala Carroll, Jonathan Jones, Mabel Juli, John Mawurndjul AM, Hayley Millar-Baker, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Rusty Peters, Doreen Reid Nakamarra, Andy Snelgar, Dr. Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher AO, Freddie Timms, James Tylor, Jennifer Wurrkidj, and Josephine Wurrkidj.

Long weekend beach safety in everyone’s hands

Ahead of the October long weekend, locals and visitors to Newcastle are encouraged to be mindful of COVID-19 safety while enjoying the City’s beaches and ocean baths.
COVIDSafeBeach-Marshall-1.jpgWhile the usual beach management practices apply including swimming between the flags and observing the instructions of lifeguards, people are encouraged to maintain 1.5 metres or a towel length between others.
This weekend COVID Safe Beach Marshals will patrol local beaches and baths to educate the community about requirements under the Public Health Order, monitor crowd sizes and promote water safety.
People are asked to limit gatherings to 20 people or less when outdoors and to avoid crowded areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Once you’ve had your swim, surf and play we encourage you to pack up to ensure there is space at the beach for others.
If everyone follows the safety measures set out in the Public Health Order, the community will be able to enjoy Newcastle’s beautiful beaches and the predicted warm weather safely.

PLANS FOR THE NEW $780 MILLION JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL BUILDING UNVEILED

The concept design for the new, seven-storey Acute Services Building for John Hunter and John Hunter’s Children’s hospitals has been unveiled, marking a milestone for the NSW Government’s $780 million health precinct.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct would drive significant economic growth in the Greater Newcastle region, generating jobs in construction and health.
“John Hunter hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in NSW and this investment will provide enhanced health facilities ensuring the region has a world-class hospital to cater to its growing population,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Construction of the precinct will support more than 3,000 jobs over the life of the project helping stimulate the economy, a key component of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redevelopment will significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60 per cent increase in the Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres, interventional suites and procedural spaces.
“The Precinct will drive innovative collaborations between the health, education and research sectors, ultimately improving patient outcomes for communities in the Hunter region,” Mr Hazzard said.
The new Acute Services Building will include:

  • A new emergency department;
  • Critical care services (adult and paediatric);
  • Operating theatres, interventional and imaging services;
  • Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit;
  • Neonatal intensive care and special care nursery;
  • Larger and redeveloped inpatient units; and
  • Rooftop helipad.

Stage 1 of an interim Emergency Department expansion has also been completed early as part of NSW Government’s COVID-19 response.
“I’m also pleased the Emergency Department expansion was delivered five months ahead of schedule, providing an additional 12 dedicated paediatric treatment areas and additional capacity to deal with the pandemic, with Stage 2 scheduled for completion early next year,” Mr Hazzard said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack, said the new Acute Services Building will serve the Hunter region for many years to come.
“This is a great opportunity to share the future vision of the Precinct, which will transform health care in the Hunter, bringing expanded, enhanced health services closer to home,” Ms Cusack said.
Early works on the new Acute Services Building are expected to commence in 2021 with main works construction scheduled to commence in 2022.

$20 MILLION SUMMER LIFELINE FOR CBD ECONOMY

The NSW Government and City of Sydney Council today announced they would provide up to $20 million in joint funding to boost the CBD economy, support businesses and create jobs across the vital summer period.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government will commit up to $15 million and Council would provide a further $5 million towards a range of initiatives to encourage more people to visit, eat, shop and enjoy the CBD.
“The pandemic forced the CBD into a COVID hibernation and it’s vital we revive our use of the city for work and pleasure, to keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This summer will be a testing time for many businesses but this funding will help breathe life back into the city and get our economy moving again.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government’s recent Summer Summit highlighted the need to relax restrictions and red tape to make it easier for businesses to draw people back into the city.
“Having more outdoor dining and entertainment areas across the CBD is an obvious drawcard in bringing people back into the city. The planning system is getting out of the way in order to create more seamless and streamlined processes that save business owners time and effort,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the summer lifeline would be extended with safety front of mind.
“It’s critical we show flexibility in how we operate as a city this summer and we’ll be doing that in line with COVID public health orders,” Mr Dominello said.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said council wanted to ensure city businesses don’t just survive, they thrive in the long term.
“It is important that we move quickly to deliver a clear plan for activating the city for summer. The City and the NSW Government are working together on a shared vision for transforming Sydney into a 24-hour alfresco city over summer and
beyond,” Ms Moore said.
“To help Sydney get back on its feet we’re going to set up outdoor performance stages in key city locations, fund live music and performance in venues, bars and restaurants, and deliver a summer of outdoor dining.”
With the start of summer 59 days away, the Government and Council are now working through a range of funding options to support initiatives that could include:

  • allowing more flexible outdoor dining, drinking and seating arrangements for
  • established businesses;
  • will consider entertainment stages across the CBD, in areas such as Martin Place;
  • enhancing promotion of cultural institutions and allowing them to stay open late;
  • increasing promotion and advertising to attract people into the Sydney CBD;
  • exploring COVID Safe creative ideas such as hosting outdoor cultural events;
  • recruiting renowned local artists to perform in dining areas and entertainment
  • precincts;
  • more flexible public transport options.

Child approach – Muswellbrook

Police are appealing for public assistance after three children were reportedly approached in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
About 12.20pm (Thursday 1 October 2020), three children – aged 11, eight and four – were playing at the northern end of a reserve near Hunt Place at Muswellbrook, when they saw a man walking towards them.
The three girls started walking back to their homes when the man called out to the children and pushed all three to the ground.
The male then attempted to touch the eight-year-old’s face but she pushed him away and the girls ran from the reserve.
The eldest child called police who attended a short time later and took the girls to their respective homes.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced inquiries into the incident.
The man is described as being between 155cm to 165cm tall, in his early to mid-20s, with a dark complexion, medium build, black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to come forward.

Two men arrested after firearm located – Gateshead

Police have charged a man after he was allegedly found to be in possession of a firearm in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Shortly before 12pm (Thursday 1 October 2020), officers attached to Northern Region Operation Utah observed a grey Volkswagen Golf allegedly accelerating away from police on Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle.
A short time later, police from the Hunter Regional Enforcement Squad and Northern High-Visibility Policing Unit located the car at a carpark of a licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Gateshead, with a female passenger inside.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located a sawn-off firearm that was wrapped in clothing and a plastic bag containing ammunition.
The items were seized for forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, two men – aged 24 and 32 – were arrested inside the venue and taken to Belmont Police Station
The 24-year-old was charged with seven offences including:

  • Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm;
  • Possess unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm;
  • Possess loaded firearm public place;
  • Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority;
  • Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority;
  • Not keep firearm safe; and
  • Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

The 32-year-old was charged with a breach of bail offence.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Friday 2 October 2020).
Investigations are ongoing, anyone who may have witnessed a grey Volkswagen Golf between 11am and 12.30pm in the Newcastle area or who may have dashcam footage from the nearby area during these times is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Streaming giants must be regulated to save Australian stories and local jobs, Greens say

The Morrison Government’s changes to local content rules is a missed opportunity to support Australian stories and local jobs, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for Communications, Media and Arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Government has failed to deliver real reform today and has let the global steaming giants off the hook. This is a decision that if not corrected will cost local jobs and undermine Australia’s creative and cultural heritage.
“The Government’s reforms to local content quotas must result in more quality Australian stories on our screens, not less. This will only happen if the global streaming giants are regulated properly.
“Without legal requirements on the global giants, our screens and children’s devices will become even more clogged with trashy, cheap shows from America. Our Aussie kids deserve better than this.
“It’s time to ensure the big streaming giants like Netflix, Disney and Amazon who are flooding the domestic market contribute to Australia’s local screen industry, jobs and telling local stories.
“Local stories are important for helping us understand who we are as Australians, what values we share, our cultural heritage and where we see ourselves in the rest of the world.
“For our kids, locally made shows are important for them to see their own worlds reflected back at them, not just cartoon characters eating chilli dogs and speaking in American accents.
“From Bananas in Pyjamas to the legendary Round the Twist, high quality Australian made children’s television has always played an important role in shaping young hearts and minds in this country.
“The Greens will fight for local content requirements on streaming services to be legislated.
“Research shows two thirds of Australians support laws requiring streaming services like Netflix and Amazon to show and fund locally made shows and films – this was a no brainer and the Morrison Government has missed it.”

Govt’s funds for environment and tourism a drop in the ocean

The Morrison Government’s announcement today of $61.7m to ‘boost local tourism and preserve our environment’ is a drop in the ocean of what’s needed for a green recovery, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment and Tourism Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Australians want our environment protected more than ever. There is a win-win opportunity here, but again the Morrison Government has missed the mark.
“Our special nature spots and the green tourism industry needs real investment, not just the crumbs left over after the Coalition has given the bulk of support to the fossil fuel lobby. This announcement is an insult to the thousands of small businesses that rely on our beautiful beaches, forests and parks being protected and cared for.
“There are more jobs to be created in restoring and protecting our environment than wrecking it. Yet, this Government is putting more money into trashing things than caring for nature. With millions of people out of work, investing in a Green Recovery would be good for local jobs, good for our tourism and good for the environment.
“I visited Kangaroo Island this week, which was ravaged by fire over the summer, and it was very clear so much more is needed to restore the natural environment the premier tourist destination is known for. This announcement isn’t going to cut it for the bushfire hit areas or other tourism destinations where our pristine natural world is the main attraction.”
Greens Spokesperson for Oceans Peter Whish-Wilson said:
“$20 million dollars for our declining reefs is a drop in the ocean.
“It shows just how out of touch the Government really is that with everything we know about the declining health of our oceans, it is committing so little.
“Artificial reefs and an aquarium are Band-Aid solutions to an emergency.
“We need definitive action on climate change and our warming oceans.
“I want my grandchildren to see our marine life at the beach, not behind a glass window.”

Government welcomes Aged Care Royal Commission’s COVID-19 report

On this 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons, the Australian Government welcomes the COVID-19 report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which has been tabled in the Australian Parliament today.
The Royal Commission’s report tells us the COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest challenge Australia’s aged care sector has faced and makes six recommendations to better prepare the aged care sector, its staff and residents for any future outbreaks.
The Government accepts all six recommendations in the report and has already made substantial progress on four of them.
The recommendations build on the Government’s existing COVID-19 measures.
The Government will invest $40.6 million in our initial response to the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations.
It has been continuously building and adapting the National Response Plan for COVID-19 in aged care since January 2020, with the aged care sector and with state and territory governments and health authorities, incorporating lessons learned from Australia and other countries.
We have invested more than $1.6 billion to support senior Australians in aged care since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment includes an additional $734.8 million announced in August to extend support for the sector’s response to the pandemic as part of the aged care response plan.
Wherever there are high rates of community transmission, the risk to older people and particularly those in residential aged care increases as demonstrated in Victoria.

Recommendations:

Recommendation 1

The Government accepts the recommendation.
It will report to Parliament by no later than 1 December 2020 on the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

Recommendation 2

The Government accepts the recommendation.
The Government has announced two packages to provide additional funding for staffing which supports visitations to aged care facilities by families and friends of residents.
In August, the Government committed an additional $245 million to support providers with COVID-19 related costs, including supporting communication with families and managing visitation arrangements, building on the first payment of the COVID supplement of $205 million announced in May.
The Government is also providing $12.5 million to support residents and their families with enhanced advocacy services and increased availability of grief and trauma services associated with a COVID-19 outbreak.
In addition, the Government will bring forward the introduction of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) and invest an additional $29.8 million in the SIRS for residential aged care.
Legislation to support SIRS will be introduced to parliament in the spring sitting for the scheme to commence in early 2021.
This builds on earlier investments totalling $26.3 million to establish the system for reporting abuse or serious incidents in aged care facilities.
As part of the SIRS, residential aged care providers will be required to manage all incidents, with a focus on the safety and wellbeing of consumers and reducing preventable incidents from reoccurring.
Reporting under the SIRS will include a broader range of incidents, including neglect, psychological and emotional abuse and inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint.
Significantly, the SIRS will also lift the current exemption on the reporting of resident-on‑resident incidents, where the perpetrator has an assessed cognitive impairment.
As the Royal Commission Interim Report states: “Informal carers, often family members who supplement the care provided in aged care homes, also play a critical role as the ‘eyes and ears’ – monitoring the quality of care their loved ones receive.”
The SIRS will provide an additional level of assurance when facilities, due to COVID-19, will still need to place a level of restrictions on visitations.

Recommendation 3

The Government accepts the recommendation.
While the Government has introduced a range of measures to support the mental health of residents of aged care facilities, it will continue to implement further measures.
The Government will provide additional funding to support increased access by residents to allied health services during the pandemic and will work with the sector to design and implement these measures.

Recommendation 4

The Government accepts the recommendation.
The Government has a specific national plan for aged care – the CDNA Guidelines for the Management of Outbreaks in Residential Care, which has been updated on two occasions, and which augments the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID‑19).
The national plan for aged care will continue to be updated incorporating the latest available information and released soon as Stage 7 of the National COVID-19 Aged Care Plan for the consideration by National Cabinet.
The Aged Care Advisory Group, established on 21 August 2020 under the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), will be made permanent.
The other elements of this recommendation have already been undertaken or are in progress and will also be put to National Cabinet for consideration.

Recommendation 5

The Government accepts the recommendation.
Funding totalling $245 million will be paid to providers from October 2020 to support
COVID-19 efforts.
It will mandate that aged care providers have trained infection control officers as detailed in this recommendation.
In addition, the Government today announces it will invest a further $10.8 million to enhance the skills and leadership qualities of aged care nurses to ensure older Australians receive the best care possible.
This investment will expand the Australian College of Nursing scholarship program, establish an Aged Care Transition to Practice Program, and create a skills development program for nurses and personal care workers in aged care.

Recommendation 6

The Government accepts the recommendation.
The Government has been working with state and territory governments to implement a decision of National Cabinet of 21 August to implement additional face-to-face infection control training and establish joint approaches to the management of outbreaks.
The Government thanks Australia’s frontline aged care workers and Commonwealth, state and territory public health officials. We are deeply aware of the tragic losses that followed the global pandemic and community transmission.
Every life lost to the pandemic is a tragedy.
But the collective efforts of our health workers and health officials and our COVID-19 Aged Care Plan have helped save thousands of lives and placed Australia at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19.
The Government’s actions to protect aged care have been and continue to be based on four key pillars:

Minimise Community Transmission

Controlling community transmission is the best defence we have in protecting vulnerable older Australians in aged care. Under the auspices of the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) action is being taken by the Commonwealth, states and territories to minimise community transmission including through:

  • Minimising the spread of the disease into and across Australia including through quarantine arrangements and effective contact tracing and tracking
  • Preparing the health system for increased numbers of patients
  • Managing COVID‑19 cases
  • Improving understanding of the virus and how it is transmitted
  • Provision of information to help manage the risk of exposure and reduce spread
  • Vaccination – consideration of the aged care sector in a potential COVID-19 vaccine program

Surge workforce

The Government is providing critical surge workforce support to residential aged care facilities impacted by a COVID-19 outbreak. To date, more than 33,000 shifts have been filled by a Commonwealth-funded surge workforce including GPs, nurses, care workers, allied health workers, executive and ancillary staff.
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC), a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and Victorian Government, was established on 25 July 2020 to co-ordinate and expand resources to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 in residential aged care services.
Under the direction of the VACRC, clinical health staff provided through health services are also assisting to fill critical workforce shortages in residential aged care facilities, with 4,778 shifts filled to date. The VACRC has also assisted the aged care response to COVID-19 through the following activities:

  • Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have visited 592 aged care facilities.
  • 40 personnel from AUSMAT have completed 174 visits to 80 facilities.
  • Western Health has provided assistance in prevention measures at 37 aged care facilities.
  • 12 National Aged Care Emergency Response (NACER) teams, 76 personnel have been deployed to fill roles across the sector, including nursing, personal care, and cleaning.
  • Deployment of TAS, WA, and SA government teams to support operations in residential aged care facilities.
  • 101 Residential Aged Care Assistants and Safety Observers have been deployed by the Response Centre to 24 facilities.
  • Regular Zoom meetings are being conducted with staff at aged care facilities to assist with return to work arrangements.

Public and private hospitals agreement

These historic agreements between the Commonwealth and each state and territory government alongside the private hospital sector, has ensured the full resources of Australia’s world class health system could be directed to the care of those who needed it.  The $1.7 billion private hospital agreement has been instrumental in enabling more than 500 aged care residents to be transferred to private hospitals during the current Victorian second wave.
In addition, it has supported the in-reach of services from hospitals to aged care facilities to provide further clinical care.
Since February 2020, the Government has been working with the states and territories to ensure aged care facilities have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment. To date, the National Medical Stockpile has provided aged care facilities with approximately:

  • 17 million masks
  • 4 million gowns
  • 11 million gloves
  • 4 million goggles and face shields
  • 85,000 bottles of hand sanitiser
  • 160,000 clinical waste bags.

Universal testing of staff and residents

Immediate testing is provided to staff and residents in a facility to seek to minimise a potential outbreak.  Through this in-reach program, more than 152,000 tests at more than 11,000 site visits to 2,000 aged care facilities across Australia have been undertaken.  The Government has also provided Medicare funded bulk-billed testing for aged care workers, including those who are asymptomatic.  As Victoria starts to recover, this testing will be bolstered to safeguard against a risk of further outbreaks.
Additional investments to support the reform of the aged care sector will be announced as part of the Government’s 2020–21 Budget, to be delivered on 6 October.
Following a request from the Royal Commission, the Government agreed to extend its reporting period for a further three-and-a-half months due to the impact of COVID-19. This enabled the Royal Commission to examine the initial impact of COVID-19 on aged care and the response to date.
We thank the Commissioners for the COVID-19 report and for their work so far, and look forward to receiving their Final Report in February next year.
A summary of the measures to support the aged care sector and key activities undertaken by the Australian Government since the start of the pandemic is attached.

Australian Government funding in response to COVID-19 in aged care – overarching announcements

 
Date Measure Amount
6 March 2020 – with subsequent additions Commonwealth contribution to cover 50 per cent of the additional costs incurred by state and territory health services as a result of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COVID‑19, those suspected of having the virus or activities to prevent the spread of it. This support is uncapped and demand driven. $3.1 billion
11 March 2020 – with subsequent additions Inreach pathology testing in aged care and bulk billed Medicare testing for asymptomatic aged care workers. $146 million
11 March 2020 Workforce preparedness measures – ensuring aged care workers are educated and trained in infection control and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and workers for both residential and home care $101.2 million
20 March 2020 Temporary funding to support aged care workforce continuity, including a workforce retention bonus for aged care workers
 
$444.6 million
29 March 2020 Provided to the Community Visitors Scheme and support extra staff to train volunteer visitors to connect with older people in aged care online and by phone $10 million
31 March 2020 Private Hospital Viability Agreement to ensure private hospitals maintain capacity to support the needs of aged care patients, long-stay public hospital National Disability Insurance Scheme participants and general needs patients. $1.7 billion
31 March 2020 Meals On Wheels Programs Reinforced to Help Senior Australians at Home $59.3 million
1 May 2020 COVID-19 Payment (new supplement) for Residential Aged Care $205 million
25 May 2020 Improve palliative care in aged care facilities. The funding will help reduce the physical and emotional distress for individuals who require palliative care and their families $57 million
28 May 2020 Communication package for two new initiatives to prevent loneliness and social isolation for senior Australians $6 million
21 August 2020 Additional support to the Aged Care Sector to increase National Preparedness and respond to the State of Disaster in Victoria $171.5 million
31 August 2020 Extend support for the aged care sector’s response to COVID-19, announced in March and subsequently as part of the Aged Care response plan $563.3 million

Key steps taken by the Australian Government to respond to COVID-19 in aged care – planning and preparedness

Stage 1 – Initial Response Plan:

  • January – development of an overarching plan for management of COVID-19 for
    Australia through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)
  • 31 January – fact sheets issued on COVID-19, including for aged care

Stage 2 – Release of National Response Plan:

  • 18 February – the overarching plan for management of COVID-19, the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) released
  • 27 February – pandemic declared and response plan activated
  • 27 February – Letter from CMO to aged care providers which included the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Public Health Units in the Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs)
  • 12 March – aged care rapid response team in Department of Health established.

Stage 3 – National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care:

  • 2 March – Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding planning and preparing for COVID-19
  • 6 March – Aged Care Preparedness Forum with Minister Colbeck, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Aged Care Sector
  • 11 March – $101.2 million in workforce preparedness measures – ensuring aged care workers are educated and trained in infection control and enable aged care providers to hire extra nurses and workers for both residential and home care
  • 12 March – AHPPC released a statement on recommended testing and work restrictions for health and aged care workers
  • 12 March – ACQSC Commissioner wrote to all aged care services providing an update on actions to protect the safety and wellbeing of aged care consumers during the COVID-19 outbreak
  • 13 March – the CDNA published the National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities
  • 13 March – CMO sent a letter to the aged care sector to outline the Government’s current and future support for the central role they play in the national response, including PPE guidance
  • 13 March – Minister Colbeck and specialist medical infection control experts convened an In-Home and Community Aged Care COVID-19 Preparedness webinar
  • 16 March – online Infection Control Module “How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19” released
  • 17 March – ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding the updated regulatory response and access to information and guidance
  • 17 March – AHPPC released recommendations to residential aged care facilities ensuring they are prepared to manage outbreaks of COVID-19
  • 18 March – restrictions on visitors and staff of aged care facilities announced.

Stage 4 – Workforce and PPE Support:

  • 20 March 2020 – $444.6 million in temporary funding to support aged care workforce continuity, including a workforce retention bonus for aged care workers
  • 23 March – ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers about visitor restrictions
  • 24 March – guidance issued to aged care sector on process for ordering PPE supplies
  • 24 – 27 March – aged care COVID-19 specific online training modules released
  • 8 May – a webinar on outbreak preparation and management held to support providers and their staff.

Stage 5 – Revised National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 in aged care:

  • 28 March – CDNA published updated COVID-19 guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities. Updates focused on:
    • clinical presentation in older people and
    • infection control guidance
  • 2 April – Guide to outbreak management and guidance on alerting the Department about confirmed COVID-19 cases in aged care released
  • 2 April – Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG – reports to AHPPC) released guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential aged care
  • 2 April – Guide to support home care providers with COVID-19 released
  • 3 April – ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding a suite of posters to help manage COVID-19 in residential facilities
  • 4 April – Guide to support CHSP providers with COVID-19 released
  • 7 April – AHPPC released a statement on healthcare workers use of PPE when caring for suspected, or confirmed COVID-19 patients
  • 12 April – Minister Colbeck announced workforce contingency measures (surge workforce through Aspen and Mable)
  • 21 April – National Cabinet met and discussed the lessons learned from recent COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities. National Cabinet acknowledged the critical importance of adequate infection prevent and control measures in minimising the spread of COVID-19
  • 22 April – AHPPC updated advice to residential aged care facilities about minimising the impact of COVID-19 released
  • 22 April – ACQSC’s Chief Clinical Advisor wrote to residential aged care services on screening people entering residential aged care facilities
  • 24 April – Minister Colbeck released media statement about the following:
    • social restrictions reiterating AHPPC advice
    • eSafety courses to keep senior Australians connected during COVID-19
    • personal monitoring technology for senior Australians and
    • help for senior Australians to access monitoring technology during self-isolation
  • 26 April – COVID safe contact tracing app released
  • 1 May – $205 million COVID-19 support package (new supplement) for all residential care aged care providers
  • 1 May – National Cabinet endorsed preparation of sector led residential care Visitor Access Code
  • 12 May – ‘Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19’ released
  • 14 May – legislative amendments passed so that senior Australians not penalised or disadvantaged for moving out of an aged care facility during a crisis
  • 19 May – CDNA released guidance for health and residential aged care settings on considering monitoring workers for symptoms of COVID-19
  • 21 May – ACQSC released storyboards designed to illustrate key behaviours and priority issues during the COVID-19 pandemic

Stage 6  Revised National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 in aged care:

  • 10 June – infographic regarding aged care workers visiting your home published
  • 19 June – AHPPC statement to provide updated advice on restrictions on entry to residential aged care facilities, including easing of restrictions released. National Cabinet endorsed on 26 June. Updated Industry Code released on 3 July
  • 7 July – Minister Colbeck letter to aged care providers reminding them to have an up to date outbreak management plan
  • 9 July – ACQSC Commissioner statement regarding Victorian outbreaks
  • 10 July – Commonwealth and NSW Protocol to support joint management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities released
  • 13 July – Minister Hunt and Minister Colbeck distributed a joint media release about PPE use in Victorian aged care services and increased supply through the National Stockpile in response to situation in Victoria
  • 14 July –CDNA published updated COVID-19 guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities. Updates focused on:
    • outbreak identification and management guidance
    • roles and responsibilities of Government agencies and
    • additional members for Outbreak management team
  • 16 July – Additional testing teams deployed to test staff and residents in residential aged care services across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
  • 16 July – ACQSC Commissioner statement regarding Victorian outbreaks
  • 19 July – additional measures announced to support aged care providers in Victoria
  • 24 July – case studies of successful outbreak management and additional information released to help manage outbreaks in residential aged care
  • 25 July – announcement of establishment of Victorian Aged Care Response Centre to coordinate and expand resources to manage the outbreaks in Victorian aged care services
  • 30 July – ICEG advice on use of PPE by health care workers in areas with significant community transmission released
  • 31 July – ACQSC Commissioner letter to aged care providers about checks of infection control and correct use of PPE
  • 6 August – ACQSC released guideline, ‘Six Steps to Stop the Spread’
  • 7 August – Prime Minister announces National Cabinet to work to develop joint Commonwealth – State plans for aged care response including:
    • face-to-face infection control training
    • plans for implementation of compulsory actions in areas where there are active cases of COVID-19
    • establishment of Coordination Centres in each jurisdiction; and
    • an audit of State and Territory emergency response capabilities.
  • 21 August – National Cabinet endorsed the Commonwealth, State and Territory Plan to Boost Aged Care Preparedness for a Rapid Emergency Response to COVID-19 including a Guide to the Establishment of Aged Care Health Emergency Response Operations Centres.
    • Implementation of the plan is being informed by the second survey of residential and aged care facilities (RACF) preparedness recently conducted by the ACQSC and state and territory audits of preparedness.
    • Establishment of a time-limited AHPPC Aged Care Advisory Group is endorsed to support the national public health response to COVID-19 in aged care. The Advisory Group brings together a broad range of critical expertise about the aged care sector, infection control and emergency preparedness, and public health response.
  • 21 August – Government announces $171 million in additional support to the Aged Care Sector to increase National Preparedness and respond to the State of Disaster in Victoria
  • 24 August – the AHPPC Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG) updated guidelines on cleaning and disinfection of protective eyewear in health and residential care facilities published
  • 24 August – Minister Colbeck writes to all aged care providers about the release of the Independent Review of Newmarch House, requesting providers’ commitment to take action in response to the findings
  • 31 August – Government announces additional $563.3 million to extend support for the aged care sector’s response to COVID-19, announced in March and subsequently as part of the Aged Care response plan
  • 7 September – AHHPC endorses advice from its Aged Care Advisory Group that each state and territory should establish emergency response centres
  • 18 September – National Cabinet notes progress underway on 21 August commitments:
    • Within each jurisdictions’ public health response structure, a dedicated aged care emergency response team is established and key personnel identified at the state and Commonwealth level.

Additional measures to support senior Australians in residential care and in the community

  • 29 March – $10 million provided to the Community Visitors Scheme and support extra staff to train volunteer visitors to connect with older people in aged care online and by phone
  • 31 March – $59.3 million – Meals On Wheels Programs Reinforced to Help Senior Australians at Home
  • 25 May – $57 million to Improve palliative care in aged care facilities. The funding will help reduce the physical and emotional distress for individuals who require palliative care and their families
  • 28 May – $6 million for a Communication package for two new initiatives to prevent loneliness and social isolation for senior Australians