{"id":8486,"date":"2020-10-01T13:09:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T13:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=8486"},"modified":"2020-10-01T13:09:39","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T13:09:39","slug":"government-welcomes-aged-care-royal-commissions-covid-19-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2020\/10\/01\/government-welcomes-aged-care-royal-commissions-covid-19-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Government welcomes Aged Care Royal Commission\u2019s COVID-19 report"},"content":{"rendered":"

On this 30th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary 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.
\nThe Royal Commission\u2019s report tells us the COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest challenge Australia\u2019s aged care sector has faced and makes six recommendations to better prepare the aged care sector, its staff and residents for any future outbreaks.
\nThe Government accepts all six recommendations in the report and has already made substantial progress on four of them.
\nThe recommendations build on the Government\u2019s existing COVID-19 measures.
\nThe Government will invest $40.6 million in our initial response to the Royal Commission\u2019s report and recommendations.
\nIt 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.
\nWe 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\u2019s response to the pandemic as part of the aged care response plan.
\nWherever there are high rates of community transmission, the risk to older people and particularly those in residential aged care increases as demonstrated in Victoria.<\/p>\n

\n
\"covid-19-media-release\"<\/picture>Show description of image<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Recommendations:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Recommendation 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nIt will report to Parliament by no later than 1\u00a0December 2020 on the implementation of the Royal Commission\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n

Recommendation 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nThe Government has announced two packages to provide additional funding for staffing\u00a0<\/strong>which supports visitations to aged care facilities by families and friends of residents.
\nIn 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\u00a0million announced in May.
\nThe 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.
\nIn addition, the Government will bring forward the introduction of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) and invest an additional $29.8\u00a0million in the SIRS for residential aged care.
\nLegislation to support SIRS will be introduced to parliament in the spring sitting for the scheme to commence in early 2021.
\nThis builds on earlier investments totalling $26.3 million to establish the system for reporting abuse or serious incidents in aged care facilities.
\nAs 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.
\nReporting under the SIRS will include a broader range of incidents, including neglect, psychological and emotional abuse and inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint.
\nSignificantly, the SIRS will also lift the current exemption on the reporting of resident-on\u2011resident incidents, where the perpetrator has an assessed cognitive impairment.
\nAs the Royal Commission Interim Report states: \u201cInformal carers, often family members who supplement the care provided in aged care homes, also play a critical role as the \u2018eyes and ears\u2019 \u2013 monitoring the quality of care their loved ones receive.\u201d
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n

Recommendation 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nWhile 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.
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n

Recommendation 4<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nThe Government has a specific national plan for aged care \u2013 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\u201119).
\nThe 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.
\nThe Aged Care Advisory Group, established on 21 August 2020 under the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), will be made permanent.
\nThe other elements of this recommendation have already been undertaken or are in progress and will also be put to National Cabinet for consideration.<\/p>\n

Recommendation 5<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nFunding totalling $245 million will be paid to providers from October 2020 to support
\nCOVID-19 efforts.
\nIt will mandate that aged care providers have trained infection control officers as detailed in this recommendation.
\nIn 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.
\nThis 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.<\/p>\n

Recommendation 6<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0<\/strong>Government accepts the recommendation.
\nThe 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.
\nThe Government thanks Australia\u2019s 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.
\nEvery life lost to the pandemic is a tragedy.
\nBut 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.
\nThe Government\u2019s actions to protect aged care have been and continue to be based on four key pillars:<\/p>\n

Minimise Community Transmission<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Minimising the spread of the disease into and across Australia including through quarantine arrangements and effective contact tracing and tracking<\/li>\n
  • Preparing the health system for increased numbers of patients<\/li>\n
  • Managing COVID\u201119 cases<\/li>\n
  • Improving understanding of the virus and how it is transmitted<\/li>\n
  • Provision of information to help manage the risk of exposure and reduce spread<\/li>\n
  • Vaccination \u2013 consideration of the aged care sector in a potential COVID-19 vaccine program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Surge workforce<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    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.
    \nThe 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.
    \nUnder 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:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have visited 592 aged care facilities.<\/li>\n
    • 40 personnel from AUSMAT have completed 174 visits to 80 facilities.<\/li>\n
    • Western Health has provided assistance in prevention measures at 37 aged care facilities.<\/li>\n
    • 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.<\/li>\n
    • Deployment of TAS, WA, and SA government teams to support operations in residential aged care facilities.<\/li>\n
    • 101 Residential Aged Care Assistants and Safety Observers have been deployed by the Response Centre to 24 facilities.<\/li>\n
    • Regular Zoom meetings are being conducted with staff at aged care facilities to assist with return to work arrangements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Public and private hospitals agreement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      These historic agreements between the Commonwealth and each state and territory government alongside the private hospital sector, has ensured the full resources of Australia\u2019s world class health system could be directed to the care of those who needed it.\u00a0 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.
      \nIn addition, it has supported the in-reach of services from hospitals to aged care facilities to provide further clinical care.
      \nSince 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:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • 17 million masks<\/li>\n
      • 4 million gowns<\/li>\n
      • 11 million gloves<\/li>\n
      • 4 million goggles and face shields<\/li>\n
      • 85,000 bottles of hand sanitiser<\/li>\n
      • 160,000 clinical waste bags.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Universal testing of staff and residents<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Immediate testing is provided to staff and residents in a facility to seek to minimise a potential outbreak.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The Government has also provided Medicare funded bulk-billed testing for aged care workers, including those who are asymptomatic.\u00a0 As Victoria starts to recover, this testing will be bolstered to safeguard against a risk of further outbreaks.
        \nAdditional investments to support the reform of the aged care sector will be announced as part of the Government\u2019s 2020\u201321 Budget, to be delivered on 6 October.
        \nFollowing 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.
        \nWe 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.
        \nA 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.<\/p>\n

        Australian Government funding in response to COVID-19 in aged care\u00a0\u2013 overarching announcements<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        \u00a0<\/caption>\n
        Date<\/th>\nMeasure<\/th>\nAmount<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
        6 March 2020 \u2013 with subsequent additions<\/td>\nCommonwealth 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\u201119, those suspected of having the virus or activities to prevent the spread of it. This support is uncapped and demand driven.<\/td>\n$3.1 billion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        11 March 2020 \u2013 with subsequent additions<\/td>\nInreach pathology testing in aged care and bulk billed Medicare testing for asymptomatic aged care workers.<\/td>\n$146 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        11 March 2020<\/td>\nWorkforce preparedness measures \u2013 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<\/td>\n$101.2 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        20 March 2020<\/td>\nTemporary funding to support aged care workforce continuity, including a workforce retention bonus for aged care workers
        \n <\/td>\n        		$444.6 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        29 March 2020<\/td>\nProvided 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<\/td>\n$10 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        31 March 2020<\/td>\nPrivate 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.<\/td>\n$1.7 billion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        31 March 2020<\/td>\nMeals On Wheels Programs Reinforced to Help Senior Australians at Home<\/td>\n$59.3 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        1 May 2020<\/td>\nCOVID-19 Payment (new supplement) for Residential Aged Care<\/td>\n$205 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        25 May 2020<\/td>\nImprove 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<\/td>\n$57 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        28 May 2020<\/td>\nCommunication package for two new initiatives to prevent loneliness and social isolation for senior Australians<\/td>\n$6 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        21 August 2020<\/td>\nAdditional support to the Aged Care Sector to increase National Preparedness and respond to the State of Disaster in Victoria<\/td>\n$171.5 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        31 August 2020<\/td>\nExtend support for the aged care sector\u2019s response to COVID-19, announced in March and subsequently as part of the Aged Care response plan<\/td>\n$563.3 million<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

        Key steps taken by the Australian Government to respond to COVID-19 in aged care \u2013 planning and preparedness<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Stage 1 \u2013 Initial Response Plan:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • January \u2013 development of an overarching plan for management of COVID-19 for
          \nAustralia through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)<\/li>\n
        • 31 January \u2013 fact sheets issued on COVID-19, including for aged care<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Stage 2 \u2013 Release of National Response Plan:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • 18 February \u2013 the overarching plan for management of COVID-19, the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) released<\/li>\n
          • 27 February \u2013 pandemic declared and response plan activated<\/li>\n
          • 27 February \u2013 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)<\/li>\n
          • 12 March \u2013 aged care rapid response team in Department of Health established.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Stage 3 \u2013 National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • 2 March \u2013 Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding planning and preparing for COVID-19<\/li>\n
            • 6 March \u2013 Aged Care Preparedness Forum with Minister Colbeck, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Aged Care Sector<\/li>\n
            • 11 March \u2013 $101.2 million in workforce preparedness measures \u2013 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<\/li>\n
            • 12 March \u2013 AHPPC released a statement on recommended testing and work restrictions for health and aged care workers<\/li>\n
            • 12 March \u2013 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<\/li>\n
            • 13 March \u2013 the CDNA published the National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities<\/li>\n
            • 13 March \u2013 CMO sent a letter to the aged care sector to outline the Government\u2019s current and future support for the central role they play in the national response, including PPE guidance<\/li>\n
            • 13 March \u2013 Minister Colbeck and specialist medical infection control experts convened an In-Home and Community Aged Care COVID-19 Preparedness webinar<\/li>\n
            • 16 March \u2013 online Infection Control Module \u201cHow to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19\u201d released<\/li>\n
            • 17 March \u2013 ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding the updated regulatory response and access to information and guidance<\/li>\n
            • 17 March \u2013 AHPPC released recommendations to residential aged care facilities ensuring they are prepared to manage outbreaks of COVID-19<\/li>\n
            • 18 March \u2013 restrictions on visitors and staff of aged care facilities announced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Stage 4 \u2013 Workforce and PPE Support:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                \n
              • 20 March 2020 \u2013 $444.6 million in temporary funding to support aged care workforce continuity, including a workforce retention bonus for aged care workers<\/li>\n
              • 23 March \u2013 ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers about visitor restrictions<\/li>\n
              • 24 March \u2013 guidance issued to aged care sector on process for ordering PPE supplies<\/li>\n
              • 24 \u2013 27 March \u2013 aged care COVID-19 specific online training modules released<\/li>\n
              • 8 May \u2013 a webinar on outbreak preparation and management held to support providers and their staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Stage 5 \u2013 Revised National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 in aged care:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • 28 March \u2013\u00a0CDNA published updated COVID-19 guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities. Updates focused on:\n
                    \n
                  • clinical presentation in older people and<\/li>\n
                  • infection control guidance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                  • 2 April \u2013 Guide to outbreak management and guidance on alerting the Department about confirmed COVID-19 cases in aged care released<\/li>\n
                  • 2 April \u2013 Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG \u2013 reports to AHPPC) released guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential aged care<\/li>\n
                  • 2 April \u2013 Guide to support home care providers with COVID-19 released<\/li>\n
                  • 3 April \u2013 ACQSC Commissioner letter to all aged care service providers regarding a suite of posters to help manage COVID-19 in residential facilities<\/li>\n
                  • 4 April \u2013 Guide to support CHSP providers with COVID-19 released<\/li>\n
                  • 7 April \u2013 AHPPC released a statement on healthcare workers use of PPE when caring for suspected, or confirmed COVID-19 patients<\/li>\n
                  • 12 April \u2013 Minister Colbeck announced workforce contingency measures (surge workforce through Aspen and Mable)<\/li>\n
                  • 21 April \u2013 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<\/li>\n
                  • 22 April \u2013 AHPPC updated advice to residential aged care facilities about minimising the impact of COVID-19 released<\/li>\n
                  • 22 April \u2013 ACQSC\u2019s Chief Clinical Advisor wrote to residential aged care services on screening people entering residential aged care facilities<\/li>\n
                  • 24 April \u2013 Minister Colbeck released media statement about the following:\n
                      \n
                    • social restrictions reiterating AHPPC advice<\/li>\n
                    • eSafety courses to keep senior Australians connected during COVID-19<\/li>\n
                    • personal monitoring technology for senior Australians and<\/li>\n
                    • help for senior Australians to access monitoring technology during self-isolation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                    • 26 April \u2013 COVID safe contact tracing app released<\/li>\n
                    • 1 May \u2013 $205 million COVID-19 support package (new supplement) for all residential care aged care providers<\/li>\n
                    • 1 May \u2013 National Cabinet endorsed preparation of sector led residential care Visitor Access Code<\/li>\n
                    • 12 May \u2013 \u2018Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19\u2019 released<\/li>\n
                    • 14 May \u2013 legislative amendments passed so that senior Australians not penalised or disadvantaged for moving out of an aged care facility during a crisis<\/li>\n
                    • 19 May \u2013 CDNA released guidance for health and residential aged care settings on considering monitoring workers for symptoms of COVID-19<\/li>\n
                    • 21 May \u2013 ACQSC released storyboards designed to illustrate key behaviours and priority issues during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Stage 6\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Revised National Plan and Guidelines for COVID-19 in aged care<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • 10 June \u2013 infographic regarding aged care workers visiting your home published<\/li>\n
                      • 19 June \u2013 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<\/li>\n
                      • 7 July \u2013 Minister Colbeck letter to aged care providers reminding them to have an up to date outbreak management plan<\/li>\n
                      • 9 July \u2013 ACQSC Commissioner statement regarding Victorian outbreaks<\/li>\n
                      • 10 July \u2013 Commonwealth and NSW Protocol to support joint management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities released<\/li>\n
                      • 13 July \u2013 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<\/li>\n
                      • 14 July \u2013CDNA published updated COVID-19 guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities. Updates focused on:\n