To say it’s been a tough week for the aged care sector might be the understatement of the century.
As of Thursday, there were 5,385 active cases of COVID in Victoria.
Of those, 913 were linked to aged care settings.
Cases have spread to 87 aged care homes, with the State and Federal Government stepping in to help some of the hardest hit.
New measures have been announced including restricting of staff movements, visitor limits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
And there are tough penalties for providers who don’t comply.
The Prime Minister said on Thursday providers who fail to enforce the correct use of PPE in Victorian aged care homes risk losing accreditation.
“There’s been far too much anecdotal evidence that we’ve been receiving of PPE, despite the training, despite the PPE being there, not being used the way it should,” Mr Morrison said.
“In discussions with the Minister (Aged Care Minister, Senator Richard Colbeck) we agreed, and that will be communicated through to centres, that failure to comply with those requirements of using PPE will lead to marking down on people’s accreditation.”
“That will occur.”
It’s tough talk and these are tough times.
But we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that aged care staff across Australia, and particularly in Victoria, have now been under the COVID siege for five months.
They have done well and must be recognised for it.
