Media

Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM has clearly communicated to aged care providers her expectation that they will continue to focus on minimising the risks and impact of a potential COVID-19 outbreak in their aged care service.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released a new comprehensive guide, Outbreak management planning in aged care, for use by residential aged care providers in supporting their workers, care recipients and family members, and visitors to prevent, prepare for and manage an outbreak of COVID-19.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission remains strongly engaged with aged care services experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 and is exercising all of its powers as the aged care regulator to ensure the safety of residents and staff.

The outbreak at St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Victoria has been devastating for residents and families, and the Commission has been working intensively with the approved provider of the service which operates under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Site visits to aged care services by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have increased significantly this year.  

The Commission, as the national regulator, has conducted more than 1,100 site visits to aged care services since January, including 410 visits to check infection control practices.

The Commission modified its regulatory program in March 2020 to focus additional effort where it is needed most to ensure that providers are doing everything possible to keep aged care consumers safe.

The high number of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care homes in Victoria has reinforced the need for everyone working in the aged care sector to be alert and work collaboratively in responding to individual outbreaks.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission remains strongly engaged with aged care services experiencing an outbreak, exercising all our powers as the aged care regulator to minimise the risk to consumers and staff. As we monitor and support these services, the Commission is working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Health, the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre and Victorian health authorities.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is aware of media reports regarding alleged delays in the provision of a report from the NSW Health Clinical Excellence Commission on Newmarch House.

This statement confirms that the Clinical Excellence Commission report on Newmarch House was not commissioned by or for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and we had no part in its development or its release to Newmarch House or to Anglicare.

On 7 August, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM, wrote to Senator Katy Gallagher to add additional information to the record of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 hearing on 4 August 2020.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has been actively engaged with the Board Chair and Facility Manager of St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Victoria (the approved provider), which operates under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

The Commission is continuing to monitor St Basil’s and support its efforts both to return to compliance and see residents repatriated to the service. Meetings are currently being held with St Basil’s on a daily basis.

The Commission has been actively engaged with the approved provider of St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Victoria, which operates under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. We are focusing on monitoring and supporting their efforts both to manage the outbreak and to respond to complaints from residents and families.

The Commission took regulatory action in relation to the approved provider following concerns identified about the serious impact of the outbreak on the residents and staff. This included ongoing challenges identified in the provider’s response to implementing an effective outbreak response in a timely manner, and in fulfilling responsibilities to provide timely communication relating to the individual care of residents.

As the national regulator of Commonwealth-funded aged care services, the Commission’s role is to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of older Australians receiving aged care.

The Commission is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Victoria and we are using the full range of our regulatory powers to ensure that providers meet their obligations with respect to the Aged Care Quality Standards and implement all necessary steps to mitigate the risks of transmission of the virus consistent with the advice of health authorities.

As the national regulator of Commonwealth funded aged care services, the Commission’s role is to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of older Australians receiving aged care.

The Commission is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Victoria and we are using the full range of our regulatory powers to ensure that providers meet their obligations with respect to the Aged Care Quality Standards, and implement all necessary steps to mitigate the risks of transmission of the virus consistent with the advice of health authorities.