Author: Jesse

A national campaign has launched to inform all Australians about the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The campaign aims to reduce the risk to individuals and families by enabling them to make informed decisions and to take up health recommendations.

The following communication material provides more information and tips to help you be prepared:

Videos

Coronavirus video – Good Hygiene Starts Here

Coronavirus video – Stay Informed

Coronavirus video – Recent Traveller

Coronavirus video – Help Stop The Spread

Print

Coronavirus – Print ads – Simple steps to stop the spread (.pdf)

Coronavirus – print ads – Recently travelled overseas (.pdf)

Coronavirus – print ads – Good hygiene is in your hands (.pdf)

Fact Sheets

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Identifying the symptoms (.pdf)

Posters

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Keep that cough under cover (.pdf)

Radio

Coronavirus – Radio – Simple steps to stop the spread

Coronavirus – Radio – Recently travelled overseas

Coronavirus – Radio – Good hygiene is in your hands

Coronavirus – Radio – Stay informed

The transcript from last weeks workshops of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Adelaide are now available on the Commission’s website.

Read more:

Adelaide Workshop 2 – Transcript – Monday 16 March 2020 (.pdf)

Adelaide Workshop 2 – Transcript – Tuesday 17 March 2020 (.pdf)

Message from the Commissioner – COVID-19

I am writing to provide an update on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s ongoing actions to ensure that aged care providers are supported in providing safe, quality care during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, we are continuing to review and update our response in line with the latest Government advice.

Read more:

17 March – Commissioner’s letter to providers (.pdf)

Current links to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Read more:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – frequently asked questions (.pdf)

Information for health care and residential care workers Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for residents of residential care services, family members and visitors (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation guidance (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information on social distancing (.pdf)

Resources for health professionals, including pathology providers and healthcare managers

Residential aged care providers will be encouraged to limit visits from today under national guidelines aimed at the prevention and control of coronavirus.

Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said the advice from the Communicable Disease Network of Australia issued to aged care facilities around Australia outlines the precautionary measures for residents, staff and their families as the Federal Government continues to implement strategies to contain the virus.

It includes the recommendation that family and friends limit visits to residential care centres, particularly for residents already suffering from chronic illness.

“Given the risks to older Australians from COVID 19, particularly those with chronic disease and other frailties, we now recommend that residential aged care providers restrict visitor access,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Our plan is to slow the spread, to save lives.”

Read more:

COVID-19 prevention guidelines issued to Aged Care providers

An Infection Control Training Module, “How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19″ is available online. Please register to participate.

Providers are encouraged to consider and share the link with care workers across all sectors including health, aged care and disability.

This training module covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control (IPC) for COVID-19 including:

• COVID-19 – what is it?
• Signs and symptoms
• Keeping safe – protecting yourself and others
• Myth busting

The module takes approximately 30 minutes, with a quiz at the end.

Read more:

How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19

Register

The Prime Minister’s announcement following the first National Cabinet on Coronavirus.

Read more:

15 Mar 2020 – Transcript – Press Conference

The In Home and Community Aged Care COVID-10 Preparedness Webinar, held on Friday 13 March 2020, is now available for on demand viewing.

The webinar addressed the role and capacity of home care providers, Community Home Support Programme providers and the assessment workforce as part of the national response to COVID-19.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 at Dorothy Henderson Lodge, Macquarie Park in Sydney, NSW, BaptistCare held a Q&A session on 9 March 2020 with NSW Health experts, including Dr James Branley, Head of Infectious Diseases, Nepean Hospital. Dr Branley was part of the Wuhan response team and was also one of the expert panellists in the webinar held on 13 March 2020.

Read more:

New resources on aged care COVID-19 preparedness

Watch:

In Home and Community Aged Care COVID-19 Preparedness Webinar

BaptistCare & NSW Health – Q&A to control the spread of COVID-19

In this issue:

• Changes to the My Aged Care authentication service – take action now
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s monthly newsletter
• Resources on diverse population groups are now available for aged care staff

Home Care:

• Home Care Packages Program Manuals now available
• Improvements to Payment Arrangements for Home Care Packages

Residential Care:

• Update on the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Trial

Commonwealth Home Support Programme:

• Rollover of 2019-20 CHSP Growth Funding

Read more:

Information for the Aged Care Sector – Issue 2020/04 (.pdf)

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has taken the precautionary step of not permitting the public to attend hearings and workshops until further notice due to the risk to public health from the coronavirus (COVID-19). The proceedings of the Royal Commission will continue to be public through the live webcast available from the Commission’s website.

The Royal Commissioners want to ensure robust measures are in place to protect the public, particularly frail older people, who may be at risk of contracting the virus at public events like hearings.

These measures also ensure that the work of the Royal Commission can proceed as it completes its program of public hearings and workshops and develops recommendations to be published in its final report due for completion in November 2020.

Accredited members of the media will continue to have access to attend public hearings and workshops in the course of their work.

Read more:

Public access to Royal Commission hearings and workshops