The Federal Government rejects assertions by the ABC that there have been no inspections in nursing homes since the COVID-19 outbreak – or a commitment to infection control.

This is backed up by the statement from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, here.

There has never been closer interaction between Government, regulator and the sector.

The focus of all parties since the outbreak has been to ensure those most susceptible to the impacts of the virus have been protected and the sector prepared.

The Government has been engaging with the aged care sector since late January, issuing several fact sheets on COVID-19 and infection control and continues to meet with providers and peak bodies twice weekly to communicate related issues.

There has been seven specific training modules provided to the sector with over 58,000 aged care workers completing the basic module on infection control and 69, 527 completions across all modules as at April 1.

The Federal Government, the sector and its employees are actively engaged in preventing the spread of the virus.

Read more:

Working together to support Senior Australians in aged care

ACQSC Regulatory Response to COVID-19 Statement from Ms Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities (.pdf)