Providers tells us they have been left wondering what their role will be – and to do their own contact tracing – as the shifting of responsibilities between the Federal Government and Victorian State Government leaves wide gaps in accountability.
Sandra Hills, the CEO of the Victorian-based Not For Profit aged care, home care and retirement living provider Benetas, says with over 80 aged care homes in Victoria now affected by COVID-19, she has no problem with the measures now coming into play to contain the situation.
“However, I would hope that there was clear direction in the demarcation of responsibilities during this time,” she said.
“Most providers have developed outbreak response plans and, as approved providers, we would expect that the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the Department of Health would continue to hold us accountable. Clarity on who is in control and what the responsibilities are of providers vis a vis departmental or AUSMAT representatives for example is essential.”
Sandra says she supports the move to bring in interstate staff, but hopes that a core group of people, if possible, who know the residents will be able to remain on sites.
“The additional staff coming into the home need to have the appropriate skills required and be able to follow protocols,” she stated.
Benetas recently had three staff plus an agency employee test positive for COVID-19 at one of their 13 aged care homes, St George’s in Altona Meadows, which Sandra says resulted in strong support and advice from both the Federal and State Departments of Health.
“We also have been provided plenty of PPE from the national stockpile and have no concerns in this regard,” she added.
But the CEO says the contact tracing has not been as immediate as we would have liked – forcing the provider to conduct their own contact tracing.
“I would like to see much more resources focused on immediate contact tracing and risk assessment to enable the swift isolation of close contacts to minimise the spread of the virus.”
