So much has changed in the Residential Aged Care Industry already, and it’s only February. Here are some of the key things you need to know:
- New COVID-19 testing and isolation rules
- Positive RAT results must be reported
- Government to provide residential care homes with access to RAT kits
- RATs may be used as an alternative to PCR if necessary
- Homes must report number of staff who have had COVID-19 booster
- COVID-19 government support available to aged care homes
- Aged care workforce bonus payment
- Upcoming changes to the SIRS online reporting form
- New medicines and poisons framework (Queensland only)
- New and updated resources
New COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Rules
- A person with symptoms of COVID-19 must test and isolate until they receive the results of their test. If the test is positive, they must isolate for at least seven days.
- State/territory advice varies when to use a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test versus a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). See our article on COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Rules for details and links.
- A person who is a “close contact” of a confirmed COVID-19 case must test and isolate for at least seven days. In most cases, this person must isolate for seven days even if they have no symptoms and even if they receive a negative test result. There are some exceptions for aged care workers.
- There is a general definition of “close contact” and a separate definition that applies to aged care workers.
- There are Commonwealth rules on testing and isolation, and there are state/territory rules. These two sets of rules are not always consistent.
- In all states/territories except Western Australia, a person who tested positive or is a close contact must avoid “high risk settings” (including aged care homes) for up to seven days (three days in some states/territories). This rule does not apply to aged care workers, but in most states/territories it does apparently apply to residents, which is probably an oversight.
See our article on COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Rules for more information.
Positive RAT Results Must Be Reported
In most states/territories, a person who receives a positive result for COVID-19 on a RAT must report the result to their state/territory Department of Health. Reporting is done via an online portal or sometimes via phone. In some cases, failure to comply can result in financial penalties. See our article on COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Rules for details and links.
Government to Provide Residential Care Homes with Access to RAT Kits
According to the Department of Health, the Australian Government has committed to providing all residential aged care facilities with access to RAT kits. Deliveries were scheduled to commence for NSW from the 31 December, for Victoria on 3 January and Queensland from 4 January. Deliveries for other jurisdictions other than Western Australia are scheduled to commence shortly. If your facility is in scope for the initial distribution, you will receive a phone call from EBOS Healthcare, acting on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Health.
RATs May Be Used as an Alternative to PCR if Necessary
According to the Department of Health, where onsite swabbing teams or collection kits cannot be quickly accessed, RATs can be used as an effective testing alternative. Your local Public Health Unit may also declare an outbreak within a facility on the basis of positive RAT results if there are also symptomatic residents.
(Note: this is the Commonwealth advice. State/territory rules may differ. See the resources below for links to the latest state/territory information).
Homes Must Report Number of Staff Who Have Had COVID-19 Booster
From 25 January 2022, residential aged care homes must report the number of service staff who have received a COVID-19 booster vaccination. This is in addition to the existing COVID-19 reporting requirements for aged care homes. For more information, see our article: Aged Care Homes Must Report Number of Staff Who Have Had COVID-19 Booster.
According to the Department of Health, all aged care workers can request a priority booster appointment at:
- State and territory vaccination clinics
- Visiting GPs or pharmacists
- Local health service in-reach vaccination (where available)
- Community pharmacies
- General practices.
If you are a residential aged care worker and your facility has not yet held its onsite booster clinic, workers who are eligible will be able to receive a booster dose at this clinic.
COVID-19 Government Support Available to Aged Care Homes
Financial support grants are available to aged care homes, including:
- Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment
- Business Improvement Fund
- COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant
For links and more information, see our article: COVID-19 Government Support Payments for Residential Aged Care Homes.
Aged Care Workforce Bonus Payment
According to the Department of Health, an aged care workforce bonus of up to $800 will be paid to eligible aged care staff. The bonus will be paid in two instalments to care and support workers in home care and to direct care workers, food preparation workers and cleaners in residential care. The instalments of up to $400 will each be payable to workers employed on 28 February and 28 April.
Upcoming Changes to the SIRS Online Reporting Form
According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, amendments will be made to the My Aged Care Portal from 28 February 2022 to improve the user friendliness of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) online reporting form. A ‘Practical tips for providers’ resource explains what constitutes a quality notification and demonstrates the type of information that providers should include when making a P1 notification. A ‘Problem solving approach to enhance effective incident management’ resource is also available to help providers understand the causes of incidents quickly.
New Medicines and Poisons Framework (Queensland Only)
On 27 September 2021, Queensland introduced a new Medicines and Poisons Framework. This new framework replaced the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 (Qld). Changes introduced by the new framework include:
- requirements for the use of Substance Management Plans to set out how the home will manage the risks associated with the use of regulated substances
- new terminology
- procedures for storage and disposal of monitored medicines, including S8 medicines
- procedures for maintaining the S8 medicines register
- updated contact information for Queensland Health.
For more information see: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/licences/medicines-poisons/medicines-poisons-act.
New and Updated Resources
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Commonwealth
State/Territory COVID-19 Advice
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