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Safety checks slashed at Tassie aged care homes
SPONTANEOUS safety checks of aged care facilities in Tasmania have been slashed, despite efforts continuing on the mainland.
There have been zero unannounced visits to homes in Tasmania between March and August.
By comparison, there were 63 unannounced visits carried out each in NSW and Victoria, 55 in Queensland and 20 in South Australia.
Nursing homes interstate have been at the centre of multiple deadly COVID-19 outbreaks and Premier Peter Gutwein said buying more time for local facilities to prepare was one of the reasons he had pushed back reopening the state’s borders until December 1.
But Labor is calling on the federal government to explain why the aged care regulator has dramatically scaled back checks in Tasmania.
IT’S SHOCKING THERE HAVE BEEN NEXT TO NO VISITS TO CHECK ON AGED CARE HOMES IN TASMANIA.
JULIE COLLINS, OPPOSITION SPOKESWOMAN FOR AGEING AND SENIORS
DAVID KILLICK AND RACHEL RILEY
THERE have been no unannounced safety checks at Tasmanian aged care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite nursing homes interstate being at the centre of multiple deadly outbreaks.
Figures obtained from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission reveal that between March 16 and August 14, 2020, a period which includes the coronavirus outbreak in Tasmania’s North-West, zero unannounced visits were conducted.
By comparison, there were 63 unannounced visits each in NSW and Victoria, 55 in Queensland and 20 in South Australia. There were also just two short-notice visits since March 16, compared with 123 in NSW, 25 in Victoria, 48 in Queensland and 39 in South Australia.
Between January 1, 2019 and March 15 2020 the Commission undertook 65 unannounced visits in Tasmanian residential services.
Labor wants the federal government to explain why the aged care regulator has scaled back checks on Tasmanian aged care facilities.
“It’s shocking there have been next to no visits to check on aged care homes in Tasmania,” Opposition ageing and seniors spokeswoman Julie Collins said.
“The Morrison government must beef-up the powers of the regulator to keep older Tasmanians safe. Tasmanians must have confidence every aged care home is ready for COVID-19.”
Nursing homes interstate have been at the centre of multiple deadly COVID-19 outbreaks and Premier Peter Gutwein said buying more time for local facilities to prepare was one reason he pushed back reopening the state’s borders until December 1.
Mr Gutwein said he had absolute confidence in the federal response to
COVID-19 in Tasmanian aged care homes. Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said he was unaware of any state rules which would curtail federal inspections.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said the commission had 22 local staff and contractors based in Tasmania and had adjusted its regulatory activities during the pandemic “to minimise infection risks for residents, staff and its own employees”.
“The commission has continued its monitoring and compliance activities, including short-notice site visits, to monitor and assess the quality of care at aged care services,” she said.
Ms Anderson said the commission had done a telephone assessment of every aged care approved provider in Tasmania to monitor providers’ preparation for a potential COVID-19 outbreak and manage visitor restrictions.
As political pressure grows on the Morrison government over COVID-19 deaths in residential care, Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck was forced to apologise after he was unable to recall how many elderly residents have died or how many seniors are battling the deadly virus.
The Tasmanian frontbencher was left red-faced when he fumbled for almost a minute during an interview before he admitted he didn’t know the answer. There have been 1811 cases of COVID-19 in aged care homes, with 254 residential care deaths.
Mr Morrison yesterday announced a $171m funding boost for the sector.