The Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Ministry of Health have reached agreement on a joint protocol to formalise coordination of government support to an aged care provider in their management of a COVID-19 outbreak in an Australian Government-funded residential aged care facility in New South Wales. The protocol incorporates feedback received during consultation with aged care peak bodies and providers.
The protocol is principles-based, with the primary objective to make clear the roles and responsibilities of each party to optimise care for all residents in impacted residential aged care facilities (irrespective of their COVID-19 status) and to contain and control the outbreak to bring it to an end as quickly and safely as possible.
The protocol is intended to facilitate fast mobilisation of required government support to an aged care provider in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, with clear reporting and escalation pathways.