Reminder - Webinar for the aged care sector: Effective IPC behaviours
Along with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, we are holding a webinar on effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. The panel will include experts from the Department and the Commission, along with a message from the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP.
The panel will talk about the importance of effective IPC behaviours to assist with building knowledge and capability in the delivery of timely IPC and quality care.
We strongly recommend that all IPC leads and Directors attend, but anyone working in the aged care sector is welcome and will benefit from the presentation.
When: Thursday 16 March 2023, 10:00am to 11:00am (AEDT)
Please register to attend if you haven't already done so.
There will be a moderated Q&A session with the panel, and we encourage you to submit questions in advance through the registration link.
For those that are unable to attend on the day, the event will be recorded and published on the our website.
Reminder - PPE Preparedness Packs
The Australian Government is continuing to support the aged care sector to prepare and protect older Australians against COVID-19 ahead of winter by deploying bulk winter personal protective equipment (PPE) packs to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care homes.
Deliveries are expected to commence in late March 2023 starting with remote and rural facilities and be completed by late May 2023, ahead of winter.
From 10 March 2023, the National Medical Stockpile’s logistics provider, DHL, began contacting each facility via phone call to confirm delivery arrangements. If you do not want this supply of PPE, let DHL know when they contact you and they will not proceed with the delivery.
If you are not contacted by DHL by 30 April 2023, please contact the Department by email at AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@Health.gov.au. This may occur when we do not have up to date contact details for your facility.
The 2023 winter PPE pack will include a 3-day supply of all the PPE items. The volume of PPE provided will depend on the number of residents at each home. Expiry dates of PPE will be enough to cover the winter season until at least 31 August 2023.
Please ensure you have sufficient storage onsite to store your pack when it is delivered. These packs are the same size as to what was sent over 2022/23 summer.
Please note these are not bespoke emergency packs. Packs contain set quantities of PPE - facilities are not able to select specific products and must accept all items in the pack as delivered.
It is important to note that providers are responsible for maintaining a standard PPE supply through existing commercial channels but can request emergency and outbreak packs during deployment as usual through the My Aged Care provider portal if required during an outbreak.
Reminder - Application closing date: COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863)
The closing date for applications for the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant is 2pm (AEDT) on 31 March 2023. Providers are encouraged to make sure applications are submitted by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please see the GrantConnect website to access the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and answers to Frequently Asked Questions and online application form.
The 2023 COVID 19 Aged Care Support Program Forecast Opportunity
The forecast opportunity was advertised on 1 March 2023. Providers are encouraged to register on GrantConnect so they can be notified of any grant opportunity offered by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Please note any details relating to this forecast opportunity may change with the published Grant Opportunity. Further Information can be found at Forecast Opportunity View - PO3917.
Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years+ (PFS)
The Australian Government will include the Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years+ (PFS) in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for boosters in eligible people aged 12 years or older from 3 April 2023.
For the current ATAGI recommendations for a 2023 booster dose please visit ATAGI 2023 booster advice.
Contacting us
If you are unable to locate the information you need on our website, you can email us your queries.
The new centralised contact point to request Commonwealth supports is AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au. This replaces the previous case management teams and can assist you with the following queries:
- Surge workforce - residential aged care homes that need temporary surge workforce support
- Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits - if you wish to opt out of receiving RAT kits or alter the quantity and/or frequency of supply
- PCR Testing - request for in-reach PCR testing for residents and staff during an outbreak
- Oral Antiviral treatments - if you are in outbreak and are unable to access antivirals quickly
- PPE enquiries - requests for additional PPE must continue to be submitted through the My Aged Care Provider portal.
For all other general enquiries, please email agedcarecovidliaison@health.gov.au.