Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 31 March 2023

Minister Butler's announcement

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler, has announced expanded access to subsidised oral antiviral, Paxlovid and other COVID-19 supports. You can read Minister Butlers full media release on the Department's website.

Changes to Paxlovid oral antiviral eligibility

From 1 April 2023, the eligibility for treatment of COVID-19 has been expanded.

Australians aged 60 to 69 with at least one risk factor that tests positive to COVID-19 will have access to the oral antiviral treatment, Paxlovid.

Eligible Australians are encouraged to have early discussions with their health care practitioner about their suitability for this treatment.

COVID-19 leave grants to support aged care workers

From 1 July 2023, a new grant will be available to support permanent or casual aged care workers caring for older Australians most at risk of severe illness.

Australian Government funded residential aged care and home care providers will be able to apply for reimbursement of up to $750 per week for payments they have made (from 1 April 2023) to permanent or casual employees that have no personal or sick leave entitlements available and need to take leave because they have tested positive to COVID-19.

This will help to encourage staff who test positive to COVID-19 to stay home while unwell and protect older Australians in their care.

Applications for reimbursement will be available after 1 July 2023, and the claim periods are:

You can find more information about the Grant on the Department's website.

Upcoming Webinar: aged care COVID-19 update – 6 April 2023

The Department of Health and Aged Care is holding a webinar on preparing your aged care service for winter, including influenza vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccinations, oral antiviral treatments and primary care pathways.

When: Thursday 6 April 2023, at 11.00 am (AEST).

Please register to attend.

There will be a moderated Q&A session with Departmental officials and we encourage you to submit questions in advance through the registration link.

Webinar recording available: Effective IPC behaviours

The Department of Health and Aged Care, along with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, held a webinar on effective IPC practices for the aged care sector on Thursday 16 March 2023. The panel included experts from the Department and the Commission, along with a special message from the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP.

The panel talked about the importance of effective IPC behaviours to assist with building knowledge and capability in the delivery of timely IPC and quality care.

If you were unable to attend or would like to share the webinar with your colleagues, the recording is now available on the Department's website.

Top 3 Questions from our IPC Webinar on 16 March 2023

Question 1 - I would like to train care workers and staff for infection control.  Is this sufficient?
Yes, the Department encourages all aged care providers to train their staff, including care workers on IPC measures. Staff should have the capabilities to implement IPC measures to ensure the continued safe delivery of care to all care recipients, in a residential aged care or in-home care setting. IPC Lead Nurses should be sharing their knowledge and training staff on IPC measures, which increases staff capabilities and in turn responses to an outbreak.

Question 2 - What is the current requirement for aged care homes with regards IPC leads?
Each residential aged care home must appoint one IPC Lead Nurse. We encourage homes to consider having two IPC Lead Nurses, as this allows for a “back-up” in your home. The Department has information available on our website for IPC Lead Nurses and specialist IPC training courses available.

As we mentioned in the webinar, we encourage Approved Providers, Directors and Management to support and encourage staff to undertake this training opportunity. If you require further information, you can send your query to agedcareIPC@health.gov.au.

Question 3 - Can you suggest any strategies or guidance around IPC in environments with residents with responsive behaviours?
A multi-disciplinary approach to IPC is required when caring for people with changed behaviours (cognitive impairment, dementia or wandering behaviours). You may need to re-consider risk assessments, taking into account someone's current behaviour during an outbreak. A good person-centred behaviour support plan can alter the risks in this setting.

Providers can find guidance on this topic in the National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of Outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infection (including COVID-19 and Influenza) in Residential Care Facilities.

Dementia Australia provides tips for supporting people living with dementia and changed behaviours during COVID-19.

Information for Home Care and CHSP providers

The Australian Government continues to support residential aged care homes through outbreaks due to the nature and ease which COVID-19 spreads, with residents at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

It is important to note, advice given by the Department applies to all contexts of aged care, which includes Home Care and CHSP and recognises the particular vulnerability of older people due to their age. Some of this advice includes:

• oral antiviral treatments and encouraging care recipients to be assessed for suitability
• applying IPC practices and following the hierarchy of control for minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission
• maintain COVID-19 safe behaviours:
  • doing regular rapid antigen tests (RAT) to screen for infection
  • wearing a mask if indoors to help slow infection
  • washing your hands frequently
  • staying up to date with vaccinations and
  • staying home if unwell or COVID-19 positive. For workers that provide close personal care, they should not be attending work for 7 days if testing positive to COVID-19 or until you no longer have symptoms applies in all aged care settings.

Reminder – PPE preparedness packs

The Australian Government continues to support the sector ahead of winter by deploying personal protective equipment (PPE) packs to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care homes, MPSs and NATSIFACP services. Deliveries have commenced and are to be completed by May 2023.

Since 10 March, the NMS’s logistics provider, DHL, has been contacting providers to confirm delivery arrangements. If you do not want this supply of PPE, let DHL know you opt out of the delivery.

DHL will attempt to contact residential aged care homes 3 times to discuss delivery of the winter PPE packs. If DHL is unable to confirm with your service after 3 attempts, the Department will make a follow-up call. If the Department cannot confirm acceptance of the pack, residential aged care homes will be considered as opted out for the 2023 winter PPE pack.

However, if you are not contacted by DHL by the end of April, please contact the Department at AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@Health.gov.au. This may occur when we do not have current contact details for your facility.

The 2023 Winter pack includes a 3-day supply of all the PPE items listed below. The size of the packs is based on the number of residents at each home and cannot be modified. Expiry dates of PPE will 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. Packs contain set quantities of PPE - facilities are not able to select specific items and must accept all items in the pack as delivered.

Remember providers are responsible for maintaining their PPE supply through existing commercial channels; but can request outbreak or emergency packs during deployment as usual through the My Aged Care provider portal if required for an outbreak.