AMA demands COVID-19 risk checks of all Victorian aged care homes – ACSA offers support

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is demanding all aged care homes in Victoria to urgently undergo risk assessments to determine their susceptibility to COVID-19 outbreaks. AMA emergency representative Dr Sarah Whitelaw told The Age the peak body has been asking the Victorian State Government since last month to conduct the infection assessments. “I know that the advice was given but it wasn’t enacted,” Dr Whitelaw said. While the Federal Government oversees the majority of aged care homes, around 10% of aged care homes in Victoria are State Government-run. A Victorian Health Department spokeswoman told the paper all state-run aged care homes participated in an assessment by the DHHS in March. However, she said assessments of private and non-profit aged care homes was the responsibility of the Commonwealth. Dr Whitelaw said risk assessments would establish whether aged care homes had the facilities to safely isolate residents, such as separate bathrooms and single rooms. “It is complex, and significant responsibility is held by the federal government, but that doesn’t change the responsibility for Victoria to have a coordinated state plan, including risk assessments for all centres,” she said. Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) chief executive Pat Sparrow said she supported risk checks. “From the moment restrictions were eased we said we were concerned aged care would become the new front line,” Ms Sparrow said. LASA CEO Sean Rooney declined to comment whether he was in favour of AMA’s recommendation but said “The focus should be on all parties consulting and collaborating to achieve the best results for older Victorians.”