COVID-19 deaths in residential aged care keep rising: Greg Hunt, former Health Minister
You can read the submission here
Since 19 May 2022, when the Labor Government came into power, until 21 March 2024, deaths from COVID-19 in residential aged care increased 163%, or 3,947, according to a submission to the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry by former Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt. The data "indicates the need for ongoing and continuing support in the form of PPE, infection control and training, workforce support and vaccination support for both staff and residents," wrote the former Minister, who is now Honorary Melbourne Enterprise Professor and Chair of Monash University Turner Institute Advisory Council.
"I would therefore recommend that there be a new 5 year Aged Care Covid and Flu support plan and package – to be reviewed annually," he said.
In March 2022 in the lead up to the Federal election, then Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said, "It’s no coincidence that COVID swept through some aged care facilities with such deadly force – because for far too long the Liberals have turned a blind eye to operators who put profit ahead of the people in their care." But COVID has continued to spread in residential aged care under the current Government. You can read Greg Hunt's submission here.
