NSW Premier says aged care operators must assume COVID-19 will enter their homes and have a plan for residents and families

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned operators that they must have both a plan to keep residents safe and keep communication lines open with families during an appearance on The Today Show yesterday. Questioned about both Newmarch House and the Ruby Princess cruise ship, Ms Berejiklian said:

“There’s no doubt that horrible mistakes were made and that a number of authorities should have done better and then we’ll get to the bottom of that,” she said. “Every aged care facility has to assume the virus is going to enter their premises and they need to have a plan to prevent death, keep residents safe, but also keep families safe because just the trauma and distress of not seeing a loved one or not knowing what’s happened to your loved one would be just beyond words.” “There is no doubt this [Newmarch House] is an example of where things need to happen better, no doubt about that.”

But asked about her Government’s plan to protect residents, Ms Berejiklian pointed to the new Visitor Access Code to start next Monday, 11 May, as the fix.

“We’ve made sure we’ve done everything we can,” she said, adding: “We have to do better across the nation.” The Premier also warned that COVID-19 will remain an issue until a vaccine is available. “We have to put things in place that protect everybody,” she said, adding that people should stay at home if they show the slightest symptom of the virus.