PM argues small number of cases in residential care is cause to lift visitor restrictions – but operators remain unconvinced

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had pointed out that less than 1% of Australia’s 6,700-plus COVID-19 cases are in aged care homes as part of his argument that operators should lift bans on families visiting relatives.

“By and large, across the country, when you think of the number of people who are in aged care facilities, and the number of facilities that are affected ... well, I think the numbers speak for themselves,” the Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

But operators tell us they fear “dramatic consequences” if restrictions are eased.

One operator also says the conflicting messaging being presented by the State and Federal Governments highlights the sector’s dilemma, noting the comments by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“In that commentary she said something along the lines to the public ‘we will now have to determine how we respond to these reduced controls… I for one have elderly parents who are frail. As I meet a lot of people, I have decided not to visit them’.”

“However aged care operators are now being forced to throw open the doors.”

Another pointed out to us that the obvious reason that homes have been so successful in keeping out COVID-19 is because of the lockdowns that the Prime Minister is criticising.

“Are relatives that are demanding access to residents prepared to accept that their loved ones and other residents will be more likely to contract coronavirus if the standards are dropped?” they asked.

“Do they accept and take responsibility for the potential deaths that their selfishness will enable?”

“The vast majority of relatives support the need for lockdown in facilities or in the community with social distancing etc. It’s for the greater good and the Prime Minister and others’ comments are foolish.”

“What advantages do these few complainers believe there is to nursing homes being in lockdown... besides keeping residents alive?”

“There are none – in a grossly underfunded sector the last thing residential care needs is greater expenses for PPEs and staff.”

“The government would have you believe that they have been prepared. They have been unable to make available any significant number of PPEs or staff. In the sad case of Newmarch facility, the government dragged their feet and took three weeks to get staff in to help. When they arrived, the facility was advised that ‘we are taking control’ by the government staff crew but still Anglicare are still taking the brunt of the anger.”

“If homes are reopened there will be dramatic consequences and that will be on the government.”

Or will providers be forced to shoulder the blame?