The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is actively contacting the providers of residential aged care services in Victoria to ensure they’re managing the new and increased risks of the State’s current COVID-19 outbreak.
The Commissioner, Janet Anderson said regulatory officials from the Commission had commenced telephoning all approved providers of residential services.
“The regulatory officials will be seeking assurances from providers that COVID response plans have been developed and are ready for immediate activation,” Ms Anderson said.
“This will include confirmation that services have arrangements in place to manage risks to consumers and staffing supply,” she said.
“The telephone call is not an assessment of performance against the Standards.”
Ms Anderson said the Commission was also conducting a site visit to any service identified as high risk where concerns were raised planning to engage with all services operating along the NSW/VIC and SA/VIC borders; and continuing to manage all complaints received about Victorian aged care services.
She said the Commission would continue to monitor all services currently subject to compliance action closely, including those services under sanctions.
Ms Anderson acknowledged the ongoing efforts of all approved providers to protect older Australians at this time.