Prepared for any crisis

As aged care COVID-19 casualties continue to rise in the east, South West nursing homes have updated their protocols and procedures to better prepare for a possible second wave.

Capecare chief executive Elizabeth Hogarth said their team were closely watching the unfolding events in Victoria’s aged care sector.

“For the staff that have dedicated themselves to a career in aged care and treat clients as they would their own families it is undoubtedly very challenging,” Ms Hogarth said.

One-in-six active cases in Victoria have been linked to aged care homes, contributing to more than 804 of the State’s active cases which sat at 13,735 at the time of print.

Capecare implemented a range of procedures to accommodate and ensure aged care residents were kept safe during the first wave and Ms Hogarth said these measures were ready to be reinstated if a second wave occurred.

“Just as quickly as measures have been lifted, these can be reversed,” she said.

Reports from Victoria identified aged care workers moving between multiple facilities had contributed to the spread of cases within the sector. Ms Hogarth said Capecare’s relationship and communication with other aged care homes in Busselton was well managed to ensure this did not occur.

Baptistcare William Carey Court chief executive Russell Bricknell said they had been working with WA’s Department of Health and other aged care facilities to prepare for a potential outbreak.

“There has been significant investment in training staff in infection control, creating PPE stockpiles, and developing a surge workforce,” Mr Bricknell said.

“While it has been months since WA has recorded a known case of community transmission, we have not become complacent and are learning what we can from the recent outbreaks in Victoria.”

Capecare and Baptistcare have worked hard to ensure employees across the organisations were trained and upskilled in infection and pandemic control.