Aged care workers who are considered close contacts will be able to return to South Australian residential care homes earlier, under changes to be announced by the state government.
South Australia's aged care workers who are considered close contacts will be able to return to residential care homes earlier, under changes to be announced by the state government.Changes will bring aged care staff back to work soonerPremier Steven Marshall today announced the changes were forthcoming, amid concerns about ongoing staff shortages in the aged care sector, and the impact on residents and their families.
He said SA government support for aged care included personal protective equipment such as masks and PCR testing. Data released by the federal government on Friday showed the highest number of cases had occurred at Estia Health's home in Aberfoyle Park and ACH Group's Milpara home in Rostrevor.South Australia's COVID deaths include three residents at the Bene Aged Care facility at St Agnes.
"These statistics and these lists really highlight how ill-prepared our system has been since before the borders were opened."Mr Picton said providers had been reporting there was not enough PPE or rapid antigen tests available and that booster doses were not being rolled out to residents fast enough.
She said aged care homes were having trouble sourcing certain sizes of N95 masks as well as protective gowns for staff, and there were not enough rapid antigen tests available for staff and visitors.