MEDIA RELEASE: Industry Code for visiting aged care homes released

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The ‘Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19’ has been released by 13 aged care peak bodies and consumer advocacy organisations. The Code creates a nationally consistent approach that ensures residents can receive visitors while minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The Code was finalised after public consultation with both consumers and aged care providers. It cements a human rights approach to care that both protects and respects aged care residents and their visitors. The Code acknowledges the work that providers and staff are doing to keep people safe during the pandemic.

The Code includes the respective rights and responsibilities of providers, residents and visitors. It outlines that homes should allow residents to meet their visitors in ways that minimise the risk of COVID-19’s introduction to, or spread within, a residential care home.

The Code is available here: www.cota.org.au/AgedCareVisitors/ or here: http://agedservices.asn.au/.

The Code will be reviewed in three weeks to address any implementation issues and ensure it will respond to current concerns.

For Consumers or Carers wishing to identify concerns with where the Code is not being effective in facilitating visits or any other feedback, please email AgedCareVisitorsCode@cota.org.au.

For aged care providers and other industry stakeholders, please email visitoraccesscode@agedservices.asn.au.

 

The Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19 has been developed and endorsed by:

Aged sector provider peak organisations

  • Aged & Community Services Australia
  • Aged Care Guild
  • Anglicare Australia
  • Baptist Care Australia
  • Catholic Health Australia
  • Leading Age Services Australia
  • UnitingCare Australia

Consumer and Carers peak organisations

  • Carers Australia
  • Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia
  • Dementia Australia
  • Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia
  • National Seniors Australia
  • Older Persons Advocacy Network

For more information contact: Hannah Craft 0423 377 965

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