Our RACF managers thank their GPs
Feedback from residential aged care facility (RACF) managers has been positive in relation to the support and availability of the GPs during COVID outbreaks. During the peak of the current Omicron wave, 50% of local RACFs were in an outbreak or deemed an exposure site. It has been a hectic time for the Public Health
Prioritisation of boosters for aged, disability and health care workers
The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce has issued the following update for vaccination providers. Many states are requiring aged care and disability support workers to have a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. While there are a number of channels available to access boosters and sufficient supply of vaccines, the taskforce is asking primary care vaccination sites to
Aged care reforms and RACF Christmas outbreak reminder
Healthy North Coast is planning for specific areas of reform in accordance with the Australian Government aged care reforms announced in May 2021. The five core projects will be focused on: access to virtual health service in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) residential aged care out-of-hours care early healthy ageing interventions for senior Australians greater
Use of antipsychotics in residential aged care facilities
The use of antipsychotics in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) as a restrictive practice in the form of chemical restraint has been one of many areas that came to the attention of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. From 1 July 2021, amendments to the Quality of Care Principles 2014 have placed
RACF COVID-19 booster news and updates
COVID-19 booster vaccination clinics are currently being planned for residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Clinics will be carried out by the same vaccination providers that were engaged by the Australian Government for the first two rounds. The providers will go on-site to RACFs to vaccinate residents needing their booster, and give any first
COVID-19 mortality rates plummet in aged care facilities
Vaccinations are having a positive effect on COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Australian Government data indicates that mortality rates of residents in RACFs have decreased by 91% from October 2020 to October 2021. During this time, there were 82% more RACF COVID-19 outbreaks across Australia, but the high level of vaccination among
RACF outbreak preparedness
Activities are continuing in order to ensure coordinated responses to a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential aged care facility (RACF). The federal/state-level meeting this week with the NSW primary health sector focused on continuity of care for both GPs and allied health, with these discussions still in early stages. Meetings took place this week with
Shining a light on dementia, its diagnosis and treatment
Dementia Action Week runs from 20–26 September 2021. Its campaign, ‘A little support makes a big difference’, highlights that many people living with dementia can continue to live well for many years after their diagnosis. Dementia is the leading cause of death for women and behind only heart disease as the leading cause of death
RACF outbreak – are you ready?
As plans for Sydney’s lockdown lifts and adults with double vaccinations begin to travel, the risk of a local outbreak increases, placing residential aged care facilities (RACFs) on a heightened level of alert – although residents and all staff will be double vaccinated by the end of September, resulting in a different type of outbreak.
Grief and trauma support and advice for the aged care sector
COVID-19 has impacted many people living and working in aged care. It’s okay to seek help. The Australian Government has funded mental health, grief, trauma and education experts to produce online resources and training and support you either in-person or on the phone. Support for grief, loss, and bereavement The Australian Centre for Grief and
Aged care staff vaccinations
Healthy North Coast is working closely with the Australian Government-funded provider International SOS to coordinate vaccination hubs for aged care staff. The vaccinations commence next week and will be moving up the coast through centrally located hubs in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Casino, Ballina and Tweed. All first dose clinics will be completed
Free Employee Assistance Program offered to the region’s primary health workforce
Primary health care workers on the NSW North Coast are being offered free access to Healthy North Coast’s Employee Assistance Program. Healthy North Coast acknowledges the significant workload and emotional toll for our local health workforce who have been supporting our communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise that you are making an invaluable contribution
