COVID-19 and Residential Aged Care

COVID-19 and Aged Care

Older people are more at risk of  contracting COVID-19 and experiencing serious illness. WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has a key role in supporting Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in WA and the general practitioners who in-reach to these facilities in their preparedness and response to a COVID-19 outbreak. 

Other State and Australian Government health authorities have responsibility for supporting the RACF sector in the context of COVID-19 and it is important that WAPHA works with these agencies to identify where there is duplication, gaps and fragmentation while being clear on the boundaries of WAPHA’s scope.

WAPHA also has a significant Primary Health Network (PHN) Aged Care program to deliver and we will ensure alignment of our COVID-19 aged care response with the priorities of the PHN Aged Care program.

WAPHA’s Role in Aged Care

• Improve access to general practice care for RACF residents;
• Improve the connection between GPs and RACFs, and
• Assist vaccination efforts for residents.

WAPHA’s role in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in aged care is limited to facilitating communication between RACFs, vaccination providers, GPs, hospitals and other local health providers, and State and Australian Government health authorities.

Key Focus Areas

Building relationships and networks

• Strategic meetings with Australian Government Department of Health, WA Department of Health, Health Service Providers, Residential Aged Care Providers, Aged Care Peak bodies, RACGP WA and GPs.
• WAPHA has an important role in engagement with local aged care stakeholders, providing insight to local and regional COVID-19 planning and response.

Clinical leadership and advice

• In partnership with the WA Department of Health, Geriatricians and GPs, WAPHA has delivered a RACF Aged Care COVID-19 HealthPathway.
• WAPHA have delivered  targeted webinars to provide important updates and information to GPs, Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses who in-reach to RACFs.

COVID-19 Aged Care resources

• COVID 19 pathway for Residential Aged Care Facilities
• Development and maintenance of advice / tip sheets to help GPs and RACFs plan for COVID-19 outbreaks.
• Development of a communications and engagement strategy to support targeted delivery of information, resources and support to WA GPs working in RACFs.
• Vaccine roll-out updates, information and supporting resources.

WAPHA’s role involves facilitating communications between:

• RACFs;
• The Australian government vaccination providers;
• GPs and other local healthcare providers; and
• State and Australian Government health authorities.

It’s time to prepare for COVID-19 cases by talking to your visiting GP

In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19, residential aged care facilities may require the assistance of visiting GPs. 

WA Primary Health Alliance has produced a handy conversation guide with six questions that can be discussed with your GP during their next visit.  

Download the guide

Booster dose rollout

WA Primary Health Alliance is assisting with the booster dose rollout within residential aged care facilities in WA.

All sites have now been contacted by their vaccine administration service provider and offered a booster schedule.

In-reach booster clinics

RACFs are encouraged to reach out to WA Primary Health Alliance for assistance with engaging with GPs and pharmacies to provide in-reach COVID-19 vaccinations for new or existing residents.

Alternative vaccination options

Residents who can travel may be able to attend an alternative clinic.

Vaccines can be booked using the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

COVID-19 Support Portal reporting

RACFs should now be reporting resident, worker or visitor COVID-19 cases at their service via the new, online COVID-19 Support Portal accessed through the My Aged Care provider portal.

The Australian Government Department of Health has issued a factsheet and quick reference guide on this process.

Reporting workforce COVID-19 vaccination status

It is a requirement for residential, and in-home and community aged care providers, to report on staff COVID-19 vaccinations through the My Aged Care provider portal each Tuesday.

The Australian Government Department of Health has guidance for residential aged care providers on reporting resident and workforce COVID-19 vaccinations

Supporting ongoing vaccination of residents

The Australian Department of Health has provided a new resident entrance protocol flowchart to check if new residents have been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

The guide recommends facilities ask new residents if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

If they haven’t, staff can encourage the resident to book an appointment with their general practitioner to discuss COVID-19 vaccine.

These factsheets can help residents to inform their decision:

• Information on COVID-19 Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine
• Information on COVID-19 Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine
• Information on COVID-19 Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine
• Information on COVID-19 Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccination – Giving your consent – Easy Read
• COVID-19 common questions for Aboriginal people

All people aged over 60 can receive the Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna) and Nuvaxovid (Novavax) vaccines from a GP or pharmacist taking part in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 

Use the  Vaccine Clinic Finder to find your nearest COVID-19 vaccine booking.