Megan Reilly1
1 Hands-On Infection Control, PO Box 233 North Perth, WA, 6906, megan@handsoninfectioncontrol.com.au
On 13 October 2020, the then Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck wrote to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care providers about the second COVID-19 financial supplement to support the sector. One of the specific requirements of the second payment was that every aged care facility appoint an onsite infection prevention and control (IPC) clinical lead to provide leadership to support the design, implementation and continuous improvement of IPC policies, procedures and practices within the service, thereby increasing capacity of expertise across the sector. The milestone for appointment was 1 December 2020 with the lead having completed the Department of Health COVID-19 Infection Control Training including designated aged care modules and be enrolled in and/or commenced a Department identified IPC training course by 31 December 2020 with a completion date prior to 28 February 2021. It was expected the second COVID-19 supplement would be used to meet the training costs.
This presentation will provide a brief background that led to the mandatory framework. It will examine the intent and requirements of the Department directive in order to inform and facilitate group discussion of the role, responsibilities, skills and attributes of the IPC lead in the current climate.