Sydney Hearing 2

Scope and purpose

This hearing inquired into the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in aged care, and what can be learned from this experience for responding to future pandemics, infectious disease outbreaks or other emergencies.

The inquiry focused on

• the role and responsibilities of State, Territory and Federal governments in responding to such crises in aged care services
• what should be done and by whom in the future to support the aged care sector to respond to pandemics, infectious disease outbreaks or other emergencies
• the balance between managing risks posed by a future pandemic or infectious disease outbreak and maintaining the overall health and wellbeing of aged care recipients including their mental health and quality of life
• the measures taken by the health and aged care sectors to respond to the pandemic including transporting infected residents to hospital
• the impact of those measures on older Australians receiving aged care services, their families and their carers
• challenges faced by the aged care sector including those relating to management, workforce and access to personal protective equipment
• any other related matters.

The Royal Commission heard from residential aged care facilities including Newmarch House, Dorothy Henderson Lodge and Opal Care Bankstown on how they responded to the crisis, and what more could have been done to support them. The focus of the inquiry is on the lessons that can be learnt for responding to future pandemics or infectious disease outbreaks. The purpose of the inquiry is not to find fault or apportion blame.

Further information

• Sydney Hearing 2 closed on Thursday 13 August 2020.
• Applications for leave to appear at the public hearing closed 4pm on Monday, 27 July 2020.
• Copies of documents relating to this hearing are available below.

Further assistance

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Content Warning: Please be aware that images and descriptions contained within exhibits tendered at hearings of the Royal Commission and public submissions published on this website could be confronting to some.