Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Aged Care Royal Commission
The World Health Organization announced in 2020 that the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a pandemic.
What COVID-19 changes were put in place?
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety took the step of suspending all hearings and workshops on 20 March 2020 due to the risk to public and staff health. After careful monitoring of advice from Australian Government in June 2020, the Royal Commission decided to resume hearings, but they were closed to the public. Members of the public were encouraged to follow hearings using the live webcasts.
Media release 23 June 2020 - Aged Care Royal Commission hearings to resume in July
Aged Care and COVID-19: a special report
The Aged Care Royal Commissioners, the Honourable Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs AO, handed a special report on the COVID-19 pandemic in aged care to the Governor-General, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) on 1 October 2020.
The report was the result of a hearing of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety into the impact of COVID-19 on aged care, which was held in Sydney from 10 to 13 August 2020. The report is publicly available to read.
Advice
If you need advice about the Coronavirus, or have questions regarding aged care services during this time, please visit the below sites or call the Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 171 866 Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm: