A major crisis is unfolding in Queensland and South Australia\u2019s aged care homes, putting the lives of residents and aged care workers at risk while COVID-19 spreads unabated.<\/p>\n
While the vast majority of aged care facilities have recorded at least one case among residents or staff, workers are unable to secure vital personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).<\/p>\n
Anxiety is rife among aged care workers as they are not being told when their colleagues or the people they care for have contracted COVID-19. Infection rates are high among workers putting further strain on facilities that have been running short-staffed for years.<\/p>\n
United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said workers were angry that the Federal Government seemingly has no plan to protect them and the residents they look after.<\/p>\n
\u201cAged care workers have always felt ignored but now they feel completely abandoned,\u201d Ms Smith said.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott Morrison has had more than two years to prepare for this eventuality. He was warned. But now, as borders fall and COVID cases increase, workers cannot even access something as simple as a mask.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result of Morrison\u2019s neglect in the aged care industry over many years, COVID-related absences means that the level of care has been severely compromised and aged care residents are being forced to turn to over-burdened hospitals.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo top it all off, workers are distressed that they cannot do the job to the ability they want, which is negatively impacting older Australians and taking a huge emotional toll on already burned-out workers.\u201d<\/p>\n