Aged Care
Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs)
NSW Health has resources for RACFs including what to do with positive rapid antigen test results, visitor information, vaccination and further testing protocols.
RACF Outbreak Plan
We have developed a preparedness and response plan for primary care in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in a RACF.
The Public Health Unit strongly recommends that RACF staff continue to monitor themselves and residents for symptoms and test and isolate should they become unwell. The CDNA has developed guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks that should be followed within RACFs in Australia. Outbreak management can be followed using the Department of Health document how to manage COVID-19 in RACF in the first 24 hours, or you can follow your organisations own policy and procedures.
RACF COVID-19 Outbreak: 'Statement of Wishes' package
We have developed this 'Statement of Wishes' package, which provides templates to support GPs and RACFs to have conversations with residents and their families about their wishes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The full package along with interactive pdf versions of the templates contained in the package are listed below:
COVID-19 Vaccination Consent
An overview of consent to primary course and booster doses in the residential aged care context is available on the Department of Health website. Written consent is not mandatory for residents. Verbal consent can be recorded in resident care notes following usual practices.
Mental Health Support Through the Wisemind Program
We have implemented the Wisemind program in our region in order to support residents at RACFs with mild to moderate symptoms of common mental illness. Read more about accessing this program on our webpage.
Advance Care Planning
We encourage GPs with older, vulnerable patients - particularly patients in RACFs - to prioritise putting in place or updating Advance Care Plans with inclusion of COVID-19. It is important to involve the patient and their families in this process. The following resources can help you:
Palliative Care Resources
COVID-19 Aged Care Resouces
