Aged care operators around Australia call for more funding to fight coronavirus

A security guard stands in the driveway as flowers are seen left at the entrance to Anglicare Newmarch House near Penrith.

A security guard stands in the driveway as flowers are seen left at the entrance to Anglicare Newmarch House near Penrith. Source: AAP

Aged care operators around Australia have called on more federal funding, while Anglicare's Newmarch House is under fire as residents' families and the state government urge the operator to lift its game after 12 deaths at the facility.


Chiefs of Aged and Community Services Australia, Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Leading Age Services Australia and UnitingCare Australia say government support so far equates to an average of $2 per resident per day which was "not enough to cover the costs of keeping people safe".

This included masks and protective equipment, cleaning and sanitation, paying casual staff who have to isolate and also being able to pay the backfilling staff, technology to maintain family connections, social distancing measures and processes to make visits to residents safe.

Anglicare chief executive Grant Millard on Wednesday said Newmarch House was anticipating more deaths as the home runs as a "pseudo hospital".

About 80 residents are still living at the home near Penrith.

Twenty registered nurses, 25 carers, 11 cleaners and a GP are working daily at the nursing home where 34 residents and 22 staff members have tested positive to COVID-19.

Family members wrote to Mr Millard this week stating their calls have not been returned, details about loved ones have not been regularly divulged, and residents have reported inadequate care.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged it was "distressing" that communication between relatives and residents and Anglicare was lax and urged the operator to lift its game.

"It's not acceptable to keep people in the dark. Just put yourself in the shoes of those people - it's horrific to be fearful about firstly, potentially losing a loved one but then not knowing what's going on and not being able to offer that care," she said.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.

News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.


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Aged care operators around Australia call for more funding to fight coronavirus | SBS Greek