Course Access
1. If we have outbreak in aged care like more than 5 resident tested positive for COVID and staff too – are we able to get surge team from govt to help with outbreak and staffing ?
Thank you for submitting this question to the Train The trainer Webinar (18/6/25) Q&A.
There is no hard and fast rule for accessing a surge team. The Dept of Health and Ageing- see https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/managing-infectious-respiratory-disease/managing-COVID-19-in-aged-care#:
States under the heading Workforce planning
You should have a workforce management plan to ensure continuous care and services. You are responsible for ongoing delivery of safe, quality care to residents in the event of an outbreak.
Aged care workers should not attend work after testing positive for COVID-19 for at least:
• 5 days if they have no symptoms and can provide a negative COVID-19 test
• 7 days if they have no symptoms and no fever for 24 hours with testing not required.
Temporary surge workforce support is available to eligible aged care homes:
• impacted by a COVID-19 outbreak and having critical workforce shortages
• with evidence that existing partnerships and recruitment channels have been exhausted
• in a MM 3 to 7 location.