How Can We Better Navigate Staffing in Aged Care Facilities during COVID-19?

The question being asked across the country right now is “Why wasn’t aged care in Victoria better prepared for coronavirus outbreaks?”
ABC 7.30 investigated this issue on August 4th, reporting that “when the first signs of COVID-19 outbreak emerged in aged care facilities in March, it quickly became clear that the vulnerabilities it was exposing were not just those of the frail elderly, but to the system itself of the inherent weaknesses of its workforce.” Watch more here.

COVID-19 Has Exposed the Vulnerability of the Aged Care Workforce

ABC’s 7:30 report questioned the vulnerability of the aged care workforce and raised the issue of the aged care workforce’s ability to deal with the pandemic, referencing “woefully paid” staff with “no minimum training qualifications”.


The Royal Commission into Aged Care will be holding a special sitting next week to look at lessons learnt to date as to what has happened in aged care facilities. At the same time, the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 has been seeking an explanation from the Federal Minister for Aged Care and related health bureaucrats as to why the early tragedies in aged care failed to trigger preparation for future outbreak

We’re Watching the Victorian Experience Closely

As the leading provider of staff in the aged care industry in NSW, we’re watching the Victorian cases closes, while working hard to support clients who may be impacted by COVID-19. In March 2020 my team supported an Aged Care facility who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sydney helping staff the facility around the clock for four weeks while their staff were in isolation. My team and I are committed to providing qualified and experienced staff to maintain quality of care.


In Victoria every healthcare service and related service where they might find a ready workforce is under pressure because of the community transmission, and there are limits to the identification of a replacement workforce. To compound this issue, ABC 7.30 Reports that only 1 in 3 care workers in Australia have completed the infection control training and the request to put the list of homes with public outbreaks was denied.


Is the response too slow? Can the system cope?

Australian Government’s Guidance for Residential Aged Care Services

The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission has expanded on the government's guidance with advice for providers of residential aged care services to protect consumers in residential facilities and home care services from the health risks related to COVID-19. This includes specific issues, actions to take, and helpful strategies to ensure the ongoing safety of aged care consumers. You can access the Commission's advice on their website here.


Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, the Commission is encouraging aged care providers to come up with innovative ways to ensure the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of consumers in their care, from keeping in touch with family and friends to activities that promote engagement. Some of these examples can be viewed here. Scroll down to watch the short video that contains four examples of services' innovative approach to the pandemic, and the current restrictions on visitors.


The Illawarra Mercury reported a new special care unit to protect its residents, staff and the community.  Warrigal is getting more COVID-19 ready by trialling a new special care unit at Warilla. The senior living provider has not recorded any confirmed coronavirus cases in any of its facilities but decided to develop the special care unit itself in its ongoing efforts to protect residents, staff and community from exposure to the virus. Read more here. 

How Can We Better Navigate Staffing in Aged Care Facilities during COVID-19?

The question remains - how can we ensure and support safe, quality care for aged care consumers during visitor restrictions relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?


This Sydney Morning Herald article by Farrah Tomazin and Max Kozlowski was written 10 months ago, prior to COVID-19. This demonstrates there was already a shortage of staff in aged care due to funding shortages to aged care providers from the Australian government. 



Now the industry is at a breaking point, and the sector being criticised, even though they are doing a phenomenal job under the circumstances.

Celebrating World Blood Donor Day in Australia

June 3, 2025
Why Not You? Why Not Now? If you had the chance to save up to three lives in under an hour—no cape, no superpowers needed —would you do it? On June 14, we celebrate World Blood Donor Day, and here in Australia, it’s also National Blood Donor Week—a time to pause and thank everyday legends who give a little to make a massive difference. But let’s be real: this isn’t just a celebration. It’s a call to action. Because while 1 in 3 Aussies will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, only 1 in 30 actually donates. That’s a whole lot of Aussies counting on a very small, very generous group of people to keep the rest of us alive. The Real-Life Impact of One Small Act It might feel like a small thing—lying back for 10 minutes, squeezing a stress ball, and enjoying a free juice—but blood donation keeps Australia’s health system moving. Every single donation goes further than you might think. It could be used in a life-saving surgery, during a cancer patient’s treatment, or to help someone recover from a major car accident. Then there’s plasma—the golden liquid used in over 18 different medical treatments. Plasma is used to help patients with cancer, burns, immune deficiencies, haemophilia, kidney conditions, and more. And the need for plasma is growing fast. In fact, plasma donations are now the most in-demand donation type in Australia. Think your one donation won’t make a difference? Let’s talk about James Harrison, the Aussie known as the “Man with the Golden Arm.” After life-saving surgery in his teens, James pledged to give back—and he did, 1,173 times over more than six decades. His rare blood was used to help make an injection that saved 2.4 million Australian babies from a deadly condition called Rh disease. James passed away peacefully earlier this year at age 88, and his legacy reminds us what one person—just one—can do. Why People Don't Donate (And Why Those Reasons Might Not Hold Up) We get it. Life’s busy. Needles aren’t exactly a crowd favourite. You’ve got work deadlines, travel plans, or maybe a low-iron warning from that one blood test in 2012 still rings in your ears. But let’s be honest: a lot of us are counting ourselves out without really checking if we’re in. Some of the most common reasons people don’t donate? “I’ve got tattoos or piercings.” Totally fine—usually you only need to wait four months after getting them. “I’ve travelled recently.” Travel exclusions aren’t what they used to be. Check the latest guidelines—you might already be cleared. “I’m on medication.” Lots of medications are donation-safe. When in doubt, just ask. “It takes too long.” Most donations take less than an hour—faster than your average dentist appointment and infinitely more fun (plus better snacks). “I thought I couldn’t.” That’s the big one. A lot of people think they’re ineligible when they’re not. In fact, more than 13 million Australians may be eligible but aren’t donating. So if it’s been a while—or if you’ve never donated—now’s the time to check. Because every four minutes, Australia needs a new donor to meet demand. That’s not a once-in-a-while thing. It’s a constant , and right now, the need is the greatest it’s been in nearly a decade. Thinking About Donating for the First Time? We know the first step can feel like the biggest one. But honestly? It’s not scary. It’s actually kind of… great. Lifeblood donation centres are friendly, chill, and welcoming. You’ll be greeted with smiles, helped every step of the way, and get to relax afterwards with a snack! Here are some quick tips to make your first donation feel easy (and rewarding). And here’s a little bonus: studies have shown that people who give blood regularly often report feeling healthier, happier, and more connected to their community. So yes, it actually feels good to help others . 
As we hit the halfway mark of the year, May serves as a crucial reminder to pause, reflect, and chec

Mental Health Check In

May 7, 2025
As we hit the halfway mark of the year, May serves as a crucial reminder to pause, reflect, and check in — not just with ourselves but with those around us.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood. It’s not about being overly dramatic o

Borderline Personality Disorder: What You Should Know

April 23, 2025
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood. It’s not about being overly dramatic or moody—it’s a complex mental health condition that affects how a person relates to others, manages emotions, and sees themselves. And while it can be incredibly tough to live with, there is hope and help available.