It is crisis at the moment’: Queensland AMA president warns of incoming COVID-19 wave in aged care homes
Queensland’s Australian Medical Association president has warned the latest wave of COVID-19 could be the most severe for aged care homes, amid a shortage of protective gear and anti-viral medication.
Dr Maria Boulton said the industry was nearing crisis point, with vulnerable and elderly people once again in the firing line.
“It is crisis at the moment and our doctors and health care workers are doing everything they can,” she said.
“We are approaching the numbers that we had during the first Omicron wave earlier in the year and this cannot keep going.
“We need to do everything we can to protect everybody, especially those vulnerable people who are dying.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the government would do what it could to support the aged care sector.
“We will provide PPE if they need PPE at short notice, other equipment we’ve provided stock like syringes and so forth,” she said.
But Dr Boulton said more antiviral medication will be needed to save more lives, with the drug proven to be an effective treatment of COVID-19 for those over 70.
“Sometimes there’s a little bit of dialogue as to who’s responsible for aged care, whether it’s federal or state,” Dr Boulton said.
“And if you have a loved one in an aged care home it doesn’t matter where those antivirals are coming from they need to be readily accessible for those residents.”
The premier said the government is working on streamlining a process to administer the medication.
“A GP can now administer the script so it’s a much easier process over telehealth, but those issues of aged care are matters for the federal government,” Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
Queensland today recorded 6682 new cases of COVID-19 with 914 people in hospital.
Masks are still required on public transport, and some private schools are introducing mask wearing at indoor events.
Public schools can make their own decisions regarding mask-wearing rules.
“We are urging students and teachers to wear masks, strongly advising,” Palaszczuk said.
