This submission by PCA to the Royal Commission in Aged Care Quality and Safety, addresses the impact of COVID-19 on Aged Care Services. The submission provides a summary of the palliative care experience and learnings during COVID-19. Some of the key recommendations include: funding infrastructure for telehealth capability for aged care providers; commitment by the aged care sector to adopt compassionate and balanced approaches to aged care visitors, especially for residents receiving palliative care; and establishing systems to ensure that residential aged care and community care providers have guaranteed supplies and access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Items addressed also include PCA's formation of the Australian COVID-19 Palliative Care Working Group (ACPCWG), MBS telehealth items, visitors to residential aged care facilities, imprest stock of medications, PPE, compulsory flu vaccinations, protocols for facilities with COVID-19 cases, grief and bereavement, advance care planning, and future pandemic planning.

Submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety on the impact of COVID-19 on Aged Care Services