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The Commonwealth government has deployed troops to assist with the aged care sector’s response to COVID-19 outbreaks.
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Up to 1,700 Australian Defence Force personnel have been tasked with supporting the residential aged care sector’s response to COVID-19 outbreaks amid staff shortages.
Ahead of their deployment, ADF personnel were required to undertake induction training with healthcare provider Aspen Medical before joining civilian staff in aged care facilities.
Defence’s contribution will initially include four Quick Response Support Teams, which will consist of nurses and general support staff, before expanding to a total of 10 teams from next week.
Specialist teams of 50 personnel in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia are also being prepared, with the total to reach up to 200 personnel in each state and territory.
Support services offered by ADF personnel are expected to include logistics and general duties tasks, including the screening of entrants to facilities, providing companionship to residents, and supporting with meals and other non-direct care functions.
Medically qualified ADF personnel will also provide medical assistance if required.
This is the ADF’s latest contribution to the COVID-19 response effort, with more than 24,000 personnel previously supporting Operation COVID-19 ASSIST, managing quarantine compliance, contact tracing, ambulance driving, and delivering supplies to vulnerable Australians.
The ADF deployment is in addition to the Commonwealth government’s work to provide civilian assistance and its supply of aged care facilities with medical and PPE equipment.
This includes the delivery of 10.7 million rapid antigen tests to facilities since August, 42.9 million masks, and 15.7 million gowns, while also covering more than 80,000 shifts through the government’s surge workforce initiative.
[Related: ADF supports Tongan recovery efforts]
