In response to COVID-19, COTA joined with 12 other aged care peak bodies and consumer advocacy organisations to develop the Industry Code on Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes. The Code created a nationally consistent approach to ensure residents receive visitors while minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19. The Code was finalised after public consultation with both consumers and aged care providers.
This Code was reviewed on 29 May with considerable feedback from consumers, families, advocates, providers and the public, as well as through the consumer and provider peak bodies. The outcomes of the review are available here.
There is substantial evidence that in response to the Code there has been a stark improvement and increase in the availability of visits to residents while still ensuring that residents are protected from COVID-19 by strict procedures to safeguard their safety.
