Bushfire and flood safety planning for aged care homes

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot and the Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction, Bill Shorten have announced that all Australian nursing homes applying for new Federal Government-funded aged care places will be required to demonstrate that they have taken into consideration natural disaster threats such as bushfires and floods.

The new requirement would be part of the Aged Care Approval Round (ACAR) application process, would apply to the next round, the 2009-10 ACAR.

The 2008-09 application process closed 19 December.

The Australian Government decided to take this approach rather than add another layer of red tape and avoid incurring extra costs for aged care providers.

The new ACAR natural disaster requirements would complement existing State, Territory and local government planning requirements and emergency management plans by requiring an approved provider to stipulate these requirements have been met.

“While there was no loss of life at the aged care homes during the recent bushfires in Victoria or floods in Queensland, a number of facilities had to be evacuated,” Mrs Elliot said.

“Continuing to care for and evacuating older frail people from nursing homes during a time of disaster can be very challenging and at times, dangerous for them, especially high care residents.”

The Australian Government’s certification requirements and accreditation standards administered by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency require aged care homes to have evacuation plans in place, but there is scope for improvement to take into account emergencies which are widespread and prolonged.

In particular, aged care facilities need to establish and maintain emergency management plans which are linked into the planning of relevant state and local government authorities.

They have primary responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment.

In addition, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing would work with relevant state and territory agencies on a communication plan, for existing nursing homes and hostels, to reinforce the need for proactive relationships with these authorities.

“Knowing that natural disaster planning has been factored into the building development process could save lives one day,” said Mr Shorten.

The existing requirements relevant to bushfires and other natural disaster safety are considered during the Development Application process.