An urgent audit of every aged care home in Australia is needed to prevent coronavirus outbreaks from tearing through residential facilities, the Australian Medical Association says.
The AMA said the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the "deficiencies" of Australia's aged care system, resulting in "unnecessary suffering" and preventable deaths.
Aged care residents account for almost 70 per cent of Australia's coronavirus deaths, the aged care royal commission was told last week.
That is one of the highest COVID-19 death rates among the elderly in the world.
In a new submission to the royal commission, the AMA urged federal, state and territory governments to urgently audit every residential aged care facility for coronavirus preparedness.
"AMA members are on the frontline of providing health care to older Australians in residential aged care, and they are witnessing first-hand the impact that the global pandemic is having on some of our most vulnerable community members, and on their families and loved ones," the submission read.
"Hundreds of elderly Australians have died needlessly, and without family by their side. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have done their best to comfort and support them in their final days and hours. This is taking an enormous toll on the healthcare workforce."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently warned Australians to be prepared for more coronavirus deaths, particularly amongst the elderly.
"It's so important that as we continue to move through this difficult time that we stay focused on protecting the most vulnerable," he said last week.
"They are the elderly in our community; (we need to) not just (look) after their health but wherever possible ... ensure they are treated with dignity and respect."
'Matters for Victoria'
Meanwhile, Mr Morrison has deflected responsibility for Victoria's aged care crisis.
The prime minister has been challenged to take the blame for a litany of failures in Victorian nursing homes, which are regulated by the federal government.
"We regulate aged care but when there is a public health pandemic ... then they are things that are matters for Victoria," Mr Morrison told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday.
The aged care royal commission has castigated the federal government for failing to have a plan to protect the elderly.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Additional reporting by AAP.
