AGED-CARE FACILITIES — RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
32. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the requirement to
provide a negative rapid antigen test in order to visit an aged-care facility.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that any visitor to an aged-care facility is required to
provide a negative RAT to visit loved ones?
(2) Is the
minister comfortable with the fact that community members may be required to
spend around $100 per week to visit loved ones in aged-care facilities?
(3) Is the minister concerned about the mental health
of aged-care residents and their families if visiting becomes
financially prohibitive?
(4) Notwithstanding
that aged care is a federal matter, does the minister have a plan to ensure
that Western Australian seniors who reside in aged-care facilities are able to
be visited by loved ones without becoming a financial consideration?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I do not have that question in my
file. If it comes in before the end of question time, I will provide the member
with an answer.