CHSP Provider Hub

Now is a good time to review your Emergency and Disaster Management Plan

October to April is high-risk weather season. This means flooding, bushfire, tropical cyclones, storms and heatwaves are all more likely. As the high-risk season is approaching, now is the time to develop or update your Emergency and Disaster Management Plan.

The aged care sector is vulnerable during this time, and may face evacuations, staff shortages, power outages and problems accessing essential supplies. Even during emergencies, aged care service providers must maintain continuity of care for older people both in aged care homes and receiving home care. The best way to do this is by having a plan in place.

Resources to assist:

• Department of Health and Aged Care's Service continue and emergency events in aged care
  • As a provider, you must maintain quality care to older people during an emergency. This is required by the Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality Standards) and the Aged Care Act 1997. It might also be required for your grant or aged care funding agreement.
  • Poor or slow responses to an emergency increases risk to older people and staff. The Quality Standards require you to maintain effective risk management systems and practices. These systems ensure you can manage high-impact risks to the care of older people during an emergency. Emergency risk management falls under Standard 3 and Standard 8.
  • If your service cannot meet its obligations under its grant or aged care funding agreement with respect to emergencies, contact your state office. In Queensland contact Engagement.Qld@health.gov.au
• Safe Work Australia's:
  • Emergency management plan template
  • Preparing for an Emergency Event – Home Care
  • Preparing for an Emergency Event – Commonwealth Home Support Programme
• Heatwave Service for Australia
  • Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home care and CHSP
• Flood and storm information and support