Disability support - Adapting risk management plans for COVID-19

Disability, home care and other client support service providers are responsible for establishing plans to ensure client and staff health and safety, and continuity of support and services to clients. Some providers will have existing risk management plans focused on influenza and gastroenteritis, and these can be built upon to prepare for COVID-19.

Providers will need to adapt existing business continuity plans to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.

Key factors to consider

• Procedures to follow if COVID-19 infection is suspected in a client in a facility (including a group or individual home setting) including a method for seeking medical assessment and diagnosis.
• Protocols to rapidly implement enhanced infection control measures.
• Ensuring adequate and appropriate care is provided to the client including their isolation from other clients and staff not directly involved in their care.
• Maintaining adequate supplies of surgical gloves, masks, gowns and hand sanitiser. NDIS providers and self-managing participants who can no longer access personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies through usual means can contact the National Medical Stockpile by emailing NDISCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au.  
• Rapid notification for staff, families, carers, and your local Public Health Unit via 1300 066 055.

More information

• Information for disability support providers
• Guidance for community-based services and home visiting
• Public Health Orders - Information for disability support providers and people with disability
• Preventing an outbreak of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in group residential settings
• Preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections while attending clients in their home
• Caring for a client with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in a residential facility (including group homes and private residences)
• How to identify a potential COVID-19 outbreak in a residential facility and what to do next