Kiama Council has taken up the Australian Defence Force’s offer to provide short term administrative and logistics support at the Bonaira Residential Aged Care Facility.

An ADF team of four will be assisting at the Facility for seven days from tomorrow.

The secondment is part of the ADF’s commitment to provide clinical and non-clinical support to the aged care sector in partnership with the Department of Health’s state network.

CEO Jane Stroud has thanked the ADF for providing the extra manpower, as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist, an operation backed by the Aged Care Commissioner.

“I’m proud of how our Blue Haven staff managed the challenges of the recent lockdown, ensuring our residents were safe and well taken care of each day.

The ADF providing assistance at another aged care facility

“Now that we’ve reopened, we need to do a number of things, including a thorough stocktake and supply chain review.

“This is something the ADF excels at, and I’m glad to have their expertise to assess our equipment and supplies, and advise on our stock replacement systems.

“This will give our administrative staff an extra set of expert hands at a time when all aged care providers are facing staff shortages and supply issues.”

The ADF team will also be spending time with residents to assist staff with social activities.

“Our residents were in lock down for a long time over the Christmas and New Year holidays,” says Ms Stroud.

“Having some new faces around, wearing the reassuring uniforms of defence forces, will really boost the spirits of residents as well as our staff.”

Residents, and their families, and staff have been forewarned of the visit.

Each member of the ADF team has been through an induction into aged care, has had IPC and PPE training and is fully-vaccinated.