The Australian government has announced an investment of $3.7 million to improve infection prevention and control (IPC) in aged care homes. 

This funding, part of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research, aims to develop evidence-based interventions tailored to the unique needs of public and private aged care facilities across the country. 

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said, “For our aged care sector, we need to remain vigilant on our approach towards infection prevention and control – it is an integral part of quality and safety standard improvement.” 

The funding will support four research projects, each receiving approximately $1 million. These projects will focus on understanding the factors influencing successful implementation of the IPC program in aged care settings. 

One of the funded projects, led by Professor Anton Peleg from Monash University, will develop optimised models for IPC in aged care homes through a co-design process involving people with lived experience. 

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Another project, headed by Dr. Su-yin Hor from the University of Technology Sydney, will investigate ways to keep residents, staff, and the community safe from infectious diseases without compromising the rights and well-being of older people in care. 

NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh highlighted the critical nature of this research: “Residents of aged care homes are amongst those most vulnerable and at risk, stressing the need for continued improvements within these settings.” 

This targeted research is expected to provide a solid evidence base for adapting existing measures and practices to the unique environment of residential aged care homes, ultimately improving the health and well-being of residents and the wider community. 

Minister Wells concluded, “Supported IPC leads will deliver consistent, effective prevention and response to infectious diseases in residential aged care homes, protecting our older community.” 

This article has also been published on the Healthcare Channel.