Aged care facilities are in dire need of staff, as the sector braces for the Omicron peak in the coming days.

Dr Maria Boulton, Queensland board director of the Australian Medical Association, said staff shortages have compounded an already stretched workforce.

“There are things that should be done, and things that should have been done yesterday,” she told Sofie Formica.

“So for example, we know now with Omicron, you need three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and yet there are some facilities where residents are still waiting for that third dose.”

Neil Breen raised the issue this morning, highlighting some disturbing statistics.

Dr Boulton said shortages in aged care needed to be a priority now, especially in regions which haven’t heat their Omicron peak.

“They need to move heaven and earth to make sure those staff members are able to be at work.

“They need PPE to protect themselves, they need access to rapid antigen tests, or priority access to PCR tests.

“The other thing is … some of the aged care facilities do go into lockdown and stop visitors from coming in, which is understandable, but what we don’t realise those visitors do a lot of the heavy lifting, they help with meals, they help to make sure the family member has everything they need, they fill up the water jugs etc.

“And that is something that is not getting done at the moment.”

She said letting triple vaxxed family visitors and access to RATs may help.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the ‘heartbreaking’ situation

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‘Frightening’ statistics shine light on Omicron spread in Queensland’s aged care sector