Visiting loved ones at an aged care facility is now coming at an extra cost for some Brisbane families. 

A facility is reportedly charging visitors for the cost of rapid antigen tests and masks, which they require to be used for entry onto their premises.

Listener Mike told Sofie Formica his aunt has been asked to pay for new medical supplies every time she wants to see her husband in palliative care.

“That added $19 every time she wants to see him is just going to build up to a point [where] it’s just unsustainable,” he said.

“That being the case, obviously her visits are going to drop away. It’s putting her in a bad place because she’s falling into more depression, and more concern and more worry for her husband.”

This is despite Mike’s aunt having her own reusable mask and government-supplied rapid tests.

Additionally, Queensland Health does not require negative rapid antigen test results to enter aged care facilities, meaning the policy was put in place by the facility itself.

“My concern here is that from my understanding, aged care facilities were allocated an amount of RATs and masks under the federal government.

“So, they’re on-selling something to my auntie that they’re actually obtaining for free. Whether that’s the case or not, I’m not sure.”

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Caller Sarah told Sofie as someone who’s worked in the sector for three decades, she wasn’t surprised by Mike’s account.

“These places are businesses,” she said. “They are there to make money.

“If they’re getting this stuff for free, … they will take any opportunity they can to gouge residents.”

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Image: Getty