7 July 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability support workers

The Australian Department of Health has released a new video to support disability support workers in understanding how and when to use PPE.

Key points

• The Australian Government Department of Health has released a video, Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wearing personal protective equipment for disability workers, that explains ways to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection, and when workers must (and do not need to) use PPE.
• The video also contains a demonstration of the correct way to put on and remove PPE.
• The NDIS Commission has developed a fact sheet for NDIS participants explaining how providers should be preparing to deal with an outbreak of COVID-19 in a residential setting.

Video: Wearing PPE for disability workers

The Australian Government Department of Health’s new video, Coronavirus (COVID-19): Wearing personal protective equipment for disability workers, explains how and when disability support workers should use PPE.

As well as demonstrating the correct way to put on and remove PPE, the video reminds workers to consider the effect that wearing PPE will have on the person with disability they are supporting. You should take the time to explain to the person and their family why you are wearing it, and reassure them it is safe for them to see you.

We encourage you to watch this video and share it with your workers.

Fact sheet for NDIS participants: How providers should be preparing for a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential setting

We have issued a new fact sheet for people with disability: How NDIS participants can expect their providers to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential setting.

To help reassure participants in residential settings who may be feeling anxious or uncertain about the possibility of an outbreak, this fact sheet explains what they can expect providers to be doing now to plan for and deal with a potential outbreak.

The fact sheet will soon be available in Easy Read and Auslan formats, as well as other languages.

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.
 

Contact Us

• Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
• Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au
• Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Links to previous COVID-19 provider alerts 

• 27 May 2020: Guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health
• 13 May 2020: Guidance on preventing, preparing for and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak
• 7 May 2020: Advice for people with disability
• 30 April 2020: Changes to student visa work conditions for workers of registered NDIS providers
• 28 April 2020: FAQs for all stakeholders and information for NDIS participants
• 20 April 2020: Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
• 9 April 2020: Further assistance for organisations, people and households
• 9 April 2020: April 2020 Provider Newsletter (COVID-19)
• 3 April 2020: Adjusting supports and reducing infection risk
• 2 April 2020:  Practice Alert: Influenza (flu) vaccine from mid-April 2020
• 31 March 2020: Supporting providers to respond
• 26 March 2020: Assistance for organisations
• 24 March 2020: Information for support workers and access to PPE
• 19 March 2020: Business continuity planning
• 17 March 2020: Online training module for support workers
• 9 March 2020: Provider obligations and COVID-19 health information
• 7 February 2020: Information about the novel coronavirus outbreak