Question – Impact of COVID-19 and Social Isolation on Vulnerable Groups

Questions by Hon Meg Webb MLC on 27 April 2020 answered for the Government by Hon Sarah Courtney MP Minister for Health on 7 May 2020   

Vulnerable groups with below-average health outcomes are at greater risk of serious illness and death if infected with COVID-19.

The disease poses a significant greater risk for older people, Indigenous people, people with disability, low-income earners and LGBTIQ people. Members of these groups can also experience greater degrees of social isolation and resulting mental health issues.

With regard to the COVID-19 pandemic response:

Question (1) What is the government doing to ensure the health of members of each of these specific vulnerable groups is protected?

ANSWER: The Government has provided significant funding for a range of social supports and community-based services, to ensure Tasmanians in vulnerable cohorts have access to resources, services and information relating to COVID-19.

The Government has developed a dedicated COVID-19 website to ensure accurate and evidence-based information is freely publicly available (www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au), and the Government has also bolstered mental health and other health services to meet expected demand.

Question (2) What health messages and communication mechanisms have been developed specifically for each of these vulnerable groups in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic?

ANSWER: The Tasmanian Government’s Public Information Unit has developed a range of broadscale communications strategies relating to COVID-19, including advertising across television, print media, social media and over radio broadcasting.

Question (3) What has been done to ensure that members of each of these specific vulnerable groups remain connected to social networks and community support?

Question (4) What additional funding has been allocated for (a) health services, (b) social services and (c) representative organisations for these vulnerable groups?

ANSWER: 3 & 4 The Department of Health has engaged GP Assist for health screening of non-essential travellers going into mandatory quarantine in government-managed Quarantine Hotels.  This is to expedite the process for an exemption from the hotel if required on medical grounds, be proactive in identifying medical issues that may need support during quarantine, and to help people connect with their usual health care providers.

DoH has also engaged GP Assist to provide telephone-based clinical oversight of COVID positive patients who are able to self-manage at home.  GP Assist makes daily phone calls to COVID positive people to monitor for deterioration, and support and advise on healthcare options.

More broadly, the Tasmanian Government is also:

• in the process of developing a policy for Patient Transport to assist people who have no access to a vehicle, with transport to testing facilities or the person is in isolation due to COVID-19 and has to attend medical appointment.
• Has been providing short term PPE to community service providers to assist them to safely continue their service provision.

The Government is also investing $4 million into mental health support services to plan and respond to COVID-19. This includes:

• $875,000 to establish a dedicated 1800 phone number to allow the Tasmanian community to call in and receive psychosocial support, and provide a reach-out service for older Tasmanians and industries significantly impacted
• $360,000 for increased capacity to provide mental health advice, support and referral for vulnerable Tasmanians living in rural areas
• $450,000 supporting providers to use technology to keep vulnerable Tasmanians connected
• $120,000 for targeted support for Tasmania’s migrant community regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
• $600,000 for increased capacity to provide mental health support for Tasmanian’s living in supported accommodation
• $250,000 to adapt Tasmania’s pharmacotherapy program to the challenges of COVID-19.

As part of the Stimulus Packages, the Tasmanian Government has provided an extensive range of funding support to vulnerable Tasmanians including:

• $1 million to enable non-government organisations including The Salvation Army, Red Cross and Rural Business Tasmania to support vulnerable Tasmanians required to self-isolate through the provision of food hampers, medical supplies or counselling;
• $790,000 to support a range of organisations who provide emergency food relief to meet changing and increasing demand;
• $100 000 to TasCOSS to ensure a joined-up and connected community sector response;
• $250 000 for an Essential Technology Fund to be managed by TasCOSS to enable community sector organisations to access technology to continue to deliver vital support services to vulnerable Tasmanians by phone or online, and work from home;
• $130 000 for Volunteer Tasmania to assist in mobilising volunteers;
• $65 000 each to the Council of the Ageing Tasmania and Youth Network of Tasmania to develop an effective communication and marketing campaign for in response to COVID-19;
• $65,000 to Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association to help Sheds and members stay connected;
• a dedicated $500,000 grant program to help those organisations that support veterans and their families (such as RSL Clubs, RSL sub-branches, Ex-Service Organisations) whose operations have been impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions;
• up to $3 million dollars to assist an estimated 26,000 temporary visa holders in Tasmania including students, fruit pickers and skilled workers. This package will include funding for an extension to the eligibility for Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants (for financial hardship) and additional funding for emergency relief and assistance;
• $260 000 for Community Transport Services Tasmania to continue to maintain essential transport for our most vulnerable;
• $700 000 for Neighbourhood Houses ($20 000 for each of the 35 Houses in the State) to support their local communities; and
• $15 000 towards Disability Support to support those with disability face the additional challenges of COVID-19. This complements the support provided by the NDIS;
• an extra $1 million in increase the provisions of No Interest Loan Scheme to enable further loans to be provided to healthcare card receipts;
• $2.7 million to address a range of issues associated with family violence that may increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• an additional $2.5 million to enhance child safety and wellbeing;
• a freeze in rent for social housing tenants for six months, and Australian Government COVID-19 payments will not be counted as income for the purposes of calculating rent contributions.
• $4.3 million for additional housing and homelessness support to complement the measures previously announced and provide more help for those doing it tough.

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