Newmarch House operator tells of Covid-19 'dysfunction' between state and federal officials

The aged care royal commission hears authorities gave conflicting advice about whether to send infected residents to hospital

The head of Sydney's Newmarch House aged care home has spoken out about a frustrating level of dysfunction" between state and federal health authorities who gave conflicting advice about whether to send infected residents to hospital during the early weeks of a deadly Covid-19 outbreak.

The aged care royal commission on Tuesday heard evidence about how Newmarch House responded to the coronavirus outbreak, which resulted in 37 residents testing positive and 17 dying. The inquiry was told about the inherent infection control issues aged care facilities face if they choose to pursue a hospital in the home" approach to treat residents in-house.