Lockdowns inhumane say seniors' groups, PM calls out nursing homes for 'over and above' restrictions

Mr Morrison said there was concern about the impact of restrictions which had been put in place in aged care, "far and above" what was recommended by the National Cabinet.

He said it was not the National Cabinet's decision to shut people off or lock them away in their rooms, adding that there was great concern the isolation of elderly people was not good for their health and wellbeing.

Some aged care facilities have been reported as introducing more draconian isolation rules than recommended, in some cases banning all visitors and restricting residents' movements around facilities.

Council on the Ageing chief executive Ian Yates said compassionate access, especially where there is a long-held pattern of people providing care and support to their loved one in aged care, must be permitted.

"This is particularly so where it is crucial to the person's health and wellbeing, or in end-of-life situations," he said. "We have heard too many stories of family barred from seeing their loved ones at the end of their lives. There is no reason why such visits should not continue with the same stringent health and screening measures as providers currently have in place for their staff."

National Seniors chief executive Professor John McCallum agreed.

"Exclusion of family visitors at the end of life of residents may remove a relatively minor risk for service providers but it is simply inhumane and causes long term distress," he said.

"It is already clear that good providers can manage the risk of allowing families to say goodbye to a loved one by controlled visiting. This should be the norm across aged care."

Older Persons Advocacy Network chief Craig Gear said a balance must be struck between keeping older people safe from the virus, and keeping their health and wellbeing strong with social and mental support.

However, aged care peak bodies have rejected the Prime Minister's comments.

"In some cases, individual providers have made difficult decisions to make further restrictions depending on their individual circumstances including location and individual needs of residents," said Aged and Community Services chief executive Pat Sparrow.

"We have taken a very strong position in aged care because we are looking after vulnerable people.

"Given the terrible circumstances we face, results to date indicate the situation has been managed as well as can be expected, but we need to remain vigilant. We require further clarity from the government because the current restrictions are causing confusion and distress.

"This is an unprecedented situation. Not all decisions will be perfect because we are balancing a serious pandemic with keeping people socially connected.

"There are increased mental and health supports available across Australia to try and limit the social isolation many are experiencing.

"Providers are very focused on supporting the mental and spiritual health and wellbeing of residents. We care. That's why we provide aged care.

"These decisions haven't been made lightly. We are acutely aware of the hardship being faced by many families and residents in aged care."

Leading Aged Services chief executive Sean Rooney said residential aged care operators are to be commended for the low rates of infection experienced by residents and staff to date.

"This is due to their singular focus on the health and wellbeing of those they care for," he said.

"The judgments made by aged care providers in complying with government directives on visitation restrictions, and escalating them in response to local risk factors, have been overwhelmingly supported by families and communities and have saved lives.

"This approach has been acknowledged by the government and the Aged Care Quality Safety Commission as appropriate given the risk to vulnerable older Australians in care.

"Furthermore, we note that residential care providers have been working with residents, families and advocates on ensuring their safety, while also being open to relaxing restrictions on a case by case basis based on compassionate grounds.

"Aged care providers know the mental health of people in care is equally important to their physical health and wellbeing, so getting that balance right is fundamentally important."