Mar 13
Winter Preparedness
A Strategic Leadership Priority for Aged Care
As the southern hemisphere approaches the colder months of 2026, aged care
providers across Australia and New Zealand are shifting their focus. Following
significant regulatory reforms and the rollout of the Strengthened Quality Standards,
winter preparedness is no longer just a seasonal task for the clinical team; it has
become a core element of Clinical Governance.
For Boards, Executives, and Facility Managers, preparing for the "tripledemic" of COVID 19, Influenza, and RSV now tests how well your leadership, policies, and monitoring systems safeguard residents.
For Boards, Executives, and Facility Managers, preparing for the "tripledemic" of COVID 19, Influenza, and RSV now tests how well your leadership, policies, and monitoring systems safeguard residents.
1. The New Era of Clinical Governance
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission describes clinical governance as the
framework of leadership and accountability that ensures safe, high-quality care. Under
Standard 5 (Clinical Care) and Outcome 5.1, governing bodies are now directly
accountable for clinical outcomes.
In winter, the Board must shift from overseeing "occupancy and budgets" to actively understanding clinical risk.
In winter, the Board must shift from overseeing "occupancy and budgets" to actively understanding clinical risk.
The Framework approach guarantees:
- Purpose and Principles: A commitment to ensuring resident safety during high risk seasons.
- Workforce Competence: Ensure staff are fit-tested for PPE and trained in the latest IPC protocols before the cooler nights or the first frost.
- Information Management: Outlining how infection data flows from the bedside to
the boardroom.
2. Integrated Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)
The Royal Commission discovered that care failures, such as poorly managed
infections, often stem from weak oversight. A "patchwork of policies" is no longer
adequate. Management must ensure that IPC and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) are
integrated into the organisation’s systems.
Strategic Management Actions:
- Syndromic Surveillance: Moving beyond confirmed cases to monitor "influenza like illnesses" (ILI). This allows management to adjust staffing levels ahead of an official outbreak.
- Rapid Diagnostic Capacity: Implementing 4-in-1 Multiplex testing (COVID/Flu A&B/RSV). Global trends show that identifying the specific pathogen within 15 minutes enables "Targeted Isolation" rather than facility-wide lockdowns.
- Environmental Engineering: Auditing HVAC systems and implementing HEPA
f
iltration in busy communal areas. Modern governance views "clean air" as a
safety requirement on par with clean water.
3. Communication Pathways & Accountability
Aged care reforms aim for a "joined-up" system where information flows both vertically
and horizontally. During winter, these communication arrows illustrate the "feedback
loops" that auditors look for during an accreditation contact.
The Flow of Accountability:
- The Board: Receives regular reports on agreed indicators—including infection rates, vaccination uptake, and respiratory incidents.
- Executive Leadership: Ensures the Quality Care Advisory Body has convened and provided advice on winter surge capacity.
- Facility Managers: Manage the risk register and ensure clinical leads feel comfortable escalating concerns without fear of reprisal.
- Frontline staff: Recognise that audits and surveillance form part of the "evidence
chain" confirming that care is safe and systematic.
4. Resident-Centred Care in Cold Weather
Clinical governance is not just an "internal game" to impress an auditor; it aims to
improve resident outcomes. The Strengthened Standards highlight working with
consumers and respecting their rights and preferences.
Maintaining Quality of Life:
- The "Green Zone" Strategy: If an outbreak occurs in one wing, management must have a plan to keep "Green Zones" (unaffected areas) open. This helps prevent serious mental health issues caused by social isolation.
- Hydration & Nutrition: Winter increases the risk of dehydration as thirst signals diminish. Management should oversee the establishment of "Winter Hydration Stations" and offer high-calorie nutritional support.
- Consumer Feedback: Use the Quality Care Advisory Body to ask residents about
their experiences with the facility’s respiratory protocols. This "lived experience"
data is essential for continuous improvement.
5. The Management Checklist for 2026 Readiness
To align with the National Model Clinical Governance Framework, Facility Managers
should verify the following:
Conclusion: Proactive vs. Reactive Leadership
Winter preparedness in 2026 will pose the greatest challenge to an aged care facility’s
clinical governance. It requires shifting away from "local workarounds" towards a clear,
transparent system where every part of the organisation, from the boardroom to the
bedside, knows its role.
By recognising infection prevention as a governance priority rather than merely a clinical task, providers not only meet the Commission's requirements but also foster a resilient environment where residents remain safe, warm, and socially connected during the year's most challenging season.
By recognising infection prevention as a governance priority rather than merely a clinical task, providers not only meet the Commission's requirements but also foster a resilient environment where residents remain safe, warm, and socially connected during the year's most challenging season.
This blog and others can be found on the IPS website – the HUB
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Talk to EVE, our multilingual bot, or speak to someone real at support@infectioncontrol.care
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Take advantage of our expertise in IPC. See the HUB for policies, resources and courses relating to this very important subject. Ask EVE for a quick answer to your question.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Talk to EVE, our multilingual bot, or speak to someone real at support@infectioncontrol.care
We are on Facebook and LinkedIn – be sure to like and share
Take advantage of our expertise in IPC. See the HUB for policies, resources and courses relating to this very important subject. Ask EVE for a quick answer to your question.
Lyndon Forrest
Managing Director | CEO
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Erica Callaghan
Marketing Manager
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Toni Sherriff
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Julie Hadfield
Accounts & Payroll
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Andrea Murray
Content Editor
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
Personally, I lived in the UK for 10 years. My two children were born in Scotland, and now both are living in Europe, one in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the other in Edinburgh, Scotland. I live close to Fairlie on the South Island of NZ, a beautiful part of the country, and I love being out of the city.
Princess
Customer Support
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Dianne Newey
Senior Infection Prevention and Control Consultant
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Caoimhe (Keva) Stewart
Clinical & Business Operations Manager
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Bridgette Mackie
Clinical Nurse Educator
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.