26 July 2022
Dear family member/resident representative,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we care for your loved one while managing the increased risk of infection from Influenza and COVID-19.
As you know there are currently many cases of Influenza and COVID-19 in the broader community, and you may know someone who has been unwell with either virus. If you do, you may also be aware of how debilitating the effects of both can be.
Staff in your loved one’s aged care centre are committed to minimising the risk of infection for your loved one, and are doing all they can to maintain all infection control protocols, including the correct wearing of their PPE.
Their efforts will be made easier if you too can be vigilant when in the care centre; ensuring you wear your PPE correctly, and comply with all our other visiting requirements.
Next time you visit please be aware of the instructions outlined below, which will not only help protect residents and staff, but will also help protect you from any potential risk within the care centre.
Visiting arrangements
At the moment IRT Five Islands Aged Care Centre is not managing an outbreak of respiratory infection. Visiting arrangements at this time are as follows:
- There is no limit to the number of visitors (of any age) that a resident can have at any one time but I do ask that you be mindful of the surrounding environment and size of your loved one’s room (do not over-crowd it).
- All visitors must wear surgical masks when visiting a resident in their room or a P2N95 mask if visiting a resident in common areas (in this case, the Care Centre will provide visitors with the P2N95 mask).
- No cloth masks are to be worn.
- All visitors are asked to complete their own rapid antigen test at home or on arrival at the centre and provide proof of the negative result (photo or actual test). This self-service arrangement frees up our staff to be more available to residents in their roles as carers.
- If a visitor is unable to complete their own rapid antigen test they will need to make an appointment at the care centre for the test to be conducted by staff prior to entry. Contact numbers for staff to assist are displayed at self-serve rapid antigen testing stations.
- Unless assistance is required with rapid antigen testing on entry appointments for visits are no longer required.
- All visitors are to complete the wellness questionnaire on arrival. This includes confirmation that they have had at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and the 2022 influenza vaccine (IRT has not relaxed its position on this requirement).
Visiting arrangements during outbreak conditions
If IRT Five Islands Aged Care Centre is managing an outbreak of respiratory infection I will keep you updated with information about any required changes to visiting arrangements.
As always, please do not visit your loved one if you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, even if the symptoms are mild. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have a transmissible virus.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely,
Nia Briguglio
EGM – Aged Care Centres
