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An update about IRT Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre

05 November 2021

Dear family member/resident representative,

I am pleased to let you know that today we reached a significant milestone at your loved one’s aged care centre, with all but one resident considered recovered from COVID-19 and all results for yesterday’s tests on residents and staff negative. The remaining resident has been transferred to Wollongong Hospital where they will continue their recovery.

With this great news, the NSW Public Health Unit has approved our Transition Plan and authorised us to proceed with caution towards resuming regular operations.

The Transition Plan, which can be viewed here outlines in five phases over the coming weeks, key steps towards returning to pre-outbreak activity, including a resumption of visiting arrangements. All are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 status of all residents and staff.

One of the early steps will see our residents return from Bulli and Lawrence Hargrave Hospitals over the weekend. Staff are busily preparing their rooms and we are looking forward to welcoming them home.

Visiting to resume

I am sure you and your loved one are looking forward to seeing each other again in person, and if all goes according to our plan we will be thrilled to welcome you back during the week commencing 15 November.

As I mentioned yesterday, arrangements for visiting an aged care centre in NSW which are determined by the NSW Chief Health Officer include the requirement for all visitors to have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and to have received the second dose at least 14 days before visiting their loved one.

Currently there is a limit of 2 people over the age of 12 plus two children under the age of 12 per day (as long as they are accompanied by a vaccinated person). There is no limit to the length of stay and all visits will be by appointment only. I will update you later next week on the latest directions, and more information for visiting your loved one.

The Transition Plan also outlines details for a resumption of essential visits from next Tuesday 9 November for those who may have previously assisted their loved ones with essential elements of their care such as personal care and meals. If you were an approved essential visitor prior to the COVID-19 outbreak the Care Manager will contact you to discuss the requirements for your return to the Centre.

Return to resident social activity

I am sure your loved one will be pleased to know that from next Monday 8 November they will no longer be confined to their room and will be able to move freely about within their unit and meet with their fellow residents. Beginning with breakfast on Monday, they will also be able to join with others in the dining room for meals.

Small group activities will also begin for residents within their unit. During the week commencing 15 November we hope to resume hairdressing services and visits to the centre by GPs and allied health professionals.

Ongoing communication

Today’s update is the last of my daily emails but I will keep you informed as we meet our milestones and progress to the next phase of our plan. To this end, I expect my next email to you to be on Monday 8 November, followed by another later in the week with details regarding visiting arrangements.

The team will also stop providing you with daily updates by phone. The Customer Contact Centre will continue taking calls until Tuesday 9 November – after that we will return to our routine of calls received to the centre via Reception.

Time to reflect and remember

You will notice in our plan we have included time to reflect, and time to remember our residents who passed away during the outbreak period (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related). During the outbreak we were unable to acknowledge their passing in our usual way but we recognise the importance of doing so, and are planning for a time when we can stop and acknowledge the loss of our residents and friends.

You will also be invited to provide feedback on our processes and management of the care centre during the outbreak period. I will let you know how to provide that to us in the coming weeks.

I would like to thank you for your ongoing support and patience during what has been a difficult and challenging time for you and your loved one.

As outlined above, I will email you again on Monday, but until then if you have any questions or concerns please call our Customer Service Team on 134 478.

Best wishes for a healthy and safe weekend.

Yours sincerely

Nia Briguglio

EGM – Aged Care Centres

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