13 June 2023
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to give you an update about the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre as well as what is happening with the floor covering replacement in Mimosa. I have also included some details about IRT’s Milton Meadows property.
COVID-19 outbreak closed
Thank you for your understanding and support as we have managed the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s care centre.
I am pleased to let you know there have been no further positive results from our precautionary testing. With this good news and with all residents who were earlier diagnosed with COVID-19 now deemed fully recovered, the outbreak is considered resolved.
Having reached this milestone, group activities have resumed and visitors are now only required to wear a surgical mask. Please note that surgical masks are still required to be worn by visitors at all times and in all places within the care centre.
Floor covering replacement in Mimosa
Last month we wrote to you about work which was planned to replace the floor covering in the Mimosa Wing. This work involves removing the carpet in the common areas and hallways and replacing it with vinyl.
Unfortunately, given uncertainties around site accessibility due to COVID-19 the decision was made to postpone these works. The flooring replacement will be rescheduled at a time in the coming months. When the work does take place, it will not prevent people entering or leaving your loved one’s room and staff will closely manage this access.
An update about the Milton Meadows property
We are progressing with our revisions to the approved development application which came with our purchase of the property.
This property is located south of Milton and west of Mollymook and has existing development approval for construction of a retirement living and aged care complex. Our intention is to revise the plans to better align them with our future service delivery model which aims to enable older Australians to age in their own home for longer.
You may recall that we began a customer research program to guide our revisions to the plans. This research has been an important step in the master planning process and all feedback we have received is being considered and incorporated into the revised plans.
Last year we also submitted to Shoalhaven City Council a minor modification of the existing development consent, seeking permission to separate it from the elements which address tree lopping and vegetation clearing.
This is to allow for the option, if deemed necessary, to clear the site in preparation for construction while the master planning process progresses.
Shoalhaven City Council recently made this minor modification application available for public comment, and with that period now closed, it rests with Council for their final assessment.
We will continue to keep you informed of steps towards construction. If you have any questions about this please talk with your IRT representative.
Visiting arrangements
The staff and I are grateful to those who visited during the outbreak period and supported the care centre by wearing their PPE correctly.
To refresh your memory on our visiting arrangements please go to our website by clicking this link.
Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test result you may still have another type of infection which is highly contagious.
Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions please contact your Care Manager.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely
Linzi Kells
Operations Manager – Shoalhaven Aged Care Centres
