15 May 2023
Dear family member/resident representative,
I am writing to provide you with an update about how we are managing the risk of COVID-19 at your loved one’s aged care centre. I have also included some information about mask-wearing requirements for visitors during flu season. Please also note the details at the end of this update about some bushfire mitigation works to be carried out on the property surrounding the care centre.
COVID-19 update
Today I am pleased to let you know that 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 regular group activities will resume and children under the age of 12 are now also permitted to visit Magnolia within Roden Cutler House.
The staff and I are grateful to those who visited during the outbreak period and supported the care centre by wearing their PPE correctly.
Visitors to wear surgical masks
Even though this COVID-19 outbreak period has closed, a decision has been made to require all visitors who enter our aged care centres to wear a surgical mask.
It doesn’t seem long since I wrote to you letting you know about our decision to remove the requirement for visitors to wear a mask when in our aged care centres. However it is the flu season after all, and it is well-established that viruses like COVID-19 and influenza can have a deadly impact on our vulnerable residents.
For this reason we must do all we can to reduce the risk and implementing surgical mask wearing by all visitors is an additional protective measure we can take.
I have been impressed by the willingness of our visitors to support us with this in the past, and the understanding of its importance.
I know I can count on you to assist staff by donning a surgical mask and wearing it at all times when you are visiting your loved one in their care centre. This includes the hallways, common areas, and your loved one’s room.
This requirement will remain in place until further notice.
As always, the masks will be provided at the entrance. Please ensure you also complete your rapid antigen test before you visit, and answer our questions truthfully in our wellness check-in process.
When a care centre is operating in outbreak conditions, all visitors will be asked to wear additional PPE including a different type of mask; a closer fitting P2/N95 mask, and face shield.
Influenza vaccination – reminder
Thanks for your support in getting your flu shot. If you haven’t had it yet, you are kindly reminded that all visitors over the age of 6 months must now provide proof of their 2023 flu vaccination.
For all other information about visiting your loved one please see our website here.
If you have any questions about our mask-wearing, or any other details in this message please speak with your Care Manager.
Bushfire mitigation works
These works will include the removal of 50 trees and low-lying shrubs over the course of approximately three weeks. Preparations for the work are scheduled to commence from Monday 22 May with tree lopping and mulching to begin from Monday 29 May 2023.
Contractors will be onsite completing the works between the hours of 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays. About eight people are required to complete the works, though they may not all be on site at the same time. Their roles include machine operators, supervisor, arborist, ecologist, weed control and traffic control.
The works will generate some noise and dust during mulching from Monday 29 May.
We have engaged Sutherland Shire Council to replant 200 trees offsite on our behalf to offset the trees and vegetation to be removed surrounding our site. We will also be planting four new trees onsite at Acacia Road.
If you usually choose to park behind the aged care centre when visiting your loved one, it is recommended that you make use of visitor parking elsewhere on site or along the street. This is because the parking area behind the Flame Tree building will be used for storing equipment during the work period.
Please pass this message on to others as you consider appropriate and if you have any questions please contact your Care Manager.
Yours sincerely
Belinda Pheeney
Acting Operations Manager Sydney – Aged Care Centres
