IRT’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 – UPDATE
UPDATED 1/04/2020
As a result of the latest announcement from the Australian Government (29/03/2020) urging people over 70 years of age to self-isolate, and limiting indoor and outdoor gatherings to 2 people, we have made the following additional changes at our residential aged care centres:
- Residents will no longer be able to leave the aged care centre for appointments or social reasons. Residents may only leave the aged care centre to attend medical appointments of a critical clinical nature that are unsuitable for telehealth.
- All visits from non-essential service and entertainment providers, including hairdressers have been postponed.
- Use of resident lounges and activity rooms is discouraged, and limited to 2 residents at any time.
- Any non-essential gatherings of residents have been discontinued.
- Resident dining will continue in dining rooms at this stage; however social distancing of 1 person per every 4 sqm will be adhered to wherever possible.
- Gift and meal deliveries can no longer be accepted directly at our aged care centres. We do however, encourage families to keep sending letters, cards and photos through the mail.
In addition, all employees and essential contractors are also subject to wellness screening before entering our aged care centres. This includes a temperature check, confirmation that they have not returned from overseas in the last 14 days and have not been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Existing visitation restrictions are still in place and must be strictly adhered to. These are:
- No visitors – except for compassionate visitation (eg family members of our palliative care residents)
- Arrangements for compassionate visitation:
- Restricted hours
- Limit of 2 visitors at one time per day
- No children under 16
- No visitors with flu-like symptoms or a temperature over 37.50C
- Wellness screening of all visitors, including temperature check and confirmation that they have not returned from overseas in the last 14 days and have not been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Visits are to take place in the resident’s room or outside areas of the aged care centre.
- Compassionate visitation for new admissions is restricted to one visit on the day of admission.
If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service team 134 478.
UPDATED 18/03/2020
Residential Aged Care Centre Visitation Arrangements
The health and wellbeing of our residents and employees remains our highest priority.
Due to the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we have implemented the following visitor restrictions at our Aged Care Centres:
• No visitors – the only exception at this time is for compassionate visitation, such as family members of our palliative care residents
• Arrangements for compassionate visitation:
– restricted hours
– limit of two visitors at one time per day
– no children under the age of 16.
If you have any questions about this notice, please call 134 478.
UPDATED 16/03/2020
IRT is reinforcing its infection control procedures and is monitoring all advice from the Australian Government Department of Health.
All employees, visitors and contractors are asked to stay away from IRT sites if they are unwell. Anyone who has recently arrived in Australia from overseas should not visit an IRT site for 14 days after the date of arrival, and self-isolate as per Australian Government requirements.
IRT is well placed to manage infection control. Every year, we prepare to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases such as influenza and gastroenteritis. Our teams are well trained in infection control and attend regular refresher training. We are continually monitoring all employees and procedures to limit the potential impact of COVID-19.
If you have any concerns please call our Customer Service team on 134 478.
Additional information is available here:
- Latest Australian Government advice, information and resources: health.gov.au
- Latest Australian Government Coronavirus health information: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus
- Coronavirus Health Information Line: Phone 1800 020 080 (This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.)
- Latest Australian Government advice, information and resources: health.gov.au
- For public health phone numbers in each state or territory: health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts
- Travel advice updates and alerts: http://www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers
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