14 August 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated NSW Health guidance for residential disability services and in-home support providers

The NSW Chief Health Officer has issued updated guidance for all residential disability outlets and home care providers in NSW. 

Key points

• The NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has issued new guidance, which includes advice about staff working across multiple sites, visitor management, use of surgical masks, and procedures for screening staff on the commencement of every shift.
• Please read and implement the measures outlined in the updated guidance.

Updated guidance for residential disability service providers 

Following our alert of 20 July about NSW Health guidance for all residential disability outlets, the NSW Chief Health Officer has now updated this guidance as of 9 August 2020 with the following changes: 

• New recommendation to limit staff working across facilities
• Changes to LGAs with increased measures in place – addition of Hornsby Shire and Hills District
• NSW/VIC border communities should limit visitors.

We strongly urge you to read Dr Chant’s updated guidance in full, and implement the measures outlined to support the continued health, safety and wellbeing of the NDIS participants you support.

If you are making changes to your visitor management policy, you should clearly communicate these with residents and their families. Encourage alternative ways for residents to connect with their friends or families, such as phone or video calls, during this time.

Guidance for home care service providers

Dr Chant has also updated guidance for home care providers to address:

• New recommendation to limit staff working across facilities
• Changes to LGAs with increased measures in place – addition of Hornsby Shire and Hills District.

Please read Dr Chant’s updated guidance in full, and implement the measures outlined to support the continued health, safety and wellbeing of the NDIS participants you support.

This and other guidance issued by NSW Health for disability support providers is available on the NSW Health website.

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.

Contact Us

• Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
• Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au
• Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Links to previous COVID-19 provider alerts 

• 6 August 2020: Workplace Directions from Victoria’s Public Health Commander
• 3 August 2020: Webinar on 4 August: What stage 4 restrictions mean for Victorian disability services
• 30 July 2020: Preparing for and managing a COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and New South Wales 
• 20 July 2020: NSW Health guidance for all residential disability outlets
• 17 July 2020: New guidance on PPE use by disability workers in Victorian COVID-19 hotspots
• 13 July 2020: Reminder of COVID-19 reporting obligations
• 7 July 2020: Guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability support workers
• 27 May 2020: Guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health
• 13 May 2020: Guidance on preventing, preparing for and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak
• 7 May 2020: Advice for people with disability
• 30 April 2020: Changes to student visa work conditions for workers of registered NDIS providers
• 28 April 2020: FAQs for all stakeholders and information for NDIS participants
• 20 April 2020: Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
• 9 April 2020: Further assistance for organisations, people and households
• 9 April 2020: April 2020 Provider Newsletter (COVID-19)
• 3 April 2020: Adjusting supports and reducing infection risk
• 2 April 2020:  Practice Alert: Influenza (flu) vaccine from mid-April 2020
• 31 March 2020: Supporting providers to respond
• 26 March 2020: Assistance for organisations
• 24 March 2020: Information for support workers and access to PPE
• 19 March 2020: Business continuity planning
• 17 March 2020: Online training module for support workers
• 9 March 2020: Provider obligations and COVID-19 health information
• 7 February 2020: Information about the novel coronavirus outbreak