28th April 2022

Dear Resident and Family Members,

COVID-19 Update for Residents and Families: Positive case identified at Calvary Haydon

I am writing to inform you that we have had another staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 at Calvary Haydon.

All residents in Patrick’s, Mary Potter, St Teresa and St Francis were all tested on the 26^th and the 27^th of April, and all have returned negative results.

We understand that this may be worrying for you and your loved one in our care. We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to continue to look after the health and wellbeing of all our residents while keeping them safe during this difficult time.

What are we doing to keep resident’s safe?

The home’s updated COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan (OMP) has been enacted and we have taken immediate action to contain transmission and keep residents and staff safe. We have:

• Physically separated the affected persons, including any close contacts;
• Ensured all residents are being safely cared for, including meals and activities;
• Notified and are working with the State and Commonwealth agencies;
• Continue our COVID-19 testing regime of residents and staff;
• Supplied full outbreak personal protective equipment (PPE - gloves, masks, face shields) to required areas.

In addition to these first actions, our care continuity plan ensures we have the clinical and non-clinical staff, as well as other support services necessary to meet the individual care needs of our residents during situations such as this.

Information for visitors during an outbreak

Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care, which took effect from 9 February 2022, allows visits for residents in all circumstances, including when a home is experiencing an outbreak and is in lockdown. There are, however, specific requirements to help keep our residents, their visitors and our staff as safe as possible.

• St Patrick’s household can now leave their rooms but stay within their household, with exceptions to medical appointments.  All other households remain open for visitors.
• Consistent with Calvary’s Position Statement on Visiting in Aged Care one fully vaccinated visitor (Partner in Care), per resident.
• All visitors will be supplied with the appropriate PPE (including facemasks and shields as appropriate) to wear whilst visiting.
• We ask that you review the following video which explains how to don (put on) and doff (take off) PPE.  Staff will be able to assist you as required. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/donning-and-doffing-personal-protective-equipment-in-residential-aged-care
• Visitation exceptions may be made for residents receiving end of life care, residents who may be experiencing distress, or where a special care and support role is provided. Please speak with the home manager to discuss arrangements.

We will continue to liaise closely with Public Health Unit officials, who will make the decision about whether and when it is safe to remove the current visitation restrictions.

Please contact the Home on 6264 7400, if you would like to book a video call with your loved one.

Please be assured that our staff have prepared for situations such as these and are trained in strict infection control procedures. They continue to focus all of their attention on the individual care needs of residents. You can help us to ease anxiety by sharing this information with other family and friends.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience at this time.

Sincerely,                                                      

Dean King

Care Service Manager