Update #71
3 November 2021
Coronavirus Update #71
To our residents and families,
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and co-operation.
You may have heard there have been some changes to visitation restrictions for aged care facilities. One of the changes was that two fully vaccinated people aged 12 years and over plus 2 children aged under 12 are able to visit a resident in a 24 hour period.
The Covid team met today to discuss this change in arrangement. We are aware the Hunter still has the highest daily case numbers in NSW and that there are a number of schools locally (7 in fact) that continue to be closed due to positive cases. With this in mind it is our intention to delay implementation of this recommendation until our residents have had their Booster shot.
We have a date set for 9 November to administer a Pfizer booster shot for all consenting residents. Residents who have capacity to consent to receiving the Booster shot will be asked. We request for those residents who do not have capacity to consent that their Enduring Guardian or representative complete the Consent form before Friday 5 November. The form can be located on our website – please copy and paste the following link into a new browser.
https://www.maroba.com.au/consent-form-for-covid-19-vaccination/
A reminder of our current visitation arrangements;
- Residents can have visitors Monday to Friday from 9-4pm with no appointment necessary.
- Residents are able to have 2 visitors per day in a 24 hour period. To clarify, a resident can have 1 visitor in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.
- All visitors are to be fully vaccinated with the second dose to have been received at least 14 days prior to visiting Maroba. Ie. Your second vaccination dose has had to be received prior to visiting to allow 14 days to be effective. We will be checking the dates on vaccination certificates, so be sure to bring your vaccination certificate.
- Weekend visiting is possible with an appointment made via Reception during business hours. We have two set times for visiting- 10am and 3pm. These times have been set to minimise disruption to care and service on the weekend.
- Visits are to be in rooms only or outside in the grounds. There is to be no congregating in communal areas.
- There is to be no eating or drinking in residents rooms as this means you will be taking off your surgical masks and masks are to be worn at all times by visitors.
As advised in Update #70, residents are now able to leave the facility for social excursions. A form is to be completed for all social outings and this form is available on our website under ‘Contact Us.’ It is important that this form is completed. Note if the excursion is for the weekend, we request the form is completed by COB on the Thursday prior to the weekend. This is to ensure that our internal processes are completed in time, our weekend staff are notified and your loved one is ready for the outing.
So, some more reminders on a number of issues:
- All social excursions require the Day Excursion form to be completed as per above.
- If a resident requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination a ‘Consent to download proof of Covid-19 vaccination’ form is to be completed by the Enduring Guardian or resident if they have capacity. See attached.
- Check in via Coolgard Visitor Management System at The Manor is essential including on the weekend. This is an important tool for us in the event we are required to contact trace.
- Do not try to enter a Lodge resident’s room via their external door as this breaks the chain of protection. These protocols are in place to protect an entire community of older vulnerable people and although they are inconvenient they are necessary. So please be patient and co-operate with our arrangements. Everyone will appreciate your efforts.
Again, I remind all please do not visit if you
- have the slightest cough or cold/flu like symptoms or gastro intestinal symptoms please do not visit;
- have been contacted by NSW Health as a close or casual contact;
- are waiting for the results of a Covid test;
- have been in contact with a confirmed close contact who is waiting on a test result
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ring Reception on (02) 4935 0300 and you will be directed to the most appropriate person to answer your enquiry.
Kind regards
Viv Allanson
CEO