Update #73
14 December 2021
To our Residents and Families,
Re. General visitation arrangements and Christmas Day plans
The Covid team met today to discuss the everchanging Covid landscape and in particular the concerning rise in case numbers of Covid-19 in the Newcastle region.
Contrary to the relaxing of community restrictions on 15 December, there is no change to NSW Health ‘advice for residential aged care’. Advice and restrictions are very different to what the restrictions are in the community and aimed to protect the vulnerable older population and our visitation arrangements reflect this.
We wish to advise until further notice, there will be no change to our visitation arrangements in general or our plans for the 4-day Christmas holiday period.
We will re-cap our general visitation arrangements below, as a number of visitors last weekend did not follow our current visitation arrangements. Please take the time to read this update and pass the information on, which will also include our 4 day Christmas Day holiday arrangements to extended family and friends.
Current visitation arrangements for weekdays and weekends, excluding the 4-day Christmas holiday period are as follows:
- No appointment is necessary for weekday visits between 9-4pm.
- Weekend visiting is by appointment only at 10am and 3.30pm. Appointments can be made via Reception during business hours. Please do your best to turn up on time. Last weekend we had a number of visitors turn up late, which takes staff away from caring duties.
- Masks are to be worn by all visitors whilst on the premises including in room and outside visits.
- 2 fully vaccinated adults and 2 children under 12 can visit at any one time. If children are visiting then these visits are to be outside visits. Your loved one is to be collected from their room and taken to an area outside (this does not include outside balcony areas). If only 2 adults are visiting then visiting can be in your loved one’s room.
Liaise with other relatives and friends to ensure you are able to visit, and don’t go over this recommended NSW Health visitor limit. It is not pleasant for our staff to have to turn people away.
- There is to be no congregating in communal areas.
- No eating or drinking on the premises including in-room as that means you will be required to take off your mask.
- All visitors must check in via our Coolgard Visitor Management system. This is very important, particularly with the current outbreak in Newcastle.
- If visiting a resident in The Lodge, please check in via Reception in The Manor first so that we can ensure we are adhering to the required visitation restrictions and entry surveillance as per NSW Health guidelines. Please do not enter The Lodge building without checking in first at The Manor and definitely do not enter via a resident’s external door.
- Social distancing where possible is to be maintained at all times.
Christmas 4-day holiday period.
We are still to receive a number of Christmas Intention Forms.
This form is important as it allows us to better plan care and service as well as manage the expected high foot traffic which will come through the doors over this 4 day holiday period. We are also required to advise our kitchen of final numbers for the scrumptious Christmas Day luncheon that will be served on Christmas Day.
We are taking booked appointments for this period between the hours of 10am and 4pm. If you are not able to visit then we can arrange a video call.
If you have not completed a form for your loved one, please complete the attached and email to enquiries@maroba.com.au prior to 17 December, 2021.
Booster shots
One final Covid related item and that is to do with Booster shots. We now have 84 residents triple vaccinated for Covid-19. If your loved one has not provided a consent form, please discuss and expediate this as a 3rd dose will better protect our vulnerable residents from the current strain and outbreak. The consent form is available on our website under ‘Contact Us’. If you have not received your booster shot as yet and are eligible, and visit Maroba on a regular basis, can we please encourage you to book an appointment to get that jab. It is just one line but a vital line of defence to protect yourself and others from Covid-19.
Once again, we thank everyone for your continued support and co-operation.
Kind regards
Louise Adnum
General Manager, Corporate Services
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/racf-latest-advice.aspx