Dear Residents, Families and Friends,

Re: Embracia Moonee Valley – Our final round of testing… we hope!

As we advised on the weekend, today our residents and staff underwent what we hope is our final round of testing.  Mind you, we thought our final round of testing was last week, so we feel like this is becoming like John Farnham’s “The Last Time” concert, but less fun!

We hope to have residents’ results back tomorrow and then our staff on Wednesday.  We hope that if all come back negative, DHHS will move us from our full lockdown position to enhanced/active surveillance some time this week.  We want to share with you our expectation of what that might look like as try to plan our way forward.

The most important part of moving to enhanced surveillance is that our residents get to come out of their rooms, dine together and move freely around the home.  For our staff, they will be able to work with just a mask and face shield and not be required to wear full PPE.  All of this supports a more normal environment and makes life around the home more social and enjoyable for everyone.  But what does this mean for visitors to our home?

The requirements for visitation during enhanced surveillance (the first phase after lockdown) need to align with Victorian Government directives and Commonwealth Government recommendations regarding coronavirus for the aged care sector.

There will be two stages for visitors once we move into enhanced surveillance. The first stage will only be for 14 days. Then the second stage will be the current, heavier restrictions, for all aged care homes.

We know it has been a long time since being able to visit in person. We hope to gain approval to allow in person visits for the next two weeks, with conditions. The first stage will allow for one person to visit, once a day for 30 minutes. The second stage will increase to the more strict, current restrictions for visitors in all aged care settings. Those restrictions state that all visits are to be conducted by electronic means, window visits or in person only for essential care when it is not possible by electronic means.

Stage One: commences when enhanced surveillance is nominated by DHHS.

• This is for a limited period to allow you to visit in person when we move to enhanced surveillance
• All visitors must wear a face mask while visiting, including in your loved one’s bedroom.
• Visitors are required to supply their own face mask.
• One visitor, one visit per day
• 30-minute duration
• Visit to be in the resident’s bedroom, or outside
• Visiting hours 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am – 3.00pm on weekends
• All visitors are required to have a current vaccination against influenza
• All visitors are required to undertake screening which includes a temperature check.
• All visitors must report their full name, phone number, and list the full name of the resident they are visiting. This is for future tracing purposes and a government requirement.
• Visitors must sign confirmation of screening questions – Admin staff will manage this on weekdays and care staff on weekends.

Stage two: commences 14 days after enhanced surveillance is nominated

You may only visit the home for the following reasons:

• as a parent, guardian, carer, partner, or support person (for example a friend or sibling), of a resident, to provide emotional and social support if that cannot be delivered via electronic or non-contact means
• one visitor per day, one visit per day, maximum of one hour (if approved by management considering the above criteria)
• for attending a resident in palliation or providing end of life support
• providing end of life care to a resident of the facility is limited to two visitors at a time, with no limit on duration or number of visits
• Visiting hours for those eligible, will be from 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am-3.00pm on weekends
• Visits may only take place in a resident’s room or outside
• All visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times, including in resident’s bedrooms.
• Visitors are required to supply their own face mask.
• All other screening requirements still apply

Visitors will not be permitted if they:

• have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet received clearance
• the person has been tested for COVID-19 and has not yet received the results of that test.
• have travelled in the last 14 days, are unwell with flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, or fever of 37.5 degrees or higher
• DO NOT have a current vaccination against influenza
• have had known contact in the last 14 days with a person who was a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19)
• are under 16, unless they are visiting a resident who is receiving end-of-life care

Any breach of these is a breach of the Chief Health Officer Directives and may result in fines.

Please keep following our Facebook page, Instagram, and our website to keep up to date as we will continue to share photos of what is happening inside our home.  Don’t forget to email lifestylemv@embraciavic.com.au to arrange a phone call, zoom call or a window visit.  All window visits MUST be pre-booked via the email above, as we need to coordinate all visits.  Also, if you post or drop off gifts, we will ensure they are personally delivered to your loved one.

Stay safe and take care of each other,

Sarah MacKenzie
Managing Director

Damien Lippiatt
General Manager

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