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.
Stage two: commences 14 days after enhanced surveillance is nominated
You may only visit the home for the following reasons:
Visitors will not be permitted if they:
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
We provide exceptional aged care in an intimate community that feels like home.