Letter to Families, Next of Kin, Advocates
Given Shepparton’s community outbreak last week, we took the precautionary step to close our facilities to all visitors except in the case of visiting a loved one for end-of-life care.
We did so to protect our residents and to reduce the risk to them and to the community.
The situation in Shepparton is beginning to stabilize, and as such we can now take steps to resume strictly managed visits to our facilities.
Update on Visitor Rules
It is important to note that Victoria is still under a State of Emergency until 8th November 2020 and, as such, visitations to care facilities will remain in line with the care directives (version 14 issued 19th October 2020) as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These are subject to change and we will advise any updates.
These directives will allow two members from the one household to visit their loved one in their room for up to two hours, provided they make a booking. Children under the age of 16 are now permitted, providing they are from the same household and are counted as one of the two permitted visitors.
We cannot allow any more than two people as all visits are conducted in the resident’s room and as such are subject to the density quotient for that space ie one resident and two family visitors are the permitted numbers for the size of our residential care rooms.
We will resume visits in accordance with the care directives as of Monday 26th October 2020 for those who feel they meet the criteria as outlined in the directives.
Bookings for visits MUST be made on the following numbers between 10 am and 2pm as of Wednesday 21st October 2020, Monday to Friday.
- Maculata Place and Acacia House:
Call 0409 015 272 between 10am and 2pm. - Banksia Lodge and Hakea Lodge:
Call 0429 138 978 between 10am and 2pm.
The Booking Administrators will explain the visiting guidelines and visits will strictly be between 1.30pm and 4.30pm 7 days per week. All visitors will be required to complete a Restricted Access Assessment form prior to entering a Shepparton Villages facility – please note as these are subject to change, you will be required to fill in a form for every visit. Door monitors will collect these forms and conduct temperature checking and hand hygiene.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Executive Manager Care Services Sarah Gaunt on 0411 877 610 or Executive Manager Quality Risk & Compliance Sue Cahill on 0409 814 012.