Today, the Premier of Western Australia announced another day of 0 cases of community transmission. This is good news, however I wish to reiterate that we continue to watch this situation closely and are well prepared if this changes over the coming days.
With this in mind, it is good timing to remind you of our pandemic response plan:
How would I find out if you had a COVID positive test of a staff member, visitor or client?
Brightwater has in place a thorough pandemic response plan in case of an outbreak.
This includes details of how we would communicate to you and how we would manage the care of your loved one.
If we were to get a COVID-19 positive test in one of our homes, we would alert all listed contacts for clients via email and text in the first instance.
This would be followed up with phone calls from our Communications Support Officers to listed primary contacts over the following hours.
Please note however, if your loved one tested positive, the primary contact of that client would receive a phone call immediately from our team on site. We can only provide these details to a listed primary contact, no other family members. So if you are the primary contact please make sure you alert other family that needs to know.
It is essential for this reason that we have your most up to date contact details.
What does your pandemic plan include?
Our pandemic plan includes details of infection control and care to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the home, including the ability to replace staff if required with other staff from within Brightwater to ensure continuity of care is delivered.
Our staff are well trained in infection control practices, including the wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Our plan has been developed in conjunction with both the Commonwealth and State Health Departments and it adopts the WA Health Residential Aged Care Facility Outbreak Management Plan.
COVID-19 Vaccination
You will most likely have seen the Federal Government’s announcement of the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. You can read more about it here: Australia's COVID-19 vaccine national rollout strategy (health.gov.au)
The vaccine will be available to aged care and disability care clients and workers as part of the first phase of the rollout. Vaccination clinics will be run by the Federal Government. We will provide you with more information once details and timing have been confirmed by the Government.
This week the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is running a COVID-19 vaccine webinar. The webinar will take place this Thursday 4th February 2021 from 12 midday to 1pm WA time. It is free to join and you can find out more details here.
Keeping in touch with your loved ones
Don’t forget, our team on site can set up phone calls with our clients during WA’s hard lockdown this week. Please phone your site directly to arrange this.
Stay safe and thank you for your ongoing support,
Jennifer Lawrence, CEO
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