9 January 2022 - What each Tier means for visits
Our Visitor Management Plan tailors our approach for each of our Homes, and, at any given time, we assign our Homes to one of four Tiers.
The allocated Tier for a Home determines the protocols associated with visits to our residents. The Tier reflects COVID-19 activity in the local community, government directives, or an actual/potential outbreak (as declared by State Health).
Please check this information before visiting our Homes. The information may change as we continually assess the risk for our residents in each local community.
Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time and for working with us to keep our residents safe. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Residential Manager for your Home.
9 January 2022 - CHL Tier by Home
23 December 2021 - NSW Health Screening Advice
Visitors must not enter a Residential Aged Care facility at all if they:
- have COVID-19 symptoms
- are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements. Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person.
- are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
- have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are:
- fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
14 December 2021 - QLD Health Advice
Visitors, staff, students, or volunteers at a Residential Aged Care facility should not be anyone who:
- is unwell
- has been diagnosed with COVID-19
- has returned from overseas in the last 14 days (excluding safe travel zone countries) unless an exemption has been granted
- is in home quarantine, unless an exemption has been granted
- is a close or secondary contact of a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, unless their quarantine period has ended
- is unvaccinated and has visited a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone in the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter) unless fully vaccinated
- has visited an interstate exposure venue in the last 14 days unless an exemption has been granted for an end of life visit
- has been in an interstate area of concern in the last 14 days or since the identified start date (whichever is shorter), unless you fit into one of the categories of people who are allowed to enter a facility with a negative COVID-19 PCR test
- has had a COVID-19 PCR test and is waiting for the result (except for tests due to surveillance testing obligations)
- has COVID-19 symptoms of fever (37.5 degrees or more), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue
14 October 2021 - Visits to Residential Aged Care Homes NSW
The NSW Government has outlined principles for reducing restrictions to visiting Residential Aged Care Homes.
Based on this advice the following guidelines apply for visiting Catholic Healthcare Homes in NSW areas not currently under ‘stay at home’ orders or in ‘lockdown’:
- All visitors aged 12 years and over to all aged care facilities must have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as least 14 days prior to their visit unless they can provide a COVID-19 medical contraindication certificate or the visit is for end of life.
- Children under the age of 12 will not be permitted to enter an aged care facility.
- COVID-safe precautions including check-in, screening at entry, evidence of COVID-19 vaccination provided, social distancing and appropriate use of personal protective equipment will be required.
- There will be an initial limit of two visitors per resident per day to assist with meeting social distancing and density requirements for areas not currently under ‘stay at home’ orders.
- There will be a limit of one person per four square metres indoors and one person per two square metres outdoors and visits can occur in either the resident's room or an outside area but not in any inside communal areas.
- Visiting hours are between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, otherwise special arrangements will need to be made.
- Pre booking is required – please contact your relevant Home to make a booking.
- Social leave is supported for residents to allow quality time with family members in outdoor areas.
In the event of a potential exposure and a Home needs to return to lockdown, visitation will revert back to compassionate grounds only.
Residents are also able to enjoy social leave provided they abide by Public Health Orders. All people aged 16 years and over must be fully vaccinated to visit:
- Hospitality venues such as cafes or restaurants
- Cinemas
- Group classes and activities at recreational facilities
- Retail outlets such as shopping centres (not including critical services such as a supermarket or pharmacy).
Residents must be provided with appropriate PPE and infection control advice before they leave the Home. If they cannot wear a face mask, they must carry a medical certificate or a statutory declaration.
Our approach will be in accordance with best practice infection control management if a Home is affected by an outbreak in the local area. Please know that these arrangements may change in line with State or Federal Government requirements.
14 October 2021 - Visits to Residential Aged Care Homes QLD
Guidelines for visiting Catholic Healthcare Residential Aged Care Homes in Queensland are below:
- Visits to Homes will need to be booked in advance – please contact your Home to make a booking.
- There will be a limit of two visitors per resident per day.
- Visiting hours will be between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday – special arrangements will need to be made outside these days and times.
- Visitors over 12 years of age are strongly advised to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to the Home – this request follows advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee which strongly encourages all visitors to Residential Aged Care Homes, aged 12 and over, to be fully vaccinated.
- COVID-safe precautions including check-in, screening at entry, social distancing and appropriate use of personal protective equipment will be required
This approach aims to keep residents, staff and visitors safe, and are in accordance with best practice infection control management.
The Queensland Government website provides further details on steps to protect residential aged care residents including not visiting a Home if you are unwell, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are in home quarantine or have visited a COVID-19 hotspot or area of concern.
Visitors should also:
- wash their hands before entering and leaving
- stay 1.5 metres away from others where possible
- stay in the resident’s room, outside or in a specific area (avoiding communal spaces)
- stay away when unwell
- follow Catholic Healthcare requests to help keep staff and residents safe
Please know that these arrangements may change in line with State or Federal Government requirements.
6 October 2021 - St Mary's Villa Dubbo Update
We are pleased to advise that the St Mary’s Villa COVID-19 outbreak has been officially declared over.
Following advice from the NSW Public Health Unit, residents at the Home will enjoy a ‘COVID-19 normal’ environment from today, Wednesday, 6 October. This means that:
- There are no further cases of COVID-19
- Residents who had tested COVID positive have been cleared after isolation
- Residents can enjoy the gardens and meals in the dining room with supervision and support to ensure social distancing is maintained
As ‘Stay at Home’ rules are still in place for the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area until 11 October, St Mary’s Villa remains a Tier One Home with restricted visits and activities.
Although we have reached a positive place, we will continue to remain vigilant. Rolling touch point and deep cleaning is ongoing. We continue to focus on Infection Prevention and Control measures. The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff remain our highest priorities.
Catholic Healthcare’s Recreational Lifestyle team are providing residents with engaging activities including activity packs, digital entertainment, exercise and music. Social work and pastoral care support are ongoing and we are also facilitating mobile phone calls, Facetime and WhatsApp video calls for residents with family members.
Thank you for the enormous effort by residents, families and dedicated staff for their support in helping the St Mary’s Villa family through this time.
28 September 2021 - Holy Spirit Dubbo COVID-19 Update
Catholic Healthcare is pleased to advise that the Holy Spirit Dubbo COVID-19 outbreak has been officially declared over.
After 21 days in full lockdown and following advice from the NSW Public Health Unit:
- There are no further cases of COVID-19.
- Residents who had tested COVID positive have been cleared after 14 days isolation.
- Residents no longer need to remain in their rooms.
As Stay at Home rules currently still apply in the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area, Holy Spirit remains a Tier One Home with restricted visits and activities. The Home will continue to remain vigilant with a focus on Infection Prevention and Control measures. Rolling touch point and deep cleaning is ongoing.
Catholic Healthcare’s Recreational Lifestyle team are providing residents with engaging activities including activity packs, digital entertainment, exercise, pastoral care visits and music. We are also facilitating mobile phone calls, Facetime and WhatsApp video calls for residents with family members. Garden visits are also being facilitated on compassionate grounds.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff remain our highest priorities.
27 September 2021 - St Mary's Villa
Catholic Healthcare continues to work closely with the NSW Public Health Unit and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on the management of the COVID-19 outbreak at St Mary's Villa including the recent appointment of a Clinical Advisor.
There are currently no new cases of COVID-19 at St Mary’s Villa.
All staff are wearing full PPE and are following COVID-19 infection control protocols. Rolling touch point and deep cleaning is ongoing. Staff are being tested for COVID-19 every 72 hours and are also being tested with a rapid antigen test at the beginning of each shift.
Catholic Healthcare’s Recreational Lifestyle team are providing residents with engaging activities in their rooms including activity packs, physiotherapy, pastoral care visits and music therapy. We are also facilitating mobile phone calls and WhatsApp video calls for residents with family members. A qualified social worker with experience in aged care is also based at the Home to assist with responding to family enquiries.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff remain our highest priorities.
Thank you for the many messages of support for our residents, families and dedicated staff.
10 September 2021 - Protecting residents and staff at Holy Spirit Dubbo
Holy Spirit’s Team in Dubbo are engaging closely with residents, families and health services to protect the health and wellbeing of residents, staff and the local community.
Residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being closely monitored and are stable. The vast majority of residents at Holy Spirit Dubbo are fully vaccinated and are being cared for by our dedicated team of staff and if needed, will be transferred to hospital.
Holy Spirit Dubbo has comprehensive COVID-19 infection control protocols in place and we are working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit.
The health, safety and comfort of our residents and staff are our highest priority.
6 September 2021 - Protecting Residents and Staff at Percy Miles Villa, Kirrawee
Catholic Healthcare has been advised that a staff member from Percy Miles Villa in Kirrawee has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member last worked on Friday 3 September and is currently isolating at home. There are no other cases at the Home at this time.
We can confirm all residents are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the staff member who tested positive is fully vaccinated and all other staff at Percy Miles Villa have been vaccinated.
Residents are currently remaining in their rooms and are being cared for by a dedicated team of staff. Residents are being closely monitored and no residents or staff have any symptoms at this time.
The Home has been deep cleaned and testing will be repeated over the coming days for residents and staff.
Percy Miles Kirrawee has comprehensive COVID-19 infection control protocols in place and we are working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit.
6 September 2021 - Protecting residents and staff at St Mary's Villa, Dubbo
St Mary’s Villa has been advised that an additional two residents have tested positive for COVID-19, following the report of three residents testing positive on 3 September. All residents and staff from St Mary’s Villa have been vaccinated for COVID-19.
The residents are being closely monitored and are currently stable. If needed, residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be transferred to hospital.
Comprehensive COVID-19 infection control protocols are in place and we are working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit.
The Home has been deep cleaned and testing will be repeated over the coming days for residents and staff and we are providing residents and families with regular updates.
The health, safety and comfort of our residents and staff are our highest priority.
2 September 2021 - Protecting residents and staff at St Joseph’s and St Anne’s Hunters Hill
Catholic Healthcare has been advised that a staff member who works at St Joseph’s and St Anne’s Residential Aged Care Homes in Hunters Hill tested positive for COVID-19 on 30 August 2021 and is currently isolating at home. There are no other positive cases at the Residential Aged Care Homes at this time.
We can confirm the vast majority of residents and staff at St Joseph’s and St Anne’s are vaccinated for COVID-19.
All residents and staff who have been in contact with the positive team member are isolating and have been tested. All COVID-19 tests received to date for residents and staff are negative. Testing will be repeated on 5 September and 10 September.
Residents are currently remaining in their rooms and are being cared for by a dedicated team of staff, with additional staff rostered at both Homes to support residents. Residents are being closely monitored with no residents exhibiting any symptoms at this time.
Comprehensive COVID-19 infection control protocols are in place and we are working closely with the NSW Public Health Unit.
The health and safety of our residents and staff is our highest priority.
13 August 2021- Updated information regarding COVID-19 - St Hedwig Village, Blacktown
On Saturday, 31 July, St Hedwig Village was advised that a Catering Assistant team member had tested positive for COVID-19. The team member had last worked at the Home on Thursday, 29 July.
No transmission of COVID-19 has occurred to residents or staff. NSW Health has officially advised that COVID-19 concerns have been resolved with staff and residents of the Home released from NSW Health surveillance.
Feedback from government agencies stated that Catholic Healthcare is well prepared for a potential COVID-19 outbreak and that our response to this case was immediate and managed very well with a focus on resident wellbeing.