Well we are back to a fast-paced and dynamic situation. Given the evolving COVID situation in our region, this morning I have made the decision to re-introduce some elements of COVID Active across our sites. This has not been done lightly, but it has been done to protect staff, patients and community. For you, this means:
From today, I’m asking all staff to wear surgical masks at all times on our sites, unless you are in a private office with the door closed. Staff in our emergency departments must continue to wear Tier 3 PPE. (Sorry – I know how much you did not want to return to Tier 3 PPE so soon).
Staff movement between sites, I am sorry to say, is also being restricted once again. Unless there is a clinical reason for moving between our campuses, please base yourself at just one.
Please consider vaccination. All healthcare staff, irrespective of age, can now access Pfizer so please call the 1800 675 398 hotline or book online.
While we are awaiting more information from the State Government about the current outbreaks – and as our own Western Public Health Unit continues their great work with contact tracing – it’s becoming clear that Melbourne is in a precarious position.
Now is the time for each one of us to be vigilant.
Please check the exposure sites at least twice a day as they are moving quickly. Current Tier 1 sites in our community include the Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong and a service station and fast food outlet in Ballan.
Please remember to fill in the online attestation before every shift, as well as the logs in break rooms and common areas. These provide critical information for our contact tracing teams, should they be necessary.
If you have even the mildest of COVID symptoms, please get tested. If you have been to any of the listed exposure sites, we ask you to attend the Sunshine Hospital COVID Testing Clinic, where the team is able arrange priority testing for you. Asymptomatic testing is also available to all staff at the Sunshine clinic.
Finally, I’m asking all managers to refer to Western Health’s COVID Safe Departmental Checklist, to ensure we’re doing all we can to keep our patients and our colleagues safe.
Thanks everyone. Let’s keep working together and stay safe.
Russell