I hope you are all encouraged by the strong reduction in COVID case numbers that we have been seeing over the past week both at Western and across the State. The impact of the pandemic on Western Health is obviously strongly connected to the extent of COVID in the communities we serve and all of us and our families are living with the consequences of the restrictions that have driven those numbers down. Thank you to all for the fabulous work you have done but also to your families and friends who have supported you to do this crucial work.
As it is school holidays I hope some of you have had a chance to take a break – including a break from home schooling!
Fit testing
As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping you as safe as we can, Western Health will be commencing a fit testing program for respirator masks. This will be part of our Respiratory Protection Program and will involve an accredited occupational hygienist coming on site and working with individual staff to confirm how to achieve the best fit and which brand this is, for a P2/N95 mask. You would be aware that there are a number of different types of masks and some come in different sizes as well. This fit testing program will commence with a small trial tomorrow and will then gradually grow over the coming weeks. Staff in high risk roles in high risk areas will be the first staff to take part. More information will be available on the coronavirus site in the coming days, including how eligible staff are able to book into the sessions.
Letter from the Premier
In today’s bulletin, I am enclosing a letter received from Premier Dan Andrews, addressed to all health service staff who have contracted COVID-19. Please click on the link below to read the letter.
A letter to our healthcare workers (1)
There are information links and details in the letter.
Research and Best Care Conference 2020
Whilst we have had to amend the format of the conference for 2020, we have decided this is a valuable opportunity to highlight the adaptability and ingenuity of our staff and the service changes that have effectively been implemented in response to COVID-19 to ensure we can still provide Best Care.
The format of the 2020 Research and Best Care Conference will be daily, one hour (12:00 – 1:00pm) webinars during the week 26 – 30 October. Speakers are currently being confirmed and topics will cover various research and best care initiatives, challenges, insights and achievements relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, from a Western Health, national and international perspective.
We are also pleased to advise that the Western Health Foundation has lined up a number of sponsors who are continuing their generous contributions to the conference through grants supporting our staff with future improvements at Western Health. Applications for these grants are now open and will be announced at the completion of the final 2020 conference webinar, Friday 30 October.
Please access this link for further details on how to apply for these grants:
Once again thank you to all of you at Western who continue to support your colleagues, our patients and our community.
Thank you and stay safe
Regards
Russell