We are coming towards the end of another year where COVID has continued to make its presence felt. Today’s bulletin is going to focus on how you can protect yourself, your family and care for our community safely through this time.
Boosters
Boosters are one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
The vast majority of staff are eligible now for a booster vaccination – I urge you to go to the vaccination hubs we offer and walk in and get that booster TODAY (as our hubs will then be closed until 4 January). You don’t need a booking to do this.
GPs and pharmacies will continue to be options for you to receive a booster. We are supporting those in our region to help them to have enough stock on hand.
Vaccination bookings for 5-11 year olds
The process for staff to book their children into Western Health hubs as a priority, will be released later today. You can then book in your children for vaccinations which will commence on 10 January.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to increase the protection within your household as soon as possible.
Visitation
While visitation for patients continues to be permitted only for exemptions in line with the QRG, we are permitting a visit of two people per person on the 25th and 26th of December for emotional and social wellbeing, in line with the guidance.
A reminder following on from yesterday’s bulletin, that day leave for inpatients is no longer available unless exceptional circumstances exist.
Testing
While community testing demand is high, a reminder that Western Health staff are able to access testing at Sunshine Hospital everyday over the holiday period, as follows:
Sunshine Clinic:
7am – 3pm Christmas Day
7am – 3pm Boxing Day
7am – 3pm New Year’s Day
Normal operating hours on other days
Footscray Hospital Staff Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing Clinic (Private Consulting Suites):
7am – 3pm Christmas Day
7am – 3pm Boxing Day
7am – 3pm New Year’s Day
Normal operating hours on other days
Sunbury Clinic:
Closed weekends including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day weekend.
Open on the following Public Holidays:
10am – 5:30pm Monday December 27th (last entry subject to capacity)
10am – 5:30pm Tuesday December 28th (last entry subject to capacity)
10am – 5:30pm Monday January 3rd (last entry subject to capacity)
Normal operating hours on other days
Melton COVID Testing Clinic
8.30 to 12.30pm Christmas Day
8.30 to 12.30pm Boxing Day
8.30 to 12.30pm New Year’s Day
Normal operating hours on other days.
Showgrounds COVID Testing Site
Service operating normal hours on site 7am to 7pm during the holiday period
Wishing you a (COVID Safe) Festive Season
Dr Marion Kainer has been a big fan of the outdoors ever since the start of the pandemic and she has urged us all to think about this throughout the festive season, especially with some of the lovely weather we are now expecting.
I hope that all of you have the opportunity at some stage this festive season to connect with family and friends.
Thank you for continually providing outstanding care and support to our patients, their relatives and each other. Without each of you, Western Health would not be the special place to work that it is and we would not be able to provide the essential care that our community relies upon us to deliver. Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season.
Regards
Natasha
COVID Summary
COVID Summary (as of 22 Dec)
Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 32
Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 10
Confirmed COVID patients receiving Western Health care in the community: 124
COVID tests by our testing sites: 1718
Staff accessing surveillance testing: 442
Vaccinations delivered by West Metro COVID Vaccinations team: 1430