As the number of COVID cases in several other states continues to increase, it is vital we remain vigilant here at Western Health.
Staff who have visited a designated Red or Orange Zone within the past 14 days must:
- not attend work
- get a COVID test
- contact staff clinic enquiries at whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au for a risk assessment
A number of cities and regions have been added to these lists over the weekend, under Victoria’s Travel Permit System, so it’s important to check the online updates regularly.
- Red Zones currently include: Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Shellharbour, Blue Mountains and Wollongong); and Greater Darwin.
- Orange Zones currently include: Greater Brisbane; the ACT; all of regional NSW (not including the communities in the border bubble); and Perth Metropolitan Region and Perth’s Peel Region.
The Victorian Government’s Map of Zones has further detail about the current status of cities and regions across Australia. Lists of interstate exposure sites can be found at these links: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Northern Territory, Western Australia.
To all staff, please also continue to regularly check the list of Victoria’s exposure sites.
At Western Health, more specifically, we are continually revising the COVID restrictions in place across our sites, always under the advice of our infectious diseases experts and the Department of Health. While we were able to ease the restrictions on visitors late last week, the restrictions that still apply include:
– Prayer rooms remaining closed
– Density quotient 1 person per 4msq
– Restricted staff movement across sites
– People who can work from home should continue to do so, but all arrangements must be approved by your line manager
– Telehealth consultations are preferred, where possible, but face-to-face consultations are allowed when clinically indicated. Community health teams are able to resume face-to-face service provision.
Thanks to everyone for your continued hard work and dedication as this pandemic continues.
Regards
Lebe Malkoun
Acting Executive Director Operations
Working across multiple sites
Restricting the movement of staff across healthcare, disability care and aged care is a key priority in reducing the risk of further spread of COVID-19. Under formal directions from the Acting Chief Health Officer, it is a requirement that staff do not work at more than one site, except where that is not practicable and/or clinical need overrides this.
Western Health is closely following those directions. All staff who work for two or more employers must provide the details to Western Health (as well as their other employers) and also must keep records of their work locations. Any staff who work at more than one site/employer are required to declare if and where they have worked previously before beginning their shift. This is critically important for contract tracing, should it be required.
To declare you work at other sites, speak to your manager and email westernhealthhr@wh.org.au or complete this online declaration https://bit.ly/3fTcLHI
CHO Update
The Chief Health Officer update provides information to clinicians and the public about the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria as well as relevant public health response activities.
PPE
Click here for Western Health’s latest PPE guidelines.