13 October 2020

Dear Residents, Families and Friends,

It is with much relief that our Woornack Home is edging closer to the final round of testing.  This will occur on Thursday 15 October.  The round of testing that occurred on Sunday for residents and staff again returned negative results – which we are all very grateful to hear.  If the results following Thursday’s testing are all negative, we will finally be able to move to ‘enhanced surveillance’.

As previously advised, ‘enhanced surveillance’ is the last stage prior to the Home receiving full clearance.  As a reminder, ‘enhanced surveillance’ means the residents can begin to move around the Home and eat in the dining room and socialise with others, whilst maintaining social distancing and practicing hand hygiene.  After 14 days of ‘enhanced surveillance’, all going well the Home will be considered cleared of the infection.

I am also pleased to let you know that we will have most of Woornack’s staff back at the Home by the end of this week, or early next week.  Reports back to me are that the residents are happy to see the staff back and the staff are very happy to be back caring for the Woornack residents.  A reminder too that the Social Worker, Lorraine Li, is available Monday to Friday to meet with residents and to talk with families.

Telephone and video conferencing will continue, as will essential family visits for special circumstances which can be facilitated by the Home.  Please make contact with Mark Houlahan, the Home Manager to arrange this.

If you or your family would like independent support during this difficult time, please reach out to OPAN (Older Persons Advisory Network) on 1800 237 981. They are available 6am-10pm, 7 days a week. The other organisation that can assist you is Elder Rights Advocacy Victoria who can be reached on 1800 171 866 for support and advice.

Please contact the staff at the Home on 9312 0111 if you or your family member have any questions or concerns.  In addition, you are welcome to contact us via the email address covid19questions@dgas.org.au.  A reminder again to pass this letter onto other family members or refer them to the Doutta Galla website www.dgas.org.au/coronavirus-updates/.

Yours sincerely,

Vanda Iaconese

CEO