21 September 2021

Dear Residents, Families and Friends,

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to work together to keep our Doutta Galla Avondale Heights community safe.  We know that residents don’t enjoy remaining in their rooms longer than necessary unfortunately with the ongoing and rising cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 the north-west metropolitan Melbourne, there are times when this action is required to protect our residents.

I am pleased to advise that COVID-19 testing of residents and staff was completed on Sunday 19 September with all tests returning a negative result today.  All residents remain symptom free.  We are reassured by this news and will continue to undertake a precautionary response in the short term for the ongoing protection of our residents and staff at Avondale Heights.

As part of our precautionary response, a further round of COVID-19 testing for residents and staff will be conducted on Friday 24 September 2021.  We will continue to monitor the situation and we envisage that once we receive a second round of negative test results, we will be able to return to COVID-19 safe Directives.  Of course, we will inform you and your loved one immediately of any change to a resident’s health.

We understand how difficult these lockdowns are for many of you and we want to do all we can to support and facilitate contact with your loved ones.  We will do this by facilitating video calls and window visits.  Please call the home on 03 9325 0000 to arrange a suitable time.

We continue to conduct vaccination clinics at all Doutta Galla Homes providing opportunities for our residents and staff to be fully vaccinated.  Doutta Galla encourages family members and friends who are eligible to book an appointment as soon as possible.  You can click here to Book your vaccine appointment | Coronavirus Victoria. Avondale Heights has met the vaccination requirements that the Government expects of aged care providers.

For more support and advice during this time, please reach out to OPAN (Older Persons Advisory Network) on 1800 237 981 or Elder Rights Advocacy Victoria on 1800 171 866.  They are available 6am-10pm, 7 days a week.

Please contact the Home on 03 9325 0000 if you have any questions or concerns.  In addition, you are welcome to contact us via covid19questions@dgas.org.au.

Yours sincerely,

Vanda Iaconese
CEO