Doutta Galla COVID-19 Archive


Update 18 March 2020

Protecting Doutta Galla Residents from COVID – 19

It is with a heavy heart that following the Government’s announcement today about protecting older Australians who live in residential aged care, Doutta Galla has made the decision to lock down our aged care homes effective immediately.  Our absolute priority is to protect our residents, their families as well as our staff.  

It is important to advise that presently we do not have any known cases of COVID-19 at any of our Doutta Galla aged care homes.  

What this means

  • Doutta Galla will continue to provide the best care and support to ensure we meet the health and physical needs of our residents
  • No visitors will be permitted to enter a Doutta Galla aged care home until further notice
  • Care staff will assist residents to have regular phone and video contact with their loved ones 
  • Only staff and those providing essential services shall be permitted into a Doutta Galla aged care home
  • If a resident chooses to leave a Doutta Galla aged care home, they will not be permitted to return unless they have undergone a 14 day isolation period and have a full clearance from their Doctor 
  • External social activities will be cancelled until further notice. Doutta Galla will continue with small group activities inside the aged care home where social distancing can be maintained
  • Hairdressers, entertainers and non-essential services are cancelled until further notice. We are working with staff to determine alternative ways to keep residents active and engaged.

Staff are well trained in infection control (for example influenza and gastro) and will ensure the appropriate protocols are in place.  As well, we are working closely with our suppliers and are able to provide residents with quality meals, medical equipment, hygiene products, toilet paper, tissues, soap etc.

Doutta Galla staff, and those providing essential services, will not be permitted to enter a Doutta Galla home if they:

  • Have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days
  • Are currently undergoing 14 days self-isolation 
  • Have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID – 19 in the last 14 days
  • Currently have a fever or symptoms or an acute respiratory infection 

How you can help

Preventative measures continue to be important.  You can help to reduce the spread of COVID – 19 by:

  • Regularly washing your hands with soap and water
  • Coughing and sneezing into your elbow
  • Staying at least 1.5 metres from people (do not hug, shake hands, kiss or touch for now) 
  • Using the hand sanitisers were available

Please remember to seek medical advice if you are experiencing:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Gastro, vomiting or any other infectious symptoms

What you can do to assist at this time

  • Contact loved ones by phone or iPad 
  • Write letters or send a card to people living in our aged care homes
  • Send gifts and things that remind your loved one of home (things that can be laundered or wiped down)  
  • Send photos via mobile phone, keep your loved one connected to family and friends

We ask for your patience as we work out way through this.  We are in unchartered waters and be assured that any decisions we take will be made with our residents’ best interests at the forefront.  Doutta Galla will continue to take advice from the Department of Health and we will provide updates on a regular basis.

This is a time when we must all support one another.  We want to assure you that Doutta Galla will continue to place resident wellbeing as our highest priority.  Senior staff at Doutta Galla are reviewing our response constantly and monitoring changes as they occur.  Consequently, we may need to make changes to current arrangements at short notice. 

Doutta Galla will continue to take advice from industry experts and we will provide updates on a regular basis.

Please remember that staff and management at Doutta Galla aged care homes are available to answer any questions.  

Your cooperation and patience is appreciated during this challenging time as we implement measures to protect the health and safety of our residents.

Doutta Galla COVID-19 Archive


Update 16 March 2020

On the 15 March the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that all international travellers will be required to self-isolate upon arrival in Australia from Sunday 15 March 2020 for 14 days in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus. Australian citizens will also be required to self-isolate upon returning to the country.

It is important for the health and wellbeing of the residents that any person including visitors (e.g. volunteers, family members, medical practitioners) or employees of Doutta Galla adhere to the advice before coming to any Doutta Galla Residential Home.

As well the Chief Medical Officer has specifically requested that all visitors to aged care homes consider limiting visiting their loved ones to minimise the risk of COVID-19 to residents. 

Doutta Galla continues to monitor the health and wellbeing of all our residents and employees.  We have already put initiatives in place to ensure the health and safety of residents, visitors and our employees.  Included in this, all Doutta Galla employees have undertaken specific infection control training to maintain already high standards of preventative infection control, and to ensure the right equipment and resources are available in all our residential homes. To date no one has been diagnosed with COVID -19 and we are making all attempts to ensure that this remains the situation and require everyone’s ongoing support in this.  

Remember the best preventative action you can take is 

  • Standard hygiene practices (hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, social distancing – staying at least 1.5 metres from people, do not hug, shake hands, kiss or touch for now) in the prevention of transmission. https://europeantissue.com/hygiene/official-recommendations/how-to-wash-your-hands-who-recommendations/
  • Restrict your visit to your loved one only, preferably in their room, and do not visit others who live in the residential home
  • Refrain from physical contact with your loved one or any other residents
  • Use the hand sanitisers available at reception 
  • Register your visit in the visitor sign in book, report to reception or when reception is not attended, please advise a staff member that you are visiting
  • Don’t visit your loved one if you are feeling unwell or you are experiencing:
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle aches
    • Shortness of breath
    • Gastro, vomiting or any other infectious symptoms

The World Health Organisation has released a short video to inform how this can be achieved.

Most importantly – Don’t visit your loved one if you are self-isolating because of overseas travel, or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID -19, or you have tested positive to COVID-19.

Doutta Galla is attempting to provide up to date advice, however as the information is changing quickly, these updates may be out of date before you receive them. To ensure that you have the most current and up to date advice I have provided the following link that will take you to the Department of Health website where information is updated daily.

COVID-19

Doutta Galla will continue to provide regular updates if there are any changes at any of our homes. 

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