COVID – 19 Important Information for Clients and Families
Dear Clients, Families & Fellow Service Providers
As you know, there is ongoing and growing concern about the spread of COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus.
This is impacting on us here at PoDDSS, and as a disability support service, we have very specific vulnerabilities. These include:
We support many people with supressed or vulnerable immune systems
Some of our services happen in group settings
Our clients’ support needs make social distancing difficult to implement
Our clients may have multiple visitors in their home
Our clients may not understand the risks and additional hygiene measures required
Our clients may be dependent on others for basic activities of daily living
Our clients may not have suitable support and/or accommodation contingencies available to them.
hile none of this means we need to panic, it does mean we need to respond responsibly in line with government and medical advice and begin planning for a potential worsening of the situation. We urge you to stay vigilant.
Please do not attend our office or services if you are showing signs of a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever or difficulty breathing or have recently returned from overseas. Please wash your hands thoroughly when you enter the office and use the hand sanitiser located in the reception area.
If you are concerned that you or your loved one may be infected:
The national 24/7 hotline triages people with respiratory symptoms and those who are concerned about contact with a possible Coronavirus case. If you think you may be infected, you can call the triage hotline on 1800 020 080.
Suspected Coronavirus patients can present in person to a GP clinic, a dedicated respiratory clinic or to a hospital ED if they call ahead.
Please notify us ASAP
Please refer for more information to: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
What is PoDDSS doing to create a safe environment?
We have increased the frequency of environmental cleaning.
We will continue to provide support in the community (unless advice changes), however, we will not be attending any group programs where people with disability congregate.
We will avoid any activities that place people in close proximity to others for extended periods such as concerts and movies theatres.
We are permitting our clinicians to physically come onto visit your sites, however these are limited to urgent cases only and are in conjunction with your service provider and skype services are available.
We are closely monitoring and will observe Government directions.
We have cancelled most onsite meetings and video/teleconferencing will be utilised instead.
Our staff will also not attend non-essential meetings or training at external sites.
Staff not required to be physically present at the site will work from home.
Staff or clients who have returned from any overseas travel will be excluded from the service for 14 days and will require medical clearance before returning.
Staff or clients displaying any symptoms of Coronavirus, will be isolated until they can be sent home and will require medical clearance before returning.
What are the next steps?
We are meeting regularly with senior management at PoDDSS to discuss the current health advice and the impact on our service and we will observe Govt directions.
As always, you should feel free to call your Support Coordinator if you have any concerns about your family member or the service.
We will be continuing to monitor the information provided by the government to ensure the best response in keeping people safe and infection free.
We need to acknowledge that at some point, this may mean our service will need to close. We are working on contingency planning to reduce the impact on our clients and staff (Most of whom will be working from home).
We will keep you informed and provide as much lead-time possible if this is looking likely.
Most of all please remember to “Think BIG, Start Small Move Slowly, Wash Your Hands, Grow”.
Kind Regards Joyce-Lyn Smith and the team at PODDSS
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