Winter 2022 Client Newsletter
Welcome to the second edition of Neighbourcare’s newsletter for 2022. The seasons are changing, and there is a fresh chill in the air.
Click here to read the PDF version of the newsletter.
Click here to read the Word version of the newsletter.
ADSSI Limited, trading as Dungog & District Neighbourcare, is a CovidSafe organisation.
You can view our plan here: ADSSI Covid-19 Safety Plan NSW Government
1 October
In a commitment to our staff, volunteers, clients and their families, we have introduced a mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Policy.
What does this mean?
Our vaccination policy means all office-based and face-to-face staff and volunteers will have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccination by 15 October.
By 30th November, all office-based and face-to-face staff & volunteers will be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.Neighbourcare Vaccination Commitment Flyer (A4 Document)
18 August
Keeping You Covid-Safe
Neighbourcare is committed to keeping staff, volunteers and clients as safe as possible during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We are:
- encouraging everyone to get vaccinated (this protects you, your family and friends and the community)
- asking screening questions over the phone
- asking screening questions at your door
- wearing masks and other protection
- following strict hygiene protocols
- asking you to wear a mask indoors and in our cars
We can:
- help you make an appointment for a vaccination
- transport you safely to get your vaccination
- supply you with a mask if you don’t have one
- help you arrange a SERVICE NSW QR CODE CHECK IN CARD – or you can do it via this link https://apply.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-checkin-card/
We are here to help, even in lockdown. As an essential service we will continue to provide Meals on Wheels deliveries, transport to medical appointments and treatment, personal and domestic care and more.
If you have any questions please contact our friendly team on 4992 3348.
A list of helpful resources is below:
- NSW Department of Health – If you have symptoms or questions about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Information Line on 1800 020 080.
- To check locations/venues online: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/case-locations-and-alerts.aspx
- For Facebook users – Hunter New England Health regularly provides updates: www.facebook.com/HNEHealth
- Neighbourcare shares reliable information/updates https://www.facebook.com/Dungog-District-Neighbourcare-Inc-
- For NDIS participants – general updates and information on COVID-19 www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus
- Reliable news – ABC – Television and Radio – in the Hunter this is ABC1233 and online www.abc.net.au/news/story-streams/coronavirus/
- Lifeline – Mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/information-and-support/covid-19/
- Beyond Blue – Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
8 July
There were several major announcements in yesterday’s NSW Government COVID Press Conference including;
Increase of the current lockdown for Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, by an additional week through to midnight Friday 16 July.
The naming of 3 new LGAs of significant concern re: community transmission (Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury / Bankstown) and within those LGAs, 8 particular suburbs of concern – Bossley Park, Smithfield, Fairfield, West Hoxton, Bass Hill, St John’s Park, Canley Vale and Greenfield Park. All of these areas are in South-West and Western Sydney.
How are we responding to these announcements?
Social Support Groups continue to be cancelled up to and including Friday 16 July.
All other current COVID restrictions / safe practice settings, including mask wearing, to continue as they currently are in the Hunter.
Our mask wearing policy remains in place until further notice and includes:
Staff / volunteers / visitors are required to continue wearing a surgical mask at all times in the office, or other ADSSI work site. This restriction is part of the Public Health Order that mandates the wearing of surgical masks in the workplace. The Public Health order requires mask wearing in all public indoor spaces, including work offices;
Staff / volunteers are required to wear a mask for all client services, except lawn and garden services where social distancing is in place;
Clients , and other people in their home, at the time of service, are required to wear a surgical mask for all services. This is in line with NSW Health orders issues on Sunday 27 June that state ‘ residents receiving home care services in Greater Sydney must wear a mask whilst a healthcare worker is in attendance’. If a client, or others present in the home, are unable to / refuse to wear a mask WE MAY NOT BE ABLE DO NOT PROCEED WITH SERVICE.
Thanks for your ongoing support with our COVID Safe practices. Please remain vigilant in what is a critical time in managing the current level of community transmission.
28 June
UPDATED MASK POLICY – EFFECTIVE MONDAY 28 JUNE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- Staff / volunteers / visitors are required to continue wearing a surgical mask at all times in the office, or other Neighbourcare work site.
- Staff / volunteers are required to continue wearing a mask for all client services, except lawn and garden services where social distancing is in place
- It is now a requirement for masks to be worn in all indoor areas in all of NSW. Therefore, clients are required to wear a mask if they are being taken on a service outside of their home.
- Clients , and other members of their household present during an in-home service, are required to wear a mask if they, or their close contacts have been in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra in the last 14 days. All other clients are requested to wear a mask for all services and strongly encouraged to do so.
21 June
UPDATED MASK POLICY – EFFECTIVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Staff and volunteers are required to wear a surgical mask;
- For all client services if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June
- At all times when in the office if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June (this also applies to visitors to the office)
Clients / others present in a client’s household during a service;
- Are required to wear a surgical mask if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June.
If you have any questions, please call the office on 4992 3348.
19 March
The vaccine rollout is continuing, with the 1b group starting on Monday 22 March.
You are encouraged to discuss your health circumstances with your GP. In the link below you can find information on the Astrazeneca vaccine:
A list of GP Clinics participating, in the vaccination programme, can be found here;
25 February
Vaccine Rollout – Update from Australian Government Department of Health
You can find out where you are on the eligibility list and when you are likely to be able to have the vaccine by clicking on the department’s link https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
23 February
Mask Wearing Policy Update for clients and staff:
In line with advice from NSW Health earlier this week, the following changes apply to mask wearing for client services.
- Staff and volunteers are required to wear a surgical mask for all client services where social distancing cannot be / is difficult to maintain, specifically this includes transport, shopping, personal care and clinical services
- Staff and volunteers are no longer required to wear a surgical mask when safe social distancing is able to be maintained for example, domestic assistance
- Clients are required to wear a surgical mask for services where social distancing cannot be maintained, for example, transport, personal care. Please continue to discuss individual client circumstances with your line manager if they are unable to wear a mask in these circumstances
- Clients are strongly encouraged to wear a surgical mask when shopping (as social distancing is difficult to maintain), however, it is not required
If you have any queries or concerns, give us a call.
COVID-19 Update 28 January 2021
The Federal Government is rolling out their advertising campaign to raise awareness of their Covid-19 Vaccine strategy and program.
Click on the link below to find out what you need to know and in the meantime, stay home if you’re unwell, practise social distancing and good hand hygiene and get tested even if you have mild symptoms.
https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines