Robyn Sprunt Manager Primary Health and Catherine Church Director of Clinical Services from NCN Health Numurkah on local experience with COVID-19. Community Testing Clinic: - Daily testing of symptomatic clients. Over 1,000 tests since June.
- Re-usable masks, 4,000 distributed to vulnerable community members.
- Shepparton outbreak 14th October testing team supported Shepparton.
Communication is the key: - Clear and concise messaging.
- CEO daily updates.
- Department huddles.
- Letters to clients.
- Phone calls to clients.
- Facebook information..
- Information sessions at local pharmacies and pamphlets and information in stores,
Impact on Community: - Increase in anxiety, fear and worry.
- Increase incident of mental health issues.
- Increase in family violence.
- Decrease in routine health screening.
- Less theatre presentations.
- Increase in social isolation.
Continued service and support: - All services have been maintained.
- Alternate models of care - telehealth.
Group based activities: - All group based activities ceased.
- Alternate models of care explored.
- Clients more socially isolated.
- Increase in mental health concerns.
- Increase in support - counselling/psychology.
Supporting the community: - Food hampers.
- Newspaper deliveries.
- Blood test in the home.
- Flu vaccination in community.
- Linking clients with services.
Moving to COVID Normal: - Group based services return.
- Increase in face to face service.
- Visiting outreach services.
Aged Care: - Visitors return.
- Outings recommenced.
- Group activities recommenced.
- Volunteer program recommence.
Mental health and wellbeing: - Caring for both residents and staff.
- Balancing new normal.
- Daily screening of residents.
- Monthly COVID swabbing of staff.
- Outbreak management plans in place.
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