For the safety of our patients, residents, families and staff, Central Highlands Rural Health has made the difficult decision to lockdown our Acute Hospitals at Kyneton, Daylesford and Creswick as well as our Aged Care facilities in Trentham, Daylesford and Creswick from 5pm on Thursday 26th March 2020 to limit the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Whilst there is no specific advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to lockdown acute hospitals or residential care homes at this stage, general direction from the Victorian State Government encourages further action to reduce movement except for “essential care and support”. Many other providers are moving to lockdown their facilities, and we are taking this step to protect everyone in our care, and the community generally.
Under lockdown, only rostered staff will be permitted to enter a CHRH facility, and then only after being screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19):
• Travelled overseas at any point in the past 14 days;
• Close contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days;
• Fever (temperature over 37.5 degrees) or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath).
Additionally, all staff will have their temperature taken at the beginning of each shift.
Any other visitor or family member will only be permitted to enter the facility under exceptional circumstances or where the patient or resident is receiving end of life care. We will of course, continue to communicate with families about the health and wellbeing of our patients and residents.
Whilst our acute hospitals and residential care homes are in lockdown, our Urgent Care Centres in Kyneton and Daylesford remain open for presentations.
What lockdown means for our patients and residents:
• Patients and residents are NOT isolated in their rooms unless unwell with an infectious illness. They remain free to move anywhere within the perimeter of the facilities, including the garden, if well enough to do so.
• Medical specialists will still be able to visit, but must follow our screening procedure.
• For residents of our aged care facilities, external essential medical appointments may continue, but we will require any resident who leaves the home to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.
We are committed to ensuring you remain connected with your loved ones. All sites now have the technology to facilitate video calls for patients and residents and we encourage you to speak to the nurse in charge to set up a suitable time to connect, at a safe distance, with your family, friends and the wider community.
This is a challenging time for our patients, residents, their families and the community at large. CHRH takes the safety and wellbeing of those we care for very seriously and we ask all people to cooperate with these requirements.
These measures are to protect our community.
If you have any concerns or further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch:
Creswick Health: 03 5345 9150
Clunes Health: 03 5345 9750
Daylesford Health: 03 5321 6500
Kyneton Health: 03 5422 9900
Trentham Health: 03 5421 7200
For the latest information, please refer to the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
CHRH urges all to take care of your own health and be considerate to others, particularly those vulnerable to Coronavirus (COVID-19), by the strict application of personal hygiene and social distancing protocols. These protocols are proven to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19); please help us to help you, your family and your friends.
Kindest Regards
Maree Cuddihy, CEO
Central Highlands Rural Health
