Coronavirus Covid-19

Visitor & Covid 19 (Restrictions)

The Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions can be found on the Western Australian Government Website.

 

Please do not come to WORK if you:

  • have been informed that you are a close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19
  • have been outside of Australia in the past 14 days
  • have not received a 2021 influenza vaccine if the vaccine is available to you (a vaccine is not available to a person with a medical contraindication or observing the recommended waiting period after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine)
  • are a quarantine centre worker and have attended a quarantine centre in the past 14 days (unless you wear a face mask and maintain a distance of 1.5m from others where practicable)

DO Not come to work if you have one or more of any of the following symptoms:

    • a temperature 37.5 degrees or higher
    • a recent history of fever
    • symptoms of acute respiratory infection including a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath
    • loss of smell or taste
    • All visitors and workers must report to reception for temperature checks

 

Flu vaccination

The Western Australian Government has made it compulsory for all staff, visitors and contractors to have an updated, 2021 influenza vaccine before entering a residential aged care

Covid update & Bedingfeld Park pademic response levels

Due to recent increases in the level of Community spread of COVID in WA, including some residential aged care Facilities, Bedingfeld Park is taking a precautionary step of increasing our Pandemic Management Response to Level 2 across the Organisation. This will allow us time to appropriately assess the situation and undertake the actions required to protect our residents, staff and visitors, in line with the Department of Health requirements.

Rapid antigen testing for visitors:

All Visitors are requested to self-test prior to being admitted to a Bedingfeld Park Facility and declare when the test was taken. The test must be taken within an hour prior to visitation to ensure it is current, brought with them to the Facility, prove to staff a valid negative result, and be handed over for disposal on signing their Facility Entry Declaration. This test result will remain valid for 48 hours.

RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) kits are now conveniently available at no cost from the WA Government or for purchase in shops and pharmacies, but Bedingfeld Park will provide a RAT kit free of charge to Visitors, if necessary. Visitors are requested to self-test outside the Facility to minimize any risk to our Residents and Staff.

Bedingfeld Park pandemic management response (levels 1-4)

In response to the recent events of COVID outbreaks impacting numerous Residential Aged Care Facilities within our State and the rapidly increasing risk of Community transmission, Bedingfeld Park has implemented our Pandemic Preparedness Management Plan. We believe this will provide reassurance and confidence in our efforts to ensure we are doing all we can to protect our Residents, Staff and any visitors entering our Facilities.

Our Pandemic Preparedness Management Plans are divided into four response levels, each with set criterion as to when each level will be activated. While we will endeavour, as always, to maintain the quality of care and services provided, in a situation such as this worldwide pandemic, our main priority will need to be focused on care and safety.

In Western Australia, we have had the benefit of learning lessons from International and Interstate responses, which have informed our own ever-evolving response management plans. We can expect a reduced workforce, primarily due to illness and the need to isolate, and we also know that resources and supplies may, at times, be affected. Therefore, our response management levels are constructed to plan for such events.

We have summarised this response plan, paying attention to the areas that are most relevant.

To view the entire Response Plan, Please click here.

Level 1 – When there is no Community transmission cases, but fluctuating risk levels are evident due to changes to external controls.

  • At level 1, it is largely “business as usual”.
  • Visitors: all visitors are welcome in accordance with the requirement for proof of Influenza and COVID vaccinations as standard. You will be asked to evidence this on entry and exceptions may apply at the CEO’s discretion and compliance with the Safe WA contact tracing will be required. We ask that no more than 2 visitors attend a resident at a time and we actively encourage room visits or the use of outdoor spaces. Indoor communal areas are available on approval.
  • Social leave: at level 1, there are no restrictions on social leave, but require the Resident Social Outing Log to be completed so to be used as a future reference guide if needed.
  • Meal service: at level 1, you can expect meal service to continue to be provided at the high standard we pride ourselves on in accordance with our Excellence in Dining philosophy.
  • Lifestyle Services: residents will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy a full and vibrant lifestyle programme.

Level 2 – When there is suspected community exposure case(s) and where the Facility is in a location of concern.

  • At level 2, you will notice some changes to our daily operations.
  • Facility Access and Visitation: general visits will be restricted to a maximum of two Visitors per resident daily and each visit is to last no longer than an hour. We will ask that visits are held within residents’ private rooms, or in a designated area as directed by staff and preferably between 9.00 – 11.00am & 1.00 – 4.00pm. The requirement for proof of Influenza and COVID vaccinations as well as wearing an approved mask appropriately and temperature check remain, and you will be asked to evidence this on entry. Special conditions will apply to children under 16. You will also be required to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to entry that will remain current for 48 hours. There will be no restrictions on Essential Visitors or Partners in Care in level 2 subject to these screening requirements.
  • Social Leave: at level 2, you may continue to enjoy social leave, but additional conditions, such as RAT testing will be required on Days 1 and 4 of your return, alongside accurate completion of the Resident Social Outing log.
  • Meal service: to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements, we will be commencing a tiered meal service with additional dining areas encouraged. This means that residents will be invited to enjoy their meals at phased mealtimes, with the option to eat in the dining room, café areas, enjoy alfresco dining in the courtyards or to receive room service.
  • Lifestyle services: at level 2, lifestyle activities will be delivered in each area of the home independent of the others, to reduce the social mixing within the Facility. There will also be a maximum of 6 people per group. Residents will continue to enjoy one to one activities with staff or volunteers.

Level 3 – When there is a suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 within the Facility or high risk of local community transmission

  • At level 3, you will notice changes to many of our daily operations.
  • Conditional Facility Restricted Access: where possible, each resident will be supported to receive one visit per day from a person they have nominated as their Essential Visitor (see below). Duration may be restricted to up to 30 minutes in some circumstances to allow us to minimise the risk of community transmission. Partners in Care can continue to visit and provide essential care and support services without any restrictions. At level 3, due to likely building capacity restrictions and potential staffing limitations, prioritisations for visits will be given to Partners in Care and those visiting people at the end stages of life. We will ask that visits are held within residents’ private rooms. All visitors will be required to provide a negative result from a Rapid Antigen Test prior to entry and standard vaccination and contact tracing requirements will be maintained (exceptions may apply in exceptional circumstances at our CEO’s discretion). At level 3, video calls and window visitations are actively encouraged to maintain resident social connection with those that are important to them.
  • Social Leave: at level 3, short term social leave will be restricted due to the risk of community transmission being brought back into the Facility. Residents can however leave the Facility for longer periods of social leave on the understanding that conditions may apply upon return including a negative PCR or RAT test and regular enhanced symptom monitoring.
  • Meal Service: residents who are undertaking a period of isolation will receive room service. Due to potential staffing reductions, some meals may be served using high quality disposable kitchenware and a changed menu may be implemented, to accommodate reduced capacity in our catering teams. Changes to menus and the use of disposables will be implemented as a last resort.
  • Lifestyle Services: at level 3, no group activities will be facilitated, and staff will be allocated to areas of the Facility to provide one to one support as far as reasonably practicable.

Level 4 – When there is an active outbreak status implemented as a result of two or more suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19 cases within the Facility.

  • At level 4, you will notice significant changes to our daily operations.
  • Our Care Plus model will be activated. This is unique to Bedingfeld Park and is designed to ensure that staff are multiskilled to provide essential wholistic care and support to residents, despite a reduction in workforce capacity, with a focus on safety and infection prevention and control.
  • Conditional Facility Restricted Access:– where possible, each resident will be supported to receive one visit per day from a person they have nominated as their Essential Visitor (see below). Duration may be restricted to up to 30 minutes in some circumstances to allow us to minimise the risk of community transmission. Partners in Care can continue to visit and provide essential care and support services without any restrictions. At level 4, due to likely building capacity restrictions and potential staffing limitations, prioritisations for visitations will be given to Partners in Care and those visiting people at the end stages of life. We will ask that visits are held within residents’ private rooms. All visitors will be required to provide a negative result from a Rapid Antigen Test prior to entry and standard vaccination and contact tracing requirements will be maintained (exceptions may apply in exceptional circumstances at our CEO’s discretion). At level 4, video calls and window visitations are actively encouraged to maintain resident social connection with those that are important to them.
  • Social Leave: at level 4, social leave will be actively discouraged as we will likely now be viewed by the Department of Health as a ‘quarantine facility’.
  • Meal Service: residents who are undertaking a period of isolation will receive room service. Due to potential staffing reductions, some meals may be served using high quality disposable kitchenware and a changed menu may be implemented, to accommodate reduced capacity in our catering teams. Changes to menus and the use of disposables will be implemented as a last resort.
  • Lifestyle Services: capacity to facilitate dedicated lifestyle services will be significantly reduced and therefore opportunities for meaningful engagement will be provided as part of the Care Plus model only.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Essential Visitors: Bedingfeld Park is keen to ensure you continue to maintain relationships and connections with those that are important to you, and therefore we invite you to nominate one person as an Essential Visitor (as well as a ‘back-up’ Essential visitor, in the event your Essential Visitor becomes unwell) who will endeavour to support visitation, where possible. If the management response needs to escalate to levels 3 or 4, we may need to place some restrictions, such as the times and duration of visits, to allow us to minimise the risk of transmission and manage the capacity of the Facility and our workforce. As always, exceptional circumstances will be considered carefully and compassionately.

Partnerships in Care: If you have somebody who provides you with care and support with certain tasks during their visit, they may be nominated as a Partner in Care. We invite you to discuss this option with your Clinical Nurse Manager or Facility Manager at your earliest opportunity. Partners in Care are recognised as essential support people to many residents and will be given priority access to the Facility, in the event of further conditional restricted access.

Access to resources and supplies: Please be assured that as part of our pandemic preparedness, Bedingfeld Park is sourcing and stockpiling essential resources to ensure we have enough clinical, operational, and catering supplies in the event that these become limited in the future.

The role of the Department of Health & Public Health Units: In the event of an infectious outbreak within one of our Facilities, our decisions and actions will be largely directed by the Department of Health and Public Health Units. During a public health crisis such as this, Residential Aged Care Facilities are often viewed as an extension of the health system, with access to 24-hour Registered Nurse and Allied Health support. Therefore, in the event of a resident becoming unwell, and the decision as to whether they should access a public health service, by being transferred to Hospital for example, residents in our care may be considered better placed being cared for in the familiarity and comfort of their Aged Care Facility. This decision is not always in our control, and whilst we will continue to advocate in the best interests of our residents, we encourage you to reflect on your end of life wishes and ensure these are documented in your Advance Care Plan. If you would like to discuss this further or have any concerns about accessing medical support in the event of you or a loved one contracting COVID-19, please see a member of our dedicated team as soon as possible.

We hope this has provided you with the reassurance and confidence as intended and we appreciate your patience in allowing us to promote the safety of everyone living, working, and visiting our Facilities.

If you have any queries for the interim and are having difficulty in contacting your Facility directly, we invite you to contact our Central Office support team on (08) 6254 8200 with any queries or concerns. Please assist us in every way you can to keep our deserving Residents and committed Staff safe.

Entry Provisions Effective 03 March 2022

For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, the following Entry Provisions need to apply to all Visitors:

  • Any Visitors sign a Statutory Declaration confirming:
    • Have not been overseas, on a cruise ship or been knowingly close to any such person in the last 7 days.
    • Have not been informed of being in close contact with a person or persons who have been a confirmed or suspected case of COVID or Influenza within the past 7 days.
    • Have not been in contact with or caring for someone who is currently unwell.
    • Are not currently or within the last 7 days been unwell or been aware of any unusual symptoms including fever, night sweats/chills, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, or gastro.
    • Will agree to adhere to the following:
      • Only 2 Visitors per resident, per day;
      • Provide negative RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) result, taken within 1 hour prior to attending;
        • bring test to facility;
        • prove to staff a valid negative result;
        • hand test kit over for disposal on signing their Facility Entry Declaration.
        • RAT kits are now conveniently available in shops and pharmacies but a RAT kit will be provided free of charge, if necessary. Visitors are requested to self-test outside the Facility to minimise any risk to our Residents and Staff.
      • Wear a mask at all times while visiting, including children, 8 years and older;
      • Submit to a temperature check;
      • Follow social distancing guidelines;
      • Regular handwashing;
      • Provide evidence of double dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine;
      • Provide evidence of a 2021 Flu vaccination (or documentation of medical contraindication/ COVID-19 vaccination waiting period);
      • Follow any instructions from staff during the visit.

Staying In Contact

All residents and their family/ friends will continue to be assisted and encouraged to stay in contact. This will be facilitated by the following:

  • Contact the Facility to enquire about the resident. Extra staff will be available to receive your enquiry and pass on information as appropriate.
  • Additional telephones will be available for our staff to provide direct conversation with loved ones.
  • Video Chat links can be offered that will enable direct video, audio, or text contact by arrangement. App installation information will be provided on request.
  • We will naturally continue to maintain communication with resident primary contacts in the event of any matters arising in relation to their health status or as they request.
  • We will continue to review our communication methods.

Increased Lifestyle Services & Resident Surveys

To assist our residents to adjust to the now reduced external visitation, we have maintained an increased level of Lifestyle activities and services offered. Activities in which social distancing is unable to be managed continue to be reviewed. All intergenerational activities involving school aged children will remain suspended.

We are conducting ongoing Resident Feedback Surveys to gauge the response of residents to our Lifestyle programs and the outcomes continue to be overwhelmingly positive with the majority of residents reporting a significantly increased enthusiasm and engagement. These Lifestyle enjoyment programs will continue to be expanded and be varied in the future. We will be in communication with our residents and primary contacts when these occur.