COVID-19 UPDATES

Liscombe House

February 17 2021

We are out of lockdown as of midnight tonight.

 With regard to visitors coming into Liscombe House, we have been advised that from tomorrow, one household may visit a resident once a day. We suggest you limit your household numbers to three for the moment.

 Exceptions continue to apply. Symptomatic individuals (e.g. sore throat), close contacts and returned international travellers excluded from visiting.

 We will let you know when these visitor restrictions lift or change.

February 12 2021

A short lockdown has been announced today by the Victorian Government. It comes into effect from midnight tonight until midnight Wednesday 17 February. As explained by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the alternative to lockdown could be devastating.

The lockdown takes us back to Stage 4 restrictions. Please check for more information on: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

The lockdown measures include no visits to aged care homes except for end of life care.

Unlike previous lockdowns, we will not be opening up window visits during this lockdown period as it is important to stay at home and abide by the rules announced today by the Premier of Victoria: only leave for essential shopping (one person per household; exercise for two hours; and essential work).

We encourage you to ring your loved ones directly and we are happy to arrange skype calls and zoom meetings during the week. If you want to organise something please book via keepingintouch@ocav.com.au with the subject line marked Skype/ Phone calls.

If you have any concerns please email us at  covid19responseteam@ocav.com.au

Liscombe House

February 10 2021

Visits: Exposure Sites – Check Online before you come in

There are no changes relating to visiting regulations. However,

• You MUST check the List of Exposure Sites BEFORE you visit Liscombe House. (https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks-covid-19

• If you have visited an exposure site, DO NOT VISIT Liscombe House: follow the instructions provided by the Department of Health.

This is part of the screening process to keep our residents safe.

Additional exposure sites currently include:

February 5 – Sunbury Square Shopping Centre (Bakers’ Delight, Aldente Deli, Sushi Sushi, Asian Star); February 6 – Sunny Life Massage, Sunbury Square Shopping Centre, and February 7: Cellarbrations.

If you have been at an exposure site in the specified times, you are required to immediately isolate, get tested and remain isolated for 14 days whether your test result is negative or positive.

For more information on where to get tested, call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website:

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/getting-tested

Continue with Caution

This situation reminds us how important it is to maintain our vigilance. Please remember:

• Follow infection control measures at all times
• If you feel unwell – even slightly – stay home, get tested immediately. Do not visit until you have received a negative test result.

February 4 2021

As you may have heard, a worker in hotel quarantine has tested positive, potentially with the British variant of COVID-19. As a cautionary measure, new state wide restrictions are now in play.

Exposure sites

A list of exposure sites has been published onhttps://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks-covid-19

These include:

• Northpoint Café: Brighton – 8:10am – 9:30am on January 31
• Kmart: Brandon Park  – 4:35pm – 5:10pm on January 31
• Nakama Workshop: Clayton South – 11.15am – midday on February 1
• Melbourne Golf Academy: Heatherton – 5.19pm – 6.35pm on February 1
• Aces Sporting Club (Driving Range):  Keysborough – 10:00pm – 11:15pm on January 30
• Kmart: Keysborough – 4:00pm – 5:00pm on January 31
• Exford Hotel: Melbourne – 11pm – 11.35pm on January 29
• Lululemon: Moorabbin – 5pm – 5.45pm on February 1
• Club Noble: Noble Park – 2.36pm – 3.30pm on January 30
• Bunnings: Springvale: 11.30am -12.15pm February 1
• Coles: Springvale – 5:00pm – 6:00pm on January 31
• Sharetea: Springvale – 6.50pm-7.30pm on February 1
• Woolworths: Springvale – 6.30pm to 7.30pm on February 1
• Kebab Kingz: West Melbourne – 11.24pm January 29 to 12.15am January 30

The website will continue to be updated and we advise you to keep informed by visiting it at least twice a day. We will also update on our Facebook page.

Anybody who visited these places, at these times, must get tested and isolate for 14 days. Please do not come to Liscombe House if you are being or have been tested. Please let us know if you have visited any of these sites and have been to Liscombe House before these statewide restrictions were introduced.  Thank you.

Protocols

 We are grateful to every visitor and all our staff for abiding by our protocols – wearing masks, hand hygiene, keeping a safe distance, no hugging and kissing. These measures are so important in keeping the virus out, as best we can, from Liscombe House.

February 1 2021

4 January 2021

This update contains important information that we have just received from the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria.

What is new for visitors and residents

• Residents are now allowed only one visitor at any time, once per day for a maximum of 2 hours. Please liaise with your family members to ensure that this happens.
• Any resident who needs essential care is allowed one visitor a day and there is no time limit. Please confirm with the nursing station or email us on covid19responseteam@ocav.com.au if you have any concerns or questions.
• End of life: 2 visitors and there is no time limit.

If you live in or have visited Mentone, Mitcham or Hallam or have visited any of the exposure sites, please do not come into Liscombe House. Please get tested, stay at home and isolate until your result is known. Please let us know your result as soon as possible.  If you have visited these locations with a Liscombe House resident, please let the nursing station know immediately.

What remains in place

• Monday to Friday visiting hours are 9am to 6pm.  Doors into Liscombe House will close at 6pm
• Weekends and Public Holidays: visiting hours are 1 – 4pm.  Doors will be closed before 1pmand after 4pm
• Bookings are not required at this stage but this may change

• Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by OCAV.
• Visitors must not visit Liscombe House if feeling unwell.
• Visitors must wear a face mask, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so.
• Visitors to Liscombe House will continue to be temperature checked and sign the COVID-19 declaration form before visiting their loved ones. Visitors have to sign in and out – including time in and out.

Leaving Liscombe House 

Residents can continue to leave Liscombe House with the following rules in place: they should only go to one place – for example a café or to your home. On the sign-in sheet at reception, visitors must let OCAV staff know where they are going. The Premier of Victoria advises people to keep a note of visitors to your home for contact tracing. If a visitor or anyone who will be meeting the resident is unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked to cancel the visit with reception. We will also let visitors know if the residents one is not feeling well enough to go out.  We are issuing face coverings for all residents who are leaving Liscombe House.

Exposure sites

These are new exposure sites being added all the time. Rather than list them all, please use this link to update yourself. The link is kept up to date and is pretty much live as soon as tracing data is released. The link takes you to two tabs, one for NSW and the other for Victoria. Each site is named and there is an arrow pointing to more information about what to do.

https://covid19nearme.com.au/state/vic

DHHS is also urging anyone who has been in the Lakes Entrance area with coronavirus symptoms to get tested, after COVID fragments were detected in wastewater testing.

Thank you all for being vigilant, and working with us to keep every resident and each other safe.

Monday 21 December

New South Wales update

We ask that anyone who has been in the northern beaches, Greater Sydney (which includes the Blue Mountains) and the NSW Central Coast SINCE 11 December and who has NOT had to quarantine to stay away from Liscombe House.

This request also applies to anyone who is a close or casual contact of people who live or have visited these areas.

We also advise you to get tested.

As a reminder, the changes to crossing borders by vehicle are:

Victoria border crossing permit

• From 11:59pm Sunday, 20 December 2020, the Greater Sydney area and the Central Coast will be designated as a ‘red zone.’ That means that people who live in these communities, or have visited these communities since 11 December 2020, cannot enter Victoria. Anyone from this zone found trying to enter Victoria in breach of this order will be subject to 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.
• The rest of regional New South Wales remains a green zone, but residents in these areas will still need to apply for and receive a valid permit to enter Victoria.
• Those living in local government areas along the border will not need a permit but will instead be able to use their driver’s license as a passport to travel between Victoria and New South Wales.
• For further information, including LGAs in the border zone and permits, please go to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-border-crossing-permit

Normal visiting hours resume on Tuesday 29 December:

25 November 2020

We are delighted to tell you that  we are opening for visitors with only a handful of rules in place. This is in line with the lifting of restrictions by both the Premier of Victoria and the Chief Health Officer. However, as the Premier of Victoria has also said, this virus needs very little opportunity to gain ground – as we have seen recently in South Australia. We need to remain cautious as we enjoy our new freedoms.

What is new

We no longer require you to book a visit except for visits of 4 people or more, window visits and skype calls

There are no limits on the purpose of visits or the length of the visit.

People of any age can visit Liscombe House.

From Monday to Friday, you are free to come in at any time. The main entry door will open from 9am and close at 6pm.

Weekends and Public Holidays: visiting hours are 1 – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. No bookings are required. Doors will be closed until 1pm and after 4pm.

Density caps

Three people plus the resident (i.e. total of four people) can meet in the resident’s bedroom.

Groups of four or more have to meet in courtyards – and bookings apply. Please bookthrough keepingintouch@ocav.com.au .

What remains

Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility.

You must not visit Liscombe House if you are feeling unwell.

Visitors to Liscombe House must wear a face mask, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so. 

Visitors to Liscombe House will continue to be temperature checked and have to sign the COVID-19 declaration form before visiting their loved ones.

Visitors to Liscombe House have to sign in and out – including time in, time out and contact details.

The COVID-19 form

The declaration includes that you:

• do not have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms; and 
• have not been in contact with a confirmed case (except with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at work); and 
• have not been required to isolate or quarantine in accordance with the Diagnosed Persons and Close Contacts Directions. 

We have to record the following details:

• the contact details of the person; and 
• the date and time at which the person entered the care facility 
• the date and time at which the person left the care facility 
• responses to the declarations (above) 
• screening information (for example, temperature check).

Leaving Liscombe House

Residents can leave Liscombe House with the following rules in place: they should only go to one place – for example a café or to your home. On the sign-in sheet at reception, you will have to let us know where you are going. If you are going home, please do not go over the permitted number of visitors you are allowed in your home. The Premier of Victoria advises people to keep a note of visitors to your home for contact tracing. If you or anyone is unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, please cancel the visit with reception. We will also let you know if your loved one is not feeling well enough to go out.  We are issuing face coverings for all residents who are leaving Liscombe House. Face coverings should be worn in the car.

Bookings for groups of 4 or more, window visits and Skype calls

Please book your appointment at least 24 hours in advance through keepingintouch@ocav.com.au   Please mark in the subject line whether you want a physical, window or skype visit.

Window visits

• Window visits continue and are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10am – 12noon and 1pm – 3pm; not Wednesday or weekends.

Phone directly

Please feel free to ring your loved ones directly.

Reminders

Keeping everyone safe:

Please abide by the community rules – both inside Liscombe House and outside in the community with your loved one –  that have been put in place by the Victorian Chief Health Officer – these are keeping 1.5metres away from your loved one, staff and others, no hugs, handshakes or kisses, and wear a face mask INSIDE Liscombe House, carry a face covering at all times, and wear the covering outside where you cannot self-distance safely. These are directives that are set by the Victorian Government.

Update for volunteers, 5 November 2020

COVID-19 Training

We want all volunteers to complete the Federal Government training before returning.

It is free and very easy to register and only takes about 15 minutes.  After you register, it is the bottom training…. ‘Infection Control Training – Covid 19.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-infection-control-training

Upon completion you will receive a certificate, could you please forward this to me.

Police Checks

During the last 6 months several police certificates have expired as we haven’t been able to verify identification.  These will need to be updated before returning to volunteering.  An email will go out shortly to those who need renewing.

Liscombe House update, November 4 2020

We are sure that you, like us, are relieved to see the case numbers dropping and the 14-day average reducing significantly. However, we cannot be complacent which is why we are continuing our stringent approach to minimise the risk of introduction into Liscombe House.

Hotspots

There is one new mystery case in Victoria in the postcode 3023, covering the suburbs of Deer Park, Caroline Springs, Cairnlea, Burnside, Burnside Heights and Ravenhall. This case is being managed as a new infection pending further testing.

The other mystery case in Victoria is in postcode 3081 – Heidelberg West, Heidelberg Heights and Bellfield.

Anyone living in these postcodes or who has visited them and who has even the mildest of symptoms should get tested.

Testing

As part of the new precautionary arrangements for aged care within Victoria, staff are being tested by Sonic Healthcare on Monday 9 November.

Important reminder

Could you please be mindful of our COVID procedures which are directives from the Victorian Government and Victorian Chief Health Officer.   

You must wear a properly fitted face mask at all times while in the facility and maintain social distance.  This is in place to protect everyone. 

We also make appointment times to prevent a build-up of people coming through reception, we ask you to arrive at the time you have booked. Every person coming in has to be temperature checked and asked a series of COVID-19 safe questions: this again is mandated by the Federal Government.

If these arrangements are not suitable to you we can arrange a window visit for you.

Bookings for physical visits, window visits and Skype calls

Please book your appointment at least 24 hours in advance through keepingintouch@ocav.com.au   Please mark in the subject line whether you want physical, window or skype.

Physical visits

Sunday visits

• From Sunday 8 November, we are introducing Sunday afternoon visits in addition to the Monday to Friday visits.
• The Sunday visits will be from 1pm – 4pm.

Monday to Friday visits

• These are available from Monday to Friday from 10am – 12noon and 1pm – 3pm. 
• Only one visitor a day per resident for one hour maximum.
• Properly fitted face masks must be worn all the time within Liscombe House – cloth or reusable. No scarves, bandanas please.

Inside Liscombe House

• All visitors are expected to abide by our strict protocols which are: wash hands; keep 1.5metres away from your loved one, staff and others, no hugs, handshakes or kisses, and wear a face mask. These are directives that are set by the Victorian Government.
• All visitors will be escorted to the residents and are expected to return immediately to reception. 
• No family pets are allowed.
• Please do NOT bring in homemade food. Chocolates and pre-packaged food is fine but you will need to sign the form detailing what the food is and for whom. This is in line with our food safety requirements. 
• With advice from the Chief Medical Officer, we are no longer quarantining cards, gifts or flowers. Please feel free to bring them in.

Window visits

• Window visits continue (unless your loved one is end of life care or our clinical team believe you need to visit your loved one). We suggest up to three people from the same immediate family– one can be a child under the age of 16 – to visit at one time.  Animals can attend too.  Car sharing is fine for people living under the same roof but is discouraged otherwise.
• Window visits are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10am – 12noon and 1pm – 3pm; not Wednesday or weekends.

Phone directly

Please feel free to ring your loved ones directly.

End of life care

A maximum of two visitors will be allowed in at a time. Frequency and length of visits will be driven by what is needed by the resident to die with dignity and comfort. All precautionary measures – temperature checking, continue. As directed by the DHHS, any family member visiting in end of life situations will have to wear a face mask (surgical mask). One child under the age of 16 accompanied by a relative can attend for end of life visits.

Compassionate visits

Our clinical team will contact you directly if they believe there is need for a compassionate visit. Again, please if you are concerned we are here to support you. Email us directly covid19responseteam@ocav.com.au.

Liscombe House update

Liscombe House update – 10.15am

16 July 2020

All our residents and employees today continue to be COVID-19 symptom-free, you will be pleased to learn.

However, following discussions with the State and Federal Departments of Health, they have requested that we take the following precautions:

• In the interests of the health of all Liscombe House residents, we will now be moving to caring for all residents in their rooms.
• The Currie Wing is in full lockdown with extra infection control precautions in place
• Liscombe Wing residents have also been requested to remain in their rooms until further notice
• We are temporarily cancelling all window visits to minimise movement around and to allow staff to focus on resident care
• Limited Skype services will be available.
• Testing will be conducted for all residents and employees commencing today by the Victorian Department of Health.
• We are increasing employee levels to ensure all our residents are taken care of.

These measures are precautionary, in response to the increasing incidence of COVID-19 throughout the Stage 3 lockdown areas and instructions from the Victorian Public Health Unit.

Liscombe House update

July 15 2020 – 

We are pleased to advise that all residents and staff throughout Liscombe House continue to be symptom-free of COVID-19. The affected staff member is doing well, and we continue to support her and everyone. We continue to wait further advice from the Department of Health.

Increasing community transmission

With increasing COVID-19 infections due to community transmission in Victoria, both Federal and State Health Departments have issued recommendations that aged care facilities in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire increase protective measures against the virus.

We will be implementing the following as of today:

Staff Face Masks

Staff will now wear face masks when interacting with residents, and additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required, according to the situation and requirements.

Visitor Face Masks

As directed by the DHHS, any family member visiting in end of life situations will have to wear a face mask (surgical mask). Where you can please provide your own, however we will provide if you are unable to get hold of a mask. Staff will assist with fitting your face mask correctly.

A maximum of two visitors will be allowed in at a time. Frequency and length of visits will be driven by what is needed by the resident to die with dignity and comfort. All precautionary measures – temperature checking, flu vaccination proof, COVID19 restrictions, – will continue. You will not be allowed to enter if you have cold/ flu or respiratory symptoms.

Increased Resident Protection Measures

We have introduced daily COVID-19 screening for ALL residents, including observations such as temperature.

We will be deferring routine appointments and encouraging use of telehealth consultations with doctors wherever possible.

Our staff are assessing other aspects of our care and services, such as dining arrangements, and a decision will be made on these over the next couple of days.

July 14 2020

Confirming COVID-19 positive case in employee

This is to confirm that the Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria has had one employee test COVID-19 positive.

The employee last worked at the Liscombe House aged care home on Saturday 11 July and did not have any symptoms. The employee developed symptoms on Sunday, tested, self-isolated and subsequently tested positive on Tuesday 14 July.

We are awaiting further advice from the Department of Health.

No resident or staff member has shown any symptoms of COVID-19 in the last five days. We are monitoring residents and staff for COVID-19 symptoms every day.

All residents and next of kin have been contacted.

OCAV is now completing the process of contact tracing of this employee. The employee continues to isolate at home and we are in regular contact to provide support.

Liscombe House update: Restricted Access.

July 8 2020

Dear everyone

As you will be aware, people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are going into a six-week lockdown as of midnight Wednesday 8 July.

As a result, we have made several important decisions. These are: Restricting physical access