COVID-19 (Corona Virus) Visiting at Homewood Care

We pride ourselves on providing the best clinical care for Sydney's residents

Update 8 October 2021

Revised Visiting Restrictions & COVID-19 Vaccination Update

Dear Homewood Family, 
 
We plan to start the return of visitations on Tuesday 12/10/21. It's timely to emphasise the
risk any resident takes by refusing to be Covid vaccinated.   
 
We thank you all for your patience and diligence in keeping our residents and staff COVID-19
free. 
 
The long awaited  COVID-19 partial reinstitution of visitation rights  for double vaccinated
persons is fast approaching. I am pleased to announce that from next Tuesday 12th October
2021,  Homewood Care will allow some  visitors to return  with some eased infection control
restrictions. 
 
Evidence of completion of double COVID-19 vaccinations is mandatory for anyone wishing to
visit. 
 
Rapid antigen testing is available where clinically indicated. 
 
Our visiting protocols are as follows: 
 
1. On-Site Visits Generally
 
The following additional procedures must be followed if attending our facilities.

• COVID-19  double  vaccination  is a requirement  for any persons visiting our
  facilities. 
• Ventilation is very important for presenting the spread of COVID-19, therefore
  when indoors all windows and doors should be open as much as possible. 
• Current Flu vaccination is also required.
• A maximum of 2 fully vaccinated visitors per resident per day. 
• Temperature checks and screening on arrival remains mandatory.
• Social distancing of 1.5m from all residents and staff must be maintained at all
  times (including during any resident visit and in their rooms).
• Handwashing and hand sanitising remains mandatory.
• A surgical face masks remain mandatory.
• Registration and a signed recognition by visitors  to comply with our new Visiting
  Procedures is required (Registration).
• Our team is  endeavouring to avoid delays however in the event there is a delay or
  queue, your patience is very much appreciated.
• Please remember to abide by the social distance markings on the floor when awaiting
  Registration.
• All visitors must also sign out before leaving the premises.
• To avoid disappointment, please check the NSW Health website prior to your visit as
  we are not permitted to allow entry to any visitor who has been to or lives in a COVID
  hotspot. This list is continuously updated and can be found  using the following  link:
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates. 
   
  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with our care staff or refer to the
  relevant signage throughout the facilities and at Reception.

2. Personal Visits 
 
When visiting a resident in their room or designated outdoor area the following rules apply: 

• A maximum of 2 fully vaccinated visitors per resident per day which allows us to
  supervise social distancing and infection control practices.
• Our dedicated staff will escort you to and from your loved one’s room, or one of
  our marked areas.
• You may only visit the resident whom you have booked to see.
• For visits at Homewood Care bookings must be scheduled via Reception on 9503
  1800 (bookings assist us to ensure a staff member can be available to assist you
  to the resident’s room or designated outdoor area, which minimises waiting times
  for you at Reception).
• Unfortunately,  visitors in common areas  e.g.  dining  and lounge  rooms  are not
  permissible at this time.
• Visiting hours are preferred between 10am – 5pm when our RN can undertake the
  testing and  reception staff can assist you to the resident’s room/designated
  outdoor space. 
• Visits outside these hours can be booked via Reception on 9503 1800 so that
  we can arrange for clinical staff to undertake the  screening and concierge
  function. Such visits do impact on clinical staff time with residents, so we ask
  you to consider minimising visits outside 9am-6pm if possible, please. 
  

For further information, please go to the Department of Health website using the following link:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates 

5. Alternate Ways to Keep in Contact if your Visit is Restricted:

• Video conferencing via our dedicated iPads using Skype, ZOOM and Facetime –
  Bookings remain essential and can be made via reception.  Alternatively, phone calls are always welcomed by our residents.
  

Our priority is to continue to keep our Residents and staff safe during this time. We continue
to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our local and broader community. 

 
Vaccination Update 
 
I am pleased to advise that 100% of staff have received their first COVID vaccination with 93%
of staff  having  their second. Our  Residents have reached  94% vaccinated, with this figure
changing with admissions and discharges. This is a fabulous result and I thank all Residents
and staff for participating in this critical program to help protect everyone at Homewood Care,
where we proudly remain COVID free. 
 
Our  Carlton  pharmacist Damien Abi-Hanna has  kindly agreed to vaccinate the entire
Homewood family including relatives of our residents and staff with the Moderna vaccine. 
 
We take these measures to try to secure the wellbeing of your loved ones and our wonderful
staff. 

We are all in this together. Please do not hesitate to contact Tom Pembroke, or myself via
reception on 9503 1800 or via email to tom@homewoodcare.com.au should you have any
queries.

Sincerely,
Michael Pembroke 
Chief Executive Officer