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Orion Care’s response to Covid-19

We believe the wellbeing, health and safety of our people, clients, their families and the wider community is of utmost importance. We are closely monitoring updates from Department of Health regarding COVID-19 and updating our procedures as new information is communicated, to ensure high standards of infection control and maintenance of COVID safe work environments.

Please make use of the below resources, and feel free to share them around with your family, friends and employees.

For the latest information on the Coronavirus, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health for guidance. https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts

If you do not have access to their website, you can call the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Our Response

Information based on Australian Department of Health Guidelines.

FAQ for our Clients

The most frequently asked questions we receive from our Clients.

Infection Control Training

Online training module for healthcare workers.

Categories
News & Resources

COVID-19 information for our workforce and clients

We are following advice from the Australian Government and Australian Government Department of Health with early preparations sustaining continued quality services to clients. Our management is constantly vigilant, ensuring that current and evolving protocols to identify risk of infection, and ensure COVID safe and infection control procedures are effectively implemented and adhered to.

These steps are being undertaken to protect our staff and participants:

  • Adhering to government advice on when our employees should wear PPE and rapidly updating our practices if government advice changes
  • Communicating our Emergency Preparedness and Mandatory Notification requirements to our support staff
  • Providing clear directives that our support workers must not come to work or visit clients if they are unwell. In particular, if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath) or have had close contact with someone who has been confirmed as having COVID-19, or someone who is currently being tested for COVID-19
  • Adoption of new work schedule and hygiene practices, tailored to the client and work environment
  • Reinforcing handwashing and hand-sanitising protocols: upon arrival, before/after direct contact and at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Staying up-to-date with the latest news on COVID-19, released by the applicable state and national government agencies, and communicating this to staff and customers

Mandatory Notification Protocol for Staff

Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, or contacted by a Health Department/Public Health Unit and asked to self-isolate:

  • Must comply with medical & Health Department advice
  • Must advise their Manager IMMEDIATELY

Anyone who believes they have been in close contact (being face to face for at least 15-mins, or been in the same closed space for at least 2-hrs) with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person:

  • Must advise their Manager IMMEDIATELY
  • Must seek medical attention for consideration of testing for COVID-19
  • Must not attend work until cleared by a medical practitioner

If an employee suspects that they may be infected and are waiting on test results but cannot be isolated at home, they will need to contact a public health unit who will assess and advise on the next steps.

Anyone who is unwell and has *flu-like symptoms:

  • Must contact your Manager/Supervisor IMMEDIATELY
  • Must seek medical attention for consideration of testing for COVID-19
  • Provide a medical note for return to work

* flu-like symptoms: People with coronavirus may experience:

  • Fever
  • Flu like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
  • Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
  • loss of smell and loss of taste
Categories
News & Resources

FAQ for our clients

During this time, Orion Care’s priority is to support the health and well-being of our community, and our team, so that they may continue to care for you.

For the latest information on the Coronavirus, please visit the Australian Government Department of Health for guidance or call the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line on 1800 020 080

Looking out for yourself and reporting illness

If you feel unwell, call the doctor. Tell someone you trust. Then please let Orion Care know as soon as possible.

If you have trouble breathing, call an ambulance straight away on 000.

Be Informed on preventing the spread of coronavirus?

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the bathroom.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with your elbow or a tissue. Dispose of tissues and wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
  • Clean the surfaces that people touch a lot like door handles, tables, handrails
  • Social distance – stay 1.5 metres from other people when possible to do so, especially when out of the house
  • If unwell, seek medical advice and avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 meters from people)

Resource: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/04_2020/dac_coronavirus-social-distancing-easy-read_20200414.pdf

Keep us in the Loop!

Whilst we are reaching out to our clients more than ever, so we can work with you to ensure proper precautions for everyone’s safety, we encourage you to let us know in the case of any of the following:

  • If you are unwell in any way
  • If a family member or house guest is unwell or is isolating at home.
  • If you or a house guest has had contact with COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19, whether they have symptoms or not.
  • Any concerns about your service.

Your Care Manager is your first port of call with any feedback or concerns and can also receive calls from families, friends or loved ones, too.

If you still have questions or concerns, you can also contact the Disability Information Helpline ( funded by the Australian Government) on 1800 643 787.

Screening

COVID-19 Screening and Risk Assessment processes have been implemented for all Support Staff and Clients, and are repeated and reviewed regularly.

A Safe Workplace is a Clean Workplace

When providing staff to your home, Orion Care will consult with you and conduct a risk assessment, to ensure your requirements are understood, procedures are agreed and reinforced with our staff. We may undertake the following activities:

  • Increasing handwashing and hand-sanitising protocols: upon arrival, before/after direct contact and at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Focused Cleaning of High Touch Areas
  • Some areas may need additional cleaning such as door handles, kitchen and bathroom surfaces
  • Some tasks may require staff to use protective equipment such as gloves
  • Hand sanitiser should be available for visitors to your home.