STAWELL'S aged care facilities received the tick of approval after observational checks from the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre and Australian Defence Force.
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Both Eventide Homes (Stawell) Inc and Macpherson Smith Residential Care were delighted to report positive feedback after the visit about the facilities' specific COVID-19 management and infection control arrangements.
Since the first reports of COVID-19 received at the beginning of the year, Eventide and Macpherson Smith management teams have worked closely together in consultation with residents and families to design and implement the necessary measures to keep everyone safe from any potential spread of coronavirus.
Residents expressed a strong desire to stay in familiar surroundings in the case of contracting COVID-19.
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That decision brought about the significant investments made in setting up dedicated isolation areas in the residential care facilities while keeping all other residents and employees safe - leading to the commendation comments from the combined VACRC and the ADF team.
The team also commented on the highly effective and visible infection control measures in place, which again is a great reflection on the professionalism and quality of our dedicated residential care and infection control staff.
Stawell Regional Health chief executive Kate Pryde said she acknowledge the combined effort and tenacity of all staff, residents and their families who worked together to ensure the safety of our residents during the past "difficult" months.
"The partnership and working together really made a meaningful difference in making sure we were all well prepared and ready for any eventuality," she said.
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"We were very happy to receive the positive feedback regarding our residential care infection control measures - it confirms that the high level of care provided is well-suited with what our community requires and more than measure up to best-practice guidelines."
Eventide Homes chief executive Sue Blakey said the visit was "welcomed" and she appreciated the suggestions put forward for improvement.
"I think they were suitably impressed with our isolation area in Kingston Lodge, set up with eight beds in readiness for the dreaded COVID, we are very fortunate to have this space," she said.
"The efforts put in by our staff over this time has been incredible, I am in awe of what can be achieved in very challenging times."
In the coming weeks Eventide Homes and Macpherson Smith Residential Care will be taking measured steps, in keeping with DHHS directives and while remaining vigilant, towards providing more visitation and social interaction opportunities for all residents.
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