Staff Memo 23-03-2020

CORONAVIRUS

With the rapidly changing coronavirus situation, NWSS will continually update our situation on the opening page of our website.

SOCIAL ISOLATION IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT WITH STRICTER RULES BEING ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.  IT IS SHOWING UP AS THE MAIN HOPE FOR GETTING THROUGH THIS OUTBREAK

  • Stay at home
    If around other people in the community keep at least one metre distance from them.  This is the four-square meter rule per person
  • Health care workers are allowed to continue working but should be social isolating when not working

The big issues that arise for us are:

  • How to support and manage the staff that work in our shared homes
  • How to support and manage the staff who visit clients in their private homes
  • How to manage day support arrangements

Shared homes:

  • Staff should read the directions that have been left in the shared homes by the management team at the commencement of every shift.  These directions can change on a daily basis
  • Leaving the home with clients should be for absolutely essential reasons only and must be cleared by a Direct Service Coordinator

Private homes:

  • Staff should come and go and adhere to the directions from Direct Service Coordinators for each client
  • The use of staff vehicles should be for absolutely essential reasons only and must be cleared by a Direct Service Coordinator

NWSS Lifestyle programs:

  • All programs are cancelled until further notice.  Direct Service Coordinators will advise on day locations and activities

Day support programs by other services:

  • All NWSS clients will be withdrawn from these programs as from tonight (Sunday 22-03-20)
  • Direct Service Coordinators will advise staff on day locations and activities for our clients
  • The General Manager will be advising day support services of this decision tonight (22-03-20)

Neal Rodwell — General Manager — North West Support Services — 0418 140 000