EDMH urges the community to wear a face mask to help protect our vulnerable

EDMH CEO Andrew Saunders thanks the community for your patience and compliance with COVID 19 restrictions to our facility.

“In the past few weeks we’ve seen an increase in the number of COVID19 cases in Victoria, and more recently there have been confirmed cases in Horsham. “ said Andrew.

“The Victorian government has mandated that all people working in Aged Care are to wear a face mask.   All staff at EDMH are now required to wear a mask whilst at the facility.”

“I urge all community members to consider wearing a face mask when out in public, especially when social distancing is not possible. It is a small price to pay to keep our most vulnerable and community safe.”

As a response the team at EDMH have reviewed our current restrictions.

Following are the decisions regarding restrictions:

The hospital will continue to have acute patients however there are restrictions on visitation.

• Our Urgent Care Centre is open but will only be accessible via the urgent care entry on Elizabeth Street. You are encouraged to phone ahead before presenting and when you arrive you will need to press the Nurse on Call button to gain entry. You will be assessed and triaged prior to entry to the facility.
• Group exercise classes have been suspended.
• Our social worker is available for appointments via telehealth
• Our current Phase 3 restrictions will remain in place for our Aged Care facilities (please see attached document) This is to be reviewed as the situation changes.
• Visits by Allied Health Services (including the dietician, dentist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist, radiologist etc.) and other external services providers are to continue with social distancing restrictions.
• All people entering the facility will be temperature checked, required to complete a self-declaration form, provide evidence of having had the flu vaccination and wear a face mask.
• All staff in the facility are also required to wear a face mask.
• Any visits to the facility must be arranged with the head of the department prior to arriving

• For Kowree Nursing Home, enter via Mollison Street entrance
• For Lakes Hostel, enter via Lake Street entrance
• For the Elsie Bennett Centre, enter via carpark off Lake Street, the centre is currently locked at all times, all visits to the centre will be by appointment only and you must wait in your car to be collected.
• For all other visits use the main entry of the hospital located on Elizabeth Street.

“As a facility, we are also limiting the movement of staff from one area of the facility to another wherever possible.”

"All of these restrictions can change depending on the evolving scenario of COVID-19  within our local community and the state of Victoria." said Andrew

Restricting access has proved successful and has limited the potential spread of the virus to those most at risk and we again thank you for adhering to these measures; they have greatly assisted us in protecting the health of our patients and  the community and has reduced the risk of infection.

Other ways to reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus (COVID-19):

• Practise Social Distancing.
• Wear a mask
• Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication ensure you have adequate supplies.
• Get tested If you have symptoms, temperature, sore throat, runny nose, dry cough.
• Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
• Phone your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
• Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep.
• Buy an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
• Get the flu shot (available April).

WHERE DO I GET UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION?

The best sources of information are:

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): News page:  https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-general-practitioners-coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/VicGovDHHS/

Telephone hotline 1800 675 398 (available 24 hours) (save 000 for emergencies only).

The Commonwealth Department of Health: News page:  https://www.health.gov.au/news

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/healthgovau/

If you require any further information, please visit our website or contact the hospital on (03) 55859800.