Published on 22 December 2022
Thanks again for your continued efforts and commitment to Best Care for our community in 2022. A huge thanks from me and my Executive colleagues to those staff that will continue to work over the Christmas and public holiday period.
I have a final couple of messages to share with you before the Christmas break.
Free night-duty meals program to cease
You may recall that the Department of Health implemented a winter retention strategy for the period 1 July to 31 December that involved a surge payment capped at $3000 and a meals and refreshment program for night-duty staff and staff working double shifts. The two-part payments were made in August and September, and Western Health has provided almost 45,000 meals to our night-duty staff over the last six months. With the program coming to an end, the last night-duty meals will be served on 31 December.
COVIDSafe measures for patient day and overnight leave during festive period
With Christmas approaching, some patients will seek day and overnight leave in order to celebrate with friends and family. Leave can be approved provided the multidisciplinary treating team signs off AND patients:
- Are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
- Do not have COVID-19 symptoms
- They are not awaiting COVID-19 test results.
Clinical staff should advise patients and their family members that they’ll need to contact the relevant ward if they are aware of any person who has contracted COVID-19 within 48 hours of coming into contact with the patient while on day or overnight leave. Patients will need to be screened upon return and take part in surveillance testing over the course of the preceding week. For more information, please refer to the day and night leave guidance.
Thanks again and all the best for the festive season – I trust that you will find some time to relax with family and friends.
Regards
John Ferraro
Chief Operating Officer