Published on 22 August 2023

Introduction of COVID Sustainability matrix

Western Health has continued to closely monitor the status of COVID in our facilities and across the community. This information has informed our COVID settings which have periodically escalated and de-escalated based on the level of risk.

Unfortunately, COVID will continue to remain a factor that we need to take into consideration to provide a safe environment for our staff, patients, volunteers and the public.

Based on our experience and evidence, Western Health is now moving to a COVID Sustainability matrix to inform our settings from this point forward. The matrix is outlined below and aims to provide a transparent and simplified guidance for our staff and volunteers, and includes the trigger points that we will use to inform our settings.

The matrix provides guidance on:

  • masking and visitor guidance based on whether the health service is red or green;
  • how settings change in wards/departments where there is a patient(s) with COVID or suspected COVID (SCOVID); and
  • the definition of an outbreak ward, and control measures to be implemented if a ward/department meets this definition.

In accordance with the matrix below, Western Health’s COVID status is currently Green, therefore the relevant masking and visitor settings can be put in place in your area as outlined below. If a ward/department has patients with COVID or SCOVID or meets the definition of an outbreak ward, please continue to wear a P2/N95 respirator whilst in that environment.

2023 COVID sustainability matrix

We will continue to monitor the data and will formally advise all staff and volunteers of any change to our status in the future.
We continue to be committed to providing a safe environment for all of our staff, patients, volunteers and visitors and again thank you for your commitment and support.

Regards,

John Ferraro

Chief Operating Officer