COVID–19 – Stage 4 – Action Plan Update (5) – PPE Changes

COVID–19 – Stage 4 – Action Plan Update (5) – PPE Changes

We have received information from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on August 14 alerting us to “updated Victorian DHHS guidance about eye protection and P2/N95 respirators”. In response we have updated our COVID-19 Action Plan as follows.

Step 1 – Immediate Action

As shown in table 2 below the latest DHHS guidelines detail which type of additional PPE needs to be used “when clients do not have coronavirus (COVID-19) risk factors or have been cleared of coronavirus (COVID-19)”

In response we have contacted the NDIS National Medical Stockpile and the DHHS Community Services PPE Request Team seeking additional PPE supplies. Unfortunately, both organisations were unable to assist.

Fortunately, we have been able to purchase additional supplies of disposable surgical face masks and face shields. When we receive these supplies, we will immediately send each Hearth support worker a pack containing

1. 20 surgical disposable face masks
2. 1 face shield

Support workers should be able to access gloves from the participant as we have previously sent all participants 200 Nitrile gloves in our care pack. If you cannot access gloves whilst on shift please advise the team at Hearth on info@hearthaustralia.com.au and we will do our best to assist.

Please note that whilst on shift Hearth support workers must wear the appropriate PPE as detailed in table 2 below at all times.

Step 2 – Follow up Action

The DHHS have also advised in table 1 below “PPE to use when clients have coronavirus (COVID-19) risk factors”

Should a participant fall into this category we have developed an “emergency care pack” containing

1. Surgical masks or P2/N95 masks
2. Face shield
3. Nitrile gloves
4. Disposable gowns

These will be despatched as required. Should you require an emergency care pack please contact your relationship manager as soon as you find out one is required, and we will despatch it immediately.

As always, we are here to help if you need any kind of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the Hearth Team and we will do our best to assist.

Warm Regards

Justin Scanlon