Visiting Hours at Cohuna District Hospital & Aged Care 10/11/2020

With declining activity across the state thanks to your efforts, we are seeing a pathway forward and need to begin taking the first step back towards seeing your smiling faces again in our corridors.

In line with DHHS guidelines regarding visitations to Residential Aged Care:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/aged-care-sector-coronavirus-disease-covid-19#visitors-in-residential-aged-care

and visitations to Hospitals:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/visiting-hospitals-covid-19#who-can-visit-a-hospital

we would like to advise the following:

Residential Aged Care:   Visiting hours will be available between 10am to 1700 hours and conducted in the dedicated visiting room or outside in the grounds.

This can be two visitors at a time and not restricted to adults, children are welcome to visit with an accompanying adult as part of the visiting capacity of the visiting room to enable social distancing to continue safely in this space. This can be up to 2 hours but we ask that you respect the room and booking system is only taking one hour each group to ensure equitable access for all our residents. If the room is not booked in the hour preceding your visit, you are welcome to stay another hour, or alternatively move outside to the garden area for this additional time.

Those visiting may also visit as a family group if able to attend to visiting outside in the undercover garden area, which can support 4 members from the same household attending for a visit at a time.

It is expected and requested  where possible and tolerated though that children also wear a face mask, even under the age of 12.

Acute Care:  Visiting hours will be available between 2-3pm and 6-7pm and can be conducted in the patients room

◾Two visitors per day for no longer than 1 hour following a successful COVID screening. This time limit does not apply to children and birthing woman.

◾All visitors must wear a face covering while attending. CDH will supply you with a hospital grade face mask upon presentation.

◾All visitors must continue to practice physical distancing by staying at least 1.5 metres from others, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. In cases where this is not possible, for example when providing essential care and support, such as assisting with eating, active labour support etc. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may need to be worn. Our staff can supply, assist and advise you on this if required.

Midwifery restrictions remain unchanged, with only the partner/support person able to be present in the ward, while patients in the Urgent Care Centre can have one support person

Variations to visiting hours and numbers of people may only be allowed on compassionate grounds which will be at the discretion of the nurse manager of the relevant unit.  Please call the relevant ward if you wish to arrange a visit.

All people attending outpatient appointments and visitors to Cohuna District Hospital will be required to wear a face mask.  Masks will be provided on entry and should be worn throughout your visit until you exit the building. Single use masks should be discarded after leaving the hospital.

People attending appointments and visitors will continue to be temperature tested and screened when they present at Cohuna District Hospital buildings.

As the health of our staff, patients, visitors and community remains our biggest priority we have put this measure in to place so we can continue to provide the highest level of care in this uncertain phase.

We will communicate out again regarding the current situation and thinking on further analysis of the evolving pandemic situation the state of Victoria is currently facing in line with the COVID-19 Road Map identified and communicated by the Victorian Premier.

Our sincere thanks for your patience and support during this difficult times.