The following information about the status of our services is current as of  Friday 22 January 2021.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released a list of case alerts and exposure sites on their website. For the latest information, please visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks.

Unfortunately, due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may not be able to provide much notice before we suspend or change some of our services. We understand this is frustrating, but we are doing all we can to minimise the risk to the health of our clients, residents, staff and volunteers.

This page has our most up-to-date information regarding our impacted sites and services. Please check back regularly for the latest updates.

COVID-19 safety measures

The health and safety of the people we support across all of our services is our paramount concern.

Our aim is to ultimately protect the health and safety of everyone in our care.

Rest assured, we are taking extreme caution with safety measures at all of our aged and disability services including strict cleaning, social distancing and hygiene measures.

All VMCH staff working at our residences and while providing services delivered in people’s homes in Melbourne are wearing face masks as per government directives.

If you would like more information on these restrictions, please contact your Residential Service Manager (Aged Care) or Team Leader (Disability Services).

Aged care residences

As of 19 January 2021, we welcome standard visits, with no limits on the numbers of visitors or length of time that people visit.

Please remember:

• Face masks remain a requirement
• Screening, temperature checks and declarations are still required for anyone entering the home
• There are no density limits within resident bedrooms, but please adhere to 1.5m physical distancing
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room, or outside, as directed by the residence. Visits must not be held in communal areas.

It is important you do not visit if you are unwell or have a temperature.

Completion of declaration, temperature testing, use of hand sanitiser, wearing masks and shields and maintaining 1.5 metres distance remains for essential visitors.

Currently there are no aged care residences in lock down. All residents continue to be closely monitored. Should any signs of ill health appear, VMCH will seek medical attention immediately and inform families.

Retirement villages and apartments

Community spaces within our villages are open for group activities subject to current government social distancing and density requirements. Gyms, pools, cinemas and billiards tables are open, to residents and visitors who are asked to follow government guidelines for physical distancing and hygiene measures. As of 1 January 2021, you are required to wear a mask indoors (other than your private residence).

Open house inspections are also available, please contact us to arrange an inspection.

At-home aged care

Personal and domestic services are necessary for healthy living and we continue to provide these services following strict procedures and measures to protect your health and minimise risk, including wearing face masks while in your home.

In addition to these essential services, now may be the time to consider receiving services you have not required previously. The aim of these services is to help you continue to live as ‘normal’ a life as possible and may include personal shopping, cleaning, well-being check and social connection and technology/safety.

Before entering your home, our staff will ask you some key questions. This is to protect your safety and ours.

Please tell us if you have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19 before our staff come to your home.

Allied health services

Please take note of the following changes to our allied health services, remembering that our aim is to keep everyone safe.

Some of our allied health therapy programs have returned to face-to-face sessions, in-line with the easing of stage four restrictions, and delivered with very strict safety measures in place. We are still providing Telehealth session for some clients. Group programs are being re-introduced and our team is contacting people who attend our group exercise programs to confirm program times.

Our staff will ask you some key questions before you attend our centre, or before our staff enter your home, and wear appropriate PPE. Again, this is a measure to protect your safety, and ours.

Please tell us if you have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19, display any symptoms, or if you are feeling unwell prior to your session.

Community-based day programs and overnight respite (aged care)

Services are closed at Shanagolden Community Centre, Kialla House, Carinya House, White Road Community Centre and the Multicultural Wellness Centre. Our staff have contacted clients and families to discuss closures and possible alternative supports.

Disability day services (Gateway) in Melbourne

Disability day services have reopened in a limited capacity at Gateway Wantirna and Mount Waverly.  At this stage these services will operate in a limited capacity as we plan for a full return to service.

Disability day services in Ararat

Most of our regular group activities are running, within accordance to social distance guidelines. Our usual programs may have smaller numbers and limited activities that comply with government health and safety directives. Please check with your VMCH staff contact for more information.

Specialist disability accommodation

Our specialist disability accommodation is open to residents as usual and we welcome visits.

While you visit with us please remember:

• Upon entry please have your temperature taken by VMCH staff, use the hand sanitizer and sign the COVID health declaration form
• Wear a face mask while indoors during your visit
• Do not visit if you are feeling unwell, have flu or cold-like symptoms or have recently visited ‘exposure sites’ as identified by Department of Health and Human Services.

If you have visited any of the identified high-risk areas, please get tested and do not visit a VMCH house.

For the latest information, please visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks.

Please do not visit if you are unwell, wear masks provided during your visit, use hand sanitizer and sign a health declaration form and do a temperature check upon entry.

Children’s and adult’s overnight respite (disability services, short term accommodation)

Our children’s respite houses in Croydon, Ivanhoe, and Wheelers Hill are now open for short term stays. Contact out customer service centre to make a booking on 1300 698 624.

Our adults’ respite house, Porter Road in Heidelberg Heights is closed.  However we are able to offer supports in home, including respite, should you require extra support.

Holidays, weekend and short breaks (flexi-respite) in Melbourne

All group programs in the community have been suspended, and we will contact families as soon as we are able to advise a recommencement date in 2021.   All short breaks (camps) are postponed until further notice, but hopefully we can take enquiries for new programs next year.

Day programs, school holiday programs, after school programs and camps in Wangaratta and Ararat

Most of our regular group activities and programs are running, within accordance to social distance guidelines and current State Government restrictions. Our usual programs may have smaller numbers and limited activities that comply with government health and safety directives.  Unfortunately our camps are currently postponed until further notice.

Please check with your VMCH staff contact for more information or to discuss extra one-to-one supports.

Help at home or in the community (direct care disability services)

One-to-one supports or direct care continue in people’s home or in the community.

Our staff will ask you some key questions before entering your home and wear face masks while with you. This is to protect your safety and ours.

Please tell us if you have been in contact with anyone at risk of having COVID-19 before our staff come to your home.

Support coordination

All support coordination services continue, however when possible support will be provided over the phone.

Early childhood and therapy

Early childhood and therapy continues, with some alternations. We can now recommence some face-to-face therapy sessions, while some families and children will continue to receive alternative technology, Telepractice sessions.

Our group programs are being reviewed for a safe return in 2021.

St Paul’s College

St Paul’s College, Balwyn students have returned to learning at school, in line with State Government guidelines for specialist schools.

Carers program

Case management continues as well as some on-line supports. We are planning for a return to carer group programs and events in the community within government guidelines this year.

Op shops

Our op shops have reopened for shopping and donations. We ask that people wear a mask while in store, adhere to social distancing and density requirements, and do not enter if they have visited a high-risk area or have cold or flu like symptoms.

Volunteers

Our wonderful volunteers have returned to many of our sites across VMCH. Some volunteers continue to provide support through programs such as our TeleFriend telephone service.

Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any specific questions about our services please contact your VMCH staff member or service directly.