Brett Sutton - Message to the Aged Care Sector

Hello, I’m Brett Sutton, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.

To begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we each stand, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

I want to say a big thanks to all our incredible aged care workers.

To say the least, it’s been a challenging 12 months – a year like no other.

Your ongoing hard work during the pandemic has been extraordinary, and vital to the health and wellbeing of those in your care.

As a state, we’re so grateful for your work and the sacrifices you have made and are making to support our more vulnerable community members.

As our response to the pandemic continues, it’s important for us to return to everyday activities safely.

And after such a difficult year, seeing the people we love matters more than ever.

Aged care workers can encourage safe visits by continuing to follow health directions, checking the Department of Health’s website for any recent exposure sites, and ensuring visitors have not been to these locations.

This will make sure families and friends can see their loved ones in aged care, while helping to keep them safe.

It’s also important that events and performances are COVIDSafe by ensuring visitors are free of symptoms, have completed their declarations, have not had contact with anyone being tested or confirmed to have COVID-19, and haven’t been directed to isolate or quarantine.

Make sure you keep records of all visitors, including their contact details, temperature screening results, and facility entry and exit times. Aged care facilities can use the free Victorian QR Code Service to help you do this.

Visitors should maintain good hygiene by regularly washing their hands, maintaining physical distance of 1.5 metres from others, and wearing a face mask indoors while visiting.

If you’re planning an outing for residents, ensure the vehicle has been cleaned and wear face masks according to current restrictions. Ensure hand washing and sanitisation occurs, including of walkers or other equipment.

When you return, keep a record of who was driving, anyone with whom residents have come in contact and again, ensure hand washing and sanitisation, including of walkers and other equipment.

Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more aged care sector advice.

Thank you again for the work you’re doing – it is making a big difference.