There is a pandemic hotline to respond to questions and queries from our Melba community. The hotline number is 1300 MYMELBA (1300 696352). For all other community members, if needed please contact the DHHS Coronavirus 24-hour Hotline number: 1800 675 398.
Dear friends,
I hope you have been keeping well, as restrictions slowly ease and we begin the path towards what a ‘COVID-19 normal’ world may look and feel like.
As part of the cautious recovery we are seeing the lifting of some restrictions. I wanted to write to you about visits to Melba supported homes, given there are some recent updates to the mandated requirements. What are the current requirements around visits?
If a visit is truly essential, please call ahead to plan your visit. We need to make sure visits are timed so that there is enough room to keep everyone safe at the Melba home.
When you ring to plan a visit, we will tell you what the current rules and restrictions are and check with you that everyone planning to visit the house is well.
The current rules set down by the Chief Health Officer for care facilities (which include disability residential services) are as follows:
· Currently in Melbourne, a supported person may have ONE care and support visit from a parent, guardian, carer or support person (for example friend or sibling) per day for a maximum duration of two hours (though this time can be split up).
· Currently in Regional Victoria a supported person can have a visit from ONE HOUSEHOLD – so a number of people who all live together can visit at the same time. It is still only for two hours, once a day. Because many more people could be visiting, it is vital that you ring and plan your visit with us and that you visit only within the time set aside for your visit. Please also let us know how many people are coming.
When you visit any Melba supported home, we all have to be careful!
If the weather is fine, it is best to have your visit in a suitable outdoor area at the home. If the weather isn’t great we will support you to meet with your family member in a separate lounge room, or in their bedroom if no other space is available.
· All visitors will have their temperature checked upon arrival and must sign a Health Attestation form to say they are well and not meant to be isolating.
· No one with a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms may visit.
· Whilst at the Melba home, all visitors must wear a mask, keep up good hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing from everyone at the house including your family member or friend if possible.
· If any person supported in our service is unwell, we may ask you not to visit.
· You must phone ahead to book and plan visits.
Of course, when you are visiting, we hope you enjoy a great safe time together.
Keeping connected continues to be important across all Melba homes
We want people supported to remain connected to their families and social networks, but we must balance this against the risks of spreading COVID-19. We will continue to support you to maintain contact with your family member or friend in as many ways as is possible, such as phone calls, Skype calls or Facetime.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out at any stage
For further details, please contact your regional general manager:
· Aaron Fry – East: aaron.fry@melbasupport.com.au
· Angela Quero – South: angela.quero@melbasupport.com.au
· Kerrie White – Gippsland: kerrie.white@melbasupport.com.au
· Rachael Jones – Central Highlands & Wimmera: rachael.jones@melbasupport.com.au
You can also call Melba’s coronavirus hotline on 1300 MYMELBA (1300 696352) and stay up to date by checking out information and frequently asked questions on our website: www.melbasupport.com.au/faqs-covid-19.
Thank you for being part of our collective response to keep all people safe and well at Melba.
Take care.
Yours sincerely,
Hayley Dean
Chief Executive Officer
Previous CEO and COO COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates: