UPDATE FRIDAY: Two more services in the region have imposed restrictions
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thursday: Natimuk, Rainbow, Kaniva, Nhill and Jeparit residents once again need to ring ahead to visit their relatives in aged care facilities.
The West Wimmera Health Service reinstated visitor restrictions effective immediately on Thursday.
Acting Chief Executive Darren Welsh said the decision was informed by the growth in cases in regional Victoria, and to keep in step with other health services in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.
"A lot of partner organisations are invoking more restricted access to their facilities. Obviously it's not only about protecting the general public and our patients, but in particular our aged care residents," he said.
READ MORE:
"The profile of the deaths across Victoria in the most recent three days are those in their 80s and 90s, and they are the most vulnerable members of our community."
Mr Welsh said the restrictions meant there would be no visitors allowed for at least two weeks, with the situation to be reviewed day by day.
"There are some exceptions to this rule with regards to end of life care, palliative care etcetera," he said.
"There might be other reasons for someone to enter the facility where the site director of nursing will make an informed decision about that person's access. They will be required to wear a mask and spend a limited period of time within the facility.
"People wanting to visit should ring ahead to the facility and talk to the clinical staff, director nursing on each of those sites they have been visiting to discuss their personal needs. We are in contact with relatives of each of our residents in care at this point in time, and we have additional staff working."
Mr Welsh said most of the services' aged care facilities were co-located with acute hospitals.
"While we will still be providing emergency and urgent care, the doors are physically locked, so we will be screening people that come through the door, we have been doing that for some time now," he said.
"Temperature checks, face mask wearing those sorts of things."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.