In Great Company and Feros Care have well-established protocols and processes for infection control events which keep our clients, volunteers, and staff as safe as we possibly can. We are taking the issue of this outbreak very seriously, and it is our highest priority to ensure we are well-prepared and following the advice the Department of Health.
Our safety and management teams have been reviewing and activating our outbreak management and service continuity plans to make sure we are ready to support our staff, customers and volunteers if the number of cases of the virus increase. We are constantly in contact with our peak bodies and monitoring advice from the Department of Health as it comes to hand.
For our staff and volunteers right now, it is important that we are proactive in ensuring we reduce the risk for us and our clients through diligent safety practices. Below we have set out for each team what we need to do to stop / reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
At this stage we are business as usual, monitoring the situation closely and being sure that we are all very diligent in keeping our workplace safe as detailed below.
Community services – community visiting volunteers
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Wash your hands before entering and prior to leaving the client’s home
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Wash your hands before and after eating, going to the toilet and using your laptop or mobile phone
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Wipe over your mobile phone or laptop before and after every client visit with ISO wipes
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Report any clients with flu like symptoms (via your manager) and encourage the client to see their doctor. The virtual care team (VCT) will follow up all clients.
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Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. If you use a tissue, ensure you dispose it in a bin and use hand sanitisers or wash your hands
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Avoid touching your face with your hands
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Report any flu like symptoms immediately to your manager for direction
Office based assessment service volunteers
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Use the hand sanitiser provided every time you enter and leave the office
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Wash your hands before and after eating, going to the toilet and using your mobile phone
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When calling to confirm a home visit/assessment, document any information provided by the client or their representative regarding anyone in the residence that is currently displaying flu symptoms and if anyone has returned from an international trip in the past 2 weeks
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Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. If you use a tissue, ensure you dispose it in a bin and use hand sanitisers or wash your hands
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Avoid touching your face with your hands
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Wash up all communal food items in hot soapy water or place them in the dishwasher
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Wipe over your desk phone, keyboard, laptop and desk surfaces with ISO wipes at the start and end of your shift. Take your dedicated headset with you at the end of every shift
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If participants or external parties are visiting the site:
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Encourage visitors to use hand sanitiser on arrival and before leaving
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Avoid handshakes when greeting and saying goodbye
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Report any flu like symptoms immediately to your manager for direction
Office based volunteers
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Use the hand sanitiser provided every time you enter and leave the office
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Wash your hands before and after eating, going to the toilet and using your own or work mobile phone
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Wash up all communal food items in hot soapy water or place them in the dishwasher
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Wipe over your desk phone, keyboard, laptop and desk surfaces with ISO wipes at the start and end of your shift. Take your dedicated headset with you at the end of every shift
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Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. If you use a tissue, ensure you dispose it in a bin and use hand sanitisers or wash your hands
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Avoid touching your face with your hands
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If external parties are visiting an office:
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Encourage visitors to use hand sanitiser on arrival and before leaving
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Avoid handshakes when greeting and saying goodbye
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Communal meeting spaces should be wiped down with ISO wipes at the end of every meeting
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Report any flu like symptoms immediately to your manager for direction
Residential services volunteers
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Wash your hands before entering and prior to leaving the village
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Wash your hands before and after every resident contact
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Wash your hands before and after eating, going to the toilet and using any computers or phones
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Wipe over any phone, pager and computer keyboard before and after use with ISO wipes
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Report any clients with flu like symptoms to the Registered Nurse or Care Manager
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Following cleaning scheduled for all communal areas
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All surfaces in dining areas should be cleaned after every meal with ISO wipes or equivalent cleaner
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Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. If you use a tissue, ensure you dispose it in a bin and use hand sanitizers or wash your hands
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Avoid touching your face with your hands
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If visitors or external parties are visiting the village:
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Encourage visitors to use hand sanitiser on arrival and before leaving
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Avoid handshakes when greeting and saying goodbye
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Communal spaces should be cleaned at the end of every meeting or activity
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.