Glynis Schultz, Executive Director, Community and Oral Health
COH is a gift that keeps giving! Each day I get to work with amazing individuals and see tremendous cooperation in the interest of providing great services.
This week I want to call out Virtual Ward and the response to the COVID-19 positive patients at Halwyn.
We have received a number of compliments this week from people with direct experience of Virtual Ward to support what the data is telling us – that despite high numbers, Virtual Ward is achieving great outcomes.
My thanks go to everyone involved but I wanted to give a special shout out to Sue Britton and the team and Virtual Ward, to Danielle Johanson for assisting to coordinate workforce and to each of you who has responded so that the people accessing Virtual Ward receive a great service and the pressure on the acute hospitals is decreased.
On Wednesday night, our first Halwyn Resident tested positive to COVID-19. I was extremely proud to witness executive and staff work together across disciplines and facilities to achieve an optimal patient focused response.
So many people were involved. My thanks go to each and everyone of you for your leadership, your innovative problem solving approach and especially for the advocacy each of you showed for the most vulnerable people in our care.
As a directorate we respond well to challenges because of your enduring spirit to be part of delivering great care and exceptional services.
Compliment from our patients
It is not only me who is grateful. Through your hard work, you are making many of the people we serve, very happy:
From an elderly couple who received 14 days of care through the Virtual Ward.
“We felt so overwhelmed by the care and attention received from the whole team. The doctors and nurses where wonderful, understanding and very caring.
“The medication was delivered by a very kind man, who was very careful with his social distancing and ensuring the medication was safely delivered.
“We felt supported both mentally and physically throughout our isolation and have been enthusiastically praising the ward to all of our friends and family.
“Thank you to all the staff, we are very grateful.”
All your COVID-19 questions answered!
With the third COVID-19 wave here there are many questions being raised by staff.
Our Community and Oral Health EOC have pulled together a very useful Frequently Asked Questions flyer to support staff.
It covers a range of topics such as what to do when you’re a close contact, when you should get a RAT or PCR test, and even if you can catch COVID a second time.
COH staff COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions flyer.
Quote to ponder
Susan Gale said: “Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness.”
Glynis Schultz
Executive Director
Community and Oral Health