Adj. Prof. Alanna Geary, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

We are continuing to see increasing numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19.

As a result, Metro North will make a planned transition to Tier 2 in our Acute Respiratory Illness Response Plan today, Tuesday 19 December 2023.

All staff are encouraged to:

• continue to wear masks in clinical areas, in line with the PPE guidelines
• ensure flu and COVID vaccinations and annual fit testing are up to date
• maintain compliance with mandatory training programs
• stay home if you’re unwell and let your line manager know if you’re off sick as soon as possible and register your leave via the Smart Leave form on MyHR
• check with your line manager for any other requirements in your local workplace under your directorate Acute Respiratory Illness Response Subplan.

For more information, please see the Metro North Acute Respiratory Illness Response Plan.

Metro North will also transition to virtual meetings and training, where possible. Essential face-to-face training (e.g. OVP, BLS, ALS) will continue.

Visitors will also be encouraged to wear a mask, sanitise hands when coming and going, and stay away if they have respiratory illness symptoms. Masks and hand sanitiser will be provided at facility entrances.

We are mindful that the next ARI wave could occur at any time, including during the warmer months, and we will maintain our monitoring and preparedness for a resurgence at any time.

The new COVID-19 boosters are now available in community pharmacies. You can book a vaccination via the Health Direct service finder.

Regards,

Alanna.