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

We are seeing a decrease in the numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19.

Due to this, Metro North is making a planned transition today to Tier 0/BAU in our Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) response plan.

In Tier 0, the requirements across Metro North include:

• PPE in all other clinical areas in line with PPE matrix
• Transmission based precautions for ARI patients in bedded services, noting patients with confirmed COVID will not to be cohorted with patients with other infections including COVID plus influenza
• All staff are encouraged to ensure:
  • flu and COVID vaccinations are up to date and annual fit testing completed
  • compliance with mandatory training programs.

For more information, please access the Metro North Acute Respiratory Illness Response Plan Tier 0.

There may be other requirements in your local workplace under your directorate acute respiratory illness subplan.

We are also asking staff to stay home if you’re unwell, practice your hand and respiratory hygiene and let us know as soon as possible via the Smart Leave form on MyHR if you’re off sick.

COVID-19 boosters are available in community pharmacies for those who would like to get your next dose. You can book a vaccination via the Health Direct service finder.

Regards,

Alanna.