Dear colleagues,

So much is happening as the weeks fly by. The first school term has finished, and our teams are busily delivering against all of the services required and continue to step up respond to the ongoing requirements of managing in a pandemic. A gentle reminder that we are still required to wear masks indoors for a little while longer and that visitor restrictions are still in place at all of our facilities. 

This week the Chief Health Officer updated the Aged Care Direction to include that from 3 May all staff and visitors to residential aged care facilities must have an up to date flu vaccine before entering the facility. Information about Metro North’s annual flu vaccination program will be released soon. 

We are working through what the Commonwealth Government’s advice about the COVID vaccinations means for Metro North and Dr Liz Rushbrook as Incident Controller will update you as information comes to hand. 

When appropriate, we are planning to extend our vaccination services to adult household members of those staff who are working in or required to support COVID wards across Metro North. We will also be offering vaccinations to our consumers with chronic disease. 

I’m looking forward to the #NextCare Health Conference later this month. I am sure that it will be as successful as our inaugural event in 2019 and I thank you all in advance of your support. The conference features 20 speakers from healthcare and other industries as well as a range of exhibitors. There are only a handful of tickets still available. 

As always, I appreciate what you all do to contribute to patient care directly and indirectly. I want to give particular thanks this week to our Executive Directors right across Metro North who stand up every day (and often at night) and provide support and leadership to our staff.

Regards,