Visiting St Basils’ Homes; Annandale, Kogarah, Kensington, Miranda, Lakemba, Randwick

Due to an increase in cases of COVID-19 across Sydney there is a higher risk to our residents and staff there are measures in place based on requirements by NSW health authorities and St Basil’s NSW/ACT to allow COVID safe connections between residents and their family or friends.

St Basil’s encourages people who plan to visit the home to follow government guidance in being COVID safe in the community which involve good hand hygiene and wearing a mask. If someone has any flu-like or COVID symptoms they should stay away from the home.

In addition to the below information, if a St Basil’s home has residents with COVID or influenza A, please be aware of the specific requests and requirements of that home before visiting.

Requirements when visiting a resident at a St Basil’s Home

Visitors must not enter an aged care facility at all if they:

• have COVID-19 symptoms
• are a household or close contact. (These people must comply with the directions in the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelinesand must not visit an aged care facility for at least 7 days after the last person in their house had a positive COVID-19 test. They should continue to avoid the facility for an additional 7 days where possible. If there are extenuating compassionate reasons for visiting an aged care facility and the visitor does not have symptoms of COVID-19, the facility may risk assess to determine whether a visit can safely occur.)
• have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are:
  • fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it has been at least 7 days after arrival, and they have received a negative rapid antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW.
• are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
• have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

Visitor requirements:

• Up to two (2) fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years, per resident, per day however, the number of visitors for a resident may increase depending on their circumstances with approval by management of the home. For example:
• A special occasion such a birthday
• Visitors have travelled a long distance
• Visitors have not seen the resident for an extended period of time
• It is for the purposes of end of life.

• Visitors must have a negative Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) immediately prior to each visit onsite sighted by St Basil’s staff, and complete the entry screening process.

• Visitors should not move between different areas of the facility and should only visit the resident in their room or in an outdoor location away from other residents. All visitors over 12 years of age must wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth while visiting indoors. For reasons when masks can be removed please see Additional Advice – Mandatory mask wearing.

• Visitors should maintain social distance and limit interactions.
• People who are providing a service to the resident (including a health or other professional service) are not counted as a visitor.

• Visitors must have had at least their third dose COVID vaccine and the 2022 influenza vaccine.
• Existing requirements in the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2022 on visiting residents who are at end of life remain in place.

• You may be required to make a booking to visit the home.

Vaccination requirements for entering St Basil’s Homes
In an effort to prevent, control and minimise risk of infection in our Homes, St Basil’s requests that all visitors are fully vaccinated with the 2022 influenza vaccine and the third dose COVID vaccine (booster). This means that visitors need to provide St Basil’s with documented evidence to enter a residential aged care facility. Visitors are required to show evidence of at least their third dose COVID (booster) vaccination, and evidence of their 2022 influenza vaccination.

You can send evidence of your vaccinations to the relevant Home using the email address below.

Annandale: annandale@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 9152 8400
Kensington: kensington@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 9313 7129
Kogarah: kogarah@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 9588 9000
Lakemba: lakemba@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 9784 3200
Miranda: miranda@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 8543 2000
Randwick: randwick@stbasils.org.au Tel: 02 9152 8300

If you would like to visit a resident for compassionate reasons, please feel free to reach out to the Management team of the home where your loved one resides so we can ensure a compassionate and dignified journey no matter what your vaccination status. We are happy to speak with you about the choices available.

Resident social outings

If you have any queries or needs for an outings please reach out to our home so they can conduct an initial risk assess in consultation with the resident and/or their representative. Subsequently you will be asked to complete an outing form and a declaration form.

Residents may leave the facility and attend family gatherings or other events but must follow the current Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order (No 2) 2022 and rules for people in NSW.

• Residents should be tested using a RAT on Day 2 after their return, and again on Day 6. If they develop any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they should immediately have a COVID-19 test and self-isolate until their symptoms are gone.
• Residents should not leave the facility if they have COVID-19 symptoms until they have had a RAT or PCR test and have received a negative result.

Partnerships in Care Program

St Basil’s has introduced the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s Partnerships in Care program for residents representatives. Joining a Partnerships in Care program will help you to continue to provide care and companionship to the person you already support in residential aged care, even during periods of outbreak. This includes increasing your skills in infection prevention and control and formalising your care arrangements with the aged care home.

Learn more about the Partnerships in Care program and if you are interested in being a partner in care for your loved one, please reach out to the General Manager or Care Manager of the Home.

Do you have questions or feedback?

If you have any queries or concerns, please reach out to the Home’s General Manager or Administrators who will be happy to speak with you. You can also provide St Basil’s with feedback by calling 02 9784 3200 or by emailing admin@stbasils.org.au

The health and safety of residents and our workers are at the heart of all that we do. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in keeping our workplace and residents safe through the winter season.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis
Chief Executive Officer