The Program – starting today – will see the designated contact (Person Responsible) for each resident at the home who has tested positive for COVID-19 receive a scheduled call on a daily basis from a Registered Nurse who cares for their family member.
Designated contacts for other families whose loved one has not tested positive will also receive a regular call and individual updates.
The Program comes follows a letter sent to CEO Grant Millard on behalf of 94 family members and friends last week outlining 10 concerns, which he has personally responded to.
Mr Millard said: “Our primary focus has been and continues to be the care and wellbeing of our residents.”
“At the same time, this situation is changing daily and we recognise we need to do more to ensure we are communicating effectively with families who are understandably distressed.”
The calls add to the measures already introduced by Anglicare to address families’ concerns (pictured above).
The operator says “alternative accommodation options” for residents who are COVID-19 negative are also being discussed with some residents and their families.
NSW Health has also stressed that residents have the choice of being cared for in the home through the Hospital in the Home program or being treated in Nepean Hospital, following media reports of criticism from families and the community of the decision to treat residents in the home.
“The facility is also being supported by infection control specialists from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and the Clinical Excellence Commission,” they state.
