The Access Your Supports team is continuing to ensure your health is paramount in how we support you. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and have welcomed the new year safely with your family and friends.
As the COVID situation in Australia evolves we are committed to providing therapy, peer mentor, and service management in the safest and most effective way. As part of this, our team will continue to follow COVID safety protocols.
As we continue, some services may be interrupted or modified for short periods of time as we manage the inevitable nature of staff isolations in the workplace. Ultimately, all AYS participants will retain the choice and control in how you manage your supports.
Your AYS team member will contact you prior to your appointments to agree on a plan to support you to continue working towards your goals. This will include planning what to do if you or your therapist is in isolation or tests positive for COVID. If you receive supports via phone/online (Support Coordination/Plan Management), you may not notice any changes.
Access Your Supports is using the following strategies to ensure we all stay safe and reduce the risk of Covid-19.
- the local park
- outside your house or on your veranda
- an outdoor gym, or on a walk-in your community.
If your attending a group therapy session onsite, you will be required to social distance in foyer or outside. Masks will be required in these areas.
AYS has installed HEPA filters in our core foyers and waiting areas to purify the air. Our team continue to wipe down key touchpoints throughout the day. Your therapist will wear a face mask during therapy visits to you and follow government advice, including handwashing and keeping appropriate social distance. At the beginning of each appointment, the AYS staff member will ask questions related to COVID for any person present at the appointment.
For in-home supports, a ‘pre-home checklist’ must be completed for an AYS staff member to enter. This will either be emailed, a text message or answered over the phone. Failing to complete this will mean the service will have to be delivered outdoors or via telehealth. This checklist will identify if anyone in your house is isolating or tested positive for Covid-19.
Our staff will not be able to enter your house or meet face to face if a family member (living in the same house) or you test positive or isolating. Your therapist can support you with an online or phone appointment which is a great alternative option to face to face sessions to continue your therapy and achieve outcomes.
If an AYS Staff member has COVID symptoms or has been identified as a close contact with a person who has tested positive, they will isolate at home and deliver therapy online where possible.
Our leadership team has secured an order of rapid antigen tests for staff that will arrive shortly for staff presenting symptoms or isolating for greater ease of mind. We encourage participants to make use of the free rapid tests available at Barwon Health North Geelong location. Due to the shortage of rapid antigen tests in Australia, our therapists are unable to take a test before each appointment. However, they will change their facemasks, clean surfaces and sterilise items.
We understand that the recent COVID developments may be stressful and bring new challenges.
To continue to stay up-to-date with AYS Covid information, follow our social media pages or website.
We thank you for understanding and look forward to our next appointment with you.
Kindest Regards,
Ralph Menchise
Director
