Resthaven’s processes for managing resident outings

On Friday, 19 June 2020, changes under the Emergency Management Act 2004 within South Australia, in respect to the outbreak of COVID-19, under section 25, Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No. 5 (COVID-19) Direction) no longer limits residents from leaving their aged care home. This was a significant outcome.

The following day, 20 June 2020, the Emergency Direction for Residential Aged Care Facilities No. 6 came into effect.

Resthaven is responsible for ensuring that risk is minimised for residents who leave our residential homes. Consequently, we have created a register that is to be completed when residents leave and return to the home to inform us of the details of the outing and expected time of return.

In introducing this register, Resthaven is following the recommendations of the Department of Health Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

The recommendations are:

• Individuals and family members (close friends, partners, couples or siblings/familial groups in residential aged care facilities (RACF) should be permitted to leave the RACF to attend small family gatherings.
• The size of the family gathering should be in line with current jurisdictional advice, and physical (social) distancing and hygiene measures should be adhered to during the visit.
• The RACF should conduct a risk assessment for each visit, taking into account the local epidemiology, number of people attending and the feasibility of physical distancing. The RACF should maintain a record of the visit location, number of people in the gathering and the date of the visit.

Additionally, we have released a further fact sheet to guide you in the safe management of outings. Thank you in advance for adhering to these measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents and staff.

Any questions should be directed to the site Manager Residential Services.