Page up to date: 29/06/2020
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding of the need to maintain our current restrictions, which help to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.
We would like to reassure you that we are working closely with the Australian and NSW Departments of Health and following their advice.
We are closely monitoring the situation and are regularly updating this page, as well as communicating any changes to all residents and their families, clients, customers, employees, volunteers and contractors.
Australian Department of Health Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080
Section up to date: 17/06/2020
On Monday 15 June NSW Health declared the COVID-19 outbreak at Newmarch House over.
The two months since the initial outbreak on Sunday 12 April, have been some of the most challenging in Anglicare’s 170-year history. This challenge brought with it significant grief and loss. A total of 37 residents and 34 staff tested positive for COVID-19. Devastatingly, 19 of these residents lost their life during the outbreak. All of these were people who were much loved members of our Newmarch House community and their loss is felt not just by their immediate family but also by other residents and our staff, many of whom are only now returning to work.
This extraordinary challenge also highlighted the compassion and dedication of our staff, some of whom had to self-isolate and others who continued to work in difficult and unprecedented circumstances to maintain the care of all our residents. We are grateful to the agency staff who joined the Anglicare team – and many of our own staff volunteering from other areas of our organisation to ensure ongoing support, care and comfort was provided to residents and their families.
We gratefully acknowledge those agencies that stepped up and provided critical guidance and direction in dealing with the unprecedented impacts of this pandemic. This included the Commonwealth Government, NSW Health, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, BaptistCare and other organisations from the aged and health care sectors. In particular, we want to acknowledge the contribution of Dr James Branley who has worked tirelessly over the past two months on site providing critical medical expertise to the residents impacted by COVID-19.
Throughout the outbreak, Anglicare has also received words of encouragement and support from other agencies, the aged care sector and members of the wider community, many acknowledging the work being undertaken in extremely difficult circumstances. We have been supported in prayer, particularly by our own staff and residents but also by the broader church community.
While the outbreak is now over, the virus remains active within the community. Anglicare is remaining vigilant in screening and infection control at Newmarch House, and across all our other aged care homes.
Family Visits
Visits to Newmarch House can now take place indoors. Each visitor will need to be screened prior to entry, complete a sign-in and sign-out process and present evidence that they have received the influenza vaccination this year.
These visits must be booked in advance and are subject to prior booking and staff availability. To book a visit, please follow the below instructions:
Please use booking system named:
Newmarch House
https://newmarchbooking.anglicare.org.au/
Select Calendar to view
We are continuing to follow infection control procedures inside Newmarch House and are screening all visitors for risk of COVID-19. We are continuing to update our residents, families and staff on any developments at Newmarch along with the community via our website.
Section up to date: 17/06/2020
NSW Health declared the COVID-19 outbreak at Newmarch House to be over on Monday 15 June, 2020.
The post-outbreak management team at Newmarch House is being led by Eric Aldeguer. Eric is a senior manager with extensive experience across a number of Anglicare aged care homes. Cameron Elliott, who has been working closely on site with staff, residents and families during the outbreak period, is the Deputy Manager and Chris Giles, who is one of the most highly regarded Care Managers in Anglicare, is the Care Manager.
Anglicare is grateful for the strong relationships we have formed with the Nepean Local Health District, the Clinical Excellence Commission, NSW Health and other key agencies. From 30 June 2020, Newmarch House will return to normal staffing arrangements, all under Anglicare’s responsibility.
We will continue to work closely with NSW Health as we increase visitor access to Newmarch House, consistent with the Public Health Orders and in accordance with the Aged Care Industry Code for Visiting Residential Care Homes. However, while COVID-19 is still active in the community we need to maintain vigilance and continue to adhere to strict visitor protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of our residents, their families and the staff of Newmarch House.
To book a visit, please use booking system named: Newmarch House
Other options for booking a visit include phoning the Customer Contact Centre on 1300 111 278 or emailing [email protected]
While the extraordinary level of infection control required during the outbreak will not continue, certain procedures will remain in place to ensure the ongoing safety of residents, their families and our staff. These measures will be overseen by a specialist team and will include wearing of masks for all staff when interacting with residents in their rooms and clinical spaces, regular cleaning of all surfaces, frequent hand washing and hand sanitising and appropriate social distancing.
Care Plans are developed with the resident, Person Responsible and relevant staff members and these plans guide the care being undertaken. These Care Plans can be reviewed on site by the Person Responsible and with the resident’s consent, but any review requires staff supervision.
Yes. However, until open visiting is possible the current laundering system of the last few weeks will continue to operate. Families can take clothes home for laundering if they let the RN know on their daily call and advise them when they wish to collect the items so they can be bagged and ready for pick-up. When returning laundry please ensure it is clearly labelled with the name of the resident for whom it is intended.
Yes. The reintroduction of CaterSmart in mid-May has already improved the quality, freshness and variety of food. We understand how important meals are for residents’ physical, mental and social wellbeing. The residents have also given specific feedback on their own individual preferences, which we are seeking to meet at each meal.
As COVID-19 is still active in the community, residents should only leave the home when there is a specific need for them to do so. We need to ensure residents are protected and minimise the risk of the virus entering the home. If you wish to arrange an outside appointment or visit for a resident please make a booking with the home and arrange a pick-up time. All social distancing measures as outlined in the Public Health Order in relation to movement and gathering need to be adhered to when a resident has an appointment or is visiting family outside the home.
Upon return to the home:
We are transitioning back to a 'new normal' at Newmarch House and starting to phase out the staff crisis response team. However, as feedback from residents and families has indicated that these communications have been helpful and effective, especially during a time of uncertainty, we will:
The main line in to Newmarch House is 4736 9500.
For urgent matters after 7.30pm (night shift) your call will be picked up by the night shift RN in charge. Please only call at this time for urgent matters.
Your feedback is very important to ensure we are providing the best possible care and services to residents and families. We recently conducted a resident survey where residents were asked seven questions relating to their experience of the home, their physical health care, sense of safety and expertise of staff. These surveys will inform how we run our services, train our staff and improve our practice.
We will be inviting families to participate in a relatives survey in coming weeks, to help us better understand your needs and preferences.
We intend to honor the memory of those residents who have passed away by holding a memorial service once it is safe and feasible to do so. Further information will be provided on this soon.
Section up to date: 29/06/2020
In recent days there have been a number of government announcements regarding visiting at residential aged care homes in NSW.
Entry not permitted for people recently returned from Melbourne
The NSW Chief Health Officer announced on Thursday 25 May that any person who has spent time in Melbourne in the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter any residential aged care facility due to the escalation of COVID-19 cases in that state. This restriction is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
Some of the visiting restrictions previously in place at Anglicare aged care homes have now been eased.
However, as you will appreciate, given the potentially devastating consequences of any introduction of COVID-19 into our homes, these visits will need to take place strictly in accordance with the Public Health Order issued by NSW Health.
On 23 June the NSW Government issued a revised Public Health Order in relation to aged care facilities during the COVID-19 situation. In conjunction with the Department of Health’s Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) guidelines, we are pleased to be able to further ease some of the restrictions in place regarding visiting at our homes. The changes are as follows:
Please note the following when arranging to visit:
Booking
Brian King Gardens: 0448 373 309
Brian Watt Lodge: 0436 484 183
Carol Allen House: 4588 6500
Donington Court: 8820 2960
Dorothy Boyt House: 8346 8400
The Donald Coburn Centre: 8820 3003
Dudley Foord House: 9846 2800
Eileen Armstrong House: 4284 4977
Elizabeth Lodge: 0451 633 685
Farrer Brown Court: 8820 3080
Goodhew Gardens: 0437 712 157
Jean Ross House: 4421 3744
Lemongrove: 4720 9000
Mary Andrews: 8558 4400
Marcus Loane House: 9998 3330
Melva McDonald Lodge: 9895 8299
Mildred Symons House: 8543 7200
St Lukes: 4255 7600
Thomas Street Lodge: 9630 1125
Warrina: 0427 302 266
Woodberry: 8852 6100
Please note: According to the Aged Care Standards, visits will take place provided the resident has given consent and is happy to receive visits. Visiting arrangements will be reviewed every two weeks.
For further information, please contact [email protected].
This is a challenging time for our residents, their families and the community as a whole. Anglicare takes the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff very seriously and we ask all people to cooperate with these requirements.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
As part of this, upon arrival at a client’s home, the Care Worker will ask about the client’s general wellbeing and check to see if they have had visitors since the Care Worker’s last visit. Our care workers also screen themselves each morning before presenting to work and will not carry out a service if they are feeling unwell in any way or answer yes to any of the screening questions.
Anglicare is committed to continuing to deliver the essential care that so many of our clients rely on, but these services may need to be adapted to ensure the safety of our clients and staff during this time. We are committed to responding to clients’ social needs, especially during this time of disconnection. Please contact your Care Advisor or Care Coordinator by phone to discuss your individual situation.
How the latest government recommendations affect Anglicare At Home services:
In cases where clients receive services from our preferred agencies, we are working closely with them to ensure their prevention plans meet our standards. If any client receives in-home services organised by another service provider (outside of your agreement with Anglicare), we encourage clients to request assurances from them about their prevention plans.
Anyone who has travelled overseas in the last 14 days may be a carrier of Coronavirus.
Anglicare requires that any employee, volunteer, client, agency staff, contractor or visitor be screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) before entering an Anglicare site or proceeding with a client home visit.
Anglicare At Home will continue to provide as much service as we can while ensuring the safety of clients and Anglicare staff. Being able to support our clients in their homes is what brings us joy and we are working on new ways to support our clients while maintaining physical distance where possible.
We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary. Please also follow good hygiene procedures including thorough washing of hands with soap and water and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
For further questions, please call our Response Team on 1800 11 22 73.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
To protect our staff, clients, customers, residents and volunteers, Anglicare has implemented our COVID-19 Prevention and Management Procedure across all sites and services.
Community Services offices are providing limited face to face services at this time. Specifically, this means:
| Shop | Reopen date |
| Villawood Market | 3 June |
| North Wollongong Shop | 5 June |
| Nowra Shop | 9 June |
| Dapto Shop | 9 June |
| Lithgow Shop | 9 June |
| Miller Parish Shop | 9 June |
| Dee Why Shop | 10 June |
| Tahmoor Shop | 10 June |
| Campbelltown Shop | 10 June |
| Katoomba Shop | 11 June |
| Bomaderry Shop | 11 June |
| Maroubra Shop | 11 June |
| Bowral Shop | 15 June |
| Parramatta Shop | 15 June |
| Marrickville Shop | 15 June |
| Hornsby Shop | 16 June |
| Rockdale Shop | 16 June |
| Liverpool Shop | 17 June |
| St Marys Shop | 17 June |
| Mt Druitt Shop | 17 June |
| Fairfield Shop | 18 June |
| Blacktown Shop | 18 June |
| Penrith Shop | 18 June |
| Richmond Shop | 22 June |
| Ingleburn Shop | 29 June |
Anglicare requires that any employee, volunteer, client, customer, contractor or visitor who fits the following criteria not enter an Anglicare site, and any person who fits these criteria not visit a client home or access face to face services.
Please notify your Manager by phone if you meet any of the above criteria. We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
Anglicare is committed to continuing to provide assistance to our clients and customers, as we are able, during this challenging time.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
Whilst maintaining social distancing, following good hand-washing and cough etiquette, Anglicare Retirement Living Villages will from Monday 1 June follow the NSW Government guidelines for the easing of restrictions, in the following ways:
At this time indoor physical activity is still restricted, so indoor pools, indoor gyms and indoor exercise classes will not be open. Community rooms such as games rooms and workshops will also remain closed until further notice.
Anglicare continues to require that any employee, volunteer, agency staff, contractor or visitor be screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) before entering an Anglicare site.
Anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of the virus (sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, body aches, headache or runny nose) must NOT enter any Anglicare site.
Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19 must NOT enter an Anglicare site.
We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
We also encourage all Anglicare Retirement Living residents to be aware of the risks of COVID-19, and cooperate with our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention and Management Procedure:
Please speak with your Village Manager for further information.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
Effective from 31 March 2020 until 29 June 2020 the NSW Public Health Order, places restrictions on what we are able to do during this period. It is very important to follow this Public Health Order. This is for your benefit and for the benefit of your fellow residents.
Fortunately, we have seen a gradual relaxation of the restrictions, meaning that from 1 June 2020 there is some additional freedoms available – including having up to 5 people visit another household at any one time.
Anglicare continues to encourage all Housing residents to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of Coronavirus and minimise your contact with potential carriers of the virus by following the below screening criteria:
Please notify your Case Manager by phone if you meet the above criteria.
We encourage all Housing residents to be aware of the risks of COVID-19 and cooperate with our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention and Management Procedure:
Please speak to your Case Manager for further information.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
Anglicare’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention and Management Procedure is in place to ensure as far as we are able the safety of our staff and all those we serve. These requirements reflect the advice being issued by the NSW and Australian Departments of Health. Depending on the location in which they minister, Mission and Partnerships staff will need to follow additional specified procedures.
Home visitation
While almost all chaplaincy and pastoral care visits for Anglicare At Home clients have been temporarily suspended, where visitation is permissible then upon arrival at a resident’s home, all Mission and Partnerships personnel (including Parish Village Chaplains) are required to screen clients prior to the commencement of each visit.
Chaplaincy and pastoral visits should not occur if the client/resident/anyone in the household:
Anglicare sites
Anglicare requires that any employee, volunteer, client, agency staff, contractor or visitor be screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) before entering an Anglicare site.
Hospitals, Prisons and other Public Institutions
In addition to standard precautions applicable to everyone in the community, Mission and Partnerships staff who minister at non-Anglicare sites will need to follow the relevant procedures and precautions applicable to their place of ministry.
Anglicare will continue to provide as much pastoral support as we can while ensuring the safety of clients and Anglicare staff. Alternative service arrangements are being explored, including Skype and phone meetings.
We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
For further information, please contact your chaplain or pastoral carer by phone or email.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
Volunteers will not be admitted to Newmarch House until further notice. For more information, see above.
We want to continue to encourage all volunteers to begin to come back to Anglicare if you are well. We appreciate your ongoing support for each other and the people in our care.
However, as a valued volunteer, if you do not feel comfortable coming to your usual site in the current situation, you do not have to. We ask that you please contact your Manager and let them know your concerns. Our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients, customers, volunteers and employees.
Anyone who has travelled overseas in the last 14 days may be a carrier of Coronavirus.
Anglicare requires that any employee, volunteer, client, agency staff, contractor or visitor be screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) before entering an Anglicare site.
Please note that after 1 May 2020 anyone who volunteers in residential aged care will be required to have had a flu vaccination in 2020 in order to enter an Anglicare residential aged care site.
We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
Contact your Manager if you have further questions.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
Section up to date: 29/05/2020
To protect our staff, clients, customers, residents and volunteers, Anglicare has implemented our COVID-19 Prevention and Management Procedure across all sites and services.
We have been regularly reviewing and updating our procedures to adapt to new information being released by the Australian and NSW Governments as we deal with the impact of COVID-19.
Residential Aged Care homes:
Other Anglicare services:
When visiting, Anglicare requires that you be screened for symptoms and risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) before entering an Anglicare site. Our screening procedure is outlined below:
We encourage all people to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
For the latest information, please refer to the Australian Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health.
COVID-19: What Anglicare is doing to protect residents, clients, staff and volunteers
World Health Organisation Handwash, Handrub Guide
Coronavirus (COVID-19): What you need to know
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Know the signs
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Home isolation guidance for close contacts and recently returned travellers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Returning to your community
