With pandemic information/regulations changing daily from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Commonwealth Government, Great Ocean Road Health staff understand the importance of having the COVID prevention, response and recovery plan ready to activate during our summer months.
GORH assembled a COVID-19 Response team and appointed a COVID-19 project manager in March to ensure that the health service was prepared and could document pandemic and outbreak management plans. We have also completed scenarios, where we have tested our response to an outbreak in our Aged Care facilities and to a positive staff member. These scenarios have been essential in testing our response and enabling staff to lead in an emergency.
Our focus now turns to further developing our community response with our experiences in Colac front of mind and gaining an understanding of the impact an outbreak in the community can have. Great Ocean Road Health Nurse Unit Manager, Jason Phieler, is part of the GORH COVID Response team and has been instrumental in the development of GORH preparedness plans, should we have a COVID outbreak in our facility or the local community.
Jason has had a strong interest in Emergency Management over the years, which has included being part of the AUSMAT team (Australian Medical Response team). He is passionate about ensuring great care for our community and takes a proactive and collaborative approach in working with other health services in the region, including Barwon Health and Surf Coast Shire.
“Currently I am working on putting together a Summer community outbreak plan. My theory is plan for the worst and hope for the best. Planning ahead for a summer outbreak will ensure we have the resources and procedures to assist local businesses in our catchment area, with a goal to stop community transmission and large outbreaks”, said Jason.
Great Ocean Road Health CEO, Sandy Chamberlin has been overwhelmed with the staff’s dedication and commitment to ensuring our catchment area remains supported.
“Unfortunately, the virus loves to spread at a rapid rate, so things can change in a blink of an eye. Our catchment area as a whole is doing an excellent job at keeping numbers low, but if we jump the gun just a little bit, then we could face months and months of going up and down with restrictions,” said Sandy.
GORH News
- It’s not too late to jump on board our GORH virtual hike from Torquay to the 12 Apostles. Simply visit us here and register your interest. The last two weeks of the journey will take you (virtually) along the coastline from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles.
- Our 2020 Lorne Community Hospital Annual Appeal is still open to donations. Our hospital is under increasing pressure as the scale and impact of COVID-19 continues to grow. The impact of the pandemic will be long lasting. By supporting this year’s annual appeal, your donation will provide education and training for staff, upgrade facilities/technology and equipment and increase our workforce during the pandemic. To donate, visit our website.
Great Ocean Road Health
