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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

To all our front line disability workers we salute you!

Dear Family Member

As many of you are aware there is a lot of news about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the potential effects on people with underlying health conditions. Here at EBL Disability Services we continue to be led by the Department of Health around how to protect our community and how to respond in the event of an outbreak. So far, we have been advised that older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease) appear to be most vulnerable. We also know that the virus affects people’s respiratory system so we are taking additional steps to reduce the risk with practical strategies designed to prevent and control infection.

OUR APPROACH:

Employees

  • All employees (including agency staff) are completing refresher training around hand hygiene and infection control.
  • All employees will have available an easy read symptom checker and instructions regarding EBL’s response plan.
  • All employees will be monitored before commencing shifts. For example, they will have daily temperature checks to ensure there is no symptoms present as per Department of Health Guidelines.
  • All employees have been instructed to stay home if they are feeling unwell.
  • All employees require a medical clearance before returning to the workplace if they have been off work due to illness.
  • Each home and service will have a C-19 Kit Pack that will include hand sanitisers, disposable masks, eye protections, tissues, and other personal protective gear.
  • All homes and premises will be ventilated and extra steps taken to ensure cleanliness at all times.

Clients

  • A full review of client healthcare plans is being undertaken in line with the Department of Health Guidelines to ensure we have all available information at hand should an emergency arise.
  • All clients will be monitored twice daily to ensure their temperature is in the normal range and there are no symptoms as per Department of Health Guidelines.
  • All clients will have an in-house training session (where practical) to help them understand the importance of hand hygiene and infection control.
  • All clients will be supervised in all aspects of hand hygiene and infection control.
  • Easy read COVID-19 fact sheets and posters are available in each home and service.

Visitors

  • Reduced visits to homes and office.
  • All visitors are required to have temperature taken before entering any EBL Premises.
  • All visitors are required to adhere to infection control practices upon entering and exiting homes.
  • Any visitor who presents to an EBL premises and appears unwell is not able to enter the building.
  • All visitors are required to advise if they have been in contact with someone who is unwell.
  • The majority of meetings are held via zoom, teleconference, and skype.

EBL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

(implemented 9th March 2020)

Should any employee or client present with a temperature or symptoms that cause concern (in accordance with Health Department Guidelines) such as fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties an emergency response plan will be activated which includes the following steps:

> Immediate contact or visit with GP, local COVID-19 testing centre or hospital as advised by Doctor.

> A medical clearance will be required.

> If advised by Doctor that COVID-19 test is positive:

  • Associated clients, employees, families, and Department of Health will be notified.
  • Employees and/or Clients will stay at home or self-isolate as instructed by the Department of Health.
  • The home or premises will be ventilated and we will engage a cleaning company to carry out disinfection works before others can return to the building.

If you would like more information about how we are managing the prevention of COVID-19 in our workplace, services and home environments please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Head Office on (08) 8252 1000. We need your support to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, we appreciate you advising us immediately if you or a family member have tested positive to the virus so that we can respond appropriately to protect others.

Dated 9th March 2020

Dear Employee

As many of you are already aware, we are working with the EBL community and the Department of Health to ensure we provide the most proactive response to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Last week the senior management team and I held an emergency meeting with house managers to work through our response plan. We know that a large number of our clients are highly vulnerable to COVID-19. As of today, every person entering Australia will have to spend 14 DAYS in self-isolation as directed by the Federal Government. The Department of Health also encourages ‘social distancing’ and warns against handshakes and people gathering in large numbers.

What this actually means is that during any period of self-isolation if someone you know has been overseas (either on a plane or ship) and they come home and turn up to work WITHIN THE 14 DAY PERIOD they will be committing an offence. We support the Government’s ‘self-isolation’ initiative and commit to playing our part in monitoring people’s movements and health to ensure we reduce the risk for all. If you are struggling to come to terms with the outbreak of COVID-19, we can provide access to Employee Assistance Program to help you feel more at ease. You play an important role in supporting our people and we value your work greatly. Therefore, should any employee of EBL test positive to COVID-19 we will cover the cost of wages for rostered shifts if you are required to self-isolate for the 14-day period.

OUR PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES

  • All employees (including agency staff) are completing refresher training around hand hygiene and infection control.
  • All employees will have available an easy read symptom checker and instructions regarding EBL’s response plan.
  • All employees will have their temperature monitored prior to commencing shifts to ensure there is no symptoms present as per Department of Health Guidelines.
  • All employees are to stay at home if they are feeling unwell.
  • All employees require a medical clearance before returning to the workplace if they have been off work due to illness or present at the workplace with a temperature.
  • Each home and service will have a C-19 Kit Pack that will include hand sanitisers, disposable masks, eye protections, tissues, and other personal protective gear.
  • All homes and premises will be ventilated and extra steps taken to ensure cleanliness at all times.

Should any employee or client present with a temperature or symptoms that cause concern (in accordance with Health Department Guidelines) such as fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties an emergency response plan will be activated which includes the following steps:

  • Immediate quarantine of the premises and contact a senior manager to report.
  • Visit or contact with local GP, COVID-19 testing centre, or hospital as directed by your Doctor.
  • A senior manager will advise associated clients, employees, and families immediately.
  • We will advise the Health Department as soon as possible – please speak with a senior manager and follow their guidance.
  • Employees and/or Clients will stay at home or self-isolate as instructed by the Department of Health.
  • The home or premises will be ventilated and we will engage a cleaning company to carry out disinfection works before anyone can return to the building.

An easy read flow chart will be available in each home and premises that will outline the steps you need to take if anyone presents with symptoms. If you would like more information about how we are managing the prevention of COVID-19 in our workplace, services and home environments please do not hesitate to get in touch with someone from the senior management team on (08) 8252 1000. We need your support to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, we appreciate you advising us immediately if you or a family member have tested positive to the virus so that we can respond appropriately to protect others.

Wendy Warren
Chief Executive

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Latest SA COVID-19 information

HEALTH RESOURCES IN EASY READ

The Australian Government has released a range of health information about COVID-19 on the Disability Information Helpline  page on the Department of Social Services website in Easy Read and Auslan including:

COVID-19 | Taking Part in the NDIS – Auslan

Increased Flexibility for low cost Assistive Technology

The NDIS recently shared information about how they have temporarily broadened the flexible approach for low cost assistive technology (AT) items so participants can continue to receive NDIS funded supports and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants can use their existing NDIS funding to purchase an item if it meets all of the criteria on the Assistive technology explained page on the NDIS website.

This will be in place until September 2020 and will be reviewed in July 2020.

To support this new time-limited policy the NDIS have made this information available in other formats including Easy Read and in animation.

You can download a copy of the Easy Read by clicking here, or watch the animation below.

Increased Flexibility for low cost Assistive Technology

What we do

We support individuals living with a disability, and their families, from childhood through to adulthood to lead fulfilled lives.

Whether you want to get out and about in your community, connect with new friends, develop your communication skills, establish your NDIS plan, have a break, or find a place to live, we can help.

We have a dedicated and experienced team ready to support you.

We specialise in a diverse range of services including:

• Short Stays
• Accommodation
• Emergency Accommodation
• Culturally Sensitive Services

• Learning & Lifestyle Programs
• Assisted Holidays
• Recreational Activities
• Social & Community Participation

• NDIS Support Coordination
• Complex Support Co-ordination
• Financial Plan Management

Contact one of our friendly team members today

What Others Say About Us

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"You have a great team at EBL and I appreciate all that you do for Travis and hope that we can all continue this amazing relationship."

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"The welcome and support we received provided us with the comfort and security we needed to feel when leaving our son in the care of others."

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"There is ongoing communication between us as the family and EBL."

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"The staff have been wonderful through all these years and along with respite have been able to provide James with activities and experiences that we would not have been able to achieve."

EBL 2020 Summer Newsletter

In this edition of the EBL Quarterly Newsletter:

Reflecting on the bushfires
A Note from the Chair
A Word from Wendy
How you can help with the bushfires in South Australia
Carer Advisory Group
NDIS Best Practice Acknowledged, Thank you Julie
Sewing for Wildlife
Birthdays, Christmas Celebrations, The Smith Street Crew from Wallaroo
Keep updated about the Coronavirus

CLICK HERE
EBL 2020 Summer News

Our Videos

THE FAMILY OF HARROW HOUSE

REALISE YOUR POTENTIAL

EBL & SPROUT

Important NDIS Updates

NDIS – Every Australian Counts

NDIS – 5 things you need to know about NDIS in South Australia

NDIS – Australia

National Disability Insurance Scheme

NDIS
NDIS Commission