Message from the Chief Executive
As of today, we have:
- Two COVID-19 positive inpatients
- Three employees with COVID-19
- 23 employees in precautionary quarantine
As active case numbers in Victoria fall below 300, the data shows that we are heading in the right direction. But this does not mean we can afford to be complacent. We know how quickly this virus can spread if we are not vigilant.
DHHS has updated its high-risk locations list, and it is worth noting that several of these fall within our catchment. Please review the list, and if you visited any of the locations during the dates indicated, watch for symptoms and, if they occur, do not attend work and get tested immediately.
At Monash Health, we are continuing our work in the community to drive down numbers.
Our response includes comprehensive outreach to aged care, working with DHHS to identify and prioritise high-risk facilities and those with active outbreaks to quickly suppress transmission.
We have taken the same approach with Supported Residential Services (SRS). These are privately operated businesses that provide accommodation and support for those who need help with everyday activities. Here we are working alongside trusted community partners, ensuring we all come to the table in a co-ordinated way. In the same way, we are also working with disability facilities, rooming homes and caravan parks, to ‘wrap and protect’ their residents.
In individual households suffering from outbreaks, the strategic importance of our Refugee Health team has come to the fore, playing a transformative role in suppressing transmission, through the relationships they have in place and have been able to build.
Underpinning these efforts is the COVID+ Care Pathway Model, a co-ordinated approach to the identification and management of COVID-19 positive patients, which uses a stratified risk approach to support the effective care of patients from testing to discharge.
This is exciting and important work, not only because it is helping to bring COVID-19 case numbers down, but because in doing so we are building a model for the management of chronic disease for the future. My congratulations and thanks to everyone who has been involved.
I would also like to congratulate Professor Stephen Nicholls and the Monash Heart team, who have been recognised as one of the world’s best cardiology programs by Newsweek.
Newsweek partnered with Statista Inc., a global market research and consumer data firm, to rank the best cardiology programs worldwide. Monash Heart came in at 45, which is testament to the team’s expertise, and well-received as we commence building the first dedicated heart hospital in the southern hemisphere.
Thank you all, as always, for your great work.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
Key Messages
Monash Heart nurses lead world-first trial
A group of nurses from Monash Heart are leading a world-first trial using an implantable heart monitor to manage patients who suffer from Atrial Fibrillation (AF) from home. AF, or an irregular heartbeat, is a risk factor for stroke, and people with AF are five times more likely to suffer a stroke.
The device is a wireless insertable cardiac monitor, ideal for patients experiencing infrequent symptoms that require long-term monitoring or ongoing management. It is placed under the skin through a small incision of less than 1cm in the upper left side of the chest. Learn more here.
Shared Spaces and working safely on-site
By now, you will be routinely practising effective hand and personal hygiene, observing physical distancing, completing your daily attestation and checking-in to our shared spaces when on-site.
To ensure your safety and to support you at work, we wanted to remind you about some of the other measures you can expect to see across all shared and non-shared workspaces.
These include Bins and PPE disposal, floor markings, shared bathrooms and accessible cleaning products. Learn more here.
STAR Awards – new category added and nomination deadline extended
You now have until midnight 16 October to nominate your colleagues who have done some extraordinary work throughout the latest quarter. We are also excited to announce the new award category: ‘Excellence in Occupational health, safety and wellbeing’.
From delivering outstanding work from a remote working environment, to dealing with the stress and pressure of the frontline COVID-19 care to ensure excellent care, there are so many stories to tell. And we want to hear about them. Learn more here.
Clean Up Monash Health for a safer, work-friendly environment
We’re having a clean-up in the coming months. The aim is to de-clutter our buildings and workspaces, with an emphasis on removing unnecessary or no longer required furniture.
Managers are asked to take the lead and pre-identify items in your work area that no longer serve a useful purpose, using this online form: monashhealth.sharepoint.com/sites/Stocktake. Items must be listed by close of business next Friday (9 October). Read more here.
The invisible monster becomes visible. Meet Bob.
Rachel Rosler is the Director of Emergency Medicine at Monash Medical Centre. She’s also the illustrator of some quirky cartoons about a coronavirus named Bob.
During a well-earned week off, Rachel began an online cartooning course as a way to unwind and distract herself from the pandemic. She says her light-hearted cartoons helped her make the invisible monster that is COVID-19 “a little more human, and a little bit stupid”. Read more here.
Car parking refund update
If you have been working at home during COVID-19, a reminder that you will be able to apply for a reimbursement of car parking deductions made for this period, under certain conditions. Learn more here.
Complete the Employee Workplace Declaration form today
If you have not yet completed the Employee Workplace Declaration form, please do so today.
It is an important safety initiative from the Public Health Commander and mandatory for all employees.
Continue to take advantage of wellbeing resources
Take advantage of the health and wellbeing resources we have available for you, including the Call a Psychologist service and the employee assistance program. Don’t forget the basics of your physical health and remember we have links to resources online for you and your teams, including a helpful guide to stretching at your desk, wherever that desk might be.
Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice
The information about COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice by referring to the Monash Health Employee Coronavirus website. To make accessing the site quicker, you can create a shortcut on your smartphone by following these instructions.
Upcoming events
Employee Forum, 2pm Tuesday 6 October
Join our Employee Forum for an opportunity to discuss Monash Health’s COVID-19 response.
Employee Forum, 2pm Thursday 8 October
Join our Employee Forum for an opportunity to discuss Monash Health’s COVID-19 response.
Stay up to date with events on our COVID-19 website for Monash Health employees:
- Watch previous recordings of Employee Forums and Manager Briefings
All managers are requested to share these updates with their teams and discuss at stand-ups and handovers. Please print a copy and display it in communication books and on employee noticeboards.
As advice and information evolve, please consult the latest updates and visit the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash Health COVID-19 website for employees regularly for the latest.