Dear Residents and Relatives,
With winter here, it’s time to be prepared for flu season. Banfields staff has completed the Staff Influenza Vaccination Program and our Resident Influenza
Vaccination Program is currently underway.
I can also confirm our Resident COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccination Program was successfully completed in April and our Care Staff are receiving their COVID-19 Vaccinations from GP Clinics in the region. I am pleased to report, Banfields is very well placed to handle any challenges the colder months may bring.
Just to update you there has also been some changes to the management team at Banfields since my last report. Fenge Shave, Maintenance Manager and Jenni Oppy, Admissions and Client Liaison Manager have resigned from their roles to pursue an adventure in the snowfields of Victoria. Our former Adminstration Assistant, Cathy Smyth, has been promoted to Admissions and Client Liaison Assistant and is settling into her new role very well.
The trial of job-sharing the Clinical Care Manager role has also been successful. Elizabeth May, Registered Nurse has enjoyed this role immensely and I’m proud to announce that Elizabeth has been appointed as the Clinical Care Manager, effective 2nd June 2021. Annabelle Catalan, Registered Nurse who was job-sharing this important role with Elizabeth, will continue on at Banfields as one of our senior nurses, who is now skilled and equipped with the knowledge to support the Clinical Care Managers role, should Elizabeth require any leave. Both ladies are pleased with how this has worked out and I am grateful to work closely with such compassionate clinicians.
COVID-19 guidelines remain in force in the aged care sector. These are changing on regular basis, so if you are ever unsure, please telephone the facility prior to your visit, just to be on the safe side. As of May, face masks are compulsory for all staff and visitors, 1.5m physical distancing rules and building density levels still apply. Victorians know all too well, the challenges we faced last year through COVID lockdowns.
We have all come a long way in the past 12 months. Victorians are resilient and fast learners!
Best wishes,
Lara
