Important message regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This page is regularly updated - the most recent information appears at the top of the page. Please scroll down to view other information. You can find our CovidSafe Plan here:

ADSSI Covid-19 Safety Plan NSW Government

 

1 October

In a commitment to our staff, volunteers, clients and their families, we have introduced a mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Policy.

Our vaccination policy means all office-based and face-to-face staff and volunteers will have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccination by 15 October.

By 30th November, all office-based and face-to-face staff & volunteers will be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

 

MCCS Vaccination Commitment Flyer (A4 Document)

 

18 AUGUST

Keeping you Covid-safe

MCCS is committed to keeping staff, volunteers and clients as safe as possible during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are:

  • encouraging everyone to get vaccinated (this protects you, your family and friends and the community)
  • asking screening questions over the phone
  • asking screening questions at your door
  • wearing masks and other protection
  • following strict hygiene protocols
  • asking you to wear a mask indoors and in our cars

We can:

  • help you make an appointment for a vaccination
  • transport you safely to get your vaccination
  • supply you with a mask if you don't have one
  • help you arrange a SERVICE NSW QR CODE CHECK IN CARD - or you can do it via this link https://apply.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-checkin-card/

We are here to help, even in lockdown. As an essential service we will continue to provide Meals on Wheels deliveries, transport to medical appointments and treatment, personal and domestic care and more.

Below are some reliable and helpful resources:

If you have any questions please contact our friendly team on 4932 5755.

 

6 AUGUST

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER

Anyone in Greater Sydney (including the Central Coast) and Hunter / Upper Hunter / Port Stephens area / Lake Macquarie who has an exemption from wearing a mask must now carry evidence from a medical practitioner noting that the exemption is for medical reasons.

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER NOW REQUIRES ANYONE IN GREATER SYDNEY, INCLUDING THE CENTRAL COAS), HUNTER / UPPER HUNTER / PORT STEPHENS AREA / LAKE MACQUARIE TO CARRY A FACE MASK WHEN LEAVING HOME. IT MUST BE WORN IF AT ANYTIME YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSEHOLD (INDOORS OR OUTDOORS).

MASK POLICY – EFFECTIVE FRIDAY 06 AUGUST UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

  • Staff / volunteers / visitors are required to continue wearing a surgical mask at all times in the office, or other MCCS work site. This restriction is part of the Public Health Order that mandates the wearing of surgical masks in the workplace. The Public Health order requires mask wearing in all public indoor spaces, including work offices
  • Staff / volunteers are required to wear a mask for all client services
  • Clients and other people in their home, at the time of service, are required to wear a surgical mask for all services. This is in line with NSW Health orders that state ‘residents receiving home care services in Greater Sydney  and including Hunter / Upper Hunter / Port Stephens area and Lake Macquarie, must wear a mask whilst a healthcare worker is in attendance’. If a client, or others present in the home, are unable to / refuse to wear a mask WE WILL NOT PROCEED WITH SERVICE. 
For your peace of mind, MCCS is still here to help, even during lockdown. We have strict Covid-19 infection control protocols in place.
We can help with :
  • Meals on Wheels – delicious and nutritious meals delivered to your door (contactless)
  • Community transport – we can take you to medical appointments in and around Maitland, the Hunter and Newcastle
  • We can do your grocery shopping on your behalf (*eligible clients only)
  • Our household help and personal care services are still operating, all with strict Covid-19 infection control protocols in place
  • Home Care Package services remain available
  • NDIS services remain available
  • Social Support - must be in your home
All our social groups and activities are on hold.
If you need help, please give us a call on 4932 5755 -
Stay safe and stay home

8 July

There were several major announcements in yesterday's NSW Government COVID Press Conference including;

Increase of the current lockdown for Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, by an additional week through to midnight Friday 16 July.

The naming of 3 new LGAs of significant concern re: community transmission (Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury / Bankstown) and within those LGAs, 8 particular suburbs of concern – Bossley Park, Smithfield, Fairfield, West Hoxton, Bass Hill, St John’s Park, Canley Vale and Greenfield Park. All of these areas are in South-West and Western Sydney.

How are we responding to these announcements?

Social Support Groups continue to be cancelled up to and including Friday 16 July.
All other current COVID restrictions / safe practice settings, including mask wearing, to continue as they currently are in  the Hunter.

Our mask wearing policy remains in place until further notice and includes:

Staff / volunteers / visitors are required to continue wearing a surgical mask at all times in the office, or other ADSSI work site. This restriction is part of the Public Health Order that mandates the wearing of surgical masks in the workplace. The Public Health order requires mask wearing in all public indoor spaces, including work offices;

Staff / volunteers are required to wear a mask for all client services, except lawn and garden services where social distancing is in place;

Clients , and other people in their home, at the time of service, are required to wear a surgical mask for all services. This is in line with NSW Health orders issues on Sunday 27 June that state ‘ residents receiving home care services in Greater Sydney must wear a mask whilst a healthcare worker is in attendance’. If a client, or others present in the home, are unable to / refuse to wear a mask WE MAY NOT BE ABLE DO NOT PROCEED WITH SERVICE.

Thanks for your ongoing support with our COVID Safe practices. Please remain vigilant in what is a critical time in managing the current level of community transmission.

28 June

UPDATED MASK POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

  • Staff / volunteers / visitors are required to continue wearing a surgical mask at all times in the office, or other MCCS  work site.
  • Staff / volunteers are required to continue wearing a mask for all client services, except lawn and garden services where social distancing is in place
  • It is now a requirement for masks to be worn in all indoor areas in all of NSW. Therefore, clients are required to wear a mask if they are being taken on a service outside of their home.
  • Clients , and other members of their household present during an in-home service, are required to wear a mask if they, or their close contacts have been in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra in the last 14 days. All other clients are requested to wear a mask for all services and strongly encouraged to do so.

 

21 June

UPDATED MASK POLICY – EFFECTIVE  UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Staff and volunteers are required to wear a surgical mask;

  • For all client services if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June
  • At all times when in the office if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June (this also applies to visitors to the office)

Clients / others present in a client’s household during a service;

  • Are required to wear a surgical mask if they, or their close contact/s have been in Greater Sydney anytime from and including Friday 11 June.

If you have any questions, please call the office on 4932 5755.

 

19 March

The vaccine rollout is continuing, with the 1b group starting on Monday 22 March.

You are encouraged to discuss your health circumstances with your GP. In the link below you can find information on the Astrazeneca vaccine:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine.pdf

A list of GP Clinics participating, in the vaccination programme, can be found here;

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/covid-19-vaccination-phase-1b-rollout.pdf

 

25 February

Vaccine Rollout - Update from Australian Government Department of Health

You can find out where you are on the eligibility list and when you are likely to be able to have the vaccine by clicking on the department's link https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

 

23 February

Mask Wearing Policy Update for clients and staff:

In line with advice from NSW Health earlier this week, the following changes apply to mask wearing for client services.

  • Staff and volunteers are required to wear a surgical mask for all client services where social distancing cannot be / is difficult to maintain, specifically this includes transport, shopping, personal care and clinical services
  • Staff and volunteers are no longer required to wear a surgical mask when safe social distancing is able to be maintained for example, domestic assistance
  • Clients are required to wear a surgical mask for services where social distancing cannot be maintained, for example, transport, personal care. Please continue to discuss individual client circumstances with your line manager if they are unable to wear a mask in these circumstances
  • Clients are strongly encouraged to wear a surgical mask when shopping (as social distancing is difficult to maintain), however, it is not required

If you have any queries or concerns, give us a call.

28 January 2021

The Federal Government is rolling out their advertising campaign to raise awareness of their Covid-19 Vaccine strategy and program.

Click on the link below to find out what you need to know and in the meantime, stay home if you're unwell, practise social distancing and good hand hygiene and get tested even if you have mild symptoms.

https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines

4 January 2021

NSW Health has issued a Public Health Order for the wearing of masks in most indoor settings including supermarkets, shopping centres, banks, post offices and on public transport etc. This applies in the Greater Sydney area which includes the Central Coast.

Under the Public Health Order, not wearing a mask in these settings, without a valid reason, will be subject to a $200 fine effective from today (Monday, 4 January).

MCCS staff and volunteers are required to wear a mask when conducting services in these settings, which in line with our current policy (see announcement 21 December).

Client’s are also required to wear a mask in these settings - we can supply you with a single-use, disposable mask if you need one. Please note in line with Public Health Order, there are fines attached for non-compliance and the payment of any fines issued by NSW Police for non-compliance under the order is the responsibility of individuals.

Thank you for your cooperation.

21 December 2020

Dear Valued Clients

Due to increased COVID-19 community transmission, all staff, volunteers and clients MUST WEAR A MASK for ALL SERVICES, regardless of whether social distancing can be maintained.  Please note the exception of lawn and garden services when outside with social distancing.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

4 December, 2020

Dear Valued Client,

As we head towards Christmas and the end of an unusual and sometimes difficult year, I am writing to provide you with an update on MCCS’s ongoing response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Our processes and procedures, together with your cooperation, has meant that to date no clients, staff or volunteers have tested positive to COVID-19. On another positive note, we have also seen a significant drop in the number of influenza cases this year.

Thanks to the gradual easing of restrictions by government departments, we are carefully reintroducing programs and activities in a COVID safe way.

As we have done throughout the pandemic, we remain committed to the safety measures we have put in place to protect your health, safety and wellbeing, and that of our staff and volunteers.  We will continue to monitor the situation and remain flexible in order to respond to any changes if required.

This has been a difficult time for everyone, including our wonderful staff and volunteers.  Thank you again for your ongoing support and understanding to help us protect you and your family, and our workers and their families.

Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season and a healthy 2021. If you have any queries, please call us on 4932 5755.

 Jenni Allan- Chief Executive Officer

 

29 October 2020

You can find our NSW Government Covid-19 Safety Plan here, which outlines exactly how we have and will continue to respond to the pandemic and keep everyone as safe as possible.

Please continue to practice good hand hygiene, stay 1.5m away from others, cover your coughs and sneezes and get tested even if you have mild symptoms.

ADSSI Covid-19 Safety Plan NSW Government

Updated 4 August:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: As a result of changed government advice around the use of face masks, the rate of community transmission of COVID-19 in NSW and the vulnerability of our clients, we have updated our policy on wearing masks.
 
Effective from Tuesday 4 August until further advice the following policy applies to the use of face masks.
 
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
• Staff and volunteers must wear a mask for all service provision
• Exceptions only for trade and lawn and garden staff working outside of a client’s home when social distancing is maintained
INSIDE THE OFFICE
Staff and volunteers must wear a mask when dealing face to face with clients or members of the public at Reception
 
CLIENTS;
Must wear masks for;
• all services provided in the home where minimum 1.5 metres social distancing is unable to be maintained
• all transport services
• all services outside the home
We can provide masks to you in these circumstances.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue to keep everyone as safe as possible. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us on 4932 5755.

 

20 July, 2020

Dear Valued Client,

I am writing to you once again to update you on MCCS’s continued response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and our commitment to ensure we protect your health, safety and wellbeing, and that of our staff and volunteers.

I am pleased to advise that to date no clients, staff or volunteers have tested positive to COVID-19, confirmation that our procedures and vigilance, and your cooperation, have paid off.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic situation daily and take advice from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and other government agencies as the situation changes. MCCS’s COVID-19 taskforce meets regularly to monitor the changing circumstances and introduce and adopt changes as they arise. This includes the recent community outbreaks in Victoria and NSW. In response to this, we have unfortunately had to delay the reintroduction of social groups until the full impact is known.

We will continue to provide the much-needed practical support to our clients and remain committed to the measures that we have put in place to ensure we do this safely.  This includes:

  • Screening staff, clients, and anyone in your household, to make sure they are well, have not been overseas or in any current COVID-19 hotspots in the past 14 days, and have not been in contact with anyone else who is unwell with, or could have COVID-19;
  • Providing staff with the appropriate personal protection equipment to ensure their safety and the safety of clients;
  • Ensuring staff are trained and continue the use of infection control precautions including the use of personal protection equipment (masks, gowns and gloves) and handwashing as normal practice;
  • Continuing precautions in our offices including increased hand washing, cleaning, social distancing and having staff work from home as much as possible.

We trust that you understand our actions have been taken to protect you, our staff and volunteers to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

It is important for each of us to understand our individual risk.  NSW Health has created an Action Plan for anyone assessed by their GP as being high risk. Please discuss your individual circumstances with your GP who can advise you on how to respond to this risk. If you need to change your services or need additional support, please call and let us know, or talk with staff when they come to your house to provide your usual service.

This is a difficult time for everyone, including our committed staff who come to your home to provide support.  Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding that our infection control policies are put into place to help protect you and your family, and our workers and their families. It is important to follow the instructions of our team, including the wearing of masks when social distancing is difficult to adhere to. This includes when travelling in our vehicles. We will supply you with a mask in these situations.

If you have any queries, please call us on 4932 5755.

Stay safe and well, with best wishes

Jenni Allan

 

Updated 10 July:

The Department of Health updates information regularly to help keep people informed during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC. This week they released their LIVING WELL IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - A tool to help people to make COVIDSafe decisions about work, transport, and social activities.

Please click here for details: coronavirus-covid-19-living-well-in-the-covid-19-pandemic

 

Updated 6 July:

Here are some useful links for anyone needing some telephone support during the current health crisis:

Community Visitors Scheme
A Community Visitors Scheme that supports senior people who may be feeling more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic through phone and virtual friendships.

The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line - 1800 171 866
A dedicated free call support line that provides information and support to senior Australians, their families and carers.The support line operates Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 8:30am to 6pm.

Friend Line telephone support service - 1800 4  CHATS (1800 424 287)
Friend Line offers a free and anonymous telephone service that provides senior Australians with the opportunity to chat with a volunteer. The services is available seven days a week between 10am and 8pm.

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service - 1800 512 348
A free 24/7 support service specifically designed to help people through the COVID-19 pandemic offered by Beyond Blue.

 

26 June, 2020

Hello everyone,

Following this week’s Coronavirus outbreak in numerous suburbs across Melbourne, the NSW Department of Health has issued the following advice and recommendations:

  • Avoid travelling to Victoria, specifically Melbourne and the suburban hotspots (see below for full list);
  • If you, or anyone you have close contact with has travelled to or returned from these areas, The NSW Department of Health recommends you should not attend aged care facilities, hospitals, or other settings with vulnerable people, and should avoid gatherings outside of their immediate household for a period of 14 days.

The current hotspots in Victoria include;

  • Keilor Downs
  • Broadmeadows
  • Maidstone
  • Albanvale
  • Sunshine West
  • Hallam
  • Brunswick West
  • Fawkner
  • Reservoir
  • Pakenham

In response to the outbreak, we have updated our screening questions for staff, volunteers and clients to include asking about travel to Melbourne, Victoria, in the past 14 days, or if you /they have had close contact with anyone who has. 

To date no staff, volunteers or clients have tested positive to Covid-19, which is testament to our combined efforts to adopt new policies, procedures and protocols, combined with everyone’s cooperation and vigilance. By maintaining these efforts we can continue to keep everyone safe and well.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support.

Jenni Allan

Chief Executive Officer

 

27 April, 2020

Please see below for an updated on MCCS’s continued response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and our commitment to ensure we protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all our valued clients, staff and volunteers.

We are monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic situation daily and taking advice from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and other government agencies as the situation changes. We have created our own COVID-19 taskforce who meet regularly to monitor the circumstances and introduce and adopt changes as they arise.

We will continue to provide the much-needed practical support to our clients and have measures in place to ensure it is safe to do so.  This includes:

  • Screening staff to make sure they are well, have not been overseas in the past 14 days and have not been in contact with anyone else who is unwell with or could have COVID-19.
  • Asking you, and others in your household, the same screening questions we ask staff each time we see you.
  • Providing staff with the appropriate personal protection equipment to ensure their safety and the safety of clients.
  • Ensuring staff continue the use of standard infection control precautions including the use of gloves and handwashing as normal practice.
  • The introduction of more stringent infection control protocols for both drivers and passengers, on all transport services.
  • Implementing precautions in our offices including, increased hand washing, cleaning, social distancing and having staff work from home as much as possible

We trust that you understand that the above actions have been taken to protect you, our staff and volunteers and the general community by doing as much as we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There are also ways you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Know the symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue
  • If you or someone in your home is unwell, please call and we will reschedule your service
  • If you fit the specific requirements for self-isolation including recent international travel, or contact with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID -19, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • Cough into the crook of your elbow not into your hands, or, use a tissue, dispose of it carefully then wash your hands
  • Talk to you GP about a flu shot - If you need support to access transport to have the flu shot from your GP or pharmacist, please give us a call.

If you need to change your services or need additional support, please call and let us know or talk with staff when they come to your house to provide your usual service.  We are here to help and, in many circumstances, have the flexibility to provide additional services you may not currently be receiving, for example assistance with online shopping, helping you to use your iPad to connect with family or friends or help with or transport to get your flu vaccination.

Please bear in mind this is a difficult time for everyone, including our committed staff who come to your home to provide support. Unfortunately, we have had reports of some clients and/or their family members being abusive and rude to our staff. This behaviour is disappointing, breaches your responsibilities under your agreement for us to provide service to you, and may result in services being cancelled.

If you have any queries, please call us on 4932 5755.

Stay safe and well, with best wishes

Jenni Allan

Chief Executive Officer

 

31 March, 2020

It's a confusing and ever-changing situation for all of us and we hear and see new information multiple times a day - some of it useful, some of it confusing, some of it contradictory or even untrue.

The Government announced today new guidelines on social distancing - key points listed below.
You can read the full article here (and are encouraged you to do so) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-31/coronavirus-rules-explained-when-you-can-leave-house-in-nsw/12105782,

Here's what you can leave your home for:

  • Work, if a person can't work from home
  • School or an educational institution
  • Shops for food and other essential items
  • Get medical care
  • Exercise, but only if the exercise is done alone or with one other person

 

20 March, 2020

Dear Valued Clients,

I am writing to inform and reassure you about what MCCS is doing to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all our valued clients, staff and volunteers in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our services support our clients every day to stay living safely and happily at home.  At difficult times like this, our services will be even more important so that clients can continue to lead their usual daily lives as much as they can, supported by staff that they know and an organisation that they can trust.   Please be assured that we will only send staff to you that have been appropriately health-screened and who have received training on infection control.

If you require different/changed services, please call and let us know or talk with staff when they come to your house to provide your usual service.  We are here to help.

MCCS has put in place many strategies to allow us to continue services and keep you safe;

  • We continue to monitor the situation daily and take advice from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and other government agencies as the situation changes. 
  • Staff have completed training on How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19
  • Unwell staff or volunteers are required to stay at home
  • Staff will continue to use standard infection control precautions including the use of gloves and handwashing as normal practice
  • All social outings, groups, activities, wellbeing programs and events have been postponed until further notice
  • We have introduced more stringent hygiene protocols for both drivers and passengers, on all transport services
  • Precautions in our offices include increased hand washing, cleaning and social distancing 
  • Where possible office-based staff are working from home 
  • We will regularly ask you questions about contact with anyone from overseas, contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and if you have any cold or flu like symptoms. This is to help keep our staff safe.

We trust that you understand that the above actions have been taken to protect you, our staff and volunteers and the general community by doing as much as we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

There are also ways you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Know the symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue
  • If you or someone in your home is unwell, please call and we will reschedule your service
  • If you fit the specific requirements for self-isolation including recent international travel, or contact with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID -19, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days 
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds 
  • Cough into the crook of your elbow not into your hands, or, use a tissue, dispose of it carefully then wash your hands
  • Talk to you GP about a flu shot – it will be more important this year than previously.

If you have any queries, please call us on 1300 376 986

Stay safe and well,

With best wishes

Jenni Allan

Chief Executive Officer

For more information on how we are ensuring our clients, staff and volunteers stay well, along with how you can help, please click on the link MCCS_Covid19 Client Handout

 

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We are committed to reconciliation through our Reconciliation Action Plan. Artwork (above at right): Mundoe-Nurra, by Kevin Duncan.

We affirm the right to equality, respect and fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) clients, staff and volunteers.