Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have symptoms and may have been exposed to COVID-19?
Please immediately call your doctor or Health Direct on 1800 022 222 for an assessment. Avoid close contact with anyone for 14 days, or until you have been cleared by your doctor or other health professional. Please then contact your Care Advisor.
If you have recently returned from overseas you must self-isolate for 14 days.
Will a Care Worker still visit if I have flu like symptoms?
Yes. Our staff will wear PPE.
What is Catholic Healthcare doing about the Coronavirus to protect staff and clients?
Our clients and staff are our top priority. We have long standing policies, procedures and staff training around infection prevention and control – including preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. This includes hygiene management, reporting feeling unwell, not working while sick.
We have established an Outbreak Preparedness Committee, who are constantly monitoring, planning and implementing steps to protect clients and staff.
We are adhering to the Department of Health guidelines and have a team focused on responding to all the latest advice and directives from Government regarding the management of the Coronavirus.
Our staff are maintaining social distancing of 1.5M, regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitisers when visiting clients at home.
We have put in place daily communication with all partner organisations so any case of Coronavirus is reported immediately and staff or clients that may have been exposed will be immediately notified and isolation procedures put in place.
Any staff who have recently returned from overseas must self-isolate for 14 days.
Do staff wear a mask when visiting clients?
It is recommended that people who are not sick do not need to wear a facemask. However, if this makes you feel more comfortable, this can be arranged.
How can staff provide services in a client’s home whilst practising social distancing?
Staff can still provide services in a home such as housekeeping while maintaining a safe distance in support of the social isolation guidelines. For example, being in a different room to a client as we clean or tidy.
What extra support can I access due to the social distancing recommendations?
Our Home Care services are open for business today and every day to ensure you keep receiving quality in-home care and support if your needs change during the current situation.
Special services we offer which may help you through social distancing and provide extra comfort include shopping delivered to your door, support with medications, meal preparation, cleaning, pastoral care, technology support to stay connected with loved ones, ‘check in’ phone calls, exercise plans that you can do at home to keep you mobile and strong, plus more.
Can clients have a consultation or social visit by WhatsApp or FaceTime?
Yes, our team can help you access WhatsApp and communicate with you via this channel as well as help you organise telehealth medical appointments.
How is Catholic Healthcare communicating with clients about the Coronavirus?
Information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be updated on our website.
If you have a MyCH tablet or download WhatsApp we can send you notifications through these channels as well.
We will also be keeping clients up to date by email and mail. In order for us to communicate with clients in a more timely manner, we ask that you call our Customer Care Team to inform us of your current email address.
Where can I find more information about COVID-19?
For the latest information visit the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
For additional information and assistance, you can call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For translating or interpreting services call 131 450.
An official Coronavirus Australia App is also available and can be downloaded on your iPhone or Android.