Esther Lauaki
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult and stressful time for many people in our community.
Healthcare workers are no exception to this and many have the added concern of balancing their commitment to care for their patients with their own fears of being exposed to the virus and infecting their loved ones.
According to Barwon Health spokesperson Kate Bibby, staff have worked overtime, extra days, or joined other teams within the organisation to help achieve everything that needs to be done in response to the changes in our community, as well as being prepared for the unexpected.
“There has been a great shift towards utilising telehealth, which involves appointments through phone and video conferencing, and staff have been quick to adjust to the challenges of providing care without being hands-on and face-to-face with patients,” Ms Bibby said.
“After creating capacity for the expected demand of COVID-19, our planning focus shifted to reducing and measuring the spread of the virus in the community through testing.”
Ms Bibby said preparations in the Intensive Care Unit included increased education with staff, training with new equipment, and up-skilling staff who are new to the ICU environment.
“As we’ve planned ahead for COVID-19, we have been conscious of our responsibility to care not just for our local community, but for much of the Barwon South West region.
“Barwon Health’s ICU is fortunate to have a high level of expertise with the ability to provide care for the most complex patients.
“We’ve been in regular communication with regional centres, offering support as far as Hamilton and Warrnambool to let these healthcare providers know they can count on our resources.”
Barwon Health has been focused on keeping its staff healthy and its vulnerable patients safe, Ms Bibby said.
“The message is clear and staff have been excellent about doing their bit to reduce the risk of infection, with many workers getting tested for even the mildest of symptoms,” she said.
“We all have a role to play in Geelong and we are working together to stay healthy as we take important steps towards a brighter future, as we learn to live with COVID-19.”
