Brotherhood of St. Laurence Aged Care COVID-19 response

Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) Aged Care is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff, our residents, our clients and their families. We are doing all that is required as mandated by health authorities, plus a range of additional measures to help stop the spread of the virus.

We understand that COVID-19 can be threatening for older people, those with disability and younger people with compromised immune systems or other health conditions. We also know that your loved one’s care is essential, and we are committed to supporting you in every way we can.

To meet that commitment, we are undertaking a broad range of actions across all of our aged care programs and services to keep you, your loved ones, our staff and volunteers safe. We know that information and advice is rapidly changing and we constantly monitor the situation and follow the advice from the Department of Health.

Some of the key actions we are taking:

Residential Aged Care

All our residents are now safely in our new Clifton Hill aged care facility.

We are strictly limiting all access to the facility. If a visitor is given permission to enter, a very detailed entry protocol applies, including temperature checks and an entry induction.

All our staff are trained on how best to guard against and respond to outbreaks and we’re working with health authorities to constantly review and update infection control procedures to ensure the facility is safe and our residents are well cared for.

Temperature checks are also conducted on all staff before they commence work.

None of our staff are working at other aged care homes.

Care at home

All our Care at Home staff, from case managers to personal care attendants, have received infection control training.

Our personal care attendants, who visit many of you or your loved ones at home, have received additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to increase safety.

Personal care attendants have also been given additional training on how best to guard against and respond to outbreaks and we’re working with health authorities to constantly review and update infection control procedures, advise on how to stay safe, and the correct use of PPE.

Our personal care attendants have also been provided with disinfectant wipes for use in their cars.