Keeping In Touch 17 December 2021
Welcome to the last edition of Keeping in Touch for 2021. It’s hard to believe we are at the end of another year, and what a year it has been! At the end of 2020 we didn’t think a year like that could be replicated, but it was. We had a whole range of different challenges thrown at us and we are super proud of the way in which each and every caregiver has responded. We appreciate the hospital has been busy, particularly these last few weeks in the lead up to Christmas. We have played a key part in supporting Barwon Health in their role as a designated streaming hospital, ensuring all COVID positive patients could be cared for in the one hospital. In January we introduced a Respiratory Protection Program and we complied with the mandatory vaccination health order to ensure we protect ourselves, our patients and our community. We endured a number of lock downs, surgery was on then it was off and back on, volunteers returned for but a few short weeks, visitors were allowed and now they are not, what has been a constant is your flexibility and ability to adapt to change sometimes at short notice. Thank you everyone for the part you have played in these changes. Today we launched our Kindness Kart. This is an initiative supported by the St John of God Foundation and Kane Constructions. The Kindness Kart is a wellness initiative and will be circulated around the hospital from time to time. The Kindness Kart will have healthy snacks and refreshments available for caregivers during busy times. We extend our thoughts to those who remain separated from loved ones due to the border restrictions. Fingers crossed that 2022 brings greater freedom to travel to be with family and friends across the country. Special thanks to those who are working over the Christmas period to ensure our patients continue to receive the very best of care. For those fortunate to have time off we hope you are able to relax, refresh and charge the batteries after such a busy year. Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. Taanya