Bupa NZ Alert Level Updates

05 October - CARE HOMES (AUCKLAND)

Dear residents and relatives,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step for all of us.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for our visiting guidelines at our Care Homes. The points outlined below come into effect from 11.59pm Wednesday 7th October.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• There will no longer be designated visiting hours or restrictions on the number of visitors.
• Entry to the Care Home must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the Care Home.

• You will no longer be required to undergo visiting in the resident’s room or to maintain physical distancing.

• Children and pets can now resume visiting.

• Residents can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the Care Home to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

 

 

 

05 October - RETIREMENT VILLAGES (AUCKLAND)

Dear Resident,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step for all of us.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for the measures in place at our Bupa Retirement Villages and how we go about our day to day lives.

From 11.59pm Wednesday 7th October, all Bupa Retirement Villages will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains in place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

 

 

 

05 October - REHABILITATION SITES (AUCKLAND)

Dear clients and whānau,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step for all of us.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for our visiting guidelines at our Rehabilitation Facilities. The points outlined below come into effect from 11.59pm Wednesday 7th October.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• There will no longer be designated visiting hours or restrictions on the number of visitors.
• Entry to the facility must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the facility.

• You will no longer be required to undergo visiting in the client’s room or to maintain physical distancing.

• Children and pets can now resume visiting.

• Clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the facility to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

 

 

 

22 September - CARE HOMES AND REHABILITATION SITES (REST OF NEW ZEALAND)

Dear residents, clients and relatives,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step for those outside of Auckland.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for our visiting guidelines. The points outlined below come into effect from Tuesday 22^nd September.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• There will no longer be designated visiting hours or restrictions on the number of visitors.
• Entry to the Care Home must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the Care Home/Rehabilitation Site.
  • The only exception is if you are an Aucklander, or have visited Auckland in the past 14 days, then you are required to wear a mask.
• You will no longer be required to undergo visiting in the resident’s room or to maintain physical distancing.

• Children and pets can now resume visiting.

• Residents/clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the Care Home/Rehabilitation Site to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

 

 

22 September - RETIREMENT VILLAGES (REST OF NEW ZEALAND)

Dear Resident,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step for those outside of Auckland.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for the measures in place at our Bupa Retirement Villages and how we go about our day to day lives.

From tomorrow, Tuesday 22^nd September, all Bupa Retirement Villages will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains ii place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

 

 

 

22 September - CARE HOMES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

Dear residents and relatives,  

Following the Government’s announcement that the Auckland Region will move to Alert Level 2 restriction, we have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Care Homes.

I thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 23^rd September, the below guidance will apply to visiting an Auckland Bupa Care Home under Alert Level 2.  

To help us continue to keep our residents and team members safe, the following guidelines must be followed. Please read the below information carefully. 

• We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our residents and team members.  

Visitor Principles 

Access 

• Visiting hours: 

• • 7 days a week, 11am – 4pm 
  • Visiting outside of these hours is on a compassionate case by case basis at the Care Home Manager’s discretion. 

Process 

• Entry must be through the main reception/entrance way and you will be required to clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitiser on arrival.  

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.  

• Please bring your own mask, as you will be required to wear this while moving through the Care Home. If you do not have a mask, we can provide one. 

• Physical distancing of 1 metre is required where possible. 

• We would prefer you visit your loved ones in their room, or if this is not possible, in a common area where physical distancing of 1 metre can be observed. Once in the visiting location, your mask can be removed. 

• We would prefer, each resident has only two visitors at a time, and the visiting time is kept to 30 minutes. This will allow us to safely manage all visiting at our Care Home. 

• Please no children (under 12 years), or pets, will be allowed to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances. This needs prior approval of the Care Home Manager. 

• For specialised dementia communities, masks must be worn at all times if not in the resident’s room. Visiting will be wherever the resident is located in the Dementia Community, but we encourage visiting in their room where possible.  

Resumption of other services 

• Van outings for residents will resume with limited numbers and outings will be closely monitored so there is no contact with the public.  

• Allied health professionals e.g. physiotherapy, will resume services, with aprons, masks and gloves worn to protect residents. 

• Hairdressers will also resume services, and will follow the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) personal protective equipment requirements. 
• Visitors may bring in small parcels and small amounts of food for their loved ones if they are visiting.
  • However, we will not be accepting parcels that are dropped off for residents/clients.
  • Laundry is managed by the Care Home or Rehab Facility in the short term.

Leaving the Care Home  

• Residents may go out with family members, but we request that it is only to that family member’s home or for a drive. We recommend you do not visit public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately. Residents are required to do contact tracing when leaving the Care Home. 

• Residents used to walking in the neighborhood or the care home vicinity will be able to, but please maintain physical distancing. 
  • Those with cognitive impairment who may have difficulty understanding physical distancing should not go out alone. 

• Residents that use public transport must follow the Government’s requirement to wear a mask.

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Care Homes at Alert Level 2.  

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  

• We also have a COVID-19 related email address for any queries or comments of a broader nature covid-19@bupa.co.nz 

 

 

 

22 September - RETIREMENT VILLAGES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

Dear residents and relatives,  

Following the Government’s announcement that the Auckland Region will move to Alert Level 2 restrictions, we have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Retirement Villages.

I thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 23^rd September, the below guidance will apply to visiting an Auckland Bupa Retirement Village under Alert Level 2.  

• We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our residents and team members.  

Visitor Principles 

Access 

• The doors between the Care Home and Village will reopen for ease of access between the facilities. However, visitors are required to have registered at reception prior to visiting.

Process 

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.  

Resumption of other services 

• We welcome visitors to the community centre and communal areas, however please maintain physical distancing of 1 metre required where possible. 
• Respite care is now available, however, please note these residents must meet the requirements of COVID-19 screening as per the Ministry of Health Screening Tool.
• Van outings for Villages can continue with hygiene and physical distancing observed where possible.

• Hairdressers will also resume services, and will follow the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) personal protective equipment requirements. 
• All Village libraries, swimming pools and gyms (if applicable) will be open but again please remember physical distancing and wipe down your equipment after use.

• Wellness Clinics will resume.

• The Care Home provided meal service will resume as normal.

• ‘Happy hour’ can now happen in your community area.

• Maintenance will continue such as lawns and property refurbishments and please ensure you maintain physical distancing from contractors present in your Village.

Leaving the Village  

• Residents may leave the Village, but please follow Government guidelines, including wearing a mask in public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately, and on public transport. Residents are required to do contact tracing when leaving the Village. 

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Villages at Alert Level 2.  

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  

• We also have a COVID-19 related email address for any queries or comments of a broader nature covid-19@bupa.co.nz 

 

 

 

22 September - REHABILITATION SITES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

Dear clients and whānau,  

Following the Government’s announcement that the Auckland Region will move to Alert Level 2 restrictions, we have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Rehabilitation Facilities.

I thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 23^rd September, the below guidance will apply to visiting an Auckland Bupa Rehabilitation Facility under Alert Level 2.  

To help us continue to keep our clients and team members safe, the following guidelines must be followed. Please read the below information carefully. 

• We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our clients and team members.  

Visitor Principles 

Access 

• Visiting hours: 

• • 7 days a week, 11am – 4pm 
  • Visiting outside of these hours is on a compassionate case by case basis at the Facility Coordinator’s discretion. 

Process 

• Entry must be through the main reception/entrance way and you will be required to clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitiser on arrival.  

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception/entrance way, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.  

• Please bring your own mask, as you will be required to wear this while moving through the facility. If you do not have a mask, we can provide one. 

• Physical distancing of 1 metre is required where possible. 

• We would prefer you visit your loved ones in their room, or if this is not possible, in a common area where physical distancing of 1 metre can be observed. Once in the visiting location, your mask can be removed. 

• We would prefer, each client has only two visitors at a time, and the visiting time is kept to 30 minutes. This will allow us to safely manage all visiting at our facility. 

• Please no children (under 12 years), or pets, will be allowed to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances. This needs prior approval of the Facility Coordinator. 

Resumption of other services 

• Van outings for clients will resume with limited numbers and outings will be closely monitored so there is no contact with the public.  
• A schedule will be implemented for all external services, including physios and psychiatrists.
  • They must let the Facility Coordinator know what the purpose of the visit is before entering the facility.

• Contractors are to meet clients in their bedrooms or a designated whānau room. They must also adhere to physical distancing, hand hygiene, and all Rehab Facility precautions.
  • Where necessary they will be provided with aprons, masks and gloves.

• Visitors may bring in small parcels and small amounts of food for their loved ones if they are visiting.
  • However, we will not be accepting parcels that are dropped off for residents/clients.
  • Laundry is managed by the Care Home or Rehab Facility in the short term.

Leaving the facility  

• Clients may go out with family members, but we request that it is only to that family member’s home or for a drive. We recommend you do not visit public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately. Clients are required to do contact tracing when leaving the facility. 
• Clients that are more independent are able to commence their community outings by themselves.
  • A signing in and out register is to be implemented.
  • All client’s weekly planners will be updated/reviewed by the Occupational Therapist of the site.
  • Please remember physical distancing and hand hygiene.

• Overnight stays can now resume.
• Clients that use public transport must follow the Government’s requirement to wear a mask.

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Rehabilitation Facilities at Alert Level 2.  

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  

• We also have a COVID-19 related email address for any queries or comments of a broader nature covid-19@bupa.co.nz 

 

 

 

08 September - RETIREMENT VILLAGES

Dear Resident,

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

As a reminder, New Zealand’s current alert level settings remain in place at this time. This means Auckland is in Level 2.5, and the rest of the country in Level 2.

The alert levels will next be reviewed on Monday 14 September. If the restrictions do change, this will happen at 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 September.

Therefore, until advised, we will maintain the current restrictions on public visiting and other measures in our villages for the safety and wellbeing of you, your fellow residents and our team members.

 

 

 

08 September - CARE HOMES AND REHABILITATION SITES

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow [residents/clients] and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

As a reminder, New Zealand’s current alert level settings remain in place at this time.

This means Auckland is in Level 2.5, and the rest of the country in Level 2.

All aged residential care providers have been asked by the Government to apply a range of measures for managed visits to facilities to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission to residents and employees.

The alert levels will next be reviewed on Monday 14 September. If the restrictions do change, this will happen at 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 September.

Therefore until advised, we will maintain the current restrictions in our [care home/rehab site] for the safety and wellbeing of our [residents/clients] and our team members.

This extends to our current visiting restrictions, and we thank you for your support and cooperation in following these.

 

04 September - CARE HOMES AND REHABILITATION SITES

Your alert levels and assostiated restirctions will remain until further notice.

 

 

 

04 September - RETIREMENT VILLAGES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

We continually review our guidance around our COVID-19 restrictions at ourBupa Retirement Villages, and after careful consideration we have decided to make some changes to our recommendations.

Currently we are under Government Alert Level 2.5 in the Auckland region, due to the presence of cases in the community. Level 2.5 is Level 2 with some extra restrictions.

As announced this afternoon by the Government, the nation’s current alert level settings will remain in place at this time, with the next review planned for Monday 14^th September. This means for Auckland we will stay in Level 2.5 for at least the next 10 days.

Our approach at our Bupa Retirement Villages in Auckland has been cautious and safety first. We closed common areas as an extra precaution to not have people mingling in close proximity or large gatherings.

However, we realise the imposition that puts on your freedom and we respect and support you in your independent living with us.

Therefore, from today we will open our village common areas for use during Alert Level 2.5 and all alert levels below this.

Please remember however at this time where access to a village common area is part of a care home, the common area will remain closed until further notice.

With village common areas open, the responsibility is on you to please observe the Government and Ministry of Health guidelines in these spaces.

The Government Alert Level 2.5 guidelines for Auckland include:

• Social gatherings can have a maximum of 10 people.

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• You should keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen. This helps with rapid contact tracing if required.

• Keep your distance when outside your home. You should keep at least:
  • 2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops.
  • 1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.

• It is mandatory now to wear a face covering when on public transport. This rule applies throughout New Zealand.

• You are encouraged to wear face coverings in situations where physical distancing is not possible, like in shops. NOTE: Your village manager can provide masks for you to wear inside the village common areas, if you wish.

• People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.

We will also put up posters reminding all village residents of the guidelines to follow at this time.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness you are showing to each other.

 

 

 

31 August - CARE HOMES AND REHABILITATION SITES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

We have decided to halt our previous plan of reopening to restricted visiting as previously communicated, and instead please continue our Alert Level 3 visiting restrictions in our Auckland Care Homes/Rehabilitation Facilities at this time. Essentially we are still closed to visitors.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on COVID-19 Alert Levels in Auckland and nationwide yesterday, we have reviewed the response taken today by the majority of other providers and the recently updated guidance from the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards.

This afternoon we have made the decision to take a more cautious approach because of the ongoing cases of COVID-19 in the Auckland community.

We continue to stay aligned with the Ministry of Health and the DHBs and will review our approach on Thursday.

Once again we are here to arrange for you to connect with your loved ones by phone or video calling through laptops.

If you have concerns about a loved one in palliative or end-of-life care, please let the manager know.

Thank you again for your support as we navigate the ever changing COVID-19 circumstances together.

 

 

 

31 August - RETIREMENT VILLAGES (AUCKLAND ONLY)

Dear Resident,

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on COVID-19 Alert Levels yesterday,Bupa has reviewed the recently updated guidance from the Ministry of Health andDistrict Health Boards. This has led us to make some sudden changes for Auckland Retirement Villages to follow these official guidelines just released.

The two changes for Auckland Bupa Retirement Villages are as follows:

• We will again be closing the Auckland village community centres and communal areas until further notice.
• The doors between Auckland Care Homes and Villages will be locked as our Care Homes will once again be closed to external visitors.

Now that Auckland joins the rest of New Zealand at Alert Level 2, we ask all our village residents to remember to wear a mask when in public, practice physical distancing, and keep up stringent hand hygiene.

We will review our restrictions this Thursday and we’ll let you know of any further changes as soon as we can. Please remember these restrictions are for the safety and wellbeing of all residents and we thank you once again for your support and cooperation at this time.

Please direct any questions you may have to your Village Manager.

 

 

 

30 August - COVID-19 ADVISORY

Under what is now being called Alert Level 2.5, the Prime Minister has asked that “people from the Auckland region do not pop in to visit Aged Residential Care facilities in other regions at this time.”

We are extending this to all Bupa facilities - care homes, rehabilitation sites and retirement villages.

We ask that wherever possible you follow this recommendation.

Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

 

19 August - CARE HOMES

Information sent to residents in our care homes and their Whānau

We realise this past week has been a challenging time as we again navigate COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions.

We have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Care Homes, outside of the Auckland region, and we thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From Thursday 20^th August, we will open to controlled visiting at all of our Care Homes under Alert Level 2 – outside of the Auckland region.

To help us continue to keep our residents and team members safe, the following guidelines must be followed. Please read the below information carefully.

We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our residents and team members.

Visitor Principles

Access

• Visiting hours:

• • 7 days a week, 11am – 4pm
  • Visiting outside of these hours is on a compassionate case by case basis at the Care Home Manager’s discretion.

Process

• Entry must be through the main reception/entrance way and you will be required to clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitiser on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA contact tracing app at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• Please bring your own mask, as you will be required to wear this while moving through the Care Home. If you do not have a mask, we can provide one.

• Physical distancing of 1 metres is required where possible.

• We would prefer you visit your loved ones in their room, or if this is not possible, in a common area where physical distancing of 1 metres can be observed. Once in the visiting location, your mask can be removed.

• We would prefer, each resident has only two visitors at a time, and the visiting time is kept to 30 minutes. This will allow us to safely manage all visiting at our Care Home.

• Please no children (under 12 years), or pets, will be allowed to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances. This needs prior approval of the Care Home Manager.

• For specialised dementia communities, masks must be worn at all times if not in the resident’s room. Visiting will be wherever the resident is located in the Dementia Community, but we encourage visiting in their room where possible.

Resumption of other services

• Van outings for residents will resume with limited numbers and outings will be closely monitored so there is no contact with the public.

• Allied health professionals e.g. physiotherapy, will resume services, with aprons, masks and gloves worn to protect residents.

• Hairdressers will also resume services, and will follow the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) personal protective equipment requirements.

Leaving the Care Home

• Residents may go out with family members, but we request that it is only to that family member’s home or for a drive. We recommend you do not visit public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately. Residents are required to do contact tracing when leaving the Care Home.

• Residents used to walking in the neighborhood or the care home vicinity will be able to, but please maintain physical distancing.
  • Those with cognitive impairment who may have difficulty understanding physical distancing should not go out alone.

Winter IIlnesses

We have a number of winter related illness outbreaks at our Care Homes which may be respiratory related. These are not COVID-19, however, following Ministry of Health guidelines we will do COVID-19 tests purely as a precaution.

If our Care Home has one of these illness outbreaks, then as per our usual process we will close the home to all visitors until the outbreak is deemed over. Rest assured we will be using our usual robust infection prevention and control protocols to manage any illness outbreak and minimise its spread.

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Care Homes at Alert Level 2.

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this.

• We also have a COVID-19 related email address for any queries or comments of a broader nature covid-19@bupa.co.nz
• The Government’s COVID website is also a great source of up-to-date information.

 

 

 

19 August - RETIREMENT VILLAGES

Information sent to residents in all our retirement villages across New Zealand

We realise this past week has been a challenging time as we again navigate COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions.

We have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Retirement Villages, outside of the Auckland region, and we thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From Thursday 20^th August, the below guidance will apply to visiting a Bupa Retirement Village under Alert Level 2 – outside of the Auckland region.

• We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our residents and team members.

Visitor Principles

Access

• The doors between the Care Home and Village will reopen for ease of access between the facilities. However, visitors are required to have registered at reception prior to visiting.

Process

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA contact tracing app at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

Resumption of other services

• We welcome visitors to the community centre, with physical distancing of 1 metres required where possible.
• Respite care is now available, however, please note these residents will be isolated for 14 days and must meet the requirements of COVID-19 screening as per the Ministry of Health Screening Tool.
• Van outings for Villages can continue but with hygiene and physical distancing observed where possible.

• Hairdressers will also resume services, and will follow the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) personal protective equipment requirements.
• All Village libraries, swimming pools and gyms (if applicable) will be open but again please remember physical distancing and wipe down your equipment after use.

• Wellness Clinics will resume.

• The Care Home provided meal service will resume as normal.

• ‘Happy hour’ can now happen in your community area.

• Maintenance will continue such as lawns and property refurbishments and please ensure you maintain physical distancing from contractors present in your Village.

Leaving the Village

• Residents may leave the Village, but please follow Government guidelines, including wearing a mask in public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately. Residents are required to do contact tracing when leaving the Village.

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Villages at Alert Level 2.

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this.

• We also have a COVID-19 related email address for any queries or comments of a broader nature covid-19@bupa.co.nz
• The Government’s COVID website is also a great source of up-to-date information.

 

 

 

19 August - REHABILITATION SITES

Information sent to clients at our rehabilitation sites and their Whānau

We realise this past week has been a challenging time as we again navigate COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions.

We have carefully considered and revised our approach to visiting at our Bupa Rehabilitation Facilities, outside of the Auckland region, and we thank you for your understanding and support with ensuring we all keep safe.

From Thursday 20^th August, we will open to controlled visiting at all of our Rehabilitation Facilities under Alert Level 2 – outside of the Auckland region.

To help us continue to keep our clients and team members safe, the following guidelines must be followed. Please read the below information carefully.

We ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell or have any cold/flu symptoms. This is vital to protect the health of all our clients and team members.

Visitor Principles

Access

• Visiting hours:

• • 7 days a week, 11am – 4pm
  • Visiting outside of these hours is on a compassionate case by case basis at the Facility Coordinator’s discretion.

Process

• Entry must be through the main reception/entrance way and you will be required to clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitiser on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA contact tracing app at reception/entrance way, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• Please bring your own mask, as you will be required to wear this while moving through the facility. If you do not have a mask, we can provide one.

• Physical distancing of 1 metres is required where possible.

• We would prefer you visit your loved ones in their room, or if this is not possible, in a common area where physical distancing of 1 metres can be observed. Once in the visiting location, your mask can be removed.

• We would prefer, each client has only two visitors at a time, and the visiting time is kept to 30 minutes. This will allow us to safely manage all visiting at our facility.

• Please no children (under 12 years), or pets, will be allowed to visit unless there are exceptional circumstances. This needs prior approval of the Facility Coordinator.

Resumption of other services

• Van outings for clients will resume with limited numbers and outings will be closely monitored so there is no contact with the public.
• A schedule will be implemented for all external services, including physios and psychiatrists.
  • They must let the Facility Coordinator know what the purpose of the visit is before entering the facility.

• Contractors are to meet clients in their bedrooms or a designated whānau room. They must also adhere to physical distancing, hand hygiene, and all Rehab Facility precautions.
  • Where necessary they will be provided with aprons, masks and gloves.

Leaving the facility

• Clients may go out with family members, but we request that it is only to that family member’s home or for a drive. We recommend you do not visit public areas where you can’t physically distance appropriately. Clients are required to do contact tracing when leaving the facility.
• Clients that are more independent are able to commence their community outings by themselves.
  • A signing in and out register is to be implemented.
  • All client’s weekly planners will be updated/reviewed by the Occupational Therapist of the site.
  • Please remember physical distancing and hand hygiene.

• Overnight stays can now resume.

Finally, we appreciate this is a lot of information to take in, however, we wanted to provide a comprehensive outline of how we intend to manage our Rehabilitation Facilities at Alert Level 2.

Thank you so much for your patience, tolerance and support. Together we will get through this.