Coordinated coronavirus response

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic was the largest coordinated response to a crisis in a lifetime.

Governments, organisations, education institutions, religious groups, retail, and, most importantly, the health care sector implemented rapid response plans in preparation for a crisis that had the potential to devastate the nation.

At the onset of the developing crisis, before the pandemic was declared, Churches of Christ in Queensland swiftly jumped into action, bringing together experts from across the organisation to create a taskforce. This group delved into the organisations operations to determine risks and required responses to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.

Chief Executive Officer Gary Edwards said this swift action was crucial for the organisation.

“We needed to understand what the impacts of this pandemic were going to be on the people we care for, our staff and our communities. A great deal of work went into understanding our strengths and weaknesses and determining the areas requiring immediate action,” Gary said.

The coordinated approach focused on all aspects of the business and included clinical health responses and resourcing implications.

“There was the potential for our services to be hugely impacted. It was truly unprecedented for our organisation. We continue to undertake planning to respond to the remaining threat.”

One of the first hurdles in the pandemic response was sourcing personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser, which had run off the shelves. Adequate supplies though were able to be maintained at services.
Throughout the emergency staff adhered to self-isolation and quarantine directives put in place to stop the potential spread.

“Thank you to our staff who determined they were potentially at risk of carrying the virus and isolated themselves for the protection of their clients and colleagues. This diligence and adherence to the directives avoided potential disaster.”

The COVID-19 Taskforce

The COVID-19 taskforce collaborated with all the teams in Churches of Christ in Queensland to provide education, review of State and Federal directives to ensure compliance and to ensure we have communicated to all stakeholders.

The taskforce developed plans to manage business continuity (including human resources and procurement), clinical response and communication which are reviewed continually to ensure they address the needs of the organisation and all that we support.

General Manager Clinical and Care Governance, Sheelagh Henson, played an active part in the Taskforce, providing expert advice regarding clinical requirements in preventing the spread of the virus.

“We rolled out additional education in infection control and hygiene for staff to complete additional refresher training. A good hygiene campaign was also been released throughout our services and offices. We are providing the latest information to staff to ensure that they are aware of the current situation and what we are doing and will be communicating to our clients, residents and families regularly,” Sheelagh said.

“We assessed and monitored our stocks of personal protective equipment ensuring we have adequate stock levels and our stock is stored securely and our services can access them promptly when required.

“We are also working closely with relevant government departments and official agencies in providing a coordinated response and appreciate their direction and action at this time. We were aware that our agility was crucial and we had contingency plans for the scenarios that may play out in the coming days, weeks and months, including in the case of an outbreak.”

The next phase

We are now working within government directives regarding the gradual easing of restrictions. At the core of our recovering planning is how we continue to deliver our services in line with our mission and vision and how we are guided by our values and Churches of Christ Way.

We have welcomed visitors back to our aged are services in line with the latest Queensland Health Aged Care Directive and Aged Care Visitors Access Code, which General Manager Residential Aged Care, Anne McGill, said has brought smiles to the faces of residents and staff.

“Thank you to all the family and friends who have visited residents since visitors were welcomed back to services. You bring life into our homes for the residents and staff who care for and support them. Your commitment to strictly observing the protocols for visits continues to assist in our efforts to protect residents from COVID-19 and influenza at this time,” Anne said.

While visitors are allowed, it is still recommended that families and friends find alternative ways to connect with loved ones in aged care.

“We strongly encourage families and friends to maintain ongoing contact with residents during this time, either in person through visits to the service, via telephone or video calls, or through written communications. Our staff are able to assist in arranging contact, please talk to your service.”

Churches are also now preparing to welcome back their communities, with Queensland church-goers likely to be allowed to worship together in a church from 10 July. Our churches are working on their COVIDsafe plans to ensure the safety of their community.
  Posted 25 June, 2020 in Networking blog