Kiama Municipal Council’s Blue Haven Illawarra aged care provider is hosting an Australian Defence Force (ADF) team for seven days to provide administrative and logistics support to its Bonaira Residential Aged Care Facility.
Council CEO, Jane Stroud thanked the ADF for providing the four-person team, part of Operation COVID-19 Assist and backed by the Aged Care Commissioner.
“I’m proud of how our Blue Haven staff managed the challenges of the recent lockdown, ensuring our residents were safe and well taken care of each day,” Ms Stroud said.
“Now that we’ve reopened, we need to do a number of things, including a thorough stocktake and supply chain review.
“This is something the ADF excels at, and I’m glad to have their expertise to assess our equipment and supplies, and advise on our stock replacement systems.
“This will give our administrative staff an extra set of expert hands at a time when all aged care providers are facing staff shortages and supply issues.”
The ADF team will also be spending time with residents to assist staff with social activities.
“Our residents were in lockdown for a long time over the Christmas and New Year holidays.”
“Having some new faces around, wearing the reassuring uniforms of defence forces, will really boost the spirits of residents as well as our staff.”
Ms Stroud said she had contacted residents and their families, as well as staff, to explain what was happening.
Each member of the ADF team has been through an induction into aged care, has had IPC and PPE training and is fully-vaccinated, she said.
