Service impacts for Connect Health & Community by Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Service update for clients, carers and volunteers

*UPDATE 17 April*

Currently, the following services are available:

Face to face services

Connect Health & Community are continuing to operate the following services face to face for urgent and emergencies that include dental, podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments for adults and children, nursing, children’s speech assessments and children’s dietetic services. Importantly, we are providing individual transport for necessary medical appointments, using our bus fleet to maintain social distancing.

Telephone or videoconferencing services
Current general and non-urgent services delivered via telephone and video include Gamblers Help therapeutic and financial counselling, general counselling, podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetic services for children and adults, psychological intervention and our youth outreach program.

*UPDATE 8 April*: Client Fees:
Client contributions will be waived for our services delivered from locations other than Bentleigh East. Client contributions for services delivered from Bentleigh East will remain in place however clients will be advised when they are called the day before their appointment that payment by card is preferred. This will be reviewed on 24 April.

UPDATE 3 April: To ensure the safety of clients and staff, Connect Health & Community is calling all clients the day before their appointments and performing temperature checks on visitors to our sites.

The Victorian Government is encouraging the community to get Flu vaccinations. See the full DHHS daily update here

UPDATE 30 MARCH: Emergency Dental Services only, effective immediately.
UPDATE 25 March: Social Support and Group Activities (including Hydrotherapy) suspended.

and

Operational impacts for partners, contractors and suppliers (Updated 23 March, 2020) .

For clients, carers and volunteers

Connect Health & Community continues to work to ensure the health and safety of our clients, volunteers and staff during this unprecedented health crisis.

All changes to services are in line with social distancing measures to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.

Please see the list of SERVICE AMENDMENTS BELOW.

If you have any queries about the delivery of our services, please call us on 03) 9575 5333.

As the situation with the COVID-19 crisis evolves, we will provide further updates.

In the meantime, we encourage you and your family to stay safe. If you have concerns about your health or that of a loved one, please call the DHHS Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398.

Community Transport and Volunteers
Individual transport: For medical appointments only.
Group Transport: Suspended until 18 April 2020, subject to review.
Volunteer activities: Suspended from 24 March for four weeks, subject to review.

General Health Services

Physiotherapy: Video consultations and some emergency onsite consultations available.
Podiatry: Video consultations and some emergency onsite consultations available.
Occupational Therapy: Video consultations and some emergency home visits available.
Dietitian and Nutrition appointments: Video and phone consultations available.
Nursing: Some emergency home visits available, other clients offered phone or video consultations.
Paediatric speech pathology: Any changes to appointments advised directly.
Paediatric physiotherapy: Any changes to appointments advised directly.
Counselling: Video conferencing sessions available. Emergency in-person appointments by

Dental Services
Dental appointments: Emergency only. Clients will be advised individually of any change to dental appointments.

Gambler’s Health Southern
Clients will be advised individually of any change to service delivery.arrangement.

Other Services:
NSP/Needle Syringe Program/Needle Exchange Program Service access normal via reception or vending machine.

Suspended programs

Social support programs: Programs suspended until 18 April, subject to review. Clients offered 1:1 wellbeing check-in calls. Some programs may be conducted via phone or video.
Strength based group exercise Hampton and Moorleigh: Suspended until 18 April, subject to review. Clients offered choice of; 1:1 session with a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and/or a surpervised home based exercise program.
Hydrotherapy program: Suspended until 18 April, subject to review. Clients offered choice of; 1:1 session with a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and/or a home based exercise program.
Tai Chi – Hampton and Beumaris: Suspended until 18 April, subject to review. Clients offered choice of; 1:1 session with a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and/or a home based exercise program.
Moongala exercise program: Program suspended from 30 March.
External hydrotherapy/swimming classes: Suspended from 30 March – contact your provider.

For our valued partners, contractors and suppliers

With new cases of Coronavirus reported daily, we are aware of the concern among our direct community. We would like to reassure you that we are following all advice and recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services and other health organisations to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

For detail on the actions we are taking, click here.

We thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support. For ongoing updates, please return to this website.

For more information regarding COVID-19:
· DHHS Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398
· DHHS website www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Speech Pathology for Kids

Speech pathologists provide assessment and management of communication, swallowing and feeding difficulties.

Community Transport

We have been offering safe and quality door-to-door transport options to our community since 1975.

Occupational Therapy Week 21-27 October

We provide Occupational Therapy to help children, adults and those experiencing mental health issues, to achieve their full potential.

Service impacts for Connect Health & Community by Coronavirus (COVID-19)