COVID-19 Response – Update #3
3 April 2020
We are continuing to monitor and respond to Local, State and Federal Government coronavirus (COVID-19) recommendations. We are taking stringent measures to minimise the spread across the Kimberley into our vulnerable communities. We are committed to keeping our community, clients, stakeholders and staff safe and informed.
For more information and our earlier updates visit our COVID-19 Response Update page.
All our services are now online or by telephone
In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Kimberley, we are now providing all our services through telephone or video / online appointments. We are utilising a range of online platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Scopia and Facetime.
How are we going?
Together with our clients, we are transversing this new landscape of virtual service delivery. We are continuing to learn from and refine our virtual appointments. Over the past 10 days or so our teams have delivered the following by telephone or Zoom:
ITC Program Team – 96 client contacts
Allied Health Team – 160 client contacts
Mental Health Team-100 + client sessions
Our offices are closed
Our offices are closed until further notice. All our staff are now working from home and are not permitted to travel for work purposes. Staff have set up their home workspaces to be able to continue to offer virtual services online or via telephone. You may notice people in our offices in both Broome and Kununurra. We have loaned our offices to other health providers who are either directly managing the COVID-19 pandemic or are keeping other patients out of hospital to reduce their risk of infection. We are also assisting with this work. Please do not visit our offices at this time.
Communication with clients
We will communicate regularly with our clients to provide updates on any changes to our service delivery through our website and via email, telephone and text messages.
New referrals
While we are continuing to receive referrals via normal channels, there may be delays in providing services to our clients. Please ensure client telephone and email address are up-to-date and included in the referral. Click here for more information on our standard referral process.
Mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis
Lifeline Australia has some helpful tips to maintain or improve your mental health during this global public health crisis. Click here for more information.
At Boab we’re big fans of being mindful to support our wellbeing. Here are some articles and other tools to incorporate more mindfulness into our new way of living.
Coping with coronavirus with mindfulness and compassion
Guardian video with Lea Waters
Smiling Mind
Living with diabetes and the coronavirus
People living with diabetes need to take the same precautions as everyone else, with a few additional considerations. For the latest information on diabetes and COVID-19 visit Diabetes WA.
How to contact us
You can contact us via our usual channels – phone, email and fax. Our Broome and Kununurra phone lines will continue to be monitored externally from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
For the most up to date information
Australian Government Department of Health
WA Government – COVID-19 State of Emergency Declarations
WA Department of Health – HealthyWA
NACCHO
Smarttraveller
Please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone of our staff on 9192 7888 should you have any queries.