Boab Health Services’ Response Updates
Boab Health Services COVID-19 response update #4 – 22 May 2020
Boab Health Services COVID-19 response update #3 – 3 April 2020
Boab Health Services COVID-19 response update #2 – 26 March 2020
Boab Health Services COVID-19 response update #1 – 20 March 2020
We are working together to return to a COVID-19 safe workplace.
The safety of our clients, team mates and community remains our number one priority.
With advice and guidance from Local, State and Federal governments, the KAHPF and our partners in health, we are planning our return to a safe workplace for our clients and staff.
Our Recovery Plan includes a gradual staged and rostered approach to return to and resume office-based services, keeping clients, staff and partner services safe and informed.
Our recovery plan includes procedures and processes for both staff and clients. Some of these measures include daily health and symptom screening, physical distancing, increased hand and personal hygiene and office cleaning.
Broome office
Our Broome office will re-open Monday 8 June, with a gradual return of staff to the workplace to ensure we meet physical distancing guidelines.
Kununurra office
Our Kununurra office will re-open on Monday 22 June with a gradual return of staff to ensure we meet physical distancing guidelines.
Return to essential face-to-face services
Our face-to-face services will initially be available for clients with complex or high needs. We will continue to offer other services by telephone and video consultations.
We will screen all clients for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering our clinics. We are committed to providing the best care possible and will make alternative arrangements to see any clients found to be high-risk for COVID-19.
Outreach service delivery – towns and remote communities
We are consulting with KAHPF and individual remote communities to work towards a mutually-agreed return to remote service delivery.
We are gradually returning to deliver face-to-face services to regional towns.
Remote Aboriginal Communities
We are respectful of individual Aboriginal communities’ right to determine when their community opens to external service providers.
Please contact your usual Boab Health Staff member to talk about how we can work together to continue to provide services to your community now and moving forward to when restrictions to remote Aboriginal communities are lifted.
Virtual services
Telephone and online (video) appointments
We will are continuing to offer you telephone or video / online appointments. Options may include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Scopia, Skype or Facetime. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
Boab Health offices are temporarily closed
Our staff are continuing to deliver services from homes by online platforms or telephone.
We have given other health care providers access to some of our offices to assist with the management of COVID-19 in the Kimberley. Please do not visit our offices during this time. We will be re-opening in our office in June.
Communication with clients
We will communicate regularly with our clients through our website and via email, telephone and text messages.
Referrals
We are continuing to receive referrals by email, fax or MMEx. Please ensure to include client mobile and email addresses where possible. We are not currently accepting referral by Australia Post. Click here for more information on our referral process.
Other service providers
If you have any question or queries on how we can work together to support our clients during these unprecedented times, please do not hesitate to contact one of our staff members.
Mental Health Services
For clients in community that may not have reliable phone coverage or internet access, we are happy and keen to liaise with remote clinics to facilitate contact and support via the clinic (if social isolation requirements do not prevent this). Please feel free to advise if there are other more effective means of communicating and providing a service within the current limitations.
If you have any questions about Referrals, Triage, and Assessment, please contact Lisa Whitworth at triage1@boabhealth.com.au, or Rebecca Brockhus at mhwk3@boabhealth.com.au for West Kimberley or Carolyn Stevens at mhek5@boabhealth.com.au for East Kimberley.
EAP Counselling
We are continuing to offer our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling via an online platform (Microsoft Teams, Zoom) or telephone.
Now is a critical time to support health service staff and other essential services and EAP is one way to do this. If your team requires a group debrief/session, please contact us to see how we can help you.
If you do not have an existing Service Level Agreement for Boab Health to provide EAP services to your staff, and you are interested in engaging us to provide this service, please contact Megan Thomas at megan.thomas@boabhealth.com.au.
Professional and Clinical Supervision
We are continuing to offer Professional and Clinical Supervision via online platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom) or telephone.
If you do not have an existing Service Level Agreement for Boab to provide Professional Clinical Supervision services to your staff and are interested in engaging us to provide this service, please contact Megan Thomas at megan.thomas@boabhealth.com.au.
Coping with coronavirus anxiety
Beyond Blue Australia has some helpful tips if you are feeling worried about the coronavirus pandemic. View Beyond Blue article.
Allied Health Virtual Services
Our Allied Health team are continuing to offer our allied health services (dietitians, podiatrists or diabetes educators) virtually from the comfort of your own home, or at your nearest remote or specialists health clinic.
Our virtual appointment booking guide will help you and your GP to decide which appointment type (home-based or clinic-based telephone or video appointment) is best for you.
We have updated our Allied Health referral form to include important information about accessing our virtual clinics.
Remote Health Clinics
We are keen to work with you to continue to deliver our services to your clients. We will do our best to work with the existing system you are utilising to receive specialist and other services to your community.
We are currently using Scopia, Health Direct, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Facetime.
Diabetes Management and other supports
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.
We are now providing our diabetes education service to clients living with diabetes via telephone or through online video services.
We have an ongoing partnership with Diabetes WA to provide access to diabetes education across the Kimberley. Diabetes WA has services available if you are unable to reach your usual diabetes educator with Boab Health Services.
- Diabetes WA Helpline: free access to the latest diabetes management advice from a Credentialled Diabetes Educator on 1300 001 880, 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Available for both health professionals and people living with diabetes.
- Diabetes WA Telehealth Service for all metro and regional areas: book a free consultation with our team of diabetes educators including dietitians, pharmacists and registered nurses. Diabetes education is delivered via videoconferencing on your computer or your mobile phone, from the comfort of your home or anywhere with suitable equipment. To book, call 1300 001 880 or email telehealth@diabeteswa.com.au
- MYDESMOND – an online self-management program for people with type 2 diabetes in WA.
Policies and Plans
We are continuing to regularly update our staff on the latest guidelines on the coronavirus situation. Our Executive Management Team has formed a COVID-19 Response Committee which has implemented a Pandemic Policy and COVID-19 Action Plan.
For the most up to date information
Coronavirus Health Information Line tel: 1800 020 080 (24/7)
Australian Government Department of Health
WA Government COVID-19 State of Emergency Updates
WA Department of Health – HealthyWA
We know that there are many unknowns during this current time, but we want to assure you that we’re monitoring the pandemic closely, following government updates, and doing all we can to keep serving you in the safest possible way.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Executive Management Team or any of our staff members should you have any queries.
Health Promotion Resources
KAMS Cover your Cough and Sneeze Poster
WHO How to effectively Wash your Hands Poster
WHO How to effectively Hand Rub with Sanitizer Poster
Updated 21 May 2020