Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan has reminded communities that visitor restrictions remain in place across all of the District's facilities.
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Mr McLachlan said while COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease across the state, visitor limitations need to stay in place at hospitals and Multipurpose Services (MPS) as a precaution.
"Our facilities remain at what we call 'red alert' status," he said.
"We know COVID-19 is still creeping around so visitors are still restricted at all our District's facilities as a precaution to continue protecting patients, staff and the community as best we can.
"We have a lot of aged-care residents in our District's Multipurpose Services and even with strong vaccination coverage, we need to make sure we are protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
"That means, for patients, there is still a limit of two fully-vaccinated visitors per day at all our facilities.
"At residential aged-care facilities, that limit also applies plus two children under 12 accompanied by a fully-vaccinated visitor are permitted."
Mr McLachlan said he understood people would be seeking to visit loved ones they haven't been able to see in a while as restrictions eased, but that visitation did need to remain controlled.
"Unvaccinated people cannot visit patients or residents, but there are exceptions under certain situations like end-of-life and maternity care and some local rules may apply, so I'd encourage everyone to check with their relevant facility to make sure they are aware of restrictions to avoid any confusion, frustration or disappointment," he said.
"I'd also like to remind everyone that our facilities have a zero tolerance policy for aggression toward staff.
"Our staff are just doing their jobs by helping protect our patients and community so please, don't take your frustration out on them."
To offer best protection to patients and healthcare staff, in facilities on 'red alert' face-masks need to be worn by both visitors and staff.
Aged-care residents in MPS facilities do not need to wear face-masks, however their visitors and staff do.
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