We hope everyone is continuing to keep safe and well out there. Please read the following information carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
For office based workers – If you are feeling unwell, consider working from home if you can or take sick leave until you feel better. Only return to work if symptoms have resolved, or are mild and improving, e.g. no fevers, minimal cough/sneeze/running nose and feeling generally well.
For field based workers – If you are feeling unwell, it is recommended you stay at home and take sick leave until you feel better. It is recommended you return to work if symptoms have resolved, or are mild and improving, e.g. no fevers, minimal cough/sneeze/running nose and feeling generally well.
Notify your Line Manager of your sickness and use sick leave as you require.
Standard infection prevention control practices to be continued (e.g. hand washing, coughing etiquette).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) questions
How do I wear my PPE?
Our training partners at MySkill have a number of courses for you to self-enrol into relating to COVID-19 and PPE.
For a very quick PPE overview click here for Geneva Healthcare staff, click here for HealthCare NZ staff.
When at work, protecting yourself prevents you becoming unwell from sick clients or residents and prevents the spread of serious illnesses.
Support Workers should continue to undertake a risk assessment prior to entering the home and ask the client if they are symptomatic, if so, it is recommended Support Workers wear a mask and use appropriate PPE.
How often should I change a mask?
A surgical/medical grade mask should be changed when:
It is damp, soiled or damaged.
In between clients unless used in a cohort situation or during sessional use.
Every four hours if prolonged cares are provided
The same mask should not be worn across multiple home visits (where there are more likely to be contamination risks between patients/clients).
How can I order PPE?
HealthCare NZ staff can now order their PPE via their Kahu mobile app. These requests will be sent to [email protected] to process your order. Orders will be dispatched within 5 working days to your home address on file. Simply follow the steps below on your Kahu app.
Click on “Forms”
Click on “Order PPE”
Enter the PPE equipment required
Click Submit
You can also email your requests, masks, aprons, glove type (latex or non-latex) and glove size with their name, postal address and phone number to [email protected] and we will get this sent out to you.
NZCL arrangements for PPE remain the same.
Geneva Healthcare staff can order through the Customer Love Team or your usual Care Coordinator. We will send PPE out via courier.
Is there any cost to ordering PPE?
There is no cost to ordering PPE from us to use while you’re working. Please follow the Ministry of Health guidelines for when to use PPE.
Can I order PPE for other people?
To purchase PPE for loved ones, please visit your local pharmacy or grocery store.
Essential Frontline Staff & Support Worker questions
How can I continue to keep myself safe at work?
When you arrive for shifts and appointments, verify if any person at the address does have respiratory symptoms or is isolating prior to delivering services.
Basic hygiene measures must still be maintained. Click here so you can self-enrol into the MySkill Infection Control training
Stay home and self-isolate if you are unwell.
Get vaccinated.
How do I know if it’s safe to interact with clients?
When you arrive for shifts and appointments verify if any person at the address does have respiratory symptoms or is isolating prior to delivering services.
If the client or a household contact have COVID-19 please ensure you have appropriate PPE to use, as required in line with current MoH recommendations.
The updated COVID-19: Infection prevention and control recommendations for health and disability care workers and be found here
Vaccinations
In Dec 2023, public health officials recommended to get a booster vaccine for groups who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill, such as Māori and Pacific people aged 50 and over, as well as everyone aged 65 and older. Please talk to your GP or local pharmacist for more information.
We recommend that you keep up with any changes in vaccinations made available in the community to minimise any illness caused by the virus.
Training available to keep yourself safe
Our training partners at MySkill continually add new training content to support all of us to remain safe at work. These courses are available on your learning dashboard and are available to everyone.
Log into MySkill by clicking here, go to the ‘self-enrollable course’ block on your dashboard to see what is available.
This is a general overview of infection control and how infections spread. This course is based on the New Zealand Health and Wellbeing Level 2 unit standard and should be completed by everyone in our team, no matter your role.
If you are supporting people who have COVID-19 or are at high risk of being exposed to COVID-19 then you should complete this course. The content focuses heavily on the correct use of PPE and the importance of donning/doffing correctly as well as general COVID-19 information.
If you are new to MySkill or need support please call them on
