Covid-19 Update August 2020

Dear pregnant ladies
 
Welcome to the August edition of Dr holland’s Covid-19 pregnancy updates. We hope that you are all well and staying safe.
With increases in local infections of COVID-19 we need to continue to regularly:

• Wash your hands
• Continue to social distance (stay 1.5m away)
• Download the COVID-safe app.

You can also keep up to date with local hotspots, testing facilities and news by clicking on this link to the Government COVID-19 latest news webpage:  https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates
 
 
It’s time for masks
 We are now asking that anyone entering our rooms, patient’s and partners BYO and wear a mask, surgical or three-layered cloth. We also continue to ask that you only attend appointments face to face if you are well. If you are unwell, we can offer you a telehealth appointment either via phone or via Skype.
 
 
Appointments, who can come?
 
We have welcomed partners back with great success to appointments, however with the increase in local infections we are encouraging patient’s only to appointments where you can. Please consider having partners at appointments where decisions will be made or to discuss important pregnancy questions. If you plan to have your partner with you at your appointment, please let us know ahead of time. We also ask that if your partner is attending that you call when you arrive in the car park so that we can guide you on when to enter our waiting room. As always please only attend if you are well.
 
 
Newcastle Private Hospital Visitors
 
NPH have updated their visitor’s information, a copy of the current information is below. This information will no doubt be updated regularly, and it would be best to check with them directly leading up to your delivery regarding the most up to date information using this link https://newcastleprivatehospital.com.au/visitors/general-information (under visiting hours) or by phone 0249418400.
 
Our patients, staff and doctors remain our priority. To minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19, visitor access will be restricted, and screening will occur for all visitors.

• Patients are to nominate 1 visitor. Visiting hours will be 1 hour per day (as identified in the table below). Nominated visitor names will be entered on our patient information system.
• Only one visitor at a time is allowed
• No children under 16 years old may visit
• Patient suspected of COVID-19 and awaiting swab results will not be allowed visitors.

As of the 24th of July, all visitors will be required to wear a face mask (own mask preferable).
Our visitor hours are:
Area
Visiting Hours

Rehabilitation
2 – 3pm

Level 2 Surgical Wards (north and South)
4 – 5pm

Level 1
3 – 4pm

Oncology
2 – 3pm

Intensive Care
2 – 3pm

Coronary Care
3 – 4pm

Croudace Surgical Patients
4 – 5pm

Allowances can be made in extraordinary circumstances for visits outside of the below times. These will require the approval of the Nurse Unit Manager.
Mask requirements:
In line with NSW Health guidelines, please note all patients will be required to wear a mask when presenting to the hospital and when outside of their rooms. Visitors must wear a mask before entering the hospital. Please bring a mask from home where possible.
Maternity Ward / Birthing Suite
During your upcoming stay, your partner or one support person will be the only person permitted with you in the maternity unit, though with no restriction on timing or duration of visit.
 
 
Health Care Workers and Work
 
In our previous email we outlined some information regarding Coivd-19 risks and pregnant women in our fact sheet. This information hasn’t changed, and a copy of that document is available on our website.
 
There is advice to pregnant health care workers that you need to consider if you are working in a health care facility. The following information was released by Hunter New England Local Health District. To summarise pregnant health care workers who are over 28wks or who have any underlying health conditions should speak to Dr Holland about their working arrangements.
 
Given the evidence the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK released to following advice for pregnant health care workers https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-for-pregnant-healthcare-workers-and-employers-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
 
All pregnant health care workers are advised to adhere to standard and transmission-based precautions to lessen the transmission of COVID-19.
 
Healthcare workers prior to 28 weeks’ gestation with no underlying health conditions:

• Continue to work as normal.
• It may not be possible to completely avoid caring for patients with COVID-19. Use PPE and risk assess according to guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.
• Where possible, pregnant women are advised to avoid caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in environments that carry a higher risk of exposure to the virus due to increased aerosol generating procedures (such as operating theatres, respiratory wards and intensive/high dependency units).

Healthcare workers after 28 weeks’ gestation or with underlying health conditions

• It is recommended that pregnant women from 28 weeks’ gestation or those with underlying health conditions avoid working directly with patients.
• Managers are encouraged to seek opportunities for roles that are not working directly with patients.
• Consider early maternity leave.

 
Antenatal Classes
Antenatal classes have returned to off-site via zoom, you can continue to take advantage of the two great online services provided by midwives Karen Scanlon (Embrace Birthing) and Edwina (Birth Beat), here are the links for easy access:
 
Embrace Birthing          www.embracebirthing.com.au
 
Birth Beat                       www.birthbeat.com
 
 
Previous Updates
A full version of our previous emails will be put onto our website for catch up and to refer to, here is a link to access that https://www.drmatthewholland.com.au/covid-19-blog