17 March 2020
What is Leisure Networks doing to keep our customer healthy and safe?
We are experiencing some very unusual times due to the scale of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and as such we will all see a new way of life for a little while. Please be confident that at Leisure Networks we have your health as our number one priority.
Keeping our customers, staff and communities healthy and safe is our priority and is the single most important issue when making decisions at Leisure Networks.
It is our duty of care to provide a safe, health promoting work environment that minimises risks of exposure to COVID-19.
Social distancing is an important part of the way we can stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. It means less contact between us and others, so how we provide support may look a little different, but the one thing that will never change is our dedicated commitment in providing you with the best support possible through these challenging times.
How will programs and services be changing?
Some of the immediate changes we are making to ensure social distancing includes:
Support Coordination Services
Whilst our face to face meetings have ceased as of today Tuesday 17th March we have systems in place that allow our staff to work from anywhere and all communication can be conducted via online conferencing or telephone enabling us to continue delivering the excellent quality of support you are used to receiving from Leisure Networks.
Financial Plan Management
We expect no change to our FPM and will continue to deliver the same level of service excellence to our customers.
What we are doing includes:
- Following advice from the Australian Government
- Invested in secure and flexible working arrangements with our staff so they can continue to provide this service
- Continue to pay your providers within 10 days of receiving the invoice, so your NDIS support continues without interruption.
You can help us: we respectfully ask that you do not re-send already submitted invoices to us as duplicated invoices may cause delays to processing. We have received it and are working hard to process your payment.
Our Support Programs and Weekends Away
We are continuing to offer new and interesting weekday, weekends and school holiday programs but with a local flavour.
Exploring our region in a way that reduces any risk of being in busy or crowded places. You will be notified about these changes and you have the chance to join in or change your booking.
Our communication to you will be via SMS and we will ask that you respond via SMS to confirm your places or change your booking. Of course we are always happy to chat by the phone if you would prefer. Please call our friendly team on 5222 3911.
We are flexible around your support needs
If you need to change your current supports because you are feeling anxious or worried – please call us and have a chat with our team. We can support you in any way that works for you at the moment.
Some key changes to keep everyone healthy and safe
- We are happy to support people in their homes if preferred
- We can arrange one to one support if preferred
- All groups will be small, with a 1:4 or 1:3 ratio
- We will use fleet or private cars so we don’t use public transport
- Our programs will be local, low key but still fun and creative
We may be adjusting our drop off and pick up points and times may change, however we will communicate this by SMS as soon as we can prior to the program commencing.
While our Geelong office hours are 8.30am – 5.00pm, in response to COVID-19 our office front door will open to our customers at 9.00am each day. As always, we will have a staff member checking on people as they arrive.
While I appreciate this is an uncertain time, we are taking advice from the key agencies to ensure we are up to date with the latest information to ensure the health and safety of all our customers.
Please don’t hesitate to contact myself, or a member of the Leisure Networks team if you have any questions, concerns or simply want to reach out.
Take care everyone,
Libby Mears
CEO Leisure Networks
RESOURCES
A trusted source of information is the dedicated page set up by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
The Department of Health and Human Services has established a hotline where any member of the public can call to seek information on COVID-19 on 1800 675 398.
The DHHS website is: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
For further health information the number for Victoria’s ‘Nurse on Call’ is 1300 60 60 24
The Australian Government has enacted the Coronavirus Emergency Response Plan and the NDIA is taking necessary steps to prepare if a pandemic is declared to view; https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4577-coronavirus-update
Smartraveller is monitoring closely the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its implications for overseas travel. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19