In light of the NSW Government lockdown all visiting has been suspended. Managerial discretion will be provided in end of life circumstances.
All surgical patients will be required to be dropped off unless accompanied by a cleared carer for ambulation purposes.
All patients tested for COVID-19 have returned negative results. Similarly, all staff results remain negative. As of Wednesday 21 July, all remaining staff and patients who were directed to isolate for 14 days by NSW Health have completed their isolation period and continued to test negative for COVID-19.
Waratah Private Hospital is taking measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreading and as a result has introduced a screening process for patients coming to the hospital for day surgery, an inpatient admission or day rehabilitation.
All patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire and will have their temperature taken on admission. All patients coming in for surgery will be telephoned the day prior and had their individual circumstances discussed.
Please do not come to the Hospital if you:
Waratah Private Hospital is taking measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreading in accordance with NSW Health Department alert status.
For all general enquiries please contact us on +61 2 9598 0000 or 1800 518 240
For any media enquiries please contact:
Geoff Elliott gelliott@gracosway.com.au +61 488 051 888
Max Hewett mhewett@gracosway.com.au +61 432 332 215
Updated Wednesday 21 July 2021
A non-clinical staff member at the Waratah Private Hospital (WPH) has been identified as a positive case of COVID-19 and we are taking all necessary steps in conjunction with NSW Health to thoroughly manage the situation.
The staff member, who wore full PPE, was working at the hospital while infectious on Monday July 5 and Tuesday July 6, is now isolating at home and has our full support.
All patients have been tested for COVID-19 and all results have been negative. Relevant staff have also been tested and all results received to date are also negative.
At this stage, it is our understanding that the case was not contracted through our hospital system, but we continue to investigate the circumstances with the authorities.
In line with our rigorous COVID-19 prevention measures, aside from the staff member wearing full PPE while present at work, the employee like all others was also subject to a screening questionnaire and temperature check which did not indicate symptoms or any potential exposure.
In conjunction with NSW Health, WPH we have implemented a range of additional measures to protect staff and patients, including deep cleaning of facilities, isolation of close contacts, short-term cancellation of non-essential surgeries and on-site testing.
Staff who were at WPH at the same time as the infected individual and are deemed to be a close contact have been made aware by NSW Health, as have patients, all of whom are now isolating.
We are managing rostering with staff not deemed close contacts to ensure all patients receive quality care and emotional support.
WPH has encouraged staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations and provided support services to enable this. Employees are not mandated by Government to be vaccinated before working in a facility like ours, and ultimately it remains a personal decision.
We would also like to thank our community for the ongoing support during this time and are committed to acting in line with health advice to manage the situation.
Media Contacts
Geoff Elliottgelliott@gracosway.com.au+61 488 051 888
Max Hewettmhewett@gracosway.com.au+61 432 332 215
For the latest information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) see the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx