Three more residents at Newmarch House test positive: Anglicare CEO Grant Millard says communication with families has been challenge, but asks to let staff get on with job

Investigations are now underway into the new cases as the CEO has acknowledged the criticism voiced by families of residents at Newmarch House that the operator has not been in communication with them has been true to an extent, but said staff are under “extreme pressure”.

“For instance – to maintain social isolation while providing care it takes our staff at least five times as long to undertake a simple task like giving a COVID-19 resident a phone to make a phone call because of the need to put on and take off the PPE and clean up,” he stated.

Mr Millard praised staff for their hard work during the outbreak.

“It’s hard to imagine the pressure the staff who are working at Newmarch must be under as they struggle to preserve life and give comfort to the people in their care,” he said. “They are doing an exceptional job and we thank them for this.”

Anglicare says all families have been receiving emails once a day since 12 April, and they have been in regular phone contact with the chosen representative of infected residents at least once a day too.

“Everyone is under incredible pressure. We really encourage people to allow our staff to do the best they can under extreme circumstances,” Mr Millard added. “We are having to prioritise our communications amongst our other obligations. Our first priority has been the support and comfort we give our residents.”

As we reported yesterday, Anglicare has turned down the request of some families to enter the home because of the risk to residents. But they have now arranged for some family members to speak to their loved ones through window visits. As of yesterday afternoon, 12 of the home’s 37 residents to test positive for COVID-19 have passed away. 60 staff remain in self-isolation, 22 diagnosed with the virus.