Lutheran Disability Services (LDS) places the health and wellbeing of our clients, their families and our staff as our number one priority. We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation.
LDS has implemented the LDS Pandemic Response Plan in line with the advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Australian Government and the South Australian Government.
LDS safety measures
18 November 2021
Dear families, friends and advocates
LDS is committed to assisting clients and staff to remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date LDS has been successful in encouraging both clients and staff to be vaccinated with LDS single-dose and fully vaccinated exceeding current SA State percentages.
MANDATED VACCINATIONS
In line with the recent and evolving State Government mandates, effective from Monday 8 November all LDS staff are required to have had at least their first COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is mandated under this Directive for any support workers who attend medical facilities with their client during the normal course of their work.
From 8 November 2021 all rostered LDS will be vaccinated with at least 1 dose. A few staff members have declined to be vaccinated and as a result will not be rostered on shift until they have their first vaccination. This may mean that some of our much loved team members may not be on shift from next week.
CLIENT VACCINATIONS
LDS is committed to assisting clients to be vaccinated. The Government has a range of options available and LDS is available to support clients to be vaccinated. Please discuss this option with your CSM or Team Leader.
SA COVID-READY PLAN
LDS is well prepared for the opening of the SA Borders from November 23. We have purchased additional PPE (masks, gloves and other equipment) as well as updating our procedures in line with the Government directions. This information will be issued to all staff prior to the borders reopening. With all rostered staff vaccinated we are in a good position to be able to continue to support our clients and we will keep our community informed as the situation progresses in the coming weeks and months.
CHRISTMAS and VACCINATIONS
With Christmas around the corner we ask all of our community who may be visiting loved ones in their homes over the festive season to ensure that you are double vaccinated. Most of our clients have been vaccinated and with the borders reopening on November 23 we want to keep our community safe.
When visiting please use QR Codes to check in, wear a mask (unless there is a specific client exemption), social distance wherever possible and please ensure that you have been double vaccinated.
We will continue to work with you, our clients and support teams to manage the evolving Government requirements and we will keep you up to date as the COVID-19 roadmap becomes clearer.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact your CSM, Team Leader or myself.
Contact: Michael Kromwyk, COO mkromwyk@ldssa.org.au
Stay informed
Regular updates are available at the SA Government COVID-19 Response webpage.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19:
- National Coronavirus Hotline (operates 24/7) 1800 020 080
- Australian Government Department of Health
- National Disability Insurance Scheme information (advice and updated FAQs)
- SA Health COVID-19 updates
- Lutheran Church of Australia COVID-19 Response
Lutheran Disability Services continues to monitor government restrictions and responsibilities and will update this page with new information as it becomes available to ensure that all LDS families and friends are receiving the latest updates about what we are doing during this period. To ensure that you receive the latest information, please provide your contact details via the contact form on our Contact page.
