Victorian Department of Health

The Victorian Department of Health website health services and general practitioners - coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - includes quick reference guide and checklist, guidelines and advice, current COVID-19 case definition, advice for clinicians and health care workers and other fact sheets.

View the Victorian COVID-19 data dashboard
View the Heathcare worker COVID-19 data dashboard

 

Chief Health Officer

Daily update 
Daily media release

 

Victorian Department of Health workforce register

The Victorian Department of Health has re-opened registrations of interest - dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-health-workforce-response

 

Healthcare worker infection prevention and wellbeing

• 27 November Establishing a fit testing program - guidelines 
• 21 October Infection prevention control resources
• 21 October Caring for facial skin posters [PDF, 3 posters in one file]]
  - Caring for facial skin while wearing a face mask poster
  - Caring for facial skin when wearing a P2/N95 respirator and eye protection poster
  - Caring for facial skin - applying dressings under PPE poster 
• 21 October factsheet: Extended P2/N95 respirator and eye protection use - preventing facial injury during coronavirus (Word) 
• 18 October Statement from the Premier - easing of restrictions
  Regional restrictions [pdf]
  Metropolitan Melbourne changes
• 9 October Extra face masks from local suppliers to beat Coronavirus 
• September COVID-19 Best practice approaches for safe staff amenities for health services (Word) - best practice approach is designed to guide health services in the development of safe staff communal spaces (including handover areas) which go beyond the minimum physical distancing standards.
• 22 September Daily attestation frequently asked questions 
• 17 September Healthcare worker update 
• Victorian Respiratory Protection Program guidelines (PDF) - guidance on how to introduce a Respiratory Protection Program to minimise healthcare worker exposure to respiratory hazards.
• Protecting our healthcare workers - Victoria's respiratory protection program 
• 10 September Healthcare worker update
• 3 September Healthcare worker infection prevention and wellbeing taskforce circular 
• 25 August Protecting our healthcare workers (summary document)
• Healthcare worker infection prevention taskforce page

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance note on employment-related matters

Department of Health and Human Services document (updated 22 December 2020). ANMF is providing feedback to DHHS in relation to members' issues.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance note on employment related matters

 

Coronavirus restrictions - from 11.59pm, Sunday 17 February 2021

• Current Victorian COVIDSafe summer
• COVID safe summer - how we live
• COVID safe summer - how we work

 

Victorian Government media releases

• 22 February 2021 Free Coronavirus Vaccines Underway In Victoria
• 19 February 2021 High-Risk Workers To Receive First Vaccine In Victoria
• 14 February2021 Massive Expansion Of Victoria’s Public Testing Capacity
• 4 February 2021 Hospitals Hold Firm Coming Back To COVID Normal
• 3 February 2021 Victorian Health Services Ready For Vaccine Rollout
• 31 December Celebrating the new year in a COVID safe way 
• 20 December Further measures to protect Victoria (Greater Sydney and Central Coast declared a red zone)
• 6 December Statement from the Premier - COVID-safe summer 
• 22 November Statement from the Premier
• 12 November Putting The Mental Health Of Victorians First
• 8 November Statement from the Premier 
• 8 November Summary of statement restrictions for the third step and last step to reopening [PDF]
• 7 November New Wellbeing Package For Our Health Heroes
• 6 November Statement from the Premier 
• 4 November Hospitals Continue To Perform Through The Pandemic
• 26 October Statement from the Premier 
•  25 October Statement from the The Premier
• 27 September Statement from the Premier - second step easing of restrictions
• 26 September Statement from the Premier - resignation of Health Minister Jenny Mikakos
• 22 September School camps return for rural and regional Victoria 
• 16 September Safely re-opening elective surgery for Victorians
• 15 September Strengthening Our Health Response And Keeping People Safe
• 6 September Statement from the Premier 
• 6 September Coronavirus roadmap to reopening 
• 2 September Protecting the progress we've made in the virus fight
• 31 August Working together to re-open Victoria safely
• 30 August Vaccinations vital to keeping our children safe
• 25 August Coronavirus update for Victorians
• 25 August Protecting Our Healthcare Heroes (media release)
• 25 August Protecting our healthcare workers (summary document)
• 18 August Victorians Reminded To Keep Getting Tested
• 17 August Regional Victorians Urged To Get Tested 
• 17 August Keeping Family Violence In Sight During Coronavirus
• 16 August State Of Emergency Extended To Drive Down Virus
• 13 August Regional Victoria On Alert With Expanded Testing Push
• 10 August Stories From Coronavirus Survivors
• 9 August Fast-Tracked Mental Health Support For Victorians In Need
• 5 August Childcare And Kinder Access For Permitted Workers
• 5 August Surgeries On Hold In Regions To Boost Hospital Capacity
• 4 August Caring For Families Vital In Victorian Aged Care Response
• 3 August Statement from the Premier 
• 2 August Statement On Changes To Regional Restrictions 
• 2 August Statement On Changes To Melbourne’s Restrictions
• 1 August Victoria’s Health System Rising To The Pandemic Challenge
• 30 July Statement from the Premier 'Today is not a good day' - new restrictions for regional Victoria 
• 28 July Working Together To Protect Our Aged Care Residents
• 28 July Homes For Homeless Victorians During Pandemic And Beyond
• 26 July Supporting Victoria's last line of defence 
• 23 July Supporting Victorian Workers To Get Tested And Stay Home
• 19 July Face coverings mandatory for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
• 19 July Support for aged care residents and aged care workers across Victoria
• 16 July Victorian hospitals ready to fight coronavirus 
• 14 July Coronavirus testing for elective surgery patients
• 14 July More Australian Defence Force Personnel to join Victoria's coronavirus response 
• 13 July Supporting the mental health of young Victorians 
• 10 July Facemasks to help fight Coronavirus in Victoria 
• 10 July More survival support for Victorian business 
• 9 July Stage 3 restrictions for Flemington and North Melbourne estates 
• 9 July Temperature checks to be introduced for term 3 
• 7 July Statement from the Premier (return to stage 3 stay-at-home restrictions) 
• 6 July Supporting housing residents through quarantine 
• 5 July Extra support for housing estates and hotspots
• 4 July Statement from the Minister for Housing  
• 4 July Statement from the Premier (biggest jump in cases since 28 March)
• 1 July 'Hot zone' residents urged to get tested at new sites
• 30 June Statement from the Premier (includes the 10 post codes)
• 28 June Mandatory testing for returned travellers
• 21 June State of emergency extended to keep slowing the spread
• 20 June A statement from the Premier (information about re-introduction of some restrictions and $1500 payment for people with confirmed COVID-19 who cannot access sick leave)  
• 6 June More health support for our frontline heroes  
• 27 May More time to design a better mental health system for Victoria
• 15 May Continuing reform of Victoria's mental health system
• 12 May Nurses upskill to prepare health services for the future 
• 11 May A statement from the Premier (information about easing restrictions)
• 11 May Crack investigative teams for coronavirus outbreaks
• 4 May Victoria passes halfway in testing blitz 
• 3 May Treating more people at home to save lives
• 30 April Hotels for heroes expanded to more frontline workers
• 30 April Coronavirus testing expands at shopping centres 
• 27 April Major Coronavirus testing blitz targets 100,000 
• 26 April Stockpile of medical equipment keeping health workers safe 
• 22 April Elective surgeries to increase after ANZAC day weekend 
• 20 April Victoria's coronavirus (COVID-19) modelling confirms staying at home saves lives 
• 12 April Surge funding helping our mental health system during crisis
• 12 April State of emergency for coronavirus extended to save lives
• 10 April A safe place to escape family violence during coronavirus
• 10 April Safe places for the homeless to recover and isolate
• 7 April Victorian students to learn from home, as VCE timelines revised 
• 5 April Supporting workers on the frontline of coronavirus fight 
• 4 April More disease detectives to help fight coronavirus
• 2 April Giving Victorians easier access to life-saving vaccines
• 1 April Huge expansion of our health system to fight coronavirus
• 31 March Coronavirus update for Victoria 
• 30 March Premier announces the commencement of stage 3 restrictions
• 25 March Elective surgery wound back to prepare for coronavirus
• 19 March Extra funding boost for health system COVID-19 response

 

Testing locations

Changes to testing locations 

 

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The Department of Health and Human Services latest guidance:

All DHHS PPE guidance
COVID-19 – PPE and levels of protection (20 July 2020)
DHHS COVID-19 – a guide to the conventional use of PPE (updated 11 December 2020)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Prevention and Control guideline (26 October 2020)
Respiratory support for children during the COVID-19 emergency (updated 23 September 2020)
Personal protective equipment guidance for residential aged care (28 August 2020)
PPE for community service providers for prevention of COVID-19 (7 November 2020)
For mental health service PPE guidance see mental health resources below

WorkSafe Victoria Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) risks: Healthcare and social assistance industry – Respiratory Protective Equipment
Federal ANMF evidence brief - COVID-19: personal protective equipment

Commonwealth Government guidance on the appropriate and effective use of PPE

 

Hospital visits

These directions restrict entry into hospitals to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus among hospital patients and staff. Paid workers and volunteers can enter as usual, but there are restrictions on the age and number of visitors for patients, and limits on the duration of visits. The Hospital Visitor Directions (No 8) came into force at 11:59pm on 19 July 2020 and replaced the Hospital Visitor Directions (No 7).

Direction - Hospital visitors (No 8) (PDF)

 

WorkSafe Victoria - infectious diseases guidance for the healthcare sector

ANMF requested WorkSafe Victoria develop specific guidance for the healthcare sector and healthcare workers.

• Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) risks: Face coverings in workplaces
  
• Prevention and management of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in the healthcare and social assistance industry

 

Aged care

• Factsheet - COVIDsafe festive season in residential aged care facilities - 17 December 2020
  
  
• DHHS Directions update: residential aged care – employers and workers - 19 October
  
  
• Protecting the health of public sector residential aged care workers and residents: asymptomatic testing Guidance and frequently asked questions – 19 October 2020
• Protecting our aged care workers: asymptomatic testing - Frequently asked questions for staff of public sector residential aged care facilities – 19 October

• Safer Care Victoria COVID-19 screening toolkit for residential aged care 

• Department of Health and Human Services resources and information for the aged care sector. 
  COVID-19 residential aged care plan for Victoria (20 August) - includes Chief Health Officer directions for aged care workers to work at a single site

• Assisting patients with hygiene care during coronavirus (COVID-19) – risk minimisation for staff (PDF) (1 October)

View the Department of Health Residential Aged Care COVID-19 information and resources.

 

Mental health services resources

• Clinical Mental Health System Communique #15 2 August 2020
• Wellbeing initiatives to support Victoria’s mental health and AOD workforce (Doc) 
• MHD Branch COVID 19 Communique 14 Clinical and Ops Directors (22 July)
• COVID 19 Mental Health Response & Recovery -Clinical Mental Health System Communique 12 (8 July)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the provision of mental health care (PDF) (1 September)
• Intensive mental health community care guidelines (PDF) (22 April)
• Framework and guidance for mental health care during COVID-19 (PDF) (5 May)
• Home Visits and Community Clinics Depot Administration (PDF) (26 May)

 

Maternity and newborn resources

• Maternity and neonatal care during coronavirus (Word doc) (16 October 2020)
• Pregnancy triage, assessment and care (PowerPoint) (14 October 2020)
• Maternity labour and birth care (PowerPoint) (14 October 2020)
• Attendance at birth (PowerPoint) (14 October 2020)
• Post-natal care (PowerPoint) (14 October 2020)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) – A guide to the conventional use of PPE (Word doc) (21 October 2020)

 

Maternal and child health nurses and immunisation nurses

• Maternal and Child Health Services Frequently Asked Questions (19 October)
• Information for parents with infants and young children - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victorian Maternal and Child Health service update (19 October)
• Maternal and Child Health service providers in regional and rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) - Coronavirus (COVID-19) update (19 October)
• Maternal and Child Health service providers in Local Government Areas in metropolitan Melbourne - Coronavirus (COVID-19) update (19 October)
• Maternal Child Health Service guidelines (29 October 2019)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) update Victorian Immunisation Services (13 July)
• Victorian immunisation services factsheet for guidance and service delivery models for providing immunisation services 

 

Accommodation program for frontline workers

Frequently asked questions emergency accommodation for frontline workers (updated 6 May) 

 

COVID-19 pandemic plan for the Victorian health sector

The Victorian Government released its four-stage COVID-19 Pandemic Plan for the Victorian Health Sector on 9 March.

 

Victorian Department of Health fact sheets and updates

• Clinical placement guidance - updated guidance - (7 October 2020)
• Protecting our healthcare workers (25 August)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Student Clinical Placements (14 August)
• COVID-19 - Guidance Physical distancing in health services (15 July)
• Movement of health workers and health service employees during COVID-19 (8 July)
• Managing adult patient rapid response calls for known or suspected COVID-19 patients (15 June 2020) 
• Perinatal workplace wellbeing program COVID-19 resources
• COVID-19 factsheet for higher-risk health workers
• Coronavirus disease
• (COVID-19) – getting tested when you do not have symptoms (asymptomatic testing) What you need to know
• Providing acute mental health care in the community – intensive mental health community care coronavirus COVID-19 response (updated: 22 April 2020)
• Framework and guidance for mental health care during COVID-19 (updated 5 May 2020)
• Healthcare worker wellbeing during covid-19: resource list for health service organisations (updated 19 May 2020)
• Mental health and AOD workforce wellbeing grants - guidelines
• COVID-19 Residential Aged Care Facilities Plan for Victoria (Word)  (4 May)
• Health service planning - COVID-19 (includes physical distancing in the workplace and hospital visitors)

 

Pharmacies employing/engaging nurse immunisers 

DHHS advises pharmacies may employ or engage nurse immunisers who can act under the Nurse Immuniser Secretary Approval to provide immunisation services in the pharmacy or as part of an outreach or mobile vaccination service of the pharmacy or pharmacy depot. However, the nurse immuniser must be a registered nurse, and not an enrolled nurse, and must have completed an approved immunisation training course. The nurse immuniser also needs to have access to a medical practitioner for advice in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary Approval. Pharmacist immunisers cannot supervise nurses or other persons to immunise patients on their behalf.

 

Receive updates to alerts and newsletters

Subscribe to DHHS Coronavirus update newsletter by emailing COVID-19@dhhs.vic.gov.au and DHHS alerts, advisories, newsletters and digests.

 

Social media

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