STAFF at Garden Village Port Macquarie have been an armed force in the push to get the nation vaccinated.
The retirement and assisted living facility has been acknowledged as one of the top achievers for COVID-19 vaccination rates for aged care organisations across the country, with 90 per cent of staff rolling up their sleeves.
CEO of Garden Village Port Macquarie Craig Wearne said he is proud of the staff members who have come forward to get vaccinated.
“It’s now mandated for aged care staff to at least have had their first dose of a vaccine by September 17 and the staff here at Garden Village have really got behind that which has been great to see,” he said.
“I’m very proud of our staff who have come forward to get vaccinated.
“If our workforce can send a positive message to the community about getting vaccinated then that’s really exciting.”
In a new map released by the Department of Health, the average number of aged care workers in the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA who have had at least one dose of a vaccine is between 80 and 89 per cent, the Kempsey Nambucca region is between 50 and 59 per cent, while some areas in Newcastle and Sydney remain between 50 and 79 per cent.
Garden Village were advised of their vaccination rate achievement last week. There are 250 staff employed at Garden Village across a range of different services.
“We did have correspondence from the Australian Government Department of Health last week confirming that we are one of the top achievers for aged care staff vaccinations across the nation,” Mr Wearne said. “Everyone from our receptionists, cleaners, maintenance guys and our staff who work closely with the residents stepped up to get vaccinated.”
Mr Wearne said having a one-day vaccination clinic really helped boost the number of staff getting the jab. “Having a vaccination clinic here for our staff was a game changer for us,” he said. “In one day we were able to vaccinate over a third of our employees. It’s a big achievement for us and I’m very proud of our staff for working to help keep themselves and the community safe.”
