18 Mar COVID-19 Update – Statement 2 from the CEO

As of 11am on Wednesday 18 March, Inclusive Sport SA has made the decision to suspend all Rapidswim Aquatic Therapy sessions, Learn to Swim programs and Indoor Rowing sessions for the remainder of Term 1 effective immediately in response to concerns and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Pandemic.

The action to cease our Rapidswim programs was not an easy decision to make, as we are fully aware of the benefits our service has to our clients and their families; and the concerns and challenges it may cause to our program staff. Rest assured we remain diligent in our processes as we continue to take action based on the wellbeing of all involved while also taking guidance from government and relevant health authorities into consideration.

The conclusion of all Term 1 Rapidswim programs comes on the back of information received from SA Health earlier this morning, regarding closure of their hydrotherapy pools and surrounding areas at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre until further notice.

This closure follows action from Minda Aquatic Centre at Brighton who shut down their hydrotherapy spaces last week. The closure of these facilities has a significant impact on our operations, and while we have not received notification regarding closure from our other aquatic venues, we are preempting that these large public spaces may follow government directive (to cease non-essential gatherings over 100), and announce the closure of their venues shortly.

Inclusive Sport SA will be monitoring all Australian Government Department of Health advice as released and will continually be discussing the recommencement of Rapidswim programs and Indoor Rowing sessions as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

In particular, we will be making a decision on whether these programs will go ahead for the start of Term 2 by close of business on 16 April 2020.

RAPIDSWIM INVOICING

As Rapidswim has suspended all programs effective from 18 March 2020, Inclusive Sport SA would like to assure our families and care givers that there will be no charge for any Program cancelled by Rapidswim.

If you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to contact either Ben or Brigitte on 8122 6730.

BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT SA

Behaviour Support SA will continue to offer services at this time to our current clients; however, we remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and infection control protocol developments in South Australia.

The health and wellbeing of our participants and staff are our upmost priority during this time; our staff are already incredibly diligent with personal hygiene when providing services in homes, schools and the community.

 Staff wash and sanitise hands before and after all sessions – this will continue for all ongoing sessions and we encourage families and participants to do the same. Our staff have also completed the Department of Health’s ‘COVID-19 Infection Control Training’ as recommended by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

With this in mind, if our staff are unwell in any capacity we will cancel or reschedule sessions and notify you immediately. It is also important that families and caregivers provide ample notice of session cancellation if there are any symptoms of illness from the individual, their family or anyone who has been in close proximity of the individual accessing services. This notification will protect our staff and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other participants in sessions occurring after yours.

ALTERNATIVE SERVICES

In an attempt to continue to be of service and support to our families and community, our office staff are working on how we may provide innovative alternative support services.

These may include remote participation opportunities and video/phone conferencing sessions for those who cannot access face-to-face services. We are conducting research and investigating the feasibility of these options and will keep you updated with any developments regarding possible future services. If you have any ideas or suggestions please send me an email.

INCLUSIVE SPORT SA STAFF

As we navigate these unchartered waters, I would like to thank our program staff who have stayed in constant contact with the Rapidswim office team and communicated openly regarding any concerns or issues they may have.

To our office staff who are working incredibly hard to continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients despite the changing landscape, this year has tested our community, and I am very proud of the way we are all responding to its challenges.

With this in mind, the Inclusive Sport SA Board and I understand the wider implications this has on the physical and mental health of our program casual and part time staff. I am also available to chat further regarding your personal circumstances, issues or concerns due to the current situation we all find ourselves in.

Please note that our offices are currently open. We have also offered working from home and remote office solutions for our office staff should they choose to. All of our staff have access to the office telephone lines and main server via their mobile phones and computers.

Again, I cannot express the importance that we continue to take care for one another and each other and come together as a supportive community in this challenging time.

Please don’t be afraid to seek support should you and or your family and friends need to. And, as always seek the facts regarding this situation from health authorities.

Take care of one another. John Cranwell For more information contact: CEO | John Cranwell – 0413 324 484 | ceo@inclusivesportsa.com.au Download a PDF copy of Statement 2 HERE.