SNSWLHD assures full Covid compliance at Moruya's SHAPE project

Following concerns raised by readers of The Beagle a media request was lodged with Southern NSW Local Health District regarding concerns that there may have been outside contractors from the Greater Sydney area working on the University of Canberra's Clinical Training Facility, SHAPE. The Principal Contractor (PC) for the University of Canberra's Clinical Training Facility, SHAPE has assured Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) it continues to follow the public health advice.

A Southern NSW LHD spokesperson responded to the enquiry saying "We have been advised it has implemented all workplace policies and procedures to manage COVID-

19 in accordance with public health orders, which includes regular surveillance (COVID-19) testing of workers, QR code check-in and mandatory mask wearing. "Two workers from Greater Sydney categorised as essential attended the site on Monday 19 July and Tuesday 20 July, and immediately returned to their residences upon completion of their tasks. They have not tested positive for COVID and as such, their work on site has not put any other contractors or the community at risk.

"Any resident of the Eurobodalla area who returns from Greater Sydney must abide by stay-at-home orders for 14 days after they leave the Greater Sydney area. Greater Sydney includes the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shellharbour regions." Moruya Clinical Training Facility The Commonwealth has developed the Health and Hospitals Fund (HHF) Program Regional Priority initiative with the objective of improving access to essential health services to as many Australians as possible living in rural, regional, and remote areas through investments in health infrastructure. This will help close the gap in health outcomes between major metropolitan and regional areas of Australia.

The South East NSW Health Collaborative is a Joint Venture Agreement between the University of Canberra and the Australian National University which was formed under the signed funding agreement.

The Clinical Training Facilities are being constructed and operated as a joint venture between the University of Canberra (UC) and the Australian National University (ANU) located at the Moruya Hospital, Moruya NSW.