COVID-19 Client Update
HOSPITAL RE-OPENED
Positive Test was a Lab Error
Re-Opened 8.00am, Friday 19th
(Friday 19th June, 2020)
Breaking News:
Test was a False Positive / Laboratory error
(and so there will be, and has not been, any risk to the community at all at our hospital)
The person for whome we shut down the hospital have since had their COVID-19 test result confirmed as "laboratory error". Multiple repeat testing on the original sample, and testing on a completely new sample, were all negative. This confers with the fact that the person had no exposure to anyone with symptoms, and no symptoms themselves at the time, and continues to be symptom-free. They were only getting tested as a routine check.
The Department of Health offered its apologies over the phone for the disruption to our business and to peoples lives, but an official, written, response is still to be released. We thought we would let our clients know the current state of affairs before it was announced in other circles.
Irrespective of this false alarm, Sunbury Animal Hospital has always followed the COVID-19 social distancing and hygiene guidelines from the Department of Health to the letter of the law, and will continue to do so. While we are more than comfortable that there would have been no risk to any clients or the community with the procedures that were followed, we can now irrefutably say that there is absolutely no risk.
We are extremely sorry for the confusion and are also devastated that the hospital, our staff and our community has had to go through this.
Warm Regards
The Team at Sunbury Animal Hospital
17th June 2020 - Please be advised:
Sunbury Animal Hospital is currently closed for deep cleaning following exposure of the clinic to a positive coronavirus case.
The health and wellbeing of our staff, clients and pets is paramount and we are taking every precaution to ensure our(s) and your safety. We would like to stress that no close contact between the coronavirus positive person and any other clients has occurred.
We are expecting to re-open at 8am on Friday the 19th of June.
Should your pet require urgent medical treatment please call Gisborne Veterinary Clinic on 5428 2805 or Sunbury All Creatures on 9744 1644.
If your pet requires emergency after-hours treatment please call Animal Referral Hospital Essendon on 9379 0700 or Advanced Vet Care Kensington on 9092 0400.
Should your pet require an urgent refill of prescription medication or you wish to book a future appointment (from Monday June 21st) please call (SAH mobile no.) between the hours of 8 am and 8pm for assistance.
We thank you for your co-operation during this time and look forward to seeing you in clinic again soon.
COVID-19 Client Update
Thank you all for your co-operation & patience in following our new guidelines in these unsettling and difficult times. We are all a part of the same community where we are still trying to flatten that curve so that the human hospital system can have the capacity to respond when the peak infection rate arrives in a few months.
We all know someone who may be at higher risk of COVID-19 (over 60 years old, or with a concurrent medical problem) and it is up to everyone of us to take steps to protect these people.
NEWS - We are officially deemed an "essential service" by the Australian government, so rest assured that we will be open right through this period to take care of your pets.
OUR GOALS (unchanged):
1) Limit chance of infection in staff and clients
2) Continue to provide care for your pets at the same exceptional standards, within the constraints of government regulations.
CURRENT PROTOCOLS (unchanged):
1) Screening Clients (we will check a few things with you over the phone when you make an appointment - if you are unwell or quarantining, over 60 years old, and we will ask that only one person show up with each pet appointment).
2) Waiting Room - we are limiting the number of people in our waiting room, and offering outside waiting or in-car waiting where appropriate.
3) Consultation room - where at all possible, we would prefer you not to hold your pet while we examine them (in an attempt to reduce "close contact" between clients and vets). We will ask clients to keep the 1.5mtr distance within the room, vets will also be taking pets out to the treatment room if necessary.
4) Medication / Food Orders - No change here other than you stay in your car when you come down to pick up your order (we will arrange payment over the phone & bring the goods out to you).
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If you are unwell, in quarantine / isolation, or in a high risk group,
we will discuss with you over the phone what the options are for how we
can still meet your pets' needs.
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** Current research continues to confirm that your pets are still not at risk of getting sick from COVID-19, nor can they spread it. Thousands of dogs and cats have been tested in multiple countries.
PET AMBULANCE & HOUSE CALLS
We are now offering house calls where we can treat your precious fur babies in the comfort of your own home. Or if you prefer treatment to be done in our hospital where we have all of our highly specialised equipment avaliable, we can offer a pick up and drop off service in our new Pet Ambulance.
"TOGETHER, MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO YOU AND YOUR PET'S LIVES"
Our Veterinary Hospital provides modern, professional and affordable health care for your pets. We aim to make your pet feel at ease in our clinic with a caring and gentle approach to treatment and consultations. Our dedicated and experienced vets and vet nurses are passionate about pets and are avid animal lovers.
Our Hospital has been supporting the local Sunbury community and its pets since 1978. Our unsurpassed reputation for excellence in veterinary care is not just reflected in our state of the art, purpose-built hospital, but also in the care and passion shown by our staff.
