COVID-19, Influenza and other transmittable viral illness: Information for visitors to Forensicare

Updated: 28 October 2024

The following is guidance about suspected and/or confirmed COVID-19, influenza, and other transmittable viral infections for your protection, for those you visit, and for the wider forensic community.   

At Forensicare, we acknowledge that COVID-19 is still in the community even though pandemic orders have ended. Hence, our COVID-19 information has evolved to reflect these changes.

Pandemic-level precautions have changed to regular transmission-based precautions, such as when dealing with other infectious viral diseases.

We advise all visitors to reschedule if they are unwell with a viral illness, such as, but are not limited to, COVID-19, influenza, and gastroenteritis.

Visiting Forensicare during COVID-19   or Influenza A

Please see below for detailed information about visiting Forensicare services.

Thomas Embling Hospital

Please note:

In the event of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, influenza, or other viral illness outbreaks, visiting conditions may change without notice to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at the hospital.

Also note: For the protection of everyone in our hospital community, the following may occur:

• Screening questions: Visitors may need to answer some screening questions, including whether they have any flu-like symptoms or have recently tested positive for viral illness, such as but not limited to, COVID-19, influenza, and gastroenteritis.
• Masks: Visitors may be required to wear an N95 or surgical mask while visiting the hospital to protect against viral illnesses. These will be provided at reception.

Other options for families and carers

To ensure you can say in touch with your family or friend at the hospital, we can support you to use Skype.  

Skype is an application (or “app”) which allows people to speak via a video link over the internet. Skype can be used on computer, mobile phones (Apple or Android) and tablet devices. Use of Skype for video calls is free. For information about Skype, please visit www.skype.com. If you’ve never used Skype before or are having trouble using it, please get in touch with the unit social worker. If you are unable to access a phone or the internet, we can facilitate you using Skype in a room near the reception area of the hospital.

Community Forensic Mental Health Services

Community Forensic Mental Health Service (CFMHS) clients may be offered an online appointment if unwell with flu-like symptoms.

If you are unsure about whether to attend in person or have any questions, please contact our CFMHS reception team prior to your visit on 9947 2500.

Prisons

Visitors to any of our prison services will need to follow Corrections Victoria COVID-19 visiting procedures. Please check the Corrections Victoria website for details.

More information 

For more information on visiting Forensicare, please contact: 

• Thomas Embling Hospital reception team on 9495 9100 
• Community Forensic Mental Health Service reception team on 9947 2500 
• Visit the Corrections Victoria website