REDHS in Flood Recovery Phase

Click here to see floodwaters around REDHS

On Saturday 15 January 2011, Rochester experienced flooding to a  level unprecedented since record keeping began.

REDHS' updated Emergency Management Plan was tested when Rochester experienced a lower level of flooding in late November 2010 and the plan was further updated. The main aim of the plan is to protect the safety of those in our care, our staff and infrastructure.

REDHS was on Flood Watch from Thursday 13 January and Code Brown (External Emergency) was enacted on Friday. Water levels rose rapidly on Saturday 15 January and evacuation warning from the State Emergency Service (SES) was received around 9am. The water authority advised that mains water would not be available in the coming hours. The power supply was also in question and the town's sewerage system failed around noon.

The successful evacuation of aged care residents and patients commenced late Saturday morning through the combined efforts of REDHS management, on duty and off duty staff, the Emergency Control Centre - Bendigo (Epsom) and the Loddon Emergency Operations Centre (Department of Health / Department of Human Services). Victorian Health Emergency Coordination (VHEC) was involved in organising transportation and supported the plans that REDHS had in place.

Transportation was arranged with the local bus service and SES and army personnel assisted our residents and patients onto the buses. Five helipcopter flights were made for ten residents/patients who could not travel by bus.

In total, 65 residents and patients were evacuated to 12 locations:
Bendigo Health
    - Surgical Ward
    - Bendigo Hospice and Evaluation Centre
    - Golden Oaks Nursing Home
    - Inpatient Rehabilitation
    - Marjorie Phillips Unit
    - Orthopaedic Unit
    - Stella Anderson Nursing Home
Bethlehem Home for the Aged (Mercy Health - Bendigo)
Castlemaine Health
Heathcote Health
Kyabram and District Health Services
Shepparton Villages

Some REDHS care staff provided some or all of the care for the relocated residents in the above facilities.

Residents from the nearby Restdown Retirement Village arrived at the REDHS main foyer and were transported to the Rochester Evacuation Centre in an Australian Army Unimog for evacuation by bus to Echuca with other members of the Rochester community.

Utilities were reinstated at REDHS facility and the Support Services staff have worked hard to ensure that all areas were clean. Executive and management personnel are worked on the safe return of our residents to their home.

Primary Care services including Planned Activity Group recommenced Monday 24 January 2011.

Updated 16-6-11