Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Health
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has today acknowledged and thanked the not-for-profit sector for their significant contribution to the COVID-19 response over the past two years.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, external service providers from within the not-for-profit sector, such as the Red Cross, have partnered with the Tasmanian Government to provide assistance to Tasmanians and their families impacted by COVID-19.
The Red Cross has performed multiple functions - in particular, the Tele-Outreach support service that supported the wellbeing of hotel quarantine guests over the past two years.
In March 2020, the Department of Communities Tasmania engaged the Red Cross to provide Psychological First Aid via a wellbeing check, and this service is now the longest-running emergency services activation in Red Cross Tasmania's history.
What stemmed from 4 original clients, the service went on to provide over 41,000 wellbeing checks to over 14,000 individuals and families.
During this time, over 700 referrals were made for clothing, accommodation, medication, mental health support, and other measures to ensure the client's needs were met.
The service also provided outreach to overseas seasonal workers, Antarctic expeditioners, critical workers, and other travellers required to undertake hotel quarantine.
Their service was a lifeline to many people, particularly those who were alone and who found themselves in hotel quarantine during what were often highly emotional circumstances such as returning home for a loved one's death or end-of-life visit.
Our not-for-profit sector has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support vulnerable Tasmanians to overcome a range of issues in what were often very stressful circumstances.
I wish to recognise and personally thank each one of the Red Cross staff and volunteers for playing such a pivotal role in the wellbeing of people in hotel quarantine over the past two years.
As the hotel quarantine program comes to an end, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I congratulate Red Cross Tasmania for your Covid-19 Tele-Outreach service.
