Sarah Oliver
With COVID cases reaching an all-time high, but with no official lockdowns in sight, businesses in Melton are having to find ways around growing staff shortages due to illness and isolation.
Owner of Western Regional Health, Jade Scott, was hit with staff shortages after closing her clinic for the week between Christmas and New Year for the first time in 20 years.
“We got slaughtered,” Ms Scott said.
After two years of the team of 35 struggling through the pandemic, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and “bending over backwards” Ms Scott wanted to give her staff a “much needed break”.
“I’m a really proud boss and I’m a really caring boss and I didn’t want them to get that burn out.”
But with an average age between 24 and 26, it wasn’t long before half of her staff were needing to isolate either because they had COVID or were close contacts.
Despite having to cancel so many appointments, Ms Scott said the Melton community had been “incredibly supportive”.
“Even though I was struggling as a business owner, it was a reminder of why we do what we do, and why we take the measures we take to keep them safe.”
The Melton Waves and Leisure Centre has also had to pivot, with many staff off work causing areas of the centre to close.
Centre manager Shaun Wyatt said due to staff isolating at the last minute, sometimes it’s not possible to cover shifts.
But the priority for Mr Wyatt and the centre has been swim lessons, which have remained open.
“We’re doing everything in our power to make sure that lessons aren’t closed,” he said.
“That’s the one area we really try and push to make sure we keep running for the safety of children and for their water safety and knowledge going forward.”
With other councils in the state concerned about staff shortages affecting waste collection, there are no impacts so far on Melton’s collection service.
However, services such as Vacation Care, Maternal & Child Health, Youth Outreach Services, and leisure facilities have been impacted.
“Services such as Meals on Wheels and transport to medical appointments have continued with the assistance of trained staff working across multiple departments,” acting Chief Executive Maurie Heaney said.
“We are doing what we can to provide all the services our community needs, while also ensuring the safety of residents, visitors and staff.”
