For frontline workers and their clients

This page will be continually updated. Last update: 21 March 2022
For news and resources specific to managers and leaders, click here.
For members’ frequently asked questions, click here.

News

21 March 2022
COVID-19 healthcare practices in the community – Risk assessment matrix [PDF]

19 January 2022

COVID-19 information and resources NEW!
Did you miss the webinar (18 January 2022) with Dr Jan Fizzell and Dr Tony Gill? Watch it here. Passcode: i0$6hz4z

Resources for health professionals – Australian Government Department of Health
Risk monitoring dashboard
Care of adults and children in the community with COVID-19
Care of adults in the community with COVID-19 – flowchart and protocols

Health worker safety
Please use the Health care worker COVID-19 exposure risk assessment matrix [PDF] to assess the level of risk for exposed staff members (clinical and non-clinical) and client/patients and carers exposed in a clinical setting. This includes staff to staff contact in common areas and meal break rooms.

Resources to help health workers keep safe in the workplace.

1 November 2021
Adjusting our practice to keep everyone safe: NADA COVID-19 FAQs [PDF]
NADA members have demonstrated incredible resilience through maintaining the support and contact with clients throughout the ups and downs of COVID-19. Now with vaccination rates increasing and lockdowns easing, we acknowledge that COVID-19 is here to stay and so we adapt again. To further support members, NADA has developed a new FAQ document, designed to adjust face to face service delivery with COVID-safe practices in mind. Take a look, and if there is anything else you feel would be helpful – reach out.

Advocacy on Public Health Order on mandated vaccinations for Health Workers
NADA is currently engaged in some advocacy with other NGO representatives regarding the status of non government AOD workers within the Public Health Order on mandated vaccinations for Health Workers—stay tuned for the outcome.

COVID 19 vaccination information
NSW Health COVID 19 vaccination information

Controlling the NSW outbreak
21 September 2021
You can check current restrictions for both Greater Sydney and regional and rural NSW here.

The current risk levels are monitored by NSW Health on the COVID-19 Risk Monitoring Dashboard and are updated each week. Please refer to the COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Response Framework for information on the amber and red risk ratings.

COVID-19 screening at NSW Healthcare facilities
Please see the continually updated screening advice for healthcare facilities, residential aged and disability care facilities, and home care services.
• Healthcare facilities
• Residential aged care facilities
• Residential disability care facilities
• Home care service providers facilities

COVID-19 page at NSWHealth
Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW

Reporting Minimum Data Set: Data entry during COVID-19
Download the flowchart [PDF]
Watch the video

Resources

Non government AOD workers COVID-19 news and advice:
Department of Health
NSW Health
Health Direct
World Health Organization

COVID-normal: preparing for a new world
Associate Professor Adrienne Torda, Associate Dean, Education and Innovation at UNSW Medicine and Health, hosts an online panel of senior health and community leaders, to discuss what the future looks like as we all prepare to live with COVID-19. Will it always be this way? Will we need ongoing boosters? And they discuss the challenges of increasing access for vulnerable people or who are in remote communities. Watch the video.

Focus on practice
Whether you’re working from home or still at your service, we’re here for you. We’re writing to members each week because now is a great time to focus on growing your practice skills and knowledge.

Vaping and electronic cigarettes, connecting with NADA members, the AOD Resource Finder, family, significant others and children; AOD 101; virtual care; and comorbidity.

Are you looking for webinars and resources that can support you during COVID-19 lockdowns?
See the AOD Resources Finder

Videos
Adapting to change
Yasmin Iese and Vi Ngyun from DAMEC talk about adapting their service during COVID-19 and supporting their clients holistically.

Engaging with clients causing domestic and family violence harm during the COVID-19 pandemic
Recorded webinar with Rodney Vlais

Adapting Practice: shifting therapeutic support online
Mental Health Professionals Network recorded webinar plus other resources

COVID-19 infection control training
Australian Government Department of Health eLearning module

Non government AOD clients
NUAA harm reduction resources and considerations for people accessing Opioid Treatment Programs 

NUAA vaccination resources for clients
Download the poster, poster and flyer.

AHMRC resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Turning  Point client engagement and withdrawal support resources
Insight coping and self-care resource

Health and wellbeing

The health and wellbeing of the non government AOD workforce, their clients and the greater community is of utmost importance to the staff, here at NADA.

As coronavirus cases rise across Australia, so too are feelings of stress and anxiety. In times like these, we need practical evidence based information and resources on ways to take care of ourselves, our clients and our community.

While there is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, one this is for sure—we are here for you. The team at NADA have compiled the select list of information and resources below to help you, your clients and communities stay healthy, safe and connected during these challenging times. If there’s anything further we can do to support you, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling or emailing staff.

Watch the complete series of Well Beings
NADA is excited to release the final COVID-19 episodes of Well Beings,our short-animation series with practical, science backed tips and tricks to reduce stress and enhance health and wellbeing. Watch them all!

Coping with stress and uncertainty during COVID-19
NADA developed this eLearning course to help AOD workers cope with stress and uncertainty during COVID-19. It explores the factors that make coping difficult and outlines a variety of helpful tips and strategies to support you to look after yourself during these challenging times.

Worker wellbeing
NADA
Australian Psychological Society
Black Dog Institute
Orygen

Free online meditation for health care professionals:
Headspace
Ten Percent Happier

Non government AOD clients
NUAA harm reduction resources and considerations for people accessing Opioid Treatment Programs
AHMRC resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Turning Point client engagement and withdrawal support resources
Insight coping and self-care resources

Online support:
SMART Recovery
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Turning Point Counselling Online
Hello Sunday Morning Daybreak Program
Drinks Meter app
S-Check app

Telephone support:
Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1800 250 015
Drug & Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service 02 9361 8006 (Syd) 1800 023 687 (NSW)
Family Drug Support 1300 368 186
Stimulant Treatment Line 02 9361 8088 (Syd) 1800 101 188 (NSW)
Opioid Treatment Line 1800 642 428

Financial and legal support:
Department of Social Services
Centrelink
Justice Connect
Factsheet: financial and other supports [PDF]

Crisis support:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Mental Health Access Line 1800 011 511
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
QLife 1800 184 527
MensLine 1300 78 99 78