Year: 2021

31 December 2021

We wanted to give you an update regarding the current COVID-19 situation at Whiddon Easton Park.

Over the last couple of days, we have been working very closely with the local Public Health Unit as we have experienced a number of positive COVID-19 cases across our care homes.

Due to the ongoing risk across our care homes, and in the community, the local Public Health Unit has advised that Whiddon Easton Park should restrict all visitations for now.

Although Arthur Webb Court has not had any positive COVID-19 cases, it is in the best interest to introduce the same precautionary measures that are across our other care homes. This has also been recommended by the Public Health Unit.

We have also activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented, including all employees wearing full PPE. This means all staff in all buildings, including the Laundry and Kitchen. We understand this can be hot and uncomfortable however, it is important that all staff wear all pieces of PPE which include:

• N95/P2 masks
• Eye protection (Face shield)
• Apron
• Gloves

This is an important step that will assist in keeping you, your family, co-workers and residents safe. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid spread of the virus across our care homes.

We will continue with Rapid Antigen Testing and this is a requirement before entering any building. This is an important screening measure and will help support our robust COVID-19 protocols.

This has been a very difficult time for everyone and the Management Team understand that there has been increased pressure on all staff due to increased sick leave and the number of staff that are isolating.

Please know, to address this, we are doing the following:

• We are working with People and Culture to assist with recruitment including short term casual placements over the Christmas and Holiday period.
• We have requested support from our local support services team to manage the RA Testing stations which will provide us coverage over the Christmas period ensuring any care staff can focus on providing care.
• We have reached out to local universities to recruit students into support or AIN roles.
• We are working with various recruitment agencies to supply temporary staff to fill vacant shifts.

As a reminder staff, must always maintain social distancing even when on breaks. We strongly encourage you to take your break in an outdoor space where possible.

We truly thank you for your understanding and patience as we know this has been a difficult time. Our main priority is to keep our residents and employees safe within our care home.

We hope to give you a further update as soon as possible.

31 December 2021

We wanted to give you an update regarding the current COVID-19 situation at Whiddon Easton Park.

Over the last couple of days, we have been working very closely with the local Public Health Unit as we have experienced a number of positive COVID-19 cases across our care homes. If your loved one has had a positive COVID-19 swab, you will be contacted.

Due to the ongoing risk across our care homes, and in the community, the local Public Health Unit has advised that Whiddon Easton Park should restrict all visitations for now. Compassionate Visits may occur at the discretion of management. Please note that anyone attending site for a compassionate visit must be fully vaccinated and must wear full PPE at all times.

Although Arthur Webb Court has not had any positive COVID-19 cases, it is in the best interest to introduce the same precautionary measures that are across our other care homes. This has also been recommended by the Public Health Unit. We have also activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented, which includes all employees wearing full PPE. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid spread of the virus across our care homes.

We have also been conducting rapid antigen testing onsite, to complement our strict screening processes and robust COVID-19 protocols. This will continue.

We truly thank you for your understanding and patience as we know this has been a difficult time. Our main priority is to keep our residents and employees safe within our care home.

We will update you early next week.

30 December 2021

Further to our update sent yesterday, we have been informed that two staff members have tested positive to COVID-19. As a result of the current situation occurring within the Hunter region, our care home at Whiddon Redhead will remain closed to visitors for now.

Due to the ongoing risk, employees will continue to wear full PPE and our COVID-19 response plan and Outbreak Management Plan will remain in place.

We truly thank you for your understanding and patience as we know this has been a difficult time. Our main focus is keeping our residents and employees safe within our care home.

We will provide you with another update once we know more.

30 December 2021

Further to our update this morning, we have been informed that an employee at Whiddon Moree has tested positive to COVID-19. Employees are continuing to wear full PPE and our care home will remain closed for now. Visitors are only permitted to visit a resident who is at the end of life or is an essential carer. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid spread of the virus across our care homes.

We have also been conducting rapid antigen testing onsite, to complement our strict screening processes and robust COVID-19 protocols. This will continue at this time.

Those considered contacts of the employee who tested positive, will be contacted directly. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but we want you to know that it is our highest priority to keep everyone in our family safe and well, and we are doing everything we can to achieve this.

We are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

30 December 2021

Further to our update this morning, we have been informed that an employee at Whiddon Moree has tested positive to COVID-19. Employees must continue to wear full PPE, and we will continue to restrict visitors into our care home for now. We will allow visitors to visit a resident who is at the end of life or for essential care reasons. Families will need to speak to the Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our COVID-19 response plan is robust and ensures we prioritise the safety of residents and employees.

Those considered contacts of the employee who tested positive, will be contacted directly. There has been no recommendation at this stage by the PHU for employees not directly impacted to self-isolate, and as such, employees can continue to come to work and attend their normal shifts.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but we want you to know that it is our highest priority to keep everyone in our family safe and well, and we are doing everything we can to achieve this.

We ask that if you have any concerns to please speak to your manager in the first instance. Please also remember our confidential EAP service contactable 24/7 on 1800 818 728.

This is a timely reminder to all of us that COVID-19 is still very much with us. We encourage you to have your Booster shot and send evidence of your vaccination to payroll@whiddon.com.au at your earliest convenience. Eligibility for booster shots are for those that have had their second dose at least 5 months ago.

We are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

30 December 2021

Further to our update that we shared on Tuesday, we have been informed that an additional three employees and a resident at Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young have tested positive to COVID-19.

Employees continue to wear full PPE and we continue to work closely with the local Public Health Unit. We are continuing to follow their advice, and continue to implement our COVID-19 response plan and Outbreak Management Plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

We are also continuing to monitor any possible respiratory symptoms amongst our residents, and continue to conduct rapid antigen testing onsite.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but we want you to know that it is our highest priority to keep everyone in our family safe and well, and we are doing everything we can to achieve this.

We will keep you updated with any further information that may unfold during this situation.

30 December 2021

Further to our update that we shared on Tuesday, we have been informed that an additional three employees and a resident at Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young have tested positive to COVID-19.

We continue to work closely with the local Public Health Unit and continue to follow their advice while also implementing our COVID-19 response plan and Outbreak Management Plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

Those considered contacts of the employee who tested positive, will be contacted directly.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone. As a result of this situation, we may see more positive test results emerge and ultimately, longer hours shown on the roster in order to keep our residents safe. We want to thank you for your ongoing commitment during this challenging time.

We will keep you updated with any further information that may unfold during this situation.

30 December 2021

We have been informed that a respite resident at Whiddon Easton Park Units – Level 3 has tested positive to COVID-19. Employees must wear full PPE, and we have also closed our care home at Whiddon Easton Park Units to visitors for now. We will allow visitors to visit a resident who is at the end of life or for essential care reasons. Families will need to speak to the Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit.

We are pleased to note that the resident who did test positive was in isolation after attending an external Christmas Day event, so we do believe the risk of transmission is low.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our COVID-19 response plan is robust and ensures we prioritise the safety of residents and employees.

Those considered contacts of the employee who tested positive, will be contacted directly. There has been no recommendation at this stage by the PHU for employees not directly impacted to self-isolate, and as such, employees can continue to come to work and attend their normal shifts.

We are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

30 December 2021

We have been informed that an employee at Whiddon Hornsby has tested positive to COVID-19.

We have been working with the Public Health Unit who have deemed the exposure risk to be low due to all staff wearing N95 masks/face shields & attending rapid antigen tests while on shift. This is in line with NSW Health Risk Assessment matrix. We have also activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid spread of the virus across our care homes.

We will be monitoring this closely and at this stage, visitation remains unchanged. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact DCS Suzie Madden to discuss.

We thank you all for your patience and support during this ongoing struggle to keep our residents and staff safe.

30 December 2021

We have been informed that an employee at Whiddon Hornsby has tested positive to COVID-19.

We have been working with the Public Health Unit who have deemed the exposure risk to be low due to all staff wearing N95 masks/face shields & attending rapid antigen tests while on shift. This is in line with NSW Health Risk Assessment matrix. We have also activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid spread of the virus across our care homes.

We will be monitoring this closely and at this stage, visitation remains unchanged.

Those considered contacts of the employee who tested positive, will be contacted directly. There has been no recommendation at this stage by the PHU for employees not directly impacted to self-isolate, and as such, employees can continue to come to work and attend their normal shifts.

We also ask that you refrain from sharing anything on social media.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but we want you to know that it is our highest priority to keep everyone in our family safe and well, and we are doing everything we can to achieve this.