Whiddon introduces rapid antigen testing to Whiddon Redhead

13 August 2021

We are pleased to let you know that we will be introducing rapid COVID-19 testing for employees at Whiddon Redhead from Monday, 16 August to further protect residents and employees during the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Hunter region. Please note, despite the introduction of Rapid Antigen Testing, visiting restrictions will remain in place as per NSW Health orders.

Rapid antigen tests are taken on-the-spot and deliver a positive or negative result in just ten minutes. They are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and under supervision of a registered nurse, employees have been trained to administer the tests themselves and should a positive result be detected, the employee must then take a standard diagnostic test in line with Government advice.

Employees are encouraged to have the test when they come on shift. Research has shown that the frequency of the testing is the most important factor in controlling the spread of infection. Employees will be encouraged to test every day to begin with and then every other day following that, while community transmission remains high.

We are proud to bring this initiative to Whiddon as it adds a very important layer of increased protection for residents and employees against COVID-19, while community transmission rates are high. We have been offering this at Whiddon Easton Park and Whiddon Hornsby for several weeks now as a trial, and are pleased to see this added layer of protection now offered at Whiddon Redhead.

Rapid testing to be introduced at Whiddon Belmont

13 August 2021

We are pleased to let you know that we will be introducing rapid COVID-19 testing for employees at Whiddon Belmont from Monday, 16 August to further protect residents and employees during the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Hunter region. Please note, despite the introduction of Rapid Antigen Testing, visiting restrictions will remain in place as per NSW Health orders.

Rapid antigen tests are taken on-the-spot and deliver a positive or negative result in just ten minutes. They are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and under supervision of a registered nurse, employees have been trained to administer the tests themselves and should a positive result be detected, the employee must then take a standard diagnostic test in line with Government advice.

Employees are encouraged to have the test when they come on shift. Research has shown that the frequency of the testing is the most important factor in controlling the spread of infection. Employees will be encouraged to test every day to begin with and then every other day following that, while community transmission remains high.

We are proud to bring this initiative to Whiddon as it adds a very important layer of increased protection for residents and employees against COVID-19, while community transmission rates are high. We have been offering this at Whiddon Easton Park and Whiddon Hornsby for several weeks now as a trial, and are pleased to see this added layer of protection now offered at Whiddon Belmont.

Update to Whiddon Walgett families

12 August 2021

Due to a COVID-19 alert and lockdown of some areas in western NSW, out of an abundance of caution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Walgett for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation.

This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services or Registered Nurse.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

Update to Whiddon Bourke families

12 August 2021

Due to a COVID-19 alert and lockdown of some areas in western NSW, out of an abundance of caution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Bourke for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation.

This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services or Registered Nurse.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

Update for Whiddon Wee Waa families

12 August 2021

Due to a COVID-19 alert and lockdown of some areas in Western NSW, out of an abundance of caution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Wee Waa for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation.

This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

Update for Whiddon Grafton families

10 August 2021

Due to concerns around the identification of a COVID-19 positive case in the Northern Rivers region, out of an abundance of precaution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Grafton for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation. This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

Update for Whiddon Maclean families

10 August 2021

Due to concerns around the identification of a COVID-19 positive case in the Northern Rivers region, out of an abundance of precaution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Maclean for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation. This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

Update for Whiddon Casino families

10 August 2021

Further to our update yesterday, please note that we have since received advice from NSW Health that as we are located in the Richmond Valley local government area (which has seen new restrictions), we must exclude visitors to Whiddon Casino for now, unless they are providing essential caring functions or end of life visits. Such visits will need to be approved by the Director Care Services. Please note that this new advice also means that we can no longer offer window visits for now.

We understand that this is a difficult time and our team are committed to helping you to stay connected to your loved ones via phone and video calls wherever possible.

We will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

An update for Whiddon Kyogle families

9 August 2021

Due to concerns around the identification of a local COVID-19 positive case, out of an abundance of precaution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Kyogle for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation. This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

An update for Whiddon Casino families

9 August 2021

Due to concerns around the identification of a local COVID-19 positive case, out of an abundance of precaution, only window visits will be permitted at Whiddon Casino for now, until we know more about the unfolding situation. This means that visitors are not permitted inside the care home for now. If you do need to visit under exceptional circumstances, please speak to the Director Care Services.

Window visits will need to be pre-booked and we do ask that you refrain from attending window visits if you are unwell or have been to any COVID-19 hot spots or venues of concern.

We understand that this is a difficult time. Our teams will be working hard to keep you connected to your loved one via phone and video calls.

We will provide a further update once we know more.