Year: 2021

6 July 2021

Dear team member,

As you would now be aware, the COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated for all residential aged care employees. To help facilitate Whiddon employees to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, we are pleased to announce that there will be a clinic held onsite at Whiddon Easton Park, on Wednesday 14 July and Thursday 15 July in the Function Centre at Whiddon Easton Park.. This clinic is also open for Support Services and Community Care employees.

How do I book in to get my vaccine through this clinic?
Employees can book in to receive their vaccine by phoning 0476 811 414 (these phone lines will be staffed from 8.30 am to 4.30pm weekdays). Alternatively, you can email events@whiddon.com.au.

What vaccine is available?
Employees will be offered the Pfizer vaccine regardless of their age. Employees are required to complete a consent prior to the vaccination. Click here to access this form. 

We strongly encourage you to have your vaccine through this clinic. The vaccine is one of our best lines of defence against COVID-19 and the current situation in Sydney is a timely reminder that COVID-19 outbreaks can happen anywhere, anytime, including in aged care settings.

5 July 2021

COVID-19 vaccination mandate for residential aged care workers

We wanted to provide an update about the Government’s recent decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for residential aged care employees. Whiddon fully supports the announcement, as protecting those in our care and the people caring for them is our highest priority.

From mid-September it will be a requirement for all aged care employees, including those at Whiddon, to have least had the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, we are encouraging our employees who have not yet had their vaccine, to have theirs sooner. For some months now, we have been actively encouraging our employees to have the vaccine by running internal campaigns.

We have also been advocating for in-reach workplace clinics to administer the vaccine onsite to employees. Currently, there is a wait list to have the Pfizer vaccine, so there is a delay due to the lack of access to this vaccine. In-reach clinics will help fast-track access to the vaccine. We have already started to secure some in-reach clinics, including at Easton Park, which will take place in the next few weeks.

The recent outbreak shows that COVID-19 remains a threat to our communities. We have been actively encouraging our employees to have the vaccine for some months now, however up until recently is was not mandated. While it is not mandatory for visitors, we are also encouraging visitors to our care homes to have the vaccine. It is one of the best lines of defence we have against the virus.

Single site arrangements (Easton Park and Hornsby only)

Given the COVID-19 situation in Sydney, workers at residential aged care facilities in impacted areas are asked to limit their work to a single facility to reduce the risk of transmission and protect workers and residents. This applies to Whiddon Hornsby and Whiddon Easton Park. We have been working with our staff to help ensure that they work with their primary employer only for now, as an additional measure to help keep everyone in our family safe.

2 July 2021

To: all residential aged care employees at Easton Park and Hornsby
From: Jacinda Depares, Senior People and Culture Advisor

Following my previous communication on 29 June 2021 regarding The Department of Health’s announcement that due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Sydney, workers at residential aged care facilities who work for more than one residential aged care provider should be asked to choose only one provider to work with during the period of 23 June 2021 up to 10 July 2021. Please note, this time period may be extended.

It is expected that workers will work at the site where they receive the most hours (primary employer). Once a worker begins working at a single site, they should continue to work at that site for the duration of the grant activity period (the time period above). If Whiddon is your primary employer and you elect to work with your other provider, Whiddon does not have to make up your pay.

This single site working arrangement is an important step to reduce the risk of transmission and protect workers and residents.

Please note, you should not be worse off in terms of pay as a result of this requirement.

We understand that this is a challenging time and would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is a free and confidential counselling service available to all employees and immediate family members. This service can be contacted by phoning 1800 818 728, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

In addition to the above, please don’t hesitate to speak with your manager or contact the People and Culture team on 02 9827 6613.

2 July 2021

While the lockdown for some local government areas will be lifted this evening, please note that the Residential Aged Care Direction from Queensland Health still applies. We have just received further advice that this restriction will remain in place for the next two weeks.

Our teams are working hard to keep residents connected to their loved ones and we are pleased to let you know that we will be commencing window visits. These need to be booked in prior and we ask you to refrain from attending these if you are unwell or have been to any locations of concern. Please speak to our administration team to book in your window visit.

We understand that this is a difficult time and we thank you for your understanding and patience.

The Government announced this week that the COVID-19 vaccination will become mandatory for residential aged care workers by mid-September 2021. Please find further information around what we know so far.

While the deadline for vaccination is a few months away, we strongly recommend you have your vaccine as soon as possible. The current COVID-19 situation in the Sydney region reminds us of how quickly the situation can change and that the virus remains an imminent threat in our communities. The vaccine is our best defence against COVID-19.

Do I need to have both vaccines by mid-September?

You must have received at least your first dose of the vaccine by this time. However, please consider having the vaccine sooner.

Do I need to do anything after I receive my vaccination?

As the COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for residential aged care workers, Whiddon is required to report to the Government on our staff vaccination rates. It is important that you send evidence of your vaccination to payroll@whiddon.com.au as soon as you receive it. Please note, reporting is based on compliance numbers only and does not include personal details.

Will I need to have the vaccine to work in residential aged care?

Yes. The requirement will be a condition of working in any residential aged care facility in Australia.

Will there be any exemptions?

We are currently awaiting advice as to whether any exemptions will apply. We will share this information once we receive it.

Will I get support to have my vaccine?

Yes. We will share more information on what this means once we know more. Please talk to your Manager if you are going to get vaccinated.

What vaccine will I have access to?

Going forward, residential aged care employees will be offered the Pfizer vaccine through all in-reach and on-site clinics. Aged care workers accessing a vaccination through off-site clinics
will also be offered Pfizer once it is available – this includes through GPs and Commonwealth vaccination clinics.

The Commonwealth will also encourage state and territory clinics to offer Pfizer, noting in the immediate term, workers aged 60 and over may be offered AstraZeneca and will continue to have access to AstraZeneca if they wish through either GPs, Commonwealth clinics or state clinics.

Where can I access the vaccine from currently?

You can access a vaccine through state and territory vaccination clinics, Commonwealth vaccination clinics and GPs.

Will there be any vaccination in-reach clinics at Whiddon?

This is something Whiddon has been advocating for. We will share more around this, once we have any further information. We don’t know how quickly these will be offered so we would still encourage you to get vaccinated earlier if you can.

What if I feel unwell after receiving the vaccine, will I still get paid?

There will be support available to cover payment for a period of time you may be unwell if you are a casual employee and do not have any leave entitlements.

I’m worried about vaccine safety, where can I find out more about this?

All vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety before they are approved for use in Australia. This includes careful analysis of clinical trial data, ingredients, chemistry, manufacturing and
other factors.

According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), since the beginning of the vaccine roll out to 27 June 2021, there have been over 7.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines
administered in Australia. Of these, the TGA has reported only 0.4% of adverse events following vaccination. That is, 4.6 cases of adverse events per 1,000 doses. The most common
adverse events are headache, muscle and joint pain, fever, chills and injection site reactions.

More information about COVID-19 vaccination safety can be found at the following websites:
• www.tga.gov.au 
• www.health.gov.au

You can also talk to your GP if you have any questions about the vaccine.

By getting vaccinated, you are protecting yourself, your loved ones and those around you, from severe COVID-19. It is also likely that once a large amount of people are vaccinated, this will decrease the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

This information is relevant as of 1 July 2021. We will communicate any further updates with you.

2 July 2021

Visitors restricted

As a reminder, please note that the Chief Health Officer announced last Saturday that residential aged care homes in Greater Sydney must exclude visitors. This means that for now, visitors cannot attend Whiddon Easton Park, unless under exceptional circumstances, with approval on a case-by-case basis.

Deliveries

The screening station at the entrance to Whiddon Easton Park (off Belmont Road) has returned. In the interests of everyone’s safety, we ask that you limit delivery of items to essential items only, which can be accepted at the gate between 8 am and 4pm only. We do ask that you wear a mask, go only to the gate and do not attend if you have been to any venues or locations of concern. Please note the stay-at-home orders that are in place for Greater Sydney.

Staying connected with your loved ones

We truly understand that this is a very difficult time. Our teams are working hard to keep you connected to your loved ones wherever we can through phone and video calls. We are offering increased activities to help residents remain stimulated, engaged and connected during this time.

Staying connected with us

If you would like to talk to us about your loved one’s care or if you have any concerns, please contact our team. As a reminder, the phone numbers are below:

For Arthur Webb Court: 02 9827 6725
For Easton Park Units: 02 9827 6735
For Sir David Martin: 02 9827 6666
For Taylor House: 02 9827 6774

We thank you for your understanding.

29 June 2021

The Department of Health has announced that due to the escalating COVID-19 situation in the Sydney region, workers in residential aged care facilities in Greater Sydney are encouraged to work at only one aged care site during the period of 23 June 2021 to 10 July 2021. This applies to both Whiddon Easton Park and Whiddon Hornsby. Please note, the timeframe for single site arrangements my be extended.

This is an important step to reduce the risk of transmission and protect you and our residents.

If you do work for another aged care provider, please advise your manager or supervisor as soon as you can. If this applies to you there are a few things below that you need to know:

• It is up to you to choose which provider you wish to work for, either Whiddon or the other residential aged care provider
• If you choose to work for Whiddon during this period, Whiddon will make up the hours that you work at the other provider
• If you choose to work at the other provider, Whiddon will place you on either paid or unpaid leave based on your preference

It may be practical to choose the provider where you work the greater hours, however it is your choice who you choose to work with.

Please note, you should not be worse off in terms of your pay as a result of this requirement. The Government has advised they will provide funding to ensure no aged care worker is worse off.

Please get in touch with your manager or supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your own circumstances.

29 June 2021

Increased restrictions in residential aged care have been put in place for South East Queensland as of 1am this morning. This applies to Whiddon Beaudesert Star.

Queensland Health has advised that visitors are to be restricted in a number of Local Government Areas, including the Scenic Rim, where Beaudesert is located.

This means that for now, we aren’t able to accept visitors. The restrictions also include that residents may only leave the facility to receive health care, attend a funeral or for an emergency or compassionate reason.

We know this is a difficult time and our team will work hard to keep you connected to your loved ones via video and phone calls wherever they can.

If you need to visit under exceptional circumstances, such as end of life, please speak with the Director Care Services.

We will provide another update once we receive any further information.

We thank you for your understanding.

28 June 2021

Dear valued volunteer,

In light of the growing COVID-19 situation in the Sydney region, until further notice, the Chief Health Officer advises that residential aged care homes in Greater Sydney must exclude visitors. This applies to Whiddon Easton Park. This means that for now, visitors cannot attend Whiddon Easton Park, unless under exceptional circumstances with approval on a case-by-case basis.

As a volunteer, it is recommended that you do not attend Whiddon Easton Park for now, unless you are conducting essential caring functions. Please speak to the Care Manager if you are providing essential care, to discuss what the arrangements will be during this time.

We understand that this is a difficult time and we thank you for your understanding. You are a valuable member of our team and this is an important step to help keep everyone in the Whiddon family safe.

Vaccination reminder

As a reminder, all visitors, volunteers and staff entering a residential aged care facility should be required to provide evidence that they received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccination. There are some exemptions which are outlined in the influenza vaccine medical contraindication form. This will be in effect until 30 September 2021. We have again this year produced a vaccine record card to make providing evidence easier each time you visit.

In regards to the COVID-19 vaccinations, we are strongly encouraging all employees, volunteers and visitors to consider having the relevant COVID vaccine as determined by the Department of Health