Important update for Whiddon Easton Park and Hornsby employees

18 June 2021

With the COVID-19 situation unfolding in the Sydney region, please note the following NSW Health advice, relevant to Easton Park and Hornsby.

  • All staff and visitors must wear a surgical mask 
  • Only two visitors are permitted each day
  • Visits should take place in the resident’s room

There have been further venue locations listed today, including in Campbelltown (The Alkaliser, 91 Queen Street Campbelltown, 15 June between 9am and 10am). Please ensure that you regularly check to see if you have been to any locations of concern and if so, follow NSW Health advice. Please stay vigilant as this situation unfolds to help to keep everyone safe.

As a reminder, please remember to submit evidence of having your flu vaccination or a COVID-19 vaccination to Payroll.

Update to Whiddon Easton Park and Hornsby families

18 June 2021

Due to new close and casual contact locations in the Sydney region, NSW Health has provided the following advice around visitation, which is relevant to our care homes at Easton Park and Hornsby.

  • All staff and visitors must wear a surgical mask 
  • Only two visitors are permitted each day
  • Visits should take place in the resident’s room

It is important that we stay vigilant to help protect our residents, employee and visitors. Please delay your visit if you are feeling unwell and check to see if you have been to any locations of concern before you visit. If you do visit, please ensure you practice good hand hygiene and stay 1.5m from others.

Please be reminded that it is important that you book in before you visit. All visitors 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.

Thank you

Hello, from Martha

Hello everyone,

Wow, what a week! This week has been very interesting for our community with the recent Victorian travelers coming through our town.  I would like to thank all our wonderful families, friends and visitors for following our guidelines and wearing face masks when visiting our care home. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to:

  • Our residents were involved in various activities such as bingo, skittles, sing-a-long
  • We had happy hour on Thursday which is becoming an activity our residents really enjoy
  • Team members from our Sydney Head Office were visiting over the last 10 days, assisting our care staff with training and documentation which is very much welcome
  • There are two new Registered Nurses commencing on the 15th of June. We’re very excited to welcome them to the Whiddon Moree family

We also have a BBQ lunch planned for employees, residents and families on the 16th of June at 12 noon.  One of our employees and two residents will be shaving their hair off in a bid to raise money for a beautiful staff member who is currently battling cancer.  You are all welcome to attend the event.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks,
Martha Rowe
Director Care Services – Whiddon Moree

Memo to Whiddon Beaudesert Star employees

11 June 2021

To: All team members at Whiddon Beaudesert Star
From: Patricia Conca
Subject: Culture Survey Results – site visit

Hi all

Recently in April 2021, you were all provided with the opportunity to provide feedback via a Survey regarding the current culture at Whiddon Beaudesert.

We have now reviewed the survey responses and collated the results and the People and Culture team would like to present the feedback to the team. This presentation will be presented to you by Melissa Frederick, General Manager People and Culture.

As such, there will be two presentations next Thursday 17 June 2021:

  • Session 1 – 10:30am
  • Session 2 – 3:00pm

Please note that attendance to either of the above sessions is voluntary.

In addition to the above presentations, Melissa Frederick, General Manager People and Culture will also be available for 1:1 conversations with individual team members throughout the day of Wednesday 16 June and Thursday 17 June 2021. If you would like to see her for a confidential chat, feel free to approach her on either of these days. Melissa will be located in the DT Office.

Should you have any questions regarding the above, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email P.Conca@whiddon.com.au.

Kind regards

Patricia Conca
People and Culture Advisor

 

 

 

IMPORTANT update for Whiddon Moree employees – 10 June

NSW Health has released further information about another venue in Moree visited by a confirmed case of COVID-19 who travelled through regional NSW while potentially infectious from 1 June to 5 June.

They have advised that anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed must immediately get tested and isolate until you receive further information from NSW Health:

If you have been to any of these locations below, please advise your Manager as soon as possible and follow NSW Health advice:

  • Moree, Gwydir Carapark/Motel & Thermal Pools, 4 Amaroo Drive
    Thursday 3 June at 1.45pm – 11.59pm. All day Friday 4 June to Saturday, 5 June at 7.30am
  • Moree, Woolworths, 215 Balo Street
    Thursday 3 June, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
  • Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street
    Thursday 3 June, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Friday 4 June, 7.00am to 9.30am and Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Friday 4 June, 11.50am to 2.00pm
  • Moree, Amaroo Tavern, Amaroo Drive
    Friday 4 June, 4.30pm to 11.00pm

Please note that all visitors and employees are required to wear a mask for now.

NSW Health has advised that they anyone who lives in or has visited these areas since 1 June, is asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and is urged to come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received.
Please stay vigilant as the situation unfolds and and check the NSW Health latest locations and alerts page regularly for any further venues or changes to venue information as this can change.

IMPORTANT update for Whiddon Moree employees

9 June 2021 – important update on potential COVID-19 exposure points in Moree

We have seen reports through NSW Health that a confirmed case of COVID-19 travelled through regional NSW while potentially infectious from 1 June to 5 June. They have advised that anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed must immediately get tested and isolate until you receive further information from NSW Health:

If you have been to any of these location below, please advise your Manager as soon as possible and follow NSW Health advice.

– Moree, Gwydir Carapark/Motel & Thermal Pools: 4 Amaroo Drive: Thursday 3 June at 1.45pm – 11.59pm. All day
Friday 4 June to Saturday, 5 June at 7.30am
– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Thursday 3 June, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Friday 4 June, 7.00am to 9.30am
– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Friday 4 June, 11.50am to 2.00pm
– Moree, Amaroo Tavern, Amaroo Drive: Friday 4 June, 4.30pm to 11.00pm

NSW Health has advised that they anyone who lives in or has visited these areas since 1 June, is asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and is urged to come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received.
You will be required to wear a mask for now.
Please stay vigilant as the situation unfolds and and check the NSW Health latest locations and alerts page regularly for any further venues or changes to venue information.

IMPORTANT update for Whiddon Moree families

9 June 2021 – important update on potential COVID-19 exposure points in Moree

We have seen reports from NSW Health that a confirmed case of COVID-19 travelled through regional NSW while potentially infectious from 1 June to 5 June. They have advised that anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below must immediately get tested and isolate until you receive further information from NSW Health:

– Moree, Gwydir Carapark/Motel & Thermal Pools: 4 Amaroo Drive: Thursday 3 June at 1.45pm – 11.59pm. All day Friday 4 June to Saturday, 5 June at 7.30am

– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Thursday 3 June, 1.30pm to 4.30pm

– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Friday 4 June, 7.00am to 9.30am

– Moree, Cafe Omega, 145 Balo Street: Friday 4 June, 11.50am to 2.00pm

– Moree, Amaroo Tavern, Amaroo Drive: Friday 4 June, 4.30pm to 11.00pm

NSW Health has advised that anyone who lives in or has visited these areas since 1 June, is asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and is urged to come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received.
If you have been to any of the locations above, please do not visit and follow the advice by NSW Health.
Please stay vigilant as the situation unfolds and follow all precautions to help keep your loved ones and our employees and visitors safe.  Check the NSW Health latest locations and alerts page regularly for any updates or changes.
Please do not visit if you are unwell or have been around someone who is unwell. Please practice good hand hygiene and stay 1.5m from others.
You will also be required to wear a mask for now. If you have been to any of the locations above, please advise us of this as soon as possible.

Update on the COVID-19 vaccine for Queensland aged care employees

7 June 2021

The vaccine is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 and one of the best ways that we can protect ourselves and those around us from this serious virus. Whiddon is actively encouraging all of our employees to have the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Queensland Health has now approved access to the Pfizer vaccine for all residential aged care workers in Queensland regardless of your age.

They are strongly encouraging anyone working in residential aged care to obtain their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and are taking a more active role in the vaccination of residential aged care workers.

They have advised that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Phase 1a and 1b frontline workers in Queensland regardless of age, via Queensland Health vaccination clinics. This includes residential aged care workers.

Here’s how to book your vaccination (provided by Queensland Health):

Register your interest
Step 1: Click the link Register your Interest and enter your personal details.
Step 2: Select the cohort titled ‘Residential Aged Care Worker’. It is not mandatory to enter your Medicare number or a registration code.
Step 3: You will be sent an email confirming your registration

Book your appointment
Once you have registered your interest, you will be sent an email with instructions on how to book an appointment when clinic time and vaccine is available.

IMPORTANT: For those over 50 wishing to receive Pfizer/BioNTech they must select a vaccination clinic available to ‘all ages’ or ‘under 50’ when they make their booking.

Information about the vaccine, what to expect on the day of your vaccination and how Queensland Health is committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality can be found here.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine program, please visit the Queensland Health website.

Thank you

The Week That Was

4 June 2021

We had a wonderful week this week and some of our residents enjoyed seeing the rain.

Here are some of the highlights of the week: 

  •             We celebrated John Livingston’s 90th Birthday
  •  We held church services, bingo, bowls, skittles and a sing-along
  •  We have three new Registered Nurses commencing in the next two weeks. We are very excited to welcome them to our team
  •  Residents enjoyed happy hour on Thursday
  •  Residents commenced group physiotherapy sessions with our new Physiotherapists Shweta and Dax.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Martha

Update to Whiddon families in NSW

4 June 2021

Flu vaccinations

Please note that as of 1 June 2021, all visitors 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.

Like last year, we will provide you with your own Whiddon vaccination record card that is signed by one of our team members, confirming they have sighted your relevant documentation. This will alleviate the need to show your documentation on each visit, making this more convenient for you.

This year’s vaccination record card also includes the date when a 2nd Covid-19 vaccine may have been administered.

COVID-19 vaccinations are strongly encouraged

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against infectious diseases. Having the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best ways we can protect ourselves, those we love and our communities against COVID-19. We strongly encourage all of our staff, residents, contractors and visitors to have a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect everyone in our family.

Reminder on safe visitation

With the COVID-19 situation in Victoria continuing to evolve and potential exposure of COVID-19 in southern NSW announced earlier this week, it is a timely reminder to ensure that you check any locations of concern before visiting.

The Chief Health Officer is advising all residential aged care facilities in NSW to implement electronic check-in systems to support efficient contact tracing if positive COVID-19 cases were to occur in a facility. Please remember to check in when visiting by scanning the QR code available in reception areas. If you don’t have a smart phone, please use the health declaration form provided to you at Reception.

You will need to delay your visit if you:

  • have been in Victorian places of high concern in the last 14 days
  • have been in Greater Melbourne or the City of Greater Bendigo in the previous 14 days
  • have been to any close or casual contact locations in NSW or New Zealand
  • have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result

Please ensure you have booked in your visit prior to visiting, practice good hand hygiene and stay 1.5m from others.