Year: 2021

Update on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at Whiddon Bourke

We are pleased to advise that we have received notification that residents at Whiddon Bourke who have chosen to have the COVID-19 vaccine, will receive their first dose of the vaccine on Thursday 20 May which will be followed by a second dose on 10 June 2021.

We thank residents and their representatives for arranging for the forms to be completed for those choosing to have the vaccine. Whiddon supports the vaccination program to reduce the risks that COVID-19 poses to our residents.

Please speak to one of our team members if you have any questions.

Update on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at Whiddon Walgett 

We are pleased to advise that we have received notification that residents at Whiddon Walgett who have chosen to have the COVID-19 vaccine, will receive their first dose of the vaccine on Tuesday 11 May which will be followed by a second dose on 1 June 2021.

We thank residents and their representatives for arranging for the forms to be completed for those choosing to have the vaccine. Whiddon supports the vaccination program to reduce the risks that COVID-19 poses to our residents.

Please speak to one of our team members if you have any questions.

11 May 2021

We are pleased to advise that we have received notification that residents at Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt and Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young who have chosen to have the COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine, will receive their first dose of the vaccine between Tuesday 11 May and Friday 14 May. We understand that at this initial stage, the vaccine is only being offered to residents, not employees.

We have now received consent forms for all residents who have chosen to have the vaccine. We thank residents and their representatives for arranging for the forms to be completed for those choosing to have the vaccine. Whiddon supports the vaccination program to reduce the risks that COVID-19 poses to our residents.

Please find a range of resources below relating to the vaccine if you wish to read more about it.

• Information on COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine
• Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccination
• After your COVID-19 vaccination

19 April 2021

Update on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at Whiddon Moree

We are pleased to advise that we have received notification that residents at Whiddon Moree who have chosen to have the COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine, will receive their first dose of the vaccine between Monday 10 May and Friday 14 May.

We have now received consent forms for all residents who have chosen to have the vaccine. We thank residents and their representatives for arranging for the forms to be completed for those choosing to have the vaccine. Whiddon supports the vaccination program to reduce the risks that COVID-19 poses to our residents.

Please find a range of resources below relating to the vaccine if you wish to read more about it.

• Information on COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine
• Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccination
• After your COVID-19 vaccination

Update on visitation to Whiddon Moree

For now, we are continuing to discourage visits to Whiddon Moree, to help limit the spread of rhinovirus to residents, visitors and the community.

If you do need to visit, please ensure that you book your visit in advance and strictly note the following:

•Visitors to Whiddon Moree knowingly enter the care home while we are encouraging visitors not to, and do so at their own risk of catching the rhinovirus
•Visitors must wear masks
•Visitors must be screened upon entry
•Visitor must remain in the resident room that they are visiting
•Practice hand hygiene when visiting and please don’t visit if you are unwell
•Visitors are not able to visit residents who are in isolation.

Thank you for your understanding.

16 April 2021

Dear Whiddon employees,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as I want to provide an update regarding the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

You may recall that in late February the Commonwealth embarked on the difficult process of essentially vaccinating the nation. The Government identified Aged Care as a priority and reserved the Pfizer vaccine for all aged care residents who fell into the first phase of the plan (1A).

It was during this initial period that Whiddon saw our first residents receive the vaccine at our Glenfield campus. Since the commencement of the program, approximately 700 residents have received both their COVID-19 vaccinations and around 80 employees who received surplus vaccines, which is in line with Government policy.

To date, we have seen an excellent response at Whiddon, with over 90% of our residents agreeing to receive the vaccine, which is so important given the impact COVID-19 has on our older population. Pleasingly, the vaccination does not appear to have resulted in any significant adverse side effects on our residents or employees across our services.

While we are fortunate to live in a country that has the resources to subsidise the nationwide rollout of the vaccine, the Government is experiencing a number of challenges in delivering the vaccines to our home, and generally across the community. These have been well documented in the media, however it’s important that we communicate to you, the impact this is having on our services.

As I write to you, five of our homes are scheduled to receive their vaccines and ten of our homes are yet to be scheduled. This combined represents approximately 1,000 residents. Further, we are still waiting for an official program to be implemented and scheduled in regard to the crucial role of vaccinating our valued employees.

The following is a summary of the status regarding our existing homes:

• Whiddon Easton Park (Glenfield) – completed
• Whiddon Kelso – completed
• Whiddon Hornsby – completed
• Whiddon Redhead – completed
• Whiddon Belmont – first dose completed, scheduled for their second dose on 19 April
• Whiddon Beaudesert Star – first dose completed, scheduled for their second dose on 24 April
• Whiddon Laurieton– scheduled for their first dose on 7 May
• Whiddon Casino – scheduled for their first dose on 12 May
• Whiddon Kyogle – scheduled for their first dose on 13 May
• Whiddon Grafton – scheduled for their first dose on 2 June
• Whiddon Maclean – scheduled for their first dose on 8 June
• Whiddon Bourke – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Largs – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Moree – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Mudgee Pioneer – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Temora – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Walgett – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Wee Waa – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Wingham – not yet scheduled

While we are currently experiencing very low, if any, levels of community transmission in regard to COVID-19, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have our residents and employees vaccinated as soon as possible. Through the second phase of the Commonwealth’s vaccination program (1B), it is also crucial that our home care clients and retirement living residents receive access to the vaccination.

This is the optimum time to protect our residents, clients, employees, and in fact the community, from the virus. As always, we must be guided by advice from health authorities and our own GP’s who understand our individual circumstances. However, protecting the most vulnerable in our community must surely remain our priority.

Further to this, and so you are aware, Whiddon has been actively advocating, through the peak industry body Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA), to expedite and ensure the Government’s commitment to rapidly deploy the vaccine to our residents and employees is realised. I have personally appealed for this publicly on ABC National Radio and on the ABC 7.30 Report on TV, reinforcing how important it is for our residents, clients and employees to access the vaccine now.

It is our understanding that the latest developments, resulting in the Government pausing the deployment of the AstraZeneca vaccine, will not impact the aged care vaccination program for residents, however it may delay the employee vaccination program. We will continue to monitor, advocate and report back to you in regard to these ongoing developments and also ask that you monitor our website (www.whiddon.com.au – COVID-19 page) and social media for additional information. Please note the attached Government fact sheet below with the latest updated information for aged care employees.

I hope this communication provides some clarity in regard to this evolving situation. As always, I thank you for all you do day in, day out, in caring for our wonderful residents and clients.

Chris Mamarelis
Whiddon CEO

 

16 April 2021

We wanted to provide you with an update on the flu vaccine at Whiddon Beaudesert Star.

The Queensland Government has given a direction that after 3 May 2021, you must have had the flu vaccine, if it is available to you, to enter an aged care facility in Queensland.

Like last year, in line with this directive, as an aged care provider, Whiddon has an obligation to seek proof of annual immunisation from everyone, including both adults and children, who enter Whiddon Beaudesert Star after 3 May 2021.

We are currently finalising a date for a staff flu vaccination clinic, which will be held before 30 April.  We will provide a date once this has been confirmed.

Until then, if you have an questions, please speak to Deb Waters. We also ask that if you plan on arranging a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself, please speak to Deb first as you cannot have the flu vaccine two weeks on either side of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Thank you.

 

 

 

16 April 2021

Flu vaccine update 

The Queensland Government has given a direction that after 3 May 2021, you must have had the flu vaccine, if it is available to you, to enter an aged care facility in Queensland.

For residents, we are arranging for their GP’s to administer the flu vaccine on site at Whiddon Beaudesert Star.

Like last year, in line with this directive, as an aged care provider, Whiddon has an obligation to seek proof of annual immunisation from everyone, including both adults and children, who enter Whiddon Beaudesert Star after 3 May 2021. This evidence may include a statement or record from a GP or an immunisation statement from Medicare online, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. If you cannot have the vaccination for valid medical reasons, we encourage you to discuss this with your GP for advice on your options.

Update on visitation

We are very pleased to once again be welcoming families and friends to visit their loved ones. Masks are not required to be worn now with the restrictions lifting. As a reminder, please remember to book in for your visits in advance and ensure:

• Hand hygiene when visiting
• That you don’t visit if you are unwell
• Stay 1.5 metres from others and don’t meet in large groups in residents’ rooms
• That you don’t visit if you have been to any identified COVID hotspots or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Thank you

 

16 April 2021

Dear Whiddon residents and families,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as I want to provide an update regarding the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

You may recall that in late February the Commonwealth embarked on the difficult process of essentially vaccinating the nation. The Government identified Aged Care as a priority and reserved the Pfizer vaccine for all aged care residents who fell into the first phase of the plan (1A).

It was during this initial period that Whiddon saw our first residents receive the vaccine at our Glenfield campus. Since the commencement of the program, approximately 700 residents have received both their COVID-19 vaccinations and around 80 employees who received surplus vaccines, which is in line with Government policy.

To date, we have seen an excellent response at Whiddon, with over 90% of our residents agreeing to receive the vaccine, which is so important given the impact COVID-19 has on our older population. Pleasingly, the vaccination does not appear to have resulted in any significant adverse side effects on our residents or employees across our services.

While we are fortunate to live in a country that has the resources to subsidise the nationwide rollout of the vaccine, the Government is experiencing a number of challenges in delivering the vaccines to our home, and generally across the community. These have been well documented in the media, however it’s important that we communicate to you, the impact this is having on our services.

As I write to you, five of our homes are scheduled to receive their vaccines and ten of our homes are yet to be scheduled. This combined represents approximately 1,000 residents. Further, we are still waiting for an official program to be implemented and scheduled in regard to the crucial role of vaccinating our valued employees.

The following is a summary of the status regarding our existing homes:

• Whiddon Easton Park (Glenfield) – completed
• Whiddon Kelso – completed
• Whiddon Hornsby – completed
• Whiddon Redhead – completed
• Whiddon Belmont – first dose completed, scheduled for their second dose on 19 April
• Whiddon Beaudesert Star – first dose completed, scheduled for their second dose on 24 April
• Whiddon Laurieton– scheduled for their first dose on 7 May
• Whiddon Casino – scheduled for their first dose on 12 May
• Whiddon Kyogle – scheduled for their first dose on 13 May
• Whiddon Grafton – scheduled for their first dose on 2 June
• Whiddon Maclean – scheduled for their first dose on 8 June
• Whiddon Bourke – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Largs – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Moree – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Mudgee Pioneer – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Temora – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Walgett – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Wee Waa – not yet scheduled
• Whiddon Wingham – not yet scheduled

While we are currently experiencing very low, if any, levels of community transmission in regard to COVID-19, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have our residents and employees vaccinated as soon as possible. Through the second phase of the Commonwealth’s vaccination program (1B), it is also crucial that our home care clients and retirement living residents receive access to the vaccination.

This is the optimum time to protect our residents, clients, employees, and in fact the community, from the virus. As always, we must be guided by advice from health authorities and our own GP’s who understand our individual circumstances. However, protecting the most vulnerable in our community must surely remain our priority.

Further to this, and so you are aware, Whiddon has been actively advocating, through the peak industry body Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA), to expedite and ensure the Government’s commitment to rapidly deploy the vaccine to our residents and employees is realised. I have personally appealed for this publicly on ABC National Radio and on the ABC 7.30 Report on TV, reinforcing how important it is for our residents, clients and employees to access the vaccine now.

It is our understanding that the latest developments, resulting in the Government pausing the deployment of the AstraZeneca vaccine, will not impact the aged care vaccination program for residents, however it may delay the employee vaccination program. We will continue to monitor, advocate and report back to you in regard to these ongoing developments and also ask that you monitor our website (www.whiddon.com.au – COVID-19 page) and social media for additional information. Please note the attached Government fact sheet below with the latest updated information for aged care residents and families.

I hope this communication provides some clarity in regard to this evolving situation and as always, I thank you for trusting in Whiddon.

Chris Mamarelis
Whiddon CEO

Government Factsheet

Australian Government Fact Sheet for aged care residents and families

15 April 2021

Please note that we have been advised by our local public health unit that the date planned for the vaccine rollout to commence at Whiddon Casino will change to 12 May 2021. This also means that the date of the second dose will now be moved to 2 June 2021.

We are also notifying Whiddon Casino residents of the change in dates. We do apologise for this change, however this is out of our control.

If you have any questions on the above, please speak to one of our team members.

Thank you

15 April 2021

Please note that we have been advised by our local public health unit that the date planned for the vaccine rollout to commence at Whiddon Grafton will change to 2 June 2021. This also means that the date of the second dose will now be moved to 23 June.

We are also notifying Whiddon Grafton residents of the change in dates. We do apologise for this change, however this is out of our control.

If you have any questions on the above, please speak to one of our team members.

Thank you