Year: 2022

9 June 2022

We have been informed that two residents at Whiddon Easton Park Units have tested positive to COVID-19. The families of the residents have been notified. 

Please note, this does not impact Whiddon Easton Park – Arthur Webb Court, Taylor House or Sir David Martin.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unity and following their advice to manage this outbreak. We will also be monitoring residents and employees for any respiratory symptoms.

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.

9 June 2022

Since our last update, we’re pleased to share that the local Public Health Unit has now advised us that we can start the de-isolation process. All residents that have returned negative COVID results can come out of their rooms, however the main dinning and common areas remain in lockdown until the remaining residents testing positive return a negative result.

As a reminder, we have restricted visitation to one nominated ‘partner-in-care’ visitor per resident to all areas of Whiddon Belmont at this time (for compassionate or essential visits only). These visits must be pre-booked and can only be booked in on weekdays at this time.

All visitors are required to undertake rapid antigen testing as a condition of entry to Whiddon Belmont and will be asked to wear an N95 mask, gown and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

We thank you for your understanding and support, and will provide a further update once we know more.

9 June 2022

We are very pleased to advise you that the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Redhead has been declared over by the local Public Health Unit. This means that all residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day.  Please note that visits must be pre-booked and the following applies:

• Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visitors must wear an N95 mask, face shield and complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one
• Up to 2 children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
• Wherever possible, the visit should be in an outdoor area. Visits should not be in any inside communal areas
• Visitors must check-in through our visitor check-in system
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to receive the 2022 seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available
• Visitors must not visit if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to COVID-19 (unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements). People who have had high risk exposures should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• Visitors must not visit if they are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, feel unwell or have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are fully vaccinated, it has been at least 7 days after arrival and they have received a negative antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW.

We thank you for your ongoing support and patience during this time, and look forward to welcoming you back into our care home.

7 June 2022

We are very pleased to advise you that the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Beaudesert Star has been declared over by the local Public Health Unit. This means that residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day from tomorrow.  Please note that visits must be pre-booked. Please also refrain from visiting if you are unwell.

We want to thank you for your patience during this time, and look forward to welcoming you back into our care home.

7 June 2022

Further to our recent update, the local Public Health Unit have requested additional PCR testing on the remaining negative residents in Jacaranda today. These have been completed. We are continuing to consult with them and will provide a further update once the results have been received.

As a reminder, our care home has returned to pre-outbreak arrangement (two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children under 12 years per day). For now, visitation to the Jacaranda wing is limited to one nominated partner-in-care. All visits must be pre-booked. All visitors are required to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry and wear an N95 mask. Partners-in-care may be asked to wear additional PPE at this time such as a face shield. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell.

On behalf of the team at Whiddon Largs, we sincerely thank you for your cooperation and support over this challenging time.

7 June 2022

Our Everyday Heroes program launched earlier this year as a new and refreshed way of recognising our people! Rather than celebrating once every year, we’re celebrating you three times.

We want to shine a light on our incredible everyday heroes whilst reinforcing to you all, just how valuable you are, and how proud we are of the exceptional work you do.

We recently celebrated the first round of Everyday Heroes, and we’re now preparing to launch the next round. Are you ready? This round, we will be focusing on a different Whiddon value:

Nurturing relationships and communities

Wellbeing for our residents and clients starts with strong relationships.

Everyday Heroes who champion this value work at nurturing these relationships, through showing mutual respect, trust, open communication, teamwork, and proactive support. They make sure everyone they encounter knows that they matter. They work collaboratively to achieve our purpose of making a difference in people’s lives. Sound like someone you know?

While this time we’re highlighting this core value, we still encourage you to nominate anyone who meets any of Whiddon’s values.

How do I nominate? 

Nominating will work in the same way as the last round. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions on how this person has displayed one of the Whiddon values.

You can start by scanning the QR code on the posters you’ll see around our homes and services or CLICK HERE and we’ll do the rest.

Get nominating from today!

7 June 2022

Further to our last update, we’re pleased to share that residents in Merewether are no longer in room isolation, however movement remains restricted to floor level.

Residents in our Dudley wing remain in room isolation while we await further testing results to come back.

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 provide a further update once we know more.

We thank you for your understanding and support.

6 June 2022

Please note, we are currently experiencing an Acute Respiratory Infection with Flu like symptoms in our Federation House at Whiddon Moree, and are working closely with the Public Health Unit to manage this outbreak.

As part of our usual screening processes, testing has been completed for all residents to confirm the type of outbreak and are pleased to confirm that initial RAT results are negative for COVID. We currently have residents isolating in their rooms and are monitoring them closely. If this is your loved one, our team will have been in contact with you already.

For now, visitation to our Federation House is limited to one nominated partner-in-care. All visits must be pre-booked. All visitors are required to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry and wear an N95 mask. Partners-in-care may be asked to wear additional PPE at this time such as a face shield. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and believe our robust procedures have helped in managing any potential spread to other residents and employees within our care home.

We will provide a further update if there are any changes.

6 June 2022

We have had an employee test positive to COVID-19.  This employee had some contact with residents and employees over the last few days whilst wearing PPE. The risk is considered moderate at the moment, but all residents and employees are feeling well. We have contacted visitors who may have come into contact with the employee, by phone, to advise them to monitor for symptoms.

For now, there are no changes to visitation, resident activities or outings.

We will provide a further update if there are any changes.

3 June 2022

Further to our previous update, we have continued to work the the local Public Health Unit.

From tomorrow, based on the advice of the Public Health Unit, we will be offering window visits on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8:30am-2:00pm. These must be pre-booked.

We will continue working with the local Public Health Unit and provide another update once we know more.

We want to thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.