Year: 2022

3 February 2022

Further to our last update, and following COVID-19 testing undertaken yesterday, we are pleased to advise you that we have not had any further residents or employees test positive to COVID-19. The two residents who had tested positive to COVID-19 are doing well.

We are currently awaiting advice from the local Public Health Unit as to when we may be able to welcome back visitors to Whiddon Beaudesert Star. We will provide a further update once we receive this advice. We hope at the very least, that we will be in the position to re-introduce window visits from this weekend.

We thank you once again for your understanding and support.

3 February 2022

We are pleased to confirm that we are now in the position to welcome back visitors to Whiddon Moree as of tomorrow, Friday 4 February.

Please note that visits must be pre-booked through our administration team.

We will be asking visitors to wear an N95 mask and a face shield and complete a rapid antigen test when visiting Please also note that we are encouraging visitors to get their booster vaccine if they are eligible to do so.

Please be reminded of the current visitation guidelines:

• Residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over only, per day
• Visitors must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visits must not take place in communal areas and must take place in residents’ rooms
• All visitors must wear a N95 mask and face shield when visiting
• Visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Unvaccinated visitors are only permitted to visit a resident who is at the end of life. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit

Please ensure that you:

• pre-book your visits. Please note that the number of visitors allowed at any one time may be restricted to enable management of capacity limits refrain from visiting if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• refrain from visiting if you are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, unless they have completed their isolation and testing requirements. Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• do not visit if you have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless you are fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
• refrain from visiting if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• practice good hand hygiene and socially distance
• check in to the Service NSW app AND Whiddon’s check-in system when you visit

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you soon.

2 February 2022

If you’ve had your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago, you’re now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination.

All aged care employees are strongly encouraged to receive a booster dose when eligible, to protect themselves and the people they care for.

Read below to find out how you can access a booster at Whiddon Redhead (applies to residential aged care and community care employees).

Why should I have my COVID-19 booster shot?

• A booster shot works very well at preventing severe illness and hospitalisation, and helps to reduce the severity of COVID-19
• A booster dose will boost your immune response and provide an additional, and important, layer of protection to further reduce the risk of infection
• Evidence suggests that a booster vaccine increases antibody levels that will likely offer protections against new variants of COVID-19
• A booster dose helps keep you, your co-workers, residents and clients, safe whilst being at work

Read more about COVID-19 booster vaccinations here: https://bit.ly/31TcDa8

Is the COVID-19 booster shot mandatory for aged care employees?
At this stage, it is not mandatory for aged care employees to have their booster shot, however it is strongly encouraged and it is quite possible that it will be mandated in the future. In coming weeks, it will be mandatory for aged care providers to report on employee booster doses through the My Aged Care portal. This will be relevant for both residential and community care employees – please note that the information provided is de-identified. The reporting is currently mandated for resident booster shots.

Once you have received your COVID-19 booster shot, please send evidence of your vaccination as soon as possible to payroll@whiddon.com.au

Where can I get my COVID-19 booster shot?
A clinic will be held at Whiddon Redhead on 3 March from 10am – 2pm. 

To register for your booster dose, please click on https://portal.companymedicalservices.com.au/onsiteregistration/whiddon and use the Referral code: whid123

You can also use the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder to book an appointment through a local provider close to you.

We thank you for your support and ongoing efforts and dedication to keeping residents, clients and each other, safe.

1 February 2022

We have been informed that a resident at Whiddon Laurieton (Haven area) has tested positive to COVID-19. They are currently in isolation and are doing well.

Visitors are still permitted at this time, however, we do ask that you stay vigilant and follow our visitation guidelines. All visitors must wear a N95 mask and face shield when visiting.

Since our last update, we have not had any additional employees test positive to COVID-19.

Please see our guidelines for visiting Whiddon Laurieton below:

• Residents are permitted to have one fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over only, per day
• Visitors must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visits must not take place in communal areas and wherever possible, visits should occur in an outdoor area
• All visitors must wear a N95 mask and face shield when visiting
• Visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Unvaccinated visitors are only permitted to visit a resident who is at the end of life. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit

Please ensure that you:

• pre-book your visits. Please note that the number of visitors allowed at any one time may be restricted to enable management of capacity limits
• refrain from visiting if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• refrain from visiting if you are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, unless they have completed their isolation and testing requirements
• Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• do not visit if you have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless you are fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
• refrain from visiting if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• practice good hand hygiene and socially distance
• check in to the Service NSW app AND Whiddon’s check-in system when you visit

We thank you for your continued understanding and support. We will provide a further update later in the week, or sooner if required.

1 February 2022

Keppel House update

Merewether East (upstairs)

Since our last update to you, pleasingly, we have not had any further residents in Merewether East test positive to COVID-19.

On the advice of the local Public Health Unit, rapid antigen testing of residents in Merewether East will take place this Thursday, and next Wednesday. Following this testing, and pending the results, the local PHU will provide us with further advice on whether residents may be able to leave their rooms and when visitors may be permitted to this area.

If you would like to book a video or phone call with your loved one, please contact our team.

Merewether West (upstairs) and Dudley (all downstairs)

We have now welcomed back visitors to this area. Bookings are essential and visits may take place between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 4pm on weekdays, with five visitors per hour. Please note that the number of visitors allowed at any one time is restricted to enable management of capacity limits.

John Read House update

John Read House is open to visitors. As a reminder, visits can be booked between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 4pm on weekdays. Please note that the number of visitors allowed at any one time is restricted to enable management of capacity limits.

Visiting guidelines at this time (applies to John Read House, Dudley wings and Mereweather West wing only)

The following guidelines are in place:

• Residents may have two visitors per day
• All visitors must wear PPE, including an N95 mask and a face shield, which will be provided to visitors
• Only visitors over 12 years old are permitted and all visitors must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visits must not take place in communal areas and wherever possible, visits should occur in an outdoor area
• Visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Unvaccinated visitors are only permitted to visit a resident who is at the end of life. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit

Please ensure that you:

• refrain from visiting if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• refrain from visiting if you are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, unless they have completed their isolation and testing requirements.
• Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• do not visit if you have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless you are fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
• refrain from visiting if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• practice good hand hygiene and socially distance
• check in to the Service NSW app AND Whiddon’s check-in system when you visit

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

1 February 2022

As cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in the community, and a number of employees and residents at Whiddon Casino have recently tested positive to COVID-19, it is very important that you do not come to work if you are feeling unwell.

Adhering to this is in the best interests of everyone – the residents entrusted in our care, your colleagues and our community.

We thank you for your cooperation. Protecting our residents and employees is our highest priority and it is vital that we all take steps to achieve this.

1 February 2022

Three employees at Whiddon Kyogle have tested positive to COVID-19. As a precaution, visitation will be limited to compassionate grounds or for essential caring only.

We have activated our COVID-19 Management Outbreak Plan. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home. We are also working with the local Public Health Unit and are awaiting any further advice.

Employees must wear full PPE (N95 masks, face shields, gown and gloves), complete a rapid antigen test, and social distancing must be observed at all times, including the staff room and nurses station.

We ask that if you have any concerns to please speak to your manager in the first instance. Please also remember our confidential EAP service contactable 24/7 on 1800 818 728.

We encourage you to have your Booster shot and send evidence of your vaccination to payroll@whiddon.com.au at your earliest convenience. Eligibility for booster shots are for those that have had their second dose at least 4 months ago.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to Whiddon Kyogle.

1 February 2022

Further to our last update to you, we are pleased to advise you that from tomorrow, Wednesday 2 February, all areas of Whiddon Easton Park will be open to visitors. Since our last update, pleasingly, we have not had any further residents test positive to COVID-19. We have 19 employees that are currently affected by COVID-19.

While this is very welcome news, we do ask that you follow our visitation guidelines and remain vigilant at this time. With the risk of COVID-19 remaining high in our local communities, it is important that we all take steps to help keep everyone safe. Please also note that we are also encouraging visitors to get their booster vaccine if they are eligible to do so.

Please note the current visitation guidelines for visiting Whiddon Easton Park:

• One fully vaccinated visitor, per resident, per day, is permitted
• Visits are to occur between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 4pm on weekdays (visits outside of these hours will be at the discretion of management and only when there is employee capacity to do so)
• There will be limits to the numbers of visitors who can book in at each time to enable management of capacity limits
• All visits must be pre-booked
• Where possible, outdoor visits will be encouraged
• Visits cannot not take place in communal areas
• All visitors must wear PPE, including an N95 mask and a face shield, this will be provided to visitors (visitors can re-use the face shield provided on their next visit)
• Only visitors over 12 years old are permitted and all visitors must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
• Visitors will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry
• Unvaccinated visitors can only undertake a window visit (which must be pre-booked) and must not enter the home, except when the residents is at the end of life. Please speak to your loved one’s Care Manager directly to gain the necessary approval to visit

Please ensure that you:

• Refrain from visiting if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• Refrain from visiting if you are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, unless they have completed their isolation and testing requirements.
• Close contacts should not enter high risk settings for at least 14 days since their exposure to a COVID-positive person
• Refrain from visiting if you have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless you are fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
• Refrain from visiting if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• Practice good hand hygiene and socially distance
• Check in to the Service NSW app AND Whiddon’s check-in system when you visit

We thank you for your ongoing understanding and support. We genuinely understand that this has been a challenging time and we look forward to seeing you soon.

1 February 2022

Further to our last update, an additional two employees at Whiddon Kyogle have tested positive to COVID-19. As a precaution, visitation will be limited to compassionate grounds or for essential caring only. Please speak to the Director Care Services directly to gain the necessary approval to visit. Residents are strongly encouraged to not leave the care home for now, as a precautionary measure.

We have activated our COVID-19 Management Outbreak Plan and our employees are wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE). Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home. We are also working with the local Public Health Unit and are awaiting any further advice.

Our team is committed to keeping you connected with your loved ones wherever possible, via video and phone calls at this time. It is our highest priority to keep our residents safe, well and connected to loved ones. Please talk to our team if you would like to book in a phone or video call.

We understand that this is a difficult time and we thank you for your understanding and support. We will provide another update to you soon.

31 January 2022

We want to inform you that an employee at Whiddon Kyogle has tested positive to COVID-19 via rapid antigen testing. They are now awaiting their PCR test result.

We have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. We are still able to welcome visitors, however we are awaiting further advice from the local Public Health Unit.

When visiting, please ensure that your visits are pre-booked and that you wear a surgical mask and face shield (this will be supplied to you). Residents may have two visitors per day, aged 12 years and over. Please note that children under 12 years are not able to visit at this time.

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 thank you for your understanding and support and will provide a further update to you later in the week, or sooner if required.