Year: 2023

Dear Families, Representatives & Employees,

Please find important information regarding the recent resignation of DCS Allison Groth at this link:
081123 Memo DCS Resignation Whiddon Moree

The Whiddon Team

Dear Contractors,

Community transmission of COVID-19 has moved to a moderate level. As such, we will now change our infection prevention activities to reduce the risk of infection to our residents, clients, and employees.

Commencing today:

1. All contractors will be required to wear surgical masks at all times.
2. Daily rapid antigen testing for all contractors is required.
3. We encourage you to keep up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Whiddon team on 1300-738-388.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Employees,

Please be advised Whiddon Narrabri-Robert Young is currently on outbreak level with two residents and three staff members testing positive to COVID-19.

Please note:

• All employees must complete Daily RAT, RAT can be completed at home but evidence of Negative RAT on arrival to work is required.
• Employees to remain in their allocated wing and avoid movements between different areas.
• Employees to follow the PPE requirements to your allocated area.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We wish to advise that COVID-19 transmission within our communities is increasing and is now at a moderate level.

In line with NSW and QLD Health, we are moving to a higher level of infection prevention and control strategies to reduce the risk of infection for our residents.

All employees and visitors will be required to wear masks whilst in our homes from tomorrow. We also have reintroduced daily rapid antigen tests for all visitors and employees.

• Please do not visit if you are unwell or have COVID-like symptoms.
• We encourage visits to be held either outside or in resident rooms rather than in common areas.
• We encourage residents and their families to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss with your local team or get in contact with the Whiddon team on 1300-738-388

The Whiddon Team

Dear Employees,

As we know, community transmission of COVID-19 has moved to a moderate level. As such, we will now change our infection prevention activities to reduce the risk of infection to our residents, clients, and employees.

Commencing tomorrow:

1. All services who are not in outbreak: employees and visitors will be required to wear surgical masks at all times.
2. Services who are in outbreak will adhere to the appropriate PPE requirements.
3. Daily rapid antigen testing for all employees, contractors, and visitors.
4. We encourage you to keep up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your manager.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised Whiddon Narrabri-Robert Young is currently on outbreak level with two residents and three staff members testing positive to COVID-19.

Please note that the resident who tested positive is currently in a stable condition, whilst close contact residents are being closely monitored. At this stage, visitations continue with screening in place.

• Visitors must sign in, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask and face shields before entering the facility.
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only.
• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we have an Outbreak at Whiddon Bourke, 2 residents testing positive for COVID-19.

• Please note that both residents who tested positive are currently in a stable condition, all other residents are being closely monitored
• At this stage, visitations continue with screening in place.
• Visitors must sign in, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask before entering the facility.
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only.
• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we have an Outbreak at Whiddon Bourke, 2 residents testing positive for COVID-19.

• Please note that both residents who tested positive are currently in a stable condition, all other residents are being closely monitored
• At this stage, visitations continue with screening in place.
• Visitors must sign in, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask before entering the facility.
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only.
• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are continuing to manage a COVID-19 outbreak in our Keppel Building – Merewether East & West Wings.

Please note that our Memory Support Home is currently in a COVID-19 outbreak, that is being managed in line with our outbreak management plan and reporting to the local Public Health Unit.

John Read building remains without COVID-19 at this stage with increased monitoring through daily RAT testing, N95 masks and increased infection control.

• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.
• Visitors must sign in, produce a negative RAT test, and wear an N95 mask until further notice.

We will continue to provide a further update once we know more.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

The latest Australian Government COVID-19 Case Numbers Report shows community transmission of COVID-19 increasing across all States and is now at a moderate level. There has also been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities.

In response to this, we are promoting the following public health messages and encourage you to incorporate these as part of your communications to others:

• Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and do a test if you’re at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
• If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, talk with your doctor now and make a plan for testing and antivirals before you get sick.
• Don’t visit high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged and disability care facilities, or people who are at higher risk if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
• Follow any requirements for mask wearing and testing when visiting high-risk settings, to protect other people.
• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Please remember that now is a good time to consider getting a COVID-19 booster vaccination if you are aged 65 years and over or are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and haven’t had one in the last 6 months.

A COVID-19 booster vaccination is recommended for all people aged 75 years and over if it has been more than 6 months since your last dose.

The Whiddon Team