Year: 2023

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows community transmission of COVID-19 increasing across the state and is now at a moderate level. COVID-19 presentations to emergency departments have increased, particularly in children aged 0 to 4 years and in those aged 65 years and older.

There has also been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities. In response to this, NSW Health is promoting the following public health messages and encourages 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

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a COVID Outbreak at Whiddon Easton Park – Taylor House (Christie Level 2 and Straughen Level 2).

Please Note:

• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.
• Minimise visits for the duration of the Outbreak
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well- ventilated area, only
• Visitors must sign-in, complete a negative RAT test and continue to wear N95 mask and a Face shield

Thank you for your ongoing support during this time. We will provide a further update once we know more.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we have an exposure of 1 resident in the Easton Park, Taylor House – Christie level 2 who has tested positive for Covid-19.

• All visitors to Taylor House must wear a surgical mask and if visiting Christie 2 a N95 mask.
• All visitors are to continue to be mindful of their contact with COVID-19 positive members of the community and defer any visits if, unwell.
• All visitors must continue to RAT test prior to entry.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team at Whiddon Easton Park, Taylor House.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families & Friends,

On Sunday, the 29th Whiddon Mudgee will be holding our very own Grandparents Day celebrations!

Morning tea will be provided from 10 am to 11 am across all wings, this is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with your loved ones.

We encourage you to bring the grandkids, and great grandkids and celebrate all our amazing grandparents!

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Whiddon Mudgee

Dear Families and Friends,

Whiddon acknowledges that food is an important part of all of our lives, and we understand that many of you chose to bring food items for your loved ones and you are more than welcome to do so.

However, we’ve created a document to help you understand the best ways to avoid any potential risks when bringing in your own food and drinks: Bringing in Food for Residents

The Whiddon Group

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we are experiencing a COVID-19 exposure at Whiddon Redhead. Currently, Keppel House is in lockdown, while Merewether East has 3 positive cases.

• 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.

The Public Health Unit has been notified and we will continue to provide a further update once we know more.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to announce that Whiddon Maclean is now a COVID-free zone, which means that masks are also no longer necessary.

Updated Guidelines

• Masks are no longer required unless there are moderate or high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community.
• Rapid antigen testing for each visitor will continue unless they are daily visitors, who can revert to testing every 72 hours.
• All adults aged 75 years and older are recommended to receive an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose if 6 months have passed since their last dose.
• Restrictions remain in place for entry to services if an employee or visitor has tested positive for COVID or has respiratory symptoms.

Thank you

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families and Relatives,

We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are delighted to introduce ourselves as the Clinical Care Coordinators at Whiddon Moree Nursing Home. We have recently joined the dedicated team here and we are excited about the opportunity to work closely with our residents and their families to provide the best possible care and support.

As a Clinical Care Coordinator, our role is concerned with reviewing and updating our residents’ care plans to ensure that they receive personalized and high-quality care tailored to their unique needs and preferences. In the coming weeks, we will be conducting a thorough review of each resident’s care plan, which includes Advance Care Planning.

Advance Care Planning is a vital aspect of our residents’ well-being. It involves discussing and documenting their preferences and choices regarding their future healthcare decisions. This process ensures that we respect their wishes and provide care that aligns with their values and beliefs, especially when important decisions need to be made in their final days when the time approaches.

We want to assure you that we will be reaching out to each family member and relative individually to discuss the Advance Care Planning process over the coming weeks, in order to gather any updated information about your loved ones. Your insights into their preferences, hobbies, and any changes in their health condition are invaluable and will enable us to provide the best possible care as their needs evolve.

Open communication with families and relatives is paramount in maintaining the highest standard of care for our residents. Your cooperation and involvement in this process will greatly contribute to their well-being and overall happiness.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or if you would like to share specific details about your loved one’s care. We are here to listen and support you in any way we possibly can.

Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your loved ones. We look forward to working closely with you to ensure that our residents continue to live fulfilling and comfortable lives here at Whiddon Moree.

Warm Regards,

Kaushal Gartan
Clinical Care Coordinator – Perry James/ Nan Crane

Serom Lee
Clinical Care Coordinator – Federation Lodge

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are writing to inform you of an issue we have had with the painting across the Whiddon Largs facility over the last few weeks.

Unfortunately, the paint on the doors and frames in corridors and resident rooms is not adhering to the doors as expected.

Action required means that the surfaces are to be stripped, prepared and re-painted with an oil-based paint, however, this will involve extended times with strong odor from the paint itself.
Fortunately, Spring has now sprung, and we are able to open doors and windows to increase the ventilation during this time.

We have spoken with the contractors and this process is expected to take place over the next 2-3 weeks. We understand this is an inconvenience and apologies in advance, please reach out should you have any concerns.

Further updates will be provided, across all updates.

Sincerely

Colin McDonald

Director of Care Largs.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we are experiencing a case of COVID-19, at Whiddon Maclean.

Please Note:
Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

• Visitors must sign in, complete a negative RAT test, and wear an N95 mask until further notice.

Thank you for your ongoing support during this time.

We will provide a further update once we know more.

The Whiddon Team