Year: 2025

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that the phone system will be unavailable on Wednesday night 13th August for a 6-hour period to allow for a server activity as per details below:

Outage:
FROM: 08:00pm Wednesday 13th August 2025
TO: 02:00am Thursday 14th August 2025

The above times are Australian Eastern Time (AET).

Please note, the main phone line will be diverted to the sites Emergency mobile phones. All direct numbers to our residents will be unavailable.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are pleased to inform you that the RSV outbreak in Whiddon Easton Park – EPU Home has been officially declared over.

Due to high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community, please wear a surgical mask when visiting the home.

If you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms, we ask you to please refrain from visiting the home. The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

Kind Regards,
– Whiddon

Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,

We are delighted to share that we will soon be welcoming a new resident to Whiddon Kelso, who will be accompanied by their Guide Dog, Hannah. This marks a special milestone for our home, as Hannah will be the first Guide Dog to live within our community.

While pets and animals are a familiar and much-loved part of life at Whiddon through our Chief Happiness Officers and Creature Comforts programs, Guide Dog Hannah will play a unique and vital role in supporting her owner’s independence and wellbeing.

To ensure a smooth and respectful transition for everyone, we’ve put the following arrangements in place:

• Accommodation: Hannah will live with her owner in a room that has direct veranda access, providing easy access to outdoor areas.
• Working vs Social Time: When Hannah is wearing her harness, she is working and should not be patted, fed, or interacted with. When her harness is off, she is friendly, calm, and enjoys socialising.
• Orientation and Education: Guide Dogs Australia will assist in orienting Hannah to key areas of the home, such as the dining room and grassed areas. They will also provide education for residents and staff on how to interact with a Guide Dog.
• Care and Feeding: Hannah’s feeding and grooming will be managed by her owner and family, just as they have done at home.
• Toileting: A dedicated outdoor toileting area will be set up for Hannah. Our team will ensure this space is regularly cleaned and well maintained.

We are excited to welcome Hannah into our community and are committed to ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are pleased to inform you that the Influenza outbreak in Whiddon Easton Park – Sir David Martin has been officially declared over.

During this time, we have had 14 resident cases and 2 employee cases.

If you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms, we ask you to please refrain from visiting the home. The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

Kind Regards,
– Whiddon

Good afternoon,

Further to our recent Resident meeting and discussions with our residents, we would like to inform you of an upcoming change.

On 9th September 2025, Whiddon Maclean will transition from our current provider, Advantage Pharmacy, to Chem Pro Pharmacy.

This decision has been driven by the many benefits Chem Pro Pharmacy offers to our residents.

To ensure all residents are set up with their new pharmacy account, we kindly ask that you visit our friendly administrative staff. They’ll be happy to help you complete the necessary paperwork.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to either the Residential Service Manager or the Care Service Manager.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Christine Marando
Residential Services Manager

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have confirmed positive Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases in Whiddon Easton Park – EPU home.

To assist in controlling the outbreak, we strongly encourage you to delay your visit where possible to protect your own wellbeing and to avoid any further potential spread.

Surgical masks are to be worn by all visitors to the EPU Home.

Please note: If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, we ask that you please do not visit the home.

The families of residents who have tested positive will be contacted directly by the team.

We appreciate your understanding and support. Our team is here to provide the best possible care for your loved ones and we are confident that we can manage this outbreak effectively.

– The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have confirmed positive Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases in the Kingston Wing at our Kelso home.

N95 masks are to be worn by all visitors to the Kingston Wing.

Please note: If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, we ask that you please do not visit the home.

The families of residents who have tested positive will be contacted directly by the team.

We appreciate your understanding and support. Our team is here to provide the best possible care for your loved ones and we are confident that we can manage this outbreak effectively.

– The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have an influenza outbreak in Treloar, Level 1, with 12 total cases and 3 recovered.

Group activities in communal areas will be on hold until the closure of the outbreak.

Visitors are still welcome, but please note that we kindly request N95 masks are worn at all times while inside the home.

If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, please do not visit the home.  

We thank everyone for their support and commitment to resident and employee safety.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have 2 residents testing positive for Influenza A and Para-Influenza. Both residents are in isolation, and appropriate PPE protocols are in place.

Visitors are still welcome, but please note that we kindly request N95 masks are worn at all times while inside the home.

If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, please do not visit the home.  

We thank everyone for their support and commitment to resident safety.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Team,

You may have noticed over the last few months that construction at Raines House has been underway.

We’re excited to let you know that Whiddon is partnering with Women’s Community Shelters and Housing All Australians to open  transitional accommodation for older women in need of support – right here at our former Raines House site at Glenfield.

Thanks to a planning change and support from the NSW Government, the upper levels of Raines House (Levels 2 & 3) will soon become safe accommodation for 28 women through a ‘meanwhile use’ housing project. Renovations are already underway, with the official opening expected in October 2025.

This is a first for Whiddon and aligns strongly with our purpose and community values. It’s also part of our wider commitment to Collaborative Health initiatives, working across sectors to create long-term, sustainable impact.

Some quick facts:

• The new Women’s Accommodation Shelter will operate separately from other Whiddon services which will include secure access that will be in place to maintain safety and privacy for all
• Our Seniors Group for Home Care clients has been relocated to Level 1 of Raines House, next to our Men’s Shed.

We’re proud to contribute to something so meaningful.

More information will be shared closer to the launch, and if you have any questions, please contact your manager.

Thank you,

Whiddon Team