Year: 2025

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We would like to provide an update to all families regarding the Gastroenteritis outbreak at Whiddon Easton Park.  We have experienced more cases in the home. The families of residents who are directly affected have been notified.

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.  If you are unwell or experiencing symptoms, please refrain from visiting the home.

If it is necessary that you visit, please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before visiting and when leaving the home. If you have any questions, please contact the nurse in charge.

Further updates will be provided in due course, and we thank you for your understanding during this time.

Regards,
Whiddon

Dear Whiddon Easton Park Families, Friends and Representatives, 

We are holding information sessions on the new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and would love for you to attend.  These sessions aim to provide valuable knowledge around the new Aged Care Act coming into action from the 1st of July.

The time, dates and locations for the sessions are as follows:

• Arthur Webb Court: L3 | 10th June | 1.30pm
• Taylor House: L2 Activities Area | 12th June | 1.30pm
• EPU: L2 Marge Naylor Dining | 10th June | 10.45am
• SDM: L1 Treloar Activity room | 12th June | 10.45 am

Please note – you are welcome to attend any session that suits you.  

We look forward to seeing you at a session.

Regards,
Whiddon

Dear Wingham team, 

We want to start by acknowledging the recent flooding that has impacted the Wingham area. Please know that every single one of you is in our thoughts during this difficult period. Whiddon is here to support you in every way we can. We understand the challenges you might be facing, both personally and professionally, and we’re looking at several ways to help. 

Here’s an overview of the help currently available and other ways we are actively working to support you: 

• Personal Hardship Support: If the floods have caused you personal hardship, such as damage to your home, car, or loss of personal items, please don’t hesitate to have a confidential chat with Ashley Layt about your circumstances. Whiddon will review each situation individually to determine how we can best offer our support. 

• Natural Disaster Leave:  If you were willing and able to come to work but were prevented by flooding (e.g., road closures), you can apply for up to three days of natural disaster leave. Speak with Ashley to apply for this leave.  

• Your Wellbeing: Looking after your wellbeing, especially during stressful times like these, is incredibly important. Remember, support is always available through our EAP and wellbeing partner, Hapstar. You can request a confidential Expert Session by visiting Request an Expert Session | Hapstar | Whiddon. If you’d prefer to chat with someone directly, you can call them on 1800 818 728. Please reach out – they’re there to help. 

• Supporting the Wingham Community: We’re also actively looking at ways Whiddon can contribute to and support the broader recovery efforts for the local Wingham community. We’re all in this together. 

• Recognising Our Shining Stars: It’s in times like these that the incredible dedication and spirit of our team truly shine. We are looking at ways to formally recognise those among you who have gone above and beyond to support our clients and each other during this challenging period. Your commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your resilience, and everything you do for our residents and for Whiddon.
 

We appreciate each and every one of you. 

Whiddon Management Team 

Dear Wingham team, 

We want to start by acknowledging the recent flooding that has impacted the Wingham area. Please know that every single one of you is in our thoughts during this difficult period. Whiddon is here to support you in every way we can. We understand the challenges you might be facing, both personally and professionally, and we’re looking at several ways to help. 

Here’s an overview of the help currently available and other ways we are actively working to support you: 

• Personal Hardship Support: If the floods have caused you personal hardship, such as damage to your home, car, or loss of personal items, please don’t hesitate to have a confidential chat with Veronica John about your circumstances. Whiddon will review each situation individually to determine how we can best offer our support. 

• Natural Disaster Leave: If you were willing and able to come to work but were prevented by flooding (e.g., road closures), you can apply for up to three days of natural disaster leave. Speak with Veronica to apply for this leave.  

• Your Wellbeing: Looking after your wellbeing, especially during stressful times like these, is incredibly important. Remember, support is always available through our EAP and wellbeing partner, Hapstar. You can request a confidential Expert Session by visiting Request an Expert Session | Hapstar | Whiddon. If you’d prefer to chat with someone directly, you can call them on 1800 818 728. Please reach out – they’re there to help. 

• Supporting the Wingham Community: We’re also actively looking at ways Whiddon can contribute to and support the broader recovery efforts for the local Wingham community. We’re all in this together. 

• Recognising Our Shining Stars: It’s in times like these that the incredible dedication and spirit of our team truly shine. We are looking at ways to formally recognise those among you who have gone above and beyond to support our residents and each other during this challenging period. Your commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your resilience, and everything you do for our residents and for Whiddon.
 

We appreciate each and every one of you. 

Whiddon Management Team 

Dear Whiddon Bourke Residents, Families & Representatives,

Please find important information regarding a visit to Whiddon Bourke from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission here:

Whiddon Bourke ACQSC Audit

You can find information and instructions on how to leave feedback via the above link.

Regards,

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast and Hunter region.

Conditions appear to be improving around our Largs home. The home remains fully operational.  The residents remain fine, and are in good spirits.

Our team is closely monitoring the situation and liaising with the SES.

If anything changes, we will update you immediately. While the phones are currently working, if you have trouble reaching the home, please call us on 1300 738 388 and we’ll pass on your message.

Thank you for your patience and support during this time.
-Whiddon

Dear Clients,

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast.

For Wingham-based Clients: The rain is subsiding, and flood water levels are continuing to recede, but we will continue to monitor the weather and take any direction from the SES.

Service delivery will return to normal where it is safe to do so. Our Scheduling Team will contact you as required to inform you of any changes.

For Redhead, Hunter and Laurieton-based Clients, Whiddon will continue with our home care services as long as it is safe to do so. If anything changes, we will be in touch with you.

It’s important to continue to monitor:

• The Hazard Watch website for Wingham: link
• The Hazard Watch website for Laurieton: link and
• ABC News Radio for weather updates.

For urgent situations, call the SES at 132 500 or dial 000 in an emergency.

Take care, and we will keep you updated.

Thank you,
Whiddon

Dear Families,

An update on the flooding event in the Wingham area.

The rain is subsiding, and flood water levels are continuing to recede, but we will continue to monitor the weather and take any direction from the SES.

All residents and staff remain safe. The service remains fully operational. The home has power, water, and phone services, and is well-stocked with all provisions, including food and medication. However, mobile phone coverage will remain impacted.

If anything changes, we will update you immediately. While the phones are currently working, if you have trouble reaching the home, please call us on 1300 738 388 and we’ll pass on your message.

Thank you for your patience and ongoing support during this time.

• Whiddon

Hi Team, 

We wanted to check in on you and make sure you are doing ok; things are tough and we are thinking about you all. 

Resilience is knowing how to cope despite setbacks or barriers and is the ability to overcome obstacles with emotional strength.  Our individual level of resilience is determined by our personality traits and environmental factors.  The current rain and flooding can test all our personal resilience. 

Remember, it’s ok not to be ok, and it’s ok to ask for help, and here at Whiddon, Hapstar is standing by to help you! 

Download the app and log in by clicking the link below using your Whiddon email address:  

https://auth.platform.hapstar.app/auth-saml/login?entityId=https://sts.windows.net/908c3580-cfa8-44f3-a064-575a2200b696 

Otherwise, you can call 1800 818 728 for EAP support. 

It is important you can recognise the signs and symptoms that indicate that your resilience is not letting you bounce back from a confronting situation and engage support through self-care, early intervention or asking for help early.  

Below is a great chart to check on your own resilience:

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are pleased to inform you that the COVID-19 outbreak in Whiddon Easton Park – Sir David Martin has been officially declared over.

Masks and RA testing are no longer required when visiting the home, however we ask you to please refrain from visiting if you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms. The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

Kind Regards,
– Whiddon