Author: Belinda Howell

25 March 2022

Further to our previous update, the local Public Health Unit has advised that we may need to limit visitation to Whiddon Moree until 6 April, as a precaution at this time. We do have a small number number of residents who have tested positive to COVID-19. We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

Please note that visits for essential caring, or on compassionate grounds, are permitted with approval from the Director Care Services.

Our team are working hard to keep residents connected to their loved ones via phone and video calls wherever possible. If you would like to book in a call, please speak to our team.

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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update early next week.

24 March 2022

Dear team member,

We wanted to provide you with an update on the current requirements for Aged Care, and employees at Whiddon, in regards to wearing masks.

Due to the ongoing high level of community transmission of COVID-19, the Public Health requirements for wearing of face masks remains in place. All employees must continue to wear a mask at all times when they enter one of our care homes or shared buildings.

Over the past week, I have noted an increasing number of employees who are wearing their masks incorrectly. Your mask must cover your nose and should not be removed whilst inside any of our buildings. Any employee who is willfully not complying with this directive, may face disciplinary action.

I thank you for your cooperation and support.

Sharon Fletcher
Regional General Manager Residential – Greater Sydney

24 March 2022

Further to our update yesterday, we have had an additional employee test positive to COVID-19. The employees who have tested positive were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which means that the risk is considered low.

While visitation is still permitted, we do encourage you to delay your visit for now if you can. Visits should be limited to essential visitors only, partners in care or for end of life care visits. We encourage you to also advise any family and friends who may wish to visit, of this advice.

If you do visit, please remain vigilant and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell and do not meet in common areas. All visits must be must be pre-booked and made for weekdays only at this point in time. You may also experience delays when visiting due to the increased screening measures that we have in place at this time. We do ask for your patience and understanding at this time.

All employees and visitors are required to undertake rapid antigen testing when they arrive at Whiddon Mudgee Pioneer, and to wear an N95 and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

We thank you for your cooperation and support.

24 March 2022

Further to our update earlier this morning, the local Public Health Unit has advised that visits to the dementia specific area (Grevillea) are limited to essential caring or on compassionate grounds only for now. Visits to other parts of the care home are permitted at this time.

If you do visit, please expect some delays due to the increased screening requirements that are in place at this time. We also ask that you stay vigilant and practice social distancing, good hand hygiene and do not meet in any commons areas. Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell, or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. You will be required to undertake a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry, and to wear an N95 mask and a face shield when visiting.

We are continuing to work closely with the local Public Health Unit and follow their advice.

We thank you for your cooperation and support.

24 March 2022

Further to our update yesterday, a number of residents have test positive to COVID-19 at Whiddon Kelso via rapid antigen testing. We have activated our COVID-19 outbreak management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care homes. We are now awaiting the results of PCR tests undertaken by residents.

The local Public Health Unit has advised that visits to the dementia specific area (Grevillea) are limited to essential caring or on compassionate grounds only for now. Visits to other parts of the care home are permitted at this time. We have advised families that there may be some delays when visiting due to increased screening procedures.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but 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.

Employees must wear N95 masks and face shields, and full PPE when attending to COVID positive residents, 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 thank you for your understanding and support.

24 March 2022

Further to our update yesterday, we have had a number of residents test positive to COVID-19 at Whiddon Kelso via rapid antigen testing. We have activated our COVID-19 outbreak management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care homes. We are now awaiting the results of PCR tests undertaken by residents.

As a precaution, for now, only visits for essential caring or on compassionate grounds will be permitted, and residents are strongly encouraged to not leave the care home at this time, as a precaution.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but 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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more.

We thank you for your understanding and support.

23 March 2022

We have had several employees at Whiddon Kelso test positive to COVID-19. The employees were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which means that the risk is considered low.

As a precaution, all employees and visitors are required to undertake rapid antigen testing when they arrive at Whiddon Kelso, and to wear an N95 mask and face shield.

Employees must wear an N95 mask and face shield, complete a rapid antigen test, and social distancing must be observed at all times, including the staff room and nurses station.

There has been no recommendation at this stage by the PHU for employees not directly impacted to self-isolate, and as such, employees can continue to come to work and attend their normal shifts.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

23 March 2022

We have had several employees at Whiddon Kelso test positive to COVID-19. The employees were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which means that the risk is considered low.

As a precaution, all employees and visitors are required to undertake rapid antigen testing when they arrive at Whiddon Kelso, and to wear an N95 mask and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

While visitation is still permitted, we do encourage you to delay your visit for now if you can. We also ask that if you do visit, please remain vigilant and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell and do not meet in common areas. All visits must be must be pre-booked and made for weekdays only at this point in time.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 response plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented.

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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

22 March 2022

Following a resident at Whiddon Moree testing positive to COVID-19 this morning, we have undertaken initial rapid antigen testing of all residents. An additional resident has tested positive to COVID-19 via this testing. We have also had an employee test positive to the virus today.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. PCR testing of residents is now being undertaken.

Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care homes. As a precaution, the local Public Health Unit have advised us to restrict visitation to Whiddon Moree at this time.

Employees must wear an N95 mask and face shield, complete a rapid antigen test before each shift, and social distancing must be observed at all times, including the staff room and nurses station.

There has been no recommendation at this stage by the PHU for employees not directly impacted to self-isolate, and as such, employees can continue to come to work and attend their normal shifts.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but 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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

22 March 2022

Following a resident at Whiddon Moree testing positive to COVID-19 this morning, we have undertaken initial rapid antigen testing of all residents. An additional resident has tested positive to COVID-19 via this testing. We have also had an employee test positive to the virus today.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice, and have activated our COVID-19 management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. PCR testing of residents is now being undertaken.

Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care homes. As a precaution, the local Public Health Unit have advised us to restrict visitation to Whiddon Moree at this time.

Visits for end of life or for essential care reasons are allowed. Families will need to speak to our management team directly to gain the necessary approval to visit.

We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, but 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 are also committed to keeping you up-to-date of the situation and will provide a further update once we know more.