Author: Belinda Howell

4 April 2022

Further to our last update, an additional resident has tested positive to COVID-19. As a precaution, 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 working closely with the local Public Health Unit (PHU) and they have advised that residents in the immediate vicinity of the positive person are isolated to their room for the moment. All other residents are required to stay in the immediate areas adjacent to their room. They are still able to access the facilities in that area, such as the lounge areas.

All residents, despite their location may have one visitor. That is, each resident may nominate one consistent visitor that may continue to visit for the duration of the lock down.

If you are visiting a red zone (where this an affected resident),  you will be required to wear full PPE when you visit.  For all other areas you will be required to wear a N95 mask and eye protection such as face shield.

Residents are also strongly encouraged not to leave the care home at this time, as a precaution.

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 thank you for your understanding and support.

3 April 2022

We have had an employee at Whiddon Largs test positive to COVID-19. The employee was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which means that the risk is considered low.

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.

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.

3 April 2022

We have had an employee at Whiddon Redhead (Upper level of Keppel House) test positive to COVID-19. The employee was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which means that the risk is considered low.

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.

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.

3 April 2022

We have had an employee at Whiddon Redhead (Upper level of Keppel House) test positive to COVID-19. The employee was 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 Redhead and may be asked to wear an N95 and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

We ask that you please remain vigilant and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene when visiting. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell and do not meet in common areas. All visits must be must be pre-booked.

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.

3 April 2022

We have had an employee at Whiddon Largs test positive to COVID-19. The employee was 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 Largs and to wear an N95 and face shield, which will be provided upon entry to the home.

We ask that you please remain vigilant and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene when visiting. Please refrain from visiting if you are unwell and do not meet in common areas. All visits must be must be pre-booked.

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.

3 April 2022

We have had several residents and employees at Whiddon Wingham test positive to COVID-19. We will be 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.

Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home. As a precaution, we are limiting visitors at this time, until we know more. Visits on compassionate grounds or for essential care reasons are allowed.

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.

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 support and understanding.

3 April 2022

We have had several residents and employees at Whiddon Wingham test positive to COVID-19. We will be 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.

Our robust COVID-19 management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home. As a precaution, we are limiting visitors at this time, until we know more. Visits on compassionate grounds 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.

We thank you for your support and understanding.

1 April 2022

In pleasing news, we are now able to welcome back visitors to the Rainbow Upper wing. This is on the advice of the Metro South Public Health Unit, as we have not have any further residents test positive to COVID-19. This means that visitors are now permitted in all areas of the care home, which is welcome news.

We thank you for your patience and understanding, as we know it has been a challenging time.

Please be reminded that visits must be pre-booked and we ask that you follow our guidelines when visiting, which include important precautionary measures to help keep everyone in our family safe.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

1 April 2022

Further to our last update, we have had additional residents and employees test positive to COVID-19 in Sir David Martin Level 2, Taylor House Level 2 and Easton Park Units Level 3.

Please be assured that if your loved one has tested positive to COVID-19, you would have been notified directly by our care team.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit (PHU) and they have advised that residents in the immediate vicinity of the positive person are isolated to their room for the moment. All other residents are required to stay in the immediate areas adjacent to their room. They are still able to access the facilities in that area, such as the lounge areas.

The local PHU have also advised that all residents, despite their location may have a one visitor. That is, each resident may nominate one consistent visitor that may continue to visit for the duration of the lock down.

If you are visiting a red zone (where there is an affected resident), you will be required to wear full PPE when you visit. For all other areas (amber zones) you will be required to wear a N95 mask and eye protection such as face shield.

Residents are also strongly encouraged not to leave the care home at this time, as a precaution.

We thank you for your understanding and support. 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 will provide a further update to you early next week.

1 April 2022

We wanted to provide you with an update on Whiddon Kelso. As previously mentioned, on the advice of the local Public Health Unit, visits to the dementia specific area (Grevillea) are limited to essential caring or on compassionate grounds only for now. Visits to all other parts of the care home are permitted at this time. It is expected that visits to Grevillea will remain restricted until next Thursday, as per the advice of the local Public Health Unit.

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.

Visitors are 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.