Author: Belinda Howell

1 April 2022

We have had two residents at Whiddon Mudgee Pioneer, in D Wing, test positive to COVID-19 today. We have activated our COVID-19 outbreak management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 outbreak management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home.

As a precaution, visits to the D Wing (dementia specific care area) are limited to essential caring or on compassionate grounds only for now.  Visits are permitted in all other areas, on weekdays only and must be pre-booked.

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. 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 cooperation at this time.

1 April 2022

We have had two residents at Whiddon Mudgee Pioneer, in D Wing, test positive to COVID-19 today. We have activated our COVID-19 outbreak management plan to ensure all necessary precautionary measures are implemented. Our robust COVID-19 outbreak management plan means that we have strict protocols in place to avoid potential spread of the virus across our care home.

As a precaution, visits to the D Wing (dementia specific care area) are limited to essential caring or on compassionate grounds only for now.  Visits are permitted in all other areas, on weekdays only and must be pre-booked.

We are working closely with the local Public Health Unit and following their advice. 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.

1 April 2022

We have had a resident at Whiddon Hornsby test positive to COVID-19. As a precaution, we 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.

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.

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

We thank you for your understanding and support.

30 March 2022

We wanted to provide you with a further update on Whiddon Moree. At this stage, it is expected that visitation will be limited to the care home until 8 April, following a number of residents and employees testing positive to COVID-19 as previously advised.  Please note that visits for essential caring and on compassionate grounds are permitted. Please speak to the Director Care Services for approval for such visits.

Residents are being offered activities in their rooms and are doing well. Our team are working hard to facilitate phone and video calls wherever possible, as we know how important it is for residents to stay connected to their loved ones at this time.

We thank you for your understanding and support. Please contact our team if you have any questions.

29 March 2022

Due to flooding that has occurred in the region, we have had a number of employees at Whiddon Casino who are unable to travel to work at this time.

We are asking visitors to delay their visit for now if they can, as we have limited resources available to staff the screening point and rapid antigen testing of visitors, which are important precautionary measures at this time due to increased cases of COVID-19 in our communities. Visits for essential caring and on compassionate grounds are permitted at this time, with approval.

We do apologise for any inconvenience and our thoughts are with everyone impacted by flooding. We will provide a further update once we know more about the situation.

28 March 2022

We wanted to provide you with an update on the current situation at Whiddon Easton Park. Yesterday, we had two residents test positive to COVID-19 in Easton Park Units and Sir David Martin. Today, a third resident in Taylor House has also tested positive. There are no residents in Arthur Webb Court who have tested positive.

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.

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

We thank you for your understanding and support.

29 March 2022

As you may know, it has been mandated that all aged care employees in NSW are required to have the booster vaccine by 12 April.

A booster dose will make sure the protection from the first two doses is even stronger and longer lasting, to help prevent the spread of the virus. A booster dose increases your protection against:

• infection with the virus that causes COVID-19
• severe disease
• dying from COVID-19

A booster dose will continue to protect you, your loved ones and your community against COVID-19.

On very rare occasions, there may be a medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination. A COVID-19 medical contraindication certificate is required in this circumstance.

How do I access a booster shot?

Find a location near you here: Vaccine Finder

Whiddon Easton Park is hosting a clinic next Friday 1 April, from 10am – 2pm. Easton Park employees have been sent the details of how to book into this clinic.

Don’t forget – once you have received your vaccine, please send your evidence to payroll@whiddon.com.au as soon as possible to be in the running to win a $100 weekly voucher!

We thank you for your support, ongoing efforts and dedication in keeping residents, clients and each other, safe.

27 March 2022

28 March 2022

With increasing case numbers of COVID-19, it is important that we all take steps to keep ourselves, and those around us, safe.

COVID-19 still remains a real threat in our communities and over the past week, we have seen a number of our employees and residents test positive to the virus at several of our care homes.

Staying committed to following COVID-safe principles can help protect you and your loved ones against COVID-19. When you visit a Whiddon care home, it is important that you follow our visitation guidelines and remain vigilant at all times.

We may ask you to complete a rapid antigen test as a condition of entry to a Whiddon care home and to wear an N95 mask and face shield when visiting at this time. These are important safety measures, particularly when the risk of COVID-19 is heightened in the community. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in following these measures.

One of the best things we can all do to stay safe, is have our COVID-19 booster vaccine. As you may know, the booster vaccine has now been mandated for aged care employees. We encourage all visitors to consider having their booster vaccine as soon as possible, if eligible. A booster dose will make sure the protection from the first two doses is even stronger and longer lasting, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

In addition, vaccination against the flu this year is very important. Over the COVID-19 period there has been lower exposure to the flu, and lower levels of flu vaccine coverage compared to previous years. We encourage you to have a flu vaccine when it is available to you.

In summary, you can help keep you and your loves ones safe when you visit by:

• Getting your booster shot as soon as possible if eligible
• Delaying your visit if you are unwell
• Delaying your visit of you are awaiting a COVID-19 test result
• Practicing social distancing
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Meeting your loved ones in their room – do not meet in common areas
• Meeting your loved one outdoors if possible
• Considering getting your flu vaccine as soon as it is available to you

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding and for helping us keep our residents, employees and visitors, safe.

27 March 2022