Author: Chris Mar

The mental health and wellbeing of everyone here at Whiddon is extremely important to us. The wellbeing of our people is a shared responsibility, and we want to use every tool available to us to ensure you’re all thriving.

We’ve partnered with Hapstar as our new employee assistance program (EAP) to provide health and wellbeing support with their online platform, app, and virtual therapy team that you can book online in real time.

Through Hapstar you can:

• Connect and book a session with a qualified coach or therapist.
• Build your own personalised action plan to focus on improving your wellbeing.
• Access in the moment support when you need it most.
• You can access Hapstar on your mobile or desktop device.

How can you access the new Hapstar EAP?

1. On your own personal Mobile Phone

• Search for the Hapstar App in your App Store and download it.

2. Via a Whiddon Mobile phone or Tablet device – 

• Click on the Hapstar App

3. Via a Whiddon PC –

1. Either click on the Hapstar icon via ‘MyApplications’; or
2. Go to  www.hapstar.app and click ‘Login’ (this link can be used on your personal PC)

Tap ‘Sign up’ with your @whiddon.com.au email address, then follow the one-time registration process.

Dear families, friends and representatives of Whiddon residents and clients,

As you may be aware, the Australian government has announced the shutdown of the 3G mobile phone network. This means that older mobile phones that only operate on the 3G network will no longer be able to make or receive calls, send texts, or access mobile data.

We understand this may affect some residents and home care clients who rely on their mobile phones to stay connected. We encourage you to check in with your loved ones to ensure their mobile phone is compatible with the newer 4G or 5G networks.

If their phone is not compatible, they will need to upgrade to a newer device. Many options are available, and your loved one’s current mobile network provider can assist with choosing a suitable replacement.

For more information about the 3G network shutdown, please visit the official government website:

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/mobile-services-and-coverage/3g-network-switch

– Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have a COVID-19 exposure at Whiddon Moree in our Perry James Wing with 1 staff member and 1 resident currently testing positive for COVID-19.

All visitors and staff are requested to wear surgical masks when inside the facility except and follow the direction and guidance of staff specifically when visiting Perry James Wing.

Please note, visiting may still occur however, we ask you 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.

For now, the following precautions are still in place at our care home, including:

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are required by all employees and visitors before entry.
  • Surgical masks are to be worn
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the care home.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible.
  • Visits should be conducted in resident rooms.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our staff manage the situation.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Easton Park Families,

We hope this message finds you well.

At Whiddon, we understand the importance of staying connected with your community and having the ability to access important specialist and medical appointments.

As a gentle reminder, we would like to highlight the guidance provided in our Resident Handbooks regarding medical appointments:

“Medical specialists of your choice may be consulted by referral from your visiting GP. You and/or your representative are responsible for your travel and care to and from any external appointments. If you require assistance with travel, please talk to reception.”

While we are always happy to assist with transport arrangements, it’s important to note that it may not always be possible to have staff available to provide transport and escort on every occasion.

We strive to do everything we can to accommodate transport requests for medical appointments. However, in rare instances where we are unable to arrange transport, we encourage families to consider the Accompanied Transport Service as a convenient and supportive option. Please find the Booking form for Accompanied Transport here.

It’s important to note that transport is a private service and there will be an associated fee.

If you would like more information or need assistance with transport arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact the Registered Nurse (RN) on duty.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

– Whiddon Easton Park

Dear Whiddon Easton Park Residents, Families & Representatives,

Please find important information regarding a visit to our Sir David Martin and Taylor House homes from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission occurring on Tuesday the 20th of August here: Whiddon Easton Park (Sir David Martin and Taylor House) Aged Care Quality Assessment visit.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are advising that our Easton Park Units (EPU) home remains in outbreak status, with residents on Level 2 and now Level 3 testing positive for COVID-19.

Please note, visiting may still occur however, we ask you 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.

For now, the following precautions are still in place at our care home, including:

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are strongly encouraged by all employees and visitors prior to entry.
  • N95 Masks and Full PPE are to be worn
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the care home.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible.
  • Visits should be conducted in resident rooms.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our staff manage this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Whiddon Wingham Residents, Families & Representatives,

Please find important information regarding a visit from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission occurring on Wednesday the 14th of August here: Whiddon Wingham Aged Care Quality Assessment visit.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Jessie Hunt remains in Outbreak with total of five residents positive to COVID-19. Three residents have recovered and the others are currently stable.

We are also pleased to advise no further positive cases for residents in today’s testing.

Visitation rules remain the same. RAT testing strongly encouraged and PPE requirements in place. Visitations are encouraged inside the resident’s room.

Families are encouraged to refrain from visiting the loved ones if they are feeling unwell.

We would like to thank our residents for their understanding co-operation with the testing.

We appreciate your support and understanding during this period. Further updates will be provided if there are any changes.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are advising that our Easton Park Units (EPU) home is now in a COVID-19 outbreak due to positive cases with three residents on Level 2.

Please note, visiting may still occur however, we ask you 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.

For now, the following precautions are still in place at our care home, including:

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are strongly encouraged by all employees and visitors prior to entry.
  • N95 Masks and Full PPE are to be worn
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the care home.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible.
  • Visits should be conducted in resident rooms.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our staff manage this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team