Author: Chris Mar

Dear Families, Representatives & Employees,

Please be advised that Whiddon Moree is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with 4 residents currently testing positive in Federation and Perry James.

Families of affected residents will be kept up to date on any changes by the team at Whiddon Moree, as they occur.

We understand the importance of family at this time, so we encourage visits, however, if we could please ask visits to occur outside or in a well-ventilated area only during the outbreak.

Visitors are requested to follow the guidance of staff in regard to the PPE required to be worn in each area.

Families taking loved ones out, we ask that you please be cautious and if possible, please try to limit this to small crowds or gatherings.

Residents who leave the facility are encouraged to wear a mask and all residents will be tested regularly whilst we are in Outbreak Management.

We appreciate your understanding at this time.

The Whiddon team

Dear Families, Representatives & Employees,

Please be advised that  the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Kelso has extended to residents in the Bedwell Wing.

Families of affected residents will be kept up to date on any changes by the team at Whiddon Kelso, as they occur.

Whilst we continue to support and encourage visits, we ask that these visits to occur outside or in a well-ventilated area only during the outbreak.

Visitors are requested to follow the guidance of staff in regard to the PPE required to be worn in each area – specifically the use of both an N95 Mask and Face Shield when visiting Bedwell & our Memory Support Home.

Families taking loved ones out, we ask that you please be cautious and if possible, please try to limit this to small crowds or gatherings.

Residents who leave the facility are encouraged to wear a mask and all residents will be tested regularly whilst we are in Outbreak Management.

We appreciate your understanding at this time. 

The Whiddon team

Dear Families, Representatives & Employees,

Please be advised that Easton Park Units (EPU) is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with 2 residents currently testing positive – both in separate areas within the home.

Families of affected residents will be kept up to date on any changes by the EPU Management team, as they occur.

We understand the importance of family at this time, so we encourage visits, however, if we could please ask visits to occur outside or in a well-ventilated area only during the outbreak.

Families taking loved ones out, we ask that you please be cautious and if possible, please try to limit this to small crowds or gatherings.

Residents who leave the facility are encouraged to wear a mask and all residents will be tested regularly whilst we are in Outbreak Management.

We appreciate your understanding at this time.

The Whiddon team

Dear Employees,

Please be advised Whiddon Narrabri-Robert Young remains on outbreak level with eight residents and six staff members testing positive to COVID-19.

Please note:

• All employees must complete Daily RAT, RAT can be completed at home but evidence of Negative RAT on arrival to work is required.
• Employees to remain in their allocated wing and avoid movements between different areas.
• All staff are required to wear full PPE whilst working.

We thank all our staff for their hard work and extending their shifts to help out.

-Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised Whiddon Narrabri-Robert Young remains on outbreak level with eight residents and six staff members testing positive to COVID-19. The affected areas are North Wing and the Hostel.

All affected residents are stable, receiving antiviral treatments and are monitored closely. At this stage, visitations continue with screening in place.

• Visitors must sign in, complete a negative RAT test and wear full PPE before entering the facility.
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only.
• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we have an Outbreak at Whiddon Sir David Martin – Treloar 1 with two residents testing positive for COVID-19.

• Please note that both residents who tested positive are currently in a stable condition, all other residents are being closely monitored
• At this stage, visitations continue with screening in place.
• All visitors to Sir David Martin must sign in, complete a negative RAT test, wear an N95 mask and face mask before entering the facility.
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only.
• Please refrain from visiting loved ones if symptomatic or if contact has been made with someone who has tested positive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

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4 August 2023

RE: Recognition Payment

By now, you will be aware of the Work Value Case where the Fair Work Commission (FWC) approved an initial 15% increase to the modern award rates for employees classified in direct care roles in Aged Care. This adjustment has been processed and was effective from the first full pay period on or after the 30 June 2023. This was great news and very welcome, however unfortunately for employees in non-direct care roles such as Administration, Hospitality and Maintenance, we still await the decision by the FWC as to whether an increase will also be applied to these valuable roles.

Whiddon have been vocal about our disappointment that all roles were not considered in the initial 15% increase and that the FWC process has still not finalised a decision for those in non-direct care roles. Whilst these roles are still under consideration, which gives us hope, we are yet to be advised of any clear time frame as to when that decision will be made. For us, it important that we acknowledge your valuable contribution now whilst we await what we hope will be good news from the FWC.

Whiddon recognise the work that you do and the valuable role that you play in our organisation for our residents, clients, and your co-workers. As such, we wish to provide you with a discretionary recognition payment to acknowledge the value you bring to our organisation and aged care. We acknowledge this does not replace a permanent rate increase, rather it is a demonstration of our appreciation for the contribution you make, not just to Whiddon, but to the aged care industry. Whiddon will continue to monitor the progress of the FWC process and communicate updates to you as soon as we hear them.

We genuinely appreciate your dedication to all things Whiddon, and we are very grateful to have people like you on the team.

For further information please refer to the FAQ’s attached to the PDF version of this letter <FAQ LINK HERE>

Sincerely,

Chris Mamarelis
Chief Executive Officer

Alyson Jarrett
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (COO)

To Whiddon Clients and Resident’s families and representatives,

Please be advised that we’re experiencing a disruption to our phone connections that is affecting our inbound and outbound phone lines across all of our sites.

Our Telecommunications provider is working on rectification but has yet to provide an estimated restoration time.

We ask that you limit your communication to our sites unless it’s for an emergency. Please find the emergency contact number for each location below: 

We will update you as soon as we have further details.

Thank you for your patience.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Residents, families, and representatives,

From 1 July 2023, the government will require aged care homes to have at least one registered nurse available, 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

However, Homes with 30 beds or less are eligible to apply for an exemption from this requirement.

Whiddon recently had confirmation from the Government that our Wee Waa and Bourke Homes will not be required to meet the 24×7 Registered Nursing requirement over the next 12 months. This is due to the small size of these Homes and the considerable challenges we have had recruiting Registered Nurses to these areas. Whiddon has tried a range of recruitment activities, which include offering accommodation and re-location support, attracting new people to the sector, exploring international workforce options, testing fly-in-fly-out roles, and using contracted agency staff.

Rest assured, Whiddon is committed to the highest level of care for our Residents and we will continue to provide quality care with the support of our local Doctors, hospitals and remote Whiddon team. We will also continue to take every effort to recruit Registered Nurses into these regions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your Director of Care Services.

Thank you,

The Whiddon Team.