Author: Chris Mar

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.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Whiddon Bourke have welcomed members of Whiddon’s Quality Care and Compliance team this morning to complete an onsite audit today 1.8.2023.

If you would like to meet with the assessors personally or speak with them on the phone, please call Bourke reception and we will organise a time for you.

– Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Whiddon Beaudesert Star have welcomed members of Whiddon’s Quality Care and Compliance team this morning to complete an onsite audit for the next 2 days.

If you would like to meet with the assessors personally or speak with them on the phone, please call Beaudesert Star reception and we will organise a time for you.

– Whiddon Team

Dear Whiddon Narrabri – Robert Young Families and Friends,

The Hostel and Sunbrook South Wings are reopened now for normal routines as advised by Public Health Unit.

The Dining room is now open to residents.

Families can visit with regular check-in screening and Rapid Antigen testing on site.

Visitors are discouraged to visit if they have come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 recently or if felling unwell with any respiratory symptoms.

We are very thankful to our residents for accommodating us with the regular rapid antigen testing during this period.

Further updates will be provided on re-opening of Sunbrook North area.

Kind regards,

The Whiddon Team

Dear Whiddon Narrabri – Jessie Hunt Families and Friends,

Due to the incidence of CCVID-19 in the Narrabri and Greater Hunter Areas, we continue to wear the N95 masks and undertake daily RAT tests prior to entry into Jessie Hunt.

We request that friends and families of our residents defer their visits if they have any flu-like symptoms or have been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.

Due to the lockdown at Robert Young we have been careful to separate staff from the two homes and avoid cross-over of personnel.

Please continue to be vigilant re mask-wearing when visiting and checking yourselves for symptoms and seeking medical advice if unwell.

Kind regards,

The Whiddon Team

To Whiddon Narrabri Employees,

Please find below important information for each home:

Robert Young Staff

• The Hostel and Sunbrook South areas are now out of lockdown.
• Staff are to continue wearing full PPE in Sunbrook North.
• Only N95 and face shields are required across the site, with full PPE just for North
• Onsite Rapid Antigen Testing continues.
• Staff to remain in allocated wings and prevent movements where possible.
• We have a number of staff returning to work in the next few days.
• Please continue to be vigilant regarding handwashing and PPE use.

Jessie Hunt Staff

• Robert Young is looking good at this stage, with 2 out of the 3 areas coming out of lockdown today.
• Cases continue to be elevated in the greater Hunter region, particularly in far West/North West areas of the Hunter/new England areas.
• Jessie Hunt has been fortunate thus far, and we appreciate your efforts to protect your colleagues and residents. Keep up the good work.
• We will continue to endeavour to keep the two staff groups separate where possible.
• Please continue to be vigilant re mask wearing and RAT testing

Kind regards,

The Whiddon Team

Good Morning Families, Friends and Employees,

As many of you are aware the team at Whiddon Bourke have been working closely with advice from the Public Health Unit and our GPs through a Covid Outbreak at the home.

All residents affected remain well and are being closely monitored by the team. Several staff have also tested positive and with that in mind, we would like to sincerely thank our amazing team at Bourke who continue to go above and beyond to ensure our staffing levels remain constant.

Normal visiting arrangements continue with the testing and screening in place before entry.

We also remind everyone of the importance of wearing your mask correctly, frequent handwashing and staying at home to rest and recover if you are unwell.

Our current building project is on pause to limit the impact of additional people visiting the home.

We will advise everyone when our current Covid Outbreak is over.

Kind regards,

The Whiddon Team

Good Morning Families, Friends & Employees,

A resident has tested positive for COVID-19 this morning at Whiddon Wee Waa. All other residents are well and those who have agreed to test have returned a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

We will work with the Public Health Unit and our GP and will keep everyone updated if this COVID exposure event extends to other residents.

Normal visiting arrangements continue with the testing and screening in place before entry.

We also remind everyone of the importance of wearing your mask correctly, frequent handwashing and staying at home to rest and recover if you are unwell.

Kind regards,

The Whiddon Team