Author: despinao

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please note that we have zero positive COVID cases within our care home.

Masks and RA testing are not required when visiting the home, however we ask you to please refrain from visiting if you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID in the last 7 days.

The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families and Representatives ,

We have recently confirmed two cases of Influenza A among our residents, which is now declared an outbreak in Wingham /Ashmore Wing. We are implementing  immediate precautionary measures to protect all residents and staff.

Key Actions:

• Visitor Guidelines: We ask that you limit visitation. If you are unwell with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue, it is advisable not to attend the care home  until you are well.
• Mandatory Masks: All staff in Wingham/Ashmore Wing must wear surgical masks at all times until further notice.
• Hygiene Measures: Frequent handwashing and sanitizer use are essential for all visitors entering and leaving the wing.
• PPE Use: Visitors must wear appropriate protective gear when interacting with positive resident.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety of our community. Please reach out with any questions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our residents and staff.

Whiddon Wingham Team

Dear Families and Representatives,

As we approach the winter season, we are taking proactive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents by organising a COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination clinic.

The clinic is scheduled for mid-April for residents who would like to receive these vaccinations. As recommended by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, these vaccines help reduce the risk of severe illness and are particularly important for older adults.

The appropriate consent forms can be found here:

• Influenza Vaccination Consent Form
• COVID Vaccination Consent Form

To proceed, kindly sign and return the completed forms back:

• In person at the facility reception
• Via email: V.John@whiddon.com.au

Alternatively, printed copies of the consent forms are available at reception for collection and submission.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the health and safety of our residents.

Kind regards,

Whiddon Wingham Team

Dear Residents, Families, Friends & Representatives of Whiddon Kelso,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.

We have had two residents test positive to COVID and as a result, we are enacting our Outbreak Management plan. If your loved one tests positive, please note our RN will call you directly to inform you of their condition.

The safety of our residents and team members is our number one priority. We ask your support to ensure their safety is maintained:

Visiting may still occur during this period, restricted to resident rooms only.

• Visitors are required to follow our safety precautions including:
  • RAT to be attended on entry and N95 mask to be applied prior to visiting and worn throughout the care homes.
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitising stations are available throughout Kelso and other areas including reception.
  • For those visitors who are visiting positive residents we have supplied full PPE, please wear them correctly during your visit and seek RN assistance if you need.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible.
  • All visitors are encouraged to consider postponing any visits if they are unwell or experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

Please also note that Resident and Relative meeting scheduled for Friday the 21st will be postponed until next week, with a date and time to be confirmed next week.

We will share a further update once we know more.

Dear Residents, Families, Friends & Representatives of Whiddon Wingham,

Please read for an update regarding the current COVID-19 exposure/outbreak at Whiddon Wingham.

First of all, we want to thank you all for your patience during this time. We are moving forward with better news!

The residents that have consented for Antiviral medication have been recuperating speedily and we have taken all measures to ensure the wellbeing of the residents during this recovery period.

There is still Covid out there in the community. As a result, we have experienced one resident and at least one staff positive cases including 2 residents in the Primrose wing in the last week.

There have also been instances where members of the community have not followed our precautions of wearing COVID masks and following hand hygiene instructions, which has been challenging for after-hours employees. These are in place to keep our residents, employees and wider Whiddon community safe.

As a reminder, I request that all community members adhere to infection control precautions of wearing a mask throughout the time when visiting and practicing hand hygiene on arrival and frequently if coming in contact with objects and when leaving the premises. Where unsure you can ask the RN staff to guide you. Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

We are taking all measures as per NSW COVID guidelines with residents and staff to ensure the outbreak.

The safety of our residents and team members is our number one priority and your support is essential in overcoming this outbreak!

For this to take place, please note:

• Visiting may still occur during this period, restricted to resident rooms only.
• Visitors are required to follow our safety precautions including:
  • RAT to be attended on entry and N95 mask to be applied prior to visiting.
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout  the Wingham Wing and other areas including reception.
  • For those visitors who are visiting positive residents we have supplied full PPE. Please wear them correctly during your visit and seek RN assistance if you need.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible.

• All visitors are encouraged to consider postponing any visits if they are unwell or experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our team manage this exposure/outbreak.

Please do feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns on 02-5594 3200.

Kind Regards,

Veronica John
Residential Services Manager

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives of Easton Park Units,

Please be advised that Whiddon Easton Park – EPU is currently dealing with a COVID exposure.

Please note:

• Visiting may still occur during this period, restricted to resident rooms.
• Visitors are required to follow our safety precautions including:
  • N95 mask to be applied prior to entering the care home.
  • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitising stations are available throughout the care home.
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing whenever possible. Visits should be conducted in resident rooms or on balconies.
• All visitors are encouraged to consider postponing any visits if they are unwell or experiencing any flu-like symptoms. The safety of our residents and team members is our number one priority.

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

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 Handbook 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 on every occasion.

As an alternative, we would like to inform you about our Accompanied Transport Service, provided by our Community Care Team. This service offers much more than just a ride; a qualified care worker will accompany your loved one, providing support throughout the journey. Please note, this is not a regular taxi service. The cost for Accompanied Transport includes both the care worker’s time and the kilometers traveled.

We understand that the cost of transport can vary depending on your situation, which is why Aged Care Transport services can be covered in multiple ways, including through a Home Care Package, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), the NDIS, or by private payment.

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.

If you would like more information or need assistance with transport arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact your Residential Services Manager or fill in the Accompanied Transport Referral Form.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Dear Grafton Employees,

On Monday 26 August and Tuesday 27 August, Jacquie Boustani from the People and Culture team will be onsite to speak with staff about their experience of working at Whiddon Grafton.

The discussion will involve being asked a number of set questions of which the responses will then be used to better understand what is working well and what could be improved to enhance both the work environment but also the home for our residents.

The process is confidential, and no one will be identified in the overall report.

If you are not rostered on this day and would like an opportunity to speak with her then you can let her know by sending an email to J.Boustani@whiddon.com.au or alternatively pacbusinesspartners@whiddon.com.au to arrange an alternative time.

I look forward to meeting you next week.

Kindest,
Jacquie Boustani

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following from our last update on Thursday, 8th August, We are pleased to advise that the Outbreak has been declared over by the Public Health Unit.

Due to moderate-high community cases, visitation rules remain the same:

• RAT testing is strongly encouraged to be taken prior to entry into our care home
• N95 Masks to be worn
• Visitations are encouraged inside the resident’s room.

Families are encouraged to refrain from visiting their loved ones if they are feeling unwell to keep our residents and staff safe.

Thank you to our team who are supporting residents through this outbreak.

We appreciate your support and understanding during this period. We also welcome feedbacks in regards to our Outbreak management.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a Gastroenteritis Outbreak across our entire carehome at Whiddon Mudgee.

The team are working closely with the Public Health Unit and we will keep everyone updated as changes occur.

We strongly encourage you to delay your visit where possible to protect your own wellbeing and to avoid any further potential spread.

Further updates will be provided in due course, and we thank you for your understanding during this time.