Author: despinao

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We would like to advise that the COVID-19 outbreak in Maclean has ended, with zero residents testing positive to Covid.

We thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we navigated this situation.

We wish to remind all visitors to please 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.

Visitors are still required to take a Rapid Antigen Test and wear a surgical mask prior to entering our care home.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families and Representatives,

I wanted to send a message with a couple of updates that are important for you to know.

Director Care Services on Leave

Please be advised that Mr Bhuwan Deo Bhatt our DCS at Whiddon Moree has been called home following a family emergency. Bhuwan will be on leave for 4 weeks. I will be on site at Moree each week to support the team during this leave.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact me on 0436 659 935 or leave a message with the team at Moree and I will contact you as soon as possible.

If you would like to meet with me whilst I am at Moree, please give the administration team a call and we can set up a mutually convenient time.

Change in Speed Zones

Speed restrictions have come into effect around Victoria Terrace, with the new speed limit now 40km per hour.

These new speed limits are very welcomed, aiming to keep pedestrians safe whilst walking around the Moree Hospital our Aged Care Home and River Gum Village.

Covid Update

We continue to see an increase of Covid cases within our community. As a reminder, we ask that you postpone your visit if you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms. The safety of our residents and employees is our priority.

All visitors will be required to complete a Rapid Antigen Test prior to entering our care home, and asked to wear a mask provided.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do reach out.

Kind regards,
Sally Renshaw
Regional General Manager Greater Sydney/North West NSW

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we would like to advise that the COVID-19 outbreak in EPU has ended.

We thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we navigated this situation.

We wish to remind all visitors to please 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.

Visitors are still required to take a Rapid Antigen Test before entering our care home.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that in addition to the one resident who tested positive over the weekend, we have had an additional two residents test positive to COVID today. The family of the residents have been contacted and we are working closely with the Public Health Unit to manage the situation.

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 upmost priority.

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

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are 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 or on balconies.

We will provide a further update if anything changes.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that the PHU has advised that our COVID Outbreak in Sir David Martin at Whiddon Easton Park is over as we have not had any further cases.

Normal Visiting continues 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 upmost priority.

For now, the following precautions are still required prior to visiting our care home, including:

• Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) required by all visitors and staff prior to entry.
• All visitors and staff are requested to use the mask as provided by staff on arrival
• Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers continue to be encouraged.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding whilst we worked through this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we have had a resident test positive to COVID over the weekend. The family of the resident has been contacted.

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 upmost priority.

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

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are 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 or on balconies.

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

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that the PHU has advised that our COVID Outbreak at Whiddon Narrabri Robert Young is over as we have not had any further cases.

Normal Visiting continues 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 upmost priority.

For now, the following precautions are still required prior to visiting our care home, including:

• Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) required by all visitors and staff prior to entry.
• All visitors and staff are requested to use the mask as provided by staff on arrival
• Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitisers continue to be encouraged.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding whilst we worked through this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Staff,

Thank you to the employees who attended the Mandatory Staff Meeting at Moree last Thursday. As advised, please find below key messages shared with the team.

Code Of Conduct – Professional Behaviour:
All staff are reminded that Whiddon has a Code of Conduct which outlines our expectation for behaviour in the workplace. This includes positive, polite, and professional communication, always ensuring confidentiality and following any fair and reasonable direction or request of your supervisor and the Moree Leadership team. This includes requests to move to another area of the home as needed. This is generally limited to our AIN / Care staff who are capable to deliver care and work in all areas of the home.

Social Media:
It has come to our attention that a Facebook Group or Page is currently active that includes current and former employees of Whiddon and or Fairview. Staff are reminded that any discussion about the workplace and any information shared on such a platform about residents and other staff members is a breach of confidentiality and the Whiddon social media Policy. We will continue to investigate this further and discuss this further directly with individual staff as needed.

Overtime:
We acknowledge and accept that Overtime is generally unavoidable at Whiddon Moree. However, all overtime must be approved prior to this being incurred by your DCS, Bhuwan or DDCS, Kathy and after business hours by the RN in charge.

Personal Flexible Work Arrangements:
During the recent hotel Services roster review it was identified that some staff have a personal flexible work arrangement in place. As advised, we cannot locate evidence of this being approved and as such ask those staff to meet with Bhuwan and discuss this prior to putting this request in writing to ensure we can refer to this in the future as needed.

Future Operational Changes at Moree:
As advised Whiddon may make changes in the future similar to our recent roster reviews, footprint consolidation of resident accommodation to ensure financial sustainability and viability into the future. When this occurs staff and residents will be engaged and consulted in detail. This information will come directly from senior Whiddon Leadership.

Mandatory Training – this is YOUR responsibility:
All staff are reminded to ensure their Mandatory Training is completed. A focus please on completing the Psychosocial Safety Training as per the notice in the Staffroom. We are also considering further training modules specific to the issues discussed at our meeting and will communicate further regarding this.

Kind regards
Sally Renshaw – Regional General Manager

Dear Families, Friends and Representatives,

Please note that we will be experiencing a planned, total power outage from 11am – 3pm on Thursday the 20th June, whilst our new generator is being connected.

Calls will be diverted to our emergency phone. Please be patient as there may be delays getting through to clinical staff or your relatives. Please limit calls to essential calls during this time.

Management are working closely with the Property and Catering teams, and have implemented a site management plan to minimise disturbance to residents while these important upgrades are being completed.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Whiddon Kelso
Management Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that Whiddon Narrabri – Robert Young has had 4x residents and 3x employees test positive to COVID in the South Wing. In addition, we’ve also had exposure to the Hostel Wing. Residents who have been considered close contacts have all had a Rapid Antigen Test completed.

Please note:

• Visiting may still occur during this period.
• Visitors are required to follow our safety precautions including:
  • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) required by all employees and visitors prior to entry.
  • N95 Masks and Full PPE are to be worn while visiting the family members in the South Wing.
  • 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 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 staff manage this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team