Author: despinao

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

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that Whiddon Belmont has had 5 x residents test positive to COVID. As a result, Blocks 1, 2 and 3 are in isolation to prevent any potential spread of the virus.

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 are to be worn while inside the care home.
  • Temperature checks must be conducted prior to entry.
  • 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 lockdown.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to advise that the COVID-19 Outbreak at Whiddon Kyogle is over.

Please note that masks and Rapid Antigen Tests are still required, in line with Public Health Advice.

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

We want to thank all visitors for following the advice while our staff managed this Outbreak, and we would like to congratulate our team for their tremendous efforts.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that Whiddon Easton Park Units is currently in Covid Outbreak Management mode.

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 are to be worn while inside the care home.
  • 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

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that Whiddon Belmont has had 2x residents test positive to COVID. As a result, Blocks 1 and 2 are in isolation to prevent any potential spread of the virus.

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 are to be worn while inside the care home.
  • Temperature checks must be conducted prior to entry.
  • 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 lockdown.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we would like to advise of a COVID-19 Lockdown at Whiddon Largs after having 2x residents test positive to COVID in the last 72 hours.

Please note:

• Visiting during the lockdown may still occur for essential visits only.
• Visitors are required to take a Rapid Antigen Test before entering and are also required to wear N95 surgical masks and full PPE gowns.
• 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 lockdown.

The Whiddon Team

Dear families and representatives,

We recently received a letter from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission regarding the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Please read this here.