Category: Uncategorized

Dear Families,

Update today on our current COVID Outbreak at Casino.

Most of the COVID positive residents will complete their 7 day isolation requirements by tomorrow, Wednesday 5 January 2023. This means the RED Zone on Ground Floor can be removed and the requirement for Staff and Visitors to wear Full PPE will cease.

Please note all Staff and Visitors will be required to continue to wear a Facemask and a Face Shield at all times whilst in the home until the community COVID case numbers reduce.

All Visitors will also need to meet the Visiting Screening and Negative RAT prior to entry.

Today the Pathology services will be completing the Day 6 PCR testing and as long as there are no significant increases in the resident case numbers the above directions will be actioned. Should there be a change to our case numbers and the requirements change an updated message will be issued tomorrow.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding!

The Whiddon Team

Dear families

We’re very pleased to confirm that the COVID situation at Kyogle has settled and the COVID positive residents in Richmond and Lindsey have finished their individual room isolation.

We can now return to NON-Outbreak visiting status. This requires a Negative RAT and successful screening questions prior to entry.

All visitors will continue to be required to wear a Facemask and Face Shield at all stages when in the facility until there is a reduction to the ongoing escalating Community COVID cases.

Again, thank you so much for your continued support and understanding!

The Whiddon Team

We wish to advise all families of the following COVID compliance requirements, including updated information on visitor numbers and a change in the requirement to pre-book visitation.

Visitors to a Care Home:

Visitors cannot enter a care home if they have tested positive for COVID in the last 10 days and until they are symptom free. The NSW Government’s recent changes  to self-isolation periods do not apply to Aged Care facilities.

Visitors are required to return a negative test immediately prior to entering the home. Visitors who provide essential care and visit the home every day, may undertake second daily testing. However, in the event of an outbreak at the home testing will need to be conducted daily.

Limitations on Numbers of Visitors

During periods of low community transmission and when the home does not have an active outbreak, visitors no longer need to make bookings in advance. We are also pleased to let you know that there is no longer a restriction on the number of visitors that your loved one can have each day. However, Whiddon recommends that group bookings are planned ahead, and that visitors contact the service so that you can reserve an area to accommodate your group size.

• Where possible, visits should be held outdoors or in well-ventilated areas away from other residents. This is particularly important for gatherings of more than 2 visitors.
• All visitors over 12 years of age must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while visiting indoors.
• As a precaution we ask that visitors maintain social distancing to help maintain resident safety.
• Visitors should remain with their loved one and not move between different areas of the facility. We ask that you remain in your loved one’s room or at the same outdoor location during your visit.

In the event of a COVID Outbreak at your loved ones care home, changes to visitation may occur, including the requirement to pre-book visits in advance.

We take this opportunity to thank all our residents, families, and staff for your continued support.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families

Please be advised that we currently have a COVID outbreak in our Dudley Wing at Whiddon Redhead.

Please ensure that the following visitation guidelines are followed through out this outbreak for all visitors to the Dudley Wing.

• Visitors will be required to wear full PPE, gown, gloves, facemask and face shield when visiting anyone on the Dudley Wing
• Visitors are preferred to be the nominated primary carer but other visitors may attend if limited to one person.
• Visitors must sign-in, take their temperature, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask and shield to enter.
• All visits must be pre-booked with administration between the hours of 8.30am- 4.30pm

Thanks in advance for your patience.

The Whiddon Team

Dear families

I am very pleased to confirm that the COVID situation at Kyogle has settled and we are now moving through the last days required for the outbreak. At this stage it is expected the RED Zone will be ceased at 6am on Friday 30 December and the COVID positive residents in Richmond and Lindsay will also finish their individual room isolation.

This will mean the current visiting requirements will also cease and we can return to NON-Outbreak visiting. This requires a Negative RAT and successful screening questions prior to entry. All visitors will continue to be required to wear a Facemask and Face Shield for another 7 days until Friday the 6 January 2023 due to the ongoing escalating Community COVID cases.

A further COVID update will be issued on Friday 30 December to confirm the above has taken place.

Again, thank you so much for your support and understanding!

Dear Families and Friends,

Over the past 24 hours there have been more residents tests positive to COVID 19 and in such Ground Floor Cedars has been declared a RED Zone. To date all residents who have tested positive to COVID have mild symptoms and are receiving Antiviral medication to support their speedy recovery.

What does a RED Zone mean for visiting?

Visitors will be required to wear full PPE, gown, gloves, facemask and face shield when visiting anyone within the RED Zone. This is also the requirement when visiting a COVID positive resident in First Floor Lindwall.

Visitors to the RED Zone are preferred to be the nominated primary carer but other visitors may attend but limited to one person.

Guidelines for visiting still continue as in Negative RAT prior to entry, completion of screening questions, wearing a minimum of a N95 facemask and face shield unless visiting in the RED Zone and then full PPE is required. Bookings prior to visits is essential to assist the staff in managing our current circumstances.

NON-COVID positive residents are free to go out of the home but those residents who are COVID Positive should maintain their 7 day isolation before they go out into the community.

Should you have any questions or would like further information please feel free to contact me directly on my mobile 0437 375 889 or speak with the Registered Nurse at the home on 02 6632 5600.

Dear Families and Friends,

Please be advised that we have had some Residents and Staff test positive for COVID-19 today 26/12/22 and as such, Whiddon Casino now meets the definition for a COVID 19 Outbreak.

We are hopeful this will only be for the minimum time indicated which is 7 days from now, however, residents who have tested positive or have mild symptoms and have been placed into isolation with full precautions.

Please note, visiting residents can continue under these guidelines:

• Please refrain from visiting unless necessary
• All visits need to be booked prior to arrival
• Visits of maximum of 2 people to the residents’ room or external garden
• Negative RAT prior to entry
• Screening Questions completed prior to entry
• Facemask and Face Shield to be worn at all times when inside the home including the residents’ room.

Please be mindful of the additional requirements on the staff during an Outbreak and be patient during this time, especially on days when there is limited administration support at the front door.

Further update will be issued towards the end of the week.

The Whiddon Team

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing problems with our telephone system at Whiddon Kelso. Staff are able to answer incoming calls from one phone and we have someone dedicated to this when possible. However, our ability to transfer calls to other phones is not working.

Our IT Team are investigating this issue and we will keep you updated. We sincerely apologise for the timing of this issue and thank you for your support and understanding.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Arthur Webb Court Staff,

Please join me in welcoming – Mr. Bhuwan Deo Bhatt as the Care Service Manager  for Arthur Webb Court.

Following previous communication advising that Collet had tendered his resignation; Lynda Neil – DCS Arthur Webb Court and Taylor House and I are very pleased to advise that Bhuwan has been successful in his application for the role of Care Service Manager – Arthur Webb Court.

Bhuwan is well known to the team at Easton Park and is a valued member of the Senior Clinical team in Taylor House.

Bhuwan will spend some time with Collet before we all say farewell to Collet on Friday 30th of December. Please note that communication has been sent to residents and families advising them of this change.

Whiddon Easton Park continues to find talent within our team and are able to give our employees opportunities for career growth.

Please join me in welcoming Bhuwan to his new role and once again wishing Collet the very best for his next exciting venture and look forward to him accepting some causal shifts with Whiddon!

Dear Families and Staff,

Please be advised that over the past 24 hours there have additional  residents and staff who have tests positive to COVID-19 in both Junor 1 and Junor 2, declaring both now as RED Zone.

All residents who have tested positive to COVID-19 have mild symptoms and are receiving Antiviral medication, assisting to support their speedy recovery.

Please note: What does a RED Zone mean for visiting.

• Visitors will be required to wear full PPE, gown, gloves, facemask and face shield when visiting anyone within the RED Zone, including Lindesay or Richmond.
• Visitors to the RED Zone are preferred to be the nominated primary carer but other visitors may attend but limited to one person.
• Visitors must sign-in, take their temperature, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask and shield to enter.
• All visits must be pre-booked with administration between the hours of 8.30am- 4.30pm

Please note all NON-COVID positive residents are free to go out of the home but those residents who are COVID Positive should maintain their 7 day isolation before they go out into the community.

If you require further information please feel free to contact Janine Holden directly on my mobile 0437 375 889 or speak with a Registered Nurse at the home on 02 6632 5600.

The Whiddon Team