Category: Uncategorized

Dear Families,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a COVID Exposure in Whiddon Wee Waa with a staff member testing positive.

We have implemented our Covid Exposure Management Plan and commenced testing of some residents.

Normal visitor arrangements remain.

The team continue to work with the Public Health Unit and we will keep everyone updated as changes occur.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

We are pleased to advise that the Outbreak notification for Whiddon Easton Park – Sir David Martin has been declared closed, in line with guidance from the local Public Health Unit.

There have been no further cases, and normal visitation arrangements can now be resumed.

The latest Whiddon COVID Guidelines for families can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SffKxU.

Thank you for your support.

The Whiddon Team

Dear families,

As the local COVID 19 cases have reduced in numbers I happy to advise the requirement to wear a Face Shield when visiting Whiddon Kyogle will cease today.

All visitors are still required to wear a Face Mask at all times when in the home, complete the screening questions and return a negative RAT prior to entry.

Visits may be in the residents room or outside in a garden area.

Thank you for your support.

Janine Holden
Director of Care Services

Dear Families and Staff,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a COVID Exposure in Whiddon Narrabri – Robert Young.

We have had one staff member test positive to COVID.

No residents are positive at this time and, at this stage, there are no changes to visitations.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

We are pleased to advise that the Outbreak notification for Whiddon Glenfield – Easton Park Unit has been declared closed, in line with guidance from the local Public Health Unit.

We are now at Exposure status with one isolated case remaining. Normal visitation arrangements can now be resumed with no bookings required prior to visiting.

The latest Whiddon COVID Guidelines for families can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SffKxU.

Thank you for your support.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a COVID-19 Outbreak with a number of residents testing positive at Whiddon Sir David Martin.

Please note:

• Sir David Martin residents in Level 2 Red Zones can have 1 nominated visitor per person for the duration of the exposure period, for essential visits only
• Visits must take place in the resident’s room or an outside, well-ventilated area, only
• Face shields and masks are to be worn for the duration of the visit
• Visitors must sign-in, take their temperature, complete a negative RAT test and wear an N95 mask and face shield to enter

The team continue to work with the Public Health Unit and we will keep everyone updated as changes occur.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided in due course.

The Whiddon Team

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