Category: Uncategorized

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are pleased to inform you that the COVID-19 outbreak in Whiddon Easton Park – Taylor House has been officially declared over.

Due to COVID-19 exposure in the area, Surgical Masks are still required when visiting the home.

If you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms, we ask you to please refrain from visiting the home. The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

Kind Regards,
– Whiddon

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives, 

I hope you are all well. 

As you may have heard, Whiddon is collaborating on a research project to evaluate whether residents achieve better health outcomes if their medications are specifically prescribed, based on their individual genetics. Researchers study genes to understand why some people respond to a medication, while others do not, or why some people experience a side effect while others do not. We decided to join this study as we are committed to continuously improving the clinical care of our residents.

We discuss this with each resident and are contacting you as we have been alerted that you also need to provide consent if you agree to the resident you represent, joining the study. Participating residents have their cheek swabbed by one of our team to collect a sample that is sent for genetic testing, and an individual report with recommendations will go to the resident’s pharmacist and GP, who may use it to customise medication type and dose. Our aim is to minimise unwanted medication side effects and improve aged care residents’ quality of life.

Please follow the links below to find:

1. A Participant Information Sheet (PIS) (link here) which contains detailed information about the research project. This information is for you to keep.
2. A Participant Consent Form (PCF). (link here) If you agree to the resident you represent joining the study, this document needs to be filled in and signed. You may choose whichever option is most convenient for you to return it:

i. Sign electronically using Adobe Acrobat Reader (fill and sign tool) and then email back to e.wehbe@whiddon.com.au.

ii. Print, fill/sign and scan the document and then email it back to e.wehbe@whiddon.com.au.

iii. Print and sign, then bring the hard copy with you during your
next visit.

iv. Sign a printed copy available at our office when you come in.

v. Drop off a signed copy at the admin office during regular hours.

Thank you for your time and cooperation. 

Kind regards,
Alaya
Residential Services Manager

Dear Clients, 

We hope you are well. Please be aware that severe weather warnings are in place for the Northern and Mid North Coast regions of NSW. 

We will continue delivering Whiddon’s Home Care services while it is safe for our team members to travel. Should there be any changes to your service, we will contact you directly. 

• To stay up to date, we recommend: 

• Downloading and using the “Hazards Near Me” app 

• Listening to your local radio station 

• Checking the SES website for updates or calling 132 500 for assistance 

Remember, in an emergency, call 000. 

Please stay safe, and we will update you if there are any further changes. 

Thank you, 

The Whiddon Team 

Dear Team, 

Please be prepared for severe weather affecting the Northern and Mid North Coast regions of NSW over the coming days. 

To stay updated with official advice from emergency services, we recommend: 

• Downloading and using the “Hazards Near Me” app 

• Listening to your local radio station 

• Checking the SES website for updates or calling 132 500 for assistance 

• In an emergency, call 000 

At this stage, all services for clients will continue while it is safe to do so. Please plan your travel routes carefully and prioritise your safety during these weather events. 

Thank you, team. Stay safe, and we will keep you updated should anything change. 

The Whiddon Team 

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives of Taylor House,

Please be advised that Whiddon Taylor House is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak in Straughen 2

Please note:

• Visiting may still occur during this period, restricted to resident rooms.
• Visitors are required to follow our safety precautions including:
  • RAT to be attended on entry and N95 mask to be applied upon entering the 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

To the Wingham team,

I wanted to reach out to provide you with an update following the recent extreme weather event.  While the floodwaters may have receded, we understand that the impact continues to be far-reaching, impacting team members, residents, loved ones and the broader community.

With this said, as an organisation, Whiddon is here to support you and the Wingham community as best we can, as we have a role to play now and in the future.

In addition to other support initiatives we have been a part of, I’m incredibly proud to share that we’ve recently collaborated with Need for Feed, and together, we’ve successfully donated a truckload of essential feed to local Wingham farmers. This initiative aims to provide some much-needed relief to those whose livelihoods have been significantly affected.

Beyond this, we are actively working with some other agencies to further aid and support the Wingham community. Our focus is on identifying and addressing key needs, and we’ll keep you updated as these partnerships develop.

Your resilience and dedication, especially during these trying times, are truly inspiring. Please continue to look out for yourselves and each other. We are all part of the Whiddon family, and we will always do our best for our people.

Warm regards,

Chris Mamarelis

Dear Families, Friends and Representatives,

It is with great sadness that we share the news of an incident involving one of our residents from Taylor House. Yesterday, while returning from a visit to the local shops, the resident was involved in an alleged hit-and-run accident at a nearby intersection.

We have since been informed that the resident has sadly passed away in hospital.

We are working closely with the police as they investigate this incident and seek to identify the driver involved.

The resident’s family has been contacted, and we are providing them with our full support during this incredibly difficult time.

Please be assured that all other residents are safe and well. Should there ever be any concerns regarding your loved one, we will contact you directly.

Due to the nature of the incident, there may be media coverage in the coming days. We understand this may be distressing and are here to support our residents, families, and employees as we navigate this together.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,
Chris Mamarelis
CEO, Whiddon

Dear Team,

You may be aware that late yesterday, one of our residents was involved in an alleged hit and run accident while he was out walking and returning from a visit to the local shops. Sadly, today we have learned that he has since passed away in hospital from his injuries.

For those not aware, the resident is Boris, from our Men’s Shed, who many of you may have been familiar with and met over the years at Easton Park. Boris lived in our Taylor House Home and was a real character whose presence will be dearly missed here at Glenfield.

As we so often see at Whiddon, our teams rallied around to provide assistance to Police and Ambulance, and I would like to personally thank Lynda Neil, Diya Lal and Frank Mathe for your efforts yesterday. My apologies if I have missed anyone.

While we work in aged care, and are privileged to care for our elders, this is a sad and tragic accident, so please ensure you reach out to Hapstar for immediate support if you need it.

Our thoughts are with Boris’s family during this difficult time, along with all team members impacted by this tragic event.

We are all here to support each other so please reach out if you need anything at all.

Chris Mamarelis

Dear Home Care Clients,

The Australian Government has announced a deferral in the implementation of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program, now scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2025 rather than the initial date of 1 July 2025. At Whiddon, we have already made considerable progress towards these reforms and were advanced in our planning.

This delay is beneficial as it allows us more time to implement the reforms with greater precision, care, and the high quality you expect from Whiddon.

Although the Strengthened Aged Care Standards will not be implemented until November, Whiddon’s Relationship-Based Care Approach ensures that you will continue to receive personalised support and continuity of care as promoted by the reform.

Please be assured that your services and fees remain unchanged, and we will reach out to discuss how the changes in November will impact you.

If you have any enquiries regarding what this means for you or your care, please do not hesitate to contact your Care Coordinator; we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Warm regards, 

The Whiddon Home Care Team 

Dear Home Care Clients, 

We’re writing to update you on recent changes to the Government’s Aged Care Reform and what they mean for your care and services with Whiddon. 

You would have recently received a letter from us about the new Support at Home Program. Since sending this letter, the Government has announced it is officially delaying the new Support at Home program until 1 November 2025.  

While this change delays the transition, we want to reassure you that your current services and care team will continue without interruption. 

What You Need to Know 

• No Immediate Changes: You will continue to receive the same services and support from your current Care Coordinator. There is no change to your bookings or service delivery. 

• Our current Home Care Package Pricing Schedule will continue until the new Support at Home pricing commences from 1 November 2025. 

• Your Budget and Agreement: We will work with you to review your budget, consult with you on the new pricing and ensure you understand any changes before November. A new Support at Home Agreement will be provided for your review and confirmation closer to the transition date. 

What’s Next? 

Your Care Coordinator will be in touch to discuss your individual budget and answer any questions you may have. We’ll also record your consent to the updated pricing so we can prepare your new agreement in advance of the November transition. 

We’re here to support you through these changes and ensure your care continues smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Warm regards, 

The Whiddon Home Care Team