7 October 2021
We are pleased that it has been announced that visitors will be able to return to aged care homes in NSW from 11 October. We want to provide an update on what this means for visiting your loved one at Whiddon Easton Park.
We welcome this news and genuinely can’t wait to welcome you back. We understand and appreciate that this announcement must bring you great joy and relief to be able to see your loved ones again very soon.
While this is great news, we do ask that you take the time to read the important visitation guidelines and requirements below, many of which are set by NSW Health. It is very important that everyone continues to stay vigilant and do all that we can to keep residents, employees and visitors safe. We have not had any cases of COVID-19 at Whiddon and will continue to ensure that our COVID-19 protocols and processes are robust, including our screening procedures.
Please note that when you visit, you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated. To find out the best way to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations for your situation click here. Under the NSW Health requirements, visitors aged 12 years and over will be permitted to visit if they are fully vaccinated and their second dose was received at least 14 days prior to their visit. Children under 12 are not be permitted to enter an aged care facility for now.
Visitors are permitted to Easton Park from Monday 11 October, under the following requirements:
Based on current advice, the stay-at-home order for Greater Sydney will lift from Monday, however if this changes, the proposed changes to aged care visitations may not proceed.
As a precaution and to continue to keep residents safe, Whiddon Easton Park will require all visitors to conduct a rapid antigen test prior to visitation and/or entering any of the care homes. To facilitate this, and the number of visitors that we are expecting to Easton Park, we will be holding two sessions for visitation per day. These will be at 10 am and 2.30pm, 7 days per week. We are required to ensure that there is a maximum capacity of visitors at one time, which is why we need to ensure visits are booked. There will be no time limit on how long you stay once you arrive.
Visitors will be required to attend a testing area where they will be assisted to conduct the Rapid Antigen Test, this will take approximately 20 minutes per test and will be required on each and every occasion that you visit. We understand that this process is not an easy one, however we do believe this is an important part of keeping residents safe and as such, ask for your patience and understanding at this time.
Whilst you are waiting for your test result (15 minutes), you will be able to check-in and show evidence of your vaccination.
Please note the following:
- Visitors, 12 and over, must be fully vaccinated and their second dose was received at least 14 days prior to their visit and visitors must show evidence of this
- Visits must be pre-booked. Visitors will not be able to visit unless they have made a booking prior to visiting
- Two visitors are permitted per day, per resident
- Visitors must scan-in on our visitor check-in system AND through the Service NSW app
- Visitors must practice good hand hygiene and social distancing
- All visitors must wear a surgical mask
- Visits must take place in a resident’s room and not in common areas
Please do not visit if:
- you have not had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or had your second dose within the last 14 days
- you have been to any COVID-19 hotspots, locations or venues of concerns
- you are unwell and have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
- if you are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
- if you live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
How do I make a booking?
To book in your visit, please contact the care home where your loved one lives. Please find phone numbers below:
For Arthur Webb Court: 02 9827 6725
For Easton Park Units: 02 9827 6669
For Sir David Martin: 02 9827 6666
For Taylor House: 02 9827 6774
You can also use our new app, Whiddon Connect, to request a booking. If you haven’t downloaded this app yet, you can find out how to by clicking here.
Once again, we are very pleased to welcome you back. We’ll see you soon!