Year: 2024

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have a COVID-19 exposure at Whiddon Moree in our Perry James Wing with 1 staff member and 1 resident currently testing positive for COVID-19.

All visitors and staff are requested to wear surgical masks when inside the facility except and follow the direction and guidance of staff specifically when visiting Perry James Wing.

Please note, visiting may still occur 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 utmost priority.

For now, the following precautions are still in place at our care home, including:

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are required by all employees and visitors before entry.
  • Surgical masks are to be worn
  • 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.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our staff manage the situation.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Friends, Families and Representatives of Residents,

While Whiddon encourages family members to take out Residents, it is imperative that our staff is notified when doing so.

Please let a relevant staff member know when you are taking out a resident.  This is for security plus the health and safety of the resident.

It is also mandatory for friends and family to sign the visitors book on arrival to the facility.  Please also make sure to sign out the resident in the book.

Thank you for your co-operation.
The Whiddon Team

Dear Easton Park Families,

We hope this message finds you well.

At Whiddon, we understand the importance of staying connected with your community and having the ability to access important specialist and medical appointments.

As a gentle reminder, we would like to highlight the guidance provided in our Resident Handbooks regarding medical appointments:

“Medical specialists of your choice may be consulted by referral from your visiting GP. You and/or your representative are responsible for your travel and care to and from any external appointments. If you require assistance with travel, please talk to reception.”

While we are always happy to assist with transport arrangements, it’s important to note that it may not always be possible to have staff available to provide transport and escort on every occasion.

We strive to do everything we can to accommodate transport requests for medical appointments. However, in rare instances where we are unable to arrange transport, we encourage families to consider the Accompanied Transport Service as a convenient and supportive option. Please find the Booking form for Accompanied Transport here.

It’s important to note that transport is a private service and there will be an associated fee.

If you would like more information or need assistance with transport arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact the Registered Nurse (RN) on duty.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

– Whiddon Easton Park

Dear Easton Park Families,

We hope this message finds you well.

At Whiddon, we understand the importance of staying connected with your community and having the ability to access important specialist and medical appointments.

As a gentle reminder, we would like to highlight the guidance provided in our Resident Handbook regarding medical appointments:

“Medical specialists of your choice may be consulted by referral from your visiting GP. You and/or your representative are responsible for your travel and care to and from any external appointments. If you require assistance with travel, please talk to reception.”

While we are always happy to assist with transport arrangements, it’s important to note that it may not always be possible to have staff available to provide transport on every occasion.

As an alternative, we would like to inform you about our Accompanied Transport Service, provided by our Community Care Team. This service offers much more than just a ride; a qualified care worker will accompany your loved one, providing support throughout the journey. Please note, this is not a regular taxi service. The cost for Accompanied Transport includes both the care worker’s time and the kilometers traveled.

We understand that the cost of transport can vary depending on your situation, which is why Aged Care Transport services can be covered in multiple ways, including through a Home Care Package, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), the NDIS, or by private payment.

We strive to do everything we can to accommodate transport requests for medical appointments. However, in rare instances where we are unable to arrange transport, we encourage families to consider the Accompanied Transport Service as a convenient and supportive option.

If you would like more information or need assistance with transport arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact your Residential Services Manager or fill in the Accompanied Transport Referral Form.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to advise that the Covid Outbreak at Whiddon Easton Park Units has been declared over by the Public Health Unit.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 transmission in the community, families are encouraged to refrain from visiting their loved ones if they are feeling unwell to keep our residents and staff safe.

Thank you to our team who are supporting residents through this outbreak.

We appreciate your support and understanding during this period. We also welcome feedback from you about our Outbreak management.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Grafton Employees,

On Monday 26 August and Tuesday 27 August, Jacquie Boustani from the People and Culture team will be onsite to speak with staff about their experience of working at Whiddon Grafton.

The discussion will involve being asked a number of set questions of which the responses will then be used to better understand what is working well and what could be improved to enhance both the work environment but also the home for our residents.

The process is confidential, and no one will be identified in the overall report.

If you are not rostered on this day and would like an opportunity to speak with her then you can let her know by sending an email to J.Boustani@whiddon.com.au or alternatively pacbusinesspartners@whiddon.com.au to arrange an alternative time.

I look forward to meeting you next week.

Kindest,
Jacquie Boustani

Dear Whiddon Easton Park Residents, Families & Representatives,

Please find important information regarding a visit to our Sir David Martin and Taylor House homes from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission occurring on Tuesday the 20th of August here: Whiddon Easton Park (Sir David Martin and Taylor House) Aged Care Quality Assessment visit.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are advising that our Easton Park Units (EPU) home remains in outbreak status, with residents on Level 2 and now Level 3 testing positive for COVID-19.

Please note, visiting may still occur 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 utmost priority.

For now, the following precautions are still in place at our care home, including:

• • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are strongly encouraged by all employees and visitors prior to entry.
  • N95 Masks and Full PPE are to be worn
  • 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.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding while our staff manage this outbreak.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Following from our last update on Thursday, 8th August, We are pleased to advise that the Outbreak has been declared over by the Public Health Unit.

Due to moderate-high community cases, visitation rules remain the same:

• RAT testing is strongly encouraged to be taken prior to entry into our care home
• N95 Masks to be worn
• Visitations are encouraged inside the resident’s room.

Families are encouraged to refrain from visiting their loved ones if they are feeling unwell to keep our residents and staff safe.

Thank you to our team who are supporting residents through this outbreak.

We appreciate your support and understanding during this period. We also welcome feedbacks in regards to our Outbreak management.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Whiddon Wingham Residents, Families & Representatives,

Please find important information regarding a visit from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission occurring on Wednesday the 14th of August here: Whiddon Wingham Aged Care Quality Assessment visit.

The Whiddon Team