Year: 2024

Dear Residents & Families,

Dr. Mahmoud Hamad informed us on Thursday 11th January that he will be unavailable for the next six months, effective immediately. At this stage, he is unsure what will occur following this period of absence.

We are in the process of contacting the other General Practitioners (GPs) who attend our Easton Park campus to request that they take over the care of Dr. Hamad’s residents in this interim period.
If you have a GP who you would like to take over your care, or the care of your loved one, please contact your Care Manager to arrange this transfer.

As we transfer the care of the residents to a new GP, we will liaise with you throughout the process.

Please be assured that the care of our residents remains a priority and if medical care is required in this interim period, we will ensure it is delivered.

If you have any questions, please contact your Care Manager.
Thank you.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Employees,

We would like to update you on a recent Safe Work Survey, conducted by the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, with some of our Whiddon Employees.

While the survey has highlighted some potential health and wellbeing hazards, it is important to know that Whiddon already has several initiatives underway to strengthen our Safe Work approach. To support these initiatives, we will shortly ask you to complete our own WHS & Wellbeing Survey.

To those who did complete the Survey with the Union, thank you.
We have received the results and are working with the Union to address the survey findings. It is important that you also take the time to complete Whiddon’s survey, which will be accessible for all employees to complete, and will help us gain even further insights for improving our workplace and culture.

Whiddon’s Safe Work Initiatives:
Whiddon commenced a project over 12 months ago called “Design for Care”, through which we have been actively working on intervention measures to improve employee safety and wellbeing.

This project involved surveying all our employees on SMART work practices. Trials are already underway in a number of our Homes and Community Care Services to improve workplace design and develop wellbeing strategies.

We have already seen positive changes at these Homes and Services, such as new-starter buddy programs, induction improvements, peer learning, changes in rostering practices, scheduling reviews, and knowledge sharing at team meetings.

Whiddon is also excited to announce that we are partnering with a specialist organisation to help us support your everyday wellbeing, at work and at home.  This is a positive addition to our existing safe system of work.

What is a safe system of work?
Safe systems of work take into account a complete view of work practices, identifying all potential risks, and then taking reasonable steps to minimise or eliminate these risks.

These risks are managed through various aspects of Whiddon’s Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS), otherwise known as, “Well@Whiddon”. These include work practices such as incident and hazard reporting, Safe Operating Procedures, Risk Assessments, Roster reviews, consultation, training and supervision.

Whiddon’s WHS & Wellbeing Survey
A link to Whiddon’s WHS & Wellbeing survey will be sent to you in the coming days via SMS.

This confidential survey will further assist us to identify any enhancements that could be made to our safe system of work.

We thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Your feedback will provide us with further insight into the continual development of our Well@Whiddon program.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that Whiddon Maclean is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.

We only have 1 resident who has currently tested positive and we would like to advise that a course of anti-viral medication has been commenced.

We will continue with daily RAT tests upon entry, however, please note that N95 masks must be worn instead of surgical masks for all visitors.

We understand the importance of family, so we encourage visits, however, it would be very much appreciated it visits could be held on the outside verandas.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Family, Friends and Respresentatives,

Please find important information regarding the current visit by the ACQSC representatives, who will be onsite for the next two days:

ACQSC Information

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please note that Endeavour Energy has advised us that essential electrical maintenance is being conducted in the Glenfield area today (Tuesday the 9th of January) between 7am and 4pm. This may result in potential outages throughout the day.

As we will be using our generators during any outage, we do not expect any direct impact for our residents.

However, if you do have any concerns, please contact us on 1300 638 738.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to advise that Whiddon Easton Park, Easton Park Units is now out of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Normal visiting arrangements will remain in place, with everyone requested to complete a daily RAT before entering and to wear an N95 mask, until further notice.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding, especially over the Christmas break. 

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to advise that Whiddon Easton Park, Arthur Webb Court is now out of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Normal visiting arrangements will remain in place, with everyone requested to complete a daily RAT before entering and to wear an N95 mask, until further notice.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding, especially over the Christmas break. 

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

We understand the importance of family at this time, so we encourage visits, however, visitors are requested to follow the guidance of staff regarding the PPE required to be worn in each area.

Please note the conditions of entry:

• Visitors are advised to continue with the screening, RAT testing and wearing masks, masks will be provided at entry.
• Please refrain from visiting if you’re feeling unwell or have come in contact with a positive case of COVID.

We encourage our residents to wear masks if they are leaving the facility for social outings or appointments due to increased cases in the community.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families, Representatives and Employees

Following consultation with the Public Health Unit, we are pleased to advise that the COVID-19 Outbreak at Narrabri Jessie Hunt is over.

Normal visiting arrangements will remain in place, with everyone requested to complete a daily RAT prior to entering the Home, and to wear an N95 mask, until further notice.

We thank everyone for their support and understanding, especially over the Christmas break. 

The Whiddon Team

Dear Families,

Please be advised that the COVID-19 outbreak at Whiddon Kelso has extended to residents in the Kingston Wing.

Families of affected residents will be kept up to date on any changes by the team at Whiddon Kelso, as they occur.

Whilst we continue to support and encourage visits, we ask that these visits to occur outside or in a well-ventilated area only during the outbreak.

Visitors are requested to follow the guidance of staff in regard to the PPE required to be worn in each area – specifically the use of both an N95 Mask and Face Shield when visiting outbreak areas.

Families taking loved ones out, we ask that you please be cautious and if possible, please try to limit this to small crowds or gatherings.

Residents who leave the facility are encouraged to wear a mask and all residents will be tested regularly whilst we are in Outbreak Management.

We appreciate your understanding at this time. 

The Whiddon team