The Weekly Wrap: 1 November

The annual Victorian Public Sector Commission People Matter Survey is open until November 17, 2023. 

Please share your views to help us improve.  You can also win a range of prizes for taking part.

The survey provides you with the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions anonymously on the things that Western Health does well and the areas where we can improve.     

In the past, the de-identified feedback from staff has resulted in improvements in a range of areas from enhancing psychological safety to leadership capability management. 

To thank staff for having their say, there will be a range of giveaways, individual prizes and major divisional cash prize competitions that can be used to treat your teams to a special meal.

You can find out more about the competition and your team’s progress on our dashboard.  

Start your survey by clicking here.    

Or scan the QR code below on your phone.   

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Scott Peterson: scott.peterson@wh.org.au, 0401 357 575 or visit our Westerly FAQ page.    

We are delighted to announce that Greenbag Espresso Bar is offering $3 organic, fair-trade coffees to staff at Western Health’s Bacchus Marsh, Williamstown, Melton, and Footscray hospitals from 8am-9am Monday to Friday.

This offer runs until the end of November and is part of a plan by Greenbag to introduce a number of offers to acknowledge the hard work of healthcare professionals and show their appreciation for Western Health staff.

Staff can also place online orders for personalised meals at any time and enjoy instant savings.

The menu has a wide array of both organic and non-organic health-conscious options, including sliders, wraps, salads, low-fat yogurt, and protein balls.

In addition to the meals, Greenbag Espresso Bar provides personal care items and unique gift selections. 

We’d like to invite Western Health staff to attend the Western Health and University of Melbourne Grand Rounds.

The focus of the next session on Wednesday November 8 is on preventing chronic disease in the west and will feature the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU), one of 9 local public health units in Victoria.

WPHU takes action to protect health and create healthy environments for the 1.34 million residents in our catchment which covers the inner and western suburbs of Melbourne.

WPHU has an expanding remit, providing local public health leadership for communicable disease control and population health promotion.

This talk will shine a spotlight on the innovative and world-leading chronic disease prevention initiatives being implemented by WPHU, and how this work will improve population health outcomes, including reducing the burden of chronic disease requiring acute care in the long term. 

All staff at Western Health are invited to learn about the new functions of local public health units, exploring the local epidemiology employed to understand the health needs of the catchment, and opportunities to improve chronic disease outcomes in the West.

WPHU will discuss initiatives in 3 priority areas: 1) improving healthy eating and food systems 2) reducing vaping and tobacco-related harm and 3) tackling climate change and its impact on health. 

• Presenter(s):

Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson – Senior Population Health Promotion Officer, Western Public Health Unit

Dr Catherine Giuliano – Epidemiologist, Western Public Health Unit

• Chair: A/Prof Veronica Graham – Senior Manager Population Health Promotion and Community Engagement, Western Public Health Unit

WH/UoM Medical Grand Round

Wednesday 8 November, 2023 from 12-1pm

Zoom: https://westernhealth.zoom.us/j/91565664494?pwd=cUhabGh5bUZ6VGpsZE43TTFkL3JVdz09

The Western Health patient identification procedure has been updated with two key changes:

1. Gender is no longer to be used as one of the three points of identification
2. Photo identification has been included

Don’t forget 3 point ID, three EEE:

• Every patient
• Every procedure
• Every time

A reminder before updating any patient details on IPM, please check that blood cross matching is not being processed for the patient.

The seated massage wellbeing initiative is back again during the month of November.

The team at Seated Massage is returning to pamper staff at each site with free 5-minute neck and shoulder massages.

Bookings are not necessary. Just turn up at the times allocated to the site you work at.

November seated massage dates:

Western Health’s team of Sonographers play a critical role in the diagnosis of a wide range of health concerns, using ultrasound technology. To mark Australasian Sonographers’ Day, meet one of the people behind the ultrasound machine, Nathan Pham.  Nathan prides himself on the crucial role he plays in getting patients on their healing journey. 

“Even though I am not doing the actual treatment, we are there for a diagnosis that will lead to the treatment. We play a huge role in alleviating the anxiety that comes with seeking medical treatment and the relief a patient feels when they take a step towards solving their problem,” he said.

With a passion for Obstetrics, Nathan says a Sonographers’ role is so much more than performing ultrasounds.

Read more about Nathan and the team.

Western Health staff are invited to an evening of inspiring talks, networking and research innovation at the Women for Western Health Giving Circle Pitch Event.

About the Event:

Giving Circle members will hear pitches from Western Health researchers regarding their research projects. Members will vote for the project they believe should receive a $50,000 funding grant.

Keynote Speaker: Stephenie Rodriguez

Stephenie is one of only two people in the world to survive cerebral malaria. Surviving the condition meant the amputation of her feet in March 2021. Stephenie is now a para-olympian fencer and runs her own company, WanderSafe. Stephenie is also a celebrated TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, innovator, mentor and advocate for people living with mobility challenges.

Date: Tuesday 28 November, 2023
Location: Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club (260 Nelson Place, Williamstown)
Time: 6pm – 8pm

Dinner and drinks are included.

Giving Circle:

The Women for Western Health Giving Circle Pitch Event is open to staff who hold a current giving circle membership. Members are able to attend the event and vote for a preferred research project. Sign up for the giving circle here.

The giving circle welcomes people of all genders, including trans and non-binary people.

The pitch event is free for staff who have joined the giving circle.

For more information, please contact: foundation@wh.org.au

Western Health Foundation has partnered with Play for Purpose, Australia’s not-for-profit raffle.

Ticket holders are in the draw to win great prizes and proceeds are donated to Western Health Foundation, making the raffle a win-win.

Prizes include: an $118,000 Audi Q5 Sportback S Line, $131,000 in cashable gold bullion and a $2,500 Woolworths voucher.

You can buy tickets here.

Applications for the 2024 Year 10 Work Experience Program will be open from November 1-15, 2023.

The formal application process will involve completing an online application form via our eRecruit system. Our online system allows students to have a greater understanding of the process involved as a job seeker.

Students will be required to submit a cover letter, a resume/CV, and COVID-19 vaccination record as part of their application, and answer a several questions.

Places are limited, so we cannot guarantee all students will obtain a placement.

If you have any further queries please contact Kristelle De Taza on 8345 6689 and follow the prompts to our reception or email: Year10WorkExperienceProgram@wh.org.au.

We have face to face support sessions for e-PACE and FMIS:

• 13 November 2023, 10:00am to 12:00pm, Mavis Mitchell Room – Footscray Hospital
• 11 December 2023, 10:00am to 12:00pm, Mavis Mitchell Room – Footscray Hospital

To book your support session, please contact the Contracts Team at 

whs-contracts@wh.org.au and include the following:

• Full name of attendee
• Job title
• Department
• Email address
• Contact number
• Date of support session

• Adult Deteriorating Patient (Non-Obstetric)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD) Workshop for WH Staff
• Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD) – Refresher for WH Staff
• Invasive Lines & Cannulation

More upcoming courses:

• 2/11/2023: Respiratory Study Day
• 14/11/2023: Advanced Surgical Study Day
• 15/11/2023: Heart Failure Study Day
• 15/11/2023: Refugee and Asylum Seeker Study Day
• 21/11/2023: Tracheostomy Study Day

Please visit the education internet link for further list of courses available on Welearn.

Melbourne Comedy Festival favourites are back in town and we have free tickets for staff!

Dates: 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 and 14 November.

Doors open: 6:30pm

Show starts: 8pm (runs for 2+ hours)  

Cost: FREE (normally $35)

Location: The Comics Lounge (26 Errol Street, North Melbourne).

Bookings: email laughs@thecomicslounge.com.au with your name, the number of tickets and the date of show you’d like to attend.

Maxxia will be on-site to help with salary packaging queries for all employees.

Book a 15 minute face-to-face consultation here.

Upcoming visits

Williamstown Hospital (hub area)

• Tuesday November 14 – 10am-12pm  

Melton Health Services (Community Services Building- upstairs staff room)

• Thursday December 7 – 12.30pm-2.30pm

Bacchus Marsh Hospital (staff lunch room)

• Thursday December 7 – 9am-11am

Sunbury Day Hospital (Consulting Room 5)

• Thursday November 9 – 9am -11am
• Wednesday February 7 – 9am-11am

How we can help

• How salary packaging works
• How to use pre-tax funds towards daily living expenses such as mortgage, rent, clothes, school fees etc.
• How to use pre-tax funds towards restaurant  and holiday expenses
• Manage your salary packaging benefits through one smart card.
• How to set up and navigate the Maxxia app.
• Salary packaging a new, used or existing vehicle with a novated lease and current vehicles available.

Cant make it? Email: education@maxxia.com.au.

On behalf of the Western Health Foundation, our corporate partner, Nike, are offering all Western Health staff 40% off at the exclusive Nike Company Store in South Melbourne. The space is a VIP invite-only store.

This offer is available between 1-30 November, 2023 and is only redeemable in-store by appointment. Monday- Sunday visits require a booking using the link on the invite.

How to redeem:

1. Download the Nike App and sign up to become a Nike Member.
2. Make an in-store appointment. Download the flyer to access the booking website.
3. Present your employee staff ID and Nike Membership Pass via The Nike App at your in-store appointment.

Terms and Conditions

• One visit per invitation only. The invitation is valid for employees only and is non-transferable.
• You may bring only one adult guest with you and the guest must check in at the same time (children under 18 may accompany adults).

Fernwood have partnered with Western Health Foundation to fundraise for much-need cardiotocography (CTG) machines at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital.

Read more about how crucial CTG machines support healthy and safe birth outcomes here.

The offer:
1. Sign up to trial Fernwood for 30 days for just $30. All proceeds will be donated to Western Health Foundation.
2. Register as a Fernwood member after your trial, and an additional $100 will be donated to Western Health Foundation. Western Health staff members can enjoy an ongoing 15% discount on their membership fees.

How to register:
1. To purchase your 30 day Fernwood trial for $30, click the link below
2. Select your local Fernwood club and purchase the $30 for 30 Days pass online
3. The  Fernwood team will be in touch to help you activate the pass.

Register for your trial today: https://www.fernwoodfitness.com.au/shop

BankVic are available to chat about financial wellbeing at Sunshine and Footscray Hospitals! A BankVic representative will be offering home loan health checks, which include assessing your current financial situation, financial goal setting and evaluating whether your current home loan still suits your needs.

Sunshine Hospital

Date: Thursday 2 November
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Open Foyer Space at Sunshine Hospital (Opposite Main Reception)

Footscray Hospital

Date: Thursday 16 November
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Open Foyer Space in Footscray Hospital (Opposite Security Office and Main Reception) 

Registrations not required.

We’ve partnered with Aware Super to offer a series of 15-minute pre-retirement webinars this November.

Hear from retirement experts on how to start the next chapter with confidence. Aware Super will be running webinars covering how to transition from work into retirement, how to build a healthy lifestyle beyond work, and how to budget for a comfortable retirement.

If you’re interested, please register using the links in the schedule below: