The Weekly Wrap: 15 November

Please join Chief Executive Russell Harrison and Sandy Schutte, Executive Director People, Culture and Communications, for Western Health’s online presentation of the Inspire Awards. 

Live-streamed from 3pm today, the Inspire Awards recognise and celebrate staff and volunteers whose actions promote a positive workplace culture and inspire us to live our values of compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and safety. 

Award recipients are nominated by peers, colleagues, volunteers, patients and their families– often as a way of saying thank you to the individuals and teams who have made a very real difference to them.

Inspire Awards live-stream link (link goes live 3pm today, Wednesday 15 November). 

Learning Academy launching to support staff career development

Western Health Learning Academy will launch next week, providing an exciting opportunity to further your current career or pursue an alternative career path at Western Health.   

Come along to a pop-up stall to hear how you can develop your career through the Learning Academy.

Pop-up stalls will run from 12.30-3pm at the following locations and dates: 

Monday 20 November – Sunshine (near main pharmacy)

Tuesday 21 November – Footscray (opposite the op shop)

Wednesday 22 November – Bacchus Marsh (staff room near the kitchen)

Thursday 23 November – Williamstown (The Hub).

Join the Education and Learning team, along with the Organisational Culture and Leadership Development team to hear more about the opportunities available to explore your education and learning aspirations, from traineeships and VET courses to undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary degrees.    

No matter where you currently work at Western Health, or your current position, the Learning Academy can provide support to reach your career potential.

 More information will be available next week on the Education and Learning intranet page.   

This week is Reflection and Recovery Week (formerly Positive Workplace Week). In recognition of the ongoing busyness Western Health has, and continues, to experience, the Executive and Senior Management team want to take some time to engage with everyone and talk about how they’re feeling.  

During this week, staff will see leaders from the organisation around the place, visiting teams and checking in. 

They are seeking genuine conversations, feedback and experiences, and importantly, they want to know what they can do to make things easier. All staff, when they see them around, are encouraged to stop and have a chat. Let them know how you are, and what you need. 

In addition to this, there are feedback cards and boxes located at all Western Health sites.

During this week, take the time to write down your thoughts and share your feedback and experiences. 

The United Nation’s international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). 

Content warning: family violence

This year Western Health and the University of Melbourne are sponsoring an event called:  ‘Can I Ask That?’ A conversation with the children of women killed by men.

It tackle myths, assumptions and stigmas faced by people bereaved by domestic violence homicides.

Join Amani Haydar, Kathryn Joy, Beverley Attard and Rebecca Burdon for a frank discussion about their lived experience and the ongoing challenges facing victim survivors.

When: Thursday 30 November 2023

Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Where: Online and in-person at University of Melbourne, with limited capacity, at the William Macmahon Ball Theatre in the Old Arts Building. A map will be provided to attendees.

Register your questions and attendance here:

Online event registration

In-person event registration

You can also:

Visit Respect Victoria’s website or Safe and Equal for more information on 16 Days of Activism or join the Walk With Her or Walk Against Family Violence 2023.

Or listen to the Western Health podcast, If only someone had asked, which explores family violence: what it is, why it occurs and how health professionals can play a key role in identifying, responding and referring victim survivors. 

Take a break and enjoy a free massage.

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.

Don’t forget to have your say in the annual Victorian Public Sector Commission People Matter Survey, which is open until this Friday (November 17).

By sharing your views, you can help us improve our workplace.

You can also win a range of prizes for taking part including: Gold Class Experience eVouchers and massage and day spa vouchers.

Congratulations to our raffle winners so far: Jonathan Soon, Lee-Anne Lynch, Viral Kaur, Lynn Ng, Sharon Gorton, Anita Haines, Kimberley Rogers and Mei Ling Wong.

Keep an eye out for promotional pop-ups with chocolate freckles and coffee vouchers this week:

• • Footscray Hospital: Thursday, 16 November, 1pm-3pm.
  • Sunshine Hospital: Friday, 17 November, 1pm-3pm.

To thank staff for having their say, there are also major divisional cash prizes 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 visit our Westerly FAQ page.    

We are seeking voluntary participants for a simple study that samples the air around you when you have COVID-19. This study is led by Dr Forbes McGain at Sunshine Hospital, Western Health and is supported by expert physicians and scientists.

To be eligible, you must be aged 18 – 75 years, currently have a COVID-19 infection that does not require hospitalisation and you must be enrolled and commence the study within 72 hours of your first positive rapid antigen test (RATs) or PCR test.

You will spend 1-2 hours in a room whilst we sample the air around you as you perform simple tasks such as reading out loud.  We will ask you to complete approx. 4 or more separate visits over 1-3 weeks. We will provide free parking and you may be reimbursed up to $300 in gift vouchers for participating. Please call/text 0421 684 985 for more information. 

Or view the AIRBORNE study recruitment poster.

This week is Transgender Awareness Week, 13 to 19 November, an annual week to raise the visibility of trans and gender diverse people and address issues these members of the community face. 

During Transgender Awareness Week, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team introduced education sessions on understanding sex, gender and gender diversity, pronouns and inclusive language.

To participate in these sessions fill in the Western Health In-service Request Form. 

Visit the Westerly for more details on how you can get involved, show your support and ensure Western Health is a safe, inclusive space for trans and gender diverse people to access quality healthcare without stigma, judgement or discrimination. 

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.

Western Health researchers have been chosen to pitch their projects at the Women for Western Health Giving Circle Pitch Event on 28 November. Attend the event and vote for one of the following proposals:

• Dr Cao Ke – A digital tool to predict chemotherapy dosing to prevent toxicity
• Dr I-Lynn Lee – POSSOM:  A project to develop a simplified screening process for gestational maternal diabetes
• Alex Potter and Jan Kilicaslan – Creating a safe and affirming Western Health for LGBTIQA+ communities
• Emily Ramage – Improving long-term cardiovascular health in women who experience pre-eclampsia.

About the Event:

Giving Circle members will hear pitches from the listed Western Health researchers. Members 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 included.

Giving Circle:

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

This 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 about the event or the Women for Western Health Giving Circle, please contact foundation@wh.org.au

Western Health Foundation is proud to announce a $20,000 grant, sponsored by Medirest.

The Medirest Support Services Improvement Grant aims to better patient care/experience, or upskill staff working in the Health Services Division (food and nutrition, security, patient services, cleaning, clerical support or waste management). 

Expressions of Interest close: 30 November, 2023.

Apply now: https://whfoundation.org.au/for-western-health-staff/medirest-support-services-improvement-grant-eoi/

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

• 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

Attention nurses and midwives: Are you ready to embark on an exciting educational journey in 2024?

Please explore the Education and Learning link for details on how to apply.

Refer to the Department of Health links below to see if you qualify for the 2024 DHS Scholarships:

• Postgraduate Scholarships for Nurses and Midwives
• Enrolled nurse to registered nurse transition scholarships
  
• Postgraduate Mental Health Scholarship Program
• Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Postgraduate Scholarship Program

Click here to access the flyer. 

Not sure what to study?

ACU have a great course on offer – the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing 

To ensure your application for next year, please enrol in your course as soon as possible and notify us before 22 November 2023.

The deadline for submitting your application form is 14 December 2023.

Please contact Debra Broomfield via email: debra.broomfield@wh.org.au

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

BankVic are available to chat about financial wellbeing at Footscray and Sunshine 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.

Footscray

Date: Thursday 16 November
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Open foyer space in Footscray Hospital (Opposite the security office and main reception) 

Sunshine

Date: Thursday 30 November
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Open Foyer Space at Sunshine Hospital (near Main Reception) 

Registrations not required.

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 gift selections. 

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

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)

• 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

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:

Transition Plan

Monday 20 November – 10.00am – Register here

Tuesday 21 November – 6.30pm –  Register here

Wednesday 22 November – 1pm – Register here

Thursday 23 November – 11.30am – Register here

Lifestyle Plan

Monday 20 November – 12pm – Register here

Tuesday 21 November – 10:30am – Register here

Wednesday 22 November – 6:30pm – Register here

Thursday 23 November – 1:30pm – Register here

Financial Plan

Monday 20 November – 6.30pm – Register here

Tuesday 21 November – 12.30pm – Register here

Wednesday 22 November – 11am – Register here

Thursday 23 November – 6:30pm – Register here