Published on 22 November 2023

  • International Day of People with a Disability

    International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. This year’s theme for IDPwD 2023 is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’

    The 2023 theme for IDPwD asks everyone to work together to make the world better and fairer for people with disability.

    IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

    IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability.

    This event is to celebrate People with Disabilities through recognition of IDPwD at Western Health.

    The Disability Liaison Service will be visiting each Western Health site during the week of 4th-7th December promoting awareness, providing material and raising participation in completing our very own Disability Awareness We Learn package.  

    Access the training package here.

    Come and see us on the following dates and times:

    Monday 4/12 Footscray 9:30am
    Tuesday 5/12 Sunshine/JK 9.30am
    Wednesday 6/12 Melton 10.00am
    Wednesday 6/12 Bacchus Marsh 10.00am
    Thursday 7/12 Williamstown 9.30am
    Thursday 7/12 Sunbury 12.00pm

    To celebrate, activities and prizes for participation and enthusiasm will available across the week.

  • Western Health Learning Academy launch

    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: 

    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.  

  • Congratulations INSPIRE Award recipients

    Congratulations to all the recipients of an INSPIRE Award last week.

    For anyone who missed the livestream, you can go back and watch the awards. A list of recipients can be found on the INSPIRE Awards website. Everyone can expect to see more of our inspiring colleagues over the coming months as we continue to celebrate their achievements. 

  • 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

    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). 

    *We’d like to advise that this story discusses 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.

    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. 

    If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, you can contact 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 or Lifeline : 13 11 14 

  • Western Health and University of Melbourne Medical Grand Round

    Join us for the Western Health and University of Melbourne Medical Grand Round on Wednesday 29 November 2023 from 12-1pm.

    • Title: Not just skin deep – Multidisciplinary cases from Western Health
    • Brief outline: Approach to a number of dermatological presentations requiring multidisciplinary input – including morphology, differential diagnoses, investigations and treatment
    • Presenters: Dermatology registrars Dr Natalie Wong and Dr Kate Simpson
    • Chair: A/Prof Laura Scardamaglia

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

  • Calling all Western Health employees with lived experience of disability

    Are you a Western Health employee with lived experience of disability? Or do you care or work with a person who identifies as having a disability?

    We want to hear from you about your lived experience as a staff member to help inform the Western Health Disability Action and Inclusion Plan.

    Join us for a dynamic and engaging forum where you can freely express your ideas, share your experiences, and provide feedback. Together, we’ll pave the way for the 2023-2026 Western Health Disability Action and Inclusion Plan.

    Forum session times:

    • 10am -11am
    • 11am -12pm
    • 12pm -1pm

    To register your interest please email the Disability Liaison Service disabilityliaison@wh.org.au, a zoom link will be sent to you along with further information.

    If you are unable to attend, we still value your feedback please email your interest for further information on how you can participate.

    Registration deadline: 30 November, 2023.

     

  • Do you have COVID-19? Take part in exciting aerosol research

    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.

  • Buy a raffle ticket for your chance to win an Audi and support Western Health

     

    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.

     

  • Women for Western Health Pitch Event (tickets available)

    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

  • Black Friday Gym deal: free for the rest of the year and a $100 visa prepaid card

    Rest of the year free! Plus up to a $100 visa prepaid card. 

    Your onsite Health Club EFM is excited to Launch its first ever Black Friday Gym Membership sale. Rest of the year absolutely free! No charge until January.

    Set up 2024 for your best year yet with 6 weeks of free gym membership to finish 2023 and up to a $100 visa prepaid gift to you.

    Only 15 Memberships available for our biggest and best promo ever so call Jarrod on 0401951734  or email sunshine@efm.net.au 

  • BankVic staff at Sunshine hospital

    BankVic are available to chat about financial wellbeing at Sunshine Hospital.

    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

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

    Registrations not required.

  • $3 coffees for staff at Greenbag Espresso Bar

    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 upcoming Western Health on-site dates

    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.

  • Enjoy 40% off at the exclusive Nike Company Store

    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).

     

  • Help fundraise for new cardiotocography machines at JKWC

    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

  • Aware Super webinars

    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

    Thursday 23 November – 11.30am – Register here

    Lifestyle Plan

    Wednesday 22 November – 6:30pm – Register here

    Thursday 23 November – 1:30pm – Register here

    Financial Plan

    Wednesday 22 November – 11am – Register here

    Thursday 23 November – 6:30pm – Register here