The Weekly Wrap: 9 November

Next 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, Western Health is focused on raising awareness and educating our staff and the broader community on who transgender people are, share stories and experiences, and advance advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence, that affect the transgender community, particularly in a healthcare setting. 

To support this, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team is this week introducing 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. 

Next Monday, marks the beginning of what has been known as Positive Workplace Week.This year Positive Workplace Week is going to be a little different.

From 13 to 17 November, Reflection and Recovery Week will run. 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 will be feedback cards and boxes located at all Western Health sites. During this week, take the time to write down your thoughts. 

In addition to collecting feedback, our favourite furry friends will also be providing puppy hugs and seated massages will be available on the following days: 

• Monday 13 November: Williamstown 
• Wednesday 15 November: Bacchus Marsh/Melton  
• Friday 17 November: Sunshine Friday
• Tuesday 21 November: Footscray 

The annual Inspire Awards will also be held during Reflection and Recovery Week on Wednesday 15 November from 3pm to 4pm. These will be livestreamed for everyone to tune in to!

Don’t forget to have your say in the annual Victorian Public Sector Commission People Matter Survey, which is open until next Friday, November 17, 2023.

By sharing your views, you can help us improve our workplace. You can also win a range of prizes for taking part.

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 visit our Westerly FAQ page.    

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.

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.

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:

• 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:

• 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.

BankVic are available to chat about financial wellbeing at Footscray 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.

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

Registrations not required.

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. 

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

Dates: 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

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