Published on 26 September 2021

A Message from John

I would like to introduce myself and thank you all for making my transition to Western Health such a positive experience.

Having spent many years in health, I have always heard very positive things about Western Health. After 8 weeks of commencing my role, I have been very pleased to experience the values-based culture at Western Health – all my day-to-day interactions have been positive, and everyone has been friendly, welcoming and supportive. The staff here are very clearly focused on delivering best care for their patients and their families to ensure they receive safe, timely and appropriate care.

I’m enjoying working with you all on the transition of Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Caroline Springs into Western Health. It is an exciting time with many key strategic priorities. I know that together we will deliver the best healthcare for our communities in the West. 

Take care and stay safe. 

John Ferraro
Deputy Executive Director Operations
To learn more about John and his extensive experience in health, read the memo here.

Who's Who?

In this edition we say welcome to: Jennifer Burrows – Clerical services, Dr. Neil Pepa – Dental, Nalani Jethani and Amelia Fisher – Dietetics, Evangeline (Eva) Dinopol – Theatre nurse and Anjalee Fernando – Graduate registered nurse.

Welcome

This edition, we introduce and welcome Sharon Read. Sharon is the Director Organisational Change and Transformation from Western Health and will be based at Melton on Mondays and Thursdays in the community services building.

Prior to working in this role Sharon was an Executive at cohealth where she worked on redesigning community partnerships, development of cohealth’s Reconciliation Action Plan, positive workplace strategies and significant work on organisational change.  Sharon led the organisational change and culture work post-merger of three community health services that transitioned into one community health service.

Sharon will be at Melton to work on the transition into Western Health and we encourage you to drop in to see her or email: Sharon.Read@wh.org.au.

Services and Programs

People and Culture update. 

  • Flexible Work Arrangements are now completed under the Western Health process, including extensions. The new process can be found here. If you require support in completing these requests please contact Kali McEwen, HR Business Partner.  
  • A summary of eRecruit approval paths can be found here. Please follow these when submitting Variation and Recruitment requests for approval. Additionally, we recommend selecting “no” to creating a selection panel when submitting a recruitment request. 
  • The Job Advertisement template has recently been updated to include the recently amalgamated Western Health campuses. A copy can be found here. 

For general assistance with submitting requests please email: HR@djhs.org.au.

 

EMPOWIR

Employee Positive Workplace issue resolution (EMPOWIR) is an element of Western Health Positive Workplace Strategy.

Western Health has developed a strategy for sustaining a positive workplace across all sites. The strategy was established to strengthen and maintain a positive workplace environment where all employees and volunteers feel safe, are enabled to work to their full potential ensuring Western Health offers their patients the best possible care outcomes.

We aim to create the best environment for our employees, volunteers and our patients who count on us every day to provide compassionate and respectful care for them.

EMPOWIR is a tool that has been developed to enable every volunteer and employee to access advice to achieve an informal and ‘no blame’ resolution or outcome in the event they have been subject to, or have witnessed some type of inappropriate workplace behaviour or interaction

Find out more about our Positive Workplace Strategy at positiveworkplace.who.org.au.

Education information can be found on our intranet: Find out more click here.

To login: Click here.

 

 

What's New

Security presence has increased at Melton. Western Health security staff are now on-site at Melton from 6.30 am till 4.30 pm seven days a week, with our contracted security service starting at 4 pm till 11 pm. The COVID-19 Drive through testing clinic also has 24/7 security. 

Tea and break rooms have been identified as key areas of risk, given staff remove their PPE to eat and drink.  As a result we have created more areas to have breaks by hiring marquees for both Melton and Bacchus Marsh.

 

Melton Drive Through Testing Clinic now has new marquees to keep our staff out of the weather while screening and testing the people driving through the COVID-19 testing clinic, including a break room plus office within the same location, allowing the previous rooms to return to their original purpose.  A big shout out to the team working there who have been doing a great job managing the increased demand for testing in the community.

 

What's Next

  • Staff forums are scheduled for Bacchus Marsh and Melton staff around the transition project structure and strategic planning. These will be hosted online by Suellen Bruce, Executive Director, People, Culture and Communications on 29th September at 2pm and 7th October at 11am. This will be an opportunity to discuss how things are working after our first quarter working together, with more details to be shared on the working groups and further opportunities to be involved.  
  • The transition project team is now in place with two key appointments. Next edition we will introduce you to Grace Crowe, Senior Project Lead and Gayle Considine, Administrative Assistant who have joined Claire Moody, Director Transition on the project team.

 

Did You Know?

KOKO BLACK SEND IN A SURPRISE

“Koko Black kindly donated a selection of their all natural, Melbourne made chocolates to celebrate the continued efforts of the speciality staff and their resilience throughout the pandemic”. On this occasion the chocolates were delivered to Grant Lodge for everyone to enjoy!

 

 

 

STAFF GET A GOOD WRAP
A local real estate agency has shown their appreciation to staff at the Bacchus Marsh Hospital with a delivery of sandwiches and a thank you note.
Read more on the Kindness Matters page. https://coronavirus.wh.org.au/staff-get-a-good-wrap/