Published on 12 October 2023

As the war in the middle east continues to intensify and have a global  impact, I write to you to acknowledge the huge emotional toll that may be extending to many of our staff and community members at Western Health.

The loss of life and the reports coming out of the middle east are truly horrific and it is at times like these communities are brought closer together. At Western Health our underlying values of caring for our people remain our priority. As always, we rely on the support of our workforce to be considerate and compassionate to any affected staff and community members at Western Health. The effects of this war are destructive in many ways including impacting human lives.

Our services at Western Health extend to diverse communities, and I encourage staff to reach out to a colleague or to their managers if they seek further guidance about discussing this global tragedy or need help to support them through these challenging times.

Our senior leaders proudly share my sentiment about the strength of our staff whilst caring for others. I encourage you to prioritise your personal needs if you are dealing with any issues that are affecting your general wellbeing or work performance. Please speak with your manager or you can also seek support through the Employee Assistance Program on 1800 099 444.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones who are affected.

We value your dedication to Western Health and respect your ongoing support to our staff and community members.