Published on 20 December 2023

  • Don't miss the final CEO webinar for 2023

    Please join Chief Executive Officer Russell Harrison today at 2pm for the last monthly CEO webinar for 2023.

    Russell will look back over our extraordinarily busy year by highlighting some big numbers across our services and go behind the scenes to find out how health care is delivered in a prison.

    Learn more about Christmas across our wards and work spaces, plus how a couple of favourites from a popular kids movie are fitting into their new roles at Western Health.

    Please join online with your questions which are welcomed and encouraged!

    Click the link below to join the webinar:

    https://westernhealth.zoom.us/j/95020834106?pwd=RHh3czZaRk1jVnI3eUF0eG00S0dJdz09

    Passcode: 653976

  • Photobooth pictures from festive lunches

    Thank you to everyone who took the time out to attend the festive lunches across our sites. They were great fun, and a nice way to end the year.

    Check out all the fun photos from the photobooths. You can also download the photographs via the links below.

  • Discover the best way to engage consumers in projects or committees

    Do you want to support meaningful partnerships with consumers by ensuring the consumer perspective is embedded in your project or committee?

    To invite consumers to participate, please complete the new Consumer Engagement Request e-form, or scan the QR code below and a member of the Consumer Partnership team will process your request.

    Find more information on consumer engagement here, or contact Rebecca Barbara, Consumer Partnership Manager (Rebecca.Barbara@wh.org.au)

     

  • Commemorative furniture unveiled at Bacchus Marsh and Melton

    Our Executive Director, People, Culture and Communication, Sandy Schutte, hosted a morning tea at Melton Health Hub and afternoon tea at Bacchus Marsh Hospital for staff and volunteers, to unveil a set of table and chairs to commemorate the service of staff and volunteers of the former Djerriwarrh Health Services (DjHS).

    Long serving staff member Mandy Cullen and volunteer Lyn Kelsall unveiled the table and chairs at Melton.

    Bacchus Marsh stalwarts Doug Berry (staff) and Marie Perry (volunteer) with a combined service of more than 70 years, unveiled the table and chairs at Bacchus Marsh.

    The custom-built outdoor table and benches are made from recycled railway sleepers and were commissioned as part of the BMM transition through the then Community Engagement Transition and Being Our Best (BOB) advisory committees.  Each set has a plaque acknowledging the service of the staff and volunteers of the former DjHS who now continue to care for the Melton and Bacchus Marsh community through Western Health.

     

     

  • Reminder: reduced Service Desk operating hours

    For the period between 21 December 2023 and the 12 January 2024, Digital Technology Services (DTS) will reduce the operating hours of the Service Desk, operating from 7am – 7pm on weekdays.

    This reflects the anticipated reduced call volumes and challenges due to staffing. The Service Desk hours for weekends and public holidays (7am – 4pm) will not change.

    During the proposed reduced Service Desk hours, EMR support will not change.

    The EMR support team do not currently cover the hours between 7pm – 10pm, as an EMR on-call roster currently covers this. The change will be that between 7pm – 10pm, calls will be directed to the after-hours administrator, who will raise the call with the first line DTS on-call support staff member.

    This is the same process Western Health has had in place for the past few years, operating between 10pm – 7am on weekdays, and 4pm – 7am on weekends.

    Contact Digital Technology Services (DTS):

    WH DTS Service Desk: (03) 8345 6777 or Ext: 56777
    Portal: http://servicedesk.wh.org.au
    Email: servicedesk@wh.org.au

  • Christmas and New Years Service Plan

    Western Health’s Christmas and New Years Service plan for December 2023 to January 2024 is available to staff via Westerly.

  • Show your support by voting for culturally sensitive maternity care

    Support your colleagues and help showcase the success of culturally sensitive maternity care by voting for the Baggarrook Yurrongi in Shaping Australia Awards by Universities Australia.

    Western Health is incredibly proud to be part of the Baggarrook Yurrongi partnership with La Trobe University, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women.

    The program is designed to improve the health of First Nations mothers and babies through culturally responsive continuity of midwife care.

    It led to the development of our very own Galinjera Maternity Program at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital where a small team of dedicated health professionals provide culturally sensitive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout their pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.

    First Nations mothers and babies have had significantly poorer outcomes than non-Indigenous mothers and babies. 

    The Baggarrook Yurrongi program has led to new, culturally safe models of care for First Nations women, or women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby.

    The program has led to positive changes with many more babies born at a healthy birthweight and gestation, as well as reduced admissions to neonatal intensive care.

    Baggarrook Yurrongi is a Finalist in the Shaping Australia awards by Universities Australia in the Problem Solver Award Category, which recognises work ‘that has changed or has the potential to change the lives of Australians for the better.’

    Please support the program by voting for the team.

    The voting process is easy and takes only a few seconds:

    You can vote here, just click on the heart and enter your name and email address.

  • Learn about 13 important dates the world celebrates in December

    Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team put together 13 dates the world celebrates at this time of year to share with staff to acknowledge our culturally and religiously diverse community.

    While December may be synonymous with the arrival of Christmas for many in Western or historically Christian countries, it also includes other major culturally and religiously diverse holidays around the world.

    Here are 13 important dates that occur around the world during December:

    St. Nicholas Day (December 5 or 6) Also known as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, Christians honour the birthday of Saint Nicholas—the inspiration behind Santa Claus, given his proclivity towards gift-giving.

    Immaculate Conception Day (December 8) Catholics celebrate the day of Immaculate Conception to honour the Virgin Mary, who they believe was born without original sin. The day is often celebrated by going to church and feasting.

    Bodhi Day (December 8) Also known as Rohatsu, this Buddhist tradition honours the day in which the Buddha—Siddartha Gautauma—is said to have achieved enlightenment. Many Buddhists celebrate it through meditation.

    Human Rights Day (December 10) Human Rights Day— the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

    Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe (December 12) Mexicans and Mexican-Americans often celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico who symbolizes patriotism and devotion. 

    International Migrants Day (December 18) The day was selected to mark the anniversary of the 1990 adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 

    Hanukkah (December 18 – 26) The eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins on December 18. A central part of the Jewish Festival of Lights entails the lighting of a nine-branched menorah each night. (The ninth candle is used to light the others.) The ritual symbolizes how one day’s worth of oil was believed to have miraculously lasted for eight days during a battle between a small group of Jewish people and the Greek-Syrian army in 165 B.C.

    Yule (December  21 – January 1) Wiccans and Neo-Pagans celebrate the winter solstice (the darkest day of the year, on December 21) through the festival of Yule. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year; Yule celebrates the re-emergence of the sun and the days beginning to grow longer again.

    Christmas (December 25) Christians celebrate Christmas largely to commemorate the birth of Jesus. But the festival has also been adopted as a secular family holiday by people of all faiths. It’s marked by an exchange of gifts as well as excitement for the arrival of Santa Claus.

    Boxing Day (December 26) A British tradition that occurs the day after Christmas and dates back to the 1800s when Queen Victoria ruled the throne. At the time, it was a day to ensure that upper class Britons gave servants and workers a day off, in addition to giving them a present. The holiday has since evolved into a more commercial occasion for gift-giving.

    Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1) The week-long holiday of Kwanzaa honors African-American heritage; it’s a cultural holiday as opposed to a religious one. Black nationalist Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way to unite the African-American community following the Watts Rebellion in a predominantly Black Los Angeles neighborhood. Kwanzaa celebrations draw from African musical and storytelling traditions.

    Zarathosht Diso (December 26) Founded by the Prophet Zoroaster more than 3,000 years ago, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. Zoroastrians honour the death of their prophet on this day, typically by visiting a fire temple and offering prayers.

    New Year’s Eve (December 31) The day every new year is met with anticipation around the world, as revellers party, set off fireworks, set resolutions and count down to midnight to welcome in new beginnings. In many post-Soviet countries, the holiday is celebrated with traditions similar to Christmas, such as the arrival of gifts from “Grandfather Frost.”

  • 2024 Pride March Registrations are now open

     

    Every year on the first Sunday of February Melbourne comes together to celebrate and support the LGBTIQA+ community for Pride March.

    The Pride March, which occurs annually as part of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival, is an opportunity for members of the LGBTIQA+ community, allies, friends, family and supporters to come together to celebrate gender and sexuality diversity.

    Western Health is proud to support our LGBTIQA+ community and once again participate in Melbourne’s Pride March.

    We encourage all members of the LGBTIQA+ community, allies, friends, family and supporters to participate in the 2024 Pride March. Join the Midsumma Pride March to march with those who can, and in solidarity for those who cannot.

     

    2024 Pride March 

    When: Sunday February 4, 2024

    Where: Fitzroy Street and Catani Gardens, St Kilda

    Cost: FREE

     

    To register your participation in Western Health’s cohort for the 2024 Pride March and to register interest in joining Western Health’s Pride Network, please complete the registration form.

    Learn more about Midsumma Festival or the annual Melbourne Pride March here.

  • Enter the Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research

    Submissions for the next Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research are now open.

    The awards celebrate the best and brightest in Victoria’s medical research community, including the recent achievements of early-career researchers who are completing or have recently completed a PhD.

    These researchers can be nominated for awards in five categories:

    • Basic Science Researcher
    • Clinical Researcher
    • Aboriginal Researcher undertaking research in any field of health and medical research
    • Health Services Researcher
    • Public Health Researcher

    The winner of each category will receive $5,000, while the recipient of the Premier’s Excellence Award will take home an additional $15,000 in prize money.

    Submissions close on 7 January 2024. Researchers are encouraged to submit their research projects, and to support their fellow researchers to apply.

    For more information visit: health.vic.gov.au/about/premiers-awards-for-health-and-medical-research

  • e-PACE support sessions

    We have Zoom support sessions for e-PACE in 2024:

    • 15 January 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 11 March 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 25 March 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 29 April 2024, 10:00am  – 12:00pm
    • 27 May 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 10 June 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 15 July 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 19 August 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 16 September 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 28 October 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 04 November 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
    • 16 December 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm

    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

  • Check out the Medibank staff discount

    As Western Health employees, you can get access to 9% discount on Medibank’s corporate health insurance.

    To learn more:

    Why choose Medibank Corporate cover?

    • Choose how to spend your extras
      You know what’s good for you. That’s why you get to choose how to spend your included extras with our Flexi Extras cover. More remedial massage? Less chiro? The choice is yours.1
    • 80% back on included extras
      We’ll cover 80% of your costs on included extras with our Flexi 80 extras cover up to your limits. Plus, you can visit almost any provider Australia wide.2
    • Mental health phone support

    For no extra cost, members with hospital cover3 can talk with a mental health professional over the phone in relation to any mental health or emotional concern, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

    • 24/7 Medibank Nurse

    Members with hospital cover can call our phone service to speak to a Medibank nurse about their health concerns at any time of the day or night, at no extra cost.3

    • Live Better rewards app
      Medibank believes in rewarding members for looking after their health. That’s why Medibank members with hospital or extras cover can enjoy benefits for taking steps towards living a healthier life by using our Live Better App.

    To speak to a Medibank consultant about a new or existing policy, please book in for an appointment.

    1. At recognised providers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Excludes optical.
    2. Up to annual limits. Waiting periods apply. Excludes optical. Exclude Flexi 80 MC.
    3. OSHC members should call the Student Health and Support Line on 1800 887 283
  • Donut miss free sweet treats at Williamstown, Sunbury and CPK tomorrow

    Western Health Foundation are thanking Western Health staff for their sensational efforts in 2023 with Krispy Kremes! Celebrate the season with a free donut and say hello to the friendly Western Health Foundation team. 

    Williamstown Hospital: 21 December, 10am – 12pm, 1st floor, The Hub

    Sunbury and Western Central Production Kitchen (CPK): 21 December, staff tea rooms

    Donuts will be put aside for those staff working night shift.

    Many thanks to Krispy Kreme for donating donuts through their Doughforce program, which is based on expressing thanks to those who work hard to support their communities.

    If you would like to know more about their fundraising efforts, you can visit their website. Alternatively, visit their western suburbs store at Highpoint to purchase a sweet treat!

     

     

  • Keep your cool at the local pool with Fitness Passport

    Fitness Passport pools at gyms, leisure and aquatic centres, will deliver holiday entertainment for an endless summer of fun, family memories and happy faces, without breaking the bank.

    • A huge network of pools, close to home, work, or even your holiday destination

    • Family memberships from $24.95/week

    • Unlimited visits

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

    Your onsite Health Club EFM is offering staff the opportunity to join the gym and enjoy the rest of the year absolutely free! No charge until January.

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

    Only 15 memberships available, please Jarrod on 0401951734, or email sunshine@efm.net.au