Published on 27 December 2023

  • New report into population health needs in the west

    A new report analysing the health and care needs of Victorians has been released.

    The West Metro Population Health Needs Assessment- Technical Report 2023 is by the West Metro Health Service Partnership (WMHSP), which is a partnership between Western Health, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Mercy Hospital, Werribee.

    The analysis focused on the specific needs of four priority groups:

    • children (0 to 9 years)
    • women and females (20 to 39 years)*
    • older adults (65 years and over)
    • people unwell with cancer.

    It also included a focus on potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) and avoidable emergency department (ED) presentations for all four cohorts.

    Consultations were conducted with both community and health care professionals. 662 people responded to surveys, while 85 participated in focus groups and interviews.

    The analysis found:

    Social disadvantage amplifies health challenges

    The analysis brought to light significant levels of social disadvantage across several local government areas in the West Metro region, particularly Brimbank, Melton and parts of Hume. This disadvantage was found to correlate to an increased risk of ill health. The population in the West Metro region also exhibited higher tobacco smoking rates than the greater Melbourne area, along with lower cancer screening rates. The analysis also showed that the most populated and disadvantaged local government areas also have the greatest health care workforce shortages (including GPs).

    Trouble accessing health care

    Consultations with community and health practitioners revealed the barriers people face in accessing health care. Respondents expressed difficulties in navigating the system, understanding the services available, and comprehending eligibility criteria. Balancing daily responsibilities with the need for care also presents a challenge, as does the absence of local bulk-billed or affordable health care. Health practitioners highlighted system challenges and constraints, including limited access to specialist care in the community, and a pressing need for increased workforce capability and capacity. Ad hoc communication and coordination across health providers, particularly between primary and secondary care, was a consistent problem identified by all stakeholders.

    Guiding the way forward

    The findings from the analysis serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, planners and providers working to improve the health of Victorians in the West Metro region. They also enable future reform efforts to be more targeted and aligned across regional networks, which should ultimately lead to better outcomes for the community.

    Download the full report.

    Watch the webinar:

    Watch a pre-recorded webinar exploring the results of the analysis, featuring a panel with the Western Public Health Unit Deputy Director Dr Charles Alpren.

    The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) has also released its inaugural Population Health Catchment Plan, outlining a coordinated approach to tackling some of central and western Melbourne’s biggest health challenges. You can see their full report here or download an executive summary.

    Do you want to be part of the conversation and explore potential collaboration to address these issues? Contact Suyin Ng, Executive Director, WMHSP at suyin.ng@mh.org.au

    *Please note the dual term “women and females” reflects different terminology used across data sources.

  • 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.

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

    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

  • Did you see the photobooth pictures from our 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)

     

  • 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.”

  • 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:

    Book an appointment with Medibank consultant via: https://www.medibank.com.au/booking/

    Go to: https://corporate.medibank.com.au/westernhealth/

    Email: viccorporate@medibank.com.au

    Call: 131 680

    Visit: Medibank store

    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
  • 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 

     

  • Maxxia salary packaging

    Maxxia will be onsite at Western Health in 2024 to answer any questions you may have about salary packaging.

    Upcoming Visits:

    Footscray Hospital

    Adjacent to the security office

    • Wednesday January 10 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Thursday February 8 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Tuesday March 11 – 11.00am -1.00pm
    • Tuesday April 9 – 11.00am -1.00pm
    • Tuesday May 14 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Tuesday June 11 – 11.00am – 1.00pm

    Sunshine Hospital

    Main walkway near the pharmacy

    • Wednesday January 10 – 11.00am -1.00pm
    • Thursday February 8 – 11.00am – 1.00pm
    • Tuesday March 12 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Tuesday April 9 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Tuesday May 14 – 11.00am -1.00pm
    • Tuesday June 11 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm

    Williamstown Hospital

    Hub area

    • Wednesday January 17 – 11.00am – 1.00pm
    • Thursday March 14 – 11.00am – 1.00pm
    • Wednesday May 15 – 11.00am – 1.00pm

    Sunbury Day Hospital

    Consulting Room 5

    • Tuesday February 6 – 11.00am – 1.00pm
    • Wednesday May 1 – 11.00am – 1.00pm

    Bacchus Marsh Hospital

    Staff lunch room                                     

    • Tuesday February 20 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
    • Tuesday April 16 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm

    Melton Health Services

    Community Services Building upstairs staff room

    • Tuesday February 20 – 11.00am – 1.00pm
    • Tuesday April 16 – 11.00am – 1.00pm

    Click here to find out more.