Staff Newsletter JUNE 2024 by ncncommunications

C O M M U N I T Y B U S

L A U N C H , R E T I R E M E N T S , N E W

C E O A N D M O R E

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Thank you to all staff for your very warm welcome in my first weeks as CEO, I look forward to meeting you as I move across the three campuses and working with you all.

The NCN team will know that public health services (such as NCN Health) are working hard to prepare our forward budgets for the 2024-2025 financial year. We also know that budget planning is subject to ongoing discussion with the Department of Health (Vic) who have flagged significant reductions in the coming three years for all public health services.

NCN Health has robust management systems and an engaged staff and community base and these will be critical in helping NCN Health maintain a focus on service delivery by our team for our community as we consider budget preparation and discussions with the Department of Health (Vic).

In addition, NCN Health together with all Victorian Public Health Services are awaiting health service reform recommendations as a result of the Health Services Plan The Health Services Plan is an initiative of The Department of Health (Vic) to reform the Victorian Health Services System.

The Health Services Plan has been led by an expert advisory committee and will propose options for how Victoria’s system of public health services should be structured going forward.

Furthermore, and critically, if you are worried or have questions, it is important to talk about that with someone This could include your line manager who is welcome to seek clarification from me on your behalf if they are unsure themselves.

A reminder that all staff have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and you can find information for this free and confidential service on the intranet.

The Executive Team will continue to communicate ongoing to all staff through huddles, newsletters and regular updates on our intranet. We also aim to ensure we create the conditions for listening

On this point, if you have feedback on how we can do better in keeping all staff informed of any changes and challenges, please let myself or your manager know.

Over the next few weeks, we will be holding a series of inperson staff forums at each campus and these will be communicated via various means across NCN Health.

The purpose of these forums will be to provide you with the most up-to-date information available, provide practical examples of what budget reductions will look like in the coming 12 months and to give you a chance to ask any questions you might have.

I will be at each of these forums together with Executive Team members and managers. We encourage you to attend one of these sessions if you can.

Have a great month,

Mark Ashcroft CEO

Stage Two Renovation Cobram Campus Update

Thanks to all staff in Cobram for your patience as we continue to work with the internal and external renovations at Cobram Campus.

Internal and external renovations are continuing at Cobram Campus as we move through stage two of the project. Internally, a hoarding bypass to access acute and urgent care is in place. This bypass starts at the main reception waiting room, crosses over what was previously the triage room, across the hallway and into acute ward through what used to be an internal courtyard, this allows visitors and staff to move between reception and acute and urgent care areas.

Parking

AM staff/day staff are all to park in the staff car park down Charles street (medical clinic/CRC Carpark)

PM staff are to also park in the staff car park down Charles street (medical clinic/CRC Carpark)

Security are on site at 2200 as people leave to this space

ND please park in the car park out front of Irvin House, Security are in the area from 2115 as staff arrive to allow safe entry

Urgent care/ Radiology and patient/visitors have very limited car parks so please DO NOT park Broadway St

Arrangements with managers have been made if staff finish late outside the security times above, please if you have any concerns around locations of parking for your shift speak to your manager or myself.

Maintenance Driveway Resurfacing

Staff parking remains closed in this area as Crow Constructions will be using this space to access the acute area for construction works. You will see that Meals on Wheels continue to collect meals from the driveway between Medical and Dental and CRC.

The renovations are on track to be finalized by October or November this year. We will keep staff updated on these timeless as work progresses.

Thanks again everyone for your patience and team work.

Carolyn Hargreaves Director of Clinical Services Cobram

Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge

Redevelopment

The NPML Redevelopment is very much is the detailed planning stage. Given the size and scope of the project, the Victorian Health Building Authority or VHBA (who are an arm of the Department of Health) are leading this project. This is different to some of the smaller projects that NCN Health have completed where our organisation manages the build - for example, the Urgent Care Redevelopment in Cobram.

The VHBA have put out tenders to get a team together to develop the new Lodge, this is an extensive team including; Victorian Health Aged Care, architects, project managers, service engineers, quality surveyors, civil and structural engineers, traffic engineers, landscape design and building surveyors. These team will work with Director of Operations Justin Sullivan, Operations Manager Bronti O’Connor, Numurkah Maintenance Manager John Fothergill and Lodge Nurse Unit Manager Raj Kumahr to move the project forward and consult on detailed design. NCN Health has also brought together an Advisory Group to inform the final design of the redevelopment. This group is made up of staff representatives and consumer representatives.

Where are we now?

We currently have a schematic design which outlines all the features we have to include in the final plan for the new Lodge. The schematic design must take into account the recommendations from the National Aged Care Design Principals and Guidelines, which was created off the back of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

Timelines

The schematic design is complete and we are now moving into a detailed design phase which will see significant contribution from the Advisory Group and other sub groups as needed. These should be completed by September 2024. Next a tender for building will be appointed and the build to start by mid2025. We expect the build to take 18 – 24 months.

Virtual Design Walk Through

Members of the Advisory Group will head to Melbourne in the coming weeks to complete a virtual tour of the draft Lodge design to give them a sense in ‘real time’ of the new facility and help inform their feedback on design features. We look forward to sharing updates after the virtual tour!

Staff Service Awards

Recognising years of service to the organisation from 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 etc. Life Governor Awarded at 30 years.

Well done to the following people on their amazing years of service and thank you for your hard work and dedication!

June

Rebekah Jones, 10 Cheryl Thorn, 15 years

Debra Morland, 25 years

Anne Hughes

Jasmine Luscombe

Mark Ashcroft

Niamh Smith

Anita Burrows

Tony Crawford

Shanthini Johnson

Fiona Vuong

Victoria Calleja

William Smith

Tony Crawford Leaves the Building

Everyone's second favourite IT guy finished up with NCN Health in June. Thanks for all the fixes and turning off and on over the years, Tony! We miss you already.

Chris Sutton Retirement

Staff, Residents and Volunteers gathered for afternoon tea to farewell Diversional Therapist Chris Sutton on her retirement at the Lodge on June 18

Chris initially started back in 1984. Over the years Chris worked across many departments, she completed her nursing course, worked as a PCA, worked at Baala House and Orana.

Her first association with The Lodge prior to physically working there, was when she was a Food Monitor, she knew how all the residents had their tea, she wrote up the resident meal list every day for the chef, knew what the residents liked to eat, but didn’t know who the residents were!

Chris enjoyed getting to know the residents and staff in person over the years with some of the very fun events organized during her time.

Chris was very appreciative of the support of the volunteers and Auxiliary for the work they provide towards activities and events for the residents. She described her volunteers as ’an absolute gift’ and paid tribute to one former volunteer - Bob - who is now a resident at the Lodge too.

Chris Sutton Retirement

A framed collage of words ‘from the volunteers’ was presented to Chris, who described Chris as dedicated, energetic, passionate, tenacious, fast and more.

Chris worked out that she has made at least 57 000 scones in her time at The Lodge – surely a record!?

Chris made special mention to the community groups that come onsite regularly and the importance in fostering these connections. Some of these groups include; The Loners Group, Community Visitors and also Monday morning Craft Group. These initiatives are a great way of bringing the community to us, when we can’t get out to them.

Chris will be off bike riding some of the ‘Tour de France’ track. We look forward to seeing some photos on her return

All the best Chris. Don’t worry, she will be back, she has already started onboarding to become a volunteer. ��

Nadene Donnelley Retirement

Executive Assistant Nadene Donnelly-Lucas celebrated her retirement from NCN Health after 17 years.

Nadene was well known around Numurkah campus for her wealth of knowledge about the organization and was the unofficial go to for questions and concerns.

She was the self-appointed parking inspector at times and animal lover who often could be found pet sitting on the quiet in her office!

At her farewell afternoon tea, Director of Operations Justin Sullivan thanked Nadene for her dedication and hard work over the past 17 years. There was huge turnout of staff who all agreed she would be greatly missed every day.

Nadene and husband John plan to enjoy retirement on their property outside Numurkah and set off and do some travelling around Australia too.

Best of Luck Nadene and thank you.

REWARD AND RECOGNITION

Marie Fabry - Allied Health & Chronic Disease / Cobram

Marie went above and beyond to support an urgent referral in the community and really displayed our values of respect and partnership

Junie Polancos - Nurse / Nathalia

Junie, stepped up when asked The ward was short staffed, and she did not hesitate to work for the full shift. She went above and beyond helping nursing staff without having to be asked, offering support where she could

Cleaning Staff - Cobram

I would like recognize Thivy Chin, Annette Baldwin, Kylie H, Michelle Perri and Christine C as doing an exceptional job in making sure our Administration Offices and desks feel very clean

Their attention to detail, tireless effort and politeness do not go unnoticed. We’re truly grateful for their commitment to creating a very clean environment

NCN HEALTH STAFF

As discussed during your onboarding appointment, it is mandatory that all new staff attend Orientation Day, held at the Nathalia Campus.

Orientation Day helps you to become familiar with NCN Health, our policies and our practices You will meet other new employees and be introduced to some key people across the organisation

Your Orientation Day information:

Date Thursday 11 July, 2024

Time 8:30am - 5:00pm (you are paid for this day)

Campus Nathalia, Harbison Room

Dietary Requirements

Dress

Catering is provided throughout the day Please let our team know if you have any dietary requirements

NCN Health uniform, or neat casual if you have not received yet

Cancellations Contact your manager and People and Culture

EVENTS SCHEDULE

The NCN Health Social Club Billy Barrel Cash Prize winnersforJUNEARE... JacqueHughes LaurenNye KylieDarcy

Please organise to collect your $30 cash prize from Numurkah reception. You have 6 months to collect your winnings!!!

walkthisway Winners!!

Over the course of the challenge we walked a combined 10,707,681 steps!

Winners are: Winners are:

Nathalia - Bridget Booth Nathalia - Bridget Booth

Cobram: Colleen Brooks

Numurkah: Nikki Keri-Opie

StudentPlacement

We have recently had the pleasure of having Holmeslgen students Sharon, Maryana, Yan and Heather spend 3 weeks with us to complete their Dietetics and nutrition Allied health assistant placement The students spent time in Pioneers Lodge, Karinya, acute and in the community. They spent time in various client groups including exercise groups, observing and assisting with meal ordering and meal prep in the kitchen and helped to complete food audits and nutrition screening for clients They also presented findings at the end of placement to some of our allied health and support services staff Thankyou to Fiona and Amanda and all staff for supporting our dietetics and nutrition students!

Sharon said “The community in Numurkah was incredibly welcoming and supportive. This placement at NCN Health offered invaluable hands-on experience in both acute and aged care settings I had the opportunity to work with different clinicians, which significantly enhanced my practical skills and gave me a better understanding of the AHA role. The relationships built and the work completed during this placement have left a lasting impact on both myself and the community. I look forward to applying the lessons learned in future endeavours”

Maryana said:

“As an Allied Health Assistant, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the locals through observing different exercise groups and having conversations with the participants, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the community's unique needs and challenges I’ve had the privilege to learn from different allied health disciplines, they were always helpful and approachable. I am grateful for the positive experience at NCN Numurkah, thankyou.”

Maryana and Sharon presenting on there findings

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Join Chelsey and Angela for free fitness classes at the NCN

Health Numurkah CH&W Gym

Our Programs

Cardio & Strength Circuit

Les Mills Body Balance

HIIT Tabata

Les Mills Body Combat

Metafit Boxing

MetaPWR

HIITSTEP

Numurkah Community

Health and Wellbeing Gym

Chelsey.Thorne@ncnhealth.org.au

Angela.Thorne@ncnhealth.org.au Angela.Thorne@ncnhealth.org.au

Local AFL Games!

Want a fun afternoon out, and feel like supporting your local AFL teams? Below is when Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah play each other! Nothing like a bit of town v town rivalry.

Nathalia VS Numurkah – Saturday 28th July

Numurkah VS Cobram – Saturday 10th August

AROUND AROUND AROUND THE THE THE GROUNDS GROUNDS GROUNDS

What happened across NCN in June

Community Fun Day and Bus Launch

Rotary Club of Numurkah and NCN Health hosted the Community Bus Launch event in Newman Square on Saturday June 1st. The morning was to thank the community and major sponsors for their support in fundraising for an all access bus.

Rotary hosted a breakfast for a gold coin donation, NCN Health staff were in attendance with health promotion material, family games and the smoothie bike. President Julie Andrew presented major sponsors with a certificate of recognition.

“On behalf of Rotary and NCN Health we acknowledge the work of the Rotary members for organizing the appeal, the Bendigo Bank for assisting in the appeal and a group of corporate donors and individuals for their generosity, including Graincorp, Numurkah Pharmacy, Numurkah Lions Club, Numurkah Lions Ladies, Pioneers Memorial Lodge Auxiliary and The Dyson Family.”

The Bus is already a hit with residents, staff and volunteers. The 11-seater allabilities access bus accommodates wheelchair access, offers handrails and a modified step entry. The bus will be used by residents of Numurkah Pioneer Memorial Lodge and Karinya Nursing Home to participate in community activities and events. The bus will also be made available for community groups in Numurkah who support isolated and aged people.

The new wheels are thanks to Rotary Club of Numurkah who led the fundraiser in partnership with Bendigo Bank and NCN Health. The project was first launched in February 2022 and thanks to the incredible community support enough money was raised to purchase two vehicles by the end of 2022. The second bus has just arrived at Numurkah and we are in the process of organising signage for bus and getting it on the road.

Community Fun Day and Bus Launch

Rotary President Julie Andrews thanks Melodie Hawkins from Moira Shire, Patrick Martin from Grain Corp, Nukurkah Lions, Megan Shaw at Bendigo Bank and Numurkah Pioneer Lodge Auxiliary representatives.

Right: Peter Cox whips up a smoothie on the bike!