September Staff News

September

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

The public health advice for sensitive settings around COVID19 isolation periods and sick leave has recently changed and this impacts NCN Health Staff Please see page 2 of the newsletter for detailed information

Please remember to contact your manager or after hours manager ASAP if you test positive for COVID-19 and also if you are a close contact of a positive case Staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 may need to be managed on a high risk pathway

A general reminder to stay home if you feel unwell until your symptoms resolve, even if you test negative to COVID-19

SWELL

It was fantastic to see the launch of the SWELL (Staff Wellbeing) Program recently. To celebrate the launch of SWELL all staff will receive a voucher from a local food venue. As the name suggests, SWELL is focused on staff wellbeing, including mental and physical health and staff culture.

The SWELL committee will work to bring programs and initiatives to help support us all to be happier, healthier and more productive You can contact the SWELL Committee at ncnswell@ncnhealthorgau or check out the intranet page here

STAFF CELEBRATION

At the end of September we celebrated Environmental Services Week Our Maintenance, Enviro and Food Services staff work diligently behind the scenes and are key to the success of our service delivery

Thank you to our teams for your hard work in keeping our environment, safe, clean and our staff and community well nourished

Rounding off the Staff Celebrations this year is Allied Health Professionals Day on October 14 We look forward to acknowledging our Allied Health Staff and the positive impact their services have on the health and wellbeing of our communities.

ANNUAL AWARDS

As the end of the year approaches it is time to start voting for the Staff and Volunteer Annual Awards. The Annual Awards are presented at the NCN Health Annual General Meeting which will be held in December this year.

Award Categories are; Excellence in Customer Service, Consumer Centred Care, OHS and Quality Improvement The monthly Living the Values recognition winners will also be in the running to win the Annual Living the Values Award

You can find nomination forms on the intranet under People and Culture, or nominations will be available in the staff rooms this week The Communications Team will also send out links to nominate via email Please start thinking about these awards and celebrate your colleagues through nomination

SHAREPOINT

From Monday October 23, there will be a new, brighter and more engaging intranet available to all staff Our current intranet program is outdated and no longer supported, so we are in the process of replacing this with a new program known as Sharepoint.

The updated intranet will be an excellent resource for staff with all the current information, forms, links and latest news. It is very user friendly and is similar in look and feel to a website, except it is just for NCN Health internal use only.

Many thanks to the staff who have been updating their departmental information to be uploaded onto the intranet and a special mention to Business Services Manager Tony Brown who has been putting this information all together and designing our new look intranet

Jacque Phillips CEO

To all staff

Please read the updated COVID guidelines for COVID – 19 positive staff and close contacts on High Risk Pathway (HRP).

Close Contact requiring High Risk Pathway

A close contact is anyone who:

Lives with someone who has COVID-19 or stayed overnight in their house Spent more than 4 hours indoors with a person who has COVID-19 while they were infectious

High Risk Pathway

If you have no symptoms (asymptomatic) but are a close contact you will be placed on a HRP for 7 days and undertake daily RAT testing prior to the start of your shift

Symptomatic and testing negative for COVID-19

If you are not COVID positive but have symptoms of acute respiratory infection (including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever or chills) stay home until;

acute respiratory symptoms have resolved and no fever for 48hrs without the use of fever reducing medications.

COVID Positive

Stay home for minimum of 5 days from the onset of symptoms and until acute symptoms have resolved

Return to Work on Day 6 if symptoms free.

From day 6 – 10 return to work, you will be on HRP as directed by COSS Team, If symptoms continue from day 6 – 10: Stay home until acute symptoms have resolved as advised and/or directed by the COSS Team / DCS

Sick Leave

The public health advice has changed, from 1 October 2023, staff are advised they are required to use their personal sick leave entitlements under the enterprise agreement that applies to them if unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and/or tested positive for COVID-19.

Managers please note that where staff access personal sick leave entitlements you continue to use the “SL Other” code in Roster On.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Best of luck for the future to staff leaving us, and a warm welcome to all our new staff across NCN Health The following report reflects staff movement for September

Heather Joy Robinson

Belinda Elsegood

Simran Kang

Steven Pitman

Amardeep Kaur

Mikayla Vellar

Johnsy Pellissery Johnson

Jayme Bramley

Agna Jose

Helen Smith

Andrea Packer

Michelle Penaverde

Kerryn Powlesland

Sheree Razga

PAYROLL

CHRISTMAS PAY CHANGES - INFO!!

Sheryl Morgan

Toni Adams

Kate Boyd

Shirley Monckton

Due to Christmas Public Holidays falling on pay day, pays will be delayed & finalised on Thursday 28 December. Please adjust any direct debits that may be effected.

WELCOME

This month we welcome two new Admin members across Cobram and Numurkah Rosie Webb is an Admin casual based at Cobram and Trudy Harris is an Admin casual based at Numurkah Welcome to the team Rosie and Trudy

AGED CARE FORUM

The Aged Care Forum was held on September 7 and 8 at Rydges Melbourne. The forum presented on resident engagement, partnering purposefully in the delivery of care, understanding the link between the Aged Care Reforms and policy changes, recognising how evidence-based care can foster excellence, and how partnering in care can improve outcomes for older people living in PSRACS

Silpah, Sophie, Raj and Kylie attended the forum representing NCN Health. Also pictured is Lisa Clinnick, Manager PSRACS Performance and Operations team

Rosie Webb Trudy Harris

RECRUITMENT PROCESS - UPDATE

Did you know that NCN Health have a Recruitment and Selection procedure that provides information and guidance on the recruitment and appointment process? This ensures that appropriately skilled and qualified staff are recruited and appointed through a fair and equitable processes, that meet standards, regulatory and legislative requirements All appointments are based on MERIT

What is Merit?

The merit of a person eligible for appointment to a position is determined according to:

The nature of the duties of the position and essential key selection criteria

The abilities, qualifications, experience and standard of work performed of those persons relevant to those duties

A fair and open process which ensures a competitive field of applicants

A selection decision, which stand up to scrutiny.

What is Promotion?

Promotion can be obtained by:

An internal applicant being successful in a role that has been advertised at a higher classification than their current role

An employee’s role and responsibilities have increased, and their Position Description has been updated and reclassified to the appropriate level, and approved by the Chief Executive Officer in line with the Instrument of Delegation Procedure.

So how do we recruit at NCN Health?

All vacancies are advertised internally, and in most instances externally There is an exception to this, which is that only the Chief Executive Officer and Director of People and Culture have the discretion not to advertise a role where deemed appropriate

All vacancies will appear on the NCN Careers page. Some vacancies are advertised in the newspaper and some are uploaded onto online platforms

Only applicants who apply against the advertised role through Livehire can be considered by the Hiring Manager and selection panel. This is called shortlisting. This applies to both external applicants and applicants who are current employees of NCN Health.

Applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential key selection criteria in their application will be interviewed

The interview panel consists of the hiring manager and up to two others. The panel members cannot be at the same level as the position that is being filled All panel members must be suitably qualified to assess the candidates against the requirements of the role, guided by MERIT!

The hiring manager makes a recommendation for appointment to their Manager. An offer of employment is made once the recruitment and selection process has been checked to ensure that a fair and open process has been met and the successful applicant has the abilities, qualifications and experience required to do the job

REWARD AND RECOGNITION

Celebrating our outstanding NCN Health staff

Tanya Bell - Community Midwife / Numurkah

At our recent Daffodil Day Morning Tea, our Cancer Support Group were invited to come along and attend this Tanya was the only staff member to recognize our Support Group and have a chat to them It only took a few minutes out of Tanya’s day but it meant a lot to the group and they later said how lovely this interaction was This is only one way that Tanya demonstrates respect to all those around her Each day you can hear her bubbly personality asking how everyone is and brightening everyone’s day with a smile Thank you Tanya

Tammy Warren - Maintenance / Cobram

The efficiency of Tammy and the team is outstanding. Once an email is sent through I know the help will be on the way and with a smile! Thanks Tammy, we really appreciate the work you do!

Heidi Johnstone - Support Services Team Leader / Nathalia

Heidi has supported the Food Services staff with the implementation of ChefMax, Nathalia went live on Monday 4th September and Heidi was with the staff every step of the way. Working with the staff completing menus, printing reports and troubleshooting when necessary.

Staff are competent and working well for the first week and this is a large part to Heidi’s support. She does a lot of work to ensure that her staff are competent and comfortable with the tasks.

FURTHER EDUCATION

NCN Health are calling for expressions of interest for a partial scholarship to participate in the 2024 Fairley Leadership Program

The Program aims to build your community leadership skills and enhance your knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our region, now and into the future

Past participants of this program within NCN Health are Marissa Daly, Jacquie Hughes and Jacque Phillips – feel free to contact them to ask any questions you may have

This is a dynamic, enlightening, challenging and fun year of learning - for more info and to put in an EOI – see the flyer below and complete the form on the next page

Healthy Choices for food provided to staff and visitors in Victorian Hospitals.

Why change food and drink provided?

Healthy choices: Policy directive for Victorian public health services. The Policy directive aims to reinforce health services as places that support the health and well-being of their staff and visitors.

NCN Health are wanting to lead by example in their communities.

What foods have changed across NCN Health campuses?

Here’s what Health for staff and visitors to be in line with this mandate:

Sandwiches include:

-Reduced fat cheese

Soups contain:

-Low sodium stock

Desserts that will be available are:

-Frozen and regular yoghurt

Snacks will now include:

-Arnotts Water Crackers

-Eatwell Fruit, Oat and Cinnamon biscuits

-Scones once weekly

NCN Health vending machines to include:

-No sugar soft drink

-Nuts and chickpeas

-Reduced numbers of red items

NCN Health campuses are now compliant to meet these criteria for provision of food to staff and visitors

For more information contact the NCN Health Dietetics department

O H & S

Committee Members:

Welcome - We’d like to welcome Lisa Aquilina, OHS Officer and Fiona Vuong to the safety team Fiona will be the HSR representing the CHW designated work group at Numurkah Campus

Farewell – Brooke Clurey has resigned from her HSR role and we thank her for her contribution and commitment to safety

SunSmart –

With the warmer weather approaching please be mindful of the UV and sun exposure

Duress Alarms at Numurkah Campus –

To support our duress [Code Grey/Black] response

Numurkah’s insitu duress alarms have been upgraded and is now active When the duress alarm is activated the following process will take place -

ART Monitoring will contact the campus for confirmation it is an active duress or false alarm ART will then initiate appropriate response or stand down following advice and password confirmation Duress button will be reset

The system will be tested frequently by the Maintenance Team

The Maintenance team and Afterhours Managers have been provided with the ‘password’ details and a key to reset alarms has been distributed

Reminder to complete your mandatory OHS related training

Booking link on Intranet

Manual Handling Booking link on Intranet

All NON-CLINICAL Staff

Nathalia

Chef/Cook

Nurse Unit Manager/ANUM (Acute and Banawah) Practice Manager

Cobram

Cook/Chef

Nurse Unit Manager/ANUM (Acute, Irvin House and Theatre)

Emergency Response Role –Chief Warden Area Warden Warden

https://docsgoogle com/spreadsheets/ d/1fO2uley65YHv28

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Practice Manager/Dental Clinic Manager

Assistant Manager Community Health and Wellbeing and deputy

Numurkah

Chef/Cook

Nurse Unit Manager/ANUM (Karinya, Acute, Lodge and Theatre)

CHW Receptionist and deputy Executive Assistant

DCS’s and Deputy AHM’s

Maintenance Staff

Respiratory Fit Test Booking link available on the Intranet

Safety Month -

October is National Safe Work Month – a time to commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.

Safe Work Australia is the national policy agency responsible for WHS and workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia. Since 2009, they have run a national campaign each October to raise awareness of WHS and provide resources for Australian workplaces to run their own events. Individuals, their families and the broader community are all impacted by work related injury and illness. There is more we can do, and together we can make a difference. The theme of this year’s campaign is:

For everyone’s safety, work safely

#SafetyMatters

NCN Health will acknowledge and celebrate Safety Month with the following activities:

Numurkah

October 23rd

Cobram

October 25th

Nathalia

October 26th

Lunch for all staff

Dining room activities

Best dressed or best decorated DWG in safety colours [yellow and black]

Crosswords / word finds / conversation starter dice

Lunch for all staff

Dining room activities

Best dressed or best decorated DWG in safety colours [yellow and black]

Crosswords / word finds / conversation starter dice

Lunch for all staff

Dining room activities

Best dressed or best decorated DWG in safety colours [yellow and black]

Crosswords / word finds / conversation starter dice

Winners for each campus to be announced on Friday 27 October 2023 and photos will be available in the NCN Health Newsletter

To keep updated about National Safe Work Month follow

Safe Work Australia - subscribe to our mailing list

WorkSafe https://www worksafe vic gov au/worksafe-health-and-safety-month-webinars

Contact our team if you have any queries, safety concerns, feedback at:

Email – NCNOHS@ncnhealth org au

Tanya and Lisa – Ext 20319 or 10878

Julie – Ext 20568

Stay Safe

OHS Team

Cyber Security News

A good lesson to learn from a data breach that occurred at Melbourne Royal Women’s Hospital within the last week This was not a cyber breach at the facility, but of a staff member not following policies in regard to data use and their private account being hacked.

Please be aware this type of incident would also involve People and Culture as this is a serious confidentiality incident. Please do not send data to your personal email accounts and always be aware of data security risks when making decisions.

From The Herald Sun

HACKERS STEAL HOSPITAL DATA

Erin Constable

One hundred and ninety two patients of the Melbourne Royal Women’s Hospital have been victim to a damaging data breach at the hands of hackers.

Private information was stolen after a staff member’s private email was hacked after the staff member forwarded work emails containing private information to their personal account The hospital has launched a full investigation into the data breach including investigating whether other staff members have compromised private patient information.

Royal Women’s Hospital chief information officer George Cozaris told Seven News the hospital was taking the breach very seriously.

Patients affected by the breach are being contacted by the hospital. “We are very apologetic with what has happened,” said Mr Cozaris.

“We have set up a call centre to take their calls specifically and act immediately and we are setting up support in addition to that if they have any further questions.”

The hospital maintains no medical records were accessed in this attack and the hospital’s IT system and official email accounts remain secure.

AROUND AROUND AROUND THE THE THE GROUNDS GROUNDS GROUNDS

What happened at NCN Health in September?

KidzFix Rally rolls into Numurkah

On Monday September 11 there was a buzz around Numurkah as the KidzFix Rally rolled into town, bringing not only the cars but some special guests and a large donation to NCN Health.

The KidzFix Rally in 2023 was held from September 8-16 heading from Narooma, NSW to Yass, NSW via Bright. Each year the KidzFix rally heads on a different path, raising much needed funds to support and make a change in the lives of sick and disadvantaged children.

NCN Health received a donation of $23,755 from the KidzFix Rally which has purchased a new child resuscitation doll, enabling NCN Health staff to be ready for paediatric emergencies which present through the Urgent Care Centre.

Men’s day out in Barmah

On September 2 we held a men’s Lunch at the Barmah Hotel.

It was a fun afternoon catching up for a good yarn and treating the locals to lunch. We also were able to hand out gift bags, generously made by Edwina at the Nathalia Community House!

Community Reading Day in Nathalia and Cobram

Community Reading Day hit Cobram on September 4 and Nathalia on September 6.

Live4Life Expo and R U OK? Day at CAGS

Our Community Development team have been busy in the community throughout September. We jumped in with the Live4Life expo at Cobram Sports Stadium at the start of September which was all about Mental Health education for teenagers. Year 8 students from all the schools within the shire descended on Cobram for the day and had an enjoyable day off school!

On September 14 we joined the students at Cobram Anglican Grammar School and the Live4Life Crew for R U OK? Day activities. Where we took the smoothie bike and got the students to ride up some tasty treats.

We asked the school kids a few questions about supporting their mental health. You can see the answers in the video!

Farewell Anita

Staff gathered in Numurkah recently for a morning tea to congratulate Anita on 15 years at Numurkah District Health Service and NCN Health, her most recent role being Nurse Unit Manager of Karinya Nursing Home. Volunteers and staff at Karinya thanked Anita for her integrity, compassion and dedication. Anita was described as an inspiration to other staff and a mentor to many.

“Anita was encouraging of all the staff to aim high and increase their knowledge. “Her door was always open to staff, family members and of course residents.”

While we will miss seeing Anita around Numurkah Campus, we wish her well on her retirement and have heard some whispers we may see her back as a volunteer down the track. Congratulations and thank you, Anita.

Karinya Fun

Volunteer Bev organised Hyacinth’s Indoor/Outdoor Luxury BBQ for the residents at Karinya. They were treated to a fun BBQ Lunch followed by Popcorn that tasted like it was straight from the movies and some ice cream while they watched the Hyacinth movie.

Pioneers Lodge Footy Tipping

Nancy Retallick was the winner of the Pioneers Lodge Footy Tipping competition!

Congratulations on your win Nancy!

Footy Colours Day at NCN Health

Di Raco and Cassie Marshal

Nadene Donnelly and Julie Vella

John Shrimpton, Rosie Hicks and Jordan Hopkins.

Numurkah Campus Staff get into the footy spirit

Lisa Kellow - Nathalia Football Netball Club

Lisa was recently awarded life membership for the Nathalia Football Netball Club Recently hitting the 200 senior games milestone for the club, and a lifetime of loyalty saw her awarded this honour. Congratulations Lisa!

R U OK? Day at NCN Health

We also placed conversation cards around campuses with tips and tools to strike up conversation with anyone at any time.

Paula Williams – R U OK Cup pack

Melissa Bell – R U OK Cooler Bag

Naomi Morton – Pen, Badge and Sticky note pad

Ali Beatson - Pen, Badge and Sticky note pad

Many staff also took part in the R U OK? Day quiz with winners across all campuses.

Emilia Sella – RUOK Cooler Bag

Victoria Calleja – RUOK Cup Pack

Jacquie Hughes – RUOK Notepad and pen

Mercy Mathew – RUOK Cooler Bag

Michelle Strawhorn – RUOK Cup Pack

Lynne Will-Holland – RUOK Notepad and pen

Naomi Hopkins – RUOK Notepad and pen

Amanda Garlic – RUOK Notepad and Pen.

Grand prize winner for Best Dressed

Rosie Hicks – Pioneer Lodge. Rosie has won the RUOK Duffel Bag.

Nathalia

Cobram

Numurkah

For more info contact ncncommunications@ncnhealth.org.au

STAY UP TO DATE

In between news letter drops you can easily stay up to date with everything happening across the campuses via the Intranet and our staff Facebook group.

If you haven't joined the staff Facebook group - jump onto Facebook and search for NCN Health Staff Updates, or follow this link: NCN Health Staff Updates

Did you know that the Intranet is a treasure trove of useful information? If you haven't had a look recently, you should!

If you have anything to add to future newsletters, please email ncncommunications@ncnhealth.org.au