07 Health and Safety The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation is committed to protecting and nurturing the physical and mental wellbeing of all people in its workplace by providing a healthy, safe and positive place to work.
V I TA E Our organisation continues to fund up to three counselling sessions per annum for each of our staff and Practice Staff. With our nation’s second lockdown, the reports from the Health Reform, and our office relocation in June, it is unsurprising that staff have been feeling more stressed, and the Vitae services uptake reflects this with 13 PHO staff and nine Practice staff using the counselling services in the year to September 2021.
Mental Safety and Wellbeing
OFFICE WARMING
It is our core belief that all staff and associates of Western Bay of Plenty
To celebrate the unification of our two offices in
Primary Health Organisation, regardless of position, have the right and
Tauranga, into one office, we held an enjoyable drinks
expectation to be able to work in, and visit, our organisation without fear
and pizza evening with a Trivial Pursuit competition.
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of discrimination, bullying or harassment. Associates in this context may include contractors, visitors, committee members and governing board
TA N G I F O R L I Z Z I E
members. Our staff have developed an anti-bullying, anti-harassment and
Staff at the PHO have lost family members over the
Mana Enhancing policy and staffroom poster. Also, our staff, managers
past year, and as an organisation we grieve with our
and senior leaders have worked together to create a document that
bereaved staff. In September, we sadly lost one of our
incorporates our shared values of inclusiveness (Whanaungatanga),
own whānau. Lizzie Nicholls died after a short battle with
empowerment (Mana Motuhake), achieving equity (Whai Mana), and
cancer, and although most of us were unable to attend
showing respect for each other (Mana Motuhake). The document outlines
the funeral due to lockdown restrictions, many of us
that staff have the right to expect the following:
joined together in the Kōwhai Room and attended the
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They will be treated with kindness, professionalism and respect
service via Zoom link. At the conclusion of the ceremony,
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Their differences will be accepted and celebrated
we held our own karakia and waiata for Lizzie. Moe mai
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Less-than-optimal performance will be addressed respectfully
ra I roto I nga ringa atawhai o te Atua.
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Bullying behaviour will not be tolerated at any level of the organisation Staff new to management roles will be given leadership training to
guide them in achieving high outputs from their staff while maintaining
Physical Safety and Wellbeing
professional and appropriate behaviours.
Our Health and Safety Committee includes staff and management who work together to share responsibility
M O R N I N G K A R A K I A A N D W A I ATA
for instigating, developing and actioning measures
Every morning at 8:15am staff get together for 10 minutes in the Kōwhai
designed to safeguard the health and safety of our
(Board) Room or via online link to start our morning with a karakia and a
employees.
waiata. Although this is completely voluntary, the gatherings are very well
As part of our health and safety responsibilities
attended, with some staff reporting that it uplifts them spiritually, provides
we have health and safety representatives who attend
a point of unity for all staff, and provides a motivational start to their
monthly Health and Safety Committee meetings, fire
working day.
wardens who carry out bi-annual fire drills, and certified first aid officers at both of our sites – First Avenue and Whakatāne. All new employees receive a health and safety induction and a workstation assessment. All staff are involved in the annual national ShakeOut, which reminds people of the action to take during an earthquake – Drop, Cover and Hold. COVID-19 restrictions mean that staff are required to wear face masks in the areas where they will come into contact with visitors, such as the hallways and reception. Surfaces are sanitised, and staff are constantly reminded to exercise good hand washing hygiene and stay home if unwell.
