Health and Safety

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.

Mental Safety and Wellbeing

It is our core belief that all staff and associates of Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, regardless of position, have the right and expectation to be able to work in, and visit, our organisation without fear of discrimination, bullying or harassment. Associates in this context may include contractors, visitors, committee members and governing board members. Our staff have developed an anti-bullying, anti-harassment and Mana Enhancing policy and staffroom poster. Also, our staff, managers and senior leaders have worked together to create a document that incorporates our shared values of inclusiveness (Whanaungatanga), empowerment (Mana Motuhake), achieving equity (Whai Mana), and showing respect for each other (Mana Motuhake). The document outlines that staff have the right to expect the following: • They will be treated with kindness, professionalism and respect • Their differences will be accepted and celebrated • Less-than-optimal performance will be addressed respectfully • 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 professional and appropriate behaviours.

MORNING KARAKIA AND WAIATA Every morning at 8:15am staff get together for 10 minutes in the Kōwhai (Board) Room or via online link to start our morning with a karakia and a waiata. Although this is completely voluntary, the gatherings are very well attended, with some staff reporting that it uplifts them spiritually, provides a point of unity for all staff, and provides a motivational start to their working day. VITAE 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.

OFFICE WARMING To celebrate the unification of our two offices in Tauranga, into one office, we held an enjoyable drinks and pizza evening with a Trivial Pursuit competition.

TANGI FOR LIZZIE Staff at the PHO have lost family members over the past year, and as an organisation we grieve with our bereaved staff. In September, we sadly lost one of our own whānau. Lizzie Nicholls died after a short battle with cancer, and although most of us were unable to attend the funeral due to lockdown restrictions, many of us joined together in the Kōwhai Room and attended the service via Zoom link. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we held our own karakia and waiata for Lizzie. Moe mai ra I roto I nga ringa atawhai o te Atua.

Physical Safety and Wellbeing

Our Health and Safety Committee includes staff and management who work together to share responsibility for instigating, developing and actioning measures designed to safeguard the health and safety of our employees.

As part of our health and safety responsibilities we have health and safety representatives who attend monthly Health and Safety Committee meetings, fire 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.