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South West Healthcare

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25.01.2022 APPOINTMENTS TO OUR SWH BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Minister for Health, Martin Foley MP, is pleased to invite applications for part-time board positions of South West Healthcare with terms of office commencing from 1 July 2021. These positions provide an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public with relevant experience and qualifications to contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care delivery to the community. Safe and high quality healthcare for ...Continue reading

24.01.2022 BREAKING NEWS The Victorian Government has committed $384M of State Budget funding to progress the long-awaited redevelopment of our Warrnambool Base Hospital. SWH CEO Craig Fraser has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a game changer for the region, and very exciting for our community, staff and teams and for the future of healthcare in the south west. This will result in one of the most contemporary, state-of-the-art facilities in rural Australia that will improve ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 WANT TO JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS? You’ve got until 5pm on November 30 to take up Health Minister Martin Foley’s invite to apply for part-time SWH board positions commencing from July next year. This is an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public with relevant experience and qualifications to contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care delivery to our community. The Victorian Government (as is SWH) is committed to ensuring boards and committ...ees broadly reflect the diversity of the Victorian community. Additionally, SWH welcomes applicants with experience and expertise in, particularly, financial management and accounting. For further information, including how to apply, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/governance Board directors of public hospitals are eligible to receive remuneration. There’s more information here: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/.../edu.../board-remuneration For all inquiries regarding the appointment process please contact Department of Health and Human Services senior program advisor Lee Fairley on 4243 5476. For all board-related inquiries please contact SWH senior executive assistant Gemma Cousins on 5564 4060.

22.01.2022 Looking for a really interesting and meaningful way to be involved with us? We’re now calling for Expressions of Interest for a volunteer lay woman to join our SWH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Applicants should not have any affiliation with SWH and not currently be engaged in medical, scientific, legal or academic work. The HREC provides ethical review for research projects to be conducted by employees, students and external researchers at SWH and other health serv...ices in the region. In undertaking this role, the HREC is guided by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. As a lay member, you’d be involved in ethical assessment of research from a community perspective. Commitment: This is a voluntary role and the successful applicant must comply with the SWH Volunteer Code of Conduct. Meetings are usually held bi-monthly on the first Monday of the month from 12.302pm at SWH. A video conferencing option is also available. Agenda and papers are sent electronically one week prior to each meeting. You’d be expected to review and provide feedback for the assigned items and participate in discussion wherever required. Support: Appropriate induction, training and information resources will be provided. HOW TO APPLY Applications should be sent to [email protected] and should include (1) a letter detailing what you believe you can bring to the ethics committee and (2) a short curriculum vitae or summary of your education and relevant work experience. For an informal discussion and/or a copy of the role description please contact SWH Education Research & Workforce Development manager Barbara Moll on 5563 4080 or email [email protected] APPLICATIONS CLOSE on Friday November 13 at 5pm.

21.01.2022 WE ARE Emily Falla (pictured left) and Cinnamon Henry, proud Aboriginal women working in South West Healthcare’s Aboriginal Health & Support team, and we’d like to wish you a Happy NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and celebrate the rich history, diverse culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. Every year, South West Healthcare celebrates NAIDOC Week... in a really special way. Usually we hold a day of music, food and group activities but because COVID-19 stops us from doing these things we’re taking our 2020 celebrations online. We’ve produced a half-hour film that we’re really excited about sharing with you as our gift to community. It’s called Through the Generations and features local stories connected to this year’s NAIDOC Week theme of ‘Always Was, Always Will Be.’ This theme recognises that first nation’s people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years and are spiritually and culturally connected to this land. Through the Generations features local artists and community members Sherry Johnstone, Aunty Vicki Couzens, Uncle Rob Lowe, Brett Clarke, Uncle Lenny Clarke and Kirrae Clarke. You’ll be able to watch the film as of November 12 when we post the link on the Facebook platforms of South West Healthcare and Wata Waetnanda. The links to lots of other online events and information will be also available by joining the community Facebook page of Wata Waetnanda. As the Aboriginal Health & Support team, we’ve had a very busy and productive year. We’re so happy that SWH has completed its first endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan and we look forward to creating an even more culturally safe and supportive health service. For those of you who’d like to know a little more about what we do day-to-day... Cinnamon’s our Aboriginal hospital liaison officer. Her role includes providing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families, including providing information on hospital procedures, assisting with admission and discharge planning, and advocating for patients’ needs. Emily’s our Aboriginal health promotion officer. Her role includes working closely with the community to try and close the gap in healthcare by working together on prevention, education and culturally safe programs. This is how you can contact us: Emily Falla Aboriginal health promotion officer Phone 5564 4169 Cinnamon Henry Aboriginal health liaison officer Phone 5564 5050

18.01.2022 We cannot overstate how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful team of registered volunteers. In February, these 335 people took the disruption caused by the pandemic in their stride, impressively adjusting to numerous swiftly-enforced changes as we took all precautions to help keep them safe. Initially, all but 18 volunteers at our Warrnambool Base Hospital and the three-strong telehealth volunteer team at Macarthur Community Health were temporarily required to defer thei...r onsite volunteering activities because of COVID. Gradually we’ve welcomed them back and we couldn’t be happier . Not only are these amazing human beings such a blessing for our patients, residents, clients and consumers, our staff regard them as SWH family. They’re a wonderful support network and many are regarded as mentors and role models. The latest to inspire us are Sue Franklin (left) and Helen Marris. With time on their hands while at home over recent months this pair, with the support of our Volunteer Services coordinator Julie Evans, has started making *comfort cards*. Sue does the crocheting and Helen does the calligraphy. These gorgeous gifts will be offered to patients in our palliative care programs.

17.01.2022 Congratulations to our SWH and Terang & Mortlake Health Service’s health promotion workers. Their ongoing support roles with the Achievement Program (a free health and wellbeing initiative open to Victorian schools, early childhood services and workplaces) has helped Corangamite Shire’s cluster-managed kindergartens be recognised by the Victorian Government for improving the health of local children. With more than 200 children between them, Cobden & District Kindergarten, Si...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Nurse Casey Vallance helps gorgeous Jakobi Searle unwrap his Christmas presents from the Dennington Community Association. The son of Warrnambool’s Tyler Searle, the 20-month-old has stolen the hearts of everyone in our paediatrics unit .

16.01.2022 We’ve come so far . It’s up to all of us to keep getting tested at the first sign of any symptoms and keep Victoria safe this summer. Our respiratory assessment clinic (RAC) in Warrnambool is where we do our symptomatic screenings (from 8am4pm seven days/week, and by appointment only). Please call 5563 1666 to speak with one of our RAC nurses. Keep up to date at www.CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au

15.01.2022 Wishing our fantastic SWH OT team a very Happy OT Week! The 21 occupational therapists and four allied health assistants who work with them have started the celebrations on a big, bright note. They’ve virtually gathered with their regional counterparts (all up, there’s more than 75 of them) to network and be inspired by a brilliant guest speaker. Julie Metaxotos was the perfect choice for this year’s theme of Resilience: Supporting our communities to rebuild, recover, and ree...ngage. You can check out her story, and that of her OTs, here (it'll be the most motivating four minutes of your day)... https://fancyfilms.com.au/portfolio_page/tac/ For more info on OT Week head to https://otaus.com.au/cpd-and-events/ot-week/ot-week-2020 #ThisIsOT #OTWeek2020

12.01.2022 Caring for our part of the world . Today we donated 250 frozen meals to Warrnambool & District Foodshare.

11.01.2022 This week we have vacancies for some physiotherapists plus a people & culture advisor. The details are on our website www.southwesthealthcare.com.au under Careers>Current Positions Available

10.01.2022 Being smack-bang in the middle of grass-pollen season, this terrific 2-minute video will help all of us understand the dangers of thunderstorm asthma...

10.01.2022 Tune into 1602 AM ABC Radio at 7.45 in the morning to hear our Aboriginal health promotion officer Emily Falla talking with Jeremy Lee about NAIDOC Week...

10.01.2022 This week we have vacancies for a mental health clinician (Portland Adult Mental Health Service), a team leader (Warrnambool Adult Mental Health Service) a registered nurse (Mental Health Inpatient Service), a counsellor/advocate (South Western Centre Against Sexual Assault), a dietitian (Camperdown campus), an enrolled nurse (Merindah Lodge), and a receptionist/switchboard operator. The details are on our website www.southwesthealthcare.com.au under Careers>Current Positions Available

09.01.2022 We're SO thrilled to be a part of this terrific campaign...

08.01.2022 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week starts today. Held globally each year to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials, 2020’s theme of *United to preserve antimicrobials* is, says our Deputy Director of Pharmacy Gavin Flett, aimed at engaging stakeholders from all sectors in a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance. ‘Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the greatest threats to human health today. T...he prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is rising worldwide. Patients with infections due to resistant bacteria experience delayed recovery and treatment failure and are more likely to die than patients with infections from non-resistant bacteria,’ Gavin explains. Antimicrobials underpin modern healthcare and cannot be taken for granted. We need to work together to ensure they’re used appropriately across all sectors. It’s time to take antibiotic resistance seriously. We all have a part to play in helping to preserve the power of antibiotics. And there are simple steps we can all take to prevent antibiotic resistance. To learn more check out these websites: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au//antimicrobial-awarene https://www.nps.org.au/antibiotic-awareness https://www.who.int/camp/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week PHOTO: Gavin and SWH Pharmacy colleague, pharmacist Priya Purushothaman, are actively involved with our SWH Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) work. AMS is the term used to describe activities, strategies and coordinated interventions designed to optimise antimicrobial use. AMS is used by hospitals and health organisations to promote quality use of antimicrobials, including using antimicrobials only when needed (avoiding using where there’s no evidence of benefit); selecting antimicrobials wisely (using narrow spectrum therapy where possible, keeping broader-spectrums agents in reserve), and using safe and effective doses (using correct doses and limiting duration to what is needed according to evidence). Key benefits of effective AMS programs include improved patient care, more appropriate use of antimicrobials and reduced risk of adverse consequences associated with antimicrobials, including the development of antimicrobial resistance. The overarching slogan for this year’s World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is *Antimicrobials: Handle with care*. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week runs until November 24. #WorldAntimicrobialAwarenessWeek #WAAW

08.01.2022 This week we have vacancies for a dentist + an inpatient services peer worker. The details are on our website www.southwesthealthcare.com.au under Careers>Current Positions Available We’re also encouraging community members to consider applying for part-time appointments to our board of directors for terms of office commencing in July next year. Applications close at 5pm on November 30. Further down this feed you’ll find more information on this (see our November 7 post) and there's heaps more at www.health.vic.gov.au/governance

08.01.2022 Our SWH School Readiness Team's online forum for families of children attending kindergarten in 2021 is only a few days away. Created in partnership with the Department of Education, kindergarten teachers, a pre-school field officer and a maternal & child health nurse, this forum aims to give families of children attending kinder in the new year information to support their transition. REGISTER NOW! Here's the registration links: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/124645976471 4...pm Monday 9th November https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/124647013573 7pm Monday 9th November

07.01.2022 We wrap up the year with a story of colleagues achieving remarkable things. Congratulations to Food Services manager Craig McLeod (pictured) for having been accepted into the Leadership Great South Coast program and being awarded a SWH scholarship to do so. Congratulations to registered nurses Nikki Payne (Acute Unit) and Georgia Lee (Medical Unit) for being awarded SWH Stomal Therapy Nursing Scholarships. This professional development enables them to each complete a Gr...aduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing through the Australian College of Nursing. Congratulations to the following four colleagues for being awarded scholarships to commence Certificate IV level qualifications: Health Information Services office supervisor Lucy Redford and Central Sterile Supply Department supervisor Wendy Savage will each undertake a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management while Supply Shop retail assistant Amanda Brown and Merindah Lodge administrative support officer Angela Faber will each undertake a Certificate IV in Business Administration. The funding for these scholarships is the result of a successful SWH application to the Victorian State Government Health Services Worker Training Fund. Congratulations to Dr Brooke Healy for being named the recipient of the inaugural 2020 PMCV Wellbeing Champion Award Junior Medical Officer (JMO). Initiated this year by the PMCV JMO Forum as an avenue to cultivate a culture of positivity, gratitude and support for junior doctors, this statewide honor recognises an immense amount of care and kindness shown to fellow colleagues. There were 150 nominations. We’re thrilled that Brooke’s staying on with us, as a Hospital Medical Officer (HMO), for 2021.

06.01.2022 We’re over the ! There’s been such a demand for Terry Hoy’s 2021 calendar that we’re about to do an unheard-of 2nd print run! All the money raised from selling them will help us buy our emergency department a 1st-ever piece of medical equipment that will save local people having to be urgently transferred to Geelong or Melbourne. It’s called a TONOMETER and it measures the pressure inside a patient’s eye to screen for glaucoma that’s capable of stripping eyesight within a matter of hours. At $15, these calendars are a great Christmas present .

06.01.2022 We can always rely on our allied health team at Halloween. Here’s one of the spaces styled by our physiotherapy manager Rose Morgan, access and performance manager Jenna Hogarth and occupational therapy manager Rachael Couch. Spookeeeeeeeee

05.01.2022 SWH COVID-19 UPDATE Have a lovely evening and please STAY SAFE. You might only be hearing now that today the government's put new restrictions in place in relation to how many visitors you can have in your home. Visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/new-years-eve-restrictio for more information on the New Year ’s Eve restrictions and visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks for more information about hotspots in Victoria and New South Wales. Our SWH Warrnambool Respiratory Assessment Clinic (RAC) is open tomorrow (New Year's Day) and over the weekend. If you're experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms please get tested as soon as possible (and don’t go to work). The clinic is by appointment only. Please call 5563 1666 to speak with one of our RAC nurses.

04.01.2022 BREAKING NEWS STATE BUDGET INCLUDES WARRNAMBOOL BASE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT The Victorian Government has committed $384million of State Budget funding to progress the long-awaited redevelopment of South West Healthcare’s Warrnambool Base Hospital....Continue reading

02.01.2022 Antimicrobials underpin modern healthcare and cannot be taken for granted. We need to work together to ensure they’re used appropriately across all sectors. It’s time to take antibiotic resistance seriously. We all have a part to play in helping to preserve the power of antibiotics.

01.01.2022 It’s World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and this three-minute video with Professor John Turnidge (a team member of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia/AURA) explains the causes and dangers of antimicrobial resistance and inappropriate antimicrobial usage. It's well worth watching.

01.01.2022 There is a clothesline in the windows of the Lighthouse Theatre... Well there is a very important reason! Last year South West Healthcare, Emma House and WRAD ...worked together on a project for 2019 16 Days of Activism. They partnered with local services, agencies and members of our community to hold workshops across the South West to decorate t-shirts with the theme of ‘Call it Out’- which seeks to call out the harmful words, actions and behaviours that enable and drive gender-based violence. This year they're displayed in a covid-safe way in the windows of the Lighthouse Theatre. You may even spot a few smaller Clothesline displays around the town. #16dayswarrnambool #16daysofactivism #MirrorMirror3280 #ReflectRespect #ReflectKindness #community #connection #mirrormirror3280 #reflectrespect #reflectkindness #respect #warrnambool #respectfulrelationships #listening #sharing #parents #mentalhealthawareness #hearforeachother #letstalkfoundation #connect3280