Building for a brighter future - GHA Central

Overview: Year in Review
Human Resources
This year we said good bye to some
long serving senior staff and medical
staff. In April, Ron Clark retired as
Food Services Manager after 32 years
service, Haja Mohideen, Director of
Finance, resigned after seven years
of service and Dr Bill Straffon, who
has provided urology services to our
community for some 36 years retired
in April. Mrs Kathy Higgins was
appointed to replace Ron and Mr John
Anderson has been appointed Director
of Corporate Services, a position that
incorporates the Director of Finance
role. The Group is extremely grateful
to the contribution made by these
people.
By the Order of Governor in Council,
Mr Gary Blackwood, Ms Margaret
Robbins and Mr Peter Kingwill were
reappointed to the Board of Directors
together with a new director Mr Brian
Davey. All appointments are to
October 2008.
The Organisational Climate Survey
was completed in November 2005
and comments from the consultant
were:
“Overall we found a very “healthy”
organisation that is perceived by staff
as doing a good job in providing high
quality services. Most staff have an
environment they are happy with,
work they are satisfied with and feel
well trained to do. Staff continue to
strongly endorse the Group’s
approach and performance in the
vast majority of areas covered by the
survey. While the survey is strongly
positive in its results, there are some
issues for consideration as a result
of negative responses or responses
that may still be quite positive but
are indicating a downward trend
over time.”
Information Management
The Group received its fourth
consecutive Gold Award from
Australasian Reporting Awards
for the 2004/2005 Annual Report.
Our Quality of Care News was also
recognised by the Department of
Human Services at the Annual
Quality of Care Reporting Awards.
It is pleasing that our main two
publications are being recognised as
excellent publications to help keep
our key stakeholders informed.
Through the Gippsland Health
Alliance, the Group is actively involved
in implementing the Department of
Human Services HealthSmart Strategy
that will see a range of products
selected to deliver specific functionality
for use across Victorian Public Health
Services for finance, human resources,
patient and client management and
clinical systems. The introduction of
these new products will be challenging
and require a significant commitment
of resources to achieve expected
outcomes.
Safe Practice and Environment
This year has seen the continued
focus on our Risk Management
program with the evaluation of our
current framework completed and
actions in place that will help the
ongoing development and
improvements in risk management
strategies.
To assist with emergency procedure
training for casual and part time
employees, a work book has been
developed as a distance education tool
and this was introduced in December.
The focus on infection control
continues as we participate in the
Victorian Quality Council Hand
Hygiene project. This project aims to
demonstrate a sustained reduction in
rates of nosocomial infection through
improved hand hygiene compliance.
Involvement with the Open Disclosure
project continues with the policy
5
(L-R) WLS Manager
Bill Crotty, staff members
Bruce Warren and
Nanette Gilligan with
CEO Ormond Pearson at
the save water! Awards.
developed, implemented and
supported by staff training.
Executive and some senior staff have
participated in Control a Multi Agency
Emergency Situation, and Incident
Control Systems training program to
improve our preparedness in event of
a major emergency.
Our Occupational Health and Safety
Coordinator, Brian Lemon, and
Nursing Coordinator, Joyce Williams,
participated in the Department of
Human Resources Region 5 Division 3
(West Gippsland) Health and Medical
Sub Committees set up to review
Department of Human Services
Medical Displan and develop the
Gippsland Regional Health and
Medical Emergency Plans.
The Occupational Health and Safety
Committee, with representation across
the Group, monitors safety compliance
and puts suggestions forward to
improve safety for patients, residents,
clients and staff.
Improving Performance
Our performance has been recognised
with ongoing accreditation for all
services. In September 2005, our
aged care facilities Cooinda Lodge
and Andrews House achieved
compliance with the 44 Aged Care
Standards and Andrews House
received a Better Practice in Aged
Care Award for its innovative walking
program – “Stretch It Out”.
West Gippsland Hospital and
Community Services Division ACHS
Periodic Review was held in October,
nine of the 19 mandatory criteria
being surveyed were upgraded from