EGHS awarded health service of the year

East Grampians Health Service was this week named the Premier’s Health Service of the Year (medium size) for the second successive year in the 2016 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush said the entire organisation was thrilled to receive back to back awards which are a recognition of the work of all staff.

“Winning this award was due to the dedication, commitment and hard work of the EGHS Board, doctors and staff in all areas of East Grampians Health Service,” Mr Bush said.

“Without their devotion to providing the best care to our patients, residents and clients and their commitment to achieving higher standards, this award would not have been possible.”

Mr Bush said EGHS has developed a reputation as an innovative and progressive rural health service and a leader in the delivery of safe, high quality integrated acute, residential and primary health care, meeting the needs of communities throughout Ararat Rural City.

“The award is a wonderful achievement and demonstrates that our organisational values continue to be integrated into the planning and delivery of care we provide to our community by creating exceptional experiences for our patients, residents and clients and importantly, for each other,” Mr Bush said.

EGHS is an organisation that embraces its core organisational values of ‘Learning Culture’.

“The learning and education opportunities for staff have increased substantially over the last few years through our multi award winning LETS program.”

The aim of the LETS program is to increase clinical workforce capability and counteract workforce shortages.

Mr Bush said that there has also been considerable work carried out on the person-centred Montessori Model of Care implemented last year at the 70 Lowe Street aged care facility.

Montessori aims to fulfil the vision of independence and improved self esteem for residents through environmental cueing and meaningful activities and roles, which focus on the individual’s skills, abilities, needs and interests.

“Traditional models of care for our aged care residents were reviewed and evaluated to determine residents’ quality of life and their levels of happiness with the aged care service,” Mr Bush said.

EGHS’ mission is also to improve the health status of the community and it has been successful in implementing several initiatives, including the cessation of availability of sugar laden drinks within the entire organisation, a first for a health service in this region.

“We have a responsibility to lead the way in healthy living in our community and the Board was very supportive of our decision to cease selling sugar laden drinks,” Mr Bush said.

“EGHS is also working to be recognised as a healthy eating workplace for the Healthy Together Victoria Achievement Program, in conjunction with Ararat Rural City’s Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.”

Now in their 12^th year, the awards recognise those delivering the very best care and support for all Victorians. Other finalists in the medium size category included Echuca Regional Health and Wimmera Health Care Group.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy congratulated the award winners.

“Victoria is proud to be home to some of the most talented and dedicated health professionals in the world,” she said.

“Every year health services raise the bar higher. We recognise and thank the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare workers who are finding new and better ways to deliver safer, timely and higher quality care.”