EGHS finalist in Healthcare Awards

East Grampians Health Service is a finalist for Health Service of the year, medium size in the 2015 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.

East Grampians Health Service Chief Executive Nick Bush said’ being recognised and nominated for this award is a positive reflection of the service of board, doctors and staff that is provided to the community by East Grampians Health Service is an outstanding result.”

Mr Bush highlighted that in the last 12 months, EGHS was recognised for excellent innovation, leadership and performance by the Institute of the Public Administration Australia, winning the “Leadership in the Public Sector Award for Risk Management Award”. At the Minister of Health Awards, the Ark Toy & Activity Centre won the “Outstanding Achievement by Volunteer in the area of innovation.”

Mr Bush commented that EGHS has supported ongoing education and development of staff who work together to deliver high quality and professional services to meet the needs of our community. This year alone we spent $350,000 or 1.75% of our salaries budget on education.

Mr Bush said “EGHS has a value of developing a learning culture and providing education and training and is committed to enabling staff to participate in further education and professional development opportunities.”

• Seven clinical education staff completing Certificate IV in Training and Assessment enabling the delivery of units for the Certificate III in Aged Care and Home and Community Care and the Diploma of Nursing programs onsite, in partnership with BRACE and Federation University respectively
• 12 staff upskilling to Diploma of Nursing
• Two registered nurses upskilling to Graduate Diploma of Midwifery supported by EGHS ”Building for the future foundation”
• 15 clinical staff completing post graduate studies in midwifery, rural and isolated practice RN, medical sonography, diabetes education, gerontology, lactation and counselling palliative care
• Eight students completing Diploma of Nursing of which five are employed as trainee enrolled nurses
• Two staff completing Master of Business

Mr Bush explained that continually developing and improving the health service is very important and the Australian Catholic University will be offering the Diploma of Nursing from Pyrenees House, Ararat from March 2016. Expressions of interest for the future students will be called in December 2015.

The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 18^th.