Staff news from across the "Track"

January 2019

Welcome back from the Christmas break. I hope everyone enjoyed some well-earned time off.

Now that we have a comprehensive strategic plan to guide us in the next five years, work will start soon to build the infrastructure to support it.

There will be a series of workshops in late January and mid-February to look at what is required to achieve our strategic goals and how to approach the work we have planned.

Board members, executive staff and Service Area Coordinators will be involved in those workshops. They will be keeping staff posted. Broader workshops for staff will be held in February. Please feel free to ask how you can be involved.

There are some very exciting times ahead with lots of opportunity for all staff to participate as we go forward.

Lois.

Ensuring Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) remains viable as an entity and delivering on the strategic plan across the catchment will be a feature of the coming year, according to newly-elected Board Chair Mark Wilson.

“I’m very keen to acknowledge the work of those Board members before me. Outgoing chair Terry Elliott has been a passionate, hard-working advocate for the community.

“I’m also excited about working with the new and existing Board members who bring a range of skillsets and expertise,” he added.

Mark was elected at the last Board meeting.

Dr Michael Demtschyna has signed a six month contract with MTHCS as Sea Lake’s GP from February 2019.

He will work two weeks on, two week off and all parties will be working in good faith on a long-term contract for the duration of his tenure. He will job-share with Dr Alex Terris.

Dr Demtschyna, who has a special interest in Emergency Medicine, will be providing General Practice service to Sea Lake and on-call services for the urgent care centre while he is in town.

He will also be providing medical services to the flexibed facility which includes residential aged care, acute and palliative care. More details to come in the new year.

Role: Full-time Receptionist at Mallee Track Medical Clinic, Sea Lake.

How long have you been working at MTHCS? Just over a year

What was your first job? (or what job did you do before that you really enjoyed?)

My first jobs included the Grain Corp Weighbridge, being a Lifeguard and working at the Berriwillock Hotel, whilst I studied a Bachelor of Health Science in Ballarat. I then started working with Mallee Track after the completion of my degree.

What do you enjoy most/value about your role? The interaction with people from our community and meeting new people

“When I am not working I am?”: Playing netball or tennis and enjoying time with family and friends

“I feel I make a difference in my job because”: I am working alongside our community to promote health and wellbeing and because I care about our patients.

What is your favourite movie? My Girl

Favourite holiday destination? Anywhere there is a beach

Are you more of a “work to live” or a “live to work” type of person? A bit of both, but probably more work to live to be able to do the things I enjoy.

Role: Trainee Admin, Ouyen

How long have you been working at MTHCS? 3 weeks.

What was your first job? ANZ Bank, Ouyen.

What do you enjoy most/value about your role? Meeting people and helping them.

“When I am not working I am”… Busy around the home or socialising with friends.

“I feel I make a difference in my job because”… I help people.

What is your favorite movie? Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Favorite holiday destination? What holiday lol? Wonthaggi catching up with friends and family.

Are you more of a “work to live” or “live to work” type of person? Work to live.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Wonder Woman so I can get everything done that I want to.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Dental Van will be visiting again this year:

Ouyen – Schools program only

We've previously provided limited examinations and oral health education to the schools in Ouyen. If they require follow up care they are referred to Tankards Dental. The Flying Doctor Dental team can offer this service again in Term 2 of 2019.

Underbool – Schools and/or mobile treatment clinic

Previously we have only provided limited exams in the school. With our new fully self-contained mobile clinic we can offer our treatment services with the extended eligibility (all community members can see us at no cost – same as Sea Lake's new eligibility).

Murrayville – Schools and mobile treatment clinic

We have provided limited exams in school/kinder, as well as treatment for the community. In 2019, we can offer all our services and expand the eligibility to everyone living in the area (same as Sea Lake).

Sea Lake - See poster below for January and February dates.

Confirmed dates will be advised by Sarah Putt, Business Manager.

Public officials should demonstrate integrity by:

· Being honest, open and transparent in their dealings

· Using powers responsibly

· Reporting improper conduct

· Avoiding any real or apparent conflicts of interest

· Striving to earn and sustain public trust of a high level.

The values and the Code of Conduct based on the values provide the foundation of the integrity and accountability framework for all public sector employees.

Values define what is important to an organisation and how things will be done. In the Victorian public sector, they underpin an employee’s interaction with the government, community, suppliers and other employees.

Click here to read more.

Sea Lake campus residents and staff enjoyed a sing-along as part of Christmas celebrations with one of their favorite entertainers, Jeanette Young, in fine form.

The ladies’ auxiliary, singing group, staff and residents enjoyed some old-time songs accompanied by organ and guitar music. After that it was time for some hilarious skits featuring the infamous “Frank Spencer” from the tv show "Some mothers do 'ave 'em" and a delicious afternoon tea.

Jeanette Young is pictured playing the organ and entertaining the crowd.

Thanks to staff who were able to make it to the recent Christmas function at the Ouyen Club. It was a great night and a perfect way to wind up a busy year for the health service. We promised some photos and here they are.

MTHCS will be bringing the Hush Health Play to staff in March.

Hush Foundation's health plays tackle cultural issues in health care to support and nurture patients, families and health professionals.

The plays have been performed all over Australia and internationally and focus on the biggest issues in the culture of health care including bullying, communication and patient safety.

Got something planned for your service area? Photos and ideas for stories for The Track newsletter are always needed. Contact Lyndal or Nadiene.

Have you accessed the EAP? What did you think? Do you know your login and what the EAP program offers for you?

If you're not sure how to login or haven't had a chance to access the EAP web portal, chat to your supervisor and co-workers about how you can utilise this FREE service for all staff. There are some great resources designed to support you.

There's a new Victorian immunisation schedule released in January 2019 to replace the October 2018 version.

Scheduled changes to note:

• the 18 month routinely includes ActHIB®
• Year 10 secondary school students and 15 to 19 year olds – Meningococcal ACWY vaccine program commences in April 2019
• MMR II® vaccine can be now be administered by either IMI or SC injection
• MSM, people who have injected drugs in the past 12 months, homeless rough sleepers and adult prisoners – the vaccine program has been extended for two vaccines:
• Hepatitis A vaccine ends 30 June 2019
• HPV (Gardasil®) vaccine ends 31st October 2019
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months of age are eligible for free influenza vaccine.

Email: kpole@mthcs.vic.gov.au
Website: www.mthcs.com.au
Location: Mallee Track Health & Community Service, Britt Street, Ouyen VIC, Australia
Phone: 03 5092 1111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mallee-Track-Health-Community-Service-247223555465259/