NOVEMBER 2013 HealthSharenews · and Paul Willis ... Value Proposition (CVP) project, which ... November 2013 Doing the rounds at Expo The exhibition space profiled a cross-

NOVEMBER 2013

Attended by a record 750 people, the 2013 HealthShare NSW Expo proved to be our biggest and best yet, providing del-egates with a fascinating insight into future high-value initiatives for our customers and patients across the NSW health system.

Formally opened by HealthShare NSW Board Chair Brendan O’Reilly with a theme of Shared Service Innovation, the 2013 Expo showcased our current projects and innovations.

“All of the work that is done by Health-Share NSW staff indirectly or directly impacts on patients,” he told the audi-ence. “The Board always asks a lot of questions because we are genuinely interested in – and impressed by – the work of HealthShare NSW staff.”

Mr O’Reilly officially welcomed Acting Chief Executive Michael Walsh, whom he praised for having “hit the ground running” during his first month in the top job. “I am sure that, under his stewardship, HealthShare NSW will continue to grow and prosper,” he said.

Michael Walsh began his speech by declaring that “we are not here to grow profits – we are here to grow savings, and every saving we can achieve goes towards patients”. It was a salient reminder of the important work HealthShare NSW does every day to enhance patient care across the state.

In his eagerly anticipated keynote address, Todd Sampson certainly did

Expo goes exponential

ContentsExpo goes exponential (cont’d p3) ........................... 1

Chief Executive’s message ..... 2

Farewell Loray Dudley and Paul Willis ...................... 2

Doing the rounds at Expo ..... 4

Expo showcases ICT ............. 6

Premier honours our EIR ....... 7

Executive excerpt .................. 8

Board update ....................... 8

Shining a light on Diwali ....... 9

And the winner is ................. 9

Staff profile ........................ 10

Making Movember a hair-raising experience ........ 10

Helping EnableNSW to help customers ................... 11

Stay Safe calendar launched ............................ 12

If you’ve got a story or feedback for HealthShare News, please contact Karen Fontaine on 8644 2246 or email [email protected]

Continued page 3

HealthShare

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HealthShare News November 2013

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and I’ve since received lots of great feedback from delegates and stakeholders who were impressed by not only the high quality of the various exhibition stands but also the fascinating insights offered by the speakers, including keynote presenter Todd Sampson.

Todd’s take on how creativity and bravery can go a long way to solving any problem was something that provided me with much food for thought, and I firmly believe we can apply these principles to the approach we take here at HealthShare NSW.

To my mind, the following four goals are the most important for our organisation:

• I want to work with everyone to strengthen our service culture, and to work with our customers to assist them to meet their goals.

• I want us to focus on quality and doing our best in order to provide the same for our customers every day.

• I want to improve efficiency – every increment of savings we can deliver goes back into the healthcare system, and the technological advances we spearhead will allow clinicians to better focus on patients.

• Last but not least, we must recognise the people and teams that comprise HealthShare NSW and the critical role each and every one of us plays in delivering our services.

For me, the 2013 Expo crystallised the important work currently underway right across HealthShare NSW, while also mapping the road we must travel to make our services even more valuable to our customers – and even more beneficial to the patients they serve.

Michael Walsh,A/Chief Executive

Chief Executive’s message

On behalf of our organisation I’d like to extend sincere congratulations to everyone who helped to make the 2013 HealthShare NSW Expo an unqualified success.

In particular I’d like to thank the energetic Events team from Customer Service and Corporate Governance who once again went that extra mile to ensure the event’s success – and I look forward to seeing what they will produce for next year’s event.

Farewell Loray Dudley and Paul WillisThis month we bid a sad farewell to Loray Dudley, the long-serving Director of Communications and the brains behind the publication you are reading now – HealthShare News.

A 25-year veteran of NSW Health, Loray (pictured right) has returned to the Ministry of Health, working alongside Rohan Hammett, Deputy Director-General, Strategy and Resources.

Having been at HealthShare NSW for four and a half years, Loray was instrumental in the success of all four HealthShare NSW Expos, and so it

was fitting that her final day fell on Friday, 8 November. Bernadette Keeffe is acting in Loray’s role, for which recruitment is currently underway.

Paul Willis also left HealthShare NSW last month to take on the challenges of the next phase of his career.

As Director of Corporate Programs for the past three years, Paul built the corporate program team and as more programs were identified, integrated these into a challenging work schedule. Paul delivered a number of benefits to the broader NSW Health community, with one of the most significant being

the implementation of the new HR/Payroll system, StaffLink.

Paul has been replaced in the interim by Kevin Reilly, who has an extensive background in ICT programs and major system implementations.

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From page 1

Expo goes exponentialnot disappoint. The breakout star of TV’s The Gruen Transfer spoke passionately about how “creativity is the last remaining advantage in business, with the power to impact the world at large”.

The Chief Executive of advertising agency Leo Burnett knows a thing or two about the power of creativity. The Earth Hour initiative, which he co-created, has become one of the largest environmental movements in history, reaching 1.4 billion people in more than 5,500 cities.

“What have I learnt? That the most successful leaders and the most successful companies balance two of the most important things we all face: creativity and fear,” Todd (pictured right) told the audience.

“I believe creativity can solve any problem. Creative IQs have been declining due to institutionalised conservatism in the name of profit, and the fact is that advertising is the price companies pay for being unoriginal. But that’s changing, and we know that companies are starting to look internally for creativity that exists within their own four walls and they are starting to tap into that.”

As Todd pointed out, “creativity can be learnt – it just needs to be practiced”.

“First, you need to identify the problem to a point where you can distil it into just one question – that’s the tough part,” he said. “Then you assemble an eclectic group of people around that problem, put them in a room for 30 minutes and ask them to generate as many ideas as possible.

Nothing is achieved without creative courage. So my question is: can you be brave for five minutes longer? One thing we can all do is overcome the fear of taking the next step.”

With Todd’s rallying call fresh in their minds, delegates also listened to speeches by Vera Fiala, Director, Customer Service and Corporate Governance; Chief Operating Officer Conrad Groenewald; Transport NSW’s Tony Braxton-Smith; social media expert Laurel Papworth; EnableNSW Manager Bronwyn Scott; former CIO Greg Wells and State Manager of Service Centres Newcastle and Parramatta, Graham Jenkins.

In her speech, entitled Stop, Collaborate and Listen!, Vera said this sentiment was “a good message for HealthShare NSW”.

“In order to do our job well, we need to stop assuming that we know what our customers want – we need to ask them instead. We need to collaborate with each other, both internally and with our customers and other partners. And we need to

listen openly and often to improve our service,” she said.

Moves were afoot to approach this in a more structured way, Vera said, pointing to the work HealthShare NSW is undertaking with the Customer Value Proposition (CVP) project, which aims to gain a deeper understanding of our customers’ needs and priorities.

“We are very much aware that we are servicing the people of NSW,” she said. “However, we are primarily a business-to-business organisation and we are trying to explore that relationship in the CVP project.”

Concluding the morning’s program of events, Conrad told the audience that innovation “is one of the most exciting words of our time, and it brings to light so many images of great ideas, new developments and changes to methodologies”.

“The joy of an organisation being innovative is that innovation can impact and improve all other facets of the organisation,” said Conrad. “It simply has no boundaries.”

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Doing the rounds at ExpoThe exhibition space profiled a cross-section of the operational and ICT programs underway at HealthShare NSW, much of it being undertaken in collaboration with our Local Health District and health agency colleagues.

Our sponsors and external exhibitors helped to make the 2013 Expo possible, and we extend sincere thanks to them for their support.

FOOD AND HOTEL SERVICESFood and Hotel Services (pictured below) offered an interactive experience at Expo, with delegates given the opportunity to taste new hospital menu items like vanilla panna cotta, chocolate and vanilla sponge cake and baked cheesecake.

They could also closely examine some of the new pre-packaged meal items that have recently been trialled in a hospital setting.

Displays demonstrating the way menus have changed over the decades and even the way meals are plated and served today provided delegates with food for thought.

“People asked lots of questions about the new menus that are being introduced across the state as well as the pre-packaged menu trial which examined possible new meals for inclusion on the hospital menu,” said Quality Systems Manager Fifi Spechler. “The feedback we received was that the desserts are ‘yum!’”

LINEN SERVICESLinen Services (pictured above) reported a high level of interest in their new re-useable barrier linen, a range of lightweight surgical scrubs and drapes that provide greater protection from ‘strike through’,

where fluid passes through the fabric.

Barrier linen will eventually replace green cotton scrubs and, according to Linen Services project officer Kylie Summers, hospital staff, nurses and suppliers were all keen to see, feel and even try on the gowns.

“People are fascinated with the new range and were surprised to find how light it is,” said Kylie. “They were pleased we are using microchips to ensure the items are washed 100 times before they are discarded, and that they are lint-free.”

Kylie reports that clinicians and hospital administrators are impressed there is now a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to single use disposable scrubs.

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETYThe Work Health and Safety stand (pictured far right) was abuzz with hands-on activity.

Together with a safety video and flyers about staying safe and well, the Health and Wellbeing Team offered

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free blood pressure and hydration checks.

“We carried out approximately 50 checks on the day,” said Amelia Pyke, Health and Wellbeing Manager.

If a visitor’s blood pressure was out of the healthy range, they were provided with information about how to improve it. If dehydrated, they were given a small bottle of water. Also, in a move away from the usual temptation of sweets, a fruit-and-nut treat was offered to visitors.

“Providing water and a healthy alternative to lollies is part of our aim of encouraging people to take care of their health,” said Dr Anne Mok, Medical Director, Work Health and Safety. “Overall, the day was a huge success. We were run off our feet and the response from visitors was incredibly positive.”

CORPORATE ITThe Corporate IT Program stand (above right) was very well attended, with particular interest in the Financial Management Information System upgrade, known as R12, which goes live early in the new year.

The R12 Project Team took the opportunity to present the iProcurement eLearning training, which was viewed by a large number of people and received very positive feedback. iProcurement will be the new system for raising requisitions when Financials and Procurement become live in StaffLink.

Other Corporate IT Programs showcased were VMoney Web, Assets and Facilities Management, HETI Online Learning Management System, StaffLink HRIS and HealthRoster.

EnableNSW Changes to the Equipment Allocation Program (EAP) captured the interest of visitors to the EnableNSW exhibition stand.

Staff from a range of Local Health Districts stopped by to find out more about the way equipment is purchased and supplied through EnableNSW’s new warehouse at Homebush.

Bronwyn Scott, Manager of EnableNSW, said visitors were particularly interested in how the EAP was speeding up the process of accessing standard equipment and aids, as well as hearing more about the online equipment catalogue and initiatives to reduce paperwork for prescribers, such as the one-page order form trial.

“It was great to hear that the word is spreading amongst our prescribers that we’re making it easier for

them to get what they need for their patients faster and with less administration,” she said.

“The feedback we received overall was very positive and a great reminder for our team to keep innovating and improving the service we deliver.”

“This Expo was your most successful yet. I attend so many

expos and conferences and in my opinion yours is the best.”

Peter Chapman, from platinum sponsor Aaxis Pacific

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Expo showcases ICTTechno buffs, nurses and Chief Information Officers from a range of Local Health Districts (LHDs) were just a few of the visitors to the Infrastructure Office (IO) stand at this year’s Expo, where initiatives such as Telehealth, HealthTube and future generation desktops were on display.

“We were excited to showcase a range of our initiatives made possible through the infrastructure we have built,” says Andrew Pedrazzini, Director, Infrastructure Office. “This technology will go a long way to improving the way we work together and the patient outcomes we achieve.”

The IO team demonstrated how the use of a clinical cart with video conferencing facilities and an iPad could connect clinician to patient, and was a drawcard for many delegates, particularly those from rural LHDs.

The IO stand also showcased what future generation desktops will look like by demonstrating rapid user logon and switching between applications and desktops simply by tapping on and tapping off, meaning that clinicians can log into any kiosk machines in the ward and hot swap to any other one, continuing sessions seamlessly.

Monitoring performanceThe Information Services stand at Expo featured a new application which monitors and reports on the performance of clinical and corporate applications across the state, such as the Electronic Medical Record (eMR) system and HealtheNet.

The Foglight Application Performance tool attracted a lot of attention from

delegates who were impressed by the capabilities of this tool to report and monitor application performance.

State Wide Service Desk (SWSD) team members were also on hand to respond to a range of questions from visitors, including the number of calls they take per day, how many people work at the SWSD and turnaround times.

“People were surprised that the SWSD consists of just 50 analysts and seven team leaders who support over 120,000 users across NSW, and handle over 1,000 incidents a day within 24-48 hours depending on the urgency of the ticket,” says Jeffrey Crompton, Manager SWSD.

Clinical visionThe Clinical Programs stand showcased the latest clinical programs being rolled out by their portfolio, including the Community Health and Outpatient Care (CHOC), Electronic

Medical Record (eMR), Electronic Medication Management (EMM), Endoscopy Information Systems (EIS), Intensive Care Clinical Information Systems (ICCIS), Medical Imaging (MI), HealtheNet and Incident Management System (IMS).

The team talked visitors through LHD-specific implementation plans for the next few years, displayed a map showing implementation progress so far and walked people through demonstrations of existing and upcoming eHealth systems.

Linda Watson from the EMM Program team said: “We were really pleased by the response we got from visitors to our stand. People told us they appreciated being able to talk through specific plans with members of the team, as well as check out the map with pins showing every hospital in the state where we’d supported Clinical ICT systems to roll-out.”

L-R: Kajal Chauhan, Heidi Brala, Kant Uppal, Daniel Holgate from Dell Software, and Sonia Anderson

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Premier honours our EIRTodd “Be Brave for Five Minutes Longer” Sampson would surely approve. Despite being told four years ago that the creation of an Enterprise Imaging Repository (EIR) was an impossible dream, a dedicated team within HealthShare NSW set out to prove otherwise.

Earlier this month, with their project firing at full steam ahead, the team’s vision and bravery was awarded in the form of a Premier’s Public Service Award, which Acting Chief Executive Michael Walsh called “a fantastic and extremely high-level acknowledgment of the work we do to enhance patient care”.

The EIR program was one of just 35 finalists selected from 349 nominations across all NSW government agencies that entered the prestigious NSW Premier’s Awards, which shine a light on the work of individual public-sector employees, projects and partnerships providing excellent public services.

Joe Hughes, Tony Lopes, Freeman Wong and their talented teams topped the ‘Improving Performance and Accountability’ category for their work in developing and implementing the EIR as a centralised store to allow digital radiology images and reports to be shared across public hospitals in NSW.

Under the leadership of former CIO Greg Wells and with Fujitsu as its technical partner, HealthShare NSW’s EIR team has worked closely with Local Health Districts over the past four years to develop a vendor-neutral archive (VNA). This means that irrespective of which NSW public hospital a patient visits, doctors will have immediate access to their X-rays, scans and reports from across the state.

“VNAs are still considered the holy grail that everyone wants to get to,” said Joe Hughes, Medical Imaging Program Manager, who has worked on the project since its infancy.

“But not many have set out on that journey and, of those that have, not many have been able to achieve the level of integration and ease of use that we have.”

Joe praised his hardworking and talented team, including Neeraj Maharaj, a “dynamo” of a senior project manager who worked on the EIR for two years before moving to the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without him,” said Joe. ”Freeman Wong picked up right where Neeraj left off and he, along with everyone involved in this project, has shown incredible commitment to the cause. The Fujitsu team has been great too. This is as much their award as it is ours”.

Certainly, the EIR is delivering huge benefits for our:• Patients – reducing unnecessary

procedures and associated exposure to radiation;

• Clinical staff – supporting improved quality and safety of care as they can easily see previous images and reports for their patients irrespective of where the study was done; and

• Local Health Districts – reducing the costs of repeat procedures.

The volumes of activity are huge. The EIR is generating thousands of imaging studies each day and already has over 1.2 million stored with 85 million individual images. We also have 17 million Local Health District patient records, two million of which also have national Healthcare Identifiers.

Following EnableNSW’s win in the same category last year, the EIR program’s win makes two Premier’s Awards in a row for HealthShare NSW.

L-R, back row: Cathy Verry (Fujitsu), Annette Latham (Fujitsu), Fiona Blakeney (Fujitsu), Tony Lopes, Greg Wells, Nick Sawford, Les Davy (Fujitsu).

L-R, front row: Jenny Sinclair, Wynne Chiu, Joe Hughes, Freeman Wong, Steve Mattes, Molly Sheppard. (Key team members not pictured include Craig Tillet and Aaron Glover

from Fujitsu/Teramedica, and Isa Wong and Sandra Jones from HealthShare NSW)

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Executive excerptUnder the leadership of Acting Chief Executive Michael Walsh, the Executive Management Team (EMT) is now meeting weekly to increase opportunities to share information, discuss issues and plan strategically. The meetings include an Executive Roundtable, where members summarise key highlights in their directorates relevant to other members. The monthly agenda now follows a four-week cycle, with each week focusing on a topic – customers, projects, people or governance.

Scoping our way forward

As HealthShare NSW evolves, it is taking a fresh look at its strategic direction. The Executive team held an invigorating half-day workshop on 22 November to challenge its

understanding of who we are and where we want to be as an organisation. The emerging ideas will be tested with the organisation

and will form the basis of a strategic planning process with staff and the Board in early 2014.

Strategic procurement performance

A range of potential performance measures for the strategic procurement function was discussed

The Executive Management Team (EMT) shares the outcomes of its November meeting

at the EMT. The methodology for explaining savings and benefits achieved from this function will be explored in more detail by the

Executive, recognising that data sources and baselines may need to be developed for some of the measures.

Exploring our customers’ views

HealthShare NSW has launched a structured customer survey to gain a deeper understanding of the current relationship from the customers’ perspective and to identify where to focus our efforts for maximum benefit. The Executive provided active input into the formulation of the survey and will share the results in early 2014.

“Both customers and the HealthShare NSW Executive are increasingly interested in strategic procurement performance as a way of reducing costs and delivering continuous improvement.”

James Brown, Director, Strategic Procurement

Board update Strategic procurement and rostering practices were the focus of the sixth HealthShare NSW Board meeting, held on 24 October.

Members of the Board considered reports on the Customer 1st Transformation Program, HealthShare NSW’s financial performance, operational performance, enterprise risk management and Work Health and Safety. They also noted minutes from the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

A presentation from Strategic Procurement highlighted the significant benefits this program has delivered since 2011.

The rostering practices presentation highlighted work being done by the Service Centre with the Rostering Centre of Excellence, as well as steps undertaken by Workforce to reduce rostering errors, including:• Using metrics to drive improvement,

and running checks for errors and performance against timelines;

• Meeting deadlines and advising people on their performance;

• Holding Team Leaders/Supervisors/ Roster Managers accountable for their roster performance;

• Coaching for improvement;• Giving Directors/Senior Managers

visibility on the performance of their managers.

Board members also discussed an impending Expression of Interest (EOI) from the Ministry of Health in relation to Warehousing and Distribution, and were keen to ensure HealthShare NSW staff are kept well informed during this process. The Board’s final 2013 meeting is on 12 December.

“It was great to feel the positive energy at the planning workshop and see how much the Executive genuinely cares about our organisation.” Robert Sobyra, A/Executive Officer for the Chief Executive

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Shining a light on DiwaliIn what has become a highlight of the social and gastronomic calendars of both the Chatswood and Parramatta offices, HealthShare NSW staff were treated to a feast of home-made Indian food in celebration of Diwali, one of the most significant Hindu festivals of the year.

Known as the Festival of the Lights, the spiritual meaning of Diwali is an awareness of one’s inner light. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the annual celebration of this inner light.

Staff members of Indian heritage prepared vegetarian curries, lentil dhal, samosas, dhokhla, roti and sweets and shared them at lunchtime with colleagues, many of whom donned an array of jewel-coloured saris to add to the festive spirit of the occasion.Special mention must go to Vijaya Khandekar, who spent more than five hours preparing more than 70 delicious Rava Laddus (a traditional sweet treat) and Murukku (savoury crunchy twists).

Khusbhu Rana and Vandana Panesar also showed off their artistic flair by painting henna decorations on the hands of more than a dozen people.

Organiser Shantha Tekkatte from Finance said Diwali means “banishing the darkness and bringing light into the lives of people in the community, to bring happiness and prosperity”.“This year’s Diwali was our best ever,” said Shantha. “I look forward to working together and celebrating many Diwalis in the years to come.”

And the winner is...HealthShare NSW’s answer to the Oscars, the inaugural Service Awards were presented to rapturous applause at the conclusion of the 2013 Expo – giving the winners an even better reason to quaff a flute of champagne at the twilight cocktail function.

We offer sincere congratulations to the following winners: • Outstanding Team of the Year

Award – VMO Processing Team, Service Centre Newcastle and Recruitment, Workforce.

• Outstanding Individual of the Year Award – Kate Twaddell, Workforce

• Customer Service Award – Yvonne Lukic, Linen Services

• Creating Value Award – Business Procurement Services

• Innovation Award – Zdenka Fuller, Food and Hotel Services

• Chief Executive Award for Leadership – Sue Connolly, Workforce

• Chief Executive Award for Embodying Values and Spirit – Scott Falvey, Customer Service and Corporate Governance.

In a display of the spirit that won him an award, Scott Falvey shows off his prize, flanked by Michael Walsh and First State Super’s Michael Foreman

EnableNSW staff celebrate Diwali (top)

Chatswood staff share an Indian feast

(above and right)

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Staff profile

The most rewarding feedback about my job I have re-ceived is... Seeing all the hard work from the project team being acknowledged publicly with a Premier’s Award, and knowing that the solution makes a real impact on the way clinicians deliver their services and care for their patients. Receiving a Premier’s Award for our work on the EIR was… Inspirational. Partly this goes to show that the public sector still has the hunger and capacity to innovate. What we have achieved with the EIR project shows that HealthShare NSW is truly leading the way on a global stage. When I’m not at work I like to... Spend time with my wife Anne-Marie and our four children: Rei, eight, Rose, five, Noah, three, and Luca, one. When I was a child I wanted to be... A superhero or a policeman. My pet hate is... I am all about checking off things on my to-do list, so I get very annoyed whenever I cannot complete task/s that I carefully planned each morning. My most memorable meal was... Tony Bilson used to have a restaurant at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Anne-Marie and I went there for the first time while we were dating and we went back a couple more times before it unfortu-nately closed a couple of years ago. I’d love to learn... Another language, whether French (given Anne-Marie speaks French) or Mandarin (this is a bit more embarrassing given I am actually Chinese!) The last book I read was... I just finished The Entrepreneurial State by Mariana Mazzucato, and I’m now reading Hiroshima Nagasaki by Paul Ham.

My top three movies are... Forrest Gump, Reign Over Me and all of the Transformer movies (I grew up having all sorts of robots as toys).

I’m at my happiest when... I am with my family and friends. My dream holiday location is... I would love to go back to Europe, having spent four weeks in Italy and France during our honeymoon. If I had to describe myself in three words they would be... Consistent, honest, inventive. My top three dinner party guests would be... Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci. If I won the lottery I would... Create a not-for-profit school where I can teach disadvantaged kids. My guilty pleasure is... Whiskey. If I could trade places with anyone for a week I would choose... To walk in the shoes of someone who is less fortunate than me. The best advice I’ve ever been given is... You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Always remember to try your best and focus on the now – the future has a way of working itself out.

Freeman Wong

Delivery Manager, Enterprise Imaging Repository (EIR) Program

Making Movember a hair-raising experienceThis month HealthShare NSW has joined the Movember cause with gusto. In just two weeks, more than 28 members joined Team HairShare and raised over $3,300. See the team, join the team and make donations at http://moteam.co/hairshare

A fellow team within HealthShare NSW is also involved: Ron Burgundy Revenge of the Stache. See their team members and make donations at http://moteam.co/ron-burgundy-revenge-of-the-stache

For final stats and pics in the next edition of HealthShare News, shave the date!

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Helping EnableNSW to help customersIn a bid to address the rising demand for its services, EnableNSW recently established a group of senior prescribers from various Local Health Districts (LHDs) to fine-tune its expanded Equipment Allocation Program (EAP).

Known as the Technical Working Group (TWG), the members have met twice to discuss the EAP, under which dis-ability aids and equipment are issued to consumers from newly purchased stock items as well as from aids and equipment returned in good working order which are able to be refurbished. All items are housed and distributed from the EnableNSW new warehouse in Homebush, which opened in early 2013.

The purpose of the TWG – comprised of a range of prescribers within Sydney metropolitan LHDs, Hunter New England LHD, and the non-government sector – is to make the EAP as strong and efficient as it can be.

The EAP is already creating significant savings which are being redirected back into equipment purchases for consumers, allowing EnableNSW to help hundreds more people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and helping to maintain reduced waiting times, while being environmentally conscious.

Last year, EnableNSW provided more than 2,600 items of equipment through the EAP, saving more than $1.4 million than if the equipment was purchased individually. This allowed an extra 600 people to receive assistance.

The TWG is also helping EnableNSW to better understand what services

and products may need to be incorporated into the EAP to support prescribers to access stock equipment in the first instance, said Kathy McCosker, Business Services Manager at EnableNSW.

“We received positive feedback from our initial consultation meeting in October and prescribers told us they were looking forward to providing input into the EAP and further improving and fine-tuning the initiative for both themselves and their patients,” Kathy said.

LHDs within the Greater Metropolitan Sydney Area and Hunter nominated a senior Allied Health staff member to be part of the TWG. They are now working with EnableNSW staff to develop specifications on products and equipment types they would like purchased as stock items for prescribers to access when requesting aids and equipment, as well as informing EnableNSW on process changes that will improve access to EnableNSW’s services.

“EnableNSW intends to use the TWG work to determine the types of equipment that should be provided through the EAP and to procure these items in bulk – ensuring the most cost-effective outcome is achieved for the LHD and its consumers,” Kathy said.

More broadly, the EAP relieves pressure on the public health system by making available items that reduce hospital admissions (such as pressure mattresses to prevent pressure sores) as well as items that support people to live safely in their community (for example, mobility equipment).

Why is EnableNSW facing increased demand for its services?

EnableNSW processes an average of 1,600 requests every month, and more than 700 of these are from new consumers. The increased efficiency and improved customer service provided by EnableNSW is driving this increase, along with a rising number of people with com-plex and chronic health conditions.

What will the Equipment Allocation Program achieve?The program has the potential to double the number of people EnableNSW can assist for the same cost and without reducing the quality of service or the equipment supplied. Similar strategies have successfully slashed waiting times and increased service capacity in South Australia and New Zealand.

What do clinicians think of the EAP?

“We are all for it,” said Helen Ware, a Specialist Community Occupational Therapist from Westlakes Community Health within the Hunter New England LHD.

“As a clinician, it’s so important to have an extra, cost-effective option that enables equipment to be allocated to consumers as quickly as possible. I had a client who was successfully given a reallocated wheelchair that had been sent to a supplier who’d modified it according to the client’s needs. In the eyes of any clinician, any option that reduces waiting times is a great one – and the EAP is certainly one of those.”

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Throughout Safety Month in October and beyond, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) team has been busy promoting its new message: Think Safe. Work Safe. Live Safe.

Activities included rolling out more Safe Teas across the state and deliv-ering daily safety messages, both of which served as inspiring reminders of the importance of safety.

In addition, the team has launched a refreshed ‘Stay Safe’ calendar which aligns with the redeveloped Workplace Safety program. The new Stay Safe calendar is designed to promote WHS in HealthShare NSW workplaces.

The calendar runs over a two-year period and coincides with the newly initiated WHS audit program. Each month has a designated theme and includes topics such as fire and emer-gency; slips, trips and falls; health and wellbeing; and electrical safety.

The Workplace Safety program and calendar aims to:

• Promote awareness of hazards that are commonly associated with work performed by HealthShare NSW workers;

• Assist managers to ensure compliance with legislation as well as NSW Health and HealthShare NSW policies; and

• Encourage people to Think Safe. Work Safe. Live Safe.

On the first day of every month, a Stay Safe Promotion Package is available on the intranet at http://intranet.hss.health.nsw.gov.au/insidehss/workforce/workplace-safety-promotion-packages

The package includes a guide containing a summary of key requirements and a checklist of activities to work through for the month; a ‘toolbox talk’ to deliver to workers; and promotional material to display around the workplace.

If you have any questions or concerns, telephone the Work Health and Safety Assist Line on 8644 2323 or email [email protected]

Stay Safe calendar launched

The WHS team’s top 5 tips for better health and wellbeing1. Make the change today –

making healthy lifestyle choices a part of every day helps not only you but also all those around you. Making long-term change also means no more dieting!

2. Go for the H2O – water is the best way to quench thirst, it also helps you to feel more full (meaning you eat less), and has numerous health benefits.

3. Stretch every day – your body will love you for it! And it will keep you doing the things you love to do for longer.

4. Clean out the kitchen cupboards – toss the tempting sugary and fatty foods and replace them with fresh fruit and veggies (try shopping around the supermarket’s perimeter and avoid the centre aisles, which are crammed with convenience foods).

5. Laugh at the silly stuff and remember the small things in your life which make you happy.

New number for Employee Assistance ProgramPlease note there is a new hotline number

for the Employee Assistance Program, a

free and confidential counselling service

you can access for up to six sessions every

year. By calling 1300 361 008 you can

discuss personal, work-related or lifestyle

issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

‘STAY SAFE’ CALENDAR

http://intranet.hss.health.nsw.gov.au/insidehss/workforce/workplace-safety-promotion-packages

November 2013

March 2014

February 2014

December 2013

April 2014

January 2014

May 2014

For more information about

the ‘Stay Safe’ Calendar,

please contact your

Workplace Safety Business

Partner or call the Work

Health and Safety Assist

Line on 8644 2323

Fire & Emergency

High Risk Work

Infection

Control

Electrical

Safety

Plant & Equipment

Traffic Management

Slips, Trips

& FallsSTAY SAFE CALENDAR


July 2014

November 2014

October 2014

August 2014

December 2014

September 2014

February 2015

Consultation

Health Monitoring

Health & Wellbeing

Workplace

TrainingManaging Risks

& Incidents

Occupational

ViolenceHazardous

Manual TasksFor more information about

the ‘Stay Safe’ Calendar,

please contact your

Workplace Safety Business

Partner or call the Work

Health and Safety Assist

Line on 8644 2323

STAY SAFE CALENDAR


March 2015

August 2015July 2015

April 2015

September 2015

May 2015

October 2015

Waste Management

Confined SpacesHazardous Chemicals

Work Environment

Safety MonthAsbestos & Lead

Noise Management

For more information about the ‘Stay Safe’ Calendar,

please contact your Workplace Safety Business Partner or call the Work Health and Safety Assist

Line on 8644 2323

Documents

NOVEMBER 2013 HealthSharenews · and Paul Willis ... Value Proposition (CVP) project, which ... November 2013 Doing the rounds at Expo The exhibition space profiled a cross-