A COVID- 19 style farewell for John (Blue) Cross was held on Thursday 23rd July to wish him all the very best after 40 years of service with the Support Service department of the St Arnaud Campus.

Blue, a valued member of staff and a true gentleman, worked predominately as a cleaning staff member in the Acute section of the hospital. Other positions held in this time were Storeman and Food and Domestic Services.

The farewell was one with a difference with staff practicing safe distancing out the front of the hospital and also with the presentation being Zoomed to all staff across the campus. Gifts from the Board of Management and Staff were also presented.

In the 40 years Blue has seen 5 CEO’s and many staff across the various departments.

Blue was a familiar face in our acute setting offering compassion and a natural calming warm effect with patients in care.

Blue will be very much missed and well-wishers congratulated him on his well deserved retirement. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our Infection Control team staff, Kerry Addlem and Jade Miles have played a very important part in ensuring our response to COVID-19 is the best it can be and that our communities remain safe.

Some of the key tasks the team have been working on include:

Fine tuning scenario planning across all EWHS campuses; we have been preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

Creating screening tools for assessing consumers when they come into our buildings. Everyone must be screened, whether it be an urgent care client, visiting family and friends or a contractor.

Organising the COVID-19 blitz testing, including testing, record keeping and communicating with pathology services.

Assisting in the preparation for the return of our services to community clients.

Infection Control staff have also been working very hard to organise and provide the 2020 flu vaccinations for staff, volunteers and contractors

Everyone over the age of 6-months is recommended to receive a flu vaccine every year. However, the following people should receive 2 doses, 4 weeks apart: children aged 6=-months to <9 years when receiving the vaccine for the first time.
Given the Covid-19 impact, Australians are urged to have the flu vaccination as soon as possible. This is to reduce the risk of a dangerous double-up of seasonal influenza and Covid-19. From the 1st of May 2020, all aged care workers and visitors must have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza to enter an aged care facility.
Kerry and Jade's key message to our communities is to:
Continue to keep your 1.5 metre distance from others and decontaminate (wash) your hands well and often.

Keep up the great work Kerry and Jade! 

This week is an exciting one for East Wimmera Health Service, as we all welcome six graduates who are commencing their graduate transition year 2020.  Some of the graduates have relocated to East Wimmera Health Service from interstate and instrastate and will be seeking guidance with respect to services and facilities within our rural region.
The Graduate Nurse Program for 2020 has undergone a make-over to ensure EWHS is well positioned to deliver a positive learning experience for our graduates and to support the retention of graduates on completion of the graduate transition year, February 2021.
A summary of the changes includes:
Enhanced introduction to EWHS through a dedicated and focused one week Orientation Program at St Arnaud Campus, under the guidance of the Clinical Support Nurses, Tania Scarce and Vishy Eswar.
Following which, Graduates will undertake a two week orientation program at their appointed Campus under the guidance of the Clinical Support Nurses, Campus Managers and Preceptors.  Option for Graduates to study a care of Older Persons (COOP's) Post Graduate Certificare Course (two units, funded);
A number of Graduates will be completing a 13 week secondment into a Specialist Surgical Ward at Ballarat Health Services.  
Left to right:  Owen Rainbow, Qiwen Zhang, Jaime Machen, Christine Carlos, Jane Park and Jeny Kuriakose.

Students from St Arnaud Primary School brought along a picture book each to read to the residents in Kara Court. It was wonderful to see such positive interaction and chatter happening between the students and residents. Thank you grade 3 and 4, see you again soon!

Changes to meal service buffet breakfasts with hot options on different days has been introduced across all campuses. A selection of cereals, including porridge are now on display allowing variety for residents with crumpets and raisin toast being very popular breakfast items. Congratulations goes to all staff for embracing change and delivering choice to our residents.

Kara Court residents, Gwen and Thelma were joined last week by Tracy Edwards, Charlton Campus Manager and Mary Brown, Education and Development Manager, for a delicous roast pork lunch. Pictured also is Christine Goode, Nurse, assisting with welcoming everyone to the table.

The Donald staff and student accommodation required a makeover.  New beds, linen, lamps and bedside tables were purchased to upgrade the facility.  The outcome of the upgrade is that the facility is aesthetically more pleasing to the eye and improved comfort and living conditions for people staying in the accommodation and easier to clean.

L to R: Paula Noble [Director of Primary Care], Trevor Adem [Chief Executive Officer], Kris Payne [Director of People and Culture], Leon Gowlett [Director of Finance and Administration] and Pat Croft [Director of Clinical Services].