Wellbeing & Support
NH is committed to being an employer of choice — leading by example and creating a workplace culture that values, supports and promotes programs and policies that improve your health and wellbeing.
Being a doctor is hard, both work and outside work stressors affect us, our wellbeing and ultimately patient care. Seek support and encourage colleagues to do the same.
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Practical Advice — Find the Right Support
Start by talking with someone to find out confidentially what avenues of support are available.
First points of contact:
Also available:
- Reach out to 2026 JMSA Wellbeing reps
- Email Northern Doctors Workforce
- PMCV JMO Victoria Representatives:
- PGY2 Reps — Jess Gu (Jessica.Gu3@nh.org.au) & Sean Flintoft (Sean.Flintoft4@nh.org.au)
- PGY1 Reps — Amii Arai (aimi.arai@nh.org.au) & Abdullah Waraich (Abdullah.Waraich@nh.org.au)
THRIVE Program
Evidence indicates that an integrated approach to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace will lead to the greatest benefits for organisations and workers. Integrated approaches focus on three key areas:
Head to Northern Health’s Intranet for more information, resources and upcoming initiatives such as:
- Peer Support Program
- ‘All About You’ initiative
- Employee Assistance Program — free, confidential service operating 24/7/365:
- Available to all employees, contractors and immediate family members
- Up to 6 free sessions per year
- Click here to book a consultation
Staff Clinics
Staff Physiotherapy Clinic — a free service for Northern Health staff who sustain acute musculoskeletal injuries at work, providing high quality physiotherapy care. Also available for acute or acute-on-chronic complaints sustained outside work if impacting work duties.
Click here for more information.
Complete the Terms of Service form and return to staffphysio@nh.org.au.
Staff Exercise Physiology Clinic — a free service supporting Northern Health staff to engage in physical activity and evidence-based exercise training. Exercise Physiologists specialise in clinical exercise prescription and delivery of lifestyle modification programs for prevention and management of chronic disease and musculoskeletal injury. Any staff member wanting support is eligible to optimise their general health and wellbeing.
Click here to visit the website.
Make your own referral by completing the Terms of Service form and returning to staffexphys@nh.org.au. You will be contacted about making an appointment once your referral is reviewed and triaged.
Northern Health — Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care encompasses all the ways in which attention is paid to the spiritual dimensions of life. It is commonly offered in a one-to-one relationship, is person centered and makes no assumptions about personal conviction or life orientation. It offers a way for people to experience and make meaning of their hopes and fears.
Click here for more information.
- Highly skilled to work across cultures and all faith or no faith belief systems
- Non-judgmental and open to diverse and varied belief systems
- Provide a listening presence and a supportive ear when people are struggling
As an extension of the inhouse team, faith leaders provide support after hours to members of their own faith traditions. Communications team (formerly NH Switch) have a list for after hours when needed.
If you are unsure if your situation can be helped, simply contact us on 8405 8005.
Spiritual Care is offered freely to all patients, family members, visitors and staff of Northern Health. Referrals can be made by patients, staff or family members.
Services include:
- Bereavement support, grief and loss counselling
- Emotional support & pastoral counselling
- Ceremonial events & rites
- Education & training
- Blessing & Naming Ceremonies (postnatal)
- Referral & consultation
- Spiritual, religious and sacred texts
- Religious care (sacraments, prayer, religious clerics)
Contact:
For urgent on-call religious reps, call Communications — 8405-8000.
NH Policies (Intranet Access)
- HR — Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Safety Incidents (to be updated December 2027)
- HR — Disciplinary Procedure (to be updated August 2026)
- HR — Internet & Email Harassment (to be updated November 2026)
- HR — Mandatory Reporting of Health Practitioners (to be updated November 2026)
- OHS — Employee Health & Wellbeing (to be updated July 2026)
- Public Affairs (Social Media) — Standard Operating Procedures (to be updated by August 2028)
- Code of Conduct and Ethics (to be updated December 2026)
Victoria: Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC)
Discrimination on the basis of age, breastfeeding, disability, employment activity, gender identity, industrial activity, lawful sexual activity, marital status, parental status or status as a carer, physical features, political belief or activity, pregnancy, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity and ethnic origin), religious belief or activity, sex, sexual orientation, and personal association with someone who has, or is assumed to have, any of these personal characteristics. Sexual harassment is also prohibited under this Act.
Engaging in bullying, harassment or discrimination will lead to disciplinary action and can result in termination of employment.
Read the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC) here.
Other Resources
- AMA Victoria — Peer Support Service
- Black Dog Institute
- Mental Health but not as you know it — TEDx Talk by Dr Louise Byrne
- MIGA resources for doctors
- Safer Care Victoria
- Victorian Doctors Health Program — free and confidential support
- VDHP Peer Support Handout