Wellbeing

We are committed to being an employer of choice; leading by example and creating a workplace culture and environment that values, supports and promotes programs and policies that improve the health and wellbeing of its employees and empowering staff to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing, reducing the incidence of chronic disease. A happy, healthy workforce is better for everyone – staff and patients. Being a doctor is hard, both work and outside work stressors affect us, our wellbeing and ultimately patient care. Please seek support and encourage colleagues to do the same. At NH we don’t just say this we mean it. Please refer to Northern Health – OHS – Employee Health & Wellbeing

Practical advice on how to find the right supports for you – Sometimes it’s just good to talk to someone to find out confidentially what avenues of support are available. Talk to us at medical education unit, we can provide direction for you or find us on Level 2, NCHER building or JMSA.

THRIVE Program 

We are committed to ensuring our junior doctors have the opportunity to THRIVE. 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 draw on the following three key areas of focus:

  • Protect – protecting mental health by reducing work-related risk factors for mental health conditions and increasing protective factors
  • Promote – promoting mental health and wellbeing by developing the positive aspects of work as well as workers’ strengths and capabilities
  • Support – addressing mental health difficulties and conditions among workers regardless of whether the workplace was a contributing factor

Who are your Wellbeing Team?  We are friendly and always open to a chat and offer support, guidance and initiatives to protect, promote and support the wellbeing of the staff.

Head to Northern Health’s Intranet where you will be able to find more information, resources and upcoming initiatives. Some examples are listed below:

  • Fitness Passport
  • Peer Support Program
  • ‘All About You’ initiative
  • Manager Resources

NH’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a professional counselling service that offers confidential, short-term support for a variety of work-related and personal problems that may be affecting staff at work or at home. EAP gives staff access to qualified professionals including psychologists, social workers and management coaches.

Employee Assistance Program

  • Is a free, confidential service that operates 24 hours, seven days per week, 365 days of the year
  • available to all employees, contractors and immediate family members
  • available for up to 6 sessions per year
  • via phone, face to face or online.

EAP – Converge             1300 687 327               www.convergeinternational.com.au

The Northern Health Staff Health Clinic 

Dylan & Tom have your back!

Staff Physiotherapy Clinic: Is a free service, designed to support Northern Health staff who sustain acute musculoskeletal injuries at work by providing high quality physiotherapy care. We will also see staff who have an acute or acute-on-chronic musculoskeletal complaints sustained outside of work if it is impacting on their ability to participate in their usual duties at work. This includes acute flare ups of previous injuries.

Staff Exercise Physiology Clinic: Is a free service, designed to support Northern Health staff to engage in physical activity and evidence-based exercise training interventions by providing a professional Exercise Physiology service. Exercise Physiologists specialise in clinical exercise prescription and delivery of lifestyle modification programs for the prevention and management of chronic disease and musculoskeletal injury. The service is also aimed at promoting a culture of fitness and increased physical activity at Northern Health, thus any staff member wanting support is eligible for the service to optimise their general health and wellbeing.

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.

If you believe you are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against please seek advice from one of your supports as listed above who will assist and escalate the matter appropriately.

Northern Health – Spiritual Care 

Spiritual Care Coordinator – Natalia Dewiyani– In January 2023 Natalia Dewiyani was appointed as the Coordinator of Spiritual Care at Northern Health. Natalia has been at NH since May 2021 as a Spiritual Care Practitioner and as the Allied Health Informatics Officer from Aug 21 – June 22 ensuring Allied Health input for the development of the EMR. Natalia is also a Life Coach, Speaker and Facilitator who has worked with organisations such as Victorian Gambling Foundation, Melbourne Fire Brigade, Monash Health, Mercy Health and Peter Mac. Natalia is passionate about the value of Spiritual Care for patients and staff and will continue as a Spiritual Care Practitioner at Northern Hospital Epping for 2 days per week as well as the Coordinator role. If you are needing any support or advice, you can contact Natalia via email or contact the NH Pastoral Services team.

Other Resources

NH Policies

Other

  • Safer Care Victoria
  • Circles of Support
  • MIGA resources for doctors
  • Mental Health but not as you know it – TEDx Talk by Dr Louise Byrne who works from the perspective of her own experience of significant mental health challenges, service use, and periods of healing. She has utilised her lived experience knowledge in a variety of roles in government, non-government and tertiary settings since 2005, including a role as an expert advisor to the Queensland Mental Health Commission and as Australia’s first full-time Lived Experience Mental Health academic at CQUniversity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community
  • myCompass – is a free mental health tool by the Black Dog Institute that can help you identify unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and learn strategies to deal with them. It offers a customised experience and can recommend learning activities that best match your needs.
  • Dr Sian Cole – Health Psychology videos – Dr Sian Cole is a registered and endorsed clinical & health psychologist. As a health psychologist, she is interested in helping adults with medical illness engage in behaviours that assist with their health performance despite the distress that can occur with illness. All of Sian’s videos are free and are full of lots of helpful information and resources to share with your patients, but also as a resource to support your own mental health and wellbeing.

Useful apps

‘Treat’: Mindfulness Smartphone Application for Clinicians

An app has been developed by two junior Doctors at Alfred Health. This is a simple, free and very user friendly mindfulness / self-care based app – particularly with those short on time in mind.

 https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/news/mindfulness-app-helps-hospital-workers-find-calm/

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.statinnovations.treatappbeta&hl=en