The ACT Government has announced a new $8.75 millionfund to support the wellbeing of ACT health workers and recovery after an incredibly difficult few years.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said initiatives and activities will be co-designed with the health workforce and this is well underway with some fantastic champions stepping forward.
“Healthcare systems around the world are facing significant demand and workforce shortages,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“The need to constantly adapt in response to COVID-19 has come on top of pre-existing pressures and we know healthcare workers have carried a heavy load in supporting our community through almost three years of the pandemic.
“Our frontline staff have also experienced the personal challenges of COVID-19 with many being separated from family and friends during a very difficult and unpredictable time.
“All of this has contributed to high levels of distress and fatigue. That’s why we’ve been looking at ways we can further support teams to recover from the difficulties of the past few years and build safe and healthy workplaces for the future.”
The Health Workforce Wellbeing and Recovery Fund will provide individual teams across ACT public health services – including in Canberra Health Services, Calvary Public Hospital, Clare Holland House, QEII and the ACT Health Directorate – the opportunity to propose initiatives that they believe will have the most impact and benefit for their teams.
“Through the co-design process we are hearing how important it is that staff are empowered to decide what would benefit them the most. This ensures initiatives and activities are meeting the specific needs and challenges of different teams across the health system.
“Organisation and Territory-wide activities aimed at improving staff retention, culture and wellbeing across the whole system are also being developed in collaboration with the health workforce,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The Fund will also support initiatives currently underway on workforce planning and recruitment. This includes a public health system, which launched in September.
This work reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to making our health system a great place to work through the implementation of nurse and midwife to-patient ratios, continuous improvement in pay and conditions and tackling the difficult issues of reducing occupational violence and building positive cultures.
Each organisation will communicate with individual teams to encourage them to think about what is going to make the biggest difference and deliver practical wellbeing supports in the workplace.
