Bendigo Health celebrated International Nurses Day on Sunday and Monday by gifting all nurses to a lapel pin and chocolate in recognition of the wonderful work they do.

Bendigo Health chief nursing officer Peter Faulkner said International Nurses Day is an annual world-wide celebration of nursing – a time to acknowledge and celebrate the work of nurses everywhere.

“Bendigo Health nurses work in a wide variety of situations, from acute areas such as the emergency department, to rehabilitation, community, aged care and psychiatric care,” he said.

“We proudly support nurses along their career pathway. Students from many universities come to Bendigo Health for their clinical placements and we also run a graduate program which allows new nurses to settle into the industry at completion of their studies.

“The organisation runs critical care, peri-operative, midwifery, acute care and other post graduate certificates with La Trobe University.

“We also have a number of nurses studying to become nurse practitioners to assist in various areas across the organisation.”

Bendigo Health also acknowledged the achievements of its nurses who completed formal education programs in 2012, by hosting a special event yesterday afternoon at the All Seasons Resort Bendigo.

The event celebrated the success of many nurses who have demonstrated their commitment to professional development and excellence in patient care through their completion of post graduate studies.

This notice is to inform you that the proposed Victorian Public Health Sector (medical scientists, pharmacists and psychologists) Enterprise Agreement 2012-2016 'proposed agreement' has now been finalised.

The proposed agreement represents the settlement negotiated between VHIA, HSU and VPA with the assistance of the Department of Health.

The proposed agreement covers medical scientists, pharmacists, psychologists, audiologists, clinical perfusionists, dietitians, genetic counsellors and medical physicists.

Therefore, Bendigo Health must now provide employees with a copy of

• the proposed agreement
• the National Employment Standards 
• summary of main changes in entitlements
• timelines/ process of the ballot

Bendigo Health strongly recommends that you read the entire agreement.

Hardcopies of the proposed Agreement are also available at People and Culture.

The employers to be covered by the proposed agreement must now undertake a ballot of eligible employees. The parties have agreed that the Australian Electoral Commission will conduct the ballot via post. The ballot involves eligible employees with the opportunity to vote for the approval or non-approval of the proposed agreement.

It is worth noting that more than 50 per cent of all eligible employees (statewide) that vote must vote for the approval of the agreement in order for the employers to be covered by the proposed agreement to submit the proposed agreement to Fair Work Commission.

If you have any queries in relation to the proposed agreement you may contact People and Culture on 5454 8390 or alternatively peopleandculture@bendigohealth.org.au  Alternatively, if you are a member of the union, you may also contact your union for information and advice.

Bendigo Health nurse Jonathan Taylorson was awarded the National Emergency Medal on Saturday December 15.

Please see the attached information (click on the link at the very bottom of this page) regarding the Victorian Public Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement 2012 - 2016.  Please note, following an amendment to the original advice received from VHIA, we also attach the following 2 updated documents for your information;

1.  Revised Final Agreement

2.  Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010

Please contact People and Culture on 03 5454 8390 or email peopleandculture@bendigohealth.org.au for futher information

Bendigo Health and Bendigo TAFE are working together to provide a wonderful opportunity for male carers in our community to gather some extra cooking hints.

Loddon Mallee Kids will host a picnic at Lake Weeroona tomorrow as part of a week of events to celebrate National Premmie Week and raise money for Bendigo Health’s Special Care Baby Unit.

Media Release from Jacinta Allan, Bendigo East MP

Bendigo Health's new $13.6 million aged care facility will boost access to world-class care for local seniors.

Critical care patients at Bendigo Health are reaping the benefits of a donation from Heartbeat Bendigo.

In recognising the link between the health and well-being of Victorians and the health and well-being of the environment, Bendigo Health is committed to minimising the environmental impacts associated with our operations and seeks to achieve continual improvement in the management of our environmental effects.

Bendigo Health patient, Peter Mansfield, will be presented with an award tomorrow for being one of the top three candidates in Australia, in the 2009 Ipsen Award for Achievement in neurological physiotherapy.

Sponsored by Poyser Holden, the inaugural Bendigo Health Foundation golf day will be held at Neangar Park Golf Club, Avery’s Road, Eaglehawk on Friday 20 November 2009.

A hole in one competition could win a lucky golfer a new Holden Cruze thanks to Poyser Holden Bendigo.

Another first for Bendigo Health is the launch of a new brochure on hepatitis C, aimed at the Aboriginal population. 

In collaboration with Hepatitis Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Bendigo Health infectious diseases service has developed a brochure about hepatitis C treatment specifically for Aboriginal populations, the first resource of its kind in Victoria.

Members from the Laryngectomee Association of Victoria return to Bendigo to share with Bendigo South East College year 7 students how living without voice boxes has impacted on their lives.

The event aims to educate the students about the risks of smoking.

Enjoying life and exercise at any age will be celebrated at tomorrow’s exercise together day.

Bendigo Health’s Rural Health Team is hosting its annual Exercise Together Day as part of the popular, Fitness for Older Adult’s Program.

Bendigo Health has expanded its antenatal breastfeeding classes to include classes for women with specific needs.

The new classes include diabetes/gestational diabetes, booked caesarean and a breastfeeding class for MAMTA families.

With the focus this year on the ‘Sanctuary for Kids’ project, Bendigo Health’s annual Christmas appeal will be officially launched on Wednesday 25^th November, 2009, at Quill’s Restaurant by local identity and well-known former newsreader, David Johnston.

Bendigo Health and Woolworths join forces to deliver Victoria’s first fully accessible supermarket to cater for customers with disabilities and those who have difficulty in reading English.

Palliative care auxiliary funds $18,000 for patient care

Bendigo Health is presenting a two day forum to up-skill regional health professionals

The National Hotel raises money towards the Bendigo Hospital Christmas Appeal.

Planning for the 2009 Bendigo Hospital Christmas Appeal has begun early this year.

The transit lounge will help to improve patient care and also help to free up bed-space for new patients entering the hospital.

Bendigo Health will again benefit greatly from the purchase of new equipment.