The Victorian Government has released a healthcare worker wellbeing package to support staff who have been working tirelessly to care for the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Developed in consultation with hospitals, clinicians, peak bodies, unions and academics, the $9.8 million package complements additional measures to reduce healthcare worker infections and increase access to support.
“Our doctors, nurses, allied health and non-clinical workers do amazing work every hour, every shift and that’s why it’s vital we look after our health workers who are looking after us,” said Minister for Health, Martin Foley.
The package includes the development of a healthcare worker wellbeing centre.
Mr Foley said the centre would identify best practice approaches to supporting staff fatigue and stress management, provide advice and training opportunities, and host resources through a web platform.
The centre will support individual healthcare worker wellbeing, for clinical and non-clinical roles, across acute and community-based settings including hospitals, community health, aged care and primary care settings.
“Our healthcare workers have done a tremendous job supporting each other in more challenging conditions than they have faced before. This additional package will help ensure that they have the supports they need to stay safe and well at work.”
He said the package would also improve staff rest and recovery areas in health services that enable physical distancing.
“An additional focus will be to increase access to specialist services and support that is tailored to individuals, teams and organisational needs.”
He said funding would be provided through a grants process for on the ground psychosocial support, peer training models and programs to support wellbeing in health services and registered community health services.
