Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06
Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06
Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06
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114 th <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> for the<br />
year ended 30 th June 20<strong>06</strong><br />
incorporating the<br />
Consolidated Financial<br />
Statements<br />
“Quality, Care & Commitment”
CONTENTS<br />
<strong>Report</strong> of Operations<br />
About <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> ......................................................................................... 3<br />
Our Mission / Aim / Objectives .................................................................................. 3<br />
Our Services ..................................................................................................................... 4<br />
Governance Overview.................................................................................................... 5<br />
Board Chair & CEO’s <strong>Report</strong> ........................................................................................ 9<br />
Clinical Services <strong>Report</strong> ............................................................................................... 13<br />
Community Services <strong>Report</strong> ....................................................................................... 15<br />
Support Services <strong>Report</strong>............................................................................................... 19<br />
Organisational Chart .................................................................................................... 22<br />
Workforce Data.............................................................................................................. 23<br />
Building & Maintenance Compliance ....................................................................... 27<br />
Freedom of Information Requests.............................................................................. 27<br />
National Competition Policy....................................................................................... 27<br />
Application and Operation of Whistleblowers Policy............................................ 27<br />
Victorian Industry Participation Policy Disclosure................................................. 27<br />
Service Activity.............................................................................................................. 27<br />
Financial Results............................................................................................................ 28<br />
Financial Statements and Explanatory Notes<br />
Accountable Officer’s, Chief Finance & Accounting Officer’s and Member<br />
of Responsible Body’s Declaration<br />
Auditor General’s <strong>Report</strong><br />
Statement of Financial Performance<br />
Statement of Financial Position<br />
Statement of Cashflows<br />
Notes to and forming part of Financial Statements<br />
2
Our History<br />
When gold was discovered in <strong>Omeo</strong> in 1851,<br />
the isolated communities of <strong>Omeo</strong>, Swifts<br />
Creek, Ensay and Benambra changed<br />
dramatically with the influx of visitors. The<br />
need to build a hospital was identified in<br />
November 1891 with incorporation of the<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> Hospital (ODH). Care to the<br />
sick and injured commenced in August 1894<br />
until the devastating 1939 bushfires that<br />
destroyed the original building. A new 19<br />
bed hospital was built in 1940 on a new site<br />
and continues to be utilised to provide acute<br />
and residential care.<br />
Services delivered by ODH have been<br />
regularly reviewed to meet the changing<br />
needs of the community. In 1990, the acute<br />
service was reduced to twelve beds and then<br />
further reviews in September 1993 resulted in<br />
major funding changes to see the organisation<br />
provide four registered acute beds and<br />
outpatients department and ten nursing home<br />
places. In July 1997, the construction of a<br />
purpose built four-bed hostel was completed.<br />
In February 2004, construction commenced on<br />
the full redevelopment of the existing hospital<br />
buildings and service areas. The major works<br />
were completed and the official opening of<br />
the new facility held on 9 th December <strong>2005</strong>.<br />
Our Objective<br />
Mission<br />
To promote and enhance the health and<br />
wellbeing of the people of <strong>Omeo</strong> and district.<br />
Aim<br />
To provide the most effective and efficient<br />
physical, emotional and social care possible<br />
through the delivery of services that are<br />
accountable to individual and communities<br />
needs.<br />
Objectives<br />
To ensure the <strong>Health</strong> Service is accessible to<br />
all and continues to develop within a Best<br />
Practice model in response to the<br />
community’s identified need.<br />
To provide a coordinated continuum of health<br />
care to the communities of <strong>Omeo</strong> and district,<br />
encompassing aged and residential care,<br />
community care and appropriate acute<br />
services.<br />
To maximise the health and wellbeing for all<br />
community members.<br />
To provide a well-maintained, safe and<br />
pleasant environment for patients, residents,<br />
staff and visitors.<br />
With the ever changing face of health care, the<br />
Board of Management has continued to<br />
review the services that the organisation<br />
provides and explore innovative ways of<br />
meeting the community’s needs.<br />
3
Our Services<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> provides broad-based health and support services to <strong>Omeo</strong>, Benambra,<br />
Swifts Creek, Ensay, Dinner Plain and surrounding districts.<br />
Acute Care<br />
Ancillary Services<br />
4 Acute beds for general medical care Radiology<br />
Emergency stabilisation<br />
Renal Dialysis Unit<br />
Sub-Acute Care<br />
Rehabilitation<br />
Residential Aged Care<br />
10 High Level Care Beds Allied <strong>Health</strong> & Community Services<br />
4 Low Level Care Beds Information and Referral<br />
Respite Care<br />
Diversional Therapy<br />
Aged Care Assessment<br />
<strong>District</strong> Nursing Services<br />
Home Visiting<br />
Palliative Care<br />
Post-Acute Care Program<br />
Respite Care<br />
Equipment Hire<br />
Home and Community Care<br />
Planned Activity Group<br />
Home Care<br />
Personal Care<br />
Meals on Wheels<br />
Home Maintenance<br />
Home Respite<br />
Dental Services<br />
Public Dental Care<br />
Private Dental Service<br />
Medical Services<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre<br />
Ear Nose & Throat Specialist Consulting<br />
Audiometry Consulting<br />
Use of the Facilities<br />
Optometry Services<br />
Rural Ambulance Victoria<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Playgroup<br />
Senior Citizens Meetings<br />
Swifts Creek Community Centre<br />
Community Group Meetings<br />
Counselling / Social Work<br />
Domestic Violence Support<br />
Financial Counselling<br />
Emergency Housing<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Promotion and Education<br />
Youth Program<br />
Physiotherapy<br />
Dietetics<br />
Speech Therapy<br />
Foot Care<br />
Occupational Therapy<br />
Community Care Coordination<br />
Community Education & Development<br />
Diabetes Education<br />
Communities for Children<br />
Supporting Portfolios<br />
Infection Control<br />
Quality<br />
Pathology<br />
Occupational <strong>Health</strong> & Safety<br />
Administration<br />
Maintenance & Gardens<br />
Environmental & Food Services<br />
Visiting Services<br />
Maternal & Child <strong>Health</strong><br />
4
Governance Overview<br />
Board of Management<br />
President<br />
Senior Vice President<br />
Mr Rodney O’Connell<br />
Ms Anne Faithfull<br />
Self Employed Company Director<br />
Administration Manager<br />
Board member since 1990 Board member since 2002<br />
Member of the Finance, Facilities<br />
Member of the Finance & Audit<br />
Project Control and Quality Sub-Committees Sub-Committees<br />
Appointment Expires 31/10/2007 Appointment Expires 31/10/2008<br />
Board Meetings attended – 11/11 Board Meetings attended – 10/11<br />
Treasurer<br />
Ms Ronda Manhire<br />
Mr Phillip Jones<br />
Primary School Teacher<br />
Office Coordinator Board member since 1997<br />
Board member since 2002<br />
Member of the Facilities Sub-Committee<br />
Member of the Finance & Audit Sub-Committees Appointment Expires 31/10/2008<br />
Appointment Expires 31/10/2008 Board Meetings attended – 9/11<br />
Board Meetings attended – 9/11<br />
Mr Ronald Grinter<br />
Mr Russell Pendergast<br />
Self Employed Company Director<br />
Self Employed Farmer Board member since 1991<br />
Board member since 1987<br />
Member of the Facilities Sub-Committee<br />
Member of the Facilities & Quality Appointment Expires 31/10/20<strong>06</strong><br />
Sub-Committees Board Meetings attended – 8/11<br />
Appointment Expires 31/10/2007<br />
Board Meetings attended – 8/11<br />
Mr Evan Newcomen<br />
Self Employed Farmer<br />
Ms Louise Armit Board member since 2002<br />
Solicitor<br />
Member of the Facilities & Project<br />
Board member since 1995<br />
Control Sub-Committees<br />
Member of the Facilities and Quality Appointment Expires 31/10/2008<br />
Sub-Committees Board Meetings attended – 10/11<br />
Appointment Expires 31/10/2007<br />
Board Meetings attended – 8/11<br />
Ms Jeannette Molloy<br />
Director of Corporate Services<br />
Mr Robert Vardy Board Member since 2003<br />
Self Employed Company Director<br />
Member of the Finance, Audit & Medical<br />
Board member since 1997<br />
Appointment Sub-Committees<br />
Member of the Facilities & Project Appointment Expires 31/10/20<strong>06</strong><br />
Control Sub-Committees Board Meetings attended – 8/11<br />
Appointment Expires 31/10/20<strong>06</strong><br />
Board Meetings attended – 8/11<br />
Mrs Diana Foster<br />
Retired School Teacher<br />
Mr David Jenkins Board member since 1991<br />
Secondary College Principal<br />
Member of the Quality & Medical<br />
Board Member since 2002<br />
Appointment Sub-Committees<br />
Appointment Expired 31/10/<strong>2005</strong> Appointment Expires 31/10/2007<br />
Resignation effective 24/<strong>06</strong>/<strong>2005</strong> Board Meetings attended – 7/11<br />
5
Role of the Board of Management<br />
The Board of a public hospital is responsible<br />
for its governance. It is accountable to both<br />
Government and the community that it<br />
serves for ensuring the provision of agreed<br />
services within the resources with which they<br />
are provided. The Board must therefore be<br />
responsive to its staff and the total<br />
community and have a capacity to address a<br />
wide range of policy and management issues.<br />
To fulfil its role, the Board should have<br />
members with a range of appropriate<br />
expertise and experience. The Board adheres<br />
to a Code of Conduct that outlines the role of<br />
governance and conduct for members.<br />
The functions of the Board of Management as<br />
determined by the <strong>Health</strong> Services Act 1988<br />
are:<br />
‣ To oversee and manage the hospital;<br />
and<br />
‣ To ensure the services provided by<br />
the Hospital comply with the<br />
requirements of the Act and the aims<br />
of the organisation.<br />
Governance is achieved by ensuring the<br />
health needs of our community are met<br />
through:<br />
Strategic Planning<br />
The Board ensures the visionary direction of<br />
the hospital is focused and is able to be<br />
implemented and aligned to the mission<br />
statement of the hospital.<br />
Local Policy<br />
To reflect the current standards of service<br />
delivered through timely and appropriate<br />
policy setting.<br />
Effective Management<br />
The Board is responsible for the appointment<br />
of the Chief Executive Officer and Director of<br />
Nursing who, in turn, are responsible for the<br />
effective management and operation of <strong>Omeo</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong>. Mr Peter Abraham ceased<br />
his contract on 28 th April 20<strong>06</strong> and took up a<br />
CEO position at Boort <strong>District</strong> Hospital. A<br />
recruitment agency (<strong>Health</strong> Recruitment<br />
Specialists) was retained to assist in the<br />
recruitment of a new CEO. The selection<br />
panel consisted of Mr Rod O’Connell<br />
(President), Ms Louise Armit, Ms Jeannette<br />
Molloy and Mr Gary Templeton (CEO of<br />
Gippsland Southern <strong>Health</strong> Services), and the<br />
successful candidate was offered a contract of<br />
employment to commence in August 20<strong>06</strong>. In<br />
the interim, Mr Darren Fitzpatrick undertook<br />
the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer /<br />
Director of Nursing.<br />
Funding Service Agreements<br />
The Board endorses plans, strategies and<br />
monitors the performance of ODH through<br />
appropriate budgetary processes. Board of<br />
Management members are appointed by the<br />
Governor-in-Council, upon the<br />
recommendations of the Minister for <strong>Health</strong>,<br />
Hon. Bronwyn Pike, MP.<br />
In accordance with the By-Laws of <strong>Omeo</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong>, there are twelve community<br />
positions on the Board of Management.<br />
Members of the Board of Management act in<br />
a voluntary capacity and have not received<br />
fees in the <strong>2005</strong> / 20<strong>06</strong> financial year.<br />
Pecuniary Interest<br />
It is an obligation for Board Members to<br />
declare a pecuniary interest when Board<br />
discussions include matters in which they<br />
have a direct, or indirect, financial or other<br />
interest. There were no occasions during the<br />
year when Board Members declared a<br />
pecuniary interest in connection with Board<br />
deliberations.<br />
6
Finance & Audit Sub-Committees<br />
President<br />
Senior Vice President<br />
Mr Rodney O’Connell<br />
Ms Anne Faithfull<br />
Self Employed Company Director<br />
Administration Manager<br />
Finance Sub-Committee member<br />
Finance & Audit Sub-Committee member<br />
since election of Office Bearers<br />
since election of Office Bearers<br />
on 23 rd November 2004 on 25 th November 2003<br />
Meetings attended this financial year:-<br />
Meetings attended this financial year:-<br />
Finance – 9/10 Finance - 7/10 Audit - 3/4<br />
Treasurer<br />
Mr Phillip Jones<br />
Ms Jeannette Molloy<br />
Office Coordinator<br />
Director of Corporate Services<br />
Finance & Audit Sub-Committee member Finance & Audit Sub-Committee member<br />
since election of Office Bearers<br />
since election of Office Bearers<br />
on 25 th November 2003 on 25 th November 2003<br />
Meetings attended this financial year:-<br />
Meetings attended this financial year:-<br />
Finance – 10/10 Audit - 4/4 Finance - 8/10 Audit - 3/4<br />
Role of the Finance Sub-Committee<br />
The Finance Sub-Committee meetings are held on a monthly basis prior to the Board of<br />
Management meetings to allow for tabling of recommendations for the Board to adopt and<br />
approve. Items discussed on a regular basis include:-<br />
• Refurbishment of Property<br />
• Property Valuation<br />
• Cost of being in a remote area<br />
• Cash Advance Funding<br />
• GST & FBT<br />
• Motor Vehicles<br />
• Financial Improvement Plan<br />
• Payroll and Salary Packaging<br />
• Investment Revenue<br />
• <strong>Annual</strong> Internal & External Audit<br />
• Financial & Structural Review<br />
• CEO Transitional Grant<br />
• Internet Banking & Token Access<br />
• Budgets<br />
Items discussed on a monthly basis include:-<br />
• Statement of Financial Performance<br />
• Statement of Financial Position<br />
• Creditors Payments<br />
• Cash Management Account Analysis<br />
• High Yield Investment Account<br />
Analysis<br />
• Corporate Credit Card Reconciliations<br />
• Cashflow Statements<br />
• Individual Cost Centre <strong>Report</strong>s<br />
Role of the Audit Sub-Committee<br />
The Audit Sub-Committee meetings are held on a bi-monthly basis prior to the Board of<br />
Management meetings to allow for tabling of recommendations for the Board to adopt and<br />
approve. Items discussed on a regular basis include:-<br />
• Financial Risk Management<br />
Compliance Framework<br />
• Internal Auditing<br />
• Tender for Supply of Goods and<br />
Services<br />
• Corporate Policies & Procedures<br />
7
Medical Appointment Sub-Committees<br />
Mrs Diana Foster<br />
Ms Jeannette Molloy<br />
Retired School Teacher<br />
Director of Corporate Services<br />
Medical Appointment Sub-Committee<br />
Medical Appointment Sub-Committee<br />
member since election at Board Meeting<br />
members since election at Board Meeting<br />
on 23 rd May 20<strong>06</strong> on 23 rd May 20<strong>06</strong><br />
Meetings attended this financial year – 1/1 Meetings attended this financial year – 1/1<br />
Role of the Medical Appointment Sub-Committee<br />
The Medical Appointment Sub-Committee meetings are held on an as-need basis, when the<br />
Director of Medical Services, Dr Rick Lowen, arranges to be on-site at ODH. The purpose of these<br />
meetings is to ascertain the credentialing of the General Practitioners and recommend their<br />
appointment to the Board of Management. Items discussed include:-<br />
• Terms of Reference of Sub-Committee • Consideration and recommendations<br />
for appointment of, and granting of<br />
privileges to, Medical Officers –<br />
General Practitioners following their<br />
credentialing process.<br />
8
Board Chair & Chief Executive Officer’s <strong>Report</strong><br />
We take great pleasure in presenting to you<br />
this, the 114 th <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> of <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong>.<br />
In December <strong>2005</strong>, Mr Daniel Andrews,<br />
Parliamentary Secretary for <strong>Health</strong>, officially<br />
opened the new <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
integrated health care facility. The day was a<br />
wonderful success and marked the<br />
culmination of many years of tireless work by<br />
the Board, staff and the community.<br />
With this great event behind us, ODH has<br />
continued in its determination to provide<br />
effective and efficient health care services to<br />
the community under the ODH Strategic<br />
Plan, 2003 to 2011.<br />
The strategic directions are to:-<br />
• Enhance the services available to the<br />
community<br />
• Deliver quality, accessible and<br />
coordinated care<br />
• Improve the organisations infrastructure<br />
• Engage and educate the community in the<br />
work of the organisation and on<br />
improving their own health and wellbeing<br />
• Ensure the best use of available resources.<br />
Enhancing the Services Available to the<br />
Community<br />
Over the past twelve months ODH has<br />
worked to ensure that existing funded<br />
services are provided to meet the needs of the<br />
community. Strong commitment and<br />
investment in the recruitment and retention<br />
strategies of ODH has ensured that services<br />
continue to be provided at a satisfactory level<br />
of community need.<br />
New innovations in services include the full<br />
management of the <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre and<br />
the establishment of a General Practitioner<br />
service model that provides the community<br />
with choice of doctor as well as providing the<br />
clinicians with an acceptable level of work /<br />
life balance. The introduction of a Speech<br />
Therapy service into the local regions schools<br />
has had a significant impact on improved<br />
childhood, development and the acquisition<br />
of funding to develop future models of<br />
childcare service in the region. ODH also was<br />
fortunate to receive funding under the Rural<br />
Private Access program for the<br />
commencement of Audiology (hearing<br />
testing) services.<br />
We welcome all new staff members to our<br />
service.<br />
ODH has continued to pursue appropriate<br />
funding levels for its aged and acute care<br />
services through close association with both<br />
State and Commonwealth funding bodies.<br />
There has been significant growth in demand<br />
for aged care services over the year<br />
corresponding with the opening of our new<br />
‘Lewington House’ Aged care facility. Aged<br />
care occupancy has averaged 100% with a<br />
significant waiting list developed as a result<br />
of this new facility.<br />
Strong demand for both public and private<br />
dental services has resulted in an increase in<br />
service delivery to six days per month.<br />
With support from the Department of Human<br />
Services, a review of funding levels has been<br />
completed in March 20<strong>06</strong>. The review will<br />
receive ratification and endorsement from<br />
both DHS and the ODH Board for the year<br />
commencing 20<strong>06</strong>/2007.<br />
9
Delivering Quality, Accessible and<br />
Coordinated Care<br />
ODH continues to provide services that are<br />
responsive to community needs. Resident,<br />
patient and client satisfaction and needs<br />
surveying have been conducted at both<br />
scheduled intervals and through<br />
opportunistic surveying throughout the year.<br />
ODH has continued to meet its quality<br />
accreditation requirements through programs<br />
of the Australian Council on <strong>Health</strong> Care<br />
Standards and the Aged Care Standards<br />
Accreditation Council. In December <strong>2005</strong>,<br />
ODH underwent a self assessment process to<br />
ensure that the service continues to<br />
demonstrate improvement in service quality<br />
under the EQuIP national quality<br />
improvement program.<br />
ODH wishes to acknowledge the work of the<br />
Quality Committee in ensuring that high<br />
standard care and quality service delivery has<br />
been maintained and service system<br />
improvement has been achieved.<br />
ODH continuously monitors performance<br />
through both internal and external auditing<br />
mechanisms in the areas of finance and<br />
probity, infection control, food safety,<br />
cleaning, fire protection and Occupational<br />
<strong>Health</strong> and Safety. Results of this auditing<br />
over the past 12 months have demonstrated a<br />
strong commitment to quality and safety.<br />
ODH implements policy and practices that<br />
improve the coordination of services both<br />
internally within ODH and externally<br />
between other agencies. This has resulted in<br />
clients of our service receiving appropriate<br />
and timely referral and treatment options.<br />
Improving the Organisation’s Infrastructure<br />
<strong>2005</strong>/20<strong>06</strong> has seen the practical completion<br />
of a $4.8M capital building program with the<br />
resulting outcome being a fully integrated<br />
health care facility that has resulted in<br />
demonstrated improvement in patient,<br />
resident and client satisfaction with the<br />
facility, as well as improved service<br />
integration and a much improved working<br />
environment for our employees.<br />
The Project Control Group, as well as the<br />
Board and all of our employees are to be<br />
commended on the level of commitment and<br />
dedication they have given to this project. We<br />
also wish to thank Project Supervisor and<br />
principal Architect, Mr Kevin Johnson of<br />
Baade Harbour Australia and Southon<br />
Builders as the project principal contractor.<br />
ODH has also worked to provide essential<br />
equipment to improve service efficiency and<br />
comfort for our residents and patients.<br />
The receipt of funds to install digital<br />
radiology equipment will improve the<br />
timeliness of diagnosis of x-rays, enabling<br />
quicker and more accurate clinical decision<br />
making in emergency situations.<br />
ODH wishes to highlight the significant<br />
contributions made by the SHINE<br />
(Supporting <strong>Health</strong> in New Events)<br />
fundraising and support group of ODH,<br />
which throughout the year has made<br />
significant contributions towards the<br />
purchase of equipment and furniture items<br />
for the service.<br />
10
Engaging and Educating the Community in<br />
the Work of the Organisation and on<br />
improving their own <strong>Health</strong> & Wellbeing<br />
The <strong>Health</strong> Matters Newsletter, distributed to<br />
all households within the catchment<br />
continues to be a valuable resource for the<br />
community in understanding the level of<br />
services available in the community and<br />
providing appropriate health information.<br />
ODH is proud of its relationship with our<br />
catchment community providers, such as<br />
Ensay Community <strong>Health</strong> Centre and Swifts<br />
Creek Bush Nursing Centre and maintains its<br />
regional and state representation as an<br />
independent provider concerned with issues<br />
facing our catchment.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> promotion programs ensure health<br />
and education programs are timely, topical<br />
relevant and accessible.<br />
ODH utilises current information on<br />
population trends, demographics and health<br />
needs to ensure it remains relevant to<br />
community needs.<br />
ODH wishes to express thanks to its<br />
Volunteers who provide support to many of<br />
the services provided, including the Planned<br />
Activity Group, Residential Care Activities,<br />
Volunteer Drivers program and <strong>Health</strong><br />
Promotion activities.<br />
Ensuring the Best Use of Available<br />
Resources<br />
ODH makes the best use of its available<br />
resources. Implementation of a financial<br />
improvement plan has resulted in significant<br />
improvements to our revenue and<br />
expenditure streams. We acknowledge the<br />
work and efforts of Mr Peter Fiddian and Ms<br />
Jenny Hanrahan in providing Finance<br />
management services to ODH.<br />
We also wish to acknowledge the work of the<br />
ODH Finance & Audit Committee in ensuring<br />
compliance with financial and auditing<br />
accountability.<br />
ODH is fortunate to have a dedicated and<br />
committed employee group provide an<br />
exceptional level of care and support to<br />
residents, patients, carers, clients, the<br />
community and to their co-workers. We are<br />
extremely grateful to our team for the efforts<br />
they have made during this last year in<br />
adapting to their new working environment.<br />
The ODH Board would like to acknowledge<br />
the work of Mr Darren Fitzpatrick as both<br />
Clinical Care Manager, and more recently, as<br />
Chief Executive Officer / Director of Nursing<br />
(Acting). We would also like to acknowledge<br />
the work of Ms Marijs Last as Community<br />
Care Manager.<br />
The Board also wished to convey its thanks to<br />
Mr Peter Abraham, in his role as Chief<br />
Executive Officer / Director of Nursing from<br />
May 2003 to May 20<strong>06</strong>.<br />
ODH continues to place great emphasis on<br />
the continued development of its professional<br />
team through the provision of ongoing<br />
educational opportunities that are both<br />
innovative and responsive to demonstrated<br />
community and individual needs. Board and<br />
employee performance has been closely<br />
monitored to ensure that competency is<br />
maintained.<br />
We sincerely thank Dr Ludwik Prokopowicz,<br />
in his role as General Practitioner from June<br />
2003 to January 20<strong>06</strong> for his commitment to<br />
the provision of quality clinical services to our<br />
communities. We also wish to commend Dr<br />
Ian Seymour on his dedication to our<br />
communities as a locum General Practitioner.<br />
11
We welcome our new General Practitioners to<br />
our team and thank them for their continued<br />
support to ODH.<br />
We would also like to welcome Dr Rick<br />
Lowen to his role as Director of Medical<br />
Services at ODH.<br />
We extend our appreciation to Dr Martin<br />
Gelin for his continued dedication to the<br />
provision of community dental services.<br />
We continue to enjoy a close working<br />
relationship with Rural Ambulance Victoria<br />
and welcome Ms Lindley Jones to the role of<br />
Rural Ambulance Paramedic Support Officer<br />
at <strong>Omeo</strong> Rural Ambulance.<br />
Finally, we wish to extend our gratitude to<br />
the members of the <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
Board. All members give their valuable time<br />
as community members who have an interest<br />
in improving the range and quality of health<br />
services provided to the community. We<br />
acknowledge the work of Mr Rodney<br />
O’Connell, Board Chair for his commitment<br />
and dedication to the role, and to all Board<br />
members who strive to ensure the ongoing<br />
future and success of ODH.<br />
In Conclusion<br />
In <strong>2005</strong>-20<strong>06</strong>, ODH has again met with many<br />
new and exciting challenges.<br />
ODH has continued to provide the most<br />
effective and efficient physical, emotional and<br />
social care possible through the delivery of<br />
services that are accountable to individual<br />
and communities needs. The efforts of the<br />
Board, staff and community to support and<br />
adapt to such change and has been<br />
exceptional. We look forward to the 20<strong>06</strong>-<br />
2007 year and the challenges that will present<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> in the provision of<br />
integral health resources for the region it<br />
serves.<br />
Rodney O’Connell<br />
President, Board of Management<br />
Peter Abraham<br />
Chief Executive Officer /Director of Nursing<br />
(to 28 April 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Darren Fitzpatrick<br />
A/g Chief Executive Officer /Director of Nursing<br />
(from 1 May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
12
Clinical Services<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong>’s Clinical Services area<br />
has continued to provide a vast array of<br />
services to a broad community by a dedicated<br />
and caring team during the past year.<br />
The implementation of a clinical manager in<br />
addition to a nurse unit manager saw major<br />
improvement in staff practice and approach.<br />
More independent practice and increased<br />
accountability has been the most glowing<br />
improvement.<br />
It has also allowed an increased ability to<br />
participate in governance and quality<br />
activities. Of most note is <strong>Omeo</strong>’s<br />
participation in the finalising of the Public<br />
Sector Residential Aged Care Key<br />
Performance Indicator project. Rollout of the<br />
revised indicators has seen education<br />
undertaken to Public Sector Residential Aged<br />
Care Facilities and adoption of five consistent<br />
Quality Indicators across the public sector.<br />
This will not only see more consistent<br />
practice within <strong>Omeo</strong>, but also for all public<br />
aged care facilities. I would like to thank the<br />
nursing staff locally for their enthusiasm and<br />
contribution, the other aged care facilities<br />
involved in the trial project and the<br />
Department of Human Services, Residential<br />
Care Strategy Branch, for their ongoing<br />
support and persistence in achieving this<br />
milestone.<br />
The finalisation of building works at ODH<br />
has seen the completion of all relocation<br />
activities. This has enabled improved access<br />
to all ambulatory services and shown marked<br />
improvement in integration of services from<br />
closer proximity.<br />
We continue to enjoy a close working<br />
relationship with Rural Ambulance Victoria<br />
and welcome Ms Lindley Jones to the role of<br />
Rural Ambulance Paramedic Support Officer<br />
at <strong>Omeo</strong>. The acquisition of Lindley has seen<br />
an improved and more consistent integration<br />
between working relationships between RAV<br />
and ODH.<br />
Successful application, through the targeted<br />
equipment program, has seen the allocation<br />
of funding and the purchase of new state of<br />
the art digital x-ray equipment. Whilst still<br />
awaiting delivery of this item it promises to<br />
further streamline the ability of our service to<br />
undertake investigative procedures in a more<br />
timely and safer fashion than our previous<br />
equipment.<br />
Education continues to be an area that staff<br />
show great enthusiasm and commitment.<br />
Participation in the East Gippsland Education<br />
Consortia program have covered areas<br />
including:-<br />
• Male catheterisation<br />
• Mental <strong>Health</strong> 1 st Aid<br />
• Palliative Care<br />
• ECG Interpretation and Advanced life<br />
Support.<br />
• Wound Care.<br />
We were also fortunate to be able to upgrade<br />
our Resuscitation doll through the program<br />
from “Resus. Annie”, who was approaching<br />
20 years of age and use, to an ALS Skilltrainer<br />
200.<br />
Staff attendance at these programs has seen<br />
staff return and implement change to current<br />
practice to ensure that we provide the most<br />
up to date practice. Palliative care in<br />
particular has been most valid, as we have<br />
witnessed an unusual demise of a number of<br />
our community members. This is a task that<br />
is onerous and taxing on staff in small<br />
communities but also rewarding in knowing<br />
the best practice had been applied in caring<br />
for the person and their families.<br />
Other Education to which staff have<br />
committed their time, undertaken and<br />
contributed to improving in the last twelve<br />
months include:-<br />
• Certificate IV in workplace training<br />
• Critical Incident Stress Management<br />
• First Line Management Development<br />
Program<br />
13
• Management Development program<br />
• Wound Management<br />
• Trauma Nursing care Course<br />
• Risk management, nursing and the<br />
law.<br />
• ACHS integrating the EQuIP<br />
functions<br />
• ACHS Governance Matters<br />
• Management of Type 2 Diabetes<br />
• “Stop the Silence” workshop<br />
• Palliative care, Loss, grief and<br />
bereavement<br />
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support<br />
• Dementia Behaviour, Management<br />
and Care.<br />
• Continence Education seminar.<br />
Staff members are to be congratulated and<br />
commended on their participation in these<br />
education sessions and for bringing the<br />
information back to improve the care of the<br />
residents, patients, staff and carers.<br />
Congratulations and gratitude is extended to<br />
staff, representatives, and volunteers of the<br />
following areas for their ongoing support,<br />
assistance, dedication and commitment over<br />
the last year.<br />
• The Board of Management<br />
• Clinical Care<br />
• Community Care<br />
• <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre<br />
• Support Services<br />
• Continuous Quality Improvement<br />
Coordinator<br />
• Occupational, <strong>Health</strong> and Safety<br />
Representatives<br />
• S.H.I.N.E. (Supporting <strong>Health</strong> in New<br />
Events)<br />
Darren Fitzpatrick<br />
Manager – Clinical Care<br />
14
Community Services<br />
Community Services comprises of allied<br />
health services funded through the Regional<br />
Heath Service program and the Multi Purpose<br />
Centre program; and <strong>District</strong> Nursing and<br />
Home Care Services both funded by the<br />
Home and Community Care program.<br />
Additional community services include the<br />
administration of Transitional Housing<br />
(Emergency House) and the volunteer<br />
program.<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> has embraced the ‘social<br />
model of health’ as its approach to health<br />
services across the board. This approach<br />
recognises that ‘health’ is a complex<br />
interaction of the following determinants:-<br />
• Income and social status.<br />
• Social support networks.<br />
• Education.<br />
• Employment.<br />
• Social environment.<br />
• Physical environment.<br />
• Personal health practices and coping<br />
skills.<br />
• <strong>Health</strong>y child development.<br />
• Biological and genetic endowment.<br />
• <strong>Health</strong> services.<br />
• Gender.<br />
• Culture.<br />
• Rurality.<br />
ODH Community <strong>Health</strong> Services have<br />
strong links with East Gippsland Primary<br />
Care Partnership at a regional level, and at a<br />
local level works in collaboration with such<br />
services as Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre,<br />
Ensay Community <strong>Health</strong> Centre, Swifts<br />
Creek Community Centre, Benambra<br />
Neighbourhood House, Rural Ambulance<br />
Victoria, TAFE Outreach, and local primary<br />
and secondary schools.<br />
The move into the new facility in December<br />
<strong>2005</strong> has greatly improved and streamlined<br />
community service operations with the<br />
centralised location resulting in easier client<br />
access, and improved communication and<br />
referrals between services. The new meeting<br />
space has allowed for improved opportunities<br />
to interact with external agencies and the easy<br />
access to the video-conferencing facilities had<br />
resulted in increased participation in wider<br />
regional community health forums.<br />
<strong>District</strong> Nursing<br />
The <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> Nursing Service aims to<br />
deliver a high quality home based nursing<br />
service to the local community. Services<br />
include direct clinical care, clinical assessment<br />
and the provision of information and<br />
education.<br />
The position has been shared on a permanent<br />
part time basis between three nurses over the<br />
reporting period. Both client numbers and<br />
staffing have been steady.<br />
Counselling<br />
A significant demand for counselling services<br />
has been maintained during the <strong>2005</strong>-<strong>06</strong><br />
period. Depression and anxiety related<br />
disorders remain the most common reason for<br />
clients seeking service. Referral relationships<br />
have bee strengthened, in particular referrals<br />
to the Counsellor from GP’s has seen a<br />
notable increase.<br />
A service gap was identified by the local<br />
schools and an agreement was formed for the<br />
Counsellor to provide specific counselling to<br />
school aged children. This extension of<br />
service saw the position grow from 3.5 days<br />
to 4 days per week.<br />
A chronic pain self-management group was<br />
commenced, and has been well supported by<br />
participants.<br />
15
The service maintains strong links with other<br />
agencies such as Bairnsdale Primary Mental<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Service and Gippsland Lakes<br />
Community <strong>Health</strong> Drug & Alcohol Service.<br />
Emergency Housing<br />
ODH undertakes a coordination role for the<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> Transitional House on behalf of<br />
Community Housing Limited.<br />
Staff also have the option of issuing short stay<br />
motel vouchers for crisis accommodation.<br />
The use of the transitional house increased<br />
this year due largely to the role of the<br />
Counsellor in identifying appropriate clients<br />
with housing issues.<br />
Home Care<br />
The home care program is aimed at assisting<br />
frail aged people and people with disabilities<br />
to remain living independently at home in a<br />
community environment.<br />
Services encompassed by the Home Care<br />
service include:-<br />
• Housekeeping,<br />
• Personal care,<br />
• Respite care,<br />
• Home maintenance, and<br />
• Meals on Wheels.<br />
In the first full year of operation at ODH,<br />
having transferred from Gippsland Lakes<br />
Community <strong>Health</strong> in April <strong>2005</strong>, the home<br />
care program provided services to 68 clients.<br />
The service is provided by 10 part time home<br />
care workers across the district and<br />
administered by a 0.7EFT coordinator role.<br />
A client survey conducted in August <strong>2005</strong><br />
showed a high level of satisfaction in the<br />
quality of the service, and also in the process<br />
of transition of the program from Gippsland<br />
Lakes Community <strong>Health</strong> to <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong>.<br />
Planned Activity Group<br />
The planned activity group program is aimed<br />
at the Home & Community Care target group<br />
(frail aged persons and people living with<br />
disabilities in the community). The program<br />
operates in <strong>Omeo</strong> one day per week and<br />
provides opportunities for social interaction,<br />
outings, organised activities, and includes the<br />
provision of a healthy meal.<br />
The input of volunteers is an invaluable<br />
contribution to planned activity group both in<br />
transportation of participants to the venue<br />
and assisting with activities and food<br />
preparation on the day.<br />
The group trialed a session at the Albion<br />
Hotel in Swifts Creek earlier this year. This<br />
was a successful trial and is likely to be<br />
repeated on a regular basis in the future.<br />
Occupational Therapy<br />
The main aim for occupational therapy<br />
services in the community health team is to<br />
facilitate independent living in the<br />
community, particularly for people with<br />
health problems or restrictions due to<br />
disability or frailty.<br />
Interventions include:-<br />
• Home safety and home modification<br />
assessments,<br />
• Specialist equipment provision,<br />
• Increasing physical access to public<br />
facilities,<br />
• Advice on management of particular<br />
disorders,<br />
• Support for carers, and<br />
• A broad health promotion focus such<br />
as health education and provision of<br />
gentle exercise programs.<br />
16
Physiotherapy<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> continued its<br />
collaborative arrangement with Orbost<br />
Regional <strong>Health</strong> to share the services of a full<br />
time physiotherapist. Bairnsdale Regional<br />
<strong>Health</strong> has assisted with the role in providing<br />
necessary professional supervision and<br />
support.<br />
The arrangement has allowed for consistency<br />
in the provision of clinical physiotherapy<br />
services. A regular outreach service was<br />
provided in Swifts Creek.<br />
Additional activities included establishment<br />
of a gentle exercise program at Benambra, a<br />
continue focus on falls prevention and<br />
development of a manual handling education<br />
program for ODH staff and community<br />
groups.<br />
Diabetes Education<br />
This service continues to be provided one day<br />
per fortnight with outreach services and<br />
home visit services to all towns in the district.<br />
The service provides education, screening and<br />
monitoring for people with Type 1 and 2<br />
diabetes and also has a strong health<br />
prevention focus to highlight awareness of<br />
pre-diabetes risk factors and positive health<br />
lifestyle choices needed to help reduce the<br />
incidence of the disease. The diabetes<br />
educator has worked closely with the visiting<br />
dietician, the local General Practitioner, the<br />
health promotion worker and community<br />
nurses.<br />
Chronic disease management is a high<br />
priority of the East Gippsland Primary Care<br />
Partnership and the <strong>Omeo</strong> district diabetes<br />
educator has maintained strong links with<br />
this regional organisation to ensure that local<br />
services are consistent with current disease<br />
management theory.<br />
Speech Therapy<br />
After a considerable gap in service due to a<br />
lack of staff available on a contract basis<br />
through Bairnsdale Regional <strong>Health</strong> Service,<br />
ODH collaborated together with Gippsland<br />
Lakes Community <strong>Health</strong> and the cluster of<br />
schools in the <strong>Omeo</strong> and Lakes Entrance<br />
districts to create a full time shared speech<br />
therapy position. This position was filled<br />
from January 20<strong>06</strong>, and the service was well<br />
used, particularly by the early childhood<br />
population. The service was offered as a<br />
regular outreach service to the three schools<br />
and two kindergartens in the district.<br />
Dietetics<br />
Dietetics services are provided on a contract<br />
basis through Bairnsdale Regional <strong>Health</strong><br />
Service, one to two days per month.<br />
The service provides advice on general<br />
nutrition and nutritional issues related to<br />
illness and specific conditions. In addition,<br />
the Dietician has provided health promotion<br />
activities such as supermarket ‘nutrition’<br />
tours, and educational presentations to<br />
schools, ODH staff and community groups.<br />
The program has seen a steady increase in<br />
client numbers as the community becomes<br />
more aware of the benefits of consulting a<br />
Dietician.<br />
Youth Services<br />
Youth services continue to be provided two<br />
days per week. The service looks to improve<br />
the environment for young people in the area<br />
by focusing on training in work readiness,<br />
improving access to social activities locally<br />
and regionally, increasing community<br />
connectedness and peer support, and working<br />
together with other organisations such as the<br />
Secondary College to target current issues<br />
such as alcohol and substance abuse,<br />
domestic violence, depression and eating<br />
disorders.<br />
17
In 20<strong>06</strong> the service adopted a focus on the<br />
early childhood years. As part of the regional<br />
“Communities for Children” project, ODH<br />
was asked to carry out a pilot program to<br />
identify unmet childcare needs in the district<br />
and investigate possible solutions.<br />
Foot Care<br />
Foot care services continued to be provided<br />
on a one-day per month basis with a qualified<br />
foot care technician. The service alternates<br />
venues between <strong>Omeo</strong> and Swifts Creek /<br />
Ensay. Services provided include fingernail<br />
and toenail trimming and foot massage.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Promotion<br />
This role aims to ensure that the health<br />
outcomes of the community are improved<br />
through the provision of education and health<br />
promotion activities to schools, groups and<br />
individuals.<br />
Target areas for health promotion have been:-<br />
• Increasing participation in physical<br />
activity,<br />
• Men’s health,<br />
• Women’s health,<br />
• Mental health,<br />
• Cancer,<br />
• Asthma, and<br />
• <strong>Health</strong> lifestyle promotion.<br />
Volunteers<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> has a small but<br />
dedicated pool of volunteers. They<br />
provide support and assistance in the<br />
following areas:-<br />
• Transport of clients to health services<br />
offered by <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong>,<br />
• Assistance with Planned Activity<br />
Group,<br />
• Assistance to residential diversional<br />
therapy program,<br />
• Assistance in the residents’ dining<br />
room, and<br />
• Delivery of meals in the Meals On<br />
Wheels program.<br />
The contribution of volunteers in the<br />
operation of both residential and community<br />
based programs is greatly appreciated.<br />
Marijs Last<br />
Manager – Community Care<br />
The health promotion worker works closely<br />
with local agencies such as the<br />
neighbourhood houses and regional agencies<br />
such as East Gippsland Primary Care<br />
Partnership to develop a strong partnership<br />
approach, and to ensure targeted areas of<br />
activity remain relevant.<br />
18
Support Services<br />
Support Services encompasses the following<br />
services:<br />
• Public & Private Community Dental<br />
• Visiting Medical / Specialist<br />
• Catering<br />
• Domestic Cleaning<br />
• Administration<br />
• Finance / Human Resources<br />
• Maintenance / Facilities / Grounds<br />
• Information Technology &<br />
Management<br />
In <strong>2005</strong>-20<strong>06</strong>, many of the support services<br />
have undergone significant change through<br />
relocation of services to the completed Stage 2<br />
building, Primary Care Wing. <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical<br />
Centre, Community Services, Administration,<br />
and Management have all adapted well to<br />
new facilities.<br />
Public & Private Dental Services<br />
The community dental program continues to<br />
grow as demand continues to increase for<br />
public and private Dental Services. <strong>Omeo</strong> is<br />
serving the needs of not just local clients but<br />
also many clients from further afield.<br />
DHSV has again significantly contributed to<br />
their investment in dental health with the<br />
provision of new X-Ray developing<br />
equipment to compliment the new X-Ray that<br />
was supplied and installed last year.<br />
Heightened demand and improved service<br />
efficiency has resulted in more clients<br />
receiving oral health at <strong>Omeo</strong> than in<br />
previous years.<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre<br />
The resignation of the sole General<br />
Practitioner from the <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre at<br />
the end of January 20<strong>06</strong> saw an innovative<br />
General Practice Model introduced at ODH.<br />
In an era of chronic Doctor shortages in rural<br />
areas, with the support from Rural Workforce<br />
Agency Victoria (RWAV) and the East<br />
Gippsland Division of General Practice, a<br />
marketing strategy was employed to target<br />
semi-retired, experienced GP’s who wished to<br />
remain active in the GP workforce but not be<br />
exposed to a rigorous full time workload.<br />
The program involves employment of five<br />
GP’s working on a rotational roster of<br />
anywhere between one to four week stints at<br />
the <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre, together making<br />
up one effective full-time employee.<br />
The idea stemmed from the difficulties faced<br />
by GP’s, often sole GP’s, taking on work<br />
commitments of long hours with limited<br />
opportunities for peer support and regular<br />
breaks.<br />
The flexibility of this program means that the<br />
Doctors can pursue other interests whilst<br />
maintaining a level of professional<br />
involvement.<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre staff should be proud<br />
of their involvement in this unique program.<br />
Congratulations were certainly in order on<br />
achieving their AGPAL accreditation within a<br />
short time frame since commencement and<br />
when combined with a recently relocated<br />
Medical Centre adding to the difficulty in<br />
achieving timelines in this process, their<br />
dedication was certainly appreciated.<br />
19
Visiting Medical / Specialist<br />
The specialist consulting services consists of<br />
an Ear, Nose and Throat as well as a head and<br />
neck surgeon. We have been fortunate to<br />
expand the service to include the provision of<br />
audiology services to compliment the work of<br />
the consultant. This service is conducted in<br />
conjunction with the <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre.<br />
ODH continues to utilise the services of our<br />
Director of Medical Services. This year we<br />
have achieved credentialing and privileging<br />
of all our General Practitioners. The Director<br />
of Medical Services has been instrumental<br />
with his assistance and direction in this<br />
process and applications for funding that may<br />
have otherwise been overlooked.<br />
Catering Services<br />
An external food audit was conducted in May<br />
20<strong>06</strong> with results clearly demonstrating the<br />
continued delivery of a high level of catering<br />
services and compliance with regulatory<br />
guidelines. Recommendations from this audit<br />
have been adopted for service improvement.<br />
Domestic / Cleaning Services<br />
An external cleaning audit was conducted in<br />
May 20<strong>06</strong> demonstrating the high standard of<br />
our cleaning services. In what have been<br />
difficult times, with completion of building<br />
works, it is a credit to this service area in<br />
maintaining their efficiency and pride in the<br />
delivery of their service.<br />
Administration (Reception /Support)<br />
The Administration team has continued to<br />
deliver high quality and effective support<br />
services to Management and Staff of ODH.<br />
Many challenges have been overcome<br />
including the final relocation of services,<br />
compliance with changing reporting<br />
requirements / contractual arrangements,<br />
and ensuring public and staff awareness has<br />
been maintained in respect of access and<br />
entry issues as a result of the completed<br />
infrastructure and relocation of services.<br />
Finance / Human Resources<br />
Independent finance services at ODH have<br />
been retained, having commenced in the<br />
2004/<strong>2005</strong> financial year. Since introduction<br />
ODH has managed to maintain regulatory<br />
financial compliance and meet all reporting<br />
requirements. Review of financial policy and<br />
procedure documentation, in line with results<br />
of auditing processes, has been undertaken to<br />
meet with Financial Compliance Framework<br />
requirements.<br />
Human resources, supported by external<br />
bodies, such as the VHIA and Bairnsdale<br />
Regional <strong>Health</strong> Services has continued to be<br />
provided in a high, efficient and timely<br />
manner to staff and clients.<br />
Maintenance / Facilities / Grounds<br />
The finalisation of building works has seen<br />
the maintenance service liaise with the<br />
contractors and consultants on behalf of ODH<br />
to ensure that the newly developed health<br />
service meets the needs of our staff and<br />
services. The scope of the maintenance service<br />
also continues to expand with ODH<br />
undertaking home maintenance work as part<br />
of the <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Home Care<br />
Program. Other work has included the<br />
upgrading and maintenance of the ODH<br />
houses, repair and maintenance of ODH<br />
infrastructure and equipment and<br />
maintaining, testing and auditing of critical<br />
equipment.<br />
Occupational <strong>Health</strong> and Safety<br />
The Occupational <strong>Health</strong> and Safety<br />
representatives have provided effective<br />
service for our staff. This is evident by our<br />
monitoring of staff incidents showing no<br />
needle stick injuries, only three manual<br />
handling incidents (that resulted in no loss of<br />
time, nor injury to staff members), six<br />
physical abuse incidents that ranged from<br />
hair pulling to pinches from elderly residents<br />
(again resulting in no loss of time or long<br />
term injury to staff members) and three<br />
episodes of verbal abuse from residents.<br />
20
Educational initiatives as a result from this<br />
monitoring has seen legal issues in nursing<br />
offered to nursing staff members and support<br />
offered for staff to attend dementia in-service<br />
training.<br />
Information Technology & Management<br />
The provision of IT support services remains<br />
contracted with Sage Technologies.<br />
Improvements made to the infrastructure and<br />
the maintenance of this system has seen little<br />
to no interruptions to service over the last<br />
year. Our backup system has been<br />
maintained and has been running most<br />
consistently. The quality of the maintenance<br />
and viral scanning software has been well<br />
demonstrated by the decrease in the amount<br />
of hours that we are utilising for this service.<br />
Systemic purchase of new equipment<br />
continues to be undertaken to ensure that<br />
vital information is not put at risk of<br />
corruption and can be accessed more readily<br />
by the appropriate personnel. The use of<br />
videoconferencing equipment has become<br />
more widely accepted practice through the<br />
Gippsland <strong>Health</strong> Alliance network for<br />
attendance at meetings. This has been of<br />
major benefit to ODH as it has not only<br />
reduced the amount of travel time and<br />
traveling costs but also enables representation<br />
of our service.<br />
Darren Fitzpatrick<br />
A/g Chief Executive Officer / Director of Nursing<br />
21
20<strong>06</strong><br />
ORGANISATIONAL CHART – 200<br />
OMEO OMEO DISTRICT DISTRICT HEALTH<br />
HEALTH<br />
ORGANISATIONAL CHART<br />
<strong>2005</strong>/200<br />
Support Services<br />
CEO / DON<br />
• Reception<br />
• Admin Support<br />
• Catering<br />
• Cleaning<br />
• Maintenance<br />
• Gardening / Ground<br />
• Finance / HR<br />
• Payroll<br />
• IT Services<br />
• Dental Services<br />
Community<br />
Board of Management<br />
Chief Executive Officer /<br />
Director of Nursing<br />
Sub-Committees:<br />
• Finance<br />
• Audit<br />
• Project Control Group<br />
• Quality Improvement<br />
• Facilities Management<br />
• Medical Appointment<br />
• Fundraising Support Group<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre<br />
CEO / DON<br />
Manager –<br />
Clinical Care<br />
Manager –<br />
Community Care<br />
• Reception<br />
• Admin Support<br />
• Practice Nurse<br />
• Medical Officers /<br />
General Practitioners<br />
• Visiting Ear Nose &<br />
Throat Specialist<br />
• Visiting Audiometry<br />
Consultant<br />
• Nurse Unit Manager<br />
• Acute Care<br />
• Residential Care<br />
• Personal Care<br />
• Stabilisation<br />
• Clinical Education<br />
• Quality Improvement<br />
• Infection Control<br />
• Clinical Risk Mgmt<br />
• Diversional Therapy<br />
• <strong>Health</strong> Promotions<br />
• Physiotherapy<br />
• Youth Employment<br />
• Social Work<br />
• Occupational Therapy<br />
• <strong>District</strong> Nursing<br />
• Planned Activity Group<br />
• Speech Pathology<br />
• Dietetics<br />
• Foot Care<br />
• Home & Community Care<br />
• Volunteers<br />
22
Chief Executive Officer / Director of Nursing<br />
Mr Peter Abraham (to May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Dip App Sc (Nur), Grad Dip Remote <strong>Health</strong>, Grad<br />
Dip <strong>Health</strong> Admin, AFACHSE<br />
Workforce Data - Our People<br />
Chief Executive Officer / Director of Nursing (Acting)<br />
Mr Darren Fitzpatrick (from May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
General Practitioners<br />
Dr I Seymour<br />
(MB.BS, Hons)<br />
Dr G McCallum<br />
(MB.BS, FACRRM)<br />
Dr G McIntosh<br />
(MB.BS)<br />
Dr L Prokopowicz<br />
(MB.BS)<br />
Dr R Alexander<br />
(MB.BS, Dip Obs RCOG, FRACGP,<br />
Dip Palliative Care)<br />
Ear Nose & Throat Specialist<br />
Professor A Sizeland<br />
(MB.BS, PhD, FRACS)<br />
Audiometry Consultant<br />
Ms H Nicholson<br />
(BA (Hons), Dip. Aud)<br />
Finance<br />
Mr P Fiddian<br />
(FCA)<br />
Dental Practitioner<br />
Dr M Gelin<br />
(S.G.Z.Frieb.D., BDS.Sto.S.)<br />
Clinical Services<br />
Manager – Clinical Services Casual Registered Nurses (Div 1)<br />
Mr D Fitzpatrick<br />
Ms G Blennerhassett<br />
Ms A Connley (to Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Nurse Managers Ms A Connley (from Nov <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Ms L Disney<br />
Ms M Connley<br />
Ms T Sedgman (from March 20<strong>06</strong>) Ms S Cordery (to Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Ms C Onslow (from Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Associate Charge Nurses<br />
Ms Y Symons<br />
Ms T Crowe<br />
Ms S Vardy<br />
Ms A Dmytrenko<br />
Ms L Gilmore<br />
Night Duty Nurses (Div1)<br />
Ms H Kewish<br />
Ms P Leon<br />
Ms C Overy (to Jan 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms Z Pendergast<br />
Ms T Sedgman<br />
Ms K Sheehan (from April 20<strong>06</strong>) Medical Centre Practice Nurses (Div 1)<br />
Ms Z Pendergast<br />
Ms W Seymour (Casual)<br />
23
Registered Nurses (Div 2) Night Duty Nurse (Div 2)<br />
Ms J Cini (from Feb 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms J Connley<br />
Ms M Connally<br />
Ms C Douglass (to Feb 20<strong>06</strong>) Casual Registered Nurses (Div 2)<br />
Ms C Faithfull Ms B Flannagan (from Jan 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms B Flannagan (to Jan 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms A Higgins<br />
Diversional Therapist<br />
Ms J Jenkins<br />
Ms P Carruthers<br />
Ms A Kissane<br />
Ms K Mackey<br />
Ms T McArthur (to Aug <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Ms T McArthur (from Feb 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms L McGregor (to Jan 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms A Thorburn<br />
Ms H Whelan (from Dec <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Support Services<br />
Administrative Assistants<br />
Finance/HR Assistant<br />
Ms T AhSam (from Feb 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms J Hanrahan<br />
Ms J Hunt<br />
Ms W Seymour (from June 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Dental Services<br />
Ms M Watt (to March 20<strong>06</strong>) Ms T Abraham (from July <strong>2005</strong> to May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms J Wood Ms S Anderson (from April 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms C Dmytrenko (Casual)<br />
Domestic Services Ms S Lawlor (from April 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms L Gardner (to April 20<strong>06</strong>) Ms K Mickan (from Aug <strong>2005</strong> to Feb 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms B Reid<br />
Ms L Roberts<br />
Maintenance<br />
Mr S Disney<br />
Food Services<br />
Ms J Smith (Casual)<br />
Ms J Cini (to Feb 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Mr G Williams<br />
Ms B Keating<br />
Ms R Lucas (from March 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Casual Food/Domestic Services<br />
Ms K Page (from Oct <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Ms P Connley<br />
Ms C Spencer<br />
Ms M Goudie<br />
Ms M Thumerer Ms D Hocking (from May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms K Weaver (to Sept <strong>2005</strong>) Ms R Lucas (to March 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms M Worcester Ms H Richards (from May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms A Thorburn (to Aug <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
24
Community Services<br />
Manager – Community Services<br />
Ms M Last<br />
<strong>District</strong> Nursing Service<br />
Ms S Arnold<br />
Ms M Budge<br />
Ms C Onslow (from Oct <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Mrs Y Skews (to Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Occupational Therapist<br />
Ms M Last<br />
Youth Employment Coordinator<br />
Mr B Smith<br />
Physiotherapist<br />
Mr K Guditi<br />
Planned Activity Group<br />
Ms P Connley (Casual)<br />
Ms M Pendergast<br />
Ms R Sadler<br />
Social Worker / Counsellor<br />
Ms C Smith<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Promotions<br />
Ms J Modra (to Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Dietetics Ms L Mooney (from Jan 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms K Fuhrmeister<br />
Diabetes Educator<br />
Home & Community Care<br />
Ms A Walker<br />
Ms M Bohacik<br />
Ms N Boucher<br />
Foot Care<br />
Ms Y Cullen<br />
Mrs D Watts<br />
Ms J Kennedy<br />
Ms L Miller<br />
Speech Pathology<br />
Ms D Nankivell (Sept <strong>2005</strong>)<br />
Jane-Elise Healey<br />
Ms M Scott (to May 20<strong>06</strong>)<br />
Ms J Tuck<br />
Maternal & Child <strong>Health</strong><br />
Ms R Walker<br />
Caroline Paton<br />
Ms K Weaver<br />
25
Recognition of Service<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> recognises staff as its<br />
greatest asset and acknowledges the<br />
dedication and commitment of all staff to<br />
residents, patients and the community and<br />
values their loyalty to the health service.<br />
The Board of Management acknowledges<br />
members of staff with length of service<br />
awards in recognition of the valuable<br />
contribution they have made to the health<br />
service over a number of years. The health<br />
service staff who will receive length of service<br />
awards as at 30 June 20<strong>06</strong> are listed below:<br />
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> is subject to the<br />
requirements of the Equal Opportunity Act<br />
1995 and applies appropriate merit and<br />
equity principles in its management of staff.<br />
The <strong>Health</strong> Service expects all staff to take<br />
responsibility for fair, non-discriminatory<br />
behaviour.<br />
Employee Relations<br />
Our valued staff continue to provide excellent<br />
support to the organisation. Each individual<br />
is to be congratulated on his or her work ethic<br />
and commitment to the team.<br />
‣ Geoff Williams (10 years)<br />
‣ Lorraine Roberts (10 years)<br />
‣ Zenaida Pendergast (25 years)<br />
Total Number of<br />
Staff Employed (at<br />
Male<br />
<strong>2005</strong> - 20<strong>06</strong><br />
Female<br />
<strong>2005</strong> - 20<strong>06</strong><br />
30 th June 20<strong>06</strong>) Total % Total %<br />
Nursing / Bed Based<br />
Services<br />
<strong>2005</strong> -<br />
20<strong>06</strong><br />
Total<br />
<strong>2005</strong> -<br />
20<strong>06</strong><br />
Equivalent Full Time Staff<br />
2004 - 2003 -<br />
<strong>2005</strong> 2004<br />
2002 -<br />
2003<br />
1 4 24 96 25 14.85 13.07 12.61 10.65<br />
Administration - - 5 100 5 3.61 4.00 4.00 2.11<br />
Dental Services 1 25 3 75 4 0.47 0.39 0.19 0.40<br />
Medical Services 5 100 - 5 1.00<br />
Specialist Services 1 50 1 50 2 0.03 - - -<br />
Community <strong>Health</strong><br />
Services<br />
2 33.33 4 66.67 6 3.59 4.29 0.79 1.63<br />
HACC Services - - 8 100 8 2.<strong>06</strong> 2.24<br />
<strong>District</strong> Nursing - - 3 100 3 1.00 1.20 1.00 1.<strong>06</strong><br />
Planned & Aged<br />
Care Activities<br />
- - 3 100 3 0.64 1.04 0.34 0.74<br />
Domestic Services - - 6 100 6 1.93 1.90 1.40 2.00<br />
Catering Services - - 6 100 6 3.49 3.72 2.64 2.64<br />
Maintenance &<br />
Grounds<br />
2 66.67 1 33.33 3 1.53 2.45 2.45 1.90<br />
26
Building & Maintenance Compliance<br />
In the year ended 30 June 20<strong>06</strong>, all buildings<br />
of <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> were fully compliant<br />
with the Building Act 1993. The major<br />
building works during the reporting period<br />
included redevelopment of the original wing,<br />
stage two:-<br />
Stage 2 – Complete<br />
• Emergency / Stabilisation<br />
• Acute Services<br />
• Administration and Reception<br />
• Primary Care<br />
• Diversional Therapy / Activities<br />
• <strong>Omeo</strong> Medical Centre relocation<br />
• Staff rooms<br />
• Car parking.<br />
Freedom of Information Requests<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> is subject to the Freedom<br />
of Information Act (Victoria) 1982. All health<br />
service records are accessible to the<br />
limitations imposed by the Act. The public<br />
may seek access to such records by making a<br />
written request to the Chief Executive Officer.<br />
In the year ended 30 June 20<strong>06</strong>, five (5)<br />
applications for access to documents under<br />
the Freedom of Information Act were<br />
received.<br />
Implementation and Compliance with<br />
National Competition Policy<br />
In accordance with the national competition<br />
principles agreed by the Federal and State<br />
Governments in April 1995, <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> has implemented policies and<br />
procedures to ensure compliance with the<br />
National Competition Policy. These<br />
programs and policies include tendering for<br />
the provision of goods and services, and a<br />
number of services are already outsourced on<br />
a competitive basis including fuel provision,<br />
vehicle and engine maintenance, and<br />
transport services.<br />
Application & Operation of Whistleblowers<br />
Policy<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> is subject to the<br />
Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001. In the year<br />
ended 30 June 20<strong>06</strong>, there were no protected<br />
disclosures to the Ombudsman requiring<br />
operation of the <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
Whistleblowers Policy.<br />
Victorian Industry Participation Policy<br />
Disclosure<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> follows the Victorian<br />
Industry Participation Policy principles<br />
relating to procurement and tendering<br />
processes.<br />
Service Activity<br />
Admitted Patients Acute Sub-Acute<br />
Mental<br />
<strong>Health</strong><br />
Other<br />
(Aged Care) Total<br />
Separations<br />
Same Day<br />
Multi Day<br />
294<br />
63<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
12<br />
294<br />
75<br />
Total Separations 357 0 0 12 369<br />
Total WEIS 77.89<br />
Total Bed Days 823 0 0 4,667 5,490<br />
Non-Admitted Patients Acute Sub-Acute<br />
Mental<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Other Total<br />
Emergency Department Presentations 554 0 0 0 554<br />
Outpatient Services<br />
287 0 0 0 287<br />
(Occasions of Service)<br />
Total Occasions of Service 841 0 0 0 841<br />
27
Financial Results<br />
Summary Chart<br />
Financial<br />
<strong>2005</strong>/20<strong>06</strong> 2004/<strong>2005</strong> 2003/2004 2002/2003 2001/2002<br />
$,000 $,000 $,000 $,000 $,000<br />
Total Expenses 3,822 3,058 2,753 2,689 2,299<br />
Total Revenue 3,559 5,738 4,375 2,812 2,084<br />
Operating Surplus / (Deficit) (263) 2,680 1,638 123 (215)<br />
Retained Surplus 3,980 4,243 1,544 1,523 1,535<br />
(Accumulated Deficit)<br />
Total Assets 8,882 7,545 4,976 2,937 2,970<br />
Total Liabilities 803 843 973 573 726<br />
Net Assets 8,079 6,702 4,002 2,364 2,244<br />
Total Equity 8,079 6,702 4,002 2,364 2,244<br />
Summary of Significant Changes in<br />
Financial Position during Financial Year<br />
The total asset of the service increased by<br />
$1,377,000 as a result of the following:-<br />
• The revaluation of land and buildings<br />
as at 30 June 20<strong>06</strong> resulting in an<br />
increase in the valuation of $1,620,000;<br />
and<br />
• The write back of the book value of<br />
the equity in the GHA Alliance of<br />
$480,000 following an adjustment of<br />
the interests of various members of the<br />
Alliance.<br />
The service incurred a deficit of $263,000 after<br />
capital grants ($35,000), depreciation charges<br />
($22,000) and the above write back of the<br />
GHA Alliance interest.<br />
Operational and Budgetary Objectives of<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
The budgetary objectives for <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> were to move its operational results<br />
towards achieving a break-even position<br />
before depreciation and capital items.<br />
Summary of Major Changes or Factors<br />
Affecting Achievement of Operational<br />
Objectives<br />
The service performed better than the<br />
budgeted outcome for the reporting period.<br />
This was achieved through higher occupancy<br />
levels in the nursing home and hostel<br />
following the completion of the<br />
redevelopment of the facility, increased grant<br />
income, and cost savings.<br />
Events Subsequent to Balance Day, which<br />
may have significant effect on Operations in<br />
Subsequent Years<br />
No events that may have a significant effect<br />
on the operations of <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
have occurred since the end of the reporting<br />
period and the date of this report.<br />
Consultancies costing in excess of $100,000<br />
(ex GST)<br />
Nil.<br />
Consultancies costing less than $100,000 (ex<br />
GST)<br />
There was one consultancy undertaken in<br />
April 20<strong>06</strong> to the value of $3,900.<br />
28
Revenue Indictors<br />
Average Collection Days<br />
20<strong>06</strong> <strong>2005</strong><br />
Private (Acute) 47 30<br />
TAC (Acute, Physio & Outpatients) 62 65<br />
VWA (Acute, Physio & Outpatients) 60 62<br />
Other Compensable (HACC) 30 30<br />
Other Compensable<br />
(Physio, Medical Centre & Outpatients)<br />
32 33<br />
Psychiatric 0 0<br />
Residential Aged Care 30 30<br />
Debtors Outstanding<br />
at 30 June 20<strong>06</strong><br />
Under<br />
30 Days<br />
30 – 60<br />
Days<br />
60 – 90 Days Total at<br />
30/<strong>06</strong>/<strong>06</strong><br />
Total at<br />
30/<strong>06</strong>/05<br />
Private (Acute) 529 529 0<br />
1,053 464 1,517 432<br />
TAC<br />
(Acute, Physio & Outpatients)<br />
VWA<br />
(Acute, Physio & Outpatients)<br />
Other Compensable<br />
(HACC)<br />
Other Compensable<br />
(Physio, Medical Centre,<br />
Outpatients & Sundry Other)<br />
566 13 579 63<br />
8,124 8 1,032 9,164 -<br />
5,021 57 1,200 6,278 22,831<br />
Psychiatric 0 0<br />
Residential Aged Care -900 646 -254 546<br />
TOTAL 13,864 78 3,871 17,813 23,872<br />
Abbreviations: ‘TAC’ - Transport Accident Commission<br />
‘VWA’ - Victorian Workcover Authority<br />
29
Donations<br />
A number of donations have been received during the year for which we are very grateful. <strong>Omeo</strong><br />
<strong>District</strong> <strong>Health</strong> is very fortunate to have the support of many volunteers providing practical help,<br />
advice and companionship to many of our Residents and community clients.<br />
Volunteers are a welcome addition to our programs, bringing with them a variety of skills and<br />
expertise, lots of fresh ideas, and a caring smile. New volunteers are always extremely welcome.<br />
Companies, Groups, etc. $<br />
Country Women’s Association 50.00<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> RSL Branch 900.00<br />
Landcare Group 90.00<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong>shire Garden Club 120.00<br />
<strong>Omeo</strong> Book Club 21.00<br />
Individuals $<br />
R. Lucas 30.00<br />
R. Manhire & G. Symons 100.00<br />
R. Manhire 100.00<br />
Donation Tin (Outpatients) 5<strong>06</strong>.35<br />
Unknown 5.00<br />
Donation Tin (Nurses Station) 35.80<br />
Other Donations<br />
• $200 worth of trees for garden bed next to car park / dental – from R Lumsden, <strong>Omeo</strong>.<br />
• $100 worth of trees for garden bed next to car park / dental – from R Manhire, <strong>Omeo</strong>.<br />
• Portable CD Player with Headphones for Residents – from <strong>Omeo</strong> <strong>District</strong> Lions Club.<br />
• Pendulum Clock for Aged Care Facility – from <strong>Omeo</strong> Senior Citizens.<br />
30