Omeo District Health Annual Report 2005/06

Visiting Medical / Specialist
The specialist consulting services consists of
an Ear, Nose and Throat as well as a head and
neck surgeon. We have been fortunate to
expand the service to include the provision of
audiology services to compliment the work of
the consultant. This service is conducted in
conjunction with the Omeo Medical Centre.
ODH continues to utilise the services of our
Director of Medical Services. This year we
have achieved credentialing and privileging
of all our General Practitioners. The Director
of Medical Services has been instrumental
with his assistance and direction in this
process and applications for funding that may
have otherwise been overlooked.
Catering Services
An external food audit was conducted in May
2006 with results clearly demonstrating the
continued delivery of a high level of catering
services and compliance with regulatory
guidelines. Recommendations from this audit
have been adopted for service improvement.
Domestic / Cleaning Services
An external cleaning audit was conducted in
May 2006 demonstrating the high standard of
our cleaning services. In what have been
difficult times, with completion of building
works, it is a credit to this service area in
maintaining their efficiency and pride in the
delivery of their service.
Administration (Reception /Support)
The Administration team has continued to
deliver high quality and effective support
services to Management and Staff of ODH.
Many challenges have been overcome
including the final relocation of services,
compliance with changing reporting
requirements / contractual arrangements,
and ensuring public and staff awareness has
been maintained in respect of access and
entry issues as a result of the completed
infrastructure and relocation of services.
Finance / Human Resources
Independent finance services at ODH have
been retained, having commenced in the
2004/2005 financial year. Since introduction
ODH has managed to maintain regulatory
financial compliance and meet all reporting
requirements. Review of financial policy and
procedure documentation, in line with results
of auditing processes, has been undertaken to
meet with Financial Compliance Framework
requirements.
Human resources, supported by external
bodies, such as the VHIA and Bairnsdale
Regional Health Services has continued to be
provided in a high, efficient and timely
manner to staff and clients.
Maintenance / Facilities / Grounds
The finalisation of building works has seen
the maintenance service liaise with the
contractors and consultants on behalf of ODH
to ensure that the newly developed health
service meets the needs of our staff and
services. The scope of the maintenance service
also continues to expand with ODH
undertaking home maintenance work as part
of the Omeo District Health Home Care
Program. Other work has included the
upgrading and maintenance of the ODH
houses, repair and maintenance of ODH
infrastructure and equipment and
maintaining, testing and auditing of critical
equipment.
Occupational Health and Safety
The Occupational Health and Safety
representatives have provided effective
service for our staff. This is evident by our
monitoring of staff incidents showing no
needle stick injuries, only three manual
handling incidents (that resulted in no loss of
time, nor injury to staff members), six
physical abuse incidents that ranged from
hair pulling to pinches from elderly residents
(again resulting in no loss of time or long
term injury to staff members) and three
episodes of verbal abuse from residents.
20