_Staff News March 2026

STAFF NEWS STAFF NEWS STAFF NEWS

Message from the CEO

STRATEGIC PLAN 20262030

NCN Health was proud to launch the 2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan in March. You will have seen The Plan socialised across our newsletters, digital screens and social media channels. The Plan has been shaped by the voices of the people who know our health service best – our staff and community. I want to thank our staff particularly for your input and encourage you to read the document in full. You will notice that The Plan introduces a new vision for 2026 – 2030, together with an additional Value of Innovation, to complement our existing values of Respect Accountability and Partnership.

Our new vision - To be a trusted leader in rural healthcare, known for exceptional care, deep community connection and a commitment to health and wellbeing - reflects both our ambition and our responsibility to the community we serve.

You can read the Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030 here

I remind staff (and community) that The Plan is not a static document, it is a living guide that will continue to evolve as our services, our communities and our workforce change. Over the next 5 years we will revisit the plan annually to test the content and ensure it remains relevant and aligned to our goals. Your insights and ongoing feedback will be key to ensuring The Plan remains practical and responsive to the needs of our community.

PEOPLE MATTER SURVEY 2026

By the time you read this, the People Matter Survey will have closed (midnight April 2). Many thanks to the staff who participated this year. We are awaiting our final results, at the time of writing our staff engagement in the survey is at 50% with an organisational target set at 60%

The People Matter Survey is valuable to the organisation as it helps us understand, from a staff perspective, where NCN Health is doing well and where we need to improve, in areas such as meaningful work, learning and development, psychological and physical safety, manager support and workload. Over the past three years your input has lead to several initiatives, including;

developing the Staff Wellbeing, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee and Pychological Safety Portal, together with quarterly staff and CEO forums.

We look forward to receiving the results back from the survey and sharing them with all staff. The next steps will be identifying our actions and priorities for the next 12 months.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT PROGRAM

NCN Health is in the process of standing up a Volunteer Community Transport Program designed to support community members to access dialysis treatment. Late last year NCN Health was provided a one off grant to purchase two vehicles for this purpose. The program is currently liaising with community members who access dialysis treatment and seeking volunteer drivers to support the program. If you would like more information or to get involved, please contact NCN Health Volunteer Coordinator Jacquie Hughes Jacquie.hughes@ncnhealth. org au

I wish all staff a happy and safe Easter, and a special thank you to our staff who are supporting our residents and community over the public holidays. Mark Ashcroft, NCN Health CEO.

RESPECT ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERSHIP INNOVATION

Fuel Discounts and Savings – What’s available now?

With fuel costs continuing to impact many of our workforce - particularly those travelling long distances or working shift hours - we know every bit of saving helps.

This guide outlines current, publicly available fuel discounts and how to take advantage of them.

Supermarket Linked Fuel Discounts

Many fuel stations offer discounts linked to grocery shopping

We are looking for volunteer drivers to support our community transport program

NCN Health has two vehicles to support community members to access dialysis treatment outside our local area for example, to Shepparton, Yarrawonga, Kyabram etc.

We need volunteers to help us run this community transport program.

This Community Transport Program is designed to complement - not replaceexisting transport services, working collaboratively to fill identified gaps in transport.

Volunteer opportunities available Monday to Saturday, morning and afternoon shifts.

Choose your level of commitment, for example, once a week, fortnightly, or monthly shifts.

Help community members stay connected.

Structured rosters with a clear schedule and volunteer support.

Support local people to access essential appointments and services.

Meet new people and build meaningful community connections.

To register as a volunteer or for more information contact Volunteer Coordinator Jacquie Hughes E: volunteers@ncnhealth.org.au

P: 0408 828 994

OutlookAdding a shared Mailbox to Webmail

I NEED TO ACCESS DIFFERENT MAILBOXES.

HOW DO I DO THIS?

1.Open the web app, either by finding it on the intranet or via the staff login on the NCN Health website.

2. Locate the three ... next to folders and click. You will get the options to the side.

3. Click add shared folder or mailbox, search for the mailbox you are wanting to add, select it and click continue.

4. If you have permission to that mailbox, you will get the following message.

5. Click close and exit the window, the mailbox will now be visible below your main inbox on the lefthand side. Expand it by click the arrow in front of the name.

ICT REQUESTS

TO SUBMIT AN ICT REQUEST TO HRHA

PLEASE USE THESE DETAILS:

Email: Service.Desk@hrha.org.au

Phone: (Internal) *4742

Phone: (External) (03) 5825 9990

Please alert your direct manager if you feel the request needs escalating. They will escalate to the Business Services Manager if required for escalation with HRHA. In this instance you will need to give your manager and the Business Services Manager the job number associated with your IT issue.

REWARD AND RECOGNITION

MARCH

COBRAM DISTRICT NURSING TEAM

The DNS Team have shown amazing commitment to their clients by continuing their valuable service over the extreme heat days and the catastrophic fire danger day

RACHELLE DODD - RN

Rachelle goes above and beyond with patient care on the ward. She is always seen advocating for patients with their best interest at heart. Rachelle is an excellent communicator with all patients and families, nurses and the allied health team. She recognises the importance of team work and always makes sure the team is working towards the same goal in a timely manner. We are lucky to have Rachelle on the team, we know our patients and community are in great hands!

ELLIE GORMAN - RN

Ellie did an amazing job in caring for a palliative patient. Ellie ensured the patient was comfortable and peaceful. Ellie demonstrated empathy towards the patient and his family and kept close contact with the family members to ensure they were feeling well supported. Ellie handled this very difficult situation beautifully and she should be very proud of her efforts The patient passed peacefully surrounded by his family

ULTRASOUND AND FRONT RECEPTION COBRAM

Yesterday I underwent an ultrasound at the Cobram Campus. It was my first experience there as a patient after serving on the Board for 12 years I was impressed with the technician Emma who was friendly, professional and punctual. Cassie at reception impressed, she managed to find me an urgent appointment despite the service being fully booked, this saved me a round trip to Melbourne. Many thanks.

CLOSING THE GAP DAY

WHY IT MATTERS WHY IT MATTERS WHY IT MATTERS

March 19th marks National Closing the Gap Day, an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing work to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the role we all play in contributing to this.

“Closing the Gap” is a national commitment focused on achieving equity in areas such as health, education, employment and life outcomes. While this work is important, it is also increasingly recognised that approaches should be grounded in strength, self-determination and cultural respect.

A Strenghts Based Approach

At NCN Health, we acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have strong cultures, deep knowledge systems, and enduring connections to Country, family and community.

A strengths-based approach encourages us to:

• Recognise and value Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing

• Support self-determination and community-led solutions

• Reflect on how our services can adapt to be more culturally safe and inclusive

• Build on the strengths that already exist within communities

This approach helps shift the focus from what may be perceived as ‘gaps’ to partnership, respect and shared responsibility.

Our Role

Closing the Gap is not just a national initiative, it is something we contribute to every day by:

• Providing culturally safe and respectful care

• Building trust with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities

• Strengthening partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations

• Continuing to learn, reflect and improve our practice

Take a Moment Today

Take a moment to reflect on how your role contributes to culturally safe care, and how we can continue to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through respect, partnership and understanding.

START BY ASKING THE QUESTION START BY ASKING THE QUESTION

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES

One simple but important way we can contribute to Closing the Gap is by consistently asking:

“Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?”

At NCN Health, this question should be asked of all patients, and we should never make assumptions about a person’s identity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health outcomes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience poorer health outcomes compared to nonIndigenous Australians, including:

A lower life expectancy

Higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease

Increased rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations

By Asking the question, we can:

By asking the question, we can:

Provide more culturally safe and appropriate care

Offer access to targeted supports and programs

Ensure earlier intervention and prevention strategies

Improve discharge planning and follow-up care

Contribute to better health service planning and resource allocation

Everyone has the right to choose whether they wish to identify, and this should always be respected.

WORLD ORAL WORLD ORAL WORLD ORAL

HEALTH DAY HEALTH DAY HEALTH DAY

Building healthy smiles in our community

The children at Punt Road Kindergarten had a great time taking part in a fun oral health activity with our Health Promotion team the other day for World Oral Health Day — learning all about brushing and caring for their smiles.

Show Us Ya Wheels Numurkah President Dean Graham recently visited Numurkah Pioneer Lodge to donate $200 worth of Ampol fuel vouchers. The vouchers, generously provided by Numurkah Ampol, will be used to help fuel the two aged care and community buses at NCN Health Numurkah, supporting residents and community members to get to appointments, outings and activities.

Dean said the vouchers were given to the car show by one of its generous sponsors, Ampol, and he wanted to share that generosity with the wider community.

“Show Us Ya Wheels is all about bringing the community together,” Dean said. “When we received the vouchers, it felt right to pass that generosity on so it could benefit more people.”

The buses play an important role in helping residents stay connected with the community and access important services.

On Wednesday 11 March, Bridgette Robertson, Brooke Clurey, and Jenny Jackson represented NCN Health at a Latrobe University Career’s Day in Bendigo.

The team had the chance to meet with students and staff, providing insights into careers in Allied Health and Nursing at NCN Health. Through presentations and discussions, they highlighted the variety of roles, pathways, and professional opportunities available within the organisation.

Attendeesalsogained awarenessofNCNHealth’s servicesandlocations,helping themknowwheretolookfor futureopportunitieswithinthe organisation.

Work Experience Work Experience

From 16–20 March 2026, NCN Health welcomed four students from Numurkah Secondary College for a week of work experience.

Two students joined the Allied Health Team, gaining practical experience and insight into the range of services we provide. One student spent time with Food Services,learning about nutrition and patient care, while another experienced the work of Administration, exploringthe behind-the-scenes operations that keep our organisation running smoothly.

Feedback from both the students and staff was overwhelmingly positive. Teams enjoyed sharing their knowledge and supporting the students’ learning, while the students gained a valuable understanding of potential career pathways in healthcare.

A big thank you to all staff involved for making this week such a rewarding experience!

MANDATORY TRAINING UPDATE – 2026

We are pleased to advise that our Kineo Portal (Learning Management System) is ready and you can now commence your 2026 Mandatory Training.

The 2026 Mandatory Training policy will soon be loaded onto Prompt. Further advice on this will be provided once live.

Please note that Cold Chain Management remains an Annual requirement for some roles. There is currently a change in the training package for this, so we ask that if Cold Chain Management appears on your learning allocation, please do not attempt to complete this until further advice is provided.

Note for Manager/Education/OHS/Quality: The training allocation aligns only to the approved Mandatory Training for 2026. If additional training is required for specific roles, please contact Jenny Jackson, Learning and Development Coordinator at jenny.jackson@ncnhealth.org.au, to support you in allocating any further required training.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to reach out Jenny Jackson or Donna Holmes

OPTIMA IS COMING!!

NCN Health is currently preparing to roll out our new rostering system Optima in April/May 2026. Optima use finger scanning to scan in and out of your shifts and record your worked hours!

START FINGER SCANNING IN AND OUT OF EVERY SHIFT NOW SO YOU CAN BE PAID ON TIME WITHOUT DELAYS!

Our Project Team

Sandra Simpson – Senior Payroll & Systems Officer

Tash O’Toole – Optima Project Officer

Karen Ford – Payroll Manager

Our team is here to support you during this transition with any queries relating to issues with swiping, implementation updates, providing training and answering any questions you have! Please contact via email: ProjectOptima@ncnhealth.org.au

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU

An opportunity for students studying a health related course, for example, Nursing, Physio, OT, Speech Pathology, to connect, discuss their university work, explore career pathways, and seek support on topics important to them.

Develop professional relationships with dedicated mentors and educators to support your university journey.

Flexible monthly sessions – tailored to your needs. Theory support, practical skills or just a chat.

Face to face sessions at NCN Health Campus or online.

Support students on their health careers and ensure they are set up for success.

For more information contact Thomas.lewis@ncnhealth.org.au or NCNAlliedHealthEducators@ncnhealth.org.au

GOLDCOINDONATION GOLDCOINDONATION

PANCAKES

4 PARKINSON’S PANCAKES 4 PARKINSON’S

Rotary Club of Numurkah are holding a ‘Pancakes 4 Parkinson’s’ brunch for Parkinson’s Awareness Day on Saturday April 11. Join us and enjoy delicious pancakes, raise awareness and explore local support services available for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. SHAKE IT UP!

Cervical Screening Available in Numurkah

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, but it is also one of the most preventable. Free cervical screening tests (formerly called pap smears) are available for Medicare card holders, with self-collection options and no referral required. Screening is recommended for anyone with a cervix aged 25–74 who has had sexual contact. The test is quick, simple, and could save your life.

Appointments are available at Community Health @ GV Health, 121 Corio Street, Shepparton, or at special cervical screening clinics at NCN Health Numurkah, 2 Katamatite Road, on

March 23rd

May 25th

July 27th

September 28th

November 23rd

To book an appointment, call the GV Health Service Access Unit on 1800 222 582 (option 4). By keeping up with cervical screening, you are taking an important step to protect your health and wellbeing.

A free Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is now open in Shepparton. No GP referral needed. Find out more at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental health-wellbeing-locals

Psychosocial Hazards

New Victorian regulations clarify that psychosocial hazards must be managed in the same way as physical risks. Hazards such as bullying, harassment, violence, and exposure to traumatic material can cause serious psychological injury.

The Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 introduce specific duties for Victorian employers to identify psychosocial hazards, control associated risks, and regularly review those controls.

We would love a representative from each department to come onboard and join the committee. Help us grow in the right direction

Including more staff on the committee from Nathalia and Cobram to help in this process.

What does the Social Club Committee do?

Help organise social events for staff

You are wondering what the committee commitment is?

Attend bimonthly meeting (usually go for about an hour) on a Monday in the evening every two months.

What about, if I wish to become a social club member only, what are the benefits of becoming a member (if currently not a Social Club member)?

Social Club costs you $5 per fortnight and currently offers the following;

• One entry into the monthly Billy Barrell monthly $30 draw

• Free or discounted tickets to social club events

• Free or discounted ticket to the NCN Health Club Christmas Party!

Scheduled for November 21, 2025.

What do I need to do to become a member? Fill out an Authority to Deduct Form and email the completed form to NCN Payroll –

A newsletter is a periodical publication, which can either be printed or published electronically It is issued regularly, usually every week or every month, and it contains a variety of content. This can include articles, stories, photographs, and advertisements.

Please organise to collect your cash prize at the Main Reception, Numurkah Campus!

The Meryula Clinic is a free and confidential service run by GV Health and supported by NCN Health. The clinic is for all individuals within the region and is run by experienced nurses who specialise in sexual and reproductive health

Testing & Treatment for infections that can be spread through sexual contact. Contraception, including Implanon insertion

Emergency Contraception

Pregnancy Testing

Unplanned pregnancy counselling, treatment and referral

Cervical Screening Tests > 25 yrs of age

Genital pain and discomfort

Sex work certificates

Booking Link

Numurkah Community Health & Wellbeing 2025 CLINIC DATES Bookings

Screening, counselling & referral for viruses in the blood

Hepatitis C treatment

Hepatitis B treatment and management

HIV PrEP and nPEP

Immunisation (HPV)

Contact Tracing

Referral to specialist services

via GV Health Community Services intake team 1800 222 582 (option 4) or email

sauintake@gvhealth.org.au

We want to know your opinion on the barriers of sexual health awareness, safety and condom access in the Moria shire as a community member, service provider or parent/carer

HTTPS://WWW.1800MYOPTIONS.ORG.AU/HEALTH-INFORMATION/

HTTPS://WWW.1800MYOPTIONS.ORG.AU/HEALTH-INFORMATION/

Dental Discount for NCN Health staff located at Nathalia and Numurkah

10%

Staff must be in uniform or show their Staff ID Photo Card at the time of the appointment to receive the discount.

Can only be used at the Numurkah practice. No discounts will be given post appointment

Staff who are interested in creating and promoting Staff Wellbeing programs, events and initiatives across NCN Health. Meetings are held monthly and we welcome all new ideas.