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DECEMBER 2025

STAFF NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO EAP is run by an external organisation, it is completely confidential and free and You may have noticed that each month in the newsletter you can use it for personal or work related challenges. we have started sharing policies of the month. This month we feature the THANK YOU Recognition of Gifts, Benefits I would like to sincerely and Hospitality and the thank every member of our Reward and Recognition team for your dedication, Framework. Please have a professionalism and care read of these policies, throughout the year. Your together with the latest commitment makes a real documents uploaded to difference to our patients, prompt, on the following residents and community. I pages. also want to acknowledge those who will be working EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE across Christmas and the PROGRAM AT CHRISTMAS public holiday period — your willingness to be there for With Christmas around the others at this time of year is corner, December is a festive deeply appreciated and does time of year for many. not go unnoticed. However, it can also be a particularly challenging time CHRISTMAS COMPETITION for some individuals and families. Recent tragic A shout out to our events, including the Bondi departments that have incident and a serious road decorated this year, I have accident affecting our seen the smile it brings to community, may also be our staff, community and weighing heavily on people residents. Thank you for and impacting mental making the health service wellbeing. If this season brighter. brings added pressure, stress or sadness, please remember that confidential support is available through our Employee Assistance Program, and I encourage you to reach out if you need it. POLICIES OF THE MONTH

Employee Assistance Program Employee Assistance Program Phone: 1300 364 273 Text: 0401 33 77 11 Email: info@acaciaconnection.com Website: www.eapcounselling.com.au Skype: acacia.connection

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our roads and communities are hectic this time of year, please take care of yourselves and each other and travel safely whether that be between work and home, or if you are taking leave and going away. Wishing you a merry, safe and healthy Christmas period.

Mark Ashcroft NCN Health CEO

POLICIES OF THE MONTH Each month we will be highlighting three important policies that staff need to be aware of. This month we have:

Recognition of Gifts, Benefits & Hospitality Reward and Recognition Framework

These policies can all be found on PROMPT. Please familiarise yourself with these documents. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your manager or the Quality Team ncnquality@ncnhealth.org.au

Clinical Documents updated onto PROMPT – December 2025 Procedures • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aseptic Technique Choice and Decision Making Clinical Review Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Falls Prevention and Management Ice machine Operation and Maintenance Linen Management Mattress Review Mental Health Escalation Monthly Care Statement RACS Outbreak Management Plan - Acute Respiratory Infection and First 24 hour checklist Paediatric Observation and Escalation of Care Resident of the Day Transitions of Care RACS - Admission, Discharge, Transfer

Forms • • • • • •

Clinical Review Screening Tool Mattress Audit Tool MR42 Back Pain Pathway MR55 Adult Closed Head Injury Pathway NCN New Resident Admission Checklist (Gantt Chart) Resident of the Day Review (ROTD) - 3 Monthly

Archived •

Resident of the Day NAT procedure

2025 Christmas Competition This year’s theme for the NCN Health Christmas Competition was ‘Christmas Movie’ and our staff and residents did not dissapoint! Check out all the amazing decorations and the overall winners!

Nathalia Maintenance - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Nathalia Medical Clinic - Elf

Nathalia Operations

Irvin House The Polar Express

WINTER WONDERLAND

FROM THE TEAM AT CMC Cobram Medical and Dental Clinic

Cobram Community Health

Cobram Acute

Numurkah Acute - The Grinch and Elf

Cobram Enviromental Services

Karinya - Miracle on 34th Street

Numurkah P and C, Quality and Payroll The Bluey Christmas Movie

Numurkah Admin/CEO Office - Elf

Numurkah FInance - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Numurkah OH & S and The Hub - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Numurkah Acute - The Grinch and Elf

2025 CHRISTMAS COMPETITION WINNERS! Well done and thank you to all participants for bringing Christmas cheer to NCN Health. The anonymous judge took the job very seriously and the winners are as follows:

Overall Grand Prize - Irvin House Most Sutainable Grand Prize - Karinya Most Creative Nathalia - Medical Clinic Most Creative Cobram - Irvin House Most Creative Numurkah - OHS and The Hub Best Use of Space Nathalia - Medical Clinic Best Use of Space Cobram - Irvin House Best Use of Space Numurkah - P&C, Quality and Payroll.

The Grand Prize Winner (Irvin House) will choose the theme for 2026 - watch this space!!!

Afternoon Tea and a Show! On the 13th of November 2025, our residents at Numurkah Nursing home, Karinya, enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea under a shady tree in a garden at Koonoomoo property while enjoying a horse demonstration on “Attunement”. (Attunement as is where the horse gets to be– heard, seen, their feelings validated and they get to be gotton). The residents were joined by volunteers, neighbours, friends and work colleagues.

The stage was set, the table and chairs where ready, the garden was glowing and the lawns are perfect. The horses on display. All that was needed was the wonderful residents to come and enjoy the day. The residents arrived on the Karyina bus, the atmosphere came alive. The resident walked over confidently and sat at their own prepared table that was “Centre stage”. As the residents started to look around and settled in the horses started to whinny. Some horses then came over to say hello and looked like they were asking “What’s going on”? In the back drop was Harley the main attraction. The chooks came over and to get the latest gossip! The marvellous, friendly Mr Mustang, the house dog Border Collie, came over to join in the action. The residents were now in the thick of it.

The weather provided us with a gusty day and even that was OK, because that kept the flies at bay………Nothing was going to stop this keen lot from enjoying “Their” day.

Then came time for Louise to start her demonstration. Louise Rands, one of our nurses at Karinya Nursing home, acknowledged the instrumental team members that made this wonderful day a success:

Thank you to NCN health supplying the bus. The resident certainly travel in style. Kylie Darcy for ensuring that the event would go ahead - no matter what! Teruko our D.T. for the commitment, preparing the to-do list and getting the job done. Huge day to prepare for and having the residents get to and from the venue. Kay for driving the bus and being such a great sport on the day with her laughter. A big thankyou to the staff that assisted the residents to get ready before and after the event. To those staff that had said the idea was a real “Go-a”. Such a great contribution to the elderly. Only if it was to say “it’s is a great idea”. Thankyou we have an amazing staff network, that support each other. The volunteers for their commitment to assisting the resident to have this day turn out so well. To Brendon and his dad Bill for their great effort working tirelessly to get the garden looking so great - the best it’s ever been and having the environment perfect. Huge task and completed. The garden looks amazing. The local community for supplying the table and chairs. For Anne (a resident’s daughter) for supplying the beautiful Roses. Mary-Rose for capturing the day on video and the other Photos taken captured on phones. We will gather them and put a display on for the other residents in our facility that were unable to be there on the day.

Louise went on to create the intention for the day; FUN, CONNECTION, POWER and LEADERSHIP. A FUN afternoon, CONNECTING people together with the great outdoors and animals. People having time to chat and CONNECT together. POWER of the people coming together and LEADERSHIP in all of us to have it happen and the elderly people coming along showing LEADERSHIP. Our host then addressed the guest residents personally and welcomed them, explaining that afternoon tea will be served during the horse demonstration. She then invited the guests to wander the gardens later if they wish to and to please enjoy. Everyone felt right at home. Louise explained that this event was created out of a course she is a participate in which focuses on Teams Leadership Management. The program is called, Landmark World Wide Transformation Education. In this program there is a component that gives the participates the opportunity to create an event in the world, coming from what they believe is important to them. Louise said that she often shares her adventures with her residents about her horses and her property when she is working at Karinya so putting the two passions together made sense and this is where the A Team at Karyina was created to enable this event to come to life. She invited the residents to enjoy this magical day with the animals.

She then spoke about her horse Harley, and how she was going to do a demonstration with him starting on the ground first. She explained that she this part of training is call “Attunement”. Louise Explained that this is where the horse gets to be– heard, seen, their feelings validated and they get to be gotton. We saw her gaining his trust to be caught. Then there was music while Harley was being saddled up. At that point one of the residents, John got up to dance. So much fun was happing in the background. The residents then got to be introduced to Harley the star of the show. Ian loved being around horses again.

A lovely day was had by all. Anna encouraged a question time and some great questions was asked. The resident then had a bit of time to look around the garden and even some venturing inside to look at the uniqueness of the house and a stained-glass feature inside. The residents thanked the host and said it was such a lovely day. “What a great day”. It has been suggested that another events like this be held in March 2026. So to be continued…….

Cobram Auxiliary Donation Pictured are the Cobram and District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary with Medical Clinic staff. The Auxilary recently purchased two cryosprays. We thank the Auxiliary for all their support of inititiatives for residents, patients and clients of the Health service.

Irvin House Woodwork Project We would love to recognise Willow, one of our incredible student volunteers at Irvin House. Willow attends Cobram Secondary College, and this project was entirely her initiative. Willow identified a need at Irvin House and took her idea back to school, where it formed part of a class project. Together, they created a beautiful planting table for our residents to enjoy. The planting table will be used for hands-on gardening activities, supporting wellbeing, connection, and meaningful engagement for our residents. We are so proud of Willow for showing such leadership, initiative, and care for others, and we thank Cobram Secondary College for supporting students to turn great ideas into real community outcomes.

REACH HAS LAUNCHED! NCN Health along with partner health services in the Hume Region have now rolled out the new REACH process. REACH encourages patients to advocate for their health care and speak up if they are concerned about their own care or the care of their loved ones. REACH stands for: Recognise – You notice a worrying change Engage – Talk to the nurse or doctor Act – Ask for a clinical review if you’re still concerned Call – Call the hospital’s REACH number to escalate your concerns Help – A senior health worker will respond REACH supports partnerships between patients, carers and health workers to ensure concerns are heard and acted upon.

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

INTERNAL NCN ESCALATION PROCESS: 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.

Run4Kids 2026 Keen to get moving in 2026? People and Culture Advisor Bridgette Robertson has created a Run4Kids 2026 team and you are invited to get involved. The team is NCN Trotters and you will need the below link to register…. http://raceroster.com/events/2026/112353/2026-herald-suntransurban-run-for-thekids/register?team=904461 There are two distances to chose from 14.4 or 5km. A great new years resolution if you are looking at ticking off some movement goals and a great cause raising money for Royal Children’s Hospital. Join the team and lets hit the pavement!

Join Social Club Committee! Help us decide the direction of the NCN Health Social Club 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.

EXPRESSIONS

OF INTEREST The SWELL Committee are seeking expressions of interest from staff keen to join our Staff Wellness Committee in 2026.

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

Bi-monthly meetings. Small time commitment Positively impact the culture of NCN Health Help create new initiatives and programs for your colleagues.

Submit your EOI to ncnswell@ncnhealth.org.au

HTLAEH NCN @ STNEVE GNIMOCPU

DECEMBER

NCN Health Christmas Comp Winners Announced.

DECEMBER

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Find us online A reminder to send your pictures, stories and events to ncncommunications@ncnhealth.org.au