Showcasing the way NSW Health staff embody our CORE values. |
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Our CORE values of collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment are at the heart of everything we do at NSW Health. These values guide and inspire us to create a positive workplace that is safe, inclusive and where everyone truly belongs.
In this edition, you'll see how our CORE values are demonstrated and celebrated across the system and how these values impact our experiences at work.
While you’re reading this edition, I also encourage you to reflect and think about what the CORE values mean to you and how you embody them in your day-to-day work. |
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A thoughtful ‘thank you’ can make someone’s day and remember you never know what people are dealing with privately even if they’re putting on a brave face at work. Being mindful of this is important for every one of us.
If you have a story about a team or a colleague displaying the CORE values, I’d love you to share it with me.
Our CORE values also inspire us to keep improving and advocating for the future and keep us accountable. This week, during National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June), our actions are grounded in collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment as we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and acknowledge our responsibility in truth-telling and healing. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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Celebrating our Healthcare Heroes! |
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Kylie Prior is what Justice Health NSW call a ‘Healthcare Hero’!
The #HealthcareHero series at Justice Health NSW acknowledges staff every week who have brilliantly demonstrated the CORE values at work. It is a nomination-based series, so people get to support and empower each other by putting forward their colleagues for the title of Healthcare hero. Kylie Prior recently joined the team at Justice Health NSW as a Registered Nurse, based at Cobham Youth Justice Centre.
In her role, she works closely with many patients who have little, if any, experience with health services. |
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“We try to educate and empower our patients to make sure they return to the community healthier and are able to advocate for themselves, so that they continue to seek medical assistance when needed,” said Kylie. “We really try to develop a positive rapport with the adolescents we are caring for.”
Kylie was nominated for helping her patients and giving them hope. Her infectious bubbly energy, and incredibly diverse scrub collection brings great joy to all in her workplace – it’s easy to see why she is a Healthcare Hero. |
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Taking the CORE values to the next level |
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Wanting to grow and strengthen their workplace culture, the team at Cancer Institute NSW have come up with four additional qualities to build upon the CORE values.
Professor Tracey O'Brien, the Institute's CEO, says culture is everybody’s business. "If work is interesting and fun, it helps to drive engagement and purpose and to do that, we all need to agree on the qualities we hope to see in each other,” Professor O’Brien said. |
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The Cancer Institute NSW team |
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Following some feedback from a People Matters Employee Survey, the team came together to workshop what these additional qualities should be and came up with the ‘CORE + 4’ - Strategic, Supportive, Innovative and Flexible.
CORE+4 is helping staff be future-focused and to take an equity lens across programs and when partnering with local health districts and communities to lessen the impact of cancer in NSW.
“Teams are sharing the load more, bouncing ideas off each other, engaging with communities and doing everything possible to think outside the box,” Professor O’Brien said.
“It’s amazing to see how supportive teams are of each other and recognises a job well done. Staff are often turning up to each other’s community events as a show of support, and our regular staff forums are always filled with ‘well done’ and ‘congratulations’."
"I’m proud to work in an organisation where culture is led and fostered by all staff, not just the leadership team. Health is not always black or white, and these qualities are a testament to working in the unique space of healthcare.”
Read more about CORE+4 |
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A masterclass in collaboration |
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More than 160 senior clinicians and operational leaders from across NSW Health came together this month for a masterclass on ‘Sustainable Systems – adapting health care to a changing environment’.
Representatives from every local health district, pillar and specialty network had the opportunity to collaborate during the program’s capability development session.
Groups engaged in a ‘think tank’ exercise where they had to answer a question on healthcare innovation with a 30-second pitch and engaged in discussion and activities that explored innovation across different key areas in health.
“The masterclass was a network of innovation and succeeded in bringing together like-minded professionals to collaborate and exchange ideas and then carry their ideas back to their respective teams,” said Roslynne Watson, Acting Director, System Performance Support Branch.
Staff feedback from the event highlighted just how much an opportunity to collaborate face-to-face can impact the staff experience. |
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| Participants attending the Whole of Health Masterclass |
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HealthShare NSW is taking action |
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As a part of their Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy 2020-2024, HealthShare NSW is supporting its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce with the implementation of their inaugural HealthShare NSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). HealthShare NSW’s RAP was launched in September 2022 by their RAP Working Group, made up of elected representatives who are responsible for overseeing and guiding the implementation of RAP initiatives across HealthShare NSW and its communities. |
| HealthShare NSW Aboriginal Workforce team |
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“The goal of the RAP is to champion the spirit of reconciliation in our organisation and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and non-Indigenous colleagues,” said Desideria (Desi) Vaai, Diversity and Inclusion Manager. In 2023, HealthShare NSW are focusing on cultural education for staff.
“We’re focused on sharing experiences between colleagues via lunch and learn sessions and acknowledging days of significance, such as National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and National Close the Gap Day,” said Desi.
Another priority area for HealthShare NSW is in career development for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce.
“We will continue our strong focus on supporting the career development of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff through programs such as our Jobs to Careers: Aboriginal Development Program and our new Aboriginal Leadership Development Program,” said Desi.
“We’re also looking forward to launching our new Aboriginal Employment Plan later this year.” |
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The power of storytelling in healthcare |
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Openly sharing personal experiences can help to empower others.
Schwartz Rounds, an evidence-based staff wellbeing program provides an open, collaborative, safe space for clinical and non-clinical staff to be vulnerable and share the ups and downs of working in healthcare.
The Schwartz Rounds Support team from the Health System Strategy and Patient Experience Division collaborated with local health districts and speciality networks to showcase how Schwartz Rounds use storytelling to promote staff caring for staff across NSW Health.
Watch the video below! |
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Find out what it means in Sydney |
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Sita Pokharel started her role as Administrative Services Manager at Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital on a secondment in 2019 and loved it! “Because it’s a small hospital, it feels like you’re not coming into a ward, but you’re coming into a family business,” said Sita. “That is why when my current role was advertised as a permanent position, I could not stop myself, I had to apply!”
Witnessing the support and collaboration of her colleagues made Sita proud to be part of the team at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
“During the pandemic, the workload at our vaccination hubs and testing clinics was through the roof. Whenever I asked the team if they were interested to go and help, they would not hesitate to raise their hand. |
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| “That just amazed me. I feel so privileged for that kind of support.”
The mutual respect within the team also helped them to come up with new ways to improve workflow. “We have recently implemented a self check-in system in the outpatient departments (OPD) to smoothly and more effectively run the OPD floor,” said Sita. “We were able to come up with this process by collaborating, being open to each other’s feedback and respecting everyone’s opinions. “There is a great sense of satisfaction and collective achievement when you witness the CORE values at work and within your team.” |
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Name: Kay Hyman
Role: Chief Executive, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
Now, let’s get to know you a little better… What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Calm, supportive and generous – at least most of the time! Last great TV show or movie you watched?
I found a favourite movie from years ago on a streaming service – 'The Way We Were'. I really enjoyed watching it again. It has the bonus of including one of my favourite Barbra Streisand songs. |
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Favourite book or podcast?
I have lots of favourite books. My current favourite is 'We Come From This Place' written by Debra Dank. It’s Debra's story and the story of her Gudanji and Wakaja families. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I would love to be able to sing or play a musical instrument – but I don’t have a musical bone in my body. If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? You won’t go hungry. I love cooking for special occasions. Any hidden talents?
Unfortunately not. What is the importance of the CORE values for staff? They set clear expectations about behaviours and ways of working. What is one simple way people can embody the CORE values at work? Consider that everyone you encounter is a friend or family member and treat them that way. |
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'At the CORE' of Western NSW |
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Our CORE values are at the heart of everything we do at NSW Health. At the CORE showcases the teams, initiatives, and achievements from around the system that display our values in action. |
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Empowerment: “I love being a mentor because I am able to impart my knowledge to junior midwives and watch as their confidence grows.” Bethany Riley, Clinical Midwifery Educator at Dubbo Health Service in Western NSW Local Health District, is beaming with enthusiasm over the district’s ‘Mentoring in Midwifery’ pilot program.
Despite being in its early days, the program has made a significant impact on both mentors and mentees.
“The student life can be tough with high expectations and a heavy workload. Being someone that these students can talk with to debrief, cry or provide some clarity, is very rewarding and also vital to our roles as midwives,” said Bethany. |
| Mentee Casey Dunkley holding baby Felicity alongside mentors Bethany Riley, Therese Adijans and Georgia Norton. |
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“Being open with our students ensures that they feel valued, heard and supported by the team, and hopefully will set them up with a positive outlook that they will take into their midwifery careers.” The Mentoring in Midwifery program has given a deeper meaning to the CORE values. “As mentors, we need to respect the mentee experience of discovering a new workplace and be open to their feelings as they find their feet,” said Bethany. “Supporting mentees to learn while allowing them the freedom to stretch their clinical wings is very empowering.” Bethany has shared some of her top tips to be a successful mentor: - Dedicate time to facilitate mentoring sessions
- Build a relationship built on trust and respect
- Be there for mentees throughout different stages of their journey
- Use the tools available to you
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Cake, snacks and a coffee are always a good idea!
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Learn about applying value based healthcare beyond clinical services
Register now for the next Value Based Healthcare webinar about applying Value Based Healthcare beyond clinical services.
Join in on the discussion on Tuesday 20 June from 11:00am and hear from a panel of colleagues about what it means to embed values based healthcare across NSW Health. |
| Don’t miss the Elevating the Human Experience Showcase Learn more about the current projects transforming the experiences of patients and staff across NSW Health at the showcase on Tuesday 27 June from 11:00am.
Add the showcase to your calendar now or join directly on the day by using this Microsoft Teams link. |
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Learn the power of compassion against empathic distress
Compassion is different from empathy. Learning how to transform empathy into compassion is critical to healthcare workers wellbeing.
On Wednesday 7 June from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Dr Debbie Ling, a compassion and common humanity researcher and educator, will share her insights on compassion training and discuss strategies to manage compassion in challenging circumstances.
For more information and how to register, visit the HETI website. |
| Child Safe Standards information sessions As part of the forthcoming NSW health Child Safe Action Plan, the Office of the Children’s Guardian is partnering with NSW Health to provide a series of information sessions for all NSW Health staff and leaders.
Register now for one of the sessions starting on Thursday 8 June. |
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The door is always open in Murrumbidgee |
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For Registered Nurse, Anastasia Ellis and Midwife, Pauline Kelly, the move from city to country was made easy because of the openness of their team and the community.
Now living and working in Murrumbidgee Local Health District, both Anastasia and Pauline feel a unique sense of empowerment wanting to work together to care for their community. Anastasia and Pauline have shared a bit about their experiences moving to regional NSW. |
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“Everyone has been extremely open and welcoming which helps so much when you have moved away from home.
I feel lucky to be part of a small team as I’ve been able to form positive working relationships and lifelong friendships. I am fully supported by the team at Young Hospital which has given me the confidence and tools to research and seek out policy and best practice methods of my own accord.” Anastasia Ellis, Registered Nurse, Young Health Service |
| “The team of midwives at Temora Health Service have been extremely open and welcoming which has made my transition to living and working in Temora very comfortable. I am thankful to collaborate with my team to support women and their families during such an important time. I feel empowered to apply my knowledge and experience to fully support women and provide balanced information so they can make choices that suit them as individuals and as part of a family.
We're very blessed to have found Temora!” Pauline Kelly, Midwife, Temora Health Service |
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COVID-19 information update -
Smartwatches for chronic disease prevention and molecular testing-guided therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication
- Transcatheter repair for patients with tricuspid regurgitation and neurosurgical skills analysis by machine learning
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| New blueprint for Maternity Care in NSW
NSW Health has introduced a new system of care that is helping women with high-risk pregnancies.
To learn more about how we are strengthening maternity care services to give all children in NSW the very best start to life, read the Connecting, listening and responding: A Blueprint for Action – Maternity Care in NSW on the NSW Health website. |
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We acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional custodians of the land in which we live and work and pay respects to all Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working with the NSW Government. |
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