General News
25 March, 2025
RNH aims to build on relationships
Retaining, strengthening and building relationships with communities in Warracknabeal, Beulah and Hopetoun will be a key focus for Rural Northwest Health (RNH) in 2025.
The organisation announced this aim at its annual general meeting.
About 40 people attended the meeting, where Uncle Ron Marks performed a smoking ceremony, inviting all to use the smoke to cleanse their bodies.
Encouraging those present to "eat decent food", Uncle Ron said that prevention was better than cure, urging the RNH board to consider that any decisions it made were "from the heart, for the hand".
RNH board chair Dr John Aitken described 2023–24 as a year of "hoping for the best but preparing for the worst" and complimented the team on its efforts to minimise the impact of Covid, acknowledging the tireless dedication to the communities.
Before handing over to the next speaker, Dr Aitken mentioned some highlights of 2023–24 including the recruitment of more than 100 new staff, great engagement by teams across all campuses, the continued efforts of the education team and Professor Stephen Duckett's forum discussing future healthcare models.
He also mentioned the efforts of the ladies' auxiliary in raising funds for RNH and the successful grant application to build two duplexes at Hopetoun for staff housing.
Dr Aitken briefly touched on the strategic plan and said the board had women's health, paediatric services, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs support services in sight as part of its strategic priorities.
He also said that re-opening urgent care remained a priority, with the recruitment of skilled staff assisting in the same.
"We wouldn't survive without the community, and the community wouldn't survive without us," Dr Aitken said.
"RNH is part of the community and is very proud of the relationships."
Executive manager of finance and administration Hendrik Barnard then gave a brief finance update for the year and expressed that, although RNH's expenses had increased by $3 million in 2023–24 (largely due to recruitment costs), the organisation was "in a good financial position" and he was "confident that this year is going to be a good year".
CEO Jenni Masters acknowledged the Victoria-wide health inequities and RNH's role in addressing these.
"The uncertainty at state and federal level (regarding health services) caused a level of anxiety among our staff and the community," Ms Masters said.
"However, our teams have been amazing throughout, focusing on providing the best care and support for our communities and each other.
"RNH will continue to build its capability and capacity to further strengthen the organisation.
"A huge amount of energy went into recruiting, both by our staff and by our recruitment partner Latitude Recruitment."
Ms Masters said that in 2023–24 RNH recruited 96 new staff, equating to eight new staff per month or two per week.
Reflecting on the warm welcome she personally received, Ms Masters encouraged all to actively welcome all new staff to the region and make them feel like a part of the communities in which they lived and worked.
She also touched on many highlights such as improved quality and safety of care, an increased consumer voice, the increase in people using the Commonwealth Home Support Program from 236 to 300 and the introduction of a new gardening service.
Ms Masters mentioned the strenghtening of relationships with local health services, Woodbine, Neighbourhood House, GPs, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Yarriambiack Shire, and engagement with community groups including Warracknabeal Playgroup, men's sheds, CWA and the Wimmera Pride Project.
The health promotion team attended community events promoting skin cancer checks throughout the year which resulted in 40 per cent of people checked being referred for further medical examination due to the discovery of suspicious skin lesions.
"This year will continue to bring challenges but we have a plan," Ms Masters said.
"The new Aged Care Act to be introduced on July 1 will have a significant impact but we are preparing so that we get ahead of it.
"Our budget will continue to include a focus on providing the best possible care to our communities, coupled with staff support.
"It is an honour to be the CEO of this team and I look forward to continuing to work together.
"Thank you all for your care, dedication, passion and commitment to providing the best possible care to our communities."
Glenda Hewitt, Maxine Sleep, Jeanette McCabe and Carolyn Morcom were named as RNH life governors during the AGM in a tribute to their dedication, skills and commitment to their communities.
Each expressed their gratitude for the honour and said they had learned a lot during their time with RNH.
Ms Morcom, a former RNH board member for 10 years, shared her desire for rural people to have access to quality health services locally.