ARARAT’S East Grampians Health Service has been named a finalist in the Premier’s Health Service of the Year for the third consecutive year.
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East Grampians Health Service is a finalist in the medium-size health service category for the 2017 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
East Grampians Health Service has won the major award for the past two consecutive years.
This year EGHS is one of three health services, along with Echuca and Benalla, to be shortlisted ahead of 18 other health services.
EGHS chief executive Nick Bush said being recognised and nominated for the award for the third year in succession was a great achievement.
“Our nomination is due to the hard work of our board members, doctors and of course all of our committed and dedicated staff,” he said.
Mr Bush said EGHS has developed a reputation as an innovative and progressive rural health service and a leader in the delivery of safe, high quality integrated acute, residential and primary health care, meeting the needs of communities throughout Ararat Rural City.
“Our staff, in conjunction with our 150 volunteers and five auxiliaries, work collaboratively and creatively to deliver on our commitment of improving our community’s health and quality of life,” he said.
“They are all justifiably proud of their work, their hospital and the community in which they live.”
The Grampians Medical Training Intern program, a public-private partnership with EGHS, St John of God Ballarat Hospital and Maryborough District Health Service has grown from five to eight interns.
Mr Bush said EGHS was also working toward becoming recognised as a healthy eating workplace for the Healthy Victoria Achievement Program.
“We were one of the first health services in our region to cease selling sugar-laden drinks within our organisation last year,” he said.
“We are committed to offering healthy food choices to staff, patients and visitors in our cafeterias, when catering for functions and preparing patient and resident food.
“Improving the health and wellbeing of our employees has a flow on effect to the wider community. We are seeing the obesity rates in Ararat and district reduce, which is a great thing.”
The Victorian Public Healthcare award winners will be announced on October 26 in Melbourne.