Our people
We take a holistic approach to the way we work that supports wellbeing, flexibility and diversity. We value the opportunity to collaborate virtually and in person, and we celebrate our professional achievements together.
Celebrating staff achievements
In May, we came together to celebrate the ACI Staff Excellence Awards. This was an opportunity to recognise individual and team achievements across impactful innovations, agility, staff wellbeing, collaboration, consumer engagement and Aboriginal health.
“Receiving this recognition from my colleagues is deeply appreciated. I get to work with a lot of good people which makes winning this award very unexpected. Collaboration is one of the core values of NSW Health, and I feel very lucky to be part of such a great team.”
John Marshall looks after information management and analysis at the ACI and received this year’s Collaboration Award.
“We are thrilled to be recognised for our work. It speaks to what we all feel in the team, which is a genuine dedication and passion for building redesign capability in teams to make a difference for children and adolescents experiencing acute mental distress,” says Clementia, team leader.
Our Safeguards team – Clementia Yap, Collette Davies, Claire Hartog, Lisa Thorpy and Gavan Robinson – received the Impact Award at our 2024 Staff Excellence Awards. They were recognised for developing a program that has enabled 18 new Safeguards child and young person mental health crisis response teams across NSW Health.
“It’s amazing how quickly 30 years goes by when your work is enjoyable, challenging and constantly teaches you something new.”
Dr Trevor Chan is an expert in emergency care and has been the Clinical Director of our Emergency Care Institute since November 2020. He was recently recognised by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) for 30 years of service to NSW Health. His commitment to public health and driving clinical innovation is reflected in the projects he's championed which are transforming how emergency care is delivered in NSW.
Embracing the healing power of the arts
The arts have the power to create welcoming, healing environments and improve our sense of wellbeing, belonging and inclusion.
We were thrilled to partner with Health Infrastructure to launch the Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032, at a vibrant event hosted by NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM in November, and featuring an interactive workshop by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding in collaboration with Arterie.
The updated Framework champions the role of the arts in providing patients, staff and communities with positive experiences within healthcare settings. It supports better value care, health literacy and cultural safety.
Celebrating diversity and connecting through culture
We are committed to building cultural competency among staff to maintain an inclusive workplace that embraces our diversity.
- Our Aboriginal Cultural Competency Advocates (ACCA) group continued to lead initiatives that bring staff together to experience, share and connect with Aboriginal culture across the ACI and our work.
- ACCA launched Wellama Connections – a bi-monthly gathering for staff to reflect and showcase the efforts being made in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, while also promoting the Reading Opens Doors library available from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
- Staff participated in immersive activities throughout Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week to connect us with Aboriginal history and culture.
- Our Rainbow Working Group brought staff together throughout Pride Month to reflect on this historic event and celebrate what Pride means for our collective communities and allies.
- Staff had the opportunity to attend training to build knowledge and develop inclusive practices for, and with, the LGBTIQ+ community.
- Staff participated in a variety of events during the NSW Health Gathering of Kindness Week.
Responding to staff feedback
We achieved another outstanding response to this year’s People Matter Employee Survey, with 100% of staff providing feedback.
In a challenging year along with recent structural changes, staff continued to report positive experiences with:
- flexible working conditions: 88%
- ethics and values: 78%
- job purpose and enrichment: 77%
Our Senior Leadership team is committed to continuous improvement and working with teams to enhance workplace culture and staff experience.