Infrastructure

Dec 17, 2020 / By ovahsorg / 0 Comments

Better Health, better productivity. How we can improve OVAHS and staff housing through healthy infrastructure.

By DCEO/ Operations Manager 16/12/2020

Across the state, many health services are putting great effort and resources into working environments that are healthier, cleaner, safer, accessible and more comfortable.

OVAHS is doing its part, as well. Improving the worker and patient experience is the core focus of the OVAHS initiative in design and development. Because of this, we have had the additional benefit in having a healthy facility, fleets and equipment. Better recovery of patients, less risk of health acquired infections, the ability to attract and retain staff, a more productive and effective workforce and an improved visitor experience are all goals that align with our Action Plan, Accreditations, and Closing the Gap outcomes.

So how can OVAHS, for the future be made healthier for the work, health and safety of both staff and patients?

The human factor plays a major part in both causing and preventing organisational accidents that would affect our client and visitor experiences. We have more than 300 people passing through the doors daily, and OVAHS takes individual and organisational accident prevention very seriously. In 2020, we have increased clinical safety with an additional OHS Clinic Representative. Along with our OHS Infrastructure Representatives, they provide excellent safeguards and play an important role to support our ongoing safety needs through the following THREE control points for well-defined systems:

External control of OVAHS WHS policies and procedures align with OHS Act that prescribe what actions may be performed and how they should be carried out in a safety culture;
Internal controls of OVAHS WHS mandatory education and training to reinforce safety knowledge, culture and good practice;
Infrastructure controls of OVAHS WHS constantly upgrading and improving the use of facilities and equipment to reduce human error;

Between 2015 and 2019, OVAHS has invested more than $1M in improving our existing health facilities, with support from the Indigenous Aboriginal Health Program (IAHP) – Service Maintenance Program (SMP) funding.

Our infrastructure system is expanding across our health facilities with projects such as Security Lights and Screens 2017 installation, CCTV 2018, Solar Panel 2019, Kununurra Remote Outreach Services (KROC) Mobile Clinic Truck, Respiratory Clinic, Garrison Fencing, Automatic Sliding Doors, Solar Pole Lighting and Safety Ground Traffic Signage all underway in 2020 and recently completed. These projects will boost and strengthen our healthcare infrastructure and fleet and bring OVAHS closer to where people live in regional and remote WA, now and in the future.

Due to impact of COVID-19, many staff members have relocated to their home towns/states. As a result of the interstate border closures, there is a lack of staff on the floor. The Admin/Operational Maintenance Team is still maintaining their commitment to work during the pandemic and leads the development of strategies, implement planning and development processes to enable the revitalisation of OVAHS’s infrastructure healthcare service needs for the communities.

Year 2020 Infrastructures Projects Accomplished & Improvement