Bass Coast Health (BCH) is partnering with major Melbourne health service, Alfred Health, in an innovative secondment program.
Registered Nurses from Alfred Health have been working at BCH’s Wonthaggi Hospital on secondment, helping to enhance BCH’s nursing workforce and skillset by passing on their skills while also learning about nursing in a sub-regional health service.
BCH Operations Director Kylie Martin said the secondment program was an advantage of BCH partnering with a metropolitan health service.
“Welcoming Registered Nurses from Alfred Health to work on our Kodowlinun Acute Ward and in our Emergency Department not only provides staff with much-needed help but also allows them to learn by being exposed to different perspectives and skillsets,” she said.
“The secondment program also further enhances our partnership with Alfred Health. We currently have specialists from Alfred Health who come to BCH to see patients, as well as medical registrars who help to strengthen our existing workforce and learn from our senior leaders.”
Registered Nurse Emily Arnold is on secondment from Alfred Health until February, coming from The Alfred’s Victorian Adult Burns Unit, which also attends to Plastics, Ear, Nose and Throat patients.
She’s now working in the Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital and is enjoying the experience.
“The structure of the Emergency Department is all new to me but on my first shift here we had a patient with burns come through and because of my experience, I was asked to look at them,” Emily said.
“I hope that I can teach the BCH staff something while I’m learning about ED too, so the secondment program is beneficial for both health services.”
Having been nursing for six years and spending that time at The Alfred’s burns unit, Emily relished the opportunity to apply for the secondment program.
Emergency Department Nurse Unit Manager Cat Bunn said the secondment program was so successful that BCH decided to extend Emily’s time.
“We are loving having Emily. She has great attributes to offer our team and has fit in extremely well,” she said.
“We are planning to have another one or two secondments in the near future from The Alfred, who will also provide reciprocal benefits.”