Health support staff no longer the forgotten people
Release: 22nd May 2007
That Canberra was following Victoria and introducing a training program specifically for health support staff was a vital new initiative, ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher, said today when launching a new ACT AMA branch sponsored health training program for all ACT health support staff at the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.
Caption: At the launch are, left to right, ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher, ACT Branch AMA President, Dr Andrew Foote, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service CEO Julie Tongs and its Chairperson, Judy Harris.
Support staff had often been forgotten in the training equation, the Minister added. The tendency, given skill shortages, was to concentrate on professional staff and overlook support staff.
"Certainly the opportunity for formalized training to increase skills will not only attract more people to the industry but will also do much to see the industry retain its staff.
"I know when this program was introduced in Victoria it was stampeded with takers. Good on Winnunga for leading the way in Canberra ", the Minister concluded.
President of the ACT Branch of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Andrew Foote, said the AMA was pleased to be able to introduce the training program with the ACT where it was estimated that there was over 1,400 people working as support staff.
Winnunga's CEO, Julie Tongs , said Winnunga had been pleased to be one of the first practices to sign up for the new program which will be delivered by major training provider, Esset Australia .
"Our health support staff are the backbone of the service. Staff face many difficult and traumatic situations when dealing with patients. It is important that we are able to offer these staff a formal, recognised accredited training program," Ms Tongs added.
"That staff now have, for the first time, the opportunity to improve their skills and proficiency is particularly important."
Ms Tongs said Winnunga, now in its 19 th year, was a major player in the ACT Health spectrum and continued to see its patient base expanding.
"Winnunga's patient base now exceeds 8,500. Last financial year it increased by about 91 patients each month".
Esset Australia's Managing Director, Mr Phill Bevan, highlighted the 19% growth rate predicted in office adminsitration and management positions in the health sector to 2011, and congratulated Winnunga on being an early adopter in supporting their existing and new health support employees in this initiative.
For further information please contact:
Esset Australia
Ph: 1300 558 936
admin@esset.com.au
Esset Australia delivers courses and qualifications across all Australian states & territories, utilising the latest in distance, blended learning and e-learning strategies to ensure participants are supported through their program and achieve a high educational outcome.
In addition to holding full Australian government registration and accreditation for national courses, Esset Australia also holds ISO 9001:2000 International Quality Assurance certification, is confirmed as an Endorsed Supplier with the Australian Commonwealth Government, and is an accredited member of the Australian Council of Independent Vocational Colleges, demonstrating the organisation's commitment to the highest standards in education provision and client satisfaction.
Esset Australia industry focused provision of skill development programs has led to numerous state and national industry accreditations, including the Records Management Association of Australasia (RMAA), Dental Assistants' Education Council of Australia (DAECA), Liquor Licensing Victoria and the Health Training Solutions initiative in association with AMA Victoria, AMA Tasmania and AMA ACT.
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