Melbourne Private Hospital wins National Award for Community Involvement
22 October 2007
Epworth Eastern, a private hospital located in Box Hill, has won the Australian Private Hospitals Association Award for Community Involvement.
The award, which recognises the contribution of a private hospital to the broader local community, was presented at the APHA National Congress in Melbourne.
Since Epworth Eastern opened for business in June 2005 it has strived to form community based partnerships and relationships with charities, local business, educational facilities and clubs to enhance community awareness and to contribute to the local community.
Following concerns raised by food service staff about the waste of unused portion controlled items, the hospital entered a partnership with community organisation, One Umbrella, to supply these items to those in need in the community.
Over 120 kilograms of food is collected each week and distributed to a range of charitable agencies.
The hospital has also entered into a partnership with Box Hill Institute for Education and Support of division two nurses. This includes the provision of scholarships to support nursing students, a paid graduate training program to provide Box Hill graduates with the opportunity to transition into the acute care arena and provision of student nurse clinical placements. It is also a supporting partner of a new “Nurses Simulation Skills Centre” under development with Box Hill Institute.
They have also entered community partnerships with several local football clubs to promote the benefits of exercise and physical activity, in addition to providing health promotion activities including primary health checks, education and awareness campaigns.
The Executive Director of the Australian Private Hospitals Association, Michael Roff, said by winning the award, said the hospital had demonstrated significant achievements in contributing to their local community and have highlighted the valuable community support provided by private hospitals around the country.
The Sydney Adventist Hospital received a Special Commendation in this category for their Cancer Support Services.
For further information, contact:
Fiona Wilson 0416 171 266
