St George ICU’s greatest asset is its people.
We are committed to cultivating a psychologically safe working environment and spearheading advancements in our workplace culture. Through initiatives like the JMO feedback forum, the Awesomeness Anonymous program, and diverse team-building activities, the ICU has cultivated a supportive, inclusive working environment within the Intensive Care department. These efforts have contributed to a triumphant win at the SESLHD CORE Awards in the category of “People & Culture”.
WINGS
The Wellbeing in Intensive Care Interest Group (WINGS) is the core multidisciplinary group that looks after wellbeing activities for the ICU staff. To help foster teamwork, social engagement, recognition and wellbeing the St George WINGS Committee organises a host of initiatives for its staff.
Key contacts for the WINGS committee are Clare Loveday Committee Chair, Kate Powell Treasurer and Mel Walker Secretary.
The calendar includes golf days, cooking lessons, art tuition, sports teams (netball, running, touch football), surfing classes, dinners, picnics, awards, raffles, cake competitions and Christmas parties.
The WINGS Committee supports its own dedicated meditation school which has run for many years to address the demanding nature of caring for the critically ill.
Available also to the staff are events throughout the year provided by the St George Hospital Wellbeing Department to encourage and support healthy behaviours whereby a culture of wellbeing is at its heart of operation such as Code Lavender and The Festival of Care
The funding for activities is raised by the ICU Social Club which all staff are encouraged to join when they commence in ICU. For the cost of a cup of coffee per pay, it provides members with discounted and free events, as well as gifts and free prize raffles.
Doctors’ Welfare Advocates
SGH ICU is committed to improving and promoting well-being in a real, measurable and
tangible way. All senior ICU staff are invested in JMO wellbeing, with both the ICU director,
Prof Frank van Haren and the DMS, Dr Heidi Boss, considering this a fundamental issue in
medical training.
Several key contacts for 2024 are:
- Dr Behny Samadi – Welfare Advocate, Intensivist
- Welfare Liaison – an AT elected each year to bridge the gap between SMOs & JMOs
- Provisional and Post-Graduate Fellows
- Belinda Hocking – ICU Social Work lead
- Please access the SESLHD intranet medical resources SharePoint for a list of ambassador contacts outside of ICU.
At a CICM level, the Welfare Advocate is a College of Intensive Care Initiative borne out of the
Welfare Special Interest Group with the aim of advocating for the physical, psychological and
professional well being of medical officers at all levels of seniority. We hope to ensure our
junior and senior medical workforce feels heard and valued.
Medical Welfare Committee
The Welfare Advocate has established the Welfare Committee, which endeavours to fulfil
the above directive through several activities:
- Promoting and distributing wellbeing resources available at Unit, Hospital, District and College-wide levels, and links with WINGS for team-building and social activities.
- Promoting a positive culture of appreciation through the Awesomeness Anonymous feedback program, where messages of thanks are passed onto any individual anonymously.
- Requesting regular feedback through various avenues to provide a voice to all:
- A unit-wide forum where junior doctors were able to express their perspectives on what impacts their wellbeing in the workplace to the Welfare Liaison
- Regular feedback is also sought through several completely anonymous routes, including a paper suggestion box and online anonymous surveys.
- Junior doctors have a direct line to the Welfare Advocate via the WhatsApp group, who can facilitate meeting their individual needs, offering guidance, mentorship and support.
- Encouraging the active participation of and representation by JMOs on the committee.
- Promoting equality and inclusivity in the workplace, with advocacy and promoting visibility of female leadership, for example through our International Women’s Day Q&A panel, including some of our impressive female leaders, including our DMS Dr. Heidi Boss and head of Trauma Dr. Mary Langcake.
- Showing appreciation for the hard work of junior doctors through various social activities, such as the Welcome Dinner, heartfelt Farewells, as well as a brand-new pimped out Doctors’ Office.
- Creating the Welfare Liaison role for greater representation of junior doctors:
- The Welfare Liaison is a SGH ICU specific role for an elected provisional or transitional fellow, with an appreciation for the benefits of a focus on JMO welfare. This individual translates and bridges the perceived hierarchical gap between JMOs and SMOs and supports the JMOs, providing a voice for them to the senior staff.
