Happy New Year to all of Monash Health, and for those returning from a break: welcome back. I hope that everybody enjoyed a peaceful festive season and that you are feeling reinvigorated for the year ahead.
To all those who worked across our sites over the holiday period, providing dedicated care and comfort to our patients, consumers and families – thank you. Your commitment has enabled others to enjoy a break and I hope that you too will have a well-earned rest soon.
We have an exciting year ahead and I know we will achieve great things together. If you missed my end of year message, please take some time to read about our six key strategic priorities for 2024 and how they will help us continue to deliver exceptional care, at every interaction. These priorities directly address the challenges we currently face as a health service and should underpin all that we do this year.
Next week, our new Chief Executive Professor Eugine Yafele, will be visiting Monash Health. Eugine is currently the Chief Executive Officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. Eugine will spend three weeks with us and during this time he and I will work together to ensure a smooth transition before he starts with us in March. If you see Eugine around at one of our sites or events, please do say hello and make him feel very welcome. Eugine will be a guest at our first Employee Forum for 2024 next Tuesday.
In other recent news, the Department of Health has advised that it will consolidate the purchasing and supply chain (logistics) of medical consumables of all public health services to HealthShare Victoria (HSV), to further realise the benefits of a centralised supply chain for Victorian health services.
Following the successful transition of Melbourne Health logistics, Monash Health has been identified as the next health service to transition to HSV operations during 2024. We are working closely with HSV to understand how this will impact our team and ensure no disruption to our supply chain. More information on this change can be found here.
Finally, please also join me in welcoming the many new faces you will see around our health service in the coming weeks as our medical interns, graduate nurses and midwives, and grads in pharmacy, allied health and other professions enjoy their first few days and weeks of their new careers. Please say hello, be kind and help smooth their transition as much as possible.
As ever, thank you for all you do for Monash Health. I look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Martin Keogh
Acting Chief Executive