Funding from the Good Friday Appeal allowed Bendigo Health to grow paediatric training and development opportunities for its staff.
A staff scholarship and specialist training program, made available through this funding, has helped improve clinical competency and upskill staff - resulting in increased staff capability and confidence, attracting and retaining quality staff, mentoring opportunities applying real-world scenarios in controlled environments.
This funding supported:
- A pilot a nurse educator
- A Clinical Educator to undertake training within the Allied Health teams and coordinate a specialist paediatric training program
- A series of multidisciplinary paediatric simulation training sessions – learn more about this program here.
Bendigo Health staff members Caroline Lees and Naomi Roberts have seen first-hand the benefits of funding programs within our region.
Caroline Lees commenced as a paediatric Allied Health educator with a focus to understand the learning needs for Allied Health clinicians working with paediatric patients and their families, to then develop, deliver and evaluate a learning and skill development program.
“In the first phase of this project, focus groups and a training needs analysis was completed, which identified the need for skill and confidence development for generalist Allied Heath clinicians. Alongside this, there is a need for continued opportunities for development of specialised paediatric skills to support leave cover, succession planning and continued provision of evidence-based, specialised Allied Health services for paediatric patients and their families.” Ms Lees said.
The second phase of the project saw a suite of self-paced online modules developed, covering fundamental knowledge and skills for Allied Health staff in working with paediatric patients and families, as well as face-to-face workshops focussed on key learning areas that have been identified. Ms Lees said “We are collaborating with the Royal Children’s Hospital and liaising with nursing and medical staff to share learning programs which is exciting! Our Allied Health staff at Bendigo Health are doing fantastic work with children and families and I have enjoyed this opportunity to support them and the delivery of evidence-based and excellent care for children and families at Bendigo Health.”
Naomi Roberts was appointed as the Paediatric Nurse Educator to oversee a pilot program addressing a gap in professional education, particularly in relation to neurodiverse paediatric patients. Clinicians and allied health staff have been working together to educate nursing and allied health staff as well as families on potential challenges of caring for patients and using tools that cater to their specific needs.
“Healthcare experiences in childhood can have lasting effects well into adulthood. By empowering clinicians with the tools to deliver excellent paediatric care, we contribute to more positive healthcare journeys for young patients in our health service. Additionally, a series of workshops emphasised the importance of engaging parents and caregivers as active participants in their child’s care and development. Creating environments where families feel supported, respected and informed fosters better health outcomes and long-term trust in the healthcare system.” Ms Roberts said.
