By Tyler Wright
A $353 million package has been announced by the State Government to support healthcare workers and attract critically important staff, as the industry struggles to fill night shift rosters.
The Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment, announced on Thursday 9 June, will offer payment of $3,000 to all staff working in public hospitals and ambulance services – including nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals, paramedics, ward clerks and patient services assistants.
Associate Professor Donna Markham, former Chief Allied Health Officer and Menzies Creek resident, said it is important to recognise and reward Victoria’s healthcare workers and the critical care they provide everyday.
“They are the backbone of our community and they have been going above and beyond to care for all of us since day one of the pandemic; COVID-19 has shone a spot light on an existing issue – the need for us to care for the health and well-being of our healthcare workers,” Assoc Prof Markham said.
“We can only give what we have, and I hope that healthcare workers use this retention and surge payment to invest in their own well-being, so they can continue to provide the care they are so good at doing.”
The package will also include free meals for workers who put their hands up to work overnight from July until the end of the year.
“We know the next few months will be tough for our hospitals and paramedics as they continue to battle COVID, the flu and increasing demand. These measures are designed to improve the day-to-day working environment for workers on the frontline,” Parliamentary Secretary for Health Steve McGhie said.
To be eligible for the full package, workers will need to be employed by a public health service by 1 July and still be employed on 30 September. The payments will be made in two rounds, one after 15 August and one after 30 September.
Those who start between 1 July and 30 September will be eligible for a pro-rata payment, providing an added incentive to help attract more staff to our public hospitals.
“Our people are our health system’s greatest asset and this is just one way for us to recognise and support their efforts and ensure nurses, doctors, paramedics, allied health and support staff are there when we need them most,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
