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Health promotion
There are a variety of health promotion programs that are
offered to staff to enhance and promote their physical and mental health.
All programs are coordinated by the Health Development
Coordinator in consultation with the Staff Health Promotion Advisory Group.
All programs are evidence or action-research based, and
are in line with National and State health promotion priority areas including
physical activity, healthy eating and mental health/social connection.
Programs offered to staff include
·
Massage Therapy
·
Strong People Program
·
10,000 Steps Challenge
·
Quit Smoking Assistance
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Health Promotion Information
·
Pilates
·
Meditation and Relaxation
·
Ride to Work Day
Massage therapy
A massage therapist comes to the Hospital every Tuesday and
provides 25 minute massage therapy appointments to staff. This is a popular
service which many staff take advantage of.
Strong
people program
This is a four-week strength training
program that is conducted at least once a year. Physiotherapists at Latrobe Regional Hospital kindly give up their lunch breaks twice a week to instruct staff
in using weights and performing exercises that will build up their muscles
and bones and prevent osteoporosis.
“March into March” 10,000 Steps Challenge
This very
successful program was conducted in March 2007, with 509 staff members from
across the organisation participating.
Wearing a
pedometer, staff kept a record of how physically active they were every day,
aiming for 10,000 steps per day. Other activities such as swimming, playing
sport and gardening also counted towards the daily tally of steps.
An evaluation
of the program demonstrated some very positive results:
·
97%
of survey respondents stated that they enjoyed the 10,000 Steps Challenge
·
73%
of respondents stated that they achieved an individual physical activity goal
during the Challenge
·
88%
stated that the pedometer kept them motivated to achieve daily physical
activity/steps goals
·
91%
would recommend the Challenge to other workplaces.
Comments from participants included:
·
There
was a real sense of community and activity frenzy, all staff were discussing
how many steps, and subconsciously learning about how much activity is enough
(heart foundation recommendations etc). It was a great social boon for the
hospital too.
·
It
made me more aware of how much I didn’t do during work hours and therefore of
the need to focus on regular exercise out of work hours to compensate.
Another 10,000 steps program is planned for March 2008, with
family and friends of staff being invited to join in.
More information on
how you can participate in your own 10,000 steps challenge.
Quit
smoking
Support
is offered to staff who wish to quit smoking, including information and
referral for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), one-to-one counselling and
Quit Fresh Start Courses.
Health
promotion information
A glass
cabinet outside the cafeteria displays information on various health themes.
Topics range from diabetes to hints on how to eat well and be more physically
active.
Pilates
This very popular physical activity
program which promotes core strength and flexibility started in July 2007 and
has continued on since then. Classes are conducted on the main Traralgon site
one to two days per week, by an external, qualified instructor.
Relaxation
and meditation
Lunchtime relaxation sessions have
been offered in July and November 2007. These sessions give staff an
opportunity to experience a variety of relaxation techniques, including
imagery, progressive muscle and general body relaxation.
Ride
to Work Day
Every year Latrobe Regional Hospital celebrates Ride to
Work Day by encouraging staff to ride to work or to participate in some early
morning physical activity followed by a healthy breakfast. It is a great way
to attract new riders and to congratulate those who look after their health
and the environment by riding to work every day.
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