BEAT
DEC2015
CONNECTING OUR PEOPLE ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Take Heart
The quest to rid Australasia of rheumatic heart disease
Towards 2020
How 2015 has helped deliver on our purpose
Super Model
A new approach to aged care
first word
Our 2015 Global People Survey (GPS) certainly provided some encouraging feedback, confirming we are living up to our credo of ‘longer healthier happier lives’.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this publication may contain images of people who have passed away.
4 BEAT 9 12
DEC2015
CONNECTING OUR PEOPLE ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Take Heart
The quest to rid Australasia of rheumatic heart disease
Towards 2020
How 2015 has helped deliver on our purpose
Super Model
A new approach to aged care
Our cover: Rheumatic heart disease patient, Brooklyn (left), and her nephew are presented in ‘Take Heart’, a Moonshine Movies production (see page 4)
Lifting the lid on a preventable disease A new film, ‘Take Heart’, raises awareness of the over-representation of rheumatic heart disease in indigenous Australian children
A strong year on the road to 2020
Our Managing Director and four business unit leaders look back on 2015 and reflect on a year of growth and multiple highlights.
Modelling a better future for aged care Our new aged care Model of Care is proving to be a success for both the residents and the care team alike.
6 A stroke of genius 7 Going the distance 8 A heartfelt thank you 14 A day in the life 15 Everyday Heroes 16 Health & Wellbeing 19 Making the most of every opportunity 20 Young at heart
contents
21 Building a healthier planet 22 Just what the doctors ordered 24 Bupa Brain Trainer 25 Bupa Doctor 26 Rhythms 28 Bupa Bites 30 Celebrationz 31 Years of Service
You can also read Beat magazine online at bupabeat.com.au
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Our recent involvement in social impact documentaries shows that it’s no longer enough to just to raise awareness of an issue. You also have to provide the tools for change to help promote action.
Lifting the lid on a totally preventable disease 4 | BEAT
Rheumatic Heart Disease Fast Facts • Totally preventable disease • Predominately affects children 5-14 years old • Most common cause of cardiac mortality in children • Highest prevalence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities • Risk of death 20x higher in these communities than the general population
Film Director Mike Hill from Moonshine Movies is a man on a mission: to rid Australasian children of totally preventable Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). “Our film ‘Take Heart’ is intended to not only raise awareness of rheumatic heart disease and lift the lid on the living conditions of indigenous Australians that contribute to its prevalence, but also to activate audiences to take a stand and force change,” says Mike. Any child can contract rheumatic heart disease, according to Mike, because ‘you catch it, you’re not born with it’. “It normally starts with a sore throat, or infected skin sores such as scabies, and if left untreated, will start attacking your heart valves while your body is trying to fight it off,” explains Mike. “It progresses very quickly and can lead to a stroke, heart failure or permanent disability and can ultimately require openheart surgery to fix.” Mike says that the indigenous communities he was filming wholeheartedly supported the project and are determined to get this story told. ‘Take Heart’ is a feature-length film aimed for release early in 2016 and it will also be screened on NITV/SBS in Australia. Mike sees ‘Take Heart’ as harmonising with a global effort to eradicate this disease, starting with
Australia and New Zealand. Bupa is the official and exclusive outreach partner for ‘Take Heart: The Quest to Rid Australasia of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)’, and will help connect the message to communities, politicians and policy makers and put steps in place to promote positive actions. “It was strong fit for us to partner with the film, having launched our Reconciliation Action Plan in June, because we want to put tangible actions in place to help close the health gap of Indigenous Australians,” says Liz Still, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Bupa A&NZ. “We had no say in the actual content of the movie, but our role is to push the message throughout the community and help ensure people can take direct action as a result of seeing the film.” Dr Bo Remenyi is a Northern Territorybased Paediatric Cardiologist who had a strong involvement in the making of ‘Take Heart’ and is also passionate about ridding Australia of this totally preventable disease. “We have a very special opportunity with ‘Take Heart’ and Bupa’s involvement to lead the way for change and action,” says Dr Remenyi. “We need real outcomes that come from the top and a true commitment to closing the health gap of indigenous Australians. This is not just a health issue, but is also intertwined with education and housing issues that requires a coordinated approach to tackle the problem.” With Bupa’s help, there will be screenings of ‘Take Heart’ at Parliament House in Canberra and throughout the Top End starting from February 2016. “Similarly to Bupa’s involvement with ‘That Sugar Film’, it’s our role to bring the story to life and ensure each audience knows what they can do next to help achieve positive change,” says Liz.
Rheumatic heart disease patient Trenton (above) receives echo scanning in Darwin At the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Brooklyn (far left) prepares for her life changing operation while Liddywoo (below) proudly reveals his scar
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A stroke of genius The Bupa Health Foundation has partnered with the Australian National Stroke Foundation to fund a breakthrough online information resource to help people affected by stroke. People who have experienced the effects of a stroke, their carers and their families now have a one-stop online information resource to access thanks to funding from the Bupa Health Foundation, in partnership with the Australian National Stroke Foundation. As Alana Fisher from the Bupa Health Foundation explains, the National Stroke Foundation’s ‘enableme’ website is a world-
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first initiative designed to inform, connect and empower people who have experienced a stroke. “The ‘enableme’ site helps solve a very real problem where some people who have experienced a stroke feel isolated and ill-equipped to manage their condition,” explains Alana. “Initially the Bupa Health Foundation was involved in funding just one module of the overall online initiative, but once we got involved and realised the value of this project, we became the foundation partner and funded the entire development.” One of the key features of the site is its accessibility settings so it can be customised according to the user’s specific needs. For example, text can be made larger, or more prominent on different sides of the screen for people with vision impairment following a stroke. The site also contains significant information resources and provides a chance
to connect with others and share experiences and ideas through the online forum. “It’s very difficult for people affected by stroke to connect with others with the same experiences. ‘enableme’ provides that instant access and is free for all users,” says Alana. That accessibility really appealed to the Bupa Health Foundation when considering the funding partnership with the National Stroke Foundation. “This initiative is a really good fit with our focus on cardiovascular health and is also all about providing access to health and care services and information on stroke-related issues no matter where you are,” says Alana. One of the more popular sections of the site, according to Alana, is ‘strokesaurus’, where some of the medical terms and jargon associated with strokes are explained in everyday language. ‘enableme‘ has attracted 1300 registered members since its launch in June 2015 and can be accessed free of charge at enableme.org.au
Team Member Profile A master ‘goal setter’, Gemma Cosgriff has moved from one personal and professional achievement to the next in a career that started as a dietitian, and is now firmly embedded in strategy and innovation.
Going the distance Trained as a dietitian, Gemma Cosgriff joined Bupa six years ago as a coach for The COACH Program® when the team expanded to help service the additional health insurance members gained through the MBF merger. But although focused on her role as a dietitian, Gemma had her eye on another side of Bupa. “I’ve always been interested in business,” she explains. “Before joining Bupa, I even tried my hand as a sole trading dietitian.” Gemma’s experience in small business showed her how complicated the world of commerce can be, so she enrolled in a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Swinburne University to gain a deeper understanding of the business world. “My final assignment for the Masters degree in 2014 was a research project that assessed the culture and climate at Bupa to determine how innovative it was,” says Gemma. It was through this research project that the strategy team got to know Gemma more, and a year later she was offered a permanent role in the department. Setting goals and working hard to achieve them is not just isolated to Gemma’s professional and academic life. Initially interested in running as a way to keep fit for netball, Gemma has overtime continually expanded her goals to push herself even further. “From middle distance running it was onto triathlons and then I decided to tackle a marathon, before I took a little time off the competitive side of running and focused more on my Masters degree.” It was while Gemma was focused on
completing her studies that fiancé Damien trained for, and competed in, a 100km ultra marathon. “I would have loved to have done this with him, but decided to finish my studies before I started thinking about the 100km run and whether I could actually successfully complete that distance,” says Gemma. Some positive encouragement from her fiancé, who also decided to tackle a 100km race again meant Gemma had a guaranteed training partner as well as the ability to raise money for a cause close to both their hearts. “We have a friend with bipolar disorder and it really opened our eyes to the effect that such a condition can have not only on the person themselves, but also their wider network,” explains Gemma. So when they found out the 100km Surf Coast Century Ultra Marathon raised money for the mental illness focused charity ‘One in Five’, it was the final piece of motivation Gemma needed and with the generosity of so many, has raised nearly $5,000 to date. Gemma also feels competing in the 100km event actually helps build personal mental stamina, as well as ultimately raising funds to research mental illness more widely. “You certainly learn patience when you run for such a long period while being able to control and positively channel the thoughts that continually race through your mind.” Gemma completed the 100km Surf Coast Century Ultra Marathon held in September in just 13 hours. And what goal is Gemma working on next? Her upcoming wedding to Damien of course!
Show your support If you would like to donate to One In Five in support of Gemma’s effort, you can still do so at surfcoastcentury oneinfiveextremechallenge 2015.everydayhero.com/au/ gemmas_100km_run
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A heartfelt thank you Pamela Rose-Holt’s husband, Damian, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014 and subsequently spent seven months in hospital for treatment. For Pamela, taking care of Damian is a full time job in itself, but she has developed a few ‘coping mechanisms’ to help stay strong. “Sometimes you just have to be a bit clinical and practical about what you need to do. You focus on actions, rather than sitting down and thinking about the situation too much, which might make you emotional. I just soldier on and keep going,” explains Pamela. But one outlet Pamela has found to help herself as well as others through her experiences, are her burgeoning blogging activities. “I’ve started a blog called ‘Mother knows best’, which is all about living well for less,” says Pamela. “Living on a pension is difficult, but we have made paying the private health insurance
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premiums our number one financial priority, which means we’ve had to make sacrifices in other areas. So I’ve decided to share all the money saving tips I’ve discovered with others through my blog, such as cooking soup for 99c a serving or making your own yoghurt.” With a love for cooking, Pamela has also created a second blog called ‘Recipe road trip’ which is all about her preparations for travelling Australia next year with Damian in a caravan. It seems typical of Pamela that, even when she spends nearly every waking hour caring for Damian, she has found a way to help even more people online through what she has learnt. “It is very scary when someone in your family is diagnosed with cancer,” explains Pamela. But she has been so pleased with the support she has had from Bupa that she wrote a long and heartfelt thank you note on Bupa’s Facebook page. “I gathered that companies
only ever receive complaints and I thought it would be nice for Bupa to hear a thank you, and we really meant it,” says Pamela. “It was fantastic that we rarely got a hospital bill, and never had to pay up front and claim back, which is an errand you just don’t want to manage.” In fact for Pamela, as a 24 hour a day/7 day a week carer for Damian, it was a case of ‘the less contact with Bupa the better’. “To know that you just have to hand your card over and it’s all taken care of, is such a relief and gives us such peace of mind for the future when we know Damian will need to go to hospital again for further treatment.”
Support for carers Find online resources and information to help support carers at carersair.net.nz or carersaustralia.com.au
2015 A strong year on
the road to 2020 2015 was a big year for Bupa A&NZ, with growth in a number of our business areas and significant recognition with many finalists and winners in the Global Breakthrough Awards from Australia and New Zealand. On the following pages, our Managing Director and four business unit leaders look back on the year and reflect on their key highlights.
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2015
Bupa A&NZ
Bupa Health Services
Dean Holden
Hisham El-Ansary
Dean Holden, Managing Director of Bupa A&NZ, recognises the economic and political challenges that 2015 has brought to our businesses but believes Bupa has performed well, both commercially and from an industry leadership point of view.
Hisham El-Ansary, Managing Director of Bupa Health Services, is very proud of how the business has expanded its portfolio of services in 2015 and views this broader offering as a key component of delivering on Bupa’s purpose.
“Highlights that stand out for me in 2015 include the successful roll out of the new Bupa Values, our successes at the Breakthrough Awards, both locally and in Dubai, and our continued focus on being Loved by Customers and Being One Bupa which was exemplified by our brand advertising campaign ‘health and caring’ which showcased the breadth of things that Bupa delivers across the Market Unit,” explains Dean.
“The whole reason Bupa Health Services exists is to bring to life our desire to be a health and care partner for our customers and we want to support them and be relevant to their specific needs no matter where they are on their health journey.” 2015 saw the opening of five new Bupa Optical stores, five new fully-branded Bupa Dental practices, the creation of three new Bupa Hearing outlets and the opening of the second Bupa Medical GP Clinic in Chatswood, Sydney. The business also rebranded and expanded the Bupa Medical TeleHealth offering and cemented Bupa Medical Visa Services as a major contributor to Bupa’s revenue and profitability. “We’re determined to make health and care services more affordable and accessible and the growth in the portfolio in 2015 is a major step towards achieving that,” says Hisham. While the portfolio has expanded, Hisham and his team have also been developing the processes and internal relationships to ensure the growing areas are being progressively integrated into the wider Bupa group. “Chatswood in NSW is an example where we combined and co-located a number of our activities in the one geographic centre to help integrate the offering, while the ‘Bupa Communities’ project, which brings the managers of our clinics and stores together in a region, ensures each area knows what the other is offering to help refer customers and work together where appropriate.”
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Bupa Care Services NZ
Health Insurance
Bupa Care Services Australia
Gráinne Moss
Dwayne Crombie
Louis Dudley
It’s been a big 2015 for Bupa Care Services in New Zealand, but three highlights really stand out for Managing Director Gráinne Moss.
Dwayne Crombie, Managing Director of Health Insurance, not only loves what the National Home Doctor Services provides customers, but also how it came into being as a key partner for Bupa.
For Bupa Care Services Australia, 2015 has been a year for consistently delivering our promise to customers in Aged Care, as well as continued expansion in the business.
“The idea to partner with the National Home Doctor Service (NHDS) actually came from one of our team members who had used the service and thought it would be a good fit with Bupa,” Dwayne says. “Once we realised the NHDS shared similar values to Bupa and didn’t currently have a health insurance partnership, we went from idea to commitment and then actual partnership very quickly.” Another consideration was that young families with children would be key users of the service, which was a link to the ‘Bupa Beginnings’ initiative that supports pregnancy and early parenthood.
“As a team, we have articulated, designed and introduced the Bupa Model of Care to more of our homes in 2015,” explains Louis Dudley, Managing Director of BCSA. “This new way of working for our people delivers greater clinical and care outcomes for our residents but, most importantly, empowers our people to work in a ‘Person-First’ way,” says Louis.
“Our most recent resident survey for our Retirement Care Villages has seen a big increase in our Net Promoter Score (NPS) over the last 12 months, which has been the result of a lot of hard work by our team members throughout 2015,” she says. “It’s been a journey of improvement, as we took on board feedback from the 2014 survey, actively listened to our residents and put concrete steps in place to create an environment that they would be happier to live in, and would actively advocate to others.” A recent win in the very competitive ‘Equal Employment Opportunities Trust Diversity Awards’ was also a major highlight for the division. “We won the 2015 Cultural Celebration Diversity Award that celebrates innovative responses to cultural and ethnic engagement in the workforce. This is particularly pleasing as it not only helps support our ambition of ‘people love working at Bupa’, but also helps with our resident care, considering the diverse range of cultures living in our villages.” (Read more about their approach to celebrating multiculturalism on page 30.) Thirdly, Gráinne was very proud of how the Care Services team opened a brand new Care Home in Cambridge in January 2015 and has managed to fill it incredibly fast with very positive feedback from residents and families.
Bupa’s exclusive involvement with the NHDS means that health insurance members are automatically covered for the cost of medication brought to their door during a home consultation. Therefore young families aren’t distracted by having to be taken to a hospital emergency facility or pharmacy out of hours to get a script filled, and the patient can start medication immediately with the aim of a speedier recovery. “A number of our team members have used the service and been extremely satisfied,” explains Dwayne. “We have also received very positive customer feedback and we’re delighted with the NHDS partnership and how it helps make healthcare more accessible and affordable for our customers.”
“Increasingly, our Model of Care also introduces a General Practitioner as part of the team in our homes. This is having a very positive impact on the lives of our residents – halving the rate of unplanned hospital admissions in homes that have a GP. In support of the Model of Care, our Bupa Management System (BMS) has been further embedded, reducing unwarranted variation in the outcomes we achieve for our residents.” “We have also made changes to the way we communicate with our future residents. Aged care regulation can be complex for our customers and, with recent government changes, Bupa has been at the forefront of making the right information easily accessible.” “We have also expanded our business within more communities with the opening of four new care homes in 2015,” explains Louis. (See page 12 to find out more about the new Model of Care.)
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“I absolutely love the model,” says Leanne Pretorius, the General Manager of Bupa Clayton Victoria, about Bupa Aged Care’s innovative Model of Care. And she’s by no means alone.
Modelling a better future for aged care Asked for her own opinion, Regional Support Manager Kym Manteit echoes Leanne’s words: “I love it. From a nursing perspective it’s just fantastic.” So what is the Bupa Model of Care? “It’s about holistic care for our residents,” says Kym. “Being flexible, listening to them and delivering care when they want it.” And what’s so lovable about it? “It works not just for our residents, but also for our people,” says Leanne. Giving residents their medication when they’re ready may not sound like a big thing, but it represents a significant shift away from the traditional aged care home model of taking a ‘pill trolley’ from room to room on a fixed schedule. Like all aspects of the Model, the new medication management arrangement helps the care team focus more on the residents’ needs and wishes, and less on a list of tasks that have to be performed. That change in approach is more fulfilling for the team members and making a real difference to the residents. They are
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happier to have more say in when they are given their pills, which makes them more likely to take them. And both those things make their families happy. “There have been plenty of positive comments about Mum and Dad getting their medication when they want it,” says Kym. That seemingly small change in routine has made its own contribution to what Leanne says has been a huge reduction in complaints. Whereas previously residents’ families found it unsettling to find different nurses and carers looking after their relatives from one visit to the next, they are now building a rapport with the regular teams. Having the same team look after the same residents reflects another essential aspect of the Model: the organisational structure within the homes has been changed so medical care is provided with greater flexibility and continuity. Some care homes now have a resident GP (or in the case of some smaller homes, share one) whose sole job is looking after residents. In a sense, the new structure is more like
the one you would find in a hospital. The doctor does the rounds accompanied by the Clinical Manager for each ‘community’ within the care home. The Clinical Manager then works with the other Registered Nurses and the carers to implement the care plan for each resident. The vital difference from the hospital setting is that the in-house Bupa Model of Care team know the individual resident and set care goals that take into account the broader context of that person’s general health and wellbeing. In many cases that means more emphasis on ‘comfort care’ than ‘curative care’, and more advanced care planning that recognises what will be appropriate for people in the final stages of their lives. Leanne says creating the new Clinical Manager role for one of the RNs has been yet another important change. “The relatives always say: ‘Now we’ve got a go-to person.’ The feedback’s been really, really positive.” The change in routine also means that RNs aren’t “stuck behind the pill trolley”
anymore. “We’re upskilling them,” says Kym. “And now they’re using more of their assessment and supervisory skills.” Giving the RNs more chance to use their skills is having a knock-on effect too. “Because the Care Managers are more hands-on and spend more time ‘on the floor’, they’re teaching the carers by working alongside them more.” The results so far have been tremendous. More responsive, proactive care has resulted in far fewer residents going into hospital and prevented disruption that can sometimes do more harm than good. “Normally in a care home, a resident gets sick and you call a GP, who may not come for days. The resident gets sicker and may end up in hospital,” says Kym. But when the same small team is looking after each resident all the time, they are very quick to pick up any signs of illness. Spotting problems early makes them much easier to treat. “Communication’s the big key,” Kym says. “Everyone’s working together as one big family.”
Winners all round Since the introduction of Model of Care, the care team is having more success than ever in pleasing residents and their families. And they’re also loving the positive change it’s had on their working lives.
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A day in the life Maree Todd
Each Wednesday, Geriatrician Maree Todd supports Bupa Care Services NZ with advice and actions to ensure best practice policies and procedures are being followed for aged care. The other days of the week see Maree performing a clinical role with the Auckland District Health Board. 7.00am First task of Maree’s day is to feed her two beloved birman cats and only then is it breakfast time for herself! After a quick check of overnight emails, it’s into the car and off to Bupa.
7.30am Maree spends the 30-minute commute to Bupa’s Newmarket, Auckland offices listening to Radio New Zealand to help keep informed of the latest news and current affairs.
9.00am Making the most of her one day a week, Maree heads straight into a team meeting and teleconference to update on issues, policies and procedures relevant to Bupa Care Services, discuss any quality and risk issues arising and develop an action plan for the next fortnight.
10.00am Time to tackle a number of the ongoing projects Maree has live at any one time. This week, it’s a review of the prescribing charts for opiates to ensure they’re in line with the current Standing Order Guidelines from the NZ Ministry of Health.
11.00am Maree works with the team to review any complaints that may have been received
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from Aged Care residents and identifies any common themes emerging. Maree then provides clinical suggestions from a medical perspective to avoid similar complaints in the future.
12.30pm Maree always makes a point of stopping for lunch and with plenty of cafes close to the Newmarket offices, it’s time to head out for some fresh air and grab something to take back and eat with the team.
1.30pm Heading out for the afternoon, Maree visits a Bupa Aged Care Home to hold an educational session for GPs and Registered Nurses on how to assess residents’ decision making capacity and the law providing protection to older people.
3.30pm Off to another Aged Care Home, and Maree meets with the nurses to discuss the legal implications of being given verbal orders from Doctors to administer opiate pain relief to residents. Maree points out that it’s technically illegal and provides advice for ensuring ongoing compliance.
4.30pm Back to Bupa’s offices and the final task of the day is to provide a senior team member with feedback on a global project
aligning clinical indicators across aged care services in New Zealand, Australia, Spain and the UK to ensure information can be easily shared and compared between markets.
6.00pm Back into the car, Maree makes a few phone calls to friends to see who might be interested in heading to her ‘bach’ (holiday home) in Matapouri for a weekend of sea kayaking.
6.30pm Tennis night where Maree plays doubles in the President’s Grade Interclub competition for her club. “It’s a league for experienced players who might not be that fast, but are still cunning around the court,” jokes Maree.
8.30pm With the competition over, it’s time to socialise with her fellow players with a BBQ dinner and salads at the tennis club.
11.00pm Time for a well earned rest. Maree enjoys reading as a way of relaxing and helping her to drift off to sleep. Currently on the bedside table is ‘The Illuminations: by Andrew O’Hagan’, long listed for the 2015 Man Booker prize.
Bupa Medical Visa Services launched in July 2014 with a promise of a new ‘customer-focused’ service model. Two team members from the Melbourne clinic show exactly what that means in practice (and then some!), when a very scared customer arrived one day for a check up.
EverydayHeroes Tanja Stoeski & Craig Darling Blood screenings are a routine part of most health assessments undertaken by Bupa Medical Visa Services. But what isn’t routine, is having to calm, counsel and control a customer with an extreme phobia of needles and injections. “We had one customer arrive who had been extremely traumatised during childhood with an injection procedure that went wrong and resulted in a needle breaking off in his arm,” explains Craig Darling, Senior Health Assessor, Bupa Medical Visa Services, Melbourne. “He was unbelievably anxious about having this specific procedure done, but of course, his future was depending on it.” Luckily for the patient, the receptionist at Bupa Medical Visa Services Melbourne, Naomi Hunt, took the time to listen to his concerns, noted them down immediately and passed them onto Health Assessor, Tanja Stoeski. The first thing Tanja did was to reshuffle the assessment procedures to make the blood screening the last of all. “That way, he’d have everything else completed, and it was then only this last procedure standing in the way of his assessment,” explains Tanja. “We also found a much bigger room to undertake the blood screening, so we all had more space to be comfortable.” The next action was to call in Craig, who is well known to be able to help calm down anxious patients. “A lot of the time I engage the customer with some humorous distractions and try and make light of the situation and in most
cases, the procedure can be performed without them even realising,” explains Craig. But this particular patient needed more than just a joke or two! So Tanja got the patient to lie down on a bed (still holding the stress ball he’d brought along) and undertook some breathing techniques with him. Next, came a series of ‘dry runs’ where Tanja and Craig showed him exactly what would happen. All this was occurring well after closing time, but Tanja and Craig were determined to ensure the total assessment was completed. Finally, after nearly 45 minutes of emotional preparation for just this one procedure, the patient said ‘do it now’, and 10 seconds later, all was done. “The patient was so overwhelmed emotionally that he’d finally beaten his phobia and this huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders,” explains Tanja. After closing up an hour later than normal, Tanja and Craig were happy with a job well done, but thought that would be the end of it. However, six days later, the patient returned, armed with eight boxes of chocolates for the whole team, a card for Tanja and Craig and proceeded to give hugs all round to say thank you for such a caring and selfless approach to his health assessment.
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Health&Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing content provided by Bupa’s Health Content Team
Cool as a cucumber
Flavo variati ur ons Subs
t for app itute cucum ber les, po m orange s or wa egranate, termelo Substit n u t e m for bas il, cinn int amon stick, v anil or rose la bean mary
Refresh your drinking habits
Ingredients
For those who drink more alcohol than usual over the holiday season, remember to have water regularly to help you stay hydrated.
1 cucumber, sliced length ways 1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped 1.5L of still or sparkling water 2 limes (or 2 dessert spoons bottled lime) Ice (if serving immediately)
A good tip is to alternate alcohol with water while you’re out drinking. This will also help you cut down the number of units of alcohol you consume. If you find yourself getting bored with water but you don’t want to turn to fruit juice, cordial or soft drink, here’s a refreshing low-sugar summer drink for you to try.
Method Place all ingredients in a large jug and stir. Refrigerate for about an hour to allow flavours to infuse. Alternatively add ice and serve immediately.
By Rebecca Hall - Bupa, Accredited Practising Dietitian
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Ma
Summer Exercise Challenge Use the summer holiday season to up the ante if you can - you may be delighted with what you can achieve when you try!
Do you ever feel you’re struggling to achieve your activity goals, even after consistently exercising for some time? While a large percentage of gym-goers likely relate, Bupa Wellness PT, Jason Ibrahim, says it shouldn’t be this way. Read on for what Jason suggests you do to help get the best results possible from the time you invest. You only get what you give Jason starts with a simple fitness tip he believes, “could change everything for you – your results are a measure of the level of intensity in your workout.” In other words, you get what you give when it comes to exercise and results.
Work on your workout So if you’re just going through the motions when you exercise, it may be time to take your workout to the next level. Jason says, “The ticket to results is to challenge your body. Building greater intensity into your training can be transformational.” Exercise intensity is how hard you push your body during physical activity. “When you’re not digging in and giving it all you can, the workout likely has low intensity and your results may disappoint,” says Jason.
Hard enough? For health benefits, most healthy adults generally need to exercise at a moderate or vigorous level of intensity. As a rule of thumb, moderate intensity feels somewhat hard; vigorous intensity feels really challenging. “If you’re not sure what exercise intensity is right for you, seek advice from an exercise professional or, if you have any medical conditions, from your GP,” Jason says. To gauge your level of exertion while you exercise, Jason’s a big believer in tuning in to the body. “Pay attention to how you feel. Could you be working harder? If the honest answer is yes, then step it up a notch. It’s worth it.” However, he also acknowledges there are many people these days who are into wearable technology and the data it can provide. “If you prefer a more objective measure, a heart rate monitor might be a useful device for you.”
Balance is important While Jason encourages his clients to dig deep, he also warns against going too hard too soon, as this can lead to soreness, injury and burnout. “If you’re really short of breath or can’t work out for as long as you’d planned, for example, the intensity may be higher than your fitness level will allow. In this situation, I’d recommend you back off for a bit and build intensity gradually.” It’s also important that you never sacrifice proper form in favour of intensity. “Always make sure you do your exercises correctly and safely – ask for advice if necessary. As soon as you compromise on form, reduce your intensity back to where proper form is achievable,” says Jason.
aking exercise count
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Health & Wellbeing
Beat the festive bulge
As lovable as Santa is, not many would say we want to look like him. It has become such a stereotype to associate the holiday season with weight gain that many of us just accept it as the norm. We need to break this mentality. A one-off indulgence on the big day itself is not going to cause weight gain – weight gain occurs through regular increased energy intake over a period of time. Here are five tips to help beat the bulge over the holiday season.
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Don’t feel like you have to eat everything on offer It’s good to be selective when it comes to treats and nibbles. Ask yourself if each item on offer is something you really feel like having. If it’s isn’t, save your kilojoules for foods that are particularly appealing to you.
Be wary of marketing tactics It’s very tempting to buy “limited-edition” items or specials which are only available around the holiday season. But do we really want these things or are we just drawn into clever marketing tactics? Try to control your shopping – it’s easy to be attracted to novel items on the supermarket shelves but an excess of such products in your pantry may lead to ongoing overindulgence.
Share your treats There certainly is nothing wrong with eating festive treats like rum balls, fruit mince pies and candy canes. But try to avoid consuming whole packets yourself, which is good practice no matter what time of year. Sometimes, all you need is a taster to satisfy your craving. If you buy a pack of these, share them with your family, friends or work colleagues.
Treat your exercise sessions like an appointment This is a principle that can really be applied at any time of the year but can be particularly useful in the weeks leading up to occasions like Christmas. We wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment or a work meeting just because we’re too busy with parties and social events, so treat your exercise sessions in the same way.
Limit your alcohol We hear this all the time but it’s for good reason. Drinking too much alcohol is associated with numerous health issues and it’s also high in energy. To limit your alcohol intake, alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones and always finish one glass before accepting a top-up. By Christine Wong Bupa, Accredited Practising Dietitian
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My Career at Bupa
Making the most of every opportunity Jadarna Weeks
Starting out in a sales position at a company that was about to merge with a global brand could make some people nervous. But not Jadarna Weeks. For Jadarna Weeks, the 2008 merger of MBF with Bupa meant a great chance to work in a global business, with the myriad of career possibilities that entailed. “I believe the secret to success is to work hard and remain open to all opportunities that could make you a better person and leader,” explains Jadarna. Starting out in the corporate sales team in Queensland, working with some of Bupa’s top-tier clients, Jadarna quickly realised that identifying a client’s true need, even if they didn’t know what that was, was a critical starting point for any successful relationship. “Having an understanding of their needs, even if they couldn’t clearly
explain them, enabled us to match the offering directly to their business. And by keeping close to the client and maintaining a connection, you could quickly see any changes to their needs and alter the offer accordingly.” After five years in Queensland, and also putting herself through a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Jadarna was actively seeking a people leadership role and secured a position in Sydney as an Area Manager in Sales and Growth, leading the biggest market in Australia. “It was quite a change going from servicing corporate clients to then being responsible for front line sales team members as their leader,” she says. But Jadarna found the relationship skills honed by servicing Bupa’s top clients were just as applicable to leading team members internally. “It’s similar, in that you have to understand what truly motivates people, and what the deep-down needs are from their position, to successfully lead them.” Jadarna’s MBA education also proved valuable in the Area Sales Manager role.
“The position is very commercially orientated, in that you have a growth remit and are responsible for the overall profit and loss of the team, so the entrepreneurial skills and decision-making frameworks I learnt in the MBA, were very handy.” Jadarna’s new role, as National GP Operations Manager, also shows the value in actively seeking out Bupa programs and opportunities that might be beneficial. “I became involved in both the ‘Growing our People’, as well as the ‘Genda Agenda’ programs and it was through these that I was offered exposure and growth opportunities. Moving from health insurance to medical is not a standard career path, but it is a great example of what can happen when you get involved in the many initiatives Bupa offers its people,” explains Jadarna. What also sets Bupa apart in Jadarna’s eyes is its corporate vision. “I love that Bupa is a successful commercial business, but that it puts its people and customers first. I think this approach, along with the brilliant people who work here, truly sets us apart.”
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While many people enjoy Sunday night television trying not to think about work the next day, two dedicated carers from Edithvale separately watched the same program, and were both motivated into action to help make a very big difference to the lives of two very different groups of people.
Young at heart
It was smiles all round when the residents from Bupa Edithvale visited the young students from Edithvale Pre-School on a sunny October morning.
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In July this year, the ‘Sunday Night’ program on Channel 7 in Australia aired a story about a nursing home in the US that had combined aged care and childcare services with transformative results, especially for the residents living with dementia. Tracey Crichton, an Administration Officer for Bupa Aged Care Edithvale, Victoria, was so moved after watching the program, she couldn’t stop thinking about it and was driven to make something similar happen at her facility in Melbourne. “I couldn’t believe the difference having children in that home made to the residents,” explains Tracey. “I was determined to see if having children at Bupa, even for just for a short time, could also bring something special to our residents.” Jumping on the phone to contact the nearby Edithvale Preschool, Tracey was delighted to discover that the Preschool’s manager, Kate O’Mara, had also watched the program and was just about to call Bupa to suggest the very same thing! So after a few weeks of organisation, an excursion was planned where the Edithvale preschool children would visit the Bupa Care Home. “The results were incredible,” explained Tracey. “One of our residents is quite stern and rarely smiles, but after a little time with the children, she was laughing the whole time and even started making jokes herself. Another, who had never had children himself, was so amazed that a boy would want a cuddle from him and that moment just made his day.” The benefits of the visit were not just enjoyed by the residents, but also the preschoolers. “We focus a lot on how the children’s actions can affect others,” explains Kate O’Mara. “And the children feel so good about how they’ve had a positive influence on their friends from Bupa and they’re continually chatting about the visits.” Some of the children’s parents have also enquired about visiting the Bupa residents on a regular basis because of the strong bonds created through the excursion. “For us, it’s all about creating meaningful moments for our residents,” explains Mark Osborn, Bupa Edithvale’s Manager. “And as some of our residents don’t receive many visitors, to have the children not only visit as a group, but also want to return more regularly with their families as well, is very special.”
To live longer, healthier and happier lives, we also need a healthy planet. And being sustainable in our everyday lives doesn’t have to involve significant changes – taking small steps, each day, can make a big difference. Having children can sometimes bring new perspectives for parents. For Bupa Tugun, Queensland Building Officer, Clint Woodward, it prompted a big change of mindset. “After we had our two boys, I thought to myself: I don’t want them to pay for our environmental mistakes. So I was determined to make changes to become more sustainable,” says Clint. “Both in my
Bupa Tugun Building Officer, Clint Woodward on the roof of the Bupa Tugun Care Home
personal life, as well as at work, I’m a big believer in upcycling, which involves reusing and repurposing materials that might have otherwise been thrown away.” Clint recognised that Bupa Tugun had a lot of old pallets lying around and thought these not only created a perfect opportunity for upcycling, but could also form part of a broader ‘movement’. “We have a lot of space at Tugun, so I’ve arranged for an old storage shed to be turned into a Men’s Shed for the residents. And there we can use the old pallets for woodworking to turn them into decorative items or gifts.” Clint’s philosophy is that if you can make being sustainable a positive and fun action, then you’re more likely to get people on board – as well as giving the residents a satisfying new opportunity to practice old skills. Clint was also instrumental in getting multiple recycling bins put into the Care Home and offices around Bupa Tugun and Bupa Banora Point, which has served as a
learning opportunity for a broader rollout of recycling across Bupa’s care homes in the future. “My aim is to cut the general waste of Bupa Tugun by 15–20% in six months,” says Clint. Clint’s local goal mirrors Bupa’s very own global target of reducing our carbon footprint by 20% by the end of this year. We have invested significantly in renewable energy, with Bupa Care Services now the largest privately owned rooftop solar power generator in Australia. This means that more than 15% of electricity consumption used in delivering care services comes from solar, helping our operations be more efficient and environmentally sustainable for years to come. And while investment in our homes makes a big difference, so do the everyday actions of our people. Clint is a great example of our Bupa values at play and a growing community of Bupa people committed to taking small actions to contribute to a healthy planet.
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There’s a rapidly growing number of doctors now working for Bupa, and our vision of more integrated healthcare is working well for both them and their patients. Not only does Bupa provide a unique opportunity for Doctors to work away from the confines of private practice, but there is also a wider range of clinical positions becoming available as Bupa broadens its healthcare offering throughout the business. “I’ve worked in general practice – and with emergency services – for over 30 years,” says Dr Andrew Whittaker about his current role as the resident GP at two Bupa care homes in Toowoomba, Queensland “yet this is almost the most satisfied I’ve felt in my whole career.” Andrew has helped spearhead the introduction of Bupa’s Model of Care, a revolutionary approach to the way health services are delivered in Care Homes, putting GPs and Registered Nurses in homes and giving residents choice in how care is delivered. He’s very proud of the quality of care being provided, but also aware that there are still real challenges in achieving Bupa’s vision. “We need to break down the boundaries and better engage the various healthcare services. We’ve made quite a lot of progress, but we’ve still got a way to go.” It probably helps that such a senior physician is driving some of the change. “I’ve created ongoing
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Seeing the big picture
Just what the doctors ordered engagement with the local hospital and my colleagues in the acute-care setting see and respect what I’m trying to do.” Not that it’s just about communication with Andrew’s medical peers. His current role has only increased his own respect for everyone in the care-home teams: “I think we should have a Carer Appreciation Day so the whole community can acknowledge their great work.” Dr Patricio Munoz’s journey from Bupa Chile to Bupa in Sydney and from general practice into health administration is also very much about the big picture and making connections that can improve the overall health of the community. Patricio found life as a GP quite frustrating. “I felt I wasn’t achieving much working with one patient at a time,” he says. His constructive advice was often ignored by patients who were only interested in being prescribed pills. “It’s the easy answer.” Patricio had already gained a second qualification in health administration and was
the Medical Director of three clinics in Chile when Bupa acquired them. “The previous company’s objectives were mainly about profit. When we were bought by Bupa, I was surprised that they had real concern about big issues and are investing internationally in common goals.” Bupa’s broader ambitions matched Patricio’s own: “Professionally it’s more rewarding for me to improve health on a bigger scale.” When he moved to Sydney to complete a Master of Public Health, he also took up a part-time position helping manage Bupa Medical Visa Services. Apart from the convenience of finding a job through the Bupa network, he’s happy to have a role that’s related to his studies. Patricio is now starting to imagine a longer career in Bupa, not necessarily in either Australia or Chile, but helping to make a difference on that larger scale. At Bupa’s year-old George Street clinic in central Sydney, Dr Rob Way is having a more positive experience than Patricio did in
“ I felt I wasn’t achieving much working with one patient at a time. Professionally it’s more rewarding for me to improve health on a bigger scale.” Dr Patricio Munoz Bupa Health Administrator
working with individual patients. “It’s a nice crowd,” he says. “We seem to see a lot of people trying to get that extra 5 or 10% out of life. I think a lot of them are buying into the idea that the healthier you are, the longer you’ll have to enjoy the benefits.” He appreciates the fact that some Bupa packages encourage members to take a more proactive approach and come in for a checkup rather than because they need immediate treatment. He estimates about 40% of his consultations are about preventive health, which he considers a very positive ratio. Rob has also seen ‘in-house’ integration in operation. “The optometrists are just above us and the different teams interact pretty well. There does seem to be a sense that Bupa people go the extra mile and try to solve problems.” What Rob didn’t mention is that adding doctors like him to our ranks is quickly increasing the ability of Bupa people to help solve an expanded range of problems that affect all our lives.
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Bupa BrainTrainer
What better way to exercise your mind than with a crossword of terms related to your health and your body.
ACROSS 1. A band of tissue that connects bones 4. Any process that requires oxygen, often used to describe a form of exercise 7. The most dangerous type of skin cancer 9. An inflammatory disease associated with excess sebum production 11. A vessel that carries blood towards the heart 12. Structures on chromosomes that are passed from parent to child 13. A hole in the tooth caused by decay 14. A cracked or sore patch on the skin
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17. Advanced in years 18. A prediction of how a person’s disease will progress in the future
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21. A painless, non-invasive imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves
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23. Any painkilling drug such as morphine or codeine derived from the opium poppy
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24. Wounds caused by scraping or rubbing away of the skin
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25. A mineral that helps protect teeth from decay
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DOWN 2. The body’s ability to resist pathogens or disease
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3. Having a reaction to one or more normally harmless substances 5. Tiny single-celled organisms 6. A thin membrane separating the ear canal and middle ear 8. Significant weakening of bones over time
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10. A false or inactive medication or treatment that may still offer relief 15. To make healthy, whole, or sound 16. The upper part of the small intestine 19. A simple sugar that the body uses as its main source of energy 20. A stretched or torn ligament
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22. A quantity of medicine prescribed to be taken at one time Answers on page 29
BupaDoctor Dr Tim Ross
As we head in to the prime time for outdoor activities and searingly sunny days, our resident doctor discusses the perils of an all-too-familiar summer problem – sunburn.
Do you still see serious sunburns in your practice?
When should I seek treatment for sunburn?
Very rarely; the ‘slip slop slap’ message really has worked. Unless it is a naive tourist or someone fell asleep in the sun on the grog, most people are educated enough to wear appropriate cover and apply the sunscreen.
If you have blistering sunburn or it’s very painful, it can be useful to have a dressing and prescription cream to assist healing.
What’s the fuss about sunburn and tanning? Sunburn is actually a burn, which can be third degree and serious. Repeated damage to your skin can lead to premature aging and is a risk factor for skin cancer. Tanning is your skin trying to protect itself from harmful UV radiation. It’s bad news too because it also means you’ve sustained skin cell damage. What are your top tips to prevent sunburn and related conditions? Avoid the sun when it is at its most damaging during peak UV times – 10 am to 3 pm or when the UV index is 3 or above. Always put on sunscreen, preferably 50+. Wear appropriate clothing and try not to sit in direct sunlight. If you are looking for a tan, spray it on.
How do I balance practising sun safety with maintaining my vitamin D levels? It’s important not to go without sunscreen during peak UV times regardless of concerns about vitamin D deficiency. In Australia in the summer months, and all year round up north, e.g. Brisbane and Darwin, only a few minutes outside in the sun on most days is required to generate sufficient vitamin D in the body, at least for a fair-skinned person. You can get this exposure outside of peak UV times.
Ask the Doc Got your own question for Dr Tim? Just email it to askthedoc@bupa.com.au
If I do accidentally get sunburnt, what should I do about it? Use lots of moisturiser until it heals. If it’s painful, take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen if this is right for you, as that can help significantly.
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rhythms
Bupa’s Chief Medical Officer for Australia and New Zealand, Dr Paul Bates, has been a global citizen for many years but is now firmly entrenched in Sydney. Paul enjoys sailing on the harbour or cycling with friends. And with a yearning to return to his glory days of playing guitar in a garage band, Paul is even dreaming of putting the band back together in Oz! Morning mandatory A cup of coffee. I’ve bought myself a Nespresso machine for home, because even though I don’t think of myself as a coffee snob, I can’t quite run to instant!
On the bedside table I’m currently reading ‘The Lady in Gold: the extraordinary tale of Gustav Klimts Masterpiece’ by Anne-Marie O’Connor. The story resonates with me very personally; not only because of my Jewish heritage but also because my Grandmother and Mother fled Vienna in 1938 due to similar circumstances retold in the book.
Fitness regime I really am a sports tragic. I love cycling, cricket, rugby, sailing and just about any kind of sport. At the moment, I’m cycling three times a week both on the road with a group of friends and on an exercise bike at home.
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Current obsession
Sartorial reputation
Living back in Sydney after 15 years overseas, I was determined to take advantage of the city’s beautiful waterways. So I’ve taken a share in a 38-foot yacht called ‘Badu’, which is Aboriginal for water. When I was growing up I sailed quite a lot in smaller boats and now I’ve decided to take a navigational course to sharpen my skills for the larger yacht in the hope of cruising up to the Whitsundays or perhaps down to Melbourne on it in the not too distant future.
I’m definitely not known for being a snappy dresser at Bupa or anywhere else. Let’s just say that my weekend wardrobe is even less ambitious. As I tell my EA, I don’t understand dress protocol, but I can follow it, so just tell me what I need to do.
Dream job Apart from Bupa…..a Ski Instructor at Deer Valley, Utah! I lived in Utah for about 8 years and was nuts about skiing. From my house, I could be on the slope in about a half an hour.
Signature dish I do fancy myself as a bit of a cook, and can’t go past a curry, totally made from scratch at home. Current favorite is a Chicken Coconut Curry.
Surprising fact I did appear on breakfast television in the US once with my garage band (called ‘The Idol Americans’) performing The Beatles song ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’. I also made my US friends learn a whole bunch of Aussie classics like “Girls On The Avenue”’, “Blind Eye” and “Beds Are Burning”. Eventually I even fed them vegemite, but that’s where they drew the line. Although I’m completely hopeless on the guitar, I do like playing and am trying to get a band together now back in Australia so I can have a bit of fun performing at gigs again.
Why Bupa? I love working at Bupa. Mostly because I’m lucky enough to have great workmates, and a great team. These are very important. Bupa has a fantastic culture as well, in which we are supportive of each other, yet demanding of each other. This enables each of us to do our best. And of course, there is our purpose, which runs very deep within the organisation.
Get on your
bike Bupa is proud to be the official health partner of the 2016 Santos Tour Down Under. Bupa team members have the opportunity to participate in this iconic event in the Bupa Challenge Tour, which is on Friday 22 January 2016 in South Australia. It’s a great opportunity to ride a stage of a UCI (International Cycling Union) World Tour event the same day as the pro teams.
It’s a challenge, not a race and with distances starting from 36km, you can get involved at four different levels. Bupa team members receive free registration and the opportunity to invite one friend or family member along with a 50% discount off their entry. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Bupa employees also receive a 50% discount on entry to the Bupa Mini Tour for Kids event on Sunday 24th January.
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Culture
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Website
Bupabites
Information and insights from the world of Bupa to keep you up to date on Global, Market and Business Unit news.
New Bupa.com launches
Bupa launches cultural handbook
The new Bupa.com website was launched this year, after a significant amount of work by Corporate Affairs, who also collaborated with Marketing, Brand, IS&T and Corporate Affairs colleagues globally.
Bupa believes respect lies at the very heart of reconciliation, and we acknowledge and support the cultural heritage and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A number of guiding principles led the new site’s development including: Mobile First - everything has been designed first and foremost for smartphones and tablets User journeys lead – a desire to get people through to relevant information as quickly and easily as possible Be social – leadership profiles and corporate affairs information is designed to link to, and help push users to, our wider social content Be global – broader information on our markets, products and services around the world is now provided. The new site also includes a much clearer overview of Bupa’s purpose with links to specific areas such as healthy ageing and dementia. The changes are the result of a significant amount of time researching how our audiences interacts with the current site and the changes are designed to create a more coherent experience for customers and potential customers.
Our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultural handbook outlines cultural protocols for us to follow to continue to build an inclusive workplace and respectfully work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. This will then help us to collaborate, advocate and deliver better health outcomes for all Australians. You can bring reconciliation to your everyday by: • Having an Acknowledgement of Country as a standing agenda item at your team meeting • Understanding the cultural considerations when working with Indigenous customers and residents • Learning about ways to show respect in your communication and publications. Read our new cultural handbook to learn more about these and many more cultural protocols. If you would like more information about this handbook or our Reconciliation Action Plan, email corporateresponsibility@bupa.com.au
This four booklet set demonstrates how we are innovating to face the challenges of an ageing population, what we’re already doing to improve the care we deliver, what we’re learning from different parts of the world, and how our learning can enhance the quality of life for individuals and reduce the cost for society as a whole. We care for more than 32,000 people in our care homes and retirement villages in the UK, Spain, Australia and New Zealand, and as Stuart Fletcher, Bupa CEO explains, “No other aged care operator has the scale and the international presence we have. We want to build on that by leading the way on good practice, advocacy, new thinking, and every aspect of aged and dementia care.”
Our Global People Survey for this year was held in September and 12,585 Australian and New Zealand team members had their say. This represents an encouraging 74% engagement score for Australia and New Zealand, 3 percentage points higher than the Bupa Global Average of 71%. Our main highlight measures were scored at: • Performance excellence: 80% • Leadership: 73% • Healthy Culture: 75% • Taking action: 63% Strengths identified for 2015 from your direct feedback include: • “I am proud to work at Bupa.” • “Bupa has an outstanding future.” • “My manager treats me with respect.” • “I trust my executive leadership team.” And finally, opportunities for growth in 2016 that were identified are: • Effective teamwork and co-operation • Healthier for working at Bupa • Taking action. From here, managers will discuss team results with you over the coming weeks and together, GPS Improvement Plans, will be created based on your feedback. Thank you for helping us continue to make this a place where people love to work!
ACROSS 1. ligament 4. aerobic 7. melanoma 9. acne 11. vein 12. gene 13. cavity 14. chap 17. aged 18. prognosis 21. ultrasound 23. opiate 24. abrasions 25. fluoride DOWN 2. immunity 3. allergic 5. bacteria 6. eardrum 8. osteoporosis 10. placebo 15. heal 16. duodenum 19. glucose 20. sprain 22. dose
In a One Bupa approach, many teams worked in close collaboration across Bupa’s aged care businesses globally to develop the credentials.
The results are in
Brain Trainer Answers
Bupa has released its Aged Care credentials, a set of four information booklets, which acts as a proof point demonstrating how we are taking a stand for the frail and elderly in our society, which is part of our strategic vision for 2020.
GPS
Aged Care
Taking a stand for the elderly
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Equal Employment Opportunities Trust Diversity Awards
Celebrationz What do you do when you have more than 60 different ethnic cultures represented amongst your team? Well at Bupa Care Services NZ, you celebrate each and every one of them as often as you can!
This approach to celebrating multiculturalism has earned the Bupa Care Services NZ team a coveted Award in the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust Diversity Awards in 2015. “With New Zealand’s growing diversity as a nation, engaging and celebrating diversity in the workplace is essential for the future,” says Julia Wiegandt-Goude, Bupa’s Director of People. The most visible form of celebrations revolve around ‘Cultural Days’, where team members are encouraged to dress, dine and dance according to their traditional cultural customs. They also share conversations on their cultures. “Every few months we get a chance to wear our national outfit, share traditional food and talk about our culture, which is a great way of understanding each other and building respect among the team,” says Subha Ray, Diversional Therapist from Rossendale Dementia Care Home and Hospital. But it’s not only the team who benefit from the Cultural Days; the residents also benefit from the different cultural backgrounds. “We have about eight different ethnicities of residents who find it easier to
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The Bupa Care Services NZ team at Sunset Rest Home and Hospital get right into the spirit at one of their successful and beneficial ‘Cultural Days’
communicate with the team in their native language,” says Subha. With a number of cultures and ethnicities represented among the residents, the benefits also last well beyond the Cultural Days. “We have one resident with an Indian background who has advanced dementia and can no longer speak in English,” says Subha. “But he understands me in his Indian language and I can help and respond accordingly.” Pauline Mellor, Facility Manager of Sunset Rest Home and Hospital, explains that it’s not just the Cultural Days that help encourage diversity, but an ongoing and tangible commitment is also important. “At Sunset, we’ve created a prayer room for the Muslim members of our team and whenever we have BBQs, we have a special one that has only ever cooked Halal food,” says Pauline. Training migrant team members to gain
local qualifications is another tangible step towards supporting diversity. “We have trained all our household team members and cleaners in dementia care through the Career Force program which enables them to either cover shifts or further support the carers if required,” says Pauline. Subha also benefited from the Career Force program having arrived in New Zealand as a trained physiotherapist from India, but unable to use that qualification due to registration issues. Undertaking Career Force training units in Diversional Therapy, Subha is now performing that role at Rossendale and is also working towards physiotherapy registration in New Zealand. “I’m now a resident of New Zealand and love living here. I’m so happy with my new role at Bupa and once registered as a physiotherapist, I might stay forever,” laughs Subha.
Years of Service
Bupa United Congratulations to our team of long-serving champions.
42 25 15 10 10 10 Y E A R S
Y E A R S
Y E A R S
Y E A R S
Y E A R S
Phyllis Saccone
Danielle Watts
Beverley Morgan
Lisa Amott
Lorraine Stanton
Gloria Petrie
Pepe Potoi
Rita Tabone
Crystal Pabla
Noreen Ibell
Vera Wi-Tekana
Anna Wallace
Kilisitina Tagaloa
Megan Belo
Cheryl Jobson
Natasha Wana
Iris Colgrave
Tule Tai
Lynn Brown
Marivic Aban
Janice Warth
Karen Mott
Marcella Shemeld
Sharon Davis
Janice Poulton
Shalvin Vandhana
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Y E A R S
Angela Capogreco
Rosemary Powick
Andrea Henson
Wendy Perrett
Epenesa Mutimuti
Y E A R S
Dianne Phillips
Francis Pearce
Kuruffo Henbento
Aditi Roy
Tericia McIlroy
Susan Lasscock
Margaret Bird
Leata Tavale
Sherridan Yates
Leslie Bailey
Brent Bennett
Joy Howell
Fariba Jayranloukhoshfeiz
Stephen Holmes
Sarita Chand
Karen Merriman
Sharmila Chand
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Karin Froehlingsdorf
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Y E A R S
Jane Smith
Ferdinand Morante
Joy Ann Dong-e
Robert Muliana
Louise Turton
Lalita Prasad
Sabril Rasheed
Owen Reynolds
Maree Henry
Sarah Simmons
Carol Gray
Renu Singh
Denise Wilkins
Andrew Jones
Gemma Somozo
Val Hull
Pamilla Ditya
Vishma Wati
Valerie Tesoriero
Dianne Clark
Shakuntala Muir
Wendy Trani
Emma Lewis
Karen Drever
Carolyn Wakely
Joyce Isaacs
Vicky Pelayo
Liz Holm
Melinda Williams
Lucy Pearce
Sue Hutton
Denice Linington
Maria Sgambati
Jacqueline Pande
Praveen Mirza
Rebecca Stahlhut
Kelly Blair
Ingrid Strohmayer
Blanche Morighan
Celia Gago
Christine Fitzgerald
David Male
Susan Brindley
Denise Wallace
Ana Luketic
Samsad Begun
Tri Huynh
Gladis Dhalayatar
Michelle Seuling
Monika Kumar
Teresa Covino
Judy Ledger
Prescilla Singh
Pearl Haimona
Sarah Aitchison
Gail Tougher
Marion Ellis
Ronwyn Smith
Egbert D’Sa
Estelle Blake
Katerina Panova
Christine Christensen
James Iansek Nic Johnston Nathan Ratcliffe Val Gilson Kirsty Gooding Josie James Adrian Baillargeon
BEAT | 31
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