Achievements against Priority Initiatives
Parental Leave Understanding and Support Program team, RNSH Emergency Department – 2024 NSW Health Award winners
PLUS project leads: Dr Lucy Harten-Ash and Alison Partyka
ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL Parental Leave Understanding and Support Program The Royal North Shore Hospital Emergency
With national interest and potential for replication, the program sets a new benchmark for how healthcare services can support their teams— ensuring that safe, high-quality, and reliable care is delivered by staff who feel empowered and cared for.
Department is leading the way in staff wellbeing with its Parental Leave Understanding and Support (PLUS) Program—a comprehensive initiative designed to support emergency clinicians as they transition to and from parental leave. Recognising the challenges faced by new parents in high-pressure clinical environments, the PLUS Program offers a tailored return-to-work experience. It includes mentorship, wellness sessions, lactation support, and access to a dedicated family room designed to promote psychological and physical wellbeing. By addressing the personal and professional needs of staff, the program fosters a more resilient, supported workforce and contributes to safer, more consistent patient care. Staff report feeling more valued and better equipped to balance clinical responsibilities with family life. The program has already shown promising outcomes in improving staff retention and engagement, and ongoing research is underway to evaluate its long-term impact.
WINNER
In recognition of its success, the Parental Leave Understanding and Support Program was awarded the 2024 NSW Health Award for People and Culture . A video showcasing the initiative can be viewed from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/awards/2024/Pages/ plus-program.aspx
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