It’s time to act differently
We share a deep sense of pride and ownership in our work, and in the mission of health care. We provide amazing care to our communities. We promote better health for our population. We are home to groundbreaking research and clinical innovation. We set the standard for excellence in tertiary and quaternary care in BC and beyond.
But there’s something missing. You told us we’ve lost the heart and soul of VCH. That we’ve stopped making time to care for and connect with each other as people. And if you don’t feel supported and valued, how can we expect you to be at your best?
It’s time for something different.
What are we acting on FIRST?
I want to thank everyone (more than 1,000 of you!) who attended a staff forum to hear our survey results. I especially want to thank the hundreds of you who shared and submitted ideas on what we should act on first. Your feedback is informing our next steps.
Overall, we heard loud and clear that we need to go back to basics, and that you want to be involved in decisions that impact you. There are lots of things we need to work on, but here’s what we heard is most important to you for us to action first:
You want VCH to… |
Here’s what we’re doing… |
| Care about your well-being | The Attendance & Wellness Promotion (AWP) program is now on hold. We’ve heard that staff and leaders alike have ideas to revamp the program with a stronger focus on health and wellness. We will be holding focus groups in the new year to ensure changes to the program will work for all of us. |
| Have values that we all live by | What are the values that define us and we want to collectively embrace? In January we will launch a broad engagement process to co-create our values, which will define the behaviours we want all of us to live every day. |
| Recognize and appreciate the work you do | We’re going to say thank you more often! This was the number one suggestion. In the new year we will ask staff and physicians what meaningful recognition looks like to you. We want you to know that VCH appreciates what you do every day and we have your best interests at heart. |
This is just the beginning. Every month you’ll be hearing about a new commitment to make VCH work better for you. There will be many interactive ways for you to get involved and contribute through focus groups, surveys, and more!
If you haven’t yet seen our survey results, visit the My VCH website. It has links to the archived webcasts and past VCH News stories, an infographic you can post in your staff area, and detailed survey results.
Let’s get started
Starting today, we will reinvent ourselves from within. It begins with unlocking the creativity and motivation that lies within all of us. And having the courage to speak up. Let’s tap into the heart of VCH and be the change we want to see, every day, in every way.
If you have questions, email us at myvch@vch.ca.
Mary Ackenhusen, CEO
Hi Renata, Janet, Meghan and Karl,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I do read and consider all your input.
All the best for the holidays,
Mary Ackenhusen
Karl
Having multiple health authorities in one hospital (PHSA,VCH and FVH) needs to have a survey that incorporates all of the health authorities. VCH had their my survey and PHSA had their own survey yet we are looking after all of the patients in our community. It would be nice to have one survey that all of the concerns get heard together as one.
Meghan
Please don’t forget about Rural VCH. So often your rural staff are unable to participate in a meaningful way in education, collaboration and engagement. There are lots of opportunities in Greater Vancouver but we often don’t feel listened to or valued working in a centralized system where to hub is in a very different environment that where we work.
Janet Spence
I am glad to hear the AWP program will be looked at to provide a more gentle touch.
I’m glad to hear that you heard what staff need: one by one, to feel valued.
AM
Thank you for putting a hold on AWP, it was far and above the most stressful part of my work life. In my attempt be sick as little as possible I was actually making myself more sick!
Renata
Happy to hear and see that action has been taken to this process, as an HR professional I truly value the effort you are put into this to transform our VCH to a better and healthier home for its employees.
Happy to be here to be part of this amazing transformation, Congrats!
Heidi Coleman
I am glad to hear you will be revamping the attendance/wellness program. It puts added pressure on staff if they are already fatigued or under stress. Wellness and attendance is really about offering opportunities and promoting self care. EFAP is great, but more is needed.
Cheers