COMMUNICATIONS

She’s the Best! National Recognition for CDHB Manager

Janine Aldwin, Cleaning Services Manager for The Princess Margaret and Hillmorton Hospitals, has been named Employer of the Year by the Association for Supported Employment in New Zealand.

Janine was one of 15 nominations nationwide for the award, which was presented in Wellington recently. She was nominated by Victoria Gallington of Vision Employment Support Services, which works to find vocational placements for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

“We’re always looking for staff and Vision Employment contacted me in response to an advertisement I’d placed. I felt what they proposed was possible, and so we embarked on a joint venture,” says Janine.

The first Vision recruit was employed by the CDHB 18 months ago, and the latest just a month ago. There are now four very successful referrals from Vision Employment working in the two hospital environments.

“While their training initially takes longer than for other staff, they make great employees, always keen to give 110 per cent,” says Janine. “We’ve found them very reliable and keen to please, and they help to provide stability to our working force, which traditionally is fairly transient.”

“They started with basic cleaning duties in administration areas and then their tasks and responsibilities gradually increased. They move into more detailed work in clinical areas with patient contact, such as meal trolley delivery and collection duties.”

“You can see their personal growth taking place, because of the way everyone works as a team. That’s been really good for their self-esteem too.”

“With just under 100 cleaning staff at the TPMH and Hillmorton, it has been good for all of us to improve our understanding of the difficulties people with disabilities face in gaining employment.

Janine says the training, support and supervision have played a very large part in the success of the programme, and paid tribute to all involved. She says it was a thrill to hear the ASENZ conference acknowledge the role the CDHB has played as a large employer, in employing these people. “We’re seen as setting a good example to the community at large.” “The award is for our organisation as a whole, because without the backing of a training system, flexible and adequate for the individuals’ needs, we could not have delivered for these staff. “I believe what we are doing is very cost effective, because these people will stay on with us, whereas our turnover is generally very high.”

ENDS