NSW Health WSLHD Volunteer Manual

2. WSLHD Services & History

NSW Health Principles for Volunteering The three priorities for NSW Health are: • To ensure volunteer’s work and workplaces are effectively supported and managed • To recognise the value of volunteers and volunteering within the NSW Health system • To enhance the diversity and number of NSW Health volunteers. (Source - NSW HEALTH FRAMEWORK FOR ENGAGING, SUPPORTING AND MANAGING VOLUNTEERS - https:// www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/ PD2011_033.pdf) Patient-Centred Care Approach WSLHD is committed to patient-centred care, which is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers. Volunteers, staff and significant others are all vital aspects of this approach. The widely accepted dimensions of patient-centred care are • Respect for patients’ preferences and values • Spiritual support and comfort • Emotional support • Physical comfort • Information, communication and education

WSLHD manages Auburn, Blacktown and Mount Druitt, Cumberland and Westmead hospitals, and services the Blacktown, Cumberland, The Hills and Parramatta Local Government Areas (LGAs). The WSLHD serves a population of around 946,000 people, and covers a geographical area of around 774 square kilometres. Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is a leader in clinical services, research and education, providing a diverse range of public healthcare to residents in Sydney’s west, as well as services to those outside our catchment from specialty statewide centres of expertise. One of 15 local health districts (LHDs) in the NSW Health system, WSLHD is one of the State’s fastest growing areas with more than 1.3 million residents estimated by 2031. Our community comes from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds providing a fertile environment to develop and implement innovative models of healthcare, research, infrastructure and new ways of doing business. Participation from our consumers and patients is vital to ensuring we are building and reshaping our services to meet the challenges of today and the future. To sustain projected demand we have embarked on a multibillion dollar capital redevelopment program, and continue to research world’s best practice and innovations to maintain community expectations in healthcare delivery, research and education.

• Continuity & transition • Coordination of care • The involvement of family and friends • Access to care

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Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Volunteer Manual