Last week, we proudly celebrated our Bi-annual Staff Recognition Awards, acknowledging the outstanding contributions of our incredible people. It was a powerful reminder that being recognised as an Employer of Choice is not just an achievement for Northern Health, it is a reflection of the dedication, compassion and commitment our staff show every day.

In healthcare, our people care for communities in complex, high-pressure environments. This recognition reflects a whole-of-organisation effort to create a workplace where staff feel valued, safe and supported to do their best work.

This award is not about a single initiative. It reflects sustained work to strengthen the employee experience across the whole employment lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to development, wellbeing and career progression. It is grounded in a simple belief: when our people thrive, patient care and community outcomes are stronger.

“For People & Culture, the recognition is both a milestone and a responsibility. It signals that our workforce strategies are making a difference, while reinforcing the need to keep listening and responding to staff experience. Much of our focus has been on making every day work easier and more supportive, digitising key employment processes, simplifying mandatory requirements and reducing administrative burden on managers and staff.  We need to continue to focus on this work,” said Becc Hodges, Chief People Officer, Northern Health.

Safety remains central. At Northern Health this means both physical and psychological safety. We have strengthened core safety controls, refreshed manual handling training, elevated our psychosocial risk approach through a dedicated Psychological Health and Wellbeing Committee, and expanded support through the Staff Health Clinic to enable early intervention and recovery.

Staff voice continues to guide our priorities. The 2024 People Matter Survey showed improvement in career development, learning opportunities and job satisfaction, with results often above sector benchmarks. Staff highlighted the importance of flexibility, peer support and clear pathways, which are all insights that continue to shape our work.

The 2026 People Matter Survey will run from 10 March to 2 April. Feedback from our workforce directly informs how we improve systems, strengthen leadership and support teams across Northern Health.

Being named Employer of Choice recognises what our people and leaders have built together. It also strengthens our commitment to keep creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

P&C team