Hospital Wellness Initiatives

One of Hanover and District Hospital’s Strategic Goals is “To invest in Human Resources”. To accomplish this, we strive to continually promote wellness within the workplace. A healthy workplace is one that integrates the well-being of its staff into daily work life.

We support the healthy lifestyles and behaviours of our employees as we believe that it will aide in fostering a safe and healthy workplace. The Hanover and District Hospital is strongly committed to protecting and promoting the health, safety and well-being of its employees.

The Human Resources Continuous Quality Improvement Team is constantly generating activities to boost staff morale and provide the staff, physicians and volunteers with a great place to work.

Some of the recent activities include:

• Spring into Wellness – April 2009
• Timmies Day - November 2008
• Hospital Entrance Decorated for Fall - September 2008
• Fit-Trail to be Built on Hospital Property – May 2008
• Healthy Choices for You – March 2008
• Timmies Day – February 2008
• Looking Great in 2008 – Challenge for Healthy Lifestyles – February 2008
• Hospital Christmas Decorations – December 2007
• Holiday Dinner and Dance – December 2007
• Physical Activity Incentive Policy – November 2007
• Employee Assistance Program Increased – November 2007
• Fall Decorating Contest – October 2007
• Staff Picnic – Summer 2007
• Stepping Out on the Bruce Trail – Spring 2007

Spring into Wellness – April 2009

During the month of April 2009 the Human Resources (HR) Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Team, along with the Hanover and District Hospital (HDH), sponsored a program entitled Spring into Wellness. The purpose of this program was to increase employee wellness through various initiatives/events planned throughout the month. The goals of the program were to have 100% staff participation, and that staff would continue on with their physical activity after the program was complete. Staff was encouraged to create teams of three (3) members each to participate in the Team Challenge Initiative. Each week team members tracked designated activities that they performed on a weekly basis for five (5) weeks. These activities were walking/jogging/running, gardening/raking, car pooling, biking. Each member accumulated two (2) points for their team each time they participated in one of the above mentioned activities. The winning team was that which had accumulated the greatest number of points at the end of the five (5) week period. Each member of the winning team was awarded a $50 gift certificate to a local flower nursery. Eight (8) teams of 3 staff members each participated in this event. Each staff member was provided with a participation card for the Personal Challenge. This card was punched each time they participated in a wellness event around the hospital or at home. Once a staff member had participated in ten (10) wellness events their participation card was entered into a draw for a Spa Day (approximate value $350) at the end of the month. Each Monday (4) during the month of April a staff member's name was drawn to win a prize of a gift certificate at a local restaurant for themselves and their family members to enjoy. Back to top

Timmies Day - November 2008

Staff enjoyed Timmies coffee on November 12th, 2008, served by Katrina Wilson (President/CEO) and Stacy Hogg (Director of Human Resources). Thanks goes out to the HR CQI Team for sponsoring this surprise treat!!       Back to top

Hospital Entrance Decorated for Fall - September 2008

On September 30th, the front entrance to the hospital was decorated with fall colours and produce. A special thanks to all those who gave of their time, making such a great success of the project, and to the HR CQI Team for their work coordinating the project.       Back to top

Fit-Trail to be Built on Hospital Property – May 2008

Would the real tree huggers please stand up!

The kick-off to Hanover & District Hospital’s Fit- Trail Project was blessed with sunshine as the Green Team planted the first 30 of 1000 trees on Earth Day April 22, 2008. Like clock work the following day, the rain came and watered the half meter tall saplings just like it was supposed to happen that way.

Mr. Jim Penner of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority provided instructions and a wealth of information about the trees and how to plant them. Board Member Allan Fisher and CEO Katrina Wilson planted the first trees in the ceremony and then everyone had a chance to work the shovels. Members of the local Rotary Club and other sponsors of the project were also in attendance.

The balance of the1000 trees were planted on Saturday May 03/08 starting at 9:00 am. Volunteers came with their shovels to support this environmental initiative that will become part of our Fit Trail Project to promote health and wellness in our community. The Boy Scouts of Canada Walkerton and Hanover Troops offered their support for the tree planting project along with hospital staff and friends of Hanover & District Hospital.

The 1000 trees and reduction in grass cutting will reduce our Carbon Footprint on the environment by just over 12 metric tons of carbon emissions or 12000 kilograms. One kilogram of carbon dioxide would fill a 2 meter balloon, 12000 balloons would fill a community centre.

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Healthy Choices for You – March 2008

As part of a healthy workplace initiative in addition to encouragement from Grey Bruce Public Health to all hospitals in Grey and Bruce , the Food Services Department at Hanover and District Hospital has moved towards healthier food selections in the cafeteria ,catering and in the vending machines. With more than half of Canadians in the overweight or obese category and rising rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, what better time to “go healthy”. For many staff members, a significant number of meals and snacks are eaten in the cafeteria. Making healthy food choices available just makes sense.

The types of food choices available reflect current recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Gone are the deep fat fryer, pop machine, and high calorie snack foods with poor nutritional value. More vegetable and fruit choices are available and some foods have smaller portions in line with the recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide. By adding salads and vegetables to the meal, smaller portions become adequate. Dessert selections include lower sugar, lower fat choices such as puddings, yogurt parfaits, and fresh fruit selections. They help to satisfy the sweet tooth but provide nutrition at the same time. Coffee break items include muffins, fruit loaves and cookies that are a source of fibre and are served in health conscious portions. With entrees, lower fat and lower sodium choices are the goal.

The cafeteria has had the “Eat Smart” designation for several years now. These latest initiatives are the final step to the designation of the “First Hospital Cafeteria in Grey and Bruce to offer only Healthy Choices”.

The criteria for our food selections are outlined below:

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Timmies Day – February 2008

Another successful Timmies Day was sponsored by your HR CQI/Wellness Team on February 14th 2008. Tracey McKenna and Katrina Wilson delivered coffee, chocolate, and various goodies to staff on behalf of the team. Just a way to say Thank You to all our staff for their hard work and dedication.

Looking Great in 2008 – Challenge for Healthy Lifestyles – February 2008

The Human Resources CQI Team sponsored a challenge to our staff to get Healthy in 2008. Starting February 1, 2008 and running until March 31, 2008 staff that signed up to participate (in teams of 4) competed in the following categories:

• fluid intake
• fruits & vegetable intake
• amount of exercise
• weight loss

$75 Gift Certificates were awarded to each member of the winning team. As well, separate prize draws were held for all other participating staff.

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Hospital Christmas Decorations – December 2007

The front entrance to the hospital was decorated for the season by staff, which provided an excellent light show to those entering the hospital. Staff were congratulated and thanked for their volunteer efforts and time put into the project!!

Holiday Dinner and Dance – December 2007

The December 2007 dinner and dance proved to be an exciting evening with a record turnout in attendance. The Emergency and Operating Room Staff arranged a wonderful meal, gorgeous decorations and an enjoyable social evening for all! A large variety of draw prizes were won throughout the evening while everyone danced and talked the evening away. Next year’s party will be arranged by the Maintenance and Housekeeping Staff. Service Awards and prizes for the gardening competition were handed out.

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Physical Activity Incentive Policy – November 2007

A Physical Activity Incentive Policy was implemented to encourage healthy livestyles outside the workplace. This policy subsidizes activities (to a maximum per year) such as Gym memberships, exercise videos and exercise equipment. The program has been well received and has encouraged staff to become active and increase their physical activity.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

In the fall of 2007, the EAP was increased to include nutritional counseling. This benefit is available to all employees and their immediate family members in an effort to initiate positive changes to diet and lifestyle. A Registered Dietician will assess eating habits, identify dietary concerns and answer any questions you may have.

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Fall Decorating Contest – October 2007

Staff really showed their hospital spirit in decorating our Hospital's front canopy. We received rave reviews from our visitors and we really made an impression on the Town. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Grants for donating the pumpkins, and to all the staff that participated - your hard work and creativity really shined!

• Unit 1 - Best use of fall equinox
• HR CQI - weren't awarded a prize - participated for fun
• Dialysis - Most artistic use of grains
• Dietary - Best display of healthy harvest
• Admin - Best use of environmental harvest
• Day hospital - Best use of harvest implements
• Diagnostic Imaging - Best use of harvest medical supplies (Alias "expressionless scarecrow")

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Staff Picnic - 2007

The Second Annual Family Picnic was held at the Hanover Park Thursday August 16, 2007. The pictures say it all. Great Food, Great Weather, Great Games and best of all GREAT PEOPLE!!!

Thanks to the HR CQI Team for planning and hosting the picnic and to Administration for sponsoring the event.

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Stepping Out on the Bruce Trail – Spring 2007

From February 5 until April 9, 22, 2007 teams consisting of 4 staff members on each team, did a virtual walk along the Bruce Trail, tracking their daily steps with pedometers supplied by the hospital. This walk was a challenge from Public Health to get people out of their chairs during those dreary winter months, and boy did it work! It takes 840 km (or 1,050,000 steps) to complete the trail and a few teams even did the trail twice!

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