In the midst of this year – and the pandemic – FACEM Rajesh Sehdev was appointed chair of the Queensland Emergency Department Strategic Advisory Panel (QEDSAP) Workforce and Wellbeing Group.
The panel was established in 2006 as a network of emergency departments across Queensland. It combines knowledge, clinical and operational expertise to influence, progress, develop and reform emergency care in Queensland. Workforce and Wellbeing is one of many groups that sits under the panel’s umbrella and has representatives from emergency departments across the state.
Raj chaired his first two meetings in July and October. They happen once a quarter, with the group comprising about thirty members.
‘There was plenty of interest and engagement in those two meetings.’
Raj recalls his early forays into wellbeing when workforce wellbeing was a less mainstream concept or practice.
‘I found once I started the conversation and scratched the surface a little, there was a lot people wanted to say and discuss.
‘When I realised how strong that desire was I became determined these conversations should continue.’
Raj says he finds recognition of the place of wellbeing activities at work has grown on a large scale.
‘I think it’s a reaction to how fast paced and isolated our lives have become, partly due to the role of social and digital media in our lives. These things affect our work and our life outside of work. It is timely we should be considering how to redress the balance.’
COVID-19 has presented new challenges for wellbeing. Raj cites the example of EM Wellness Week, which was scheduled in April but had to be cancelled due to COVID, among other social and group activities.
‘It’s very much forced us to think outside the box, but it’s been heartening to see how well people have adapted and to see the extent to which people have adjusted.
‘It’s more important than ever to be sharing our ideas.’
COVID-19 has taken its toll on everyone, and particularly healthcare workers, with ongoing impacts, uncertainty, and still potentially a long stretch ahead.
‘As a workforce we need to work out how we can build in some stamina to handle these impacts. This may be best served by [the Workforce and Wellbeing Group] giving COVID-19 its own category.’
Raj says his role as chair of the Workforce and Wellbeing Group is still in its infancy.
‘We are setting priorities at the moment – working out what is currently going on at different sites, and the direction we wish to take as a group.’
Each group member will be a champion of sorts within their department.
‘Once we finalise our priorities, we’ll develop a matrix of existing projects.
‘Our members will be able to identify how each priority fits in with what is happening at their sites and we can match up the priorities accordingly.’
Workforce and Wellbeing Group Priorities
- Individual wellbeing / resilience
- Organisational responsibility – risk management and support
- Leadership and a positive workplace culture
- Community – social cohesion
- Pandemic endurance