By Ann Marie Angebrandt
MORE than 100 Werribee Mercy Hospital staff, ranging from specialised nurses to food handlers, celebrated the completion of their studies last Friday.
Among the 110 staff graduating from traditional university courses in midwifery, psychiatry and emergency nursing were 30 non-clinical cleaners, clerks and food handlers completing certificates in health support services.
Many support staff, who received their training on site, had never had the opportunity to obtain formal qualifications before, said Wendy Dunn, hospital manager and director of nursing.
Seventeen middle managers were also trained in frontline management.
Ms Dunn said the graduation was the biggest ever for the hospital.
The number of staff completing formal training represented more than 10 per cent of the hospital’s 800-member workforce.
Stephen Cornelissen, chief operating officer for Mercy Health Services, said ongoing professional development made the Mercy a wonderful community hospital.
Mayor Shane Bourke presented the graduates with badges and certificates.
