Not just essential. Exceptional.

In a year that has shone a light brighter than ever before on the essential role of our healthcare workers, employees at Western Health have been recognised for their exceptional efforts with a gift bag of donated products coordinated through the Western Health Foundation.

Designed to respond to the harsh effects of wearing tight fitting masks and PPE all day, the gift bags are a token of appreciation for the exceptional lengths our employees have gone to in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gift bags contained a range of personal care items including face creams and face masks to help soothe and rejuvenate tired and dry skin, an unfortunate side effect from working on the frontline of health care.

"It has been a particularly challenging and stressful year for our employees here at Western Health," says Suellen Bruce, Executive Director People, Culture & Communications.

"Right across the organisation, our teams have been stretched and challenged in ways we've never seen before. From our frontline healthcare teams to our administrative, environmental and food service teams, every employee has gone that extra mile to ensure that we all get through this together."

"The gift bags were a way to say thank you to our employees for all they do and the way they continue to deliver the best possible care for our community."

"Alongside the wonderful range of skin care items, we added a few simple treats that were branded with the message 'not just essential, exceptional'. All staff received a reusable tote bag, to proudly declare their role when they are out and about in their community."

With Footscray and Sunshine Hospitals located within some of the biggest COVID hotspots in Melbourne, Western Health has cared for the most COVID patients anywhere in Australia. To date, Western Health has treated more than 300 inpatients with coronavirus and tested over 64,899 through our Respiratory Assessment Clinics.

In addition to caring for patients in hospital, Western Health has also provided invaluable support to the State Government response, coordinating community-based testing at the Melbourne Showgrounds and supporting the response to Flemington Towers outbreak. More recently, Western Health's Aged Care Outreach Teams have supported 1,000 vulnerable residents across 25 of the aged care facilities affected with covid outbreaks.

"Our staff have truly gone above and beyond to protect and care for our community during this pandemic, "says Suellen.

"We could not ask more of them. We are so incredibly proud of all that they have done. They truly are exceptional, as well as being essential!"

Our thanks to the following exceptional companies who kindly donated products:

Pharmacare Laboratories, Sukin Australian Natural Skincare, Skin Republic Australia, Innoxa Australia, MooGoo Skin Care, Heritage Brands, Meditrend International, Minor Figures, Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co., Cadbury Schweppes, Mars Australia, Hesta, Footscray Rotary, Frontliners, Gold FM.