Frequently Asked Questions

What is a health promoting health service?

A health promoting health service is a hospital that knows that good health is more than treating sick people. A health promoting health service works towards improving the health of the people in the community and it's own staff. A safe and healthy environment in which people live, work and play is important to a health promoting health service. People who promote health use every opportunity to help individuals, families and communities to improve their health. These activities include processes that assist them to make good health decisions.

Why should a health service become part of the health promoting health movement?

Communities readily identify with hospitals. Hospital staff have knowledge and expertise that is recognised by the community.

Where do health promoting health activities happen?

Health promoting activities can occur anywhere. The Staff (including nurses, cooks, and gardeners) work and meet with people in many places in the community. Examples include: hospital, workplaces, homes, schools, play areas.

How do you get started?

We believe that a health promoting health service is the best way to improve the health of people living in and around Gnowangerup. We work with interested people in the hospital and community to plan how best to start the process of becoming a health promoting health service. Data and information is provided to identify health needs and work out what should be done.

How often will health promoting activities take place?

Health promoting activities will happen every day as part of every day work. Examples include: health information, discharge program, healthy food choices.

How much does it cost?

Much of this work can be done with existing staff and resources. Staff training is already allocated in the hospital budget and staff who are on duty will be paid to attend the workshops from existing funds. Some additional funding (support for workshops and focus groups) is also available through Population Health. Funding bodies such as Healthway can be approached should the health promoting health service decide to do larger health promotion activities.

What are some examples of health promoting health activities?

Patient and Family Activities

Health information, Charter of Rights, chronic disease self-management, smoking cessation, healthy food choices, falls prevention, injury prevention, discharge program, early discharge program, providing care in the home.

Staff Activities

Vaccinations, women's and men's health screening, walking groups, healthy canteen food, physical activity facilities, smoking cessation, staff counselling, cycle to work group.

Physical Environment Activities

Waste management, recycling, garden development, healthy art, building design and appearance, advocacy for healthier environments.