Mrs Emma Vo1, Mr Adam Govier1, Ms Chris King1, Mrs Kate Roberts1, Ms Lucy Cashen1
1Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Emma Vo is the Director of Allied Health Reform at Central Adelaide Local Health Network and has worked in a variety of clinical and leadership roles over the last 20 years. Emma has a particular interest in allied health workforce development and planning.
Abstract:
This presentation will outline Connect First @ CALHN – a contemporary interprofessional learning and development initiative connecting allied health and scientific new graduates through interactive education sessions. In response to global allied health workforce challenges and expanding health services, the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) has strategically recruited larger cohorts of new graduates, to build the future workforce and meet consumer needs. It is critical that the new graduate workforce is well-supported and connected to provide high quality care and promote workforce retention. Connect First @ CALHN was implemented to (a) build an interprofessional education and peer-support network for allied health and scientific new graduates to safely transition into the work environment, and (b) foster high-quality, safe and connected care through shared learning. The initiative is delivered in-house, with content and design informed by clinicians across all career levels. Eighty-five clinicians from 11 professions participated in the initiative from 2023-24. Feedback from 2024 has been positive, with 100% of respondents indicating they would recommend the initiative to others. Respondents gave an average rating of 4.5/5 regarding how valuable the initiative has been, and 93% felt it fostered better connections with the organisation and its values. 100% expressed a desire to remain employed at CALHN in 2025. The initiative could be adapted across other health, disability and education settings or at different career stages. Connect First @ CALHN is a sustainable and scalable learning solution that reduces silos, promoting collaboration and connections, while supporting workforce attraction and retention.