Acknowledging the contribution of the Employee Assistance Program to staff health and wellbeing.
 

Sydney Local Health District’s Employee Assistance Program has celebrated its 40th birthday. 

Commonly known as EAP, the service has been an integral part of support for staff health and wellbeing in the District for the past 40 years. 

“Our District has one of the most vital workforces in New South Wales. It’s incredibly meaningful to be helping the entire District team, directly or indirectly, and to be leading a group of skilled professionals dedicated to that pursuit,” said Chris Parrack, EAP manager and counsellor. 

Since the service began in 1984, an estimated 20,000 people have engaged in one-to-one counselling sessions with the District’s EAP. Many more staff have also benefitted from psychological wellbeing training and in-services. 

Current team members have found that mental health challenges are no longer the taboo they once were, and reaching out for support in times of challenge is now considered a strength. 

“There’s a sense of talking to someone who is familiar with the experience you’re having,” said Shirley Chen, EAP counsellor. 

“We are here to support them and whatever challenges they’re going through. We appreciate that things are happening at home and relationships have an impact on experiences at work.” 

Implementation of the first EAP protocols began at RPA Hospital in 1984 and made confidential counselling available to all staff. By 1986 the team was comprised of a nurse/staff counsellor, deputy Head of RPA Social Work, and a Human Resources Consultant to assist with technical work issues. 

That Human Resources Consultant was Gina Finocchiaro, who went on to become the District’s Executive Director of Workforce and Corporate Operations. 

“Certainly, this District and the hospital when it first started have always recognised the importance of EAP. It’s a service I’m particularly proud of,” she said. 

Over time EAP included additional clinicians in dedicated counselling roles and expanded to include Concord Hospital in 1994 and Canterbury in 1996. The team was led for 35 years by well-respected counsellor, the now retired Chris Patchett, who saw generations of health workers benefit from the experienced, compassionate, skilful, and evolving application of psychological science and wellbeing support.  

In 2019 Sydney Local Health District established the only specialised EAP Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) service in NSW Health. 

“We’ve learned that it’s important for people to feel cared for by the organisation after exposure to distressing events, EAP are well placed to help with that,” said Chris Parrack.  

“We are integrated into the fabric of the District community, and we are uniquely placed to provide compassionate, high-quality counselling and other services.” 

Sydney Local Health District promotes a safe and healthy workplace through championing wellbeing and providing a supportive environment. EAP is currently based across the District’s major hospitals.