Women make up 77 per cent of Northern Sydney Local Health District’s workforce, marking the huge difference they make to the district’s patients and communities every day. 

Earlier this month staff celebrated women’s achievements and reinforced a commitment to women’s equality as part of International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is Embrace Equity. 

Morning teas, displays, and pledges were made across Royal North Shore, Ryde, Macquarie, Mona Vale, and Hornsby hospitals, as well as the Primary and Community Health Service. 

Staff were invited to make pledges at the stalls, stating what action they would take to promote equity for women in the workplace, with hundreds of pledges made on the day across the district.

Interim Chief Executive Lee Gregory said equity can be achieved by creating more opportunity for those who have historically had less.

“An area of focus for our district is increasing the number of women in senior medical leadership positions,” he said. 

“Which is why we have embarked on the Advancing Women in Medical Leadership (AWiML) initiative. 

“For the past 12 months, a group led by senior female medical leaders has been working to identify and address barriers that prevent women holding senior positions.

“Some great work has occurred as part of this initiative and I am looking forward to hearing about outcomes achieved in 2023 that will help address gender equity in medical leadership.”