News
Ramsay’s Christmas spirit crafts new jobs for a regional WA business
Jan 15, 2021
Australia’s biggest private hospital operator Ramsay Health Care has taken the extraordinary step of commissioning a small South-West craft business with creating more than 14,000 items of pottery as gifts to hard-working staff.
Ramsay Health Care Operations Executive Manager – Western Region Kevin Cass-Ryall said the decision to commission a small business with the work was two-fold: To thank hard-working staff who were part of the WA response to COVID-19, and to support a local business during the economic downturn.
“A significant number of our staff were on the front-line when COVID-19 arrived in Perth, particularly at Joondalup Health Campus where our doctors, nurses, orderlies, allied health staff and support staff cared for more than 30 COVID-19 positive patients from the Artania cruise ship,” Mr Cass-Ryall said.
“What amazed us more than anything was the support our people received from the community. Our staff were recognised as heroes in WA. Commissioning a local business like Happs Pottery to create our staff Christmas gifts is just one way we’re giving back.”
Happs Pottery owner, Myles Happ, said Ramsay’s festive purchase had enabled him to recruit nine new staff members and purchase additional equipment.
“Ramsay approached me during a testing time when my business had transitioned from its standard monthly turnover to nothing, because of the tough pandemic restrictions,” Mr Happ said.
“I have been working towards this level of manufacturing for a long time, but I never had the catalyst to get it up and running. We have doubled the studio capacity as we are making more than a year’s production in four months.”
“I feel honoured to be creating these special pieces for our healthcare workers which will be individually hand-crafted and glazed. Ramsay’s investment in local business will undoubtedly have an extremely positive knock-on effect within the community.”
The antipasto sets, which include a plate and olive bowl, will be ready by the end of November and gifted to Ramsay Health Care staff just before Christmas.
During the COVID-19 restrictions, Ramsay Health Care commissioned local businesses to provide meals for staff to support independent restaurants and hospitality services that were facing tough times during restrictions. Ramsay Health Care hospitals in WA include Attadale Rehabilitation Hospital, Glengarry Private Hospital, Hollywood Private Hospital, Joondalup Health Campus and Peel Health Campus.