NSLHD News May 22

Message FROM the acting Chief executive Dr Tamsin Waterhouse

message FROM the Chief executive Deb Willcox

I had a great couple of weeks visiting nurses across our hospitals and services to celebrate International Nurses Day 2020. Listening to their stories, seeing them connect with patients and each other is always uplifting. This week was also National Volunteer Week 2020 and a great opportunity to thank our many volunteers. It takes many types of people to help our hospitals and health services deliver the best care we can for our patients and the community. The generosity of spirit of our volunteers contributes an enormous amount to our hospitals and services. Our staff rely on our volunteers to deliver that exceptional care. Normal activities and events to celebrate the contribution of our volunteers have been postponed while we respond to COVID-19. I very much look forward to welcoming our many volunteers back, hopefully in the very near future. The NSW Government recently announced a proposed redevelopment of Herbert Street which includes a portion of the Royal North Shore Hospital campus. It will be known as the Herbert St Precinct, St Leonards Redevelopment Project. This has the potential to be an exciting opportunity to transform the RNS Hospital campus and provide a number of enhancements including key worker housing, restoration of heritage buildings and open spaces. I look forward to working with RNS Hospital staff over the coming months to ensure the proposed redevelopment meets the needs of our patients, staff, visitors and our community now and into the

future. More information on the proposal is on page three of this newsletter and on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website www. herbertstreetprcinct.com.au. Finally, International Clinical Trials Day was held on 20 May and commemorates the commencement of the first recorded controlled clinical trial, in 1747, that showed a link between the consumption of fresh fruit and the prevention of scurvy. The study changed the face of medical research and clinical care. Northern Sydney Local Health District has an outstanding track record of undertaking clinical research. Our staff work at the forefront of the global research community to ensure we can offer our patients the opportunity to access ground breaking interventions before they are widely available - sometimes these trials provide our patients with better treatment or a potential cure for their disease or condition. From cancer and palliative care to vascular surgery to aged care and rehabilitation services, there is so many fantastic trials being undertaken by our staff. I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate those of you involved in clinical trials and for your efforts. The studies you undertake are changing patient’s lives.

Deb Willcox Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District

2 NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 9| 22 MAY 2020

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