NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb kids’ hospital has arrived at Hornsby The cubby house that looks like a hospital now features in the paediatric ward at Hornsby Hospital Page 10 Read more on Page x
Making emergency departments greener across NSLHD Page 7
Clinical Trials Day Celebrations Page 11
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, It can sometimes be the smallest acts of kindness that can make a significant difference to someone’s day. Kindness lives in the decisions we make and what we do every single day. Whether it is a small gesture, a kind word, a sympathetic ear, or a moment of warmth – small acts of kindness make a big difference. The original Small Acts of Kindness campaign was first launched 10 years ago to recognise and thank NSW Health staff for the small acts of kindness performed every day in healthcare. The new Small Acts of Kindness campaign has been released and builds on previous successes. It features real life stories from NSW Health staff, volunteers, patients, and their families talking about the enormous difference a small act of kindness can make. Our very own Laura Green, from Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital features in one of the videos displaying her warmth and kindness to colleagues that is making a significant difference in her workplace. You can watch the video here: https://bit.ly/ NSLHD-small-acts-25. This week our district has taken part in Reconciliation Week, which honours two significant dates for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
On May 27, we commemorated the 1967 referendum, when 99 per cent of Australians voted in the affirmative to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the census and to allow the Commonwealth Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Coming up on June 3 is the anniversary of the Mabo decision of 1992, when the High Court of Australia affirmed that Terra Nullius (Latin for nobody’s land) should not have been applied to Australia. The Mabo decision was a turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, which led to Australia’s Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993. Last year, the Executive Director and Workforce Manager of the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service held an exclusive interview with Gail Mabo, the daughter of Eddie Mabo. I encourage everyone to listen to it here: https://bit.ly/NSLHD-Mabo-interview.
Warm regards,
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Doctors at the stall in the RNSH main foyer
RNSH staff and visitors enjoy a cuppa and a cake A cuppa and a cake was just what the doctor ordered at Royal North Shore Hospital as part of the Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for cancer research. Staff put their baking abilities to the test as they held various morning teas throughout the hospital as part of the Cancer Council’s annual fundraising campaign. Those with a sweet tooth were tempted by scrolls, cupcakes and other delights by the Resident Medical Officers Association, who held a stall in the hospital’s main foyer. Meanwhile the emergency department hosted its own Biggest Morning Tea with everyone dropping by, from paramedics, visitors, staff and patients. More than $6000 was raised by the hospital to go to supporting cancer research.
The RNSH ED team at their stall
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ACON representatives Francisco Lopez and Tidge Backhouse (right) presented the trophy to NSLHD LGBTIQ+ Strategy Project Manager Jemma Clifton and Chief Executive Anthony Schembri
NSLHD awarded for leadership in LGBTIQ+ inclusive care The district has been recognised with a
that can also be used for progressing work in LGBTQ+-inclusive service provision. Jemma said the district had made significant strides in improving care for LGBTIQ+ communities and the achievement will provide a foundation for the next part of the journey. “There is still work to be done to achieve our vision: that LGBTIQ+ people in Northern Sydney attain equal health outcomes to the general population,” she said. “Our services are here for you. Expect to be respected, and please let us know if you are not receiving the care you need so that we can work to support you.” If you would like to share your experiences as an LGBTIQ+ patient, please use the district’s bespoke LGBTIQ+ Patient Experience Survey here: https://lnkd.in/grHk2VMQ.
prestigious Gold Service Provider Award for its commitment to inclusive healthcare, following its submission to the Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI) that is led by Australia’s largest LGBTQ health organisation, ACON. To celebrate the achievement, the district held a vibrant awards ceremony where ACON representatives Francisco Lopez and Tidge Backhouse presented the trophy to Chief Executive Anthony Schembri and NSLHD LGBTIQ+ Strategy Project Manager Jemma Clifton. The AWEI annually measures the shifting practice within health, wellbeing, and human services. Participation provides service providers clear guidelines in getting started, but a reportable gap analysis of their current practice or results
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Associate Professor Michelle Hall
Pioneering study to improve sleep and reduce musculoskeletal pain An innovative study, led by a team of
treatment for both sleep and chronic pain, yet it is not routinely offered due to limited psychologist availability and funding. “Physiotherapists are well-positioned to address this care gap, given they typically manage people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and are more widely available than clinical psychologists,” she said. “Our approach could also represent a significant financial saving. “Earlier trials have demonstrated a reduction in medication use and costs, and given the $7 billion cost of medications for osteoarthritis and low back pain each year, the projected savings could exceed $60 million a year.” The program will be adopted across nine public hospitals in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, and will involve seven Australian universities and a UK institution. “We would like to thank the many consumers and partners who have helped us develop this project. It has the potential to be upscaled and could improve models of care and patient outcomes for a large number of people across Australia and internationally,” Michelle said. “We are looking forward to progressing this important research and reducing the severity of pain experienced by the community.”
researchers from the Kolling Institute, has the potential to change the way osteoarthritis and low back pain are managed. More than $4.7 million has been awarded to the project through the Medical Research Future Fund’s program for early to mid-career researchers. Study lead Associate Professor Michelle Hall said we know that chronic muscle pain and poor sleep often go hand-in-hand, yet sleep is rarely addressed in standard musculoskeletal care. “Our program however, will target insomnia as a first line treatment for a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions, including hip and knee osteoarthritis, and low back pain,” said the University of Sydney researcher. “These conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide and co-exist with poor sleep. We know that insomnia affects up to 80 per cent of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and poor sleep actually worsens chronic pain.” The ground-breaking program will measure the impact of adding cognitive behavioral therapy to physiotherapy care for people with muscle pain and insomnia. Michelle said this type of therapy is a proven
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(From right to left) NSLHD’s Executive Director of Allied Health Julia Capper, NSLHD’s Director of Research Associate Professor Naomi Hammond, Professor Trudy Rebbeck with allied health staff members at the conference
NSLHD hosts inaugural Allied Health Research Conference The inaugural NSLHD Allied Health Research Conference was recently held at the Kolling Institute. The event brought together allied health Interactive knowledge cafés were hosted by representatives from The University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Australian Catholic University, the NSLHD Library, and the Agency for Clinical Innovation to foster conversations about different opportunities available for staff.
clinicians from across the district to share their research, quality improvement projects, and key learnings. Centred around the themes of innovate, collaborate, and translate, the conference highlighted the power of collective expertise from NSLHD clinicians who work across diverse settings to find solutions for the challenges they encounter. The day featured invited speakers, presentations from university partners, oral and poster presentations by clinician researchers, research skills workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the conference marked a pivotal moment for allied health research within the district. “It is an opportunity to showcase the incredible work being done by our dedicated allied health professionals,” he said. “By working closely with universities and research institutions, we can leverage their expertise, resources, and innovative approaches to further enhance our research capabilities.”
These sessions offered valuable insights into research collaboration opportunities, pathways for further study, and support available for clinicians aspiring to engage in research. NSLHD Executive Director of Allied Health Julia Capper praised the event as a powerful example of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth across the allied health community. “It was inspiring to see allied health clinicians come together to present their work, build meaningful networks, and share research that drives innovation,” she said. “Events like this strengthen our ties with academic partners and celebrate the extraordinary contributions allied health professionals are making to the future of healthcare. “Working closely with our academic and translation partners ensures scientific rigour and delivers real-world impact across everything we do.”
Share your news and achievements. Contact the Media and Communications team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news. SPREAD THE GOOD news
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Members of the district’s EDs with their team award at the 2024 Exceptional People Awards
Making emergency departments greener across NSLHD Emergency department (ED) teams across Northern Sydney Local Health District have been recognised for the major strides taken towards greener, more sustainable healthcare.
• Implemented the Sensible Test Ordering project, which aims to reduce unnecessary testing in the EDs such as urinalysis and blood tests in cases where these aren’t required. The teams openly share progress with the district’s Net Zero Clinical Group and sustainability committees and have presented their findings nationally and internationally, including a webinar with the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine and a presentation to a Singaporean health delegation. A core member of the group of clinicians is Hornsby Hospital emergency physician Dr Lucy Lutze, who was also named an Exceptional People Award winner in the sustainability individual category for her outstanding contributions to sustainable healthcare in the emergency setting. Lucy said the work she and her colleagues have been doing has been rewarding for the district, and she is proud to be contributing to NSLHD’s journey to net zero. “Driving sustainability in healthcare is about combining evidence with passion to create practical solutions,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see these initiatives not only reduce waste and emissions but also improve patient care and resource use.” The find out more about the Green Teams and Lucy, visit the NSLHD EPA 2024 web page: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Careers/ awards/Pages/EPA2024.aspx.
Clinicians from EDs at Royal North Shore, Hornsby, and Ryde hospitals established ‘Green Teams’ and collaborated with the United Kingdom Royal College of Emergency Medicine to launch the GreenED program. After only two years of work, the teams were recently named the team award winners in the environmental sustainability category at the district’s Exceptional People Awards. The green teams’ leadership includes emergency department staff specialists, nurse unit managers, clinical nurse consultants, and facilities managers, ensuring projects meet governance and safety standards. The passionate group of clinicians has delivered more than a dozen projects aimed at reducing emissions, minimising waste, and improving resource use, all without compromising patient care. Since their start in 2023 at Royal North Shore and 2024 at Hornsby and Ryde hospitals, the teams have completed several impressive projects as part of the district’s planetary health efforts. These projects follow a rigorous evidence- based framework from the UK’s Royal College of Emergency Medicine GreenED programme. Together the group have collectively: • Streamlined disaster equipment stock, saving $5000 and redistributing supplies across the department • Rotated $22,000 worth of soon-to-expire medical products through the clinical stock exchange, preventing waste via an exchange intranet web page • Reduced oxygen cylinder use in ED, cutting 1,685 kg of carbon emissions and saving $20,000 each year • Partnered with pharmacy to reduce excess medication stock, saving $6265
• Reused medical equipment, reducing maintenance costs by $8500 annually
Dr Lucy Lutze
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(Left to right) Bimbi Gray, Dr Kenji Fujita, Kate Bryce, Pablo Cruz-Granados and Dr Noriko Sato
Beryl and Jack Jacobs Travel Awards announced A total of $40,000 will be shared amongst five emerging Kolling researchers who will have the chance to develop their skills and increase the impact of their research. The travel opportunities have been made possible through the Skipper Jacobs Charitable Trust and are set to help raise the profile of the Kolling Institute globally. The 2025 recipients include:
patients using data from six hospitals in NSW. She will present the frailty study at the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology conference in Washington and chair an international symposium at the Japanese Society of Social Pharmacy. Kate Bryce: travelling to North Carolina and Florida, USA Kate, a PhD student with the Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group at Kolling, investigates the use of digital technologies to encourage behaviour change in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Kate will attend the 2026 Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress in the USA, where she will meet with experts in behaviour change and implementation science, including collaborators from Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University. Kate says the trip will enhance the broader rollout of the ATLAS clinician eLearning platform for osteoarthritis and a mobile app for knee osteoarthritis named OA Coach. Bimbi Gray: travelling to Florida and North Carolina, USA Bimbi, a PhD candidate also with the Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group, will also attend the OARSI World Congress and deliver a presentation on the ATLAS program. Her trip is set to strengthen partnerships with leaders at the Thurston Arthritis Research Centre in North Carolina and the Arthritis Foundation’s Osteoarthritis Action Alliance. These collaborations will speed the implementation of ATLAS with insights to refine and scale the program for broader adoption. Academic Director Professor James Elliott congratulated the recipients, and thanked the Skipper family and the NORTH Foundation for their ongoing support.
Pablo Cruz-Granados: travelling to Spain Pablo, a PhD candidate within the Kolling’s Menière’s Disease Neuroscience Lab, will complete a three-month stay with the Otology and Neurotology group at the University of Granada. During his visit, Pablo will investigate the clinical phenotypes of Ménière’s Disease to gain a better understanding of its presentation in different populations. He also hopes to learn more about the mechanisms underlying the disease. Dr Kenji Fujita: travelling to Denmark and Japan Kenji, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care has helped develop a real-time calculation system to measure frailty in older hospitalised adults. During his trip, he will deliver a keynote address at the International Pharmaceutical Federation conference in Copenhagen on innovative approaches to reduce the inappropriate use of medications in older adults. He will also meet with research partners in Japan to advance their collaborative project analysing medication data from millions of older adults across community pharmacies in Japan. Dr Noriko Sato: travelling to Washington, USA and Wakayama, Japan Noriko is a research fellow within the Kolling who specialises in frailty research in older
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New eMeds system supports safer care for mums and bubs Royal North Shore and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospitals have launched the use of the eMeds electronic medication management system (eMeds) in their maternity and neonatal units. The new system replaces paper medication charts in antenatal clinics and neonatal wards, delivering safer and more connected care for mothers and newborns. Staff have said the new system is already making a difference by reducing the likelihood some positive feedback about the launch and the transition. “From the maternity unit’s perspective, this implementation demonstrates a highly collaborative effort involving midwives, neonatologists, pharmacists, and digital health staff,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing this important improvement into being.”
of handwriting-related errors, improved access to medication records, and automatic reporting of vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register. Midwife Kezia Riggs from Hornsby’s special care nursery said one of the biggest benefits is how easy it is for doctors to make changes. “It is super helpful that doctors can now change medication orders remotely,” she said. RNSH Maternity Unit Manager Mary Cameron also provided
Staff have been all smiles with the eMeds system
A two-hour nap is all part of the job Fran is not like other healthcare workers: she needs a two-hour nap in the middle of the day, likes to eat carrots from patients and enjoys her back being scratched.
to wear the harness), but she is proving she is a real asset in healthcare, brightening peoples day and helping patients to more comfortably engage with their treating teams. One consumer refused to engage with his clinicians but after building a rapport with Fran, he was able to walk around with her and chat to others, eventually leading to him seeing his psychiatrist and talking about his history. Fran works with about five clinicians in the team. Each has a bed and dog toys in their office so she can skip off for a nap in the middle of the day. At night, she goes home with Alex. The team is conducting research into the impact Fran is having on consumers and staff,
Fran might be a golden retriever, but she is a fully-fledged member of the allied health team at Macquarie Hospital, which is s a dedicated mental health facility. Fran is used by clinicians to build a rapport with patients who may be experiencing mental ill health, such as low mood or anxiety, or low social engagement. She is able to break down barriers, enable consumers to open up and interact with psychiatrists and other healthcare workers, as part of the Animal Assisted Therapy Model of Care. Working three days a week, Fran is a hit with the patients who love to feed her carrots – a healthy treat so she won’t put on weight – and sit with her. Occupational Therapy Team Manager Alex Kelly said having a dog as part of the clinical team was a first and was proving to be successful in a person’s treatment. “She has been fantastic for the consumers. She lights up everyone’s faces,” Alex said. “It is wonderful when I see a consumer who usually doesn’t smile light up when they see Fran” Fran flunked guide dog training (she didn’t like
Fran
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kids’ hospital has arrived at Hornsby A children’s hospital has arrived at Hornsby complete with toys and built for fun. The cubby house that looks like a hospital now features in the paediatric ward at Hornsby Ku- ring-gai Hospital for sick children and their siblings to play in. Hornsby RSL donated funds to purchase a cubby house and associated toys to give some respite to children who are staying in hospital.
General Manager Simon Hill said the cubby house is situated in the outdoor play area on the ward and gives the kids an opportunity to add some fun to what a challenging and scary time can often be. “The funds, which were provided through the Clubs Grant program, are a testament to our local community’s commitment to enhancing the well- being of sick children,” he said. “Thank you to our amazing staff specialist support officer, Kathryn Williamson, for all her hard work with the grant submission.” Stepping up for the right cause Royal North Shore Hospital’s (RNSH) clinical genetics department is taking things one step at a time to clock 150km to mark the 150 children born with neurofibromatosis every year. The hospital provides a statewide specialised service for people with a rare genetic disorder known as neurofibromatosis (NF). NF refers to a group of rare and complex genetic conditions that cause tumours to form on nerves throughout the body. RNSH’s head of clinical genetics Yemima (Mimi) Berman, along with her colleagues, have decided to take part in the Children’s Tumour Foundation of Australia’s Step Up for NF 150km virtual challenge, to help raise money and awareness of NF tumours. NF can lead to a range of significant health issues such as deafness, blindness, physical differences, bone abnormalities, learning difficulties, itch, chronic pain and even cancer. The condition impacts every part of a person’s quality of life, including a person’s physical health, mental health, social relationships, work and education.
Dr Josh Steadson – Head of Department, HKH Paediatrics
“Neurofibromatosis is a devastating disease, predisposing to tumours that can develop on any nerve, at any time in life,” Mimi said. “Starting with tumours on the nerve of the eye in infants, through to malignant nerve tumours in children and young adults, the impact of this disorder is relentless and incurable.” To support the Step UP for NF challenge, visit https://www.stepupfornf.com.au/
RNSH’s clinical genetics department has stepped forward to raise money for neurofibromatosis
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Clinical trials teams gathered in the RNSH foyer to celebrate International Clinical Trials Day
Celebrating the quiet achievers behind clinical trial success International Clinical Trials Day provided the chance to recognise the many people contributing to life-changing clinical trials. Two key events were staged to mark the day, including a presentation in the Kolling auditorium from leading clinical trial staff behind the scenes whose expertise and commitment ensure our trials are run safely, ethically and with care. “At the heart of every breakthrough are the patients who generously volunteer to take part in clinical trials. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and participation.”
investigators, and a public display within the foyer of Royal North Shore Hospital involving teams from our trials workforce. More than 300 trials are underway across the district including innovative projects at Royal North Shore Hospital, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Ryde, Macquarie and Mona Vale hospitals. These trials are the key to medical progress, from the medications people take to the procedures and the technologies that improve lives. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked the large trials workforce for their commitment to our exceptional research. “At northern Sydney, the district is embedding trials as therapy, integrating them into standard care so that all patients have access to the very latest medical innovations,” he said. “We are building our world-class expertise, while extending our activity and capabilities. “I would like to recognise the hundreds of
The district is establishing a dedicated clinical trials centre to extend access to cutting-edge therapies. NORTH STAR will offer hope to millions of people with cancer and non-cancer related conditions. Head of the non-cancer stream Professor Rory Clifton-Bligh said NORTH STAR will bring together world-leading clinical trialists, delivering benefits for patients and the broader community. “These trials will continue to advance our understanding, develop new treatments, and improve how we prevent, diagnose and manage conditions,” he said. “NORTH STAR will expand the quality and quantity of our trials, nurture our trials workforce and strengthen partnerships with industry at all stages of the therapy pipeline. “It will offer access to leading specialists, the latest breakthroughs and high standards of care.”
Clinical trials Associate Professor Mark Montebello, Prof Rory Clifton Bligh, Rebecca Stevenson, Dr Eveline Staub and Professor Jeremy Booth
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