May 2025
International Nurses Day
Celebrating Nurses On Monday 12 May Ryde Hospital celebrated International Nurses Day. The day’s celebrations began early in the morning with a BBQ for the night staff. This was followed by a burger van at lunchtime and the awards ceremony in the afternoon. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners of the International Nurses Day Awards at Ryde Hospital. More images in Photo Gallery. Team of the Year Award - Winner: Ward 6 Team - Runner-Up: Day Surgery Unit Transitional Nurse of the Year Award - Winner: Annie Henderson - Runner-Up: Salina Khadka Nurse Leader of the Year Award - Winner: Sarah Artup - Runner-Up: Amanda Pereira-Alury L.O.V.E.D Award - Winner: Kerryn Visser - Runner-Up: Judith Stuart Nurse of the Year Award - Winner: Isobel Mattingly - Runner-Up: Marica Hernandez Ryde DoN Choice Award - Winner: Carolyn Ellis
A/General Manager’s Message This has been a month of celebrations and milstones. Firstly, we had International Nurses Day and congratuations to all our well deserved award winners. We also celebrated our wonderful volunteers and the work they do. It is always such a privilege to talk to our wide ranging volunteers and hear their stories. Thank you all for your patience and consideration with the new parking arrangements. The feedback from patients and visitors has been very positive about be able to attend appointments
The redevelopment has reached a major milestone with the completion of the early works. We now look towards the demolition and construction phases. The new animation showing upcoming construction of the new Ryde Hospital has been released.
Contents
International Nurses Day
1
World Hand Hygiene Day
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A/General Manager’s Message
2 3 5 6 7 8 8 9 9
Focus on Allied Health –Pharmacy Not all Disabilities are Visible
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Ryde Redevelopment
12 13 14 15 16 16 17 20
Patient Experience - HITH Quality & Safety Corner Volunteer Appreciation Day
Reflections
Welcome to Ryde
People Matters Employee Survey (PMES) eMR – Additional Demographic Information
Balmoral Burn
Sustainability Corner
Just for Fun Photo Gallery Noticeboard
Patient Safety Culture Survey Multicultural Health News
Future of eReferrals — faster, safer, smarter
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Newsletter is for Ryde Hospital Staff by Ryde Hospital Staff. Please email items of interest to: Catherine.jones3@health.nsw.gov.au
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Ryde Redevelopment The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment has reached a major milestone with staging and enabling works officially complete. Already the redevelopment project has achieved so much in the past 12 months, including: • Construction of interim ICU/CCU • Construction of interim executive unit and engineering services building • Building modifications to deliver a new interim food services area and loading dock • Establishment of new hospital walkways • Service connections, disconnections and diversions • Other enabling works to prepare for the new main hospital build
As part of preparations for the construction of the Acute Services Building (ASB), several buildings within the construction footprint will be removed. These works involve the demolition and removal of construction waste over the coming months, to clear the footprint for constructionof the new building to commence. Click here for the new animation showing upcoming construction.
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Noise and vibration/Dust mitigation Construction workers will need to use machinery and equipment that may generate some noise and vibration. Redevelopment Manager Sarah Sullivan said the project team will do everything it can to reduce the impacts of the noise and vibration. Some of the measures include real-time monitoring of noise and vibration levels; use of temporary noise mounds, barriers and enclosures and providing advance notification of noisy activities. Reducing dust caused by construction is also focus for the project team. A range of dust mitigation measures are implemented on site, including daily air monitoring and real-time tracking, compacting and sealing of the site to prevent dust particles to become airborne, covering truck loads and stockpiles and using road sweepers to collect dust and dirt. Hazardous materials Due to the age of the hospital buildings and site, some hazardous materials, such as asbestos containing material, lead paint and contaminated fill, are expected to exist in buildings and upper ground fill. All hazardous material identified will be removed by licensed contractors in accordance with legislative
requirements requirements and associated industry codes of practice. “The project is committed to ensuring safe removal of hazardous materials for residents, patients and carers, staff, workers and the community,” Sarah said. To find out more on the upcoming construction, you can read the Ryde Construction Fact Sheet How you can help! We’re seeking feedback from staff to help us manage construction impacts wherever possible — such as how to address dust, noise, and vibration during upcoming works. Complete a short survey by scanning the QR code and let the project team know your thoughts and feedback.
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Hospital in the Home Patient Experience Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides acute multidisciplinary care to patients in their own home. Mr C lives in NSLHD and benefited from hospital level health care in his own home. Mr C presented to Ryde Hospital with septic arthritis of knee. Following a three day admission to Ryde hospital for a washout and to commence Intravenous antibiotics, he was able to go home with daily visits from HITH clinicians to complete intravenous therapy via his PICC line, promoting patient flow at Ryde and enabling Mr C to return home. When Mr C developed a complication, Specialist care was available via Telehealth and in one of the HITH clinics and diagnostic tests were ordered and completed. At home Mr C was empowered to recover at home with his family and friends around, he was able to sleep in his own bed and avoid disruption to his regular routines, all with the reassurance of hospital level care . Allied health facilitated his recovery with Social Work arranging short term domestic assistance for Mr C as his wife had also recently undergone some surgery, Occupational Therapy optimising home safety and falls prevention strategies and Physiotherapy providing education and safe guidance on activity and exercise with a joint infection. Following the completion of his intravenous treatment and multidisciplinary support with HITH Mr C had seamless ongoing care at Orthopaedic clinic and his GP. This demonstrates how Ryde Hospital, HITH and community medicine work together to provide the best care and patient experience. For referrals to HITH please contact HITH Intake, 1300 790 790 or for more information, visit the HITH - NSLHD Intranet site or contact the team directly, 9460 9462.
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Quality & Safety Corner Human Experience Week Ryde celebrated Human Experience
Week beteween 5 th and 9 th May. This is a time to recognise and celebrate you, the people who are shaping the healthcare experiences of others every day. NSLHD proudly joined the statewide conversation about the HeART of Healing, humanising healthcare. The week shines a focus on our staff
delivering exceptional clinical outcomes balanced with kindness, compassion, empathy, and human connection. This year, HeART of Healing posters were available at all facilities and services and staff were encouraged to write a message of what the HeART of Healing meant to them on the posters. To learn more about the statewide program visit Elevating the Human Experience. For more information email NSLHD-ThePatientExperience@health.nsw.gov.auHUMAN
R.E.A.C.H. REACH (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help is on its way) was developed by the Clinical Excellence Commission to empower patients
and families to escalate their concerns about changes in a patient’s condition.
A recent survey of 14 patients and carers identified that ONLY 1 patient (7%) knew about REACH. Once education on REACH had occurred 93% (n=13) advised that they would be comfortable to make a REACH call. Please ensure that patients, carers and families are educated on REACH on admission to your ward and REACH posters are displayed and visible.
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Volunteer Appreciation Day
Celebrating Ryde’s Amazing Volunteers As part of National Volunteer Week 2025, Ryde Hospital held its Volunteer Appreciation Day celebrations on May 20th. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and thank our incredible volunteer team for the contribution they make to the hospital on a daily basis. Volunteers were acknowledged for their years of service milestones from 5 years of service to 30 years of service and beyond. Our longest serving volunteer is Michael Appleton, with an incredible 34 years of voluntary service to the hospital. Following the award ceremony, Volunteers and staff enjoyed a lovely morning tea. Thank you so much to our wonderful volunteer team for the immense generosity and kindness you bring to your volunteering at the hospital. The impact you have on the patients, their families, the staff and our wider hospital community is truly exceptional. Thank you!!
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Balmoral Burn Humpty Dumpty Foundation Ryde Hospital participated in the 2025 Humpty Dumpty Foundation Balmoral Burn on Sunday, 25th May 2025. Haylee Ellis, Paediatric CNC at Ryde took place this year – proudly representing Ryde Hospital and raising $500 for paediatric equipment. This exciting event involved a 420-metre run up Awaba Street, one of the steepest hills in Sydney, all to support an incredible cause. The Humpty Dumpty Foundation plays a vital role in providing essential life-saving equipment to hospitals, including Ryde Hospital. This event offered a wonderful opportunity for everyone to raise awareness while enjoying a day filled with fun and connection. All staff were warmly invited to join in the run.
Sustainable Health Corner Going Electric With the conversion of the hot water systems
from gas to electric, Ryde Hospital is one step closer to being fully electric. This is an important step towards a more sustainable hospital. Electric water heaters, particularly those using heat pumps or renewable energy, are generally more sustainable than gas water heaters, especially when considering the overall environmental impact of energy production.
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Patient Safety Culture Survey Tell Us About Patient Safety Where You Work NSLHD will be conducting the Patient Safety Culture Survey (PSCS) launching on Tuesday 3 rd June at 9am. This survey is for all Ryde Hospital staff, both clinical and non-clinical, to share their views on how patient safety and quality is managed in your area. Patient safety is central to all our work in health. Our staff are often the first to recognise safety issues, and sharing your experiences can help to identify what needs to improve, as well as what is working at the moment. The survey will ask about your perceptions and experiences at work on topics such as leadership, team interactions, communication and reporting of safety incidents. These questions are linked to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards and other district priority initiatives.
The results of this survey will be used to identify areas where we can improve patient safety and staff wellbeing, both in your local team and in the hospital as a whole. The survey should take around 15 minutes to complete, and your responses will be entirely anonymous. Teams with 100 per cent or very high completion rates will be entered into a draw across NSLHD for the chance to win one of twelve $1,000 cash prizes. The prize can be used by your team to purchase resources for your area or to support staff wellbeing, so encourage your colleagues to complete the survey during team meetings. We’d love to hear from you on what you think about safety practices in your working environment. You can complete the survey using QR codes which will be displayed throughout the hospital or through an email you’ll receive from surveys@insync.com.au from 9am on Tuesday 3 rd June. If you have any questions about the PSCS, please access our FAQ here or contact Lauren Nowacka at Lauren.Nowacka@health.nsw.gov.au. Multicultural Health News Appointment Reminder Translation Tool The Appointment Reminder Translation Tool enables healthcare staff to translate information for non-English-speaking patients about their next appointment into their preferred language. Details on the form include the type of appointment (such as Home Visit, Outpatient Clinic, etc.), the time, date, and location of the appointment, and whether it is telehealth or face-to-face. The Appointment Reminder Translation Tool website provides 67 different languages, including the top five languages spoken in the Northern Sydney Local Health District: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Spanish, and Hindi. To use this tool click on this link. Or you can visit the Multicultural Health Communication Service website and search for the Appointment Reminder Translation Tool.
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Future of eReferrals — faster, safer, smarter eReferrals to Outpatient Services Are LIVE at NSLHD! GPs can now refer patients to 95% of all NSLHD outpatient services via eReferrals, using the HealthLink platform. This marks a major step forward in modernising our referral processes – with the transition to all GP referrals to outpatient services via eReferrals by June 30, 2025. What Does This Mean for Outpatient Services? All outpatient departments and clinics must now ensure they are fully prepared to receive and manage referrals via the HealthLink eReferral platform. The following actions are essential to support this transition: Learn more on the NSLHD eReferral Intranet
Task
Action Required
Manage Incoming eReferrals
Ensure your team is actively reviewing and processing eReferrals via the HealthLink platform. Confirm that all relevant staff have platform access and logins. If your clinic is not yet registered with HealthLink, contact us at nslhd- ereferral@health.nsw.gov.au for assistance. Update all referral communications to clearly state that referrals must be submitted via HealthLink. Use generic email auto-replies from clinic email inboxes. eReferral team can help set you up with his. For training, troubleshooting, or help navigating the platform, reach out to nslhd- ereferral@health.nsw.gov.au . If a paper, fax, or email referral is received, log it using the Paper Referral Tracker so our team can follow up with the GP or practice and support their transition.
Clinic Registration
Communicate with Referrers and Patients
Training & Support
Handling Paper Referrals
World Hand Hygiene Day World Hand Hygiene Day falls on the 5th May every year. Ryde Hospital kicked off the 2025 NSLHD initiatives with Putt Putt in the Hospital Foyer Many staff, patients and visitors joined in the fun which included guidance on the correct hand hygiene technique using hospital approved alcohol based hand rub (ABHR). The event was sponsored by SC Johnson who are the suppliers of CUTAN ABHR used throughout Ryde Hospital.
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Focus on Allied Health- Pharmacy Becoming a Pharmacist In Australia there are 3 main steps to become a pharmacist. 1. Complete an accredited university degree 2. Complete an intern training program and supervised practice period (12 months) 3. Pass the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s registration exam (comprised of written & oral exams) Pharmacy degrees in Australia were traditionally a four-year undergraduate Bachelor degree. There are now more options available including post-graduate Masters degrees and combined Bachelors and Masters degrees, which can take up to six years. Overseas qualified pharmacists are required to pass an examination conducted under the auspices of the Australian Pharmacy Council. Successful candidates are then required to complete a period of supervised practice assigned to them by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Every year Ryde Hospital Pharmacy shares the responsibility with RNSH Pharmacy to supervise the practice of two Pharmacy Interns. These positions are 12-month, temporary contract positions which candidates must apply for in a competitive interview process. These positions are highly sort after as they provide an intense, high-quality training experience and set these intern pharmacists up with the skills to be competent and highly employable pharmacists. Our training program has the added advantage of giving these intern pharmacists experience at both a smaller metropolitan hospital (Ryde) and then the large tertiary referral hospital (RNSH). The interns apply the knowledge gained during academic studies to pharmacy practice under the supervision of a pharmacist. An approved preceptor is a pharmacist who has been approved by the Pharmacy Board and is responsible for the overall supervision of the pharmacist. Day to day supervision can be delegated to other suitably qualified pharmacists. The interns at Ryde and RNSH attend fortnightly tutorials, attend continuing education sessions, visit specialised centres such as VAD, D&A, and attend and present and various committees such as the NSLHD Drug and Therapeutic Committee. This is an addition to the requirements of their intern training
program which is administered separately. It is a busy year for the interns! This year our pharmacist interns are Bella Ianni (left) and Yasmin Dowd (right).
They rotate every 3 months between Ryde and RNSH. You will find them in the dispensary and accompanying the ward pharmacists, learning, and practicing under supervision. Please say hello and at the end of the year wish them good luck with their exams!
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Not all Disabilities are Visible Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it is not there
Not all disabilities are visible, yet all persons with disability are entitled to their human rights and the supports they need to live as well as they can in their human community. Not everyone with mobility issues will need a wheelchair all the
time. Not all persons living with neurodevelopmental, cognitive or sensory conditions is unable to board a plane. Concealed disabilities can include a wide range of physical, mental and cognitive conditions, as well as chronic health issues, affecting their energy. The persons living with the condition is best placed to understand their needs and, increasingly, welcome to express them in the public sphere. Large organisations, particularly QANTAS, have adopted the yellow sunflower logo to express that sense of welcome and accommodation. Woolworths now offers a ’quiet hour’ of reduced lighting and noise to accommodate people with sensory needs. The Australian Museum in Sydney runs low sensory "Early Bird" time slots to facilitate a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. In the workplace you may choose to wear a yellow sunflower lanyard to express that you might choose to be recognised by each other and the people around you. The yellow sunflower is a symbol of that recognition https://hdsunflower.com/au/ If you come up to the library in Ryde, you can explore a variety of publications and resources, and you are welcome to collect a sunflower lanyard of your own. Pictured here Dr Mary Webber, our DDMS, wears her sunflower lanyard with pride to recognise her late diagnosed ADHD, and invite others to speak to her about a shared experience working in health.
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Reflections ANZAC Day Service at Ryde Hospital
With the hospital’s redevelopment well underway, Thursday, April 24 th , the annual ANZAC Ceremony for staff, patients and community members, the site for the service was at the front of the entrance to Ryde Hospital. While we commemorated Australia’s wartime sacrifices for peace, the hospital's exterior displayed these proud words:
PREVIOUSLY THE RYDE DISTRICT SOLIDER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
ERECTED AS A MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE 1914-18 GREAT WAR
TEACHING HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY.
There were three aspects of our ANZAC Service gathering that continues to warm my heart, the first being as with the last two years that I have attended Ryde Hospital’s ANZAC Service was the wonderful number of staff who chose to gather, offering their respects to those who have and do serve Australia in the forces. The second memory was the with the laying of wreaths. It was a delightful moment when a mother with her young children had brought with them a wreath to respect those who had sacrificed for our nation. It was a wonderful moment when the mother and children came forward to lay their wreath alongside the official wreaths that had already been laid. My third memory, the words spoken by our veteran guest speaker, sharing on behalf of the RSL. He shared with us, that in spite the horrors and costs, our young soldiers, including doctors and nurses, left our shores for lands across the seas where battles raging in 1914-18. It was love that had led them into combat. Love for their families, love for their communities and love for their nation. I give thanks for their love and pray that we may continue to honour their sacrifice by committing to live in peace with one another both here and across the globe. Let us honour those who have served our nation in the armed forces by living and working for peace. Rev Jean Bell
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Welcome to Ryde Ryde Hospital welcomed the following new staff to join our wonderful teams. Welcome to you all.
Name
Position
Chee Yap
Pharmacist
Brooke Callaghan
Administration Officer
Celsia Shek
Pharmacist
Chloe Winter
Occupational Therapist
Karan Singh
Operating Theatre Assistant
Mayla Mendieta
Nurse Manager
Audrey Farber
Counsellor
Rashna Don
Sterilisation Technician
Max Fletcher
Operations assistant
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People Matters Employee Survey (PMES) Psychosocial Risk Management Training for Managers One action arising from the PMES Survey was Wellbeing, and we take this opportunity to encourage all managers to attend the Psychosocial Risk Management Training to support in ensuring the psychological and physical safety of their teams. Psychosocial hazards - such as role overload, exposure to violence, or workplace harassment can cause stress responses that lead to harm if not effectively managed. The Psychosocial Risk Management Training for Managers course
introduces psychological health and safety and is led by a qualified psychologist. The workshop guides participants through important aspects of creating and maintaining Psychological Safety along with NSLHD’s Psychosocial Risk Assessment Tool. This tool is being implemented district-wide to help identify and address potential risks in the workplace. It's essential for all managers to complete this training to support the safety and well-being of their teams. Sign up for an upcoming online two-hour session to help ensure a safe, supportive, and healthy working environment for all staff. Complete the training here: MHL course code: 541048223
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eMR Changes Additional Demographic Information There has been the creation of a form to help capture and communicate information on patient/ consumer gender identity, pronouns, preferred name, and sexual orientation. The aim is to increase awareness of gender diversity and assist in providing person centered and trauma informed care. The form has been developed in parallel to a paper form capturing the same information and aligns with NSW Health LGBTIQ+ Strategy 2022-2027. Preferred name data, populated via Access Management on or after admission, is reflected in this form. This information does not show on Tracking Boards, thereby protecting the patient’s privacy. Current location – Ad Hoc / Inpatient (launchable by widget).
Just For Fun
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Photo Gallery
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Noticeboard
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Respecting the Difference: Be the Difference face-to-face training 2025 Hornsby
Ryde Hospital – ELCA Training Room - Main Bldg L1 • Tue 25 th June: ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • Mon 30 th June : ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm
Program Overview - course code: 428003510 Respecting the Difference: Be the Difference (RTD: BTD) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural awareness training, enhances our organisation’s capacity to provide respectful, responsive, and culturally safe services. RTD: BTD builds upon existing knowledge and skills of staff. The face-to-face session is presented in a safe and responsive environment, with interactive workshops and scenarios on conscious and unconscious bias, Aboriginal English, Aboriginal health, social and emotional well-being, and healing. RTD:BTD follows on from the Respecting the Difference: Know The Difference e-Learning module. Audience: Mandatory for all NSW Health staff
• Tue 8th July: ELCA Room- 8am to 12pm
Royal North Shore Hospital Auditorium & Wallace Freeborn Rooms – Kolling, L5 Dharug Rooms 1 & 2 – Community Health Building • Mon 2 nd June : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 16 th June : Wallace Freeborn – 12pm to 4pm • Tues 1 st July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Fri 11 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 14 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 12pm to 4pm • Tues 22 nd July: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Tue 29 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Thu 5 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm • Thu 12 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm • Thu 19 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm Hornsby Hospital – Meeting Room 1 – Bldg 60, level 5 • Tues 3 rd June : Meeting Room 1 - 12pm to 4pm • Thu 19 th June: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm • Fri 27 th June: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm • Thurs 24 th July : Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm
Duration: 4 hours Enrol via My Health Learning
ENQUIRIES: melinda.flower@health.nsw.gov.au or NSLHD-DACinfo@health.nsw.gov.au
Macquarie Hospital – Yellamundie Room – Building 61 • Wed 4 th June : Yellamundie Room – 8am to 12pm • Wed 2 nd July : Yellamundie Room - 8am to 12pm
Mona Vale Hospital – Beachside Resort Unit- Large Room • Wed 9 th July: BRU room – 12pm to 4pm
Enrolments via My Health Learning - https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/my-health-learning
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