NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD News NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
Northern beaches hospital transitions to nslhd
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, Northern Beaches Hospital has officially transitioned into NSW Health, marking a significant milestone for our district. It was a privilege to welcome NSW Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Health Minister Ryan Park and Health Secretary Susan Pearce, alongside local members and health leaders, to recognise this important moment. I would like to formally acknowledge all Northern Beaches Hospital staff as part of the district. We are delighted to have you join us and look forward to working together as one team to continue delivering high- quality care for the community. This transition reflects an enormous collective effort. From the teams working through the Transition Command Centre to those on the ground maintaining continuity of care, the professionalism and collaboration on display have been exceptional. Thank you to everyone involved for your dedication, flexibility and commitment throughout this process. I also extend my sincere thanks to the Northern Beaches community for their patience and support. On 1 May, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day, recognising the people who keep our services running behind the scenes. Administrative professionals are central to the functioning of our organisation, bringing structure and consistency to what can often be complex and fast-paced environments. I was also delighted that we were able to celebrate Northern Beaches administrative staff as well. On 5 May, we recognised International Day of the Midwife, celebrating the extraordinary contribution of our midwives. This year’s theme, One Million More Midwives, highlights both the global need and the local impact of this profession. Every one of us has been supported by a midwife at some point in our lives. Their skill, compassion and advocacy shape the earliest moments of care, and I thank our midwives for the vital role they play across our district every day. This week marks Human Experience Week,
an opportunity to reflect on how each of us contributes to the experiences of our patients, families, carers and colleagues. The human experience is shaped in everyday interactions, through care, kindness and professionalism, and every role has a part to play. We also recognised World Hand Hygiene Day. The message is clear: Action saves lives. Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infection and protect our patients and each other. Whether using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, before and after every patient interaction, it is a fundamental part of safe care. Gloves are not a substitute. To support good planning and ensure we can provide the right support for our workforce, I encourage all staff to complete the workforce census by reviewing and updating your personal details in StaffLink: https://stafflink.hss.health.nsw.gov.au/ This helps us better understand our workforce and strengthen inclusion, accessibility and wellbeing across the district. Participation is voluntary and confidential, including the option to share information about disability. I encourage everyone to update your record if you are able to do so. Finally, I would like to highlight the importance of flu vaccination. At present, 26 per cent of staff have been vaccinated, and there is an opportunity for us to improve this in the coming weeks. Vaccination helps protect you, your colleagues and the vulnerable patients in our care. If you have not yet received your flu vaccine, I encourage you to consider doing so as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued care, professionalism and commitment to our community. Warm regards,
Anthony Schembri Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Award winners at the Administrative Professionals Awards
Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day Administrative professionals from across Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) were recognised at the 2026 Administrative Professionals Day Awards, celebrating their vital contribution to the health service. Held nationally on the first Friday of May, the day acknowledges the essential role administrative staff play in supporting services and patient care. The NSLHD event brought teams together from across the district to recognise achievements, celebrate award recipients and thank staff for their ongoing dedication. This year’s celebration was delivered as a hybrid event from Royal North Shore Hospital’s Kolling Auditorium, with staff joining both in person and online. The program also featured presentations on the upcoming rollout of the Single Digital Patient Record, as well as practical strategies for managing workplace stress, highlighting the importance of supporting staff wellbeing. Administrative professionals play a critical role in ensuring services remain organised, efficient and responsive to patient needs and support clinical teams across all settings. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked staff for their professionalism and commitment. “Your work plays a key role in ensuring our services are organised, efficient and productive,”
2026 Award winners
• Royal North Shore Hospital – Elizabeth Morrison, Administration Team Leader, Intensive Care Unit • Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital – Vicki- Lynn Swain, Centre Co-ordinator • Ryde Hospital – Elizabeth Fulton, ED Data Coordinator / ED Ward Clerk • Mona Vale Hospital – Kerim Alliu, Ward Clerk, Beachside Rehabilitation • Primary and Community Health – Stacey Spelman, Administration Officer • Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol – Akshaya Loganathan, Office Manager
and Executive Assistant • Northern Beaches Hospital – Holly Teu, Patient Services Manager • District-wide Services – Samantha Lee, A/ Executive Support Officer, Operations • Chief Executive Award – Kokila Patel, Executive Support Officer, Clinical Governance and Patient Experience • The Bronwyn Scully Young Emerging Leader Award – Katelyn Cusack, Admissions Team Leader / Data Corrections, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital
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Northern Beaches Hospital transitions to public ownership On 29 April, the Northern Beaches Hospital officially joined NSW Health, marking an important milestone for staff, patients and the Northern Beaches community. L-R: Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan MP, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri AM, Member for Pittwater Jackie Scruby, and General Manager Simon Hill out the front of main entrance of Northern Beaches Hospital
NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the transition to NSW Health recognised the dedication of hospital staff, the work of teams across the district and the significance of the moment for the Northern Beaches community. “The transition marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Northern Beaches Hospital and the local community,” he said. “While the uniforms have changed and some signs have been replaced, it is still the same highly skilled and compassionate staff proudly providing the highest quality care to the community. “I want to thank the 2000-plus staff who have cared for patients since the hospital opened in 2018, as well as the district teams who have supported this transition. “This is a very important milestone for our district, and we are delighted to have Northern Beaches Hospital join our respected health services.” You can find out more about Northern Beaches Hospital and the services available here: https://bit.ly/Northern-Beaches- Hospital
NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey MLC and NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park visited the hospital to celebrate the first day of the transition. They were joined by Member for Pittwater Jackie Scruby, Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM. The group met with staff, patients and the hospital’s leadership team to acknowledge the significant work that has gone into reaching the milestone. Staff across the hospital received special NSW Government branded cupcakes that were handed out by the hospital’s senior leadership team. In the lead-up to the transition and the days that followed, a dedicated Northern Beaches Hospital Transition Team supported staff, while a live command centre operated around the clock for several days to help ensure a safe transition for patients and staff.
Hospital staff received custom NSW Government branded cupcakes from the hospital’s senior leadership team
Inside the live Transition Command Centre on transition day
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planting for the future As part of the transition day activities, a pear tree was planted at Northern Beaches Hospital to mark the hospital’s transition to NSW Health and the beginning of a new chapter for patients, staff and the local community. The tree was planted by Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri, Northern Beaches Hospital General Manager Simon Hill, Healthscope Director of Transition Deb Fogarty and former Northern Beaches Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Berry as a gift from Healthscope. The pear tree was chosen as a homage to the history of the local area around the hospital, which was once home to a number of pear orchards. Now located at the front of the hospital near the flag poles, the new pear tree will stand as a lasting symbol of growth, continuity and the hospital’s future as part of NSW Health. Simon Hill said the tree planting was a meaningful way to recognise the transition. “This pear tree represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Northern Beaches Hospital,” he said. It also acknowledges the local history of the L-R - Former NBH Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Berry, Healthscope Director Of Transition Deb Fogarty, NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri and NBH General Manager Simon Hill
area and the many people who have helped bring us to this point.”
The pear tree is located at the front of the hospital
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Professor Nick Pavlakis and Professor Anthony Gill
Funds to deliver game-changing approach to cancer screening and treatment Researchers at the Kolling Institute have been awarded significant funding to embed an
surgery, if a cancer has returned and if a tumour is not responding to chemotherapy. “They will inform treatment approaches after surgery to determine if radiotherapy or chemotherapy are also needed to prevent a cancer returning. We know that if tiny fragments of DNA from the cancer are still in the blood after surgery, then more treatment is needed.” Importantly, the innovative technique will deliver support for remote and disadvantaged communities. “Patients from rural and isolated communities often travel hundreds of kilometres for biopsies to diagnose their cancer, or to track their progress. With this technique, a simple blood test can be taken close to home and sent to our unit for testing,” he said. RNSH oncologist and leading University of Sydney researcher Professor Nick Pavlakis has welcomed the multi-million dollar funding boost, saying liquid biopsies will deliver wide- ranging benefits. “Liquid biopsies for cancer are not just one test. It is a combination of different tests,” he said. “Some are designed as screening tests, some are designed to predict response to treatment, some are designed to monitor for recurrence. Each different type of test has a different role at different stages of diagnosis and treatment.”
innovative technique for cancer diagnosis and treatment into healthcare across New South Wales. Delivered by the Cancer Institute NSW, the $3.75 million Translational Program Grant has been awarded to leading clinician researcher Professor Anthony Gill to test and implement liquid biopsies into routine cancer care. Liquid biopsies involve a simple blood test to identify and monitor cancers, and are expected to revolutionise treatment for all cancers. Based at Royal North Shore Hospital and the Kolling Institute, Professor Gill said liquid biopsies are a very new and exciting technique which will replace invasive surgeries and tissue biopsies for some patients. “The great majority of trials of new cancer treatments around the world now include a liquid biopsy component to track the response of the tumours. It is now important to bring capability for this new testing to NSW,” he said. “This technology can pick up small amounts of DNA shed by cancer in the blood, providing a valuable screening tool and crucial information to guide treatment. “Liquid biopsies are not only used in the diagnosis of cancer, but to assess whether any cancer has been left behind following
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From fan to first responder: RNSH doctor at Kings final It was Easter Sunday afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena, and Royal North Shore Hospital emergency specialist Dr Chris Partyka was watching the Sydney Kings take on the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL Championship final with his family. minutes can significantly improve outcomes. “Acting early can double a person’s chance of survival,” he says. “It is nice to be involved in giving someone that one in 10 chance. There’s a lot of
personal reward there. At the time, it just felt like I was part of a team doing the job that I normally do when I’m in uniform.” Chris says NSLHD clinicians who want to be in a position to help can become GoodSAM responders – a smartphone app that alerts registered volunteers nearby when someone needs immediate hands only CPR before an ambulance arrives.
The Kings had just won in dramatic overtime when Chris’s wife Ali and a friend noticed a man receiving urgent first aid closer to the court. From where they were sitting, it appeared that he was receiving chest compressions. Suspecting the man was in cardiac arrest, Chris — who also works as a Prehospital and Retrieval Specialist for NSW Ambulance— immediately decided to help.
“I left my family, ran down to the lower level and met the team as they were bringing the gentleman out of the arena,” he says. St John Ambulance personnel were resuscitating the man while waiting for NSW Ambulance paramedics to arrive. “I helped with the resuscitation as I normally would, and then when the paramedics arrived, introduced myself to them and together, we all continued to provide critical care.” In a rare request, NSW Ambulance asked Chris to remain with the patient and accompany him to hospital. “I gave my car keys to my wife and boarded the ambulance with the patient and continued the clinical care through to Westmead Hospital emergency department.” The man has fortunately survived his cardiac arrest. In New South Wales, only around one in ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest in the community survive to return home, but effective chest compressions in the first critical
Sydney Kings assistant coach Billy Tomlinson and head coach Brian Goorjian thank RNSH emergency specialist Dr Chris Partyka (middle) for his life-changing medical support
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Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital staff celebrating the launch of GreenED
NSLHD hospitals driving greener care Emergency Departments at Royal North Shore, Ryde, and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospitals have been awarded bronze accreditation through the Royal College of Emergency Medicine GreenED International pilot program. This accreditation recognises their efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high-quality patient care. GreenED is an initiative designed to help Emergency Departments measure and reduce their environmental footprint. Participating sites work through evidence-based actions across bronze, silver and gold levels, improving sustainability while supporting national net zero targets, reducing costs and promoting high-value care. Launched in 2023 with support from NHS England, the program has already seen 25 Emergency Departments across the UK and Ireland achieve accreditation. In total, nine Emergency Departments across New South Wales achieved bronze status in the pilot. The accreditation was officially announced on 22 April to coincide with Earth Day 2026, marking the global expansion of GreenED across Australia and New Zealand. Local site leads, including Dr Justin Bowra, Dr Lucy Lutze and Sarah Artrup, played a key role in driving the initiative and achieving accreditation. “This accomplishment has been driven by a dedicated, innovative team who have reduced emissions, minimised waste and delivered cost savings, all while maintaining high-quality patient care,” said Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. “A healthier planet means healthier patients, and we have a duty to act to protect both. “Emergency Departments are already seeing the impacts of climate change, from heat-related illness during heatwaves to trauma presentations during floods and complications linked to air pollution such as asthma. “It is particularly encouraging to see this work taking root in Australasia, and I am pleased to see colleagues collaborating across countries on a global challenge that affects us all.”
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Dr Chi-Chia Liu
Associate Professor Rebecca Kozor
Professor Helge Rasmussen
Major investment to support cardiac research Heart Research Australia has committed $1.12 million to support heart research at Royal North Shore Hospital in 2026, funding a mix of new and continuing projects across the campus. The investment will support 10 new research grants and the continuation of six existing projects, strengthening clinical and laboratory-based cardiovascular research at the hospital. Projects include work by Dr Chi-Chia Liu on optimising pacemakers, Associate Professor Rebecca Kozor on simpler monitoring of genetic heart disease, and Professor Helge Rasmussen on using an existing medication to treat pre eclampsia during pregnancy. The funding package also includes scholarships for four PhD candidates, supporting the development of the next generation of cardiovascular researchers. “This support means more than a figure on a page. It gives our world-leading researchers the chance to ask bigger questions and deliver better outcomes for patients,” says NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri. “Every dollar represents trust in our work, and we’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity to keep pushing heart research forward.” The full list of recipients is available on the Heart Australia website: https://heartresearch. com.au/2026-grant-recipients/
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Midwives at RNSH
celebrating our midwives Midwives across Northern Sydney Local Health District were recognised this week as staff came together to celebrate International Day of the Midwife and acknowledge the extraordinary care they provide to women, babies and families every day. This year’s theme, One Million More Midwives, highlights the global shortage of midwives and the importance of growing and supporting the profession to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide. Celebrations were held across the district, including at Royal North Shore, Northern Beaches and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospitals, where staff gathered for morning teas, cakes, raffle prizes and local events recognising the dedication and impact of midwives. Claire Harris, Executive Director Nursing and
Midwifery, said the day was an opportunity to celebrate the compassion, expertise and commitment midwives bring to every stage of care. “Midwives play a vital role across the entire life course. They support safe pregnancies and births, provide contraception and breastfeeding support, and care for women, babies and families every day,” Claire said. “Today is an opportunity to thank our midwives for the extraordinary care they provide, and to recognise the difference they make across our district.” Last year alone, more than 4,500 babies were born across NSLHD hospitals. “Behind every birth, every family and every beginning, there is a midwife,” she said.
Midwives at Northern Beaches Hospital
Midwives at Hornsby Hospital
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Midwives making a difference across NSLHD From supporting families through birth to leading research and mentoring the next generation, midwives across Northern Sydney Local Health District are helping shape the future of maternity care.
Research midwife Nikta Poulad said one of the most meaningful projects she has worked on is the OLI study, which focuses on predicting postpartum haemorrhage before it becomes critical to improve outcomes for mothers. “If we can identify it earlier and intervene sooner, we can potentially reduce maternal morbidity and even mortality,” she said. Nikta has spent the past eight months in a full-time research role, contributing to studies exploring safer, evidence-based maternity care and improving clinical decision-making for mothers and babies. Student midwife Jamie Campbell said visibility and representation are helping challenge perceptions around men in midwifery. “The more people see male midwives just doing the job well, the more normal it becomes,” he said. “Most people just care that you’re kind, competent and genuinely there for them.”
To mark International Day of the Midwife, staff from across the district reflected on the moments, people and experiences that continue to inspire their work. For David Antcliff, Midwife Educator at Royal North Shore Hospital, midwifery began with a student placement at the Royal Hospital for Women and was shaped by personal experience supporting his father through cancer care. “I was drawn to a model of care that recognises pregnancy and birth as a normal physiological process and celebrates the beginning of new life,” he said. David now leads the implementation of the Mentoring in Midwifery Program across NSLHD while undertaking PhD research through the University of Technology Sydney examining the impact of structured mentorship on midwives and students.
Dr Terry Ng
Nikta Poulad, David Antcliff and Jamie Campbell at an RNSH birthing suite
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