Message from the Chief Executive
It has been an extraordinary year for Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made in improving patient care, expanding services, and advancing our infrastructure. Throughout the 2023/24 financial year, our dedicated staff worked tirelessly to deliver exceptional care across all areas of our district. Over 35,000 surgical procedures were performed, more than 232,000 presentations were made to our emergency departments, and 4,300 babies were delivered through our maternity services. These numbers reflect the extraordinary efforts of our team to meet the healthcare needs of our community. Our commitment to patient- centred care has been further demonstrated through over 4,000 hospital-in-the-home admissions, allowing patients to receive care in their own homes while staying connected to the services they need. This year, we celebrated a major milestone with the official sod-turning ceremony for the $526.8 million Ryde Hospital redevelopment. This project is progressing ahead of schedule and will deliver a state-of-the-art emergency department, intensive care unit, and cutting-edge operating theatres to support the growing needs of our community. In addition to our infrastructure developments, NSLHD has continued to lead in the field of research and we made significant strides as we renewed our focus on clinical trials. Mona Vale Hospital completed its first accreditation under the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework. The learnings from this accreditation are now being applied across other district facilities. We launched Australia’s first total body Position Emissions Tomography (PET) facility with open-access research and clinical use at RNSH. This revolutionary technology significantly reduces radiation doses and cuts scanning times from 20 minutes to just three, enhancing patient outcomes and improving the efficiency of care. We also celebrated the establishment of the North Sydney Trials and Research Van Norton Poche Centre (NORTH S.T.A.R VNP), a world-leading clinical trials centre developed in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. This centre will offer patients access to international cancer therapies, reinforcing our district’s reputation as a leader in research and clinical trials. Our efforts to advance the Sydney North HealthCARE Precinct have made considerable progress, with the precinct set to become a major hub for healthcare, research, and education. This precinct will play a key role in fostering innovation in clinical trials, AI, digital health, and musculoskeletal and cancer research. Our partnership with the NORTH Foundation has been vital in supporting the Sydney North HealthCARE Precinct, with a capital campaign aiming to raise $55 million to advance its capabilities. I would like to express my gratitude to the NORTH Foundation for the important role they play in fostering philanthropy across our district. The Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) initiative has been another significant area of focus for NSLHD. This
transformative project, which will create a unified and centralised digital health record for all patients across NSW, aims to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and security of patient data. Our role in supporting the implementation of this initiative is critical, ensuring that it meets the needs of our district while enhancing patient care across the state. The district’s Artificial Intelligence Governance Committee was also established to oversee the responsible use of AI across our operations. An AI Community of Practice has been established to foster collaboration and innovation among clinicians and researchers, exploring how AI can improve patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. We are also incredibly proud of the achievements of the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH), which has made a tremendous impact in its first year, providing compassionate care for young people with life-limiting illnesses. In our mental health services, the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) team successfully completed its Short Notice Assessment (SNAP) accreditation this year, receiving praise from assessors for the care and compassion shown to consumers. This accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The Safe Haven initiative was launched at Macquarie Hospital and Brookvale Community Health Centre, which offers vital after-hours support for individuals at risk of suicide. These centres, part of the Government’s Towards Zero Suicide program, provide care in a safe and welcoming environment. Our commitment to keeping frail and elderly people well and out of hospital was recognised Internationally. Our Collaborative Commissioning for Frail and Older People Program was highly commended at the International Hospital Federation Awards. This program has supported over 6,700 patients since 2022, reducing hospital admissions and improving care for older residents in our district. As we move forward into 2025, I am filled with excitement and optimism. Our Clinical Services Plan for 2024-2029 has been completed and will provide a strategic direction for the district, ensuring we continue to deliver world- class care. I extend my deepest gratitude to every member of our staff. Your dedication, compassion, and innovation are the driving forces behind our success, and I am privileged to lead such an incredible team. Together, we will continue to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our patients and community. Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District
NSLHD 2024 Year in Review
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