NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Celebrating allied health professionals More than 1660 allied health professionals working across 23 disciplines in Northern Sydney were celebrated last month on Allied Health Professions Day. Page 5 Short blurb Read more on Page x
Putting science into practice Page 4
generous book donations for newborns Page 3
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Message from the board chair Trevor Danos AM
I am pleased to advise the Board has endorsed the RNSH Campus Master Plan 2023 which will now be the key document for all future planning for the RNSH campus. This follows four months of intense work and consultation and builds on the NSLHD 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and the St Leonards Health, Research and Education Precinct Plan. The RNSH 2023 Master Plan was developed in accordance with the capital planning process requirements mandated by the NSW Ministry of Health and Health Infrastructure. Early in the process, a set of Guiding Principles was prepared that focused on future-proofing the RNSH campus, increasing clinical services, improving patient and staff access from the train station, adopting best practice sustainability and increasing green spaces. Throughout the four-month consultation period, the district has benefited from expert input from architects Fitzpatrick + Partners and from Health Infrastructure. A RNSH Campus Master Plan Advisory Group was established and met regularly with a broad membership delivering valuable and extensive input. There was also extensive stakeholder engagement with more than 20 sessions with various clinical and non-clinical groups both as open forums and separate vision workshops. Recently there have been two town hall meetings and multiple sets of questions and answers (Q&As) and FAQs have been published. The Board was satisfied that a very comprehensive and professional process of engagement had been undertaken during the development of the RNSH Campus Master Plan 2023 and that a new plan was needed to replace earlier master plans to guide the long-term delivery of health services at RNSH. A summary of the RNSH Campus Master Plan 2023 has been prepared and can be found on the intranet along with other background information. The Board was guided by the best interests of RNSH to be able to provide world-class health and research facilities that respond to the needs of the community and the people across the State, focused on patient and staff wellbeing while promoting a healing environment and a sense of place in the community. Other relevant considerations included projected population growth, community health trends, the role of other district hospitals in supporting the mission of RNSH, the increasing role of virtual care and the importance of our university and industry partnerships. The RNSH 2023 Master Plan has a 40-year time horizon. It evidences an exciting vision and a bright future for the RNSH campus. It is very clear about the potential to significantly expand clinical and non- clinical services on the RNSH campus. Its purpose is to communicate to our staff, to government and to the
community that we are thinking about and planning for a long and successful future for RNSH.
Whilst this document is a futuristic high-level document without any current financial or capital commitments the task now for the Board and the Chief Executive is to identify the immediate clinical and non-clinical needs of the RNSH campus. Some of these needs are obvious such as increasing the size of our acute bed base, optimised ambulatory care space, better loading docks, storage space for recycling, a clinical trials centre, improved and increased conference rooms, more carer accommodation, and improved parking and other transport options. A further process of consultation and discussion will shortly commence on the immediate needs of the RNSH campus to make the case for possible government funding. Finally, there have been some misconceptions and misunderstandings associated with the RNSH 2023 Master Plan that I would like to address. The vacant land adjoining the Ministry of Health building, known as Lot 4b, is not owned by NSW Health. It is owned by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW). The RNSH Campus Master Plan 2023 does not include Lot 4b because it is not land owned or controlled by NSW Health.
The government has previously announced it wishes to put affordable and key worker housing on Lot 4b.
NSLHD is continuing to work closely with PDNSW to ensure the district’s interests are appropriately considered in any development of Lot 4b and having a current and living master plan is part of that process.
There is absolutely no plan to sell or divest hospital land or to privatise the RNSH campus.
Whilst the Master Plan cannot foresee what will happen in the next 40 years it does demonstrate the commitment to the ongoing sustainability of RNSH to ensure it maintains its reputation as a world-class hospital of high standing with strong and proud history in education, research and provision of high- quality clinical care. I would like extend my gratitude and commendation to the many clinical and non-clinical staff who have contributed to the development of the RNSH Campus Master Plan 2023 that we proudly present to you today. Trevor Danos AM Board Chair Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Staff from Hornsby Hospital taking part in IPAC Week celebrations
Spotlight on Infection Prevention Teams from across the district recently took part in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Week celebrations. The theme of the week this year was ‘Celebrating the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention’ and there were a range of activities with fun prizes up for grabs across the district. NSLHD IPAC Director Jo Tallon said the week is a great opportunity to recognise the importance of infection prevention and control and highlight the cornerstone principles of the program. “The week celebrates and acknowledges the collaboration of the facility IPAC teams with all NSLHD health workers by outlining the importance of their role in the infection prevention generous book donations for newborns Just one day old, and Oliver already has a book in hand, thanks to a donation from the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association. The copy of Ten Fingers and Ten Little Toes was one of over fifty baby books gifted to the Maternity Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. Mum Carolina and Dad Sebastian have already planned a lifetime of reading for their son. “We want him to read books,” said Carolina. Sebastian said someone had already given the family
a small bookstand for the baby. “We were also given a baby book in black and white — because apparently babies can only see in black and white at first.” Carolina added they also had a Peter Rabbit book ready to read to Oliver. The Australian Literacy Educators’ Association is dedicated to literacy and English language learning from early childhood through all stages of schooling and tertiary education contexts.
Parents Sebastiana and Carolina with newborn Oliver at RNSH
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Putting science into practice Practical ways to implement scientific research was the theme of this year’s John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research Forum held at Royal North Shore Hospital. Around 300 people attended in person and online to hear a full day of presentations. The event was co-organised by Illaria Pozzato and Johnny Bourke, Research Fellows at the rehabilitation centre. Jonny said this year’s event involved getting policymakers, researchers, and consumers to dive into how to best implement research. “By doing this, we ensure the research evidence that we use to inform health and rehabilitation services in New South Wales is built on a really solid
researchers, and the need for the impact of the research to be well articulated. Dr Rees, a former physiotherapist, noted that her role as a researcher led to her having a much deeper understanding of the lived experience of people with spinal cord injuries. Johnny said while there are many ways to implement research, at heart, it’s about making sure scientists engage their audiences, and that they engage the right methods to have their research impact on practice. “It’s also about making sure that the research that is conducted, is done not only in rigorous ways with good methodology, but also conducted in partnership with consumers.”
foundation of research that is rigorous and co-designed,” Johnny said. “We can then look at how we work to implement that into practice.” Johnny is unique in that he comes from a research and consumer perspective and said there are a lot of questions when it comes to implementing science. “How do we do it? What does it involve? What are the outcomes? How do evaluate the whole process?” he asked. Based on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus, John Walsh is an interdisciplinary centre focusing on rehabilitation for people with injuries and disabilities. The one-day forum featured a variety of talks, including how to implement evidence- informed models for hip fracture management and revising guidelines for managing people with whiplash-associated disorders. Johnny led a panel discussion, where researcher Dr Leanne Rees and consumers Dr Steve Peterson, Antonio Vecchio and Elyse Barber explored the realities of engaging with one another, and how to achieve the best outcomes. The panellists discussed a range of challenges, including the difficulty some consumers had travelling to meet with
(Left to right) Suzanne Lulham, Petrina Casey, John Walsh and Ian Cameron
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Celebrating NSLHD’s allied health professionals More than 1660 allied health
professionals working across 23 disciplines in Northern Sydney were celebrated last month on Allied Health Professions Day. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri started his management career in allied health as a senior social worker at Royal North Shore Hospital. “I understand first-hand the contribution the allied health workforce makes to patients and their families, and this care cannot be understated,” he said. “I’d like to thank all our allied health staff members, and I hope you took some time to acknowledge the efforts you and your colleagues make to our district every day.” NSLHD Director Allied Health Julia Capper announced the winners for this year’s district Allied Health Recognition Awards. The eligible winners will be nominated for the NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards with the finalists
announced in December. “Congratulations to the
individuals and teams who have had an extraordinary impact in allied health practice over the last year,” Julia said.
Allied Health Professionals Day Award winner Kerry Crannis with CE Anthony Schembri
2023 Allied Health Professionals Awards
Christopher Curry, Aboriginal Mental Health Social Wellbeing Peer Worker Kerry Crannis, Child Life Therapist, Royal North Shore Hospital Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Meryl Abao, Allied Health Assistant Physiotherapy, Royal North Shore Hospital
Chief Executive Allied Health Professionals Day Award
NSLHD Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Professional of the Year NSLHD Allied Health Assistant/Technician/Support Person of the Year
Mia Whitehall, Speech Pathologist, Royal North Shore Hospital
NSLHD Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year
Caitlin Jaimeson, Dietitian, Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice and Mona Vale Hospital
NSLHD Allied Health Professional of the Year
Sarah Drake, Speech Pathologist, Ryde Hospital
NSLHD Allied Health Leader of the Year
Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice Allied Health Team
Allied Health Team of the Year
Avindu Vithanage, Physiotherapist, Hornsby-Ku-ring-Gai Health Services Royal North Shore Hospital
NSLHD Allied Health Educator of the Year
Dr Barbara Lucas, Physiotherapist, Royal North Shore Hospital
NSLHD Allied Health Researcher of the Year
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Dr Rebecca Kozor, Mai Duong, Dr Lisa Kouladjian O’Donnell and Professor Sarah Hilmer
Awards highlight the impact of drugs on frail older people with heart failure
One of our up-and-coming researchers within the Kolling’s Ageing and Pharmacology Lab has taken out two prestigious awards. Pharmacist and PhD student Mai Duong received the initial award at the International Pharmaceutical Federation World Congress in Brisbane. The APSA awarded Mai the Outstanding Oral Presentation in Pharmacy Practice prize for her discussion on the different perspectives of adverse drug events with heart failure medications in frail older people. She also took out an award for her presentation at the Cardiovascular Symposium hosted by the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists. Mai’s research has greatly benefitted from a new collaboration within the Kolling Institute involving researchers from the Ageing and Pharmacology Lab including Professor Sarah Hilmer and Dr Lisa Kouladjian O’Donnell and A/Professor Rebecca Kozor from the Cardiology Department. She said her work has highlighted the contrasting consumer and clinician views on clinical outcomes, patient priorities and
medication management of frail older people with heart failure. “We know that heart failure is becoming more common in the ageing population, leading to frequent hospital visits and claiming lives,” she said. “Patients report that the big problem for them is the number of medications they’re on and the possible interactions. “We are seeing that some medications for heart failure can cause falls, dizziness, renal impairment and other adverse events. “We know that optimising heart failure medication can be complex, but we hope that following our research there will be a greater focus on frailty and quality of life when these medications are prescribed. “We found that clinicians recognised that frailty status was important, but it was not routinely measured or included in medication management plans. “Backed by our research, we would like to see frailty measures considered when prescribing these medications, so that clinicians can tailor their approach for each patient for the best outcome.”
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS 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.
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NSLHD celebrates first Jobs to Careers graduates NSLHD’s Muru Dali Gili Gili Employee network
campus. RNSH endoscopy administration and waitlist coordinator Karen Madden, who graduated from the program with a Statement of Attainment in ‘Emerging Leaders’ from TAFE NSW, said graduating the program has been an invaluable experience. “I was grateful for the opportunity to participate, and it was great to see other peoples’ professional growth with their confidence and self-esteem,” she said. “My overall experience was valuable, and I strongly encourage our mob to not hesitate in rising to the challenge.” Pending program evaluation, the Muru Dali Gili Gili Employee network is hoping to run the program again in 2024.
members Karen Madden and Eric Teuben recently became the district’s first graduates of the Jobs to Careers Programs. The program, which is a collaborative effort between NSLHD, HealthShare NSW and TAFE NSW, provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees with an opportunity to undertake education to enhance their employment and leadership skills. Participants undertake career development workshops, focusing on strengths and identifying areas for development. They also receive education, interview coaching, assistance to enhance their resumes and other professional development support whilst networking with peers in cultural workshops at TAFE NSW Kurri Kurri
Senior Organisational Development Partner Marie Hamilton-Smith, Director People and Culture Paula Williscroft, HKH Fire Safety Manager Eric Teuben, RNSH endoscopy administration and waitlist coordinator Karen Madden and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workforce Manager Kuibuz Gillian Adidi
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