NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb muru dali gili gili network day at macquarie hospital Page 3 Read more on Page x
quality and improvement awards Pages 8 & 9
crazy socks 4 docs day Page 5
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
- Public Service Medal (PSM): Nominations for the PSM are open until 1 July 2024. The PSM recognises outstanding service by public sector employees. Visit the following website for nomination forms and further information: https://bit.ly/3XvrGBg - Innovation Pitch Program: In partnership with the NORTH Foundation, NSLHD staff can apply for $50,000-$150,000 funding for projects aligning with NSLHD and NSW Health strategic directions. Applications are open until COB 4 July. Applicants must include an application form (https:// bit.ly/4cqgF8y) and send this to NSLHD- InnovationProgram@health.nsw.gov.au. - NSLHD Honour Roll: The NSLHD Honour Roll recognises significant contributions to our district. Nominations are open until 30 September. Submit nominations via the website: https://bit.ly/3KUtNqA. For support, email NSLHD-BoardSecretariat@ health.nsw.gov.au. From 7-15 July, the district will be acknowledging NAIDOC Week and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements. It is essential for us at NSLHD to recognise and honour the significant contributions of Indigenous Australians within our community as well as the incredible work of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service. I look forward to attending some of the celebrations we have planned across the district. Kind regards,
Dear colleagues, It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Kay Van Norton Poche AO. Kay made remarkable philanthropic contributions to our district, along with her husband Greg Poche AO. These included generous donations to our clinical trials centre and to the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice. Her generous spirit will be greatly missed, and her generosity will not be forgotten. Staff from both the district and the Kolling Institute have also been saddened by the passing of Professor John Walsh AO. John was renowned for his extensive contributions to disability and rehabilitation research and remained very active in research up until his passing. In 2014 the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research was named in honour of him, and the centre has since played an integral role within the Kolling Institute. Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the loved ones of both Kay and John. I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2024 NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards. It was my first time attending these awards and it was truly inspiring to witness the innovation and developments happening across our district. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for the awards. I always feel incredibly proud when I hear about the work our staff are doing across the district to ensure we are constantly improving and providing the best care to our patients, consumers, their families, and carers. I am also pleased to work for a district that continually strives to recognise outstanding work and acknowledge our colleagues. There are several upcoming opportunities below for staff to shine a light on the work they are doing or recognise outstanding colleagues:
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Staff at the Muru Dali Gili Gili network day
muru dali gili gili network day a success The NSLHD Muru Dali Gili Gili (MDGG) Employee Network Day was recently held at Macquarie Hospital. The event, which follows a series of network
and Workforce Adam Cryer said the day provided a valuable opportunity for network members and attendees to come together, immerse themselves within culture and to better understand the importance of culture, career progression and succession within the workplace. “The Muru Dali Gilli Gilli network day is the greatest way to support self-determination for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce,” he said. Acting Deputy Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service Tavia Bernsdorff shared a similar sentiment, noting the day was an opportunity for senior leaders to hear how the workforce can grow together. “The day provided attendees the opportunity to yarn with our senior leaders on how to work together to grow and develop culturally acceptable conditions for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and future employment for our people,” she said.
days that have been running since 2019, brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and allies from across the district to celebrate and undertake deeper cultural understandings over the course of a day. As part of the day, attendees were welcomed by a smoking ceremony followed by a ‘Leader`s Listening’ Yarning Circle which was attended by the MDGG Employee Network members in attendance on the day and senior executive staff from the district. Attendees also took part in cultural workshops which included a ‘Bush Medicine’ workshop facilitated by Uncle Gavi, Aboriginal Culture Education and Tourist Officer. NSLHD Acting Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
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Junior Nurses Gain Skills at Aged Care Symposium Around 30 junior nurses from local aged care facilities attended an inaugural aged care education symposium at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.
Emma Everingham, clinical nurse consultant with the Geriatric Outreach Service, said the day was about helping first and second year nurses expand their skills in caring for elderly residents to avoid hospital visits. “With more than 110 aged care facilities across our district, if the elderly can be looked after in their residences, it makes a huge difference to their care,” she said. “It also takes the pressure off our ambulance and our emergency department if our Geriatric Rapid Acute Care Evaluation (GRACE) team can go out there and help these nurses care for these residents instead.” The one-day course saw nurses learn about dementia and behaviour management, urinary
catheters and treating fractures from falls. The nurses also spent time at the hospital’s simulation centre, where they were given immersive training in potential real-life situations. The NSLHD has three geriatric outreach service teams. “It’s a pilot day and hopefully we can do more of this across the district,” said Emma. Knitters and Natters Support AYAH Families
Nurses at the first symposium
The knitting group, Knitters and Natters of Watermark Over 55’s Village in Freshwater, have donated hand-knitted blankets and soft toys to families at Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) as the weather cools down. Knitters and Natters started as a social gathering amongst the residents of Watermark over 55’s village. This has evolved into a dedicated team of around 20 individuals, united by their love for knitting and their desire to make a difference. The group meets twice a week to knit and crochet items ranging from blankets to soft toys. “The Knitters and Natters initially reached out to us after they raised money for us. They then hosted their own Christmas in July event and raised more money for us. They have also knitted us a beautiful Christmas Tree. They make beanies, scarves, soft toys, blankets, and fidget mats for us. Like with all of our supporters, we are very grateful for thems” said Laura Grant, Community Partnerships Manager, AYAH. In addition to their donations, the group has raised over $9,000 for AYAH. These contributions highlight the group’s
dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of AYAH families.
An AYAH patient with her new knitwear
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Crazy Socks 4 Docs Royal North Shore Hospital recently held an inaugural morning tea to celebrate Crazy Socks 4 Docs day. The day is marked each year to highlight mental health challenges doctors may experience and encourage conversations about these by wearing creative socks. This simple gesture acted as a conversation starter, promoting openness and support amongst colleagues. It provided a moment of fun and escape from everyday work, contributing to the overall wellbeing and resilience of the hospital’s hardworking doctors. There were hand massages available for doctors, therapy dogs in attendance and an award for the craziest socks – which went to the colorectal team. There was also a guessing competition for attendees to guess the amount of heartbeat lollies in a jar which was won by the urology team. As part of the celebrations, over 300 goodie bags were also handed out to doctors, including the doctors who worked overnight. The bags contained vouchers for wellbeing activities as well some items to help bring a smile to faces of the doctors like chocolates and lollies. Professor John Vassiliadis, who helped organise the day alongside RNSH resident medical officer Kanika Chaudhri, said the event achieved the desired outcome of encouraging connections between doctors and normalising conversations about the importance of mental health. “It’s important that we can continue to acknowledge stigma around mental health and continue to provide open forums like today to discuss these,” Professor John Vassiliadis said. “The day provided a space to break free from the constraints of a typically busy work day, allowing doctors to chat, drink coffee and share smiles,” Kanika said.
RNSH doctors rocking their crazy socks
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Royal North Shore Hospital Shines in Kangaroo-A-Thon A skin-to-skin cuddle can make a world of difference to a newborn in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Getting behind the cuddly initiative, more than 20 families joined in a warm embrace as part of the Miracle Babies’ Kangaroo-A-Thon, a worldwide event aimed at promoting the benefits of kangaroo (skin-to-skin) care for premature or sick babies.
their body temperature. This practice has been shown to reduce pain and crying in infants, enhance sleep patterns, and promote weight gain, all critical factors for the health and development of premature and sick newborns. RNSH’s neonatal intensive care clinical nurse consultant Emily MacNaught said the kangaroo-A-Thon was an excellent way to have parents and staff involved in learning about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. “It’s a great way for parents to be part of their baby’s care and do something pleasant to minimise stress for their baby and themselves. “The Kangaroo-A-Thon continues to play a vital role in promoting essential practices that support the development and health of newborns, ensuring that families and medical staff are informed and engaged in providing the best possible care.”
The Kangaroo-A-Thon focuses on raising awareness about the significant benefits of skin-to-skin contact between parents and their babies. This simple yet powerful method is known to enhance brain development, provide neuro-protection, boost immunity, and foster strong emotional bonds. Kangaroo care also creates a nurturing environment that stabilises the baby’s heart rate, regulates their breathing, and maintains
NICU parents Madeline and Tom having kangaroo cuddles with their twin boys Jordy and Joey, born at 28 weeks gestation
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SHAPE Initiative at Macquarie Student Housing The Northern Sydney Sexual Health Promotion team recently delivered the Sexual Health Peer Education (SHAPE) training to student leaders and resident advisors at Campus Living Village, Student Village North Ryde.
people to develop communication skills and convey key sexual health messages in a comfortable and supportive environment,” she said. For more information about SHAPE training contact Northern Sydney Sexual Health Promotion at NSLHD-Clinic16enquiries@ health.nsw.gov.au or 02 9462 9500.
This initiative aimed to equip young leaders with vital knowledge and skills in sexual health education. Northern Sydney Sexual Health Promotion team has been working with Macquarie University for some time promoting the sexual health of their students. The SHAPE Program is a best practice peer education initiative designed for organisations seeking to start a new sexual health peer education program or integrate sexual health into an existing one. Clinic 16 health promotion officer Miriam Delailomaloma said “Peer education has proven effective in educating and influencing young people’s behaviours to better address sexual health concerns. “The program not only educates but also provides an excellent opportunity for young
Students playing interactive games
Creating Safe Spaces: LGBTIQ+ Health at NSLHD From 1-30 June, Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating LGBTIQ+ pride. This Pride Month, Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) reflected on achievements since appointing its first LGBTIQ+ Project Officer, Jemma Clifton.
added. “I’m passionate about promoting LGBTIQ+ education in NSLHD and love answering difficult questions about diversity. “We recently hosted an ‘Ask Us Anything’ Q&A session which was thrilling. “This provided a safe space for individuals to ask difficult questions about gender diversity,” she said.
NSLHD recently received a Bronze Award at the 2024 Australian Pride in Health and Wellbeing Awards, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Under Jemma Clifton’s leadership, NSLHD has been implementing the NSW Health LGBTIQ+ strategy to address healthcare needs and barriers, establish workplace policies, and engage with the Northern Sydney LGBTIQ+ community. “Creating safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTIQ+ individuals is vital,” said Jemma. “We’ve established an LGBTIQ+ Strategy Steering Committee, developed an intranet page for education and resources, and worked directly with services to upskill staff and establish inclusive care infrastructure. “Clinic 16, NSLHD’s sexual health clinic, stands as a model for equitable access and quality care for LGBTQ+ individuals. NSLHD aims to replicate Clinic 16’s inclusive practices across all services.” For staff wanting to be involved in LGBTIQ+ inclusivity work, Jemma encourages participation in the Pride+ employee network. “We provide advocacy, support, and social events for LGBTQ+ employees and allies,” she
Dash Gray, Manager, Allied Health, HIV and Sexual Health and Jemma Clifton at Clinic 16
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2024 quality and improvement awards Staff across Northern Sydney Local Health District have been recognised at the 2024 Quality and Improvement Awards. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the awards are a special event to celebrate staff who make a positive impact on the healthcare the district provides. “I always feel incredibly proud when I hear about the work our staff are doing across the district to ensure we are constantly improving and providing the best care to our patients, consumers, their families and carers,” he said. “To our finalists, thank you for your innovation and passion for ensuring we continue to provide the best and highest- quality care for our community.” For the full list of winners and finalists, visit: https://bit.ly/ QI-2024
People and Culture Award
Patient Safety First Award
Winner
Winner
Parental Leave Understanding and Support (PLUS) programme Emergency Department, Royal North Shore Hospital
BEFAST to Recognise Stroke Symptoms Stroke care, Ryde Hospital
Health Innovation Award
Winner
Intensive Care Unit Staff Portal - Royal North Shore Hospital
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Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award
Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award
Winner
Winner
Transforming the Patient Experience Award Beyond Language Breast Screening for Multicultural Women BreastScreen NSW
Aboriginal Health Trainee Inclusion in Mental Health Drug and Alcohol GradStart Program, Learning and Capability Development, MHDA
Health Research Award
Winner
Winner
Technical Assistants in Emergency Emergency Department, Ryde Hospital
Standardising ‘Watch and Wait’ surveillance using a multi-institutional consensus approach Cancer Network, NSLHD
Planetary Health Award
Keeping People Healthy Award
Winner
Winner
ICU Green Team Intensive Care Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital
Small Bites for Big Steps Population Health Promotion
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Dr Pierre Janin, Frances Bass, Dr Celia Bradford, Dr Wade Stedman and Associate Professor Naomi Hammond
researchers celebrate achievements at global conference A team from RNSH’s Intensive Care Unit presented their impactful critical care research hospitals, will inform critical care practices globally,” she said.
at an international conference in Belfast, attended by delegates from 25 countries. The team, part of The George Institute’s Critical Care Program, featured prominently, sponsoring two major global trials and three systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Associate Professor Naomi Hammond, the district’s executive director of research, highlighted the team’s work on antibiotics, ulcer care, and blood glucose management for critically ill patients. “Our research, involving thousands of patients and hundreds of patient outcomes are the aim of protocols starting in the district’s hospitals emergency departments. The new ECAT protocols aim to reduce patient wait times, close the gap on time to treatment, improve patient outcomes and improve staff experience with presentations amongst other benefits. They are started after a patient’s triage by a registered nurse until a patient’s care is taken over by a medical officer, nurses practitioner or physiotherapist when visiting an ED. There are currently 73 ECAT protocols aligned
Notably, the Bling III trial, one of the largest antibiotic trials, involved over 7000 patients across seven countries. The results, included in a meta-analysis of 18 studies with over 9000 patients, showed that the antibiotics doubled in effectiveness, saving one life for every 26 patients treated. “It’s encouraging to be part of a team improving patient outcomes and survival rates worldwide,” Naomi added. A/Nurse Manager Operations Michelle de Vroome, who was onsite visiting EDs on the first day of the rollout, said the new protocols will play a big part in improving patient experience and thanked staff for the collaborative effort in bringing the new protocols into action. “It was a privilege to witness the protocols in use today knowing the benefit for patients coming to our emergency departments across NSLHD,” she said. “I would like to thank everyone involved in making this happen, it truly has been a team effort.”
New Protocols to Improve Emergency Department Patient Care Reduced waiting times and improved
with common ED presentations - 41 for adult patients and 32 for paediatric patients. At Royal North Shore, Hornsby and Ryde hospital’s there were celebrations as staff completed the first of the new protocols in the ED. The roll out of the new protocols across the district were a collaborative effort from multiple government agencies and local health departments across the district.
Ryde Hospital ED staff celebrating the launch of the new protocols
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Vale Kay Van Norton It is with a heavy heart that we remember Kay Van Norton Poche AO, whose extraordinary philanthropy and dedication to healthcare have profoundly enriched our community. Kay, alongside her husband Gregory Poche AO, made extraordinary philanthropic investments that continue to shape healthcare and support vulnerable populations. Their generous $6 million donation to the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice in 2023 stands as a testament to Kay’s commitment to compassionate healthcare for all. More recently, Kay and Gregory’s $20 million gift to establish a world-leading cancer clinical trials research and development centre at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital represents a huge stride in cancer treatment innovation. Partnering with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, this centre aims to expand access to cutting-edge therapies and improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide. Kay’s dedication to advancing healthcare extended beyond financial support. She was a passionate advocate for Indigenous health and medical research initiatives, recognised with an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for her distinguished service to the community. Our thoughts are with Greg, Kay’s family, and Vale John Walsh It is with great sadness that the district and the Kolling Institute acknowledged the passing of Professor John Walsh AO. Professor Walsh had a longstanding relationship with many researchers across the district and was immensely respected by his colleagues. Having a background as an actuary, Professor Walsh applied his expertise to many projects over his life, specifically policy development and research related to disability and rehabilitation. In 2014 the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research was named in honour of him and the centre has since played an integral role within the Kolling Institute. Over the past decade, Professor Walsh provided advice to researchers at the centre both on an informal basis and as a researcher for specific projects. For around ten years Professor Walsh also held an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Senior Staff Specialist Ian Cameron said John’s continuous guidance and generosity was a highlight of his working relationship with Professor Walsh.
“John was always generous with his time. His knowledge of rehabilitation and disability issues was vast,” he said. “John provided guidance on clinical, policy, public health and actuarial issues related to disability and rehabilitation.” Our deepest condolences and best wishes are with Professor Walsh’s loved ones during this time.
all who were touched by her kindness and generosity during this difficult time. Kay’s spirit of compassion and her commitment to improving healthcare will be cherished and remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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