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NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
cancer clinical trials unit unveiled in northern Sydney
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Strengthening Cultural connections Page 3
transforming care at Northern beaches hospital Page 6
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, This Sunday marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week - an important time for all Australians to come together to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, “50 Years of Deadly,” invites us to reflect on the strength, resilience and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - and to look ahead with optimism and commitment. It is also a reminder that we each have a role to play in fostering a more inclusive, culturally safe and responsive health system. Our recently launched NSLHD Aboriginal Health Plan provides a clear roadmap for this journey, I encourage you to explore it here: https://bit.ly/4bJLVAN and consider how you, your team or your service can contribute meaningfully. Across our district, a range of NAIDOC Week celebrations and events are planned, and I encourage you to take part. These moments of connection and learning are vital to strengthening our shared understanding and respect. Please check our intranet events for details: https://bit. ly/4eUcnsQ Earlier this week, I had the privilege of officially opening the Early Phase Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital alongside NSW Health Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary of Population and Public Health Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM. This significant milestone represents a major investment in innovation and collaboration, strengthening our ability to deliver cutting- edge research that will shape future models of care - not only for our district, but globally. Most importantly, it enhances access to advanced treatment options for our patients
and community. This achievement has been made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Kay Van Norton Poche and Greg Poche, whose $20 million donation will have a lasting impact on health outcomes across NSW. Thanks also to our clinicians, patients and the support of the NORTH Foundation for the ongoing support of our new Centre. Supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders is another area I am deeply passionate about. Our young people bring fresh perspectives, creativity and energy that will shape the future of healthcare delivery. I encourage staff aged 18–35 to consider joining our Youth Advisory Board by emailing NSLHD-Youth-Advisory-Board@ health.nsw.gov.au - an opportunity to contribute ideas and help influence meaningful change within our organisation. We are also approaching another transformative milestone with the upcoming go-live of SDPR later this year. This initiative will fundamentally enhance how care is delivered and experienced, enabling a more connected, seamless and safer health journey for our patients. It will also support our staff by streamlining workflows and reducing administrative burden - freeing up more time for what matters most. To ensure we are ready, I strongly encourage everyone to begin familiarising themselves with SDPR resources, available here: https:// bit.ly/3RzAkh6 ahead of formal training. Warm regards, Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Jordan Liddiard and Shaun Jones
Strengthening Culturally Safe Care Through Community Connections Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) has welcomed Aboriginal Health Trainees Shaun Jones and Jordan Liddiard, supporting culturally safe, person-centred care across Population and Community Health (PACH). As part of their training, Shaun and Jordan completed a two-week rotation with the Northern Sydney Home Nursing Service, working alongside community nursing staff and gaining experience in in-home care. This included wound management, catheter care, palliative care, comprehensive nursing assessment and collaborative care planning. The placement also provided opportunities to engage directly with Aboriginal clients, supporting culturally appropriate care and strengthening meaningful connections within the community. Jordan said the experience had a lasting impact on his understanding of community-based care. “Working alongside the community nurses has been an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience,” he said. “Seeing firsthand the difference they make in people’s lives every day has given me a deeper appreciation for the vital role they play in supporting our community.” Shaun reflected on the importance of culturally safe practice and Aboriginal Health Workers being embedded within services. “I was asked to support Indigenous clients engaged with the community health team,” he said. “This experience provided valuable insight into each individual’s health journey, and I was able to offer culturally appropriate support.” NSLHD Director of Nursing, Primary and Community Health, Kerrie Cunningham, said the placement benefited both trainees and staff. “The placement was mutually beneficial, enhancing the trainees’ skills and confidence in community settings while enriching our team’s understanding and application of culturally safe care and practice,” she said. NSLHD remains committed to strengthening culturally safe care through meaningful community engagement and workforce development.
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cancer clinical trials unit unveiled in northern Sydney The NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM officially opened an early phase clinical trials unit at Royal North Shore Hospital, extending access to the latest cancer therapies for patients across NSW and beyond. for NSLHD, marks an exciting development in cancer care for the district and NSW. It follows broad consultation with clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and the community.
NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the early phase unit will help progress vital cancer research and accelerate the development of improved treatments. “Our district has been at the forefront of research and clinical care for more than a century, dedicated to diagnosing, preventing and treating disease and improving community health,” he said. “This exciting new early phase clinical trials unit will build on that expertise, increasing our capacity to deliver the very latest therapies, and broadening our knowledge and experience in this rapidly changing field. “Thanks also to our clinicians, patients and the support of the NORTH Foundation for the ongoing support of our new Centre.” Dr Chant said the purpose-built unit will ensure our research and clinical care reflect the needs of our broader population. “This specialised facility will increasingly support people in rural, regional and Indigenous communities, ensuring that access to the best care and innovation is not limited by a patient’s postcode,” she said.
The early phase unit of the NORTH STAR Van Norton Poche Cancer Trials Centre is a dedicated facility to meet the needs of patients and their carers, while supporting the complex requirements of early phase trials. Currently, patients with lung and brain cancer are receiving treatment, while further trials will open for a broader range of cancers in the coming months. The unit was made possible following a transformative $20 million gift from the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO and her husband Greg Poche AO. The pair also donated $20 million to the leading Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York to realise their vision of offering life-changing new treatments to a larger share of the community. Investigators from Royal North Shore Hospital and the cancer centre in New York are partnering on international clinical trials, giving patients in Australia access to the latest breakthrough medications, and providing crucial multi-centre data for the trials. The new unit, which is the first of its kind
NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri, Michel Guilbert, Dr Kerry Chant, Associate Professor Naomi Hammond and Professor Stephen Clarke ribbon cutting
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Britt Walker, patient Stacey Platts, Senior Study Coordinator Nusrat Bhuiyan, and Dr Alex Yuile
NORTH STAR Medical Director and RNSH oncologist Professor Stephen Clarke said the facility will not only strengthen our clinical trial expertise, but will provide valuable training and career development for the health workforce in northern Sydney. “This will deliver more opportunities for our district, and attract additional trials,” he said. “Importantly, the early phase unit will be an integral part of the broader NORTH STAR VNP Cancer Trials Centre which is offering a range of trials across the local health district,” he said.
One of the patients receiving treatment at the new unit for head and neck cancer Michel Guilbert spoke at the official opening saying it was an easy decision for him to join the trial. “We are so fortunate to have opportunities like this to receive the latest therapies and treatments, and to be able to contribute knowledge for future generations,” he said. “My health is improving and I would encourage others to join a clinical trial if they are given the chance.”
Patient Alan Bourke with Cindy Han and Kelsie Alden
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Charlotte with staff from the NBH paedeatrics team NBH paediatric team helps transform care for Charlotte and her family
A new model of care at Northern Beaches Hospital is giving a local family greater flexibility and more valuable time together, closer to home. Two-year-old Northern Beaches resident Charlotte lives with Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome 4A, also known as Alpers syndrome, which is caused by a rare POLG gene mutation. The condition causes seizures that require a continuous infusion of midazolam, a fast- acting prescription sedative, to manage. After being discharged from the Sydney Children’s Hospital intensive care unit in July 2025, Charlotte transitioned home with support from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) palliative care team in collaboration with the Northern Beaches adult palliative care team. Initially, her family needed to be home at 11am each day for a clinician to change the infusion. These visits often occurred while Charlotte was awake, interrupting her care, activities and family time. Delays also carried the risk of the infusion running out and breakthrough seizures occurring. But in May this year, a new approach was introduced through a collaboration between SCHN, Bear Cottage and Northern Beaches Hospital. Charlotte is now supported using a continuous ambulatory delivery device (CADD), a first-of-its-kind approach in NSW for this indication. The device allows Charlotte’s infusion to be changed every four days rather than daily.
Charlotte and her family now visit the Northern Beaches Hospital Paediatric Ambulatory Care Service twice a week for infusion changes and general clinical support. Charlotte’s mother, Jody, said receiving care closer to home had made a significant difference. “Having this support locally has been amazing for us. It means we can spend more time as a family with Charlotte, and it’s helped bring a bit more balance back into our lives,” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support and for the extra moments it allows us to enjoy with Charlotte.” Acting Paediatric Ward Nurse Unit Manager Rebecca Mirabito said the Northern Beaches Hospital team had valued getting to know Charlotte and her family. “The initiative has also provided a valuable learning opportunity for our paediatric
nursing team, building their skills in CADD infusion devices and subcutaneous infusion processes,” she said. “Most importantly, the new approach is helping Charlotte’s family enjoy more uninterrupted time together and create valuable memories.”
Charlotte with parents Jody and Elliott enjoying a family trip
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Breast and chest screening saves lives Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), in collaboration with BreastScreen NSW, is encouraging people with breast or chest tissue to prioritise regular screening and attend upcoming clinic sessions. Following a series of successful pop-up screening events, another clinic will be held on 25 July from 8am to 12pm at the St Leonards BreastScreen NSW Clinic, Royal North Shore Community Health Centre. The service provides free mammograms with no referral required, delivered in a safe, supportive and gender-affirming environment.
LGBTIQ+ Project Manager Michael Sanderson said the outreach clinics are helping improve access and reduce barriers to screening. “Having these clinics available in a familiar and welcoming setting makes a real difference,” he said. He said improving participation remains a priority, particularly given that 1 in 4 eligible LGBTIQ+ people have never had a mammogram. “Breast and chest screening is an important part of early detection. It helps find cancers before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective,” he said. BreastScreen NSW Director Meredith Kaye said inclusive services such as the Rainbow Screening Clinic are designed to make screening more accessible for everyone. “We offer a Rainbow Screening Clinic in a more inclusive environment. For some people, traditional messaging and heavily ‘pink’ branding can feel a bit overwhelming or not reflective of their experience, so we aim to create a space that feels safe, respectful and welcoming for all,” she said. Visit: https://bit.ly/4b4ZCKV for more information including FAQs.
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Staff invited to help shape the future of NSLHD Recruitment is now open for young staff who want to help shape the future of Northern Sydney Local Health District through its Youth Advisory Board (YAB).
district who genuinely care about making a difference,” Eamon said. “It’s rewarding to have a voice in shaping initiatives that support wellbeing, professional development and inclusion for early-career staff.” The Youth Advisory Board includes people from many professional backgrounds, both clinical and no n-clinical. You do not need any experience to apply. To apply, NSLHD staff aged 18 to 35 should email NSLHD-Youth-Advisory-Board@health. nsw.gov.au by Friday 24 July 2026, including age, current role, reasons for applying and any relevant experience or skills.
Established in September 2023, the Youth Advisory Board provides clinical and non- clinical staff aged 18 to 35 with opportunities to influence decision making, raise issues affecting young employees and contribute to District-wide initiatives. Members meet monthly and engage directly with NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri, Executive Director People and Culture Kerrie Pryke and other senior leaders. The board has already delivered several significant initiatives, including helping establish a support services traineeship, introducing the Youth Achievement Award at the NSLHD Exceptional People Awards and delivering an inaugural Youth Symposium. The symposium brought staff and guests together for a day of learning, networking and discussion focused on career development, financial wellbeing and leadership. Youth Advisory Board Co-Chair Eamon O’Callaghan said membership offered young staff the chance to create meaningful change while developing their skills and networks. “What I enjoy most about being part of the YAB is the opportunity to connect with passionate young staff from across the
Members of NSLHD’s Youth Advisory Board at the 2025 Youth Sympsium
HUMANS OF SDPR - Shiromee Gasperson For Shiromee Gasperson, Change Manager for Digital Health, NSLHD & CCLHD the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) is about much more than technology. It is a chance to rethink how care is delivered across Northern Sydney Local Health District.
this work every day.” Members of the public can find out more about the SDPR here: https://bit.ly/4p0slp9 https://bit.ly/4p0slp9 Bite-sized SDPR information sessions are also available for staff, providing an early look at the program and its readiness activities, delivered by Digital Health Services: https:// bit.ly/49YXBid
“SDPR is a genuine opportunity to look at how we work and ask what we could do better for staff and for patients,” she said. “The technology makes that possible, but the real change is in how we connect, collaborate and deliver care together.” Through her work on the program, Shiromee has gained a deeper appreciation of the complexity behind every patient journey. “Seeing just how many people are involved in a single patient’s journey is both humbling and motivating. Even small improvements in how we share information can have a significant impact on care.” With a background as a physiotherapist, she brings frontline experience to her role in change management. “I know what it feels like when systems support care. That shapes how I approach
Shiromee Gasperson
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a greener approach to skin grafting A Royal North Shore Hospital initiative is reducing carbon emissions from eligible skin grafting procedures by 73 per cent, while helping patients with small burns receive treatment sooner. The No GA, No Delay: Skin Grafting the Local Way project allows suitable patients to undergo skin grafting under local anaesthetic in the Severe Burns Injury Unit Ambulatory Care Clinic, rather than in an operating theatre under general anaesthetic.
choose this pathway again. Procedures can be completed in less than two hours, allowing patients to remain awake and return home sooner to recover compared to having a procedure done through an operating theatre pathway. Clinical outcomes were comparable with the operating theatre pathway, with the same median graft healing time of 10 days and no unplanned admissions, regrafting or emergency department presentations recorded. RNSH specialist burns surgeon Dr Aruna Wijewardena said the pathway showed that more sustainable care could also improve the patient experience. “Patients have told us they are comfortable having the procedure under local anaesthetic, and importantly, we are achieving the same healing outcomes as the traditional theatre pathway,” he said. “By delivering this care in the clinic, we can treat patients while reducing emissions, avoiding hospital admissions and freeing up valuable theatre and inpatient resources.” The initiative is expected to avoid around 70 hospital admissions each year and deliver almost $382,000 in savings for Northern Sydney Local Health District. It will also support the district’s broader sustainability goals, including achieving net zero emissions by 2035 for emissions within its control and reducing the emissions it can influence by 50 per cent.
By moving appropriate procedures out of theatre, the pathway reduces the environmental impact associated with operating theatre resources, general anaesthetic, inpatient beds and larger clinical teams giving more opportunities to the major burn surgeries. Led by Dr Aruna Wijewardena, Dr Nadya Rykina-Tameeva, transitional nurse practitioner Jessica Hew and Dr Rowan Gillies, the project won the Environmental Sustainability category at the NSLHD 2026 Quality and Improvement Awards and has also been nominated for a 2026 NSW Health Award in the Environmental Sustainability category. The project also received a $47,000 grant through the 2026 NSLHD Innovation Pitch Program to support its expansion and help educate other burn services across Australia about the pathway. For patients, the change means avoiding the preparation associated with a general anaesthetic and a shorter hospital stay with 100 per cent of patients saying they would
Shir (L-R) Transitional nurse practitioner Jessica Hew, burns (L-R) Transitional nurse practitioner Jessica Hew, burns surgeon Dr Aruna Wijewardena and resident medical officer Dr Nadya Rykina-Tameeva
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rnsh NICU MARKS NAIDOC WEEK WITH FAMILY GESTURE Families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Royal North Shore Hospital are being gifted a small hand-painted artwork for newborns during NAIDOC Week. Situated on Cammeraygal Country, the initiative was led by Clinical Nurse Educator Suzette Riva and recognises both the arrival of new life and connection to Country. Suzette Riva said the memento is a simple way to mark the occasion. “This keepsake is a small but meaningful gesture that celebrates new life, acknowledges connection to Country, and reflects our commitment to culturally safe, family-centred care,” she said. Clinical Nurse Consultant
Neonatology, Emily Macnaught said the idea emerged through collaborative conversations within the team about how best to meaningfully acknowledge NAIDOC Week in a neonatal setting. “Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most significant moments, and we felt it was important to mark that occasion during NAIDOC Week,” she said. The initiative builds on the unit’s broader cultural recognition work, including redesigned cot cards introduced in 2024. Every baby admitted to NICU receives a cot card featuring one of six designs hand painted by Darug educator and artist Leanne Watson Redpath, each reflecting aspects of Aboriginal culture and heritage, and provided as a keepsake for families.
The NSLHD Infection Prevention and Control team at a World Hand Hygiene Day stall MUSIC BRINGS COMFORT TO MONA VALE HOSPITAL PATIENTS A volunteer musician is bringing moments of calm and connection to patients at Mona Vale Hospital’s Palliative Care and Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit. Brent began visiting the unit in 2024 after his close friend Stuart, affectionately known as “Frog”, was admitted while living with oesophageal cancer. With Stuart’s encouragement, Brent brought in his 12-string guitar to play for him, other patients and staff. Following Stuart’s passing, Brent RNSH NICU staff with the NAIDOC gifts and cards
chose to continue visiting the unit in his honour. He now returns monthly, sharing a repertoire of more than 170 songs, and also performs at weddings and memorial services held within the unit. In an interview with NSLHD’s fundraising partner, The NORTH Foundation, Clinical Support Officer at Mona Vale Hospital, Kate Vaughan, said Brent’s presence has made a meaningful difference to patients and staff. “It’s wonderful to hear Brent play. His music is soothing and it brings comfort to everyone who hears it. We’re so grateful that he shares his gift with us.”
Brent playing guitar at MVH
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New approaches to treating alcohol dependence Around one in three Australians drink alcohol at levels considered harmful, yet treatment options remain limited. This is especially the case in Northern Sydney, where alcohol use is more common than other drug use. To respond to this gap, the Northern Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Services Research Unit is focusing on clinical
The team is now preparing a trial using cannabidiol, or CBD, building on evidence that it may also reduce alcohol use and cravings. “There’s evidence it decreases alcohol use as well. We’re looking at whether it can be part of the package of treatments we offer.” Treatment at NSLHD takes a holistic approach, with medication supported by mental health care and other supports. “It’s not just about: ‘here take this medication’. It’s also what else can we do to help that person with associated issues such as mental health concerns,” he says. Stigma remains a major barrier, with only around 10 percent of Australians with alcohol dependence ever seeing a specialist. “Everybody knows someone with a drug or alcohol issue,” he says, “but there’s still misunderstanding, and these topics are not openly discussed.” Despite this, Mark is optimistic. NSLHD DAS is now central to national alcohol dependence research, leading trials that could reshape future care. “We’ve got to be doing better than what we’re doing now,” says Mark. “And research is the way forward.”
trials that expand treatment options and improve outcomes for our community. The unit is overseen by Clinical Director and Associate Professor Mark Montebello and Research Lead Dr Lauren Monds. “If you look at antidepressants, there are about 30 to choose from,” Mark says. “In alcohol dependence treatment, we have only three approved mediations.” In 2024, the team was involved in a landmark NHMRC funded trial led by Professors Kirsten Morley and Paul Haber from the University of Sydney. The study compared naltrexone, a gold standard medication for alcohol dependence, with topiramate, a seizure medication also shown to reduce alcohol cravings. The results were striking, with topiramate performing remarkably well. “We weren’t the first to discover it,” said Mark, “but we were the first to do it locally in a rigorous way, head to head with the gold standard [medication].”
Associate Professor Mark Montebello and Dr Lauren Monds
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