NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb New clinic offers protection against tuberculosis
Read more on Page x
PAGE 4
New spinal resource launched with BBQ tradition Page 7
RNSH doctor heads AI ethics study Page 3
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, I’m very proud to share that Northern Sydney Local Health District has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2025 International Hospital Federation Awards. With more than 700 global submissions across eight categories, two teams from NSLHD are the only Australian finalists, which is a remarkable achievement. The district’s net-zero healthcare blueprint, the first in Australia, was named a finalist in the Ashikaga-Nikken Excellence Award for Low-Carbon Healthcare award category. The Parental Leave Understanding and Support (PLUS) Program at Royal North Shore Hospital was named a finalist for the American Hospital Association Excellence Award for Healthcare Workers’ Wellbeing award category. Both initiatives were winners at the 2024 NSW Health Awards and now represent Australia on the world stage. This recognition is a tribute to the innovation, commitment, and teamwork of everyone involved. Congratulations to both teams on this incredible achievement. I was very honoured to announce the establishment of the Allied Health Staff Council at Northern Sydney Local Health District recently. The new council will ensure allied health professionals are actively engaged in shaping district-wide priorities, sharing their expertise, and driving innovation in service delivery.
It will also embed allied health leadership into strategic planning and decision-making, giving these teams a strong voice at the table. Congratulations to our inaugural Chair, Dr Fiona Simpson, clinical specialist and research dietitian at Royal North Shore Hospital, and to Lauren Comans, senior dietitian at Mona Vale Hospital, as deputy chair. The annual NSW People Matter Employee Survey for NSW public sector employees was recently opened. This survey is a fantastic opportunity for staff to have your say on what’s going well at work as well what could be improved to improve your experience. If you are a staff member working across one of our health services, please complete the survey by using the following link: https:// bit.ly/PMES-2025. The survey closes on 8 September. I would like to thank staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to provide feedback, which is being heard and continues to drive meaningful change across our organisation. Warm regards, Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 15| 22 AUGUST 2025
2
Dr Yagiz Aksoy
RNSH doctor heads AI ethics study A multimillion-dollar national project, Research Ethics Plus AI (REP AI) , is underway to ensure healthcare Artificial Intelligence is used safely and ethically, led by a Royal North Shore Hospital doctor. Dr Yagiz Aksoy is a resident medical officer and one of the chief investigators on the REP- AI project, which is supported through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Projects scheme. The scheme provides funding alongside contributions from participating partners, bringing the total investment in REP-AI to $2.25 million. The four-year project will support health organisations and ethics committees to better assess research involving AI, which is already being used in medical imaging, diagnostics and predictive modelling. The project will examine how AI is being used in health research, consult experts across the country, and involve everyday Australians in sharing their views, before developing practical tools to help ethics committees review AI-based studies Yagiz said the project comes at a critical time, as AI becomes increasingly embedded in clinical care and health research. “AI is no longer a distant concept. It’s already here, influencing how we diagnose, treat and predict disease,” he said. “AI holds huge promise in healthcare, but without ethical oversight, it can also amplify bias or harm. “This work is about building trust and ensuring AI is developed and used responsibly.” REP-AI is the only NHMRC funded project in Australia this year focused on applied ethics or AI governance and Yagiz said the long-term prospects for AI in health is promising. Yagiz is joined on the leadership team by Professor Stacy Carter from the University of Wollongong, Dr Lisa Eckstein from Bellberry Ltd and the University of Tasmania, Professor Farah Magrabi from Macquarie University, and Professor Annette Braunack-Mayer from the University of Wollongong. The study is also supported by partner organisations NSW Health, Bellberry Ltd, Alfred Health, Research Australia, Population Health Research Network, the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) and the Australasian Institute of Digital Health.
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
3
Staff at Brookvale Community Health Centre celebrate the Plastic Free July competition
Staff creativity shines in Plastic Free July competition Sustainability has taken centre stage at Brookvale Community Health Centre, Dalwood, the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice and Mona Vale Hospital over the past month for Plastic Free July. Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages individuals, communities and organisations to reduce single-use plastics and adopt more sustainable habits. The initiative has been championed by a staff sustainability committee which started three years ago. This year, the group ran a competition inviting staff to share their plastic-free actions through photos, poems or drawings with NSLHD planetary health stainless steel water bottles on offer as prizes. The initiative aimed to inspire action in reducing single-use plastics while showcasing the simple changes that can make a big difference to the environment. This year’s winning entries were two standout poems from Health Information Services and the school years health promotion team, both sharing practical ideas for reducing plastic waste. NSLHD health promotion officer Eve Clark said the competition showed how small efforts can add up to a big impact. “Every small change makes a difference, and it’s inspiring to see staff efforts to protect our environment,” she said.
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.
xxxxxxx
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 15| 22 AUGUST 2025
4
New clinic offers protection against tuberculosis A new nurse-led tuberculosis (TB) vaccination
growing and diverse community. “Vaccination for children travelling overseas for more than four weeks is a key preventative health action aligned with the national TB elimination strategy,” she said. The vaccine offers over 70 per cent protection against severe TB and can last up to 15 years. Families can request the vaccine through the NSW Health portal or contact NSLHD- TBServicesBCG@health.nsw.gov.au.
clinic has opened at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital to meet growing demand from families in the region. Northern Sydney’s changing population and increased travel to high-risk areas prompted the launch of the clinic, the latest addition to the district’s BCG services. The TB clinic provides the Bacille Calmette- Guerin (BCG) vaccine which is important protection for children under five travelling to countries where TB remains common. TB is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, causing 1.3 million deaths and 10.8 million cases each year. Australia records around 1,400 new cases annually, including more than 500 in New South Wales. While curable, early detection and prevention are vital to limit its spread and avoid drug- resistant strains. The new clinic will run every two months in Hornsby’s outpatient department, joining established TB clinics at Royal North Shore and Mona Vale hospitals. NSLHD TB Services Acting Nurse Manager Tanya Silva said the clinic aligns with national efforts to eliminate TB and responds to a
(L) Tanya Silva, Acting Nurse Manager TB Services alongside clinical nurse specialists Chantelle Murdocca and Lee Whylie
Celebrating 10 years of stepping up for a great cause Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) is proud to mark 10 years of participating in STEPtember.
The district acknowledges and thanks the sponsors of this year’s prizes: Aware Super, HealthCare Home Loans, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Fitness Passport and Salary Packaging Plus.
STEPtember is a year challenge that inspires staff to get active while raising vital funds for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance who fund cerebral palsy research, support and services. Since first taking part in 2016, NSLHD staff have stepped, walked, rolled and moved their way to raise an outstanding $454,615. To celebrate the 10-year milestone, NSLHD has set a goal for 2025 to raise at least $45,385 and surpass a lifetime total of $500,000 raised for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said staff from across the district have shown incredible enthusiasm and support for each other throughout the last decade, making the challenge as much fun as it is meaningful. “Whether it is your first time taking part or your tenth, every step and every bit of support truly matters,” he said. “I’m excited to see how the district rises to the fundraising goal in this special tenth year.” Staff can sign up for STEPtember 2025 here: https://bit.ly/NSLHD-STEPtember-2025.
STEPtember throwback: The flagship team at Hornsby Hospital in 2016
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
5
RNSH Hits Trauma Care Milestone Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) has earned the highest possible distinction for trauma care in Australia and New Zealand: Level 1 Trauma Verification. The verification is part of a national program led by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in collaboration with other medical disciplines. Independent reviewers assess all stages of trauma care at a facility—from pre-hospital response to rehabilitation—and identify strengths and areas for improvement. Achieving Level 1 confirms that RNSH delivers the most advanced care for critically injured patients while also leading in trauma research, education, and regional support. To mark this rare achievement, Chief Executive Anthony Schembri presented the trauma team with a framed copy of their RACS certificate. “This verification is really impressive,” he said. “Studies have shown that trauma services internationally that are verified have better morbidity and mortality outcomes so it’s good for patients, and it’s an honour to be acknowledged in this way.” The trauma team responded by gifting the CE a striking and difficult-to-capture aerial photograph of a trauma helicopter landing on RNSH’s helipad. Dr Geoff Healy, director of trauma services at RNSH, said the recognition under the Trauma Care Verification program had been a team effort. “We can be as passionate as possible about the things we do but without support from senior executive, we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we’ve achieved,” he said.
Chief Executive Anthony Schembri with the RNSH Trauma service team
6
NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 15| 22 AUGUST 2025
Making exercise easier for osteoarthritis patients Researchers at Royal North Shore Hospital are trialling a new program to support people with knee osteoarthritis to move more and manage their symptoms.
symptoms and helps people manage the condition. We’re looking forward to finding an evidenced-based approach to help the community reach that amount of activity,” she said. The study has been funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and supported by Arthritis Australia state groups. If you’re interested in joining the trial, further details can be found on the website. https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/ cascadeoa-study-overview
Study co-lead Dr Vicky Duong said exercise is one of the most effective treatments of osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group has launched a study to identify the best way to incorporate more activity into each day. The trial will involve a 12-week self-guided physical activity program where participants will be offered either a detailed program and a Fitbit activity tracker, or the assistance of the Fitbit tracker. Vicky said it was important to involve the community in the design of this trial. “We hope that by listening to a broad range of communities, we have developed a program that will deliver improved results and better health outcomes.” Co-lead Dr Sarah Kobayashi said the guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week, or the combination of both. “This level of activity reduces osteoarthritis spinal ward courtyard at Royal North Shore Hospital, the ‘SCI Rookie Book’ is the first of a planned five-part series co-developed with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA). It was written by people with lived experience of supporting a family member through spinal cord injury, using simple language and a practical layout designed to make complex medical information easier to understand. Spinal ward social worker Helen Tonkin said the resource fills a long-standing gap for families. While there are many tools available for patients, families often feel lost and unsupported in those early days. “There aren’t a lot of resources for family members or carers,” Helen said. “A parent of one of the SCIA Peer Support Workers developed this resource based on their lived experience supporting a daughter with a spinal cord injury. Even the little details, such as space for questions or notes, demonstrate a genuine understanding of
Dr Sarah Kobayashi and Dr Vicky Duong
New spinal resource launched with BBQ tradition Families of people with spinal cord injuries now have a dedicated new resource to help them navigate the days and weeks following an injury. Launched during a Friday BBQ in the
what families go through.” The spinal ward BBQ is hosted every Friday, with staff cooking lunch for patients in the courtyard. It’s followed by a 2pm family meeting supported by peer workers and SCIA — an informal but important opportunity for families to connect, ask questions and share their experiences. The booklet is now available online via the SCIA Resource Hub: https://bit.ly/4kY3Rdo, and in hard copy on the ward.
Members of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia holding the ‘Rookie Book’ at RNSH
7
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online