NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb Wellness day brings women’s health to the forefront at Hornsby
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digital health program easing pain in diverse communities Page 11
Innovative physio boosting outcomes for premature babies Page 8
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, I was delighted to attend the first meeting of 2025 for the refreshed Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct. This Precinct brings together a collective of partners committed to strengthening the integration of health, research, academia, and industry on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus. A warm welcome to Deanne Stewart, recently announced as the Independent Chair of the Precinct. I am excited about what we can achieve through collaboration with our partners to enhance a learning health system, accelerate value-based healthcare, and embed translational research into everyday practice. I look forward to keeping you updated as our work with Precinct partners progresses. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Kerrie Pryke as our new Executive Director of People and Culture. Kerrie brings a wealth of experience in human resources, employee relations, and strategic initiatives. We look forward to her leadership as we continue fostering a positive and thriving workplace culture. It was also a pleasure to attend the NSLHD Board Research Innovation and Technology Strategy Planning Session. The session brought together more than 60 participants, including researchers, clinicians, consumers and staff from across the district. Their valuable insights will help shape the renewal of NSLHD’s research strategy. Co-chaired by Nadine Levin, Chair of the NSLHD Board Subcommittee for Research, Innovation and Technology, and Professor Bruce Robinson AC, NSLHD Chair of Research, this inaugural session was rich in ideas and energy. The feedback shared will be instrumental in helping us realise our vision of becoming a leading international health district for research and clinical trials.
Further consultation will take place in the coming months to ensure broad input into the development of the new strategy. Last week, we acknowledged National Close the Gap Day, a time to reflect on the ongoing health and social inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. While progress has been made, there is still much to do. We must continue to work together to close the gap and ensure equitable health outcomes for all communities. We also celebrated Harmony Week, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Staff across the District wore orange in a powerful show of support for diversity and inclusion. At Royal North Shore Hospital, our Multicultural Health Service and CALD Employee Network hosted a vibrant Harmony Week stall. It was heartening to see our staff embrace this event and affirm our shared commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone. I am also proud to share that NSLHD was awarded a Gold Service Provider award at the Pride in Health + Wellbeing Awards for its submission to the Health + Wellbeing Equality Index. This recognition reflects our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and the ongoing work we are doing to make our District a more inclusive and supportive place. Finally, a reminder that submissions for the NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards is 14 April 2025. This is a great opportunity for you to recognise your colleagues and celebrate the outstanding contributions across our District. Nominations are due by 14 April 2025. For more details, visit here: https://bit.ly/3YegN3A or contact nslhd-awards@health.nsw.gov.au. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing dedication to providing exceptional care to our community. Warm regards, Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive
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Attendees of the wellness day at Hornsby Hospital
Wellness day brings women’s health to the forefront at Hornsby In what was a special event for women around the Hornsby community, the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service hosted a Women’s Wellness Day at Bungee Bidgel, Hornsby Hospital. The day was held in conjunction with International Women’s Day celebrations and acknowledged the theme of ‘accelerating action for gender equality’, with the aim of promoting health and wellness amongst women in the local community as well as taking part in cultural activities An Acknowledgement of Country and smoking ceremony by the First Nations Education Centre began proceedings and was followed by a series of workshops and demonstrations throughout the day. Throughout the day, attendees had access to 11 different services aimed at addressing various aspects of women’s health and wellbeing, such as breast screenings, dental checks and general practitioner consults. Each service was staffed by qualified professionals who provided valuable insights and hands-on support to attendees. There was a weaving workshop on the day, which was led by Ngumpie weaving, a local organisation that promotes traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques. A collective artwork was created on the day by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who attended the day and will be displayed within the district. Acting Deputy Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service Tavia Bernsdorff said the day was received well from attendees. “It was fantastic to see the number of women join us, which really
demonstrates a growing interest in health and the feedback has been so positive,” she said. “Moving forward, we will continue to consider strategies to increase outreach and participation while continuing to offer diverse wellness services tailored to the needs of women.” The district would also like to acknowledge generous donations from the RNSH Corner Shop, Kakadu Plum Company and KOH Living that made the day a great success.
Attendees were able to take part in cultural weaving
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The RNSH emergency department team receiving their award
Celebrating excellence: The PLUS Program and NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards The Northern Sydney Local Health District Quality and Improvement Awards recognise the exceptional work of nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, support staff, and researchers who make a significant difference to patients and families. inspiring other organisations to replicate it. Ongoing research will continue to validate its impact. Since winning the NSW Health Award, Alison Partyka, clinical nurse consultant at RNSH,
shared that the program has expanded. “Since implementing, the program has now expanded to include a few other mentors who help run it. We’ve recently presented to the HETI leadership program, the HCQC board, and Hunter New England, who are all interested in adopting it,” she said. The Quality and Improvement Awards offer an opportunity to recognise outstanding achievements and highlight NSLHD’s commitment to high-quality care. Submissions from staff for the 2025 awards are due by April 14, 2025. For more details, visit the submission page (https://bit. ly/3YegN3A) or contact nslhd-awards@ health.nsw.gov.au.
These awards highlight the dedication behind various programs that improve patient care and outcomes. Nine categories are recognised, with winners and runners-up in each. One standout initiative is the Parental Leave Understanding and Support (PLUS) Program, introduced by the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Emergency Department. Awarded the People and Culture Award, the PLUS program supports new working parents in emergency medicine by offering mentorship, wellness sessions, lactation support, and a family room for staff’s physical and psychological well-being. This initiative has increased staff retention and resilience, gaining national attention and
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NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 5| 28 MARCH 2025
Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct welcomes Deanne Stewart’s leadership Deanne Stewart, who was recently
and I look forward to seeing her expertise make a significant impact on the precinct.” NSLHD’s partner organisations of the precinct are: • NSW Health • • University of Technology Sydney
announced as the Independent Chair of the Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct, has chaired her first meeting with partner organisations from the collective recently. The Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct is a collective dedicated to integrating health, research, academic, and industry efforts on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus. Through collaboration, the precinct aims to enhance a learning health system, accelerate value-based healthcare, and embed translational research into everyday practice. Deanne, who joined Aware Super as Chief Executive Officer in 2018, brings over 25 years of experience in finance and business strategy to joint collective. Before leading Aware Super, Deanne held senior roles at MetLife Australia, BT Financial Group, Westpac, and Merrill Lynch. Deanne’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the precinct’s strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration among its partner organisations. As she chaired her first meeting, Deanne emphasised the importance of strengthening partnerships to drive meaningful healthcare improvements. NSLHD Board Chair Trevor Danos welcomed Deanne’s appointment, highlighting her ability to drive impactful change. “Under Deanne’s stewardship, the Sydney North HealthCare Innovation precinct is well placed to collaborate with its partners and deliver healthcare reform and education that will have an impact on not just our local community, but the wider population,” she said. “Deanne brings a wealth of experience which will assist the precinct greatly in achieving its strategic goals and place us in good stead for the future.” NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri welcomed Deanne and said the district, alongside its partners within the precinct, are lucky to have Deanne join the collective. “As a highly accomplished businesswomen and with Deanne’s leadership and guidance, the precinct and its partners are in a strongthe precinct and its partners are in a strong position to achieve strategic priorities, leading to lasting improvements in clinical outcomes and healthcare delivery,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have Deanne on board,
Macquarie University
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Primary Health Network Northern Sydney Sydney North Health Network Nucleus Network
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Dexus
Mater Hospital
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Australian Catholic University
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University of Sydney NORTH Foundation
Next DC
The George Institute
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Ramsay Health Care Sydney Health Partners HammondCare Connect MPID
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Kolling Institute Willoughby City Council
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University of NSW
AGRF
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North Shore Private Hospital
Independent Chair of the Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct, Deanne Stewart
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Close the Gap Day stall at RNSH
NSLHD Marks Close The Gap Day NSLHD recently observed National Close The Gap Day, a day initially aimed at raising awareness of the critical need to improve the health, social, and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Close the Gap is underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are authentically included in the co-design and delivery of policies, programs, and services, better life outcomes are achieved. Close The Gap Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in achieving health equity and the continued efforts required to close the gap in health outcomes. Despite progress in certain areas, significant disparities remain in areas such as life expectancy, infant mortality, and chronic disease rates. The day is a vital call to action, urging governments, organisations, and
individuals to collaborate in addressing these health disparities. Adam Cryer, Project Manager of Community Inclusion and Capacity Building at the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, emphasised the importance of acknowledging the health discrepancies that exist. “Aboriginal people’s life expectancy is shorter, the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care is worsening, and suicide rates are increasing. We need to accelerate efforts to address these critical issues,” he said. “The cultural gap impacts treatment and how it should be approached. There is a clear need for inter-agency collaboration and ongoing awareness across all aspects of healthcare.”
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NSLHD welcomes new Executive Director of People and Culture
her strong leadership and commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. “Kerrie is a values-based leader committed to our CORE values and will work with our clinical and support teams to realise our district’s ambitions in our Strategic Plan, People Plan, Diversity and Inclusion, and Employee Safety and Wellbeing initiatives,” he said. Upon commencing her role, Kerrie spoke of her excitement to join the district. “I feel so privileged to join the team at NSLHD, that makes a huge difference to so many lives every day, fostering a sense of purpose while learning and growing in a sector that is both dynamic and deeply rewarding,” she said.
NSLHD is proud to welcome Kerrie Pryke, who has commenced the role of Executive Director of People and Culture. With an extensive background in human resources, employee relations, and employment law, Kerrie has spent years shaping workplace strategies that prioritise collaboration, engagement, and wellbeing. Her qualifications include advanced studies in employment law and a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Before joining NSLHD, Kerrie held leadership roles at Transport for NSW, driving HR and industrial relation strategy, and organisational reform. She later brought her expertise to local government, spearheading the people and culture merger of Pittwater, Warringah, and Manly Councils—now Northern Beaches Council—after the NSW Government’s council amalgamations. Whilst working as Executive Director of Human Resources and Safety/Wellbeing at Waverley Council, Kerrie was an integral member of the Council’s Crisis Management Team, leading the people, safety resources, and requirements to ensure the delivery of essential services to the community throughout the COVID pandemic. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri praised Kerrie’s appointment, highlighting
Kerrie Pryke
NSLHD Celebrates Harmony Week NSLHD recently observed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, marking a key event in Harmony Week. Across the district, staff wore orange to show support for diversity and inclusion. The Royal North Shore Hospital lobby hosted a Harmony Week stall, organised by NSLHD’s Multicultural Health Service and CALD Employee Network.
inclusiveness, respect, and belonging. Orange represents social communication, meaningful conversations, freedom of ideas, and mutual respect—all fundamental principles at the heart of the week’s celebrations. For more information, visit https://www. harmony.gov.au/
The stall featured informative resources, ribbons, and recipes designed to encourage conversations about cultural diversity. Chief Executive Anthony Schembri visited the stall and shared his reflections on the importance of the event. “I’m proud to be part of a diverse and multicultural workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Let’s continue to create welcoming and inclusive spaces for all,” he said. Harmony Week, held from March 17 to 23, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes the values of
Harmony Week celebrations at RNSH
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Dr Barbara Lucas
Innovative physiotherapy aims to boost outcomes for premature babies
not saying we cured them, but I think we helped optimise their development.” The initial investigation with 13 babies led Barbara to run the Best Start Trial (BeST) in 2019, a bigger study of ultra-early parent- administered physiotherapy for 30 infants at high risk of cerebral palsy or motor delay. The trial involved physiotherapy for premature babies starting four to five months earlier than usual, with therapy delivered by parents through short, frequent bursts of activity. The sessions lasted for just five minutes and were conducted three times a day. Babies’ motor development was assessed at four, 12, and 24 months to evaluate the effectiveness of the early intervention. While Barbara and her team didn’t see any significant differences in outcomes between the babies on the trial and those in the control group, their carers did. “The parents in the experimental group said they felt that the treatment was highly beneficial, and that it really improved their infant’s function,” she said. Barbara is hoping to conduct more studies down the track, particularly as the first pilot trial was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Overall, we feel encouraged to continue working more on this project.”
In 2016, when Dr Barbara Lucas was on the ward at Royal North Shore Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), she was asked the same question by three fathers whose premature babies had all experienced severe brain bleeds. They wanted to know what would make a difference to their babies’ development. Some of the infants, born up to three months premature, were very fragile. Babies who need care in the NICU can have a range of adverse developmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in childhood. Barbara, a senior physiotherapist in NICU and a postdoctoral research fellow with the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research at the University of Sydney, suggested that when the babies were a little bit older – around the six-week premature mark from term age – the parents could work on five key “milestones”. They included head control, orientation of their hands towards their middle, balance activities, reciprocal kicking of their legs, and visual activities to fix their gaze on their parent’s face. They could be done three times a day for five minutes. “I couldn’t believe how quickly these babies improved,” recalled Barbara. “Surprisingly, none of these babies went on to have cerebral palsy and they were all at risk. I’m
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Australia’s Only Youth Hospice Pharmacist Joey Chan is the senior pharmacist at the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) in Manly, the first-ever role of its kind in
neurodegenerative diseases or congenital disorders. These conditions require a distinct medication approach.
Australia. With over 20 years of experience, Joey transitioned from adult palliative care and acute medication to specialise in the adolescent and young adult space when AYAH opened in 2023. Joey said the role differs significantly from adult clinical pharmacy. While adult palliative care often focuses on patients with oncological diagnoses, the AYA space involves treating patients with complex, chronic conditions like
“There’s more to my role than just end-of- life care,” Joey said. “I wish more people understood that palliative care is not solely about end- of-life; it’s about improving quality of life, managing symptoms, and supporting both the patient and their family through difficult times.” Joey also highlighted a common misconception. “Palliative care is often seen as tied to loss and grief, but in reality, there are many moments of joy and meaningful connections, especially for families and patients who come to AYAH for respite care,” she said. “The focus is on living as fully as possible, no matter what stage a patient is in.”
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Ulysses Club members with Kolling Institute rheumatoid arthritis researchers
Inaugural ride builds support for vital rheumatoid arthritis research The Kolling Institute hosted a special
“It can be a life limiting illness, causing pain, reducing function and mobility.” Lyn said while many people manage well on current medications, improved options are needed. “Game changing steps take significant investment and expertise, and we’re indebted to the Ulysses Club members for embarking on this ride and fostering large-scale community support.” All funds from the ride will go directly towards rheumatoid arthritis research, including a PhD scholarship at the Kolling Institute. Head of the Sutton Arthritis Research Lab Associate Professor Meilang Xue expressed her gratitude to the club members. “This is a heartwarming initiative by an amazing group of people who’ve supported research and students for over 25 years. They have raised more than $500,000 since 1997,” she said. Donations can be made through: https://bit. ly/Ride-for-rheumatoid-2025
event attracting a group of high-powered motorcycles to the campus as part of a 2000-kilometre ride from Melbourne to Armidale to raise awareness and funds for life-changing research. The ride has been co-ordinated by the Ulysses Club which has been supporting rheumatoid arthritis research for nearly three decades. For over 15 years, the club has donated funds to the Sutton Arthritis Lab within the Kolling Institute, consistently investing in discovery and translational research into rheumatoid arthritis. Leading rheumatologist Professor Lyn March said we’re tremendously grateful that this ride is drawing attention to the condition and raising funds. “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects over 500,000 Australians,” she said. “It causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints as the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues lining the joints.
NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri visits the display to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis research
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New digital health program to reduce muscle, joint and bone pain across culturally diverse communities
treatment program for communities from Arabic, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and Vietnamese backgrounds with musculoskeletal pain.
A federal government funding boost will pave the way for a much-needed, tailored program for culturally diverse communities experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Dr Saurab Sharma (pictured on front cover), the chief clinical scientist from the Pain Management and Research Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital, has received a National Health and Medical Research Council investigator grant to progress his research and develop an innovative treatment plan. Investigator grants are awarded to only a small number of leading scientists in Australia each year to advance health research. As a researcher within the Kolling Institute, Dr Saurab Sharma said a specific, co- designed program is needed as culturally and linguistically diverse Australians often miss out on high quality care due to cultural, language, and health literacy barriers. “These communities are often excluded from research including clinical trials, which means evidence-based treatments are designed without their input or experiences,” he said. The $700,000 grant will support the development of a digital, pain-management Northern Sydney Local Health District’s (NSLHD) Associate Director of Pharmacy, Suzanne Olding, has been named a finalist in the state-wide 2025 Excellence in Allied Health Awards. In 2023, Suzie played a pivotal role as the NSW Pharmacy Lead for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), spearheading the development and launch of the state’s VAD Pharmacy Service. She and her team designed and implemented a bespoke statewide service, recruiting and training clinical pharmacists while establishing all essential service elements, including medication procurement, policy development, consumer resources, psychological support, data collection, and quality assurance. Throughout 2024, Suzie continued to advance the service, working with partners to implement a secondary integrated pharmacy site in Hunter New England Local Health District and co-develop a patient-centred NSW matrix tool for triaging cases. Her dedication to leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and continuous quality improvement has strengthened the service’s impact, receiving positive feedback from
“Importantly, the program will be co- designed with individuals with lived experiences of musculoskeletal pain, healthcare professionals from respective cultural backgrounds, and world-leading musculoskeletal pain experts,” he said. “Our initiative aims to empower marginalised and disadvantaged communities, build research capacity within these communities, and foster a greater understanding of pain among community members and healthcare professionals to transform pain management for these vulnerable communities. “Encouragingly, our program could be adopted on a global scale as it will be tailored for Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Nepali, and Vietnamese languages, which are spoken by over 2.2 billion people globally.
“We hope the pain management program will enhance health equity, reduce costs and inform national and international guidelines on musculoskeletal pain.” Suzanne Olding a Finalist in Excellence in Allied Health Awards
patients and families across NSW. Suzie said she was honoured to be shortlisted but emphasised the collective effort behind the nomination. “The successes of the Voluntary Assisted Dying pharmacy program are a team effort,” she said. NSLHD Executive Director of Allied Health, Julia Capper, praised Suzie’s achievements. “We are extremely proud of Suzie’s work and the recognition she has received. I look forward
to seeing where her leadership takes the service next.”
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