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NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb NUMs and mums development day T is month NSLHD nursing unit managers and maternity unit managers came together for a continuing professional development day.
Read more on Page x Read more on Page 3
new Ryde hospital: staff and community consultation Page 3
Queen’s honours to researchers, clinicians, volunteers Page 5
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Message from the Chief Executive Deb Willcox
The past two weeks have been a reminder of how quick things can change in the current climate. As New South Wales once again grapples with transmission of COVID-19, it is important we continue to follow the guidelines put in place, both at work, at home and within the community. Our hospitals and services have once again transitioned to amber alert, and while I know this is not unfamiliar to a lot of you, I also know it presents challenges in your working environment and for our patients and their families. I would like to say thank you to everyone for their continued understanding and patience. The New South Wales community has been phenomenal in responding to COVID-19, with record numbers turning out to be vaccinated, while testing numbers remain high. The changes, such as mask wearing and reduced numbers of visitors, can be stressful – but as health professionals we know these changes are essential and we need to continue to abide by them. Some of you may have already seen the news, but this week our district will be saying farewell to Medical Executive Director Dr Tamsin Waterhouse. Tamsin has been with us since October 2018 and in a relatively short time made a phenomenal contribution to our LHD – we have all benefited from her intellect, her love of the public health system and her integrity. She has never shied away from what is important for patients and has maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety and quality of the care we
provide. Tamsin has been called to the Bar, starting a new career as a barrister in the city. We are immensely proud of her and so thrilled she can now fulfil this long held ambition. While I am so sorry to lose her, as I know many of you will be, I can only but think how lucky those in need of legal advocacy will be to have Tamsin take their brief. Recruitment is underway to ensure we maintain the support to our medical workforce and research. In exciting news, we are one step closer to announcing the 2021 winners of our Quality Improvement Awards. I am always proud to hear about the work you are doing across our district that makes a real and positive difference to the lives of our patients, consumers, and their families and carers. This year’s submissions again highlight how dedicated and committed you are to providing the highest quality care to our community. A huge thank you to everyone who submitted applications this year and not surprising the judging process was not easy. Congratulations to our finalists for 2021. The winning project teams and runner up for each category will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 29 June at 9:30am.
Deb Willcox Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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NEW RYDE HOSPITAL STAFF AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION UNDERWAY The local community and staff are invited to have the clinical requirements, hospital and community
and the community to share experiences and provide input in determining the most appropriate site for the redevelopment. “It is an exciting time for our workforce and local community and I look forward to your involvement as we progress the planning of our new Ryde Hospital,” she said. As part of the early planning process, a number of considerations will inform the redevelopment including
their say on the future redevelopment of Ryde Hospital. The feedback will inform the location of the redevelopment following an announcement last year by the NSW Government that it would consider a proposal to relocate the Ryde Hospital to the Macquarie University North Ryde Campus. Ryde Hospital General Manager Heather Gough said the consultation period is a time for staff (MUMs) from across the district came together for a continuining professional development day. There were several educational sessions throughout the day and opportunities for the NUMs and MUMs to network. NSLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery Claire Harris said the day saw
feedback, alongside independent advice on traffic, access, environmental impacts, social amenity and economic analysis. The survey will be open until 30 June 2021 and is part of an extensive consultation process being carried out to gain feedback from staff and clinicians as well as the broader community. You can complete the survey here: https://bit. ly/3j43oKo.
NUms and mums across NSLHD COME TOGETHER Earlier this month nursing unit managers (NUMs) and midwifery unit managers
inspire and recognise the NUMs and MUMs within our district for their incredible work, particularly over the past 12 months.” Left to right: Fiona Thorn, Madeleine Borys, Marina Strelkoff from the NSLHD Nursing and Midwifery Directorate
high engagement and was positively received from all who participated. “The day provided an opportunity to develop,
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Queen’s honours to researchers, clinicians and volunteers From researchers, clinicians to volunteers, several staff from Northern Sydney Local Health District has been honoured in the Queen’s birthday honour roll for their contribution to health care. Professor Carol Pollock AO Royal North Shore Hospital clinician and Kolling Institute researcher Chair of Kidney Health Australia, Chair of the NSW Bureau of Health Information and Deputy Chair of the Australian Organ, Tissue and
Professor Carol Pollock AO has been recognised for her extraordinary contribution to healthcare in this year’s Queen’s birthday honour roll. Carol was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to medical research, education and science, nephrology, and clinical practice and governance. As a renal medicine specialist and internationally respected academic, Prof Pollock has had a remarkable career as a clinician, researcher, lecturer, mentor and advocate. She has published over 390 papers in clinical medicine and basic science, and is an inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Carol has had an extensive range of health leadership roles, and is currently the
Transplant Authority. She was chair of the NSLHD board from 2010- 2016. She is a member of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, on several industry boards, and an Ambassador of Business Events Sydney. Her dedication to her clinical and research endeavours have been recognised with many accolades, including a ministerial award for excellence in cardiovascular research and a Vice Chancellor’s award for research supervision from The University of Sydney. Carol welcomed the Queen’s birthday award, saying it is an honour and a privilege to be recognised with an Order of Australia. “It’s important to note that I have a team who
Professor Carol Pollock was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
has contributed to this recognition so I am immensely grateful to all those who have supported me in my endeavours,” she said. “A really positive aspect of receiving this award has been reconnecting with people that I haven’t seen in a very long time, including school and university friends, many colleagues who have retired from the health system and in some cases partners of colleagues who have passed away. “I didn’t realise so many people read the honour lists. The award has rekindled friendships and collaborations for which I am grateful.”
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Vicki Evans (Roach) AM Royal North Shore Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant Vicki Evans (Roach) was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to neuroscience nursing, and to professional federations. Vicki has been the Neuroscience Nurses since 2005 and Board member since 1998. She is an advisor to the Australasian Neuroscience vice president of the World Federation of Nurses Association and has been a guest speaker at many international conferences on nursing and neurosciences. Vicki has been a CNC in neurosciences at RNSH for almost 20 years, as well as been the nurse unit manager in neurosurgery between 2005 and 2002. She has been involved in educating young people on the risks of head injuries and helped to develop the Schools Head Injury Program.
Joy’s dedication to fundraising and volunteering has earned her the North Sydney Community Award and she was the joint recipient of the Community Service Award of Rotary Club of Roseville Chase (2012). Since Joy has been president of the RNSH Ladies’ Committee, the group has donated just over $1.9 million to the hospital.
Vicki Evans (Roach) was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Joy Campbell-Stephen OAM Royal North Shore Hospital volunteer Joy Campbell- Stephen has been recognised for her long services to the community of North Sydney receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Joy will be familiar to visitors, staff and patients to RNSH as she has been president of the Pink Ladies since 2008. She can be found most days in the Pink Shop and has been volunteering at the hospital since 2006.
Joy Campbell-Stephen has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
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Contact our team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.
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Researchers celebrate national award Kolling Institute researchers have been recognised with a prestigious award for an initiative to support people to return to work after injury.
The project, named Early Matched Care at Australia Post, was named the 2021 Winner of Comcare’s national Recovery at and Return to Work Award. The research team was led by Professor Michael Nicholas, from the Pain Management Research Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital and The University of Sydney, and research manager Dr Manasi Mittinty. The team partnered with Australia Post for the two-year trial, which involved early identification and intervention for injured workers at risk of delayed recovery following a work-related injury. More than 270 workers were identified as being at high risk of delayed recovery and enrolled in the study. Participants in the intervention arm of the trial were offered up to six sessions with a psychologist or counsellor, and a workplace rehabilitation provider to assist with barriers for early return to work. This was in addition to the medical and physiotherapy care normally provided for such injured workers. While the study is continuing, Michael said the intervention arm has already
Professor Michael Nicholas, from the Pain Management Research Centre at Royal North Shore Hospi-tal and The University of Sydney
demonstrated benefits with return to full hours at work in less than half the time of the usual care arm. Australia Post’s injury management team has responded quickly, implementing the protocol for all their injured workers across Australia. Michael said this is a significant development which highlights the potential of collaborative projects to improve outcomes for injured workers, while also producing financial savings for the employer. “It’s a great example of researchers working closely with industry to evaluate a new approach to deliver long-term, tangible improvements,” he said. “This approach has not only been welcomed by Australia Post, but by injured workers and their doctors. “Workers appreciated the connection to positive people and consistent reassurance, while general practitioners said they were able to provide treatments that would otherwise be very difficult for patients to access.”
Research manager Dr Manasi Mittinty
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Staff from Hornsby Hospital’s vaccination centre with the new heaters
Heating up at Hornsby’s vaccination centre There is always a warm reception at Hornsby’s the chilly days with eight heaters.
at Hornsby is very thankful for the generous donation from Bunnings to help keep our vaccinating team and patients toasty during the winter months.” The centre opened at the
vaccination centre, but now it is really heating up with the arrival of new heaters. Following a generous donation from Bunnings, staff and visitors to the vaccination hub are keeping warm through
assist patients to smoke or vape. Please don’t escort patients to smoke or ask our security officers to do so, as it would be a breach of staff code of conduct. Patients who have a nicotine addiction should be supported with compassion and referred to their medical team to be assessed for suitability for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). The most important thing smokers and vapers can do to improve their health is quit. Your health service is here to help. Staff can receive cessation support and Staff popped into the Rydalmere Bunnings to collect the heaters which have been warmly received on the clinical floor. Vaccination Centre Nurse Unit Manager Hayley Marr said: “The vaccination team
start of March and has vaccinated more than 12,000 people.
No smoking or vaping, anywhere, anytime Authorised security officers at Northern Sydney Local Health District health facilities have been
access to four weeks free NRT from Staff Health. Contact your local team on: • Royal North Shore: 9462 9430 • Hornsby Ku-ring-gai: 9477 9128 • Ryde: 9858 7643 • Mona Vale: 9998 0543 • Macquarie: 9887 5653 For further help to quit call the Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT) or visit www.icanquit. com.au Search ‘smoke free NSLHD’ on the intranet for information on resources and guides to help promote a smoke-free workplace and support patients.
enforcing our smoke- free by law since it was
introduced in 2015. This includes using
e-cigarettes, or vaping. Every time you see a ‘no smoking’ sign in your workplace, it also refers to vaping. E-cigarettes have been known to contain dangerous chemicals such as heavy metals and solvents and may damage your health. Not only are staff not permitted to smoke or vape on NSLHD sites, they are not permitted to
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M ental H ealth P athways in P ractice
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April 2021 © NSW Health. SHPN (NMO) 210253
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