NSLHD’s Safety and Quality Newsletter provides information on new and upcoming activities, programs and initiatives within the district that aim to improve the safety of our patients and the quality of our care.
January 2026
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Dear colleagues,
As we begin a new year, January has already been a month of reflection, renewal, and momentum across Hornsby Ku ring gai Hospital. I would like to acknowledge both the moments that have brought us together in sadness and those that remind us of the strength and generosity within our community. We farewelled two highly valued members of our extended hospital family. We honour and remember our colleague David Whare, for 32 years, Dave dedicated himself to Hornsby Ku ring gai Hospital, where he became far more than a colleague. His commitment, knowledge, and genuine care for those around him left an enduring mark that will not be forgotten. We also acknowledge the passing of Janet Cronan on 6 January 2026, following a long illness. Janet was a cherished member of the RACS administration team for over 25 years, and her contribution and warmth will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside her. January has brought moments of celebration. We were delighted to mark the 10th Birthday of the Bungee Bidgel GP Unit, a significant milestone that reflects a decade of collaboration, growth, and improved care for our patients. Congratulations to all staff past and present who have contributed to its success. Our hospital has also benefited enormously from community generosity. Through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation platform and the extraordinary kindness of its donors, we have received vital medical equipment. This remarkable contribution will have a direct and lasting impact on the care we provide to our youngest and most vulnerable patients. Finally, I warmly welcome our newest doctors. The Network 6 Intern Orientation commenced on 19 January 2026, with 38 interns joining us as they begin their first clinical year. We are proud to support them at this important stage of their careers and thank all staff who contribute to their training and wellbeing. Thank you to every member of our hospital community for your dedication, compassion, and teamwork. I look forward to another year of progress as we continue to care for our patients and support one another.
Best Regards, Amanda Green-General Manager, HKH
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF BUNGEE BIDGEL On Friday 5th December 2025 whilst most people were trying to escape the 40-degree heat, Bungee Bidgel celebrated 10 years of providing the first dedicated Aboriginal specific health service in the Northern Sydney LHD, here at the GP Unit at Hornsby Hospital.
Given that it was a total fire ban day Aunty Lois was unable to perform the smoking ceremony but helped us reminisce the many milestones the clinic has achieved.
Over the 10 years, Bungee Bidgel has tried to provide the services the community wants. The clinic not only offers health assessments and GP
appointments, but has partnerships which enable an eye clinic, a hearing clinic, the deadly diabetes clinic and a paediatric clinic to all be offered on site as part of the service. We have also had events such as painting the mural, and planting the bush tucker garden, women’s health days, and in 2023, the Ngangkari healer who provided appointments not only for the community, but also the staff. In 2015 Bungee Bidgel won the RACGP national “Standing Strong Award” in recognition of its important partnership model. Since those early days, the clinic has grown and now has over 750 active first nations patients. The staff at Bungee Bidgel are always keen to see how we can extend our service or form new partnerships, so if you feel like a chat or just seeing the Unit, please drop by.
Page | 2
HKH RELAUNCHES EPJB DISCHARGE HUDDLES: DRIVING BETTER CARE AND FLOW On Monday, 9 February, Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital re-launches the Electronic Patient Journey Board (ePJB) Discharge Huddle across Adult ED Accessible wards, the next step towards improving patient care, communication, and flow. Why It Matters? Every patient deserves the right care, at the right time, in the right place. The ePJB Discharge Huddle makes this happen by: • Planning for safe discharge from day one
• Bringing the whole team together for faster decisions • Identifying and escalating discharge barriers early
What’s New? Daily, consistently scheduled 15-minute huddles with a clear discharge focus and real-time updates in the Patient Flow Portal. That means: • Accurate Estimated Discharge Dates (EDD) • Visibility of Complex Discharge Intervention Groups (CDIGs) • Clarity on Waiting for What (W4W) The result? Patients and families know what’s happening. Teams work in sync. Barriers are escalated early. Flow improves.
The Heart of Success Our Nursing Unit Managers, Team Leaders, Senior Medical staff, Allied Health, and Discharge Roles are leading the charge, backed by our Project Team and Executive Sponsors. Together, let’s make ePJB Discharge Huddles a high-impact, high-visibility discharge planning conversation that drives better outcomes for everyone.
Better Care. Better Flow. Every Day.
(T op left to right): Thomas Fitzsimmons (4C NUM), Majella McFarlane (MAU NUM), Kate Devaney (3B NUM), Lauri Teperson (Dietitian), Tessa (Occupational Therapy), Dr Charmere Linton ( Bottom left to right): Salochina Nagdev (Patient Flow Manager), Kelly Hennessy (Head of Department Social Work), Catherine McNay (Head of Department Podiatry), Holly Moussa (Discharge Patient Flow Concierge Lead for HKH)
Watch out for our post Go Live update in the next newsletter!
Page | 3
2025 HKH MATERNITY SPRINGBOARD TO SUCCESS Please join the Maternity Unit in proudly celebrating Sophie Dodd’s outstanding success as our 2025 Springboard to Success recipient. Sophie dedicated her service improvement project to Antenatal
Expression of Colostrum from 36 weeks and beyond, aptly titled “Express Yourself.” This initiative has laid a strong foundation for empowering expectant mothers through antenatal preparation, supporting a smoother lactation journey and facilitating earlier, confident transitions home. We look forward to the continued growth and sustainability of this impactful initiative. Through Sophie’s work, mothers and babies benefit as a dyad, promoting breastfeeding longevity, strengthening bonding, and supporting maternal hormonal balance. Most importantly, the project contributes to reducing clinical complications, minimising mother-baby separation, and reinforcing the vital role of breast milk as the best possible building block for infant health and development.
Sophie’s commitment exemplifies excellence in maternity care and reflects meaningful, lasting improvements for families we serve.
Page | 4
HUMPTY DUMPTY GRATITUDE MORNING TEA This festive season, we come together with sincere gratitude to celebrate the partnerships and generosity that have profoundly strengthened our neonatal services and the lives of the families we care for.
Our deepest thanks go to the Humpty Dumpty team. Through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation platform and the extraordinary kindness of its donors, we have received numerous pieces of vital medical equipment valued at approximately $450,000,
significantly enhancing our ability to deliver safe, timely, and compassionate care. These donations include, but are not limited to, humidicribs, cardiac monitors, bilirubinometers, humidifiers, phototherapy equipment, a resuscitation cart,
ophthalmoscopes, and observation monitors. Each piece of equipment represents far more than technology, it is an investment in the health, dignity, and future of our tiniest and most vulnerable patients. For our frontline clinicians, this equipment has been transformative, supporting faster and more accurate clinical decision making, improving emergency responses, and streamlining the delivery of care.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to our District and local executive team (Claire Harris, Amanda Green, Shiraz Abdulla, Maria Manna, Michelle De Vroome) and the maternity/neonatal care clinicians for their unwavering support. Your leadership, advocacy, and hands on assistance have been instrumental in ensuring donated equipment is seamlessly integrated into practice, and family-centred care remains at the heart of our service. Through this collaboration, we aim to reduce mother-baby separation, shorten hospital stays, improve clinical outcomes, and enhance the experience for families during critical moments. Looking ahead to the new year, and with a strengthened collaborative partnership with Humpty Dumpty Foundation, we are optimistic about continuing to elevate our standard of care. Each additional piece of state-of-the-art equipment brings us closer to our shared goal, supporting safer care and enabling more babies to return home sooner, healthier, and stronger.
With heartfelt thanks to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation team, and every contributor: Your generosity truly changes lives. Wishing you all a peaceful Festive Season and a hopeful, prosperous New Year.
Page | 5
VOLUNTEER CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Volunteer Christmas
First Prize: Felicia Scott Second Prize: Paul Smith Third Prize: Wendy Hopp Fourth Prize: Janelle Bruce Fifth Prize: Michelle Neilsen Sixth Prize: Tessa Blunder
• • • • • •
Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the raffle such a cheerful part of our holiday season. Your enthusiasm brings a wonderful sense of community to the hospital. Most importantly, a heartfelt thank-you to all our volunteers. Your kindness, time, and steady support make an enormous difference to patients, families, and staff throughout the year. The
hospital is a brighter, more welcoming place because of everything you contribute.
Page | 6
NETWORK 6 INTERN ORIENTATION
The Network 6 Intern Orientation commenced on 19 January 2026, welcoming 38 interns as they begin their first clinical year. Over the two-week orientation program, interns would participate in a comprehensive range of activities designed to support a smooth transition into clinical practice, including EMR training, education sessions, and hospital orientation. Throughout the year, interns will rotate across Hornsby Hospital, Northern Beaches Hospital, Mona Vale Hospital, and Sydney Adventist Hospital, providing them with broad and diverse clinical experiences across the network. We warmly welcome this new cohort of interns, who have demonstrated great enthusiasm and engagement. We wish them every success as they embark on this important milestone in their medical careers.
Page | 7
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
ICU
"Exceptional medical care and attention; dedicated and professional.”
“The entire team made my stay very easy-clerical staff, nurses, nurse practitioners, doctor, x-ray, CT, cleaners and catering staff.”
All Staff
Maternity
“Thank you to the midwives, doctors, ICU team, allied health, support staff and everyone for your calm, expertise and compassion.”
“I truly believe I could not have recovered in a better place. The nurses on 3C treated me as family. You would always go above and beyond to make sure I was well looked after……I feel blessed to have met you all….”
Ward 3C
Patient was seen swiftly. Staff were professional, friendly and efficient; working together seamlessly.
ED
APPRECIATION FOR BUNNINGS PYMBLE We are delighted to extend our heartfelt thanks to Bunnings Pymble for their generous donation of a marquee to support our staff appreciation events. This contribution will make a meaningful difference in helping us create welcoming, comfortable spaces for our team celebrations throughout the year. Their support reflects a wonderful spirit of community partnership, and we are truly grateful for their willingness to invest in the wellbeing of our staff.
A big thank you to the team at Bunnings Pymble for helping us celebrate the people who make our hospital such a special place.
Page | 8
SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF GUIDELINES
Page | 9
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOPHIE
We love celebrating the many talents within our HKH team! One of our wonderful ward clerks from Maternity, Sophie Batchelor, has been showcasing her skills well beyond the workplace. Sophie recently represented Berowra Physical Culture Club at the Sydney Opera House, placing an incredible 5th in Australia. This is an outstanding achievement on a national stage.
Congratulations, Sophie! We are so proud of you and love seeing our team shine both in and out of HKH!
VALE JANET CRONAN
It is with much sadness that we have learned of the passing of Janet Cronan on the 6 January 2026 after a long illness. Janet was part of RACS administration team for over 25 years. Back in the day when you needed a paper-based community file you rang the lovely Janet in Pulbrook Cottage, and she would find the file for you. In her role as an administrative assistant, she was the quiet engine that kept everything moving. She had that rare combination of efficiency and warmth. Her desk was chaos, but somehow, she managed to find exactly what was needed.
She had a wonderful sense of fun, tolerating her colleague’s office decorating schemes and sharing a laugh, when the team wrapped her entire desk in Christmas paper. Even through her illness, she showed a quiet resilience that humbled those around her. She never sought sympathy, never made her struggles the centre of the room. Instead, she carried herself with grace, with dignity, and with that same gentle humour that had always defined her.
The RACS family send their condolences to her family.
Page | 10
VALE DAVID WHARE
Dave was one of those rare individuals whose kindness and humility left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Gentle in nature and generous in spirit, he lived his life with others always at the forefront. Dave’s quiet strength and steady presence made people feel safe, valued, and supported. Simply by being himself, he had a remarkable ability to put others at ease and make them feel genuinely cared for.
As Chief Wardsperson, Dave was a highly valued member of the hospital team. The strong reputation Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital holds within the community is built on the dedication of people like Dave, whose commitment, integrity, and spirit helped shape the welcoming and compassionate environment the hospital is known for. For 32 years, Dave dedicated himself to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, where he was far more than a colleague. He became a trusted friend, a source of reassurance, and a familiar, comforting presence to many. His workmates were his extended family, and he gave the same loyalty, compassion, and respect to his workplace as he did to every part of his life. The admiration and affection shared by those who worked alongside him speak volumes about the man Dave was. From his first day onwards, Dave brought dedication, reliability, and generosity of spirit to his work. His quiet smile, softly spoken manner, and genuine kindness fostered enduring connections with colleagues and patients alike. He was a true gentleman—steadfast, respectful, and deeply caring. Dave’s legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, the friendships he formed, and the warmth and compassion he brought to our hospital and community. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered with gratitude and respect.
Page | 11
DRY-MIX RECYCLING Dry-mix recycling at HKH might look slightly different to your home recycling, even if you live in our local council.
Did you know you can recycle coffee cups and lids? Just separate them.
No matter of the bin colour, any bin with a blue liner is for dry-mix recycling
Happy recycling!
If you would like to be more involved with planetary and environmental initiatives, contact the nslhd- hkh-sustainability-committee@health.nsw.gov.au or the committee chair, Nada Mirkovic Manager Clinical Redesign and Innovation (Wed-Fri)
Page | 12
DRY-MIX RECYCLING
Page | 13
Page | 14
Page | 15
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online