Get the latest news from across Northern Sydney Local Health District.
NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
NSLHD Carers strategy launch Northern Sydney Local Health District will make history when it lists a patient’s carer status on their medical records, Chief Executive Deb
Willcox has announced. Read more on Page 4
EVERY WEEK COUNTS TOWARDS THE END OF PREGNANCY Page 3
Ryde midwife retires after 44 years of service Page 6
Leaders in healthcare, partners in wellbeing
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message FROM the acting chief executive Dr Tamsin Waterhouse
While I am Acting in the role as Chief Executive Deb Willcox has asked me to encourage you all to take part in this year’s People Matter staff survey. The Public Service Commission People Matter Employee Survey is now open until 28 June. This annual survey is run in NSW for employees to provide feedback about their workplace. It’s an important way for us to understand what works well for you and where we can make improvements. We act on what you tell us and as a result of your feedback we have implemented some great initiatives including: • The introduction of the Speaking Up For Safety strategy which has started at Royal North Shore Hospital • The introduction of Leader Listening Tours at Ryde Hospital, with over 20 actions completed as a result of feedback including facility improvements, communication and staffing • The introduction of the Employee of the Month and Team of the Month awards at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital • The continuation of Executive Rounding at Hornsby and Mona Vale, with over 70 actions completed as a result of feedback since its inception • The continuation of Employee of the Month awards in Mental Health Drug and Alcohol services • The introduction of Executive Rounding in Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services You can access the survey by visiting: www.health.nsw.gov.au/survey2019
• The introduction of short regular staff surveys seeking ideas for improvement in Mental Health Drug and Alcohol • The introduction of the Information Communications and Technology (ICT) Learning and Development Group, which has seen new initiatives from the team being actioned across the directorate • Continuation of Exceptional People Awards now into its third year with over 110 staff nominated • The continuation of Manager Toolkit training sessions to develop and support people management skills I strongly encourage you to take 10-15 minutes of your time to complete the survey which is completely confidential. Once you complete your survey, you can enter the draw to win one of 12 gourmet hampers from Baskets with a Purpose, a hamper company providing employment for people with special needs.
Three hampers will be drawn each week in June.
To find out how to enter, or for information about other initiatives that have been implemented, please visit the Staff Engagement page in the Workforce & Culture section of the intranet.
For further information please contact NSLHD-ODTeam@health.nsw.gov.au.
Thank you in advance for taking part in this year’s survey.
Warm regards
Dr Tamsin Waterhouse Acting Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Prof Morris with the educational material which will be distributed to medical practices in the area and can be downloaded at www.everyweekcounts.com.au
EVERY WEEK COUNTS TOWARDS THE END OF PREGNANCY North Shore healthcare professionals and expectant “There is a general lack of awareness amongst both clinicians and expectant
• have jaundice • spend longer in hospital; and • be readmitted to hospital in the first year of life. “And in the longer term, early births are linked to an increased risk of developmental problems, such as poorer school performance,” Prof Morris said.
mums will be targeted in a new campaign which aims to tackle the trend of giving birth before 39 to 40 weeks. The campaign – Every Week Counts (www.everyweekcounts. com.au) - is backed by research from Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Sydney and shines a light on a baby’s crucial growth and development in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Professor Jonathan Morris, an obstetrics and gynaecology expert from the hospital and the university, said a recent healthcare study revealed up to 60 per cent of planned caesarean sections performed before 39 weeks gestation did not have a medical or obstetric reason.
parents of the short, medium and long-term implications of being born even slightly early,” he said. “Those last few weeks of gestation might seem insignificant, but - in reality - babies are going through crucial developmental phases towards the end of a pregnancy. “For example, at 35 weeks a baby’s brain weighs only two- thirds of what it will weigh at 40 weeks.” The research reveals babies born early are more likely to: • need help with their breathing • be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit
“If a woman has a healthy pregnancy and there is no
clinical need for earlier delivery, waiting until approximately 39 weeks is best for baby.
“This is in line with recommendations from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.”
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MAKING CARERS COUNT Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) will make history when it lists a patient’s carer status on their medical records, Chief Executive Deb Willcox has announced. More than 130,000 residents of NSLHD’s catchment care for another person, with more than 25,000 of them providing 24-hour care. Ms Willcox said many carers were under enormous pressure and their extra responsibilities often impacted their own health. “Making sure a patient’s carer status is captured on our records means our clinicians will be alert to any physical or mental health issues brought on by being a carer,” she said. “Importantly, this means we will also be able to make sure appropriate arrangements are made for the person for whom they care. “If a carer is out of action due to illness or injury, we will be able to ensure everything is covered, so the person they care for is looked after, and the carer has one less worry.” Ms Willcox, launching NSLHD’s second carer strategy, said the new, updated strategy was designed to ensure all NSLHD employees recognised and supported carers. As well as committing to making sure carers are properly identified in their own health care records, the strategy also ensures: • all orientation sessions for new NSLHD staff and volunteers acknowledge the importance of identifying and engaging with carers; • staff undertake regular, ongoing education sessions about the importance of carers; and • annual surveys of the NSLHD workforce are undertaken to identify and support staff who are also carers. NSLHD Carer Support Service manager Barbara Lewis said the strategy would put carers front and centre of the local health service. “Our carers play a vital role in the community, and need to make sure they get the recognition and support they deserve,” she said. The new NSLHD Carer Strategy will guide the District’s carer-related responses until 2023, when it will be revised and updated.
NSLHD CE Deb Willcox speaking at the launch event
Carer Antoinette Nakhle with NSLHD Carer Support Service manager Barbara Lewis
Lara Nakhle performing at the launch
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The fish that got away
Praise to the physios While healthcare workers don’t seek out praise, it’s always nice when someone takes the time to say thank you. That’s why former patient George Reid wanted to say thank you to Matthew Williams, who runs the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program at Royal North Shore Hospital. In an email to Gary Rolls, Head of Department for Physiotherapy, George detailed just how Matthew and the OACCP team had changed his life. “As a 61-year-old with arthritic knees and recently replaced hips, your physio Mathew worked his magic on me,” he wrote. “His enthusiasm and knowledge has been an inspiration so much so that I now can walk without limping, will not need surgery, and also lost eight kilos. “Congratulations on this program, it has saved the state a whole lot of money in surgeries that now won’t be needed and greatly helped my quality of life. “And of course congrats to Mathew. Anyone can rattle off a lecture for an hour on knees, but I know of few professionals who can answer so many random questions so accurately and enthusiastically.”
Quentin and Nathan Peck at RNSH
It’s the yarn to end all fishermen’s tales – and Quentin Peck knows how lucky he is to be alive to tell it. While on a spearfishing expedition with his brother Nathan and good mate Andrew, Quentin was speared through the arm by a marlin leaping over their six metre inflatable boat, about 20km off Wooli, near Coffs Harbour. It came as a huge surprise to the trio, who had no idea the fish was even in the vicinity as their boat cruised at 40kmh to the next dive spot. The marlin, estimated to be about 100kg, certainly left its mark on the brothers, although Quentin copped the worst of it. He needed to be flown to Coffs Harbour Hospital and then on to Royal North Shore for specialist surgery to reattach the tendons ripped from his forearm and broken ribs. Nathan escaped with some stitches to his shoulder where the marlin’s bill passed though.
While in Ward 5 East, Quentin’s newfound stardom was realised as he and Nathan were interviewed by Channel 10’s The Project, but not before he spoke to NSLHD News to thank all the staff involved in his care. “Everyone involved, from the first two SES guys that met us on the scene to the Westpac Helicopter, ambulance staff, to the nurses here on the ward – they’ve been amazing,” the Narrabeen local said. “We had no idea what the staff do, and it’s not until we needed them that we realised the work that goes on behind the scenes.” He faces a recovery period of about 12 months to get his arm back to the way it was before the encounter. When asked if they harbor any animosity to the fish that did so much damage, Quentin and Nathan were blunt.
Well done Matthew and the OACCP team!
“Not at all,” Quentin said.
“We’re just so lucky he didn’t do more damage,” Nathan said.
George Reid and Matthew Williams
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Kathy Lingard (pictured centre) with her mum and colleagues
Ryde midwife retires after 44 years of service For more than 40 years, Ryde local resident and midwife Kathy Lingard has delivered hundreds of babies, with some now having babies of their own. “Many mums and dads who I helped birth are now coming back to Ryde Hospital to have their own children… and that is truly magical and very special to me”
“Her dedication and reliability is an inspiration to us all.” Kathy has lived in Ryde most of her life and was nominated for Ryde Citizen of the Year in 2011. She said she is often recognised in the community by mums and dads and feels very lucky to have been part of growing the local community. “I feel truly blessed that I found Ryde Hospital and the maternity service/Midwifery Group Practice is my family and I feel very proud to have served the community,” she said. Kathy will be returning to the hospital to join the volunteers as one of the Pink Ladies.
Kathy has been with Ryde Hospital and North Shore Ryde Maternity Service for more than three decades, after starting her career in 1987 at the Royal Women’s Hospital at Paddington. Describing her passion for nursing and midwifery as a “calling” rather than a job, Kathy’s mum was a nurse and when Kathy was a child, she had a nurse doll that she shared with her twin sister. “I have been around for so long that I have been lucky to be involved with second generation births,” she said.
Kathy was one of the last midwives to work in Ryde Hospital’s Denistone House. Ryde Hospital and North Shore Maternity Unit Managers Anna Winter and Joanna Yetsenga said Kathy educated many midwives in the art of antenatal care. “Her knowledge and understanding of antenatal care is excellent and she leaves her legacy in the form of a much sought-after ‘midwifery bible’ - a notebook Kathy had made notes in over the course of her career,” said Joanna.
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NSLHD doctors play in state orchestra As the old saying goes, music really is the best form of medicine.
When not at Hornsby Ku-ring- gai Hospital’s ED, Drs Clare Skinner and Paulina Richard can be found performing a musical tune. Both are part of the NSW Doctors Orchestra which is performing at the Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood on Saturday, June 16. Clare plays the saxophone and oboe, while Paulina plays the flute. The pair is among many NSLHD musicians who are part of the orchestra, which will perform The Art of Music. The program also includes the popular “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky / Ravel. The NSW Doctors Orchestra is now in its 16th year and is conducted by Dr David Banney. It comprises over 60 medical students and doctors from metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW. All concert proceeds will benefit charities in both the arts and health. This includes funding
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital ED specialist Paulina Richard and Dr Clare Skinner with musical instruments in hand
the annual NSW Drs Orchestra Sydney Eisteddfod Instrumental Scholarship. This is awarded to an outstanding instrumentalist (16-25 years) in the fields of strings (bowed and plucked), woodwind or brass instruments. The medical charity chosen to be supported is the Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI) which is a joint initiative between The University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital.
One in five Australians live with chronic pain, often caught in a cycle of depression, pills and inactivity. PMRI seeks to improve the assessment of and treatments for chronic pain, through basic research, clinical research and professional education. To see our NSLHD doctors perform, visit www. theconcourse.com.au or www. ticketek.com.au. Bookings over the phone 8075 8100.
Hip Fracture forum
Almost 50 NSLHD staff were a part of the Hip Fracture Forum to hear and learn from experts in the field. The forum focussed on the latest evidence in best practice pain, surgical, orthogeriatric and rehabilitation management, with speakers from across NSW Health.
The guest speakers at the Hip Fracture Forum were well received by attendees
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NSLDH CE Deb Willcox; Geri Wilson, Executive Director, Centre for Aboriginal Health, NSW Ministry of Health; Uncle Lester Maher, Vice Chair of the Board, Kinchella Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation with NSW Health Secretary Elizabeth Koff at Sorry Day event National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations. The Ministry of Health and the Northern Sydney Local Health District held a joint event in the Kolling forecourt to commemorate this important day.
National Sorry Day observes the anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report and pays tribute to the members of the Stolen Generations and their families. Anniversaries like this one remind us of our continued journey towards a just, equitable and reconciled community.
Strong demand for new support services at Mona Vale Just months after moving onto the Mona Vale Hospital campus, the Kedesh Rehabilitation “Our service partners with the University of Wollongong which means all of our practices are evidenced-based,” Mark said.
and case workers, and we’re looking forward to helping more people on the beaches make real changes in their lives in the months ahead.”
Services team is supporting a large number of people with drug and alcohol addiction issues. Close to 100 people a year will go through a six-week program and receive help through counselling and case management. Kedesh Rehabilitation Services CEO Mark Buckingham (pictured) said the program involves intensive support, focusing on clients’ strengths, planning for the future and avoiding high-risk situations.
“We have the data to show that our approach is making a positive impact on people’s lives, improving their wellbeing, quality of life and overall function. “The feedback from our clients has been that the program has given them something worthwhile and meaningful, which has been really encouraging. “We have an experienced and dedicated team at Mona Vale Hospital, including counsellors
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Child, Youth and Family Health Service Director Elisabeth Murphy, CNC Jenny McDonald, CNE Joanna Sunner in the RNSH main foyer with NSLHD CE Deb Willcox
Consumers give new Child, Youth and Family Health Service website the tick of approval
The Child Youth Family Health Service (CYFHS) team has unveiled its new website, promoting the improved experience for parents and families. The website brings 13 services together to create a central resource hub for parents and families. Child, Youth and Family Health Service Director Elisabeth Murphy said the two-year project would not have been possible without the collaboration with Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Corporate Communications. “Consumer input and feedback was an essential part of the website development process and we are very happy the website has received a ‘Consumers and Carers Approved Tick’,” she said. The website is innovative in visual design, website functionality and usability including location detection to let the user know where their nearest services are.
Consumer representative Emma Cushing said it was wonderful to help the CYFHS team bring its website vision to life. “The process has been open and inclusive, with a very real desire to create the most functional site for the consumers. The opportunity to engage has been in the form of face-to- face meetings and teleconference/email interactions,” Emma said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the new sites to neighbours, friends and family - it’s a fantastic resource and a fabulous success.” During the recent PACH Accreditation Survey, the assessors had a sneak preview and were impressed with one assessor telling the CYFHS team she wished an online resource like the website was available when she had her children. You can visit the new website by visiting www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/CYFH . The team encourages all staff to recommend it to patients, family and friends.
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NSLHD recognised at 2019 NSW Youth Health Showcase The NSLHD Youth Health team has been working in
Health and Ryde Hospital’s ED to trial youth health and wellbeing HEEADSSS assessments for young people between 12 to 24.
Beaches Young Adult Diabetes Clinic. The clinic has improved access to specialist multidisciplinary diabetes care for more than 170 young people with Type 1 Diabetes aged between 16 and 30 living on the Northern Beaches. Prior to the start of the clinic in 2017, there were no public specialist services available for this vulnerable population. Many young people who had previously disengaged from health care are now attending the clinic regularly. More than 130 people attended the Showcase including young people, representatives from Ministry, all LHDs/SHNs and key partners such as Education, Primary Health Networks, headspace, peak youth organisations.
collaboration with other district services to better identify young people’s health needs and connect them to appropriate services. The team was invited to present on two projects that are responding to young people’s needs at the NSW Youth Health Showcase. The NSW Youth Health Showcase was held in April and is designed to support implementation of the NSW Youth Health Framework 2017-2024. Of 65 initiatives submitted across the local health districts, 15 were selected, with NSLHD invited to present on two projects - HEEADSSS at Ryde ED and Northern Beaches Young Adult Diabetes Clinic. ‘HEEADSSS at Ryde ED’ project, is in partnership with Youth The Let’s Clear the Air reporting tool will allow people to report smoking occurring on hospital grounds. Ryde Hospital’s Site Operations Manager Matthew Noone said anyone who observed smoking or smoking-related litter on the grounds of the hospital could log on to the tool and report the location and time. “Security officers have the power to issue $300 fines to smokers, but we prefer to educate patients, visitors and staff,” Matthew said. Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) has had access to the Let’s Clear the Air tool since May 2017. In the 18 months after it went live, 210 reports on smoking and smoking litter were received.
HEEADSSS is psychosocial screening tool designed for use with young people in a healthcare setting.
Each letter reflects a major domain of a young person’s life – Home, Education and employment, Eating and exercise, Activities and peers, Drug use, Sexual health, Suicide and mental health, Safety and spirituality. The team developed a range of tools to support ED nurses and doctors to better identify young peoples’ needs and connect them to additional supports and services. Dr Darshika Christie-David, Staff Specialist Endocrinologist, presented on the successful establishment of the Northern Regular surveys reveal hospital main entrances are almost totally smoke-free. The Let’s Clear the Air tool helps to identify other areas on campus where smoking may occur. Making an anonymous report is quick and it is sent to hospital security officers, who can then investigate, take action and monitor the areas. World No Tobacco Day was held on May 31 across NSLHD sites with staff encouraged to be in a photo that could be customised to promote a smoke free hospital. To make a report, visit www.bit. ly/ClearTheAirNSLHD , select your hospital and complete the form. Staff are encouraged to save the link as a bookmark on their computer or phone to help make reporting quick and easy.
Clearing the Air on World No Tobacco Day Staff, visitors and patients at Ryde Hospital now have a new tool to help in the fight against smoking on the hospital campus. District (NSLHD) sites are smoke free and people found to be smoking may be subject to a fine.
Ryde Hospital staff at World No Tobacco Day stall
Health Promotions team in RNSH foyer informing staff about World No Tobacco Day
All Northern Sydney Local Health
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RNSH’s Medical Imaging team and the Pink Ladies with the new head coil
Pink Ladies and Rotary come together to raise funds for RNSH The wonderful Pink Ladies
a morning team to thank the Pink Ladies and the Rotary clubs for their fundraising efforts. Radiology Clinical Director Dr Marian Roberts said the medical radiology team was thrilled to receive such a generous donation.
“The new head coil allows better image quality increasing the detection and characterisation of abnormalities,” Marian said “It also decreases time in the scanner for better patient comfort and increased patient throughput helping to reduce patient waiting times.”
together with five Rotary Clubs (Roseville Chase, Crows Nest, Chatswood and Lindfield, Northbridge) raised $78,000 to purchase a new head coil for Royal North Shore Hospital’s MRI machine.
The Medical Imaging team held
JMOs sample dishes from the cooking demonstration
SMOs and JMOs reunite with adjudicators
Extra spring in step for JMO s at RNSH as part of Doctors’ Day It started with a thrilling but controversial victory over their senior colleagues in The Great Debate. spokesperson, Dr Nick Della Marta, said the win was worth more than the certificate the debating team received.
highlight of Doctors’ Day, with JMOs also taking part in a cooking demonstration, sampling the wares of a popular café and cooking school, Cornersmith, with its cooks showing the docs how to prepare some healthy breakfast and lunch ideas. Meanwhile, the Senior Medical Officers did their best to claw back some pride in the tennis competition.
In front of a packed house, the junior medical officers (JMOs) seized the win, arguing successfully - and hilariously - that social media should hold no place in medicine. The arguments were fast, furious and at times flippant but JMOs’
“It (the win) means everything. We’re very proud of the whole team, we gave 125 per cent as usual and we’re glad we got the chocolates over the opposing Senior Medical Officer’s team,” he said.
The debate wasn’t the only
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PEOPLE MATTER EMPLOYEE SURVEY 30 May to 28 June 2019
Tell us what matters to you and WIN! Complete your survey online or drop a paper copy to us on the dates below to go into the draw to WIN one of 12 gourmet hampers from Baskets with a Purpose!
3 June 6.30am-1pm 4 June 6.30am-11am 6 June 6.30am-12pm 7 June 6.30am-1pm 11 June 6.30am-11am
12 June 6.30am-11am 13 June 6.30am-1pm 14 June 6.30am-1pm 18 June 7.30am-11am 28 June 6.30am-11am
Hornsby: Lumby Foyer ( 6.30am- 10am) and Café Area (10am-1pm) Mona Vale: Beachside Rehab Foyer
Mona Vale: Beachside Rehab Foyer Hornsby: Lumby Foyer ( 6.30am- 10am) and Café Area (10am-1pm)
Ryde: Main Foyer
Royal North Shore: Main Foyer
Royal North Shore: Main Foyer
Royal North Shore: Community Health Centre Foyer
Ryde: Main Foyer
Royal North Shore: Main Foyer
How to enter 1. Complete your survey online and send a screenshot of your survey completion screen to NSLHD-COREValues@health.nsw.gov.au 2. Complete your survey online and bring a printed screenshot of your survey completion screen to one of the information stands on the dates above 3. Complete a paper survey and deliver it to one of the information stands on the dates above or to your local HR office
www.health.nsw.gov.au/survey2018
For more information about the survey please contact: NSLHD-ODTeam@health.nsw.gov.au
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