NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
Main story Short blurb The Kolling institute welcomes leading genomics provider
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Centre of excellence for care for older people at Greenwich Page 3
Ryde Hospital volunteer recognised at NSW Health Awards Page 7
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, I would like to begin by congratulating the wonderful Diane McPhail on being named the recipient of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award at the recent NSW Health Awards. Diane has made an extraordinary contribution to Ryde Hospital over many years, providing support to patients, mentoring fellow consumer advisors, and helping strengthen patient experience across our district. Her recognition reflects her compassion, commitment and leadership qualities that truly embody the spirit of Northern Sydney Local Health District. Congratulations Diane and thank you for your continuous contributions to Ryde Hospital and the wider community. Thank you to everyone who joined Executive Director, People and Culture Kerrie Pryke and I for the recent all-staff virtual town hall, where we shared some of the district-level feedback for the People Matter Employee Survey. Kerrie and I will be visiting various sites throughout the next few weeks at our roadshows to go over these results in more depth so we can focus on our action plans over the next 12 months. I look forward to using this opportunity to meet with as many staff members as possible and learning more about what is working well and areas of focus for improvement for our health services. Nominations for the 2025/26 Exceptional People Awards are now open, which is very exciting. There are nine award categories that reflect our strategic plan and I encourage all staff to have a think about a colleague or volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to the district over the past year. Full details, including the nomination guide and application form for staff to nominate a
colleague or volunteer, are available on the Exceptional People Awards intranet page. Nominations are open to staff, volunteers, consumer advocates, as well as patients and consumers. If you know a patient, carer, or family member who would like to put forward a nomination, please share this link with them: https://bit.ly/EPA-consumer-form. Nominations will close at 7pm, 19 December 2025. These awards are a great chance to come together and celebrate our people and I look forward to celebrating the event early next year. Preparations are underway for the roll out of the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR), with our health services aiming to go live in the second half of 2026. Statewide readiness continues to progress, including the onboarding of SDPR credentialled trainers who will help prepare staff for this significant improvement to patient care. Find out more on SDPR here: https://bit.ly/NSWSDPR Lastly, I would like to extend an invitation to everyone to the upcoming Annual Public Meeting on Friday 21 November at 2:30pm, where we will be showcasing digital health. There will be some fantastic information shared at this event about digital health and what the future of further digital integration might look like in healthcare. You can join us online on the day via the following link: https://bit.ly/NSLHD-APM.
Warm regards,
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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(From left) Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts, HammondCare CEO Andrew Thorburn, Lane Cove Mayor Merri Southwood, and Northern Sydney LHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri Centre of excellence for care for older people at Greenwich An integrated health campus offering palliative, dementia, restorative, and mental health care, along with aged care and seniors’ living accommodation, will be built in northern Sydney as part of a $300 million response to the challenges of an ageing population. Greenwich Hospital is being transformed by HammondCare to a new centre of excellence for care of older people and will feature a new sub-acute hospital with specialist services, including inpatient and outpatient palliative care. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri attended the official launch of construction, which will see the site be redeveloped to host residential aged care accommodation in a small household setting designed to support people living with dementia. “Northern Sydney Local Health District has a long and proud history with Greenwich Hospital — delivering rehabilitation, mental health and palliative care to the Lower North Shore community for more than 50 years,” he said. “We are proud to partner with HammondCare in delivering vital health services and in realising their vision for a Centre of Excellence at Greenwich. This transformation comes at a time when it’s needed most.” Clinical planning shows that by 2034, NSLHD population will exceed one million. By 2031, one in five residents will be aged 65 or older, and the number of people aged 80 and above will rise by more than 50 per cent. “We also have the longest life expectancy in Australia — a source of pride, but also a call to action,” he said. “With longer lives come higher rates of chronic illness, disability, and dementia — already the leading cause of death in the region. These realities drive our shared focus on re-orienting care for older people: keeping them well, active and supported, ideally in their own homes and communities.”
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NSLHD launches Rainbow Breast Screening Clinic NSLHD in partnership with BreastScreen NSW, will host a Rainbow Breast Screening Clinic on Saturday, 6 December 2025 in North Ryde.
than the general population. Early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Appointments are open to all. To book, call 0427 414 931 or email NSLHD-BreastScreenRainbow@health.nsw. gov.au.
The clinic will provide a welcoming and inclusive service for all LGBTIQ+ people including trans men, non-binary people, gender-diverse individuals with breast tissue in a dedicated, supportive setting. Michael Sanderson, NSLHD LGBTIQ+ Project Manager, outlined how important improving access to vital health services is. “I am really excited about this project, and we have more plans to improve access to vital health services. Follow NSLHD on social media for updates on upcoming initiatives,” he said. Meredith Kay, Director, NSLHD, BreastScreen NSW, emphasised how crucial inclusive screening is for everyone with breast tissue. “This clinic provides the same high-quality imaging and clinical care as all BreastScreen services, with staff trained in gender- affirming practice,” she said. “Screening is a key preventive measure, and we want to make it as accessible and comfortable as possible.” “Breast screening is important for anyone with breast tissue. However, people in the LGBTIQ+ community screen less frequently acknowledging her significant contribution to shaping the future of digital care across NSW Health. Bronwyn is Director Operations at NSLHD and Co-Chair of the SDPR Outpatient Working Group. NSLHD is set to become the second district in NSW to implement the SDPR, with go-live readiness planned for late 2026. SDPR is a groundbreaking health program that offers a secure, integrated view of a patient’s care across the NSW Health system. By consolidating a patient’s full medical history into a single, comprehensive record, SDPR ensures seamless access to clinical information, improving care across all settings. For Bronwyn, the most exciting part of the program is the collaboration. “Our working group has been able to
Michael Sanderson, LGBTIQ+ Project Manager, NSLHD
NSLHD employee recognised as SDPR Awards finalist Northern Sydney Local Health District’s Bronwyn Nolan has been recognised as a finalist in the 2025 Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) Leadership Team Award,
influence the development of complex workflows like referral, billing and service event reporting. Getting these right is essential for the daily experience of staff,” she said. “SDPR brings consistency, transparency and faster access to information. It will reduce delays and make care more seamless. “It will streamline work, reduce duplication and hopefully lead to a more digital and less paper-heavy environment.
Bronwyn Nolan, Director Operations at NSLHD and Co-Chair of the SDPR Outpatient Working Group
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AGRF representatives Professors Simon Foote, Ingrid Winship and Joe Baini with the Kolling’s Academic Director James Elliott (second from right)
The Kolling institute welcomes leading genomics provider Researchers will shortly have the chance to strengthen their genomics capabilities, with Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) establishing a laboratory within the Kolling Institute. opportunities with the leading genomics provider, and we are excited to see the advancements in care this partnership will deliver.”
AGRF provides world-class expertise and high-quality genomic data from single-gene analysis to whole genome sequencing and biomarker discovery. From the time of opening, AGRF will offer its full suite of genomics and proteomics services, including project consultations, sample drop-off, high-quality sequencing, genotyping, transcriptomics, epigenomics, Olink proteomics and bioinformatics. The on-site presence will make it easier for investigators to connect directly with AGRF’s team for project planning, study design and genomics research support. AGRF’s team will work closely with Kolling researchers to identify future opportunities for expanded workflows, pilot projects, and new technology implementations. Head of Strategic Business Desley Pitcher said share and her colleagues are thrilled to be joining the research community in Northern Sydney. “Our mission has always been to power discovery through genomics, and we look forward to partnering with Kolling researchers to bring that to life,” she said. “Whether you’re designing your next project, exploring new technologies, or simply want to chat about what’s possible, our team is here to help.”
The new lab is part of an exciting partnership between AGRF, the University of Sydney and the Kolling which will see a specialised team and cutting-edge technology located within the institute. As Australia’s largest provider of genomic services, AGRF supports researchers and organisations to drive discovery across clinical genomics, translational research, agriculture and environmental science. The Kolling’s Academic Director Professor James Elliott welcomed the collaboration saying we are proud to partner with AGRF. “By establishing a translational genomics facility within the Kolling Institute, we will be well placed to progress innovative research and directly improve health outcomes,” he said. “The partnership will not only benefit our researchers within the Kolling, but clinicians and researchers across Northern Sydney. It will help speed the translation of genomics research into patient care with direct input from clinicians and health providers. “The new lab will foster discovery science and a pathway to incorporate new knowledge and capabilities into clinical care. “We are looking forward to exploring collaborative research and educational
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Researchers urge caution around Alzheimer’s drugs While there is still uncertainty about the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, there is hope
very early Alzheimer’s and they do not have the same effect in people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease, so are only suitable for a limited number of people. “These drugs are not currently subsidised by our pharmaceutical benefits scheme, so they are expensive. They require regular MRI brain scans because of the side effects of brain swelling or bleeding.” With each infusion costing around $4,700, an 18-month course will cost about $80,000. The Federal Government is currently reviewing an application to list the drug on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme. In the meantime, Sue is encouraging the community to do what it can to reduce the impacts of the disease. “There is no single solution to preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, but there are lots of small things you can adopt to greatly reduce your risk,” she said. “These include, looking after your physical and mental health, regular exercise, and health checks to capture in any changes.” Your local doctor can help monitor key areas such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight, hearing, vision, cognitive function, mood, mental health, and any ongoing conditions requiring regular care. Sue said there are many resources available detailing specific diets and tips for brain health, and I would encourage the community to visit the Dementia Australia website for more information at: www. dementia.org.au
for new drugs that may be effective in slowing the progress of the life-changing disease. The Therapeutic Goods Administration recently approved the use of two monoclonal antibodies targeting the amyloid protein that is present in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. These two drugs, donanemab and lecanemab, are approved for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s results from genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors and is characterised by amyloid plaque in the brain. These sticky clumps of protein build up between nerve cells, blocking communication and eventually killing cells, leading to memory loss and confusion. Donanemab is administered with a monthly intravenous infusion and lecanemab as a fortnightly intravenous infusion. Trials have demonstrated that these drugs can reduce the amyloid plaque in the brain and potentially improve quality-of-life and functional independency. Leading clinician/researcher Professor Sue Kurrle said the impact of the drugs is not straight forward. “Donanemab is not a cure, but studies over 18 months show that it does slow the progress of dementia by several months when compared with a placebo drug,” she said. “These drugs are for the management of
Professor Sue Kurle
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Ryde Hospital Quality, Safety & Patient Experience Manager Melissa Manning, Ryde Hospital Redevelopment Manager Sarah Sullivan, NSLHD CE Anthony Schembri with NSW Health Volunteer of the Year Diane McPhail and her husband Ryde Hospital volunteer recognised at NSW Health Awards
Respected Ryde Hospital volunteer Dr Diane McPhail has been named the Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 NSW Health Awards. The prestigious awards celebrate the most exceptional teams and individuals across NSW Health. Diane was recognised for her long-standing contribution to Ryde Hospital, where she has become an integral part of the hospital community. She is a dedicated and hardworking member of both the Ryde Hospital volunteers, and the consumer advisor teams, contributing to patient care, staff education and environmental sustainability. Diane also serves as Chair of the Ryde Hospital Consumer Participation Committee, providing invaluable insights to strengthen patient experience while mentoring other consumer advisors. Her win follows recognition at the 2024 NSLHD Exceptional People Awards, where she received the Volunteer Award in the Partnering with Consumers and Carers category for her outstanding contribution to consumer engagement, and the CORE Values and Behaviours Award. Following the announcement, Diane spoke about the pride she takes in supporting her local hospital community. “My positions as a volunteer and consumer representative have been the richest and most fulfilling of my life,” she said. “My colleagues and I feel valued, respected, supported and nurtured at Ryde Hospital. We are encouraged to give of ourselves and to
accept new challenges. “I thank and congratulate NSW Health and the sponsors for this wonderful event. I had no idea of the excitement, joy and pride that this nomination would generate.” Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri congratulated Diane on her achievement. “Diane embodies the spirit of community and care that lies at the heart of our health services,” he said. “Her commitment to supporting patients and staff is truly inspiring, and this recognition is very well deserved. “I would also like to acknowledge our two finalists at this year’s awards and commend them for their work which was recognised at the state level.” The Brolga Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Unit was a finalist for the Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award for its new behavioural management framework that has significantly reduced self-harm and readmission rates. The Pre-hospital Extracorporeal Life Support trial team, including Drs Brian Burns, Geoff Healy and Chris Partyka from Royal North Shore Hospital, were finalists in the Health Research Award for their collaborative project with NSW Ambulance to improve survival outcomes for people experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. More information about the winners and finalists of the 2025 awards can be found on the NSW Health Awards website: https://bit. ly/NSW-Health-Awards-25
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Allied health leader awarded high honour Conjoint Professor of Allied Health Trudy Rebbeck has been named an Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Honoured Member, one of the highest recognitions in the profession.
She also played a key role in delivering NSLHD’s inaugural Allied Health Research Conference in 2025, which brought together more than 200 delegates to showcase innovation and collaboration across the district. One of her current projects, PACE-RURAL (PAthway of CarE for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions living in RURAL Australia), is a five-year study running from 2024 to 2029. Conducted across eight regions in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, it is testing new models of care to support rural clinicians and improve access to expert allied health input for patients with complex conditions. Speaking about receiving the award, Trudy said it was an incredible privilege to be recognised by her professional community. “I feel both honoured and a little overwhelmed to receive this accolade,” she said. “Few people receive this honour. It recognises advocacy and service to the profession as well as clinical, educational and research achievements. “I have worked hard across all these fields but never imagined this would be formally recognised.”
A clinician-researcher and academic leader, Trudy has dedicated her career to improving musculoskeletal care and advancing allied health research and education. Her work has shaped national and international standards of physiotherapy practice and continues to influence how care is delivered across Australia. At Northern Sydney Local Health District, Trudy is Professor of Clinical Translation in Allied Health, a role focused on building research capacity and supporting clinicians to apply evidence-based practice. Through her conjoint appointment with the University of Sydney and the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, she leads programs that connect clinicians and researchers to drive innovation in patient care. Her translational research has engaged more than 500 allied health professionals in clinical trials and partnerships with over 50 organisations, creating opportunities for early and mid-career researchers to grow their expertise.
Professor Trudy Rebbeck receives her award from the Australian Physiotherapy Association
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Professor Andrew Chan and Dr Sally Wootton
Digital health breakthrough for lung disease patients When Dr Sally Wootton tells younger
NSLHD, first explored the access issue in 2014, and by 2018, she and Professor Andrew Chan began co-designing an app with clinicians, technology experts, and people living with COPD. After years of user testing and a randomised controlled trial involving 90 participants, the m-PR™ platform is now rolling out across NSLHD, having proven as effective as traditional centre-based rehab. “We have proved that the patients improved and felt confident and supported to use the platform,” said Sally. The eight-week program runs on a smartphone, with weekly clinician check-ins. It includes tailored exercise, education, goal setting, symptom monitoring, and more. Sally said mobile health technology—or “m-health,” as it is known—puts healthcare in the hands of the patient. “It really empowers them to actually take control of their health.” Research is underway to road test the app with staff and refine its implementation.
physiotherapists that she began her career with Manchester City Football Club in the United Kingdom, she sees their eyes light up. But she’s quick to add that her most rewarding role came later, working with people living with lung disease. “Helping these patients turn their lives around in eight weeks of rehabilitation has given me so much satisfaction as a physio,” she said. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes it hard for people to breathe and worsens over time. Commonly linked with emphysema or chronic bronchitis, it is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Evidence shows that rehabilitation supported by teams bring significant benefits. Unfortunately, many COPD patients struggle to physically get to services. “It is estimated only 10 percent of Australians with the condition have access to a program,” she said. Sally, a clinical specialist physiotherapist at
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Neonatal Connect Day boosts perinatal collaboration Clinicians from across the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Tiered Perinatal Network came together for the first Neonatal Connect for these babies feel supported and have access to the latest updates and shared expertise.
Day, hosted by the Royal North Shore Hospital Department of Neonatology. The event brought together more than 30 medical, nursing and midwifery staff from public hospitals including Hornsby, Northern Beaches and Gosford, as well as private partners North Shore Private, the Mater and the Sydney Adventist Hospital. Participants took part in presentations and hands-on workshops led by RNSH’s neonatologists, nurses and allied health staff, focusing on knowledge exchange, the latest clinical advances and ongoing collaboration between neonatal units. RNSH Head of Neonatology Eveline Staub said the day was about strengthening connections and supporting each other in the care of newborns. “Two-thirds of preterm babies born at RNSH will be transferred to one of our network hospitals before discharge,” she said. “We wanted to ensure our colleagues caring
“The day was a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate our collaborative approach to neonatal care.” The day was supported by the NSLHD Maternal, Neonatal and Women’s Health Network and the NSW Health Pregnancy Connect initiative, with the day sparking ideas for future networking opportunities.
Collaboration at Neonatal Connect Day
New report identifies key health challenges The latest global health check has confirmed heart disease remains the world’s biggest killer.
health checks.” The study found the second leading cause of death in Australia is Alzheimer’s disease, followed by lung cancer. It also found that air pollution and heat, as well as anxiety and depression were significantly impacting our health. “Importantly, the report provided information about how the world’s disease burden can be prevented by modifying risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and air pollution,” she said. “I would still encourage everyone to monitor their blood pressure, especially as we get older, as it is a key indicator for heart and general health.”
The concerning trend was identified through the Global Burden of Disease study which analysed health challenges and the leading cause of death in Australia and across the world. The study looked at data over more than three decades from 1990 to 2023. Kolling Institute researcher and Royal North Shore Hospital senior scientist Dr Anastasia Mihailidou said the research served as an alarm clock to alert people to the leading health issues, and to encourage us to reduce their impact. In Australia, life expectancy has increased by seven years to an average of 84 years. This means the life expectancy for women is now 86 years, compared to 82 years for men. “The data from the research will be helpful as an older life expectancy will require communities and health systems to adjust to the growing demand for healthcare,” said Anastasia. “While we are living longer, the leading cause of death in Australia and globally remains heart disease. “This is a disappointing trend, but a timely reminder to do what we can to reduce the disease, to consistently monitor blood pressure and to regularly undergo heart
Dr Anastasia Mihailidou
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AYAH Receives Generous Donation from Fundraiser The Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) in Manly has received a generous boost thanks to the Manly Vale Calabria Club’s 2025 Annual Charity Dinner and Dance
The funds will go towards renovating Parkhill Cottage, creating a peaceful, multi-purpose space for AYAH patients and their families. Tayia said the funds would be important in supporting AYAH’s next stage of development. “These upgrades will offer comfort, connection, and support during some of life’s most challenging moments,” she said.
Night. The event brought the community together for an evening of celebration, live entertainment, and fundraising, raising an impressive $20,000 to support AYAH’s work with young patients and their families. Tayia Yeates, Service Manager at AYAH, said the generosity would make a tangible difference. “This incredible support will help us create more special moments for our patients and their families,” she said. “We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Manly Vale Calabria Club and everyone involved for hosting such a wonderful event. From the delicious food to the live music and exciting auctions, it was a night full of energy, generosity, and community spirit.” AYAH’s community partners also played a key role in making the night memorable, donating a fantastic range of raffle and silent auction prizes
Calabria Club Board Members, Tayia Yeates, Service Manager, (third from left), Local MP James Griffin, (second from right) and Megan Jones, Community Partnerships Manager (far right)
Rising concerns over teen vaping Royal North Shore Hospital emergency physician and trauma consultant Dr Brian Burns has sounded the alarm over the growing health crisis caused by vaping among young Australians.
evidence-based school program reduced vaping by 65 per cent among Year 7 and 8 students. As a result, the Vaping Prevention Program is now being rolled out nationally. Brian, who spoke at the program’s launch in July this year, praised the initiative. “It will translate into better health care for adolescents because it decreases vaping,” he said.
“Vaping itself can cause acute lung injury. There are chemicals in vapes that damage the lungs,” he said. “The actual nicotine dose in the vapes can also be very high — up to 50 times higher than in cigarettes.” Vaping rates have gone up among 11- to 17-year-olds, rising from 3.3% in 2021 to between 9% and 14% in 2022. “There is serious concern in the medical community around vaping,”he said. Brian described vaping as “surreptitious” and often not the primary reason a young person presents to hospital. “Vaping is almost the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “We know that vaping is associated with other issues such as chronic mental health conditions and behavioural problems.” Emergency departments now routinely screen for vaping, recognising it as a significant public health issue. Recent research from the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre found that an
Dr Brian Burns
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