NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
Main story Short blurb Next generation of researchers to build on remarkable legacy
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NSLHD awarded for continued progress towards net zero Page 3
40 years of MRI innovation at RNSH Page 4
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, There has been a lot happening across our district recently, with several important milestones to celebrate and acknowledge. One of the most significant announcements was the NSW Government announcing it had reached an in-principle agreement to acquire Northern Beaches Hospital. The formal transition period is expected to commence in November, during which Northern Beaches Hospital will continue managing day-to-day operations. The transition period is expected to finish by mid-2026. Ensuring patient safety, maintaining continuity of care, and supporting staff wellbeing will remain key priorities throughout this process. I would like to extend my thanks to all staff who have contributed to the transition planning and look forward to officially welcoming Northern Beaches Hospital to Northern Sydney Local Health District. Thank you also to everyone who took part in the 2025 People Matter Engagement Survey. I’m pleased to share that our participation rate rose to 43 per cent this year, a two-point increase from 2024. This positive result reflects our district’s commitment to shaping our workplace culture so we can continually work towards improving the way we work together. The results show encouraging trends, including higher engagement, pride in working for NSLHD, and greater recognition and support through change. While there are areas for improvement, including wellbeing and access to flexible work, we look forward to addressing these
together through our upcoming action plans. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping us build a stronger, more connected workplace for our staff and community. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park recently shared some exciting news that Ryde Hospital will receive its very first MRI machine as part of the $526.8 million redevelopment. Once the redevelopment is completed, the new MRI service will support a range of diagnostic capabilities at Ryde Hospital across emergency, neurology, orthopaedics, oncology and general medicine, and assist with more accurate assessments and improved treatment planning for patients. It’s an exciting milestone that brings us one step closer to opening a truly state-of-the- art hospital for patients, staff and visitors, and I’d like to thank everyone involved for helping make it a reality. Finally, I am delighted to welcome Ms Pauline Deweerd, who was recently appointed as NSLHD’s Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services. Pauline brings more than 30 years experience serving Aboriginal communities as a volunteer, senior public servant and health executive. I would like to thank Braiden Abala for acting in the Executive Director role and Adam Cryer for acting in the Deputy Director role during the recruitment process. Their leadership and commitment have been greatly appreciated. Warm regards, Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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NSLHD awarded for continued progress towards net zero NSLHD was recognised at the recent communities against the growing impacts of climate hazards.
Climate and Health Summit, receiving the Overall Pacific Region Health Care Climate Champions Award and the Gold Award for Climate Leadership. The awards celebrate the top-performing health institution in each region that demonstrates exceptional progress across mitigation, leadership and resilience, which are the three pillars of the Health Care Climate Challenge (HCCC). As an active member of the Green and Global Healthy Hospitals network and HCCC participant, NSLHD joins health organisations around the world working to reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience and lead sustainable change across the health sector.
Director Population and Planetary Health, Paul Klarenaar, said the award recognises the collective effort of the past year and the district’s growing leadership in sustainability. “This award is a reflection of what has been a truly remarkable year of progress and collaboration,” he said. “From reducing emissions and waste to advancing research, awareness and staff engagement, every part of our organisation has contributed to building a more sustainable and resilient health system for our community.”
Over the past year, NSLHD has accelerated its journey towards net zero with a series of major achievements, including the publication of its Net Zero Roadmap, which received the 2024 NSW Health Award for Environmental Sustainability. The district also developed a NSW Health first carbon dashboard to track emissions, calculated its carbon footprint for FY23/24, reduced energy and nitrous oxide use, introduced new recycling streams, and added more electric vehicles to its fleet. Further initiatives include the development of a carpooling trial that is soon to commence at Royal North Shore and Hornsby Ku-ring- gai hospitals, and a district-wide staff survey to help co-design future planetary health engagement programs. NSLHD is also on track to deliver the actions outlined in its Planetary Health Framework 2024–2027, having completed more than a quarter of the framework’s commitments in the first year and a half. Over the course of the last financial year, the district completed a climate risk assessment, meeting its obligations for the first year of mandatory climate-related financial disclosures. Looking ahead, the district will continue expanding energy efficiency and rooftop solar programs and develop a new focus on climate adaptation to strengthen the resilience of facilities, staff, and
NSLHD Planetary Health Senior Project Officer Emma Holland accepted the awards from Nick Thorp, Senior Network Director for Global Green and Healthy Hospitals at Health Care Without Harm, at the 2025 Climate and Health Summit.
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40 years of MRI innovation at RNSH Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) has marked 40 years since the installation of the first MRI machine in a public hospital in Australia.
He added that RNSH continues to lead in MRI practice and research. “RNSH has been a leader in advancing MRI technology and its clinical applications, helping establish it as the gold standard for diagnosing stroke, brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries and various cancers,” he said. “Ongoing research and innovation have expanded MRI into areas such as breast and abdominal imaging and radiotherapy planning, improving accuracy and patient outcomes.” Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive, NSLHD said the milestone reflects the hospital’s long tradition of innovation. “It’s important to mark these occasions, as they remind us of how far we’ve come,” he said.
Staff gathered to celebrate the anniversary and reflect on four decades of progress. Dr David Brazier, who has worked at RNSH for 47 years and was instrumental in establishing the MRI service reflected on how RNSH was chosen as the NSW site for MRI and how the machine was used initially. “When the MRI machine arrived in 1985, it completely changed how we approached diagnosis,” he said. “We were the only public hospital in NSW with an MRI, so other radiologists from across Sydney would come in the afternoons to use it.” Reflecting on how MRI imaging has evolved, Dr Brazier said the improvement has been remarkable. “What fills me with the greatest pride is witnessing the transformation of MRI – from its early, grainy images to the crystal-clear, high- resolution scans we produce today,” he said. “The improved image quality has revolutionised diagnosis and treatment, allowing us to detect and understand conditions with precision.”
Members of the RNSH radiology team with Dr David Brazier (far left)and Anthony Schembri (middle).
Hornsby first in NSW to join energy-saving grid program Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital has become the first hospital in New South Wales to take part in a new energy-saving program that supports the state’s electricity grid during periods of peak demand. power is seamless and patient care is never compromised,” he said.
The initiative also supports the district’s broader sustainability goals, including its commitment to achieving Net Zero Scope 1 emissions by 2035, with a 70–80 per cent reduction by 2030. The program will also deliver financial savings for the hospital while strengthening the district’s role as a leader in sustainable healthcare.
The hospital has joined Shell Energy’s Demand Response initiative, led by the Australian Energy Market Operator, which asks large energy users to reduce reliance on the grid in times of high demand or during a disaster situation. By switching to its backup generators during these periods, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital helps stabilise the grid and avoids additional strain on the power network without impacting any of the important equipment needed to provide safe patient care. Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital General Manager Simon Hill said the program had been carefully designed to align with the hospital’s existing power systems. “The program builds on the hospital’s regular monthly generator testing schedule, which means any need to move to backup
Members of Hornsby Hospital’s Engineering Department team with one of the generators
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Next generation of researchers to build on remarkable legacy
Leading pain specialist Professor Chris Vaughan is stepping down after a career spanning close to three decades. As a principal hospital scientist, Chris has successfully juggled roles as a researcher, mentor and educator at Royal North Shore Hospital, the Kolling Institute and the University of Sydney. He has had a profound impact on the field of pain research, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms that control pain, and cannabinoid actions in the brain. In recent years, Chris and his lab-based team within the Kolling Institute have investigated how the brain’s own cannabis neurotransmitter systems control pain, and how this can support the treatment of pain. As a leader in the field, Chris has produced more than 130 publications, with the majority in leading journals. He has driven many large-scale, national projects including $5 million in NHMRC studies into the cannabinoid system and pain. In addition to his research, Chris has been a dedicated educator and mentor at the University of Sydney, contributing to both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Colleague A/Professor Karin Aubrey said
Chris has mentored both senior and junior researchers, guiding 12 PhD and Masters’ students through their studies. “Chris’ influence extends far beyond the lab. Many of his mentees have gone on to become neuroscience researchers, medical doctors, and professionals across all levels of the health sector - and one became a winemaker,” she said. “His leadership style is defined by curiosity and skill. He not only has a deep academic understanding of his research area, but he also has the engineering skills to build a piece of bespoke equipment should you need it. “Chris gives people space to explore new ideas and develop their own projects. His leadership style is kind, human and scientifically rigorous - a combination that has left a lasting mark on those fortunate enough to work with him, including me.” Chris said he has been fortunate to have had such a diverse career. “It has been a wild and varied ride over the years, from engineering to various fields of the biomedical sciences, and finally pain research at Royal North Shore Hospital. I have been extremely lucky to have worked with many exceptional mentors and collaborators,” he said.
Dr Eddy Sokolaj, Kristen Anderson, Professor Chris Vaughan and Vanessa Mitchell
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Big meals and blow-ups study into heart attack triggers A heavy Christmas lunch. An argument. Smoke from a bushfire. These everyday and receive stress-reduction advice—can help prevent cardiac events.
events may seem harmless, but for people at risk of heart disease, they could be deadly. A new study is investigating not only how emotional stress, pollution, respiratory infections, and large meals can trigger heart attacks in vulnerable individuals but also how to manage those triggers in the moment. The Triggered Acute Risk Prevention (TARP) study, led by Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) cardiologist Professor Geoffrey Tofler, is recruiting people to test whether taking aspirin or beta blockers at the time of a trigger—while using an app to log symptoms
Geoffrey, who has researched heart attacks for close to 40 years, says the science tells us that some heart attacks aren’t random. “If people are aware of the triggers, there’s something they can do about them,” said Geoffrey. The TARP team is looking for 120 people aged 40 years and over to join a seven-month study at RNSH, North Shore Private (NSP) and Westmead hospitals. Participants must have at least two risk factors for heart disease (such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking or diabetes) or known heart disease.
Frocktober celebrations at Ryde Hospital
Frocktober fundraiser honours Fiona’s legacy Staff at Ryde and Royal North Shore hospitals have shown their support for ovarian cancer research, raising more than $4,000 through Fiona’s Frocktober 2025 fundraiser.
“Wearing colour brought smiles to our faces and lifted spirits at such a sad time. Fiona would have loved nothing more.” A total of $3,859 was raised through local activities, with an additional $570 contributed to Fiona’s memorial fund page, bringing the overall total to $4,429. Lisa said the fundraiser will now become an annual event and thanked colleagues for getting behind the initiative. “We’re hoping to make this an ongoing initiative to continue raising awareness and funds each October, and I would like to thank everyone for their generosity and kindness in Fiona’s memory,” she said. The fundraiser will run until the end of November and donations can be made here: https://bit.ly/Fiona-Frocktober.
The initiative, coordinated by Ryde Hospital Change Manager Lisa Steele, was held in memory of much-loved colleague Fiona Thorn, with proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to support research into early detection of the “silent killer” disease. Lisa said the team was overwhelmed by the generosity of staff, with donations ranging from $5 to $500. “Fiona has left a huge legacy behind her. She was and is well loved for the beautiful person that she was,” she said.
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“If you’ve just had an argument or know you’re heading into a big meal, the app helps you act,” says Geoffrey. “You log the trigger—like ‘anger’ or ‘heavy meal’—and it guides you through what to do.” “Despite all the advances in understanding about risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as treatments, heart attacks still remain a leading cause of death.” For further information on how to take part in this study, please email your closest site: RNSH and NSP Cheryl.Macadam@health. nsw.gov.au or Westmead Anjani.Meka@ health.nsw.gov.au.
The TARP research team
NSLHD completes decade of stepping up for STEPtember NSLHD has wrapped up another successful STEPtember, marking a decade of movement, motivation and meaningful fundraising for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Together, staff took an incredible 63,905,392 steps and raised $29,125.59. NSLHD Deputy Director, People and Culture Adam Quested with five year stepper Hil Henchman and RNSH General Manager Alison Zecchin
(2,335,603), and 3B Rock Stars (2,025,076). Leading the way individually were Owen Knight ($5,127), Vivian Nguyen ($4,387), and Hil Henchman ($3,868) in fundraising, and Emme Wijesinghe (1,037,474 steps), Georgie McBride (983,928), and Ryan Wallis (773,488) for steps. The district thanks its valuable STEPtember partners Salary Packaging Plus and Fitness Passport, as well this year’s major sponsors Aware Super and Healthcare Home Loans for their generous contributions.
The funds help more babies with cerebral palsy receive specialised therapy at the most critical time of development. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked everyone who took part in this year’s milestone challenge. “This year’s efforts show once again the generosity, team spirit and determination of NSLHD staff,” he said.
Congratulations to the district’s top fundraising teams: 3B Rock Stars ($5,523), Owen Knight ($5,139), and The Steptaculars ($1,623). The top stepping teams were RNSH Respiratory Sleep Medicine (2,587,216 steps), Thelma’s Recurring Nightmare
Some of NSLHD’s highest funraisers and steppers at the awards ceremony, which was held at RNSH
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