NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
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RNSH unveils sorry plaque
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lorikeet clinic: healing for domestic violence victims Page 9
Mona Vale Hospital undertakes robotic trial Page 11
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, Last week I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the NSW Health Apology plaque at Royal North Shore Hospital, in what was a deeply moving and emotional ceremony. I was honoured to stand alongside local Aboriginal Elder Aunty Jeanie, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM as well as members of our Board and staff from across the district. The plaque features the wording of the 2022 formal NSW Health Apology which acknowledged the profound impacts of past policies and practices on the survivors of the Stolen Generations and the broader Aboriginal community. The plaque at RNSH is just one of many displayed across our district hospitals and services symbolising our ongoing commitment to healing and reconciliation. While we cannot undo the wrongs of the past, we can embrace truth-telling and continue to take meaningful steps towards healing for our Aboriginal communities. It was fantastic to see celebrations across the district for Allied Health Professionals Day. Our allied health staff do a wonderful job every day to ensure we deliver great care to our community, and I would like to thank every one of you. I was pleased to be able to join in on the celebrations and present this year’s Allied Health Chief Executive Award to Matthew Symonds - a clinical lead and senior clinical psychologist at Coral Tree family Service. Matthew works with some of our most vulnerable families and does a wonderful job in supporting them during such difficult times. He is a highly respected colleague and someone who is constantly striving to help others. I would like to offer a big congratulations to Matthew and all our winners across the district on their Allied Health Professionals Day awards.
As October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, I have been pleased to see an increased focus on this important issue across the district. This year’s theme, ‘Cyber security is everyone’s business,’ serves as a timely reminder that the responsibility to safeguard our systems and data belongs to all of us. I encourage all staff to take advantage of the communications being shared throughout the month, which offer practical tips on how to protect yourself, our patients, and the broader health system from cyber threats. Together, we can ensure our organisation remains secure and resilient in an increasingly digital world. I had the pleasure of joining Minister for Women Jodie Harrison on a visit to meet staff and tour the Menopause Hub at Royal North Shore Hospital as part of this year’s World Menopause Day celebrations. This visit was a great opportunity for Minister Harrison to meet the multidisciplinary team working in the hub and see the facilities that are making a considerable difference in menopause care. We recently concluded our budget roadshows which have taken place across our district’s hospitals and services. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to meet so many staff to discuss our plans and present on the financial outlook for our district. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and contribute to these important discussions. Kind regards,
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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RNSH Deputy General Manager Jennifer McConnell, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce, Aunty Jeanie, NSLHD CE Anthony Schembri, NSW Health Centre for Aboriginal Health Executive Director Geri Wilson with the new plaque
RNSH unveils Sorry Plaque In a moment of profound significance, a plaque has been unveiled at Royal North Shore Hospital as a lasting acknowledgement of the deep regret to victims of the Stolen Generations and members of the Aboriginal community. The plaque prominently displays the NSW Health Apology made by Secretary Susan Pearce in her 2022 formal apology - a message of sorrow and responsibility to those who survived the painful legacy of the Stolen Generations. Her words, now etched in history, extend to all Aboriginal community members impacted by the devastating policies of the past. As part of the unveiling, a touching Welcome to Country was provided by Aunty Jeanie, a descendant from the Cammeraygal tribe, followed by an address from NSLHD Chief
Executive Anthony Schembri and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce who were joined at the unveiling by district Board members and staff. Anthony said the plaque was an important acknowledgement of the past. “This plaque displayed is a lasting acknowledgment of deep regret over past practices and policies which have impacted on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people,” he said. “While past government policies very much still impact the health and wellbeing of our Aboriginal families today, we hope the NSW Health Apology marks a significant milestone in our history. “We hope the apology embraces truth-telling and the ongoing process of healing for our Aboriginal communities for generations to
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digital health services awards Recently, NSLHD Digital Health Services (DHS) staff gathered at the Kolling Auditorium for a special meeting to recognise their contributions. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri addressed the team, praising its role in advancing NSLHD’s digital strategy. “Your efforts in transforming digital health across our district are remarkable. Your hard work is the backbone of our success, and together, we’re shaping the future of patient care,” he said. The event included the presentation of the prestigious Brenton Fernie Awards, recognising staff members who have gone above and beyond in their roles. Anthony also handed out Certified Health Informatician Australasia certificates to staff who completed the program, celebrating their dedication to advancing digital health expertise. Some DHS staff shared insights from the THRIVE leadership program, underscoring the district’s commitment to nurturing future leaders. NSLHD Chief Digital Health Officer Ann Mirapuri also commended the staff and the winners for their efforts. “Well done to everyone. It was incredibly difficult to choose just one winner, as every team member has shown exceptional dedication to digital health. The work you do is invaluable,” she said. Ann Mirapuri, front left, and CE Anthony Schembri, third row far right, posed for a photo with the digital health services staff at the ceremony
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS Share your news and achievements. Contact the Media and Communications team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.
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Attendees at the annual showcase
Collaboration driving results The University of Sydney’s Northern Sydney (Arabanoo) Precinct hosted its annual showcase at the Kolling Institute, highlighting the innovative research between the Northern Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney. Launched in 2022 by Academic Directors Professors James Elliott, Robyn Gallagher and Margaret Schnitzler, the showcase focused on the joint research tackling complex healthcare challenges. Eight speakers addressed the event, including Dr Julia Pilowsky who presented her research on the use of advanced algorithms to detect pressure injuries from ICU clinical notes. Dr John Atyeo shared his work on developing artificial intelligence (AI) models of pelvic floor anatomy. These models are expected to provide valuable insights for surgeons and physiotherapists. Professor Trudy Rebbeck presented the results of the PACE-MSK clinical trial, which involves a stepped care model for musculoskeletal conditions.
She discussed how her team planned to adapt the model to better serve rural Australian communities, sparking interest in how healthcare can be tailored to meet regional needs. Dr Adrian Lim discussed his interdisciplinary approach to advancing neurofibromatosis care. His work, which integrates genetics, dermatology and AI, has laid the foundation for improved diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition. Wrapping up the event, Dr Saurab Sharma discussed the challenges and solutions for providing equitable pain management in low- income settings. Academic Director Professor James Elliott said the showcase provided a terrific platform to feature the breadth of high impact clinically relevant research. “The work presented spans dermatology to medical oncology, physiotherapy, nursing, psychology and radiation therapy with outcomes and measures impacting terrestrial and extraterrestrial human health and wellbeing,” he said.
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Andrew Marks and Kanika Chaudhri were presened with their cheque by CE Anthony Schembri at the 2024 Innovation Pitch
DIAMONDS Project Streamlines Elective Surgery Care The pre-admission process for elective surgery is set to improve significantly at Royal North Shore Hospital with the launch of the DIAMONDS pathway, which stands for ‘Digital Pathway of Improved Assessment, Management and Optimisation of Patients for Planned Surgery’. During the Innovation Pitch Program, Kanika Chaudhri and Andrew Marks from the RNSH Junior Medical Staff Unit and Division of Surgery and Anaesthesia proposed this initiative. This will enhance patient care by streamlining assessments and addressing the challenges of the existing paper-based system. Their pitch secured $100,000 in funding, propelling the project forward as part of NSLHD’s commitment to innovation in healthcare delivery. The DIAMONDS initiative transforms the surgical waitlist into a “preparation list,” enabling healthcare professionals to optimise patient care in the months leading up to surgery. Patients will now be able to complete pre-admission forms online, receive timely updates, and access educational resources to ensure thorough preparation. This will allow staff to spend more time with patients. Kanika said there are numerous benefits to the digital pathway. “Patients benefit from user-friendly tools that enable them to complete pre-admission forms online and access educational resources, enhancing their care experience,” she said. “Staff benefit by having centralised patient information and automated routine tasks, allowing them to focus on providing high-quality care, which ultimately leads to a smoother, more efficient process for everyone involved.” Kanika noted the encouraging response to the project thus far. “We are currently in the early stages of development, but we have observed a strong engagement from patients of various ages.”
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Practical tool to offer better informed care for people living with dementia Researchers at the Kolling Institute are
and shared decision making. “Working with patients, clinicians and carers, I am keen to develop a tool which will weigh the risks and benefits of antipsychotic medications to help ensure patients are prescribed the best medication for their individual needs,” he said. “An evidenced-based tool, which would predict the likelihood of treatment response and adverse events, could greatly assist personal treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.”
working to improve the use of medications for dementia with a comprehensive analysis highlighting several concerning trends. The latest data indicates more than 420,000 people are living with dementia in Australia, with the condition the second leading cause of death in Australia. Dr Edwin Tan said people with dementia are high users of medications due to the challenging symptoms of the condition and the combination of other chronic conditions. “We found there was often limited evidence
for prescribing medications for people with dementia, and clinicians were left to weigh up the risks and benefits of these medications,” he said. “Our analysis of nationwide data found 60 per cent of people with dementia are taking a psychotropic medication like an anti- depressant, antipsychotic or opioid, and 26 per cent are taking an anti-dementia medication. “We were interested to find that when we looked at people’s backgrounds, those from a higher socio- economic group were more likely to take an anti-dementia medication, compared with people from a rural or regional area, who were more likely to take a psychotropic drug, like an antipsychotic. “Concerningly, two thirds of people with dementia are taking at least five medications and 23 per cent are taking more than ten medications.” The data pointed to an increased risk of medication poisoning, with one in five people experiencing an adverse drug event. Dementia increased a person’s risk of poisoning by an alarming 77 per cent. Edwin is now working to develop a personalised antipsychotic calculator to assist with safer prescribing
Dr Edwin Tan
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celebrating excellence in allied health at nslhd NSLHD recently celebrated Allied Health Professions Day, recognising outstanding contributions across the district.
Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards, with the finalists set to be announced in December. The full list of nominees can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/40p6P4f
More than 100 nominations were submitted for the NSLHD Allied Health Recognition Awards 2024. “Each of these remarkable allied health clinicians and teams has been nominated for their exceptional contribution to clinical excellence and collaborative care,” said Julia Capper, NSLHD Executive Director of Allied Health. The Chief Executive Award was presented to Matthew Symonds, clinical lead and senior clinical psychologist at Coral Tree Family Service, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol. Chief Executive Anthony Schembri commended Matthew. “Matthew exemplifies our commitment to quality care, working tirelessly with vulnerable community members and providing exceptional clinical leadership,” he said. “His dedication to evidence-based practices and multidisciplinary collaboration strengthens patient outcomes and advances our strategic goals.” Eligible winners from the NSLHD awards will also be nominated for the NSW
Matthew Symonds was presented with his award by CE Anthony Schembri
2024 Allied Health Professionals Awards
Matthew Symonds, Clinical Lead/Senior Clinical Psychologist, Coral Tree Family Services, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol.
Chief Executive Allied Health Professionals Day Award
NSLHD Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Professional of the Year NSLHD Allied Health Assistant/Technician/Support Person of the Year
Melinda Flower, NSLHD
Sarah Corfield, Hornsby-Ku-ring-Gai Health Services
NSLHD Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year
Christy El-Khoury, Royal North Shore Hospital
NSLHD Allied Health Professional of the Year
Suzie Olding, VAD Service, NSLHD
Gwen Hickey, Hornsby-Ku-ring-Gai Health Services
NSLHD Allied Health Leader of the Year
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Allied Health Wellness Committee
Allied Health Team of the Year
NSLHD Allied Health Educator of the Year
Michael Mihail, Royal North Shore Hospital
Dr Sally Wootton, Primary and Community Health
NSLHD Allied Health Researcher of the Year
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The Lorikeet Clinic
lorikeet clinic: Healing for domestic violence victims The Lorikeet Clinic, a trauma informed
tackle violence, abuse, and neglect,” she said. “The Lorikeet Clinic is an important step in our promise to protect and support those who need it the most.” The Lorikeet Clinic offers essential services, including non-acute medical care, forensic evidence collection, STI testing, pregnancy risk assessments, and cervical screening. Counselling services include safety assessments and assistance with follow-up care, such as referrals to domestic violence counselling services. For more information, contact: NSLHD- PARVANintake@health.nsw.gov.au.
service for individuals affected by domestic and family violence, has officially opened. The clinic, located at RNSH Community Health Centre is part of NSW Health’s Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Crisis Response Project. Rachel Wolfe, Director of PARVAN Services said the clinic is a significant new service that will support NSLHD’s Prevention and Response to Violence, Abuse, and Neglect (PARVAN) efforts. “We’re excited to announce the Lorikeet Clinic, a new service that will help NSLHD
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS Share your news and achievements. Contact the Media and Communications team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.
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CE Anthony Schembri (middle) with Disability Health Services staff
NSLHD Intellectual Disability Health Service celebrates fifth Birthday A celebratory event was recently held to mark NSLHD’s Intellectual Disability Health Service’s fifth year of operation. The service, which offers comprehensive health assessments for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and complex health needs, has worked with hundreds of clients since its inception in the district in 2019. Made up of a multidisciplinary team, the service works closely with each client’s general practitioner, paediatrician, and other healthcare providers to ensure high-quality, ongoing care, working both in clinical and community settings. The service also offers advice, resources, and training on managing care, understanding challenging behaviours, and making reasonable adjustments in healthcare settings throughout the district. Speaking at the celebratory event, NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri praised the team’s ongoing dedication to the community. “The service has gone to great lengths to ensure their clients’ physical, mental, and psychosocial needs are met,” he said. “Having nearly 2,000 occasions of service in the last financial year alone is an indication of the remarkable work that is being undertaken by the service for clients with intellectual disabilities and their families.” NSLHD’s Intellectual Disability Health Service Manager, Suzi Parker, said the service prides itself on providing high-quality care to clients and is glad it plays a role in helping the community. “It’s a privilege to be able to have an impact on the community and help so many people,” she said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in our service over the past five years.”
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bears bring joy to breastscreen team Ka Tam recently crafted 27 custom-knitted bears for her colleagues.
year and started to buy all the materials in May. I wanted to bring some joy to my colleagues, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing smiles on their faces,” said Ka. “As everyone is unique and special, I wanted to customise each bear for each individual.
Each bear was uniquely tailored to reflect the personality of its recipient by Ka who works at BreastScreen NSW, in NSLHD. “I came up with this idea back in April this
“I hope the bears act as a sign of daily motivation and encouragement for everyone! I’m glad my colleagues love their bears!” Northern Sydney and North Coast BreastScreen Director Meredith Kay said the bears have brought joy to staff. always cheerful,” she said. “Ka always steps forward to help out in any way and often uses her language skills to assist our clients with appointment making and wayfinding.” “Ka is a terrific staff member who is very motivated, kind, and
Ka Tam with some of the bears she knitted
Mona Vale Hospital undertakes robotic trial Mona Vale Hospital has introduced a series of robotic devices to support physical
and motivating,” she said. “My colleagues and I have also discovered that the technology allows us to increase the intensity and repetitions of therapy in an engaging way, all while remaining focused on functional goals.”
rehabilitation as part of a seven-week trial. Seven different robotic devices are being used, each tailored to assist with various aspects of physical rehabilitation. The devices incorporate virtual reality and interactive
features, making the rehabilitation process more engaging for patients. Senior occupational therapist Abbie Swainson said both patients and staff had responded positively to the technology. “Patients have found this equipment exciting to use, and it has made therapy more interesting
Rehabilitation advanced trainee Dr Mariam Rassam, Head of Department of the MVH Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service Dr Jasmine Gilchrist and rehabilitation intern Dr Ella Yang Rehabilitation advanced trainee Dr Mariam Rassam, Head of Department of the MVH Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service Dr Jasmine Gilchrist and rehabilitation intern Dr Ella Yang
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