NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
Main story Short blurb Intellectual Disability Health Service Clinic opens at RNSH
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NSLHD Allied Health finalists in 2026 Excellence Awards Page 4
NSLHD Supports Fusion Pride Picnic Page w5
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Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
I was delighted to host the launch of the Intellectual Disability Service Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) recently. It was an honour to be joined by Susan Pearce AM, Secretary of NSW Health. Now located on the RNSH campus, the clinic brings medical, health and support services together in one place, making access easier for people with intellectual disability and their families and carers living across the district. Hearing a patient and her mother share their experience at the launch was particularly impactfu. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this happen. We recently celebrated the work of Dalwood Spilstead Service and the Dalwood Aboriginal Advisory Group through a moving flag raising ceremony at the Dalwood site, recognising the vital support provided to vulnerable children and their families, including many with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. Three flag poles were installed on site to acknowledge the important connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It was wonderful to see so many people from the local community attend and mark the occasion together. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital and to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital on their well-deserved recognition at the NORTH Foundation Awards. Being named Unit of the Year and Facility of the Year is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strength of their partnerships with our community and their commitment to exceptional patient care. The Quality and Improvement Awards have returned for 2026, recognising achievements that positively impact patients, colleagues and the community across eleven award categories.
Entries can be submitted via the submission guide, which also contains the application form: https://bit.ly/QI-2026-submission. For further information, please contact nslhd-awards@health.nsw.gov.au. Submissions close on Friday, 6 March 2026. It is very exciting to have the Rainbow Clinic returning to North Ryde on Saturday 14 March. This clinic is run in collaboration with BreastScreenNSW and provides an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ people to receive a free mammogram in a safe and respected environment. You can email nslhd-breastscreenrainbow@ health.nsw.gov.au to book an appointment. No referral is required. I was proud to help represent the district at the annual Fusion Pride Picnic at Dee Why Beach and visit the district’s stall. The free picnic was coordinated by Fusion Pride Northern Beaches, which is a volunteer-led group supporting the local LGBTQIA+ community. The event was a great opportunity to bring LGBTQIA+ people and allies together to celebrate and foster connections. The energy and engagement from the community were outstanding, and I thank our staff and volunteers for representing the district so positively. Warm regards, Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive, NSLHD; Shanan Noonan; Susan Pearce, Secretary, NSW Health; and Suzi Parker, Intellectual Disability Health Manager, cut the ribbon at the official opening
Intellectual Disability Health Service Clinic opens at RNSH The NSLHD Intellectual Disability Health Service (IDHS) Clinic has opened at Royal North Shore Hospital, relocating from Cremorne to a purpose-built, centrally located space on campus. The team was joined by Susan Pearce, Secretary, NSW Health, and Shanan Noonan, mother of Maggie, a client of the service, for the official opening. Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive, NSLHD, also attended. Anthony Schembri outlined the benefits of integrating the service within the hospital. “Being on campus means clients and families can access medical, health and support services all in one place, making care simpler and more connected,” he said. “We wanted the service fully embedded in care, making it easier for families to access the full range of services. Now, with the clinic on campus, teams can collaborate and provide coordinated care in one location.” Susan Pearce reflected on the importance of the new space. “Today’s opening is not just about a physical space,” she said. “It is about reaffirming our commitment to a health system that is more inclusive, more responsive, and more equitable for every person.” The IDHS team has operated in the district for six years, evolving from a pilot program and expanding its outreach across Northern NSW and Mid North Coast health districts, said Suzi Parker, Intellectual Disability Health Manager, Primary and Community Health. “The new clinic is bright, accessible, and designed to meet the complex needs of clients and families,” she said. Shanan highlighted the impact the service has had on her family. “This service makes a real difference. We’re no longer navigating the system alone. The team is right there with us, making care easier and more effective. People deserve access to a good service, and now they have it.”
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NSLHD Allied Health finalists in 2026 Excellence Awards Three Northern Sydney Local Health District allied health clinicians have been named finalists in the 2026 NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards across three categories. Meegan Shepherd, a radiation therapist at Royal North Shore Hospital, is a finalist for Allied Health Researcher of the Year. She is a clinician-researcher specialising in gastrointestinal cancers, adaptive radiotherapy and AI-enabled technologies. Meegan leads multiple clinical trials, translating research into practice to improve patient outcomes. Taiyo Orino, an allied health assistant in the Occupational Therapy team at Ryde Hospital, is a finalist for Allied Health Assistant/Technician/Support Person of the Year. Based at Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre, Taiyo contributes to stroke research trials, drives quality improvement initiatives, and applies advanced data analysis to support patient-centred care and multidisciplinary collaboration. Jessica Bui, an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist at Royal North Shore Hospital, is a finalist for Allied Health Professional of the Year. She leads initiatives to optimise medication use and improve patient outcomes, working closely with infection prevention, infectious diseases and clinical teams to embed evidence-based stewardship practices. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri outlined the significance of the achievement. “I’m extremely proud that our team members are finalists in these prestigious awards,” he said. Executive Director Allied Health Julia Capper also acknowledged the recognition. “We are incredibly proud of the outstanding contributions they have each made to Allied Health practice,” she said. There are 35 finalists across seven award categories this year, with winners to be announced on 26 March.
Taiyo Orino
Meegan Shepherd
Jessica Bui
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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NSLHD Supports Fusion Pride Picnic on the Northern Beaches Northern Sydney Local Health District Michael Sanderson, LGBTIQ+ Project Manager, with Collins Adu from Clinic 16 and Camille Sweeney and Hannah Cameron from PARVAN at the Northern Beaches Fusion Pride Picnic
NSLHD staff at the picnic handed out information and promoted the upcoming Rainbow Breast Screening in collaboration with BreastScreen NSW on 14 March 2026 at North Ryde. “Lots of people were very interested in our services and excited to hear about the Rainbow Screening Clinic,” he said. Details on the screening clinic are available on the final page of this newsletter. Staff also encouraged community feedback through the LGBTIQ+ Patient Experience Survey. Everyone who has used NSLHD health services is invited to share their experiences to help improve inclusivity, safety, and care for LGBTQIA+ patients: https://bit. ly/3ZvHCmS NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked staff and volunteers for their engagement. “It was fantastic to see the energy and engagement from the community at our stall,” he said.
supported the annual Fusion Pride Picnic, a free event for LGBTQIA+ people and allies across the Northern Beaches, hosting a stall to engage with the community. This year marked the fourth anniversary of the picnic, which drew an estimated 1,200 attendees. The family-friendly event was held at Ted Jackson Reserve, Dee Why Beach, featuring live music, crafts, face painting, picnic spaces, and a vibrant rainbow marketplace. Michael Sanderson, LGBTIQ+ Project Manager, said it was heartwarming to see the visibility and engagement from the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. “Visibility is important,” he said. He highlighted the presence of NSLHD services at the stall, including MHDA, which provides mental health and drug and alcohol support; PARVAN (Prevention and Response to Violence, Abuse and Neglect); Clinic16, which delivers specialised services for LGBTQIA+ patients; and the Rainbow Screening Clinic.
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Comprehensive support key to weight loss and longer life The key to long term weight loss and good health is not just a new, dynamic medication like Ozempic, but a much broader approach involving comprehensive support. This is a view held by leading endocrinologist and senior Kolling Institute researcher going forward, including a national approach with qualified practitioners, like exercise physiologists who can really offer patients structured and safe programs. “We’re running clinical trials at Royal North Shore Hospital in this area, and these trials offer a good opportunity to receive greater support.”
Professor Sarah Glastras, who is calling for a shift away from the perception that these new game-changing medications are the only answer to complex health challenges like obesity and heart disease. Sarah is part of a growing body of health professionals advocating for a holistic approach to weight loss, involving a multi-disciplinary team including an endocrinologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist and counsellor when necessary. New evidence is emerging around the risk of weight gain once the medication is stopped, and the potential loss of lean muscle and bone density due to the rapid weight loss. Sarah said these risks can be reduced with a tailored health program, encompassing weight training, education and healthy diet support. “If we’re going to be able to make leaps and bounds in the space of weight management, not just for the individual, but for their family and their children, it has to be a lot more holistic than just the medication,” she said. “I’m very much in favour of being able to access all the team players. “Hopefully, we’ll see better wraparound care
The hospital’s Diabetes and Obesity Research team is currently seeking participants for two clinical trials focusing on long-term weight management. One study is for adults who: • Have obesity with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30, or • Are overweight with a BMI over 27 and a health condition such as high blood pressure or prediabetes, and • Do not have type 2 diabetes. The second study is for adults who are overweight or obese, and using a stable weekly weight-loss injection like Ozempic, but would like to explore options for additional weight loss. To find out more or register your interest, please contact the research team at nslhd- endocrineresearch@health.nsw.gov.au Sarah said by taking part, you could help advance treatments for weight management and progress medical research, while also benefitting from a carefully-monitored program.
Professor Sarah Glastras
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Helping Rural Patients Get Home Safely Royal North Shore Hospital is the pilot site for a new NSW Government initiative aimed at helping rural and regional patients return home safely after hospital care, by improving awareness of the NSW TrainLink network. Delivered in partnership with Transport for NSW, the pilot provides patients with clear information about train or coach travel following treatment.
for patients travelling long distances. “Many rural patients experience uncertainty about how they will get home after treatment,” he said. “This pilot is about making that journey clearer, safer and less stressful, while also supporting better patient flow and sustainability.” RNSH was selected as the pilot site due to its role as a tertiary referral hospital, with patients frequently travelling from regional areas for specialised care. “The pilot has been really successful so far,” he said. “We have met our targets for staff education and resource distribution, with strong engagement from nursing, allied health, patient flow teams and social workers.” The initiative, delivered locally by the RNSH Discharge Patient Flow Concierge team, also aims to reduce car use, free up hospital resources and improve health equity. Lessons from the pilot will inform potential expansion to other NSW hospitals.
Resources include printed brochures in key wards and digital information sent to eligible patients via the Digital Perioperative Pathway app. Transport for NSW employee Eleanor Raftery was inspired to develop the program after experiencing emergency cardiac treatment near her home in Sydney. She saw firsthand the challenges rural patients face in planning their journey home and pitched the idea through Transport’s staff innovation program to raise awareness of TrainLink as a travel option after hospital care. Shakti Gurung, RNSH Discharge Improvement Officer, said the project focuses on equity, access and smoother discharge experiences
Transport for NSW and RNSH staff united for the pilot program
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Professor Nick Pavlakis
Rethinking Cancer Treatment Professor Nick Pavlakis, a medical oncologist, is reshaping how clinicians understand and treat cancer. His work goes far beyond traditional chemotherapy, focusing on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and the tumour microenvironment. “Chemo probably should be more broadly called medical therapy now,” he said. “We’re not just attacking cancer cells— we’re looking at how the tumour interacts with the body and how we can harness the immune system to improve outcomes.” A major focus of his research is angiogenesis, the process by which tumours create their own blood supply. “While blocking blood vessels alone isn’t sufficient to kill cancer, if you combine it with immune therapy, you can enhance the immune response,” he said. By understanding how tumours manipulate their surroundings, Nick’s work aims to improve treatment strategies for lung, gastrointestinal, and neuroendocrine cancers. Nick is also pioneering circulating tumour DNA technology, a “liquid biopsy” that detects traces of cancer in the blood, allowing therapies to be personalised more precisely. “We’ve received a $15 million grant to run a
national program using this technology in specific lung cancers,” he said. “This could revolutionise how we monitor and adjust treatment, making advanced care more widely accessible.” Beyond the laboratory, Nick emphasises the importance of holistic care. “Maintaining fitness and nutrition can improve resilience and quality of life during treatment,” he said. “Cancer care isn’t just about the drugs—it’s about supporting the whole person.” Nick recently shared these insights on NSLHD’s Tomorrow’s Medicine Today podcast with hosts Professor James Elliott and Associate Professor Matthew Doane, highlighting how research and personalised care are reshaping lung cancer treatment. “Genomic testing helps doctors choose treatments that are more targeted, more effective, and better tolerated. Instead of one-size-fits-all therapy, care is becoming smarter, more precise, and more hopeful,” he said. “We want people to live longer, healthier lives, and to feel supported every step of the way.” Listen to the full episode via the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/49Go1VN or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3LLq9U6
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humans of sdpr: sean baldwin Dr Sean Baldwin, Acting Chief Medical Information Officer at Northern Sydney Local Health District and Staff Specialist in the Emergency Department at Royal North Shore Hospital, is focused on improving the digital tools clinicians rely on every day in high-pressure clinical environments The Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) program is supported by a network of working groups and councils across districts, bringing clinicians and subject matter experts together to guide design, safety and usability. Sean represents NSLHD on the
Specialty Content Group, Sean and his colleagues have examined the evidence behind best practice decision support. “The eMR is integral to frontline work, and SDPR will make it safer and easier to use,” he said. “I’m always keen to hear from clinicians about how we can enhance the user experience.” Learn more about SDPR at https://bit.ly/ NSWSDPR
Decision Support Specialty Content Group, ensuring frontline perspectives inform how clinical decision support is built into the new system. “I became involved in SDPR because I am passionate about making frontline clinicians’ lives easier,” he said. “As an emergency physician, I spend a significant proportion of my clinical shifts interacting with the eMR (Electronic Medical Record) and frequently wish it could be improved, so I’ve become part of the solution.” Through the Decision Support
Dr Sean Baldwin
NSLHD honoured at NORTH Foundation Awards The NORTH Foundation recently celebrated their first Philanthropy and Thank You Awards, where NSLHD staff and units were celebrated.
NORTH Foundation Chief Executive Officer Gil Lorquet said the awards were about stopping to properly acknowledge the impact of giving. “We wanted to thank the people who quietly make the impossible possible,” he said. “These awards show what happens when a community wraps its arms around its hospitals.”
These awards celebrate the extraordinary donors, clinicians, community champions and partners whose generosity powers life- changing care and cutting-edge research across the Northern Sydney Local Health District. Within NSLHD, the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital was named Unit of the Year for its strong engagement with donors. Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital was recognised as the. Facility of the Year for its collaborative approach to philanthropy. late Alexandria Phirros, whose bequest funded a surgical robot at Royal North Shore Hospital and equipment for burns and dermatology services. A Legacy of Impact Award honoured the
L to R: Simon Hill, Director, Northern Beaches Hospital, Gilbert Lorquet, CEO, the NORTH Foundation, Amanda Green, General Manager, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, John Won, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Thea Bishop, Emergency Physician, Anthony Schembri, Chief Executive, NSLHD, Trevor Danos, Board Chair, NSLHD
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L–R: Pittwater MP Michael Regan, Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Health Minister Ryan Park
High-volume surgical centre at Northern Beaches Hospital Northern Beaches Hospital will soon be home to a high-volume surgical centre following an announcement from the NSW Government as part of the hospital’s transition to public ownership. NSW Premier Chris Minns made the announcement at the hospital, joined by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, local MPs and NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri. The centre builds on the expertise and technology at Northern Beaches Hospital, and is set to reduce surgery waiting times and allow for an additional 5000 patients across Greater Sydney and NSW to receive their surgery sooner at Northern Beaches Hospital. From 1 July 2026, the centre will start accepting patients waiting for surgeries such as ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat (ENT), general surgery and gynaecology. Health Minister Ryan Park said the hospital would “first and foremost’’ be for the people of the Northern Beaches. “I’m so pleased the state’s new High Volume Planned Surgery Centre will boost our health system’s surgery capacity to help patients receive the care they need more quickly,” he said. “This is a win for the Northern Beaches community and for patients right across NSW.” Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the Greater Sydney and surrounds will benefit from the implementation of the hub. “Northern Beaches Hospital boasts world-class surgical facilities and a wealth of surgical expertise,” he said. “This planned surgery centre will not only benefit the community of the Northern Beaches but patients right across the state who will experience quicker access to elective surgery.”
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Vale David Whare A much-loved Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital colleague, David Whare, chief wardsperson, sadly passed away recently. Dave was a valued member of the corporate services team, dedicating 32 years of service to the hospital. His career began by chance while on holiday in Australia, when a hospital manager approached him to join as a wardsperson. At the time, he had been planning to become a truck driver, but Dave turned up the following Monday and began a remarkable three-decade contribution to the patients and staff of Hornsby Hospital. Dave was known for his kindness, humility, and quiet strength. Generous in spirit, he made those around him feel safe, valued, and supported. He had a rare ability to put people at ease simply by being himself. For more than three decades, he was more than a colleague—he was a trusted friend, a source of reassurance, and a familiar, comforting presence to many. His loyalty, compassion, and respect extended beyond work to everyone he met. Dave’s legacy lives on through the lives he Vale Michael Appleton It is with great sadness that we remember Michael Appleton, who passed away in December after a battle with cancer. Michael dedicated 35 years as a Consumer Advisor and volunteer with Ryde Hospital’s Community Mental Health Service, leaving a lasting impact on patients, peers and staff. From his own experiences as a young person in the mental health system, Michael became a tireless advocate for better care. Manager of Ryde Consumer Services Paula Hanlon said Michael was an adolescent when he entered the mental health system in the late 60s. “There were no specialist units at the time and young people shared adult units, subjected to trial medications and other treatments with unknown impact of the young brain,” she said. “Michael had two clear goals in his life. The first was to make sure people entering the mental health system today would have a better experience than him. “The second was to make six people smile and six people laugh every day.” Michael founded the Ryde Consumer Network and was a founding member of the Northern Sydney District Consumer Network,
touched, the friendships he formed, and the warmth he brought to the hospital and community. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. A memorial was held on the hospital grounds for staff, his family, and the wider community He will be missed and fondly remembered with gratitude and respect.
David Whare
shaping consumer-led mental health advocacy for generations to come.
“He really worked towards achieving that and improved the experience of so many mental health consumers.”
Michael Appleton
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