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
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 2| 13 FEBRUARY 2026
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