NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
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Diabetes drug offers health benefits
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Message from the chief executive
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
I am delighted to share that the NSLHD Board has endorsed the NSLHD Clinical Services Plan 2024-2029, which outlines our priorities and strategic directions for the next five years. This plan was developed collaboratively over 18 months and involved extensive consultation with various stakeholders. I encourage everyone to review the Clinical Services Plan which is accessible here: https://bit.ly/4bPnIac . Recently, I co-hosted our district’s inaugural Virtual Town Hall meeting with Paula Williscroft, Executive Director of People and Culture. I really enjoyed sharing information, engaging with you and hearing about our progress on initiatives to keep staff safe at work. We will continue to hold these online meetings throughout the year featuring different executive team members discussing key topics. Applications for the Northern Sydney Local Health District Graduate Health Management Program are now open. This program is a highlight for me, fostering significant growth and development in our graduates. We are looking for graduates to join us in both our general and finance streams for 2025, with applications closing on Monday 12 August. You can find out more and apply for the program on our website https://bit.ly/ NSLHDGrad. With mixed emotions, I announce the retirement of Kim Field, Director of Primary and Community Health, effective 18 August. Kim has dedicated 46 years to NSW Health and has significantly contributed to our community health services. We wish her all the best in her well- deserved retirement. The recruitment process for a new Director of Primary and Community Health will begin shortly.
I am pleased to announce that Associate Professor Christine Catling has been appointed to the UTS/NSLHD conjoint position as Professor of Midwifery Research. Christine, an NHMRC Research Fellow, will investigate Clinical Supervision and its ability to support midwives. I look forward to seeing her valuable contributions in this role. Our Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) service has taken part in a mandatory Short Notice Assessment (SNA) for the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. This is a new way that our hospitals and services undergo accreditation. This requires our MHDA teams to undergo the assessment while maintaining high- quality patient care. We value the accreditation process and are committed to continuous learning and improvement to ensure we provide the very best care to our patients. I look forward to hearing the assessors feedback and thank MHDA staff for their hard work during this busy time. I have recently celebrated my one-year anniversary as Chief Executive at Northern Sydney Local Health District. I am truly honoured to be part of this incredible health service and I am immensely proud of our district’s achievements. Thank you all for your hard work, ongoing dedication, and support. And finally with the Paris Olympics underway, we wish RNSH doctor Mackenzie Little the very best of luck as she competes in the women’s javelin throw. Go Mackenzie!
Best wishes,
Anthony
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 14| 26 JULY 2024
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Associate Professor Brendon Neuen, Royal North Shore Hospital
diabetes drug offers valuable health benefits A major new study, led by RNSH’s Associate Professor Brendon Neuen, has found combining Ozempic with another widely used diabetes drug can improve heart and kidney health. The research, which is the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind, is expected to inform the management of people with diabetes globally. The study analysed 12 landmark clinical trials involving around 73,000 patients with a broad range of health conditions including heart failure, diabetes, and kidney disease. It found that combining one type of diabetes medication (SGLT2is) with medications including Ozempic was not only safe, but offered additional protection against heart and kidney disease in patients with diabetes. The research found the combination of diabetes medications reduced the risk of chronic kidney disease progression by 33 per cent, and slowed the annual loss of kidney function by almost 60 per cent. It also found that using the two drugs together reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events like a heart attack or stroke by 11 per cent, and hospitalisations for heart failure or cardiovascular death by 23 per cent. Brandon, who is also the Director of Kidney Trials at RNSH, said it was important to look at the combined effect of the medications given the rapidly expanding use of drugs like Ozempic. “We know that these medications work well independently and now our findings support the use of a combined approach to further improve kidney and heart health for patients with diabetes,” he said. “Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease, with impaired glucose control causing damage to blood vessels in the heart and kidneys. “Many patients with diabetes live with cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease, with the prevalence increasing in the years following a diabetes diagnosis. “We anticipate that our study will inform clinical guidelines for people with diabetes not just in Australia but globally as well.” You can support Brandon’s work by contacting the NORTH Foundation, the district’s charity partner: info@northfoundation.org.au.
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Dalwood Child and Family Community Centre Goes Solar Dalwood Child and Family Community
The solar system is designed to power the entire facility during the day and export surplus energy to offset nighttime consumption. With an average daily power usage of 790kWh, the new system is expected to generate over 900kWh per day, covering 114 per cent of the Centre’s electricity needs. This project aligns with NSLHD’s Planetary Health Framework 2024-2027, which aims to increase onsite renewable energy production and electrify facilities. It follows previous successful solar installations at Mona Vale, Brookvale, Hornsby, and Royal North Shore.
Centre has become the latest district facility to embrace planetary health and reduce its carbon footprint. A new 250kW solar PV system will greatly reduce the centre’s reliance on grid power and decrease its carbon footprint. 430 solar panels have been installed on three buildings across the campus. The sustainability journey for Dalwood began in early 2023 when NSLHD, in collaboration with NSW Health, explored the feasibility of integrating solar panels at the centre. Funding was secured from the Health Fund for Energy Efficiency Projects, leading to the successful installation of the solar power system.
Solar panels at Dalwood Community Centre
Pink Ladies donate Diversional Therapy Boxes to Ryde Hospital Ryde Hospital’s Pink Ladies have donated five Diversional therapy boxes to the hospital to aide their dementia and delirium patients. Diversional therapy supports people to improve health and wellbeing through leisure and recreation-based interventions. The diversional therapy boxes were developed as a way to redirect and distract patients. The Pink Ladies were approached hospital. “The Pink Ladies are a fantastic support for Ryde Hospital working tirelessly providing services for patients and families, as well as raising funds to provide much needed resources like the diversional therapy boxes.”
to see if they would be happy to assist with supporting the development of the boxes and they put together five boxes for patients. The Pink Ladies help patients with enquiries about directions within the hospital, fundraising and help staff with some generic administration duties, such as putting admission packs together or placing stickers on boxes. “We have found that these boxes have been a useful practice incorporated in our day-to-day care,” said Rachel Anderson, Operational Nurse Manager, Nursing Administration, Ryde
Pink ladies with the diversion therapy boxes
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 14| 26 JULY 2024
Professor Christine Catling
NSLHD Welcomes Professor of Midwifery Research Associate Professor Christine Catling has been appointed to the UTS/NSLHD conjoint position as Professor of Midwifery Research. This role, in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), aims to advance midwifery-led research and enhance women- centred care within the district.
their families,” she said. “Midwifery-led research is vital to the development of women-centred care in NSLHD. midwifery is critical to achieving the best outcomes for our community, and we are excited to partner with UTS to create new knowledge and advance evidence-based best practice.” Christine’s research has covered significant topics such as normal birth after caesarean section, maternal and neonatal outcomes from publicly funded homebirth models of care, and health system strengthening in Papua New Guinea. Currently, she is focusing on workplace culture in midwifery and developing supportive strategies to sustain the workforce. “Having been an academic at UTS for over ten years, I’m excited to be in this role at Northern Sydney Local Health District,” she said. Her published work, widely respected in maternal and child health, demonstrates her commitment to evidence-based best practices and collaborative approaches to tackling complex health challenges.
Christine is internationally recognised for her contributions to clinical research supporting the well-being of childbearing women and their families. Her extensive background includes roles as Director of Midwifery Studies and Discipline Lead within the Faculty of Health at UTS, Research Fellow with the UTS-based World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre, and Clinical Midwifery Consultant at St George Hospital. Her experience spans from clinical midwife to antenatal educator, reflecting her comprehensive understanding of midwifery from multiple perspectives. NSLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery Claire Harris welcomed Professor Catling to the district. “Professor Catling is internationally recognised as a leader in clinical research that supports the well-being of childbearing women and
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Hannah Carroll with some of the beautiful designs
RNSH Introduces Culturally Significant Cot Cards Royal North Shore Hospital neonatal
throughout the wards,” she said. “The cot cards are a keepsake for the parents, something to remind them of how far they’ve come. I believe these cards will help create a more welcoming and inclusive Acknowledgement of Country, where NICU alumni decorate the walls with artwork they have made based on prompts like ‘What do you like to do on Country? “The collaboration with the local artist has been an inspiring journey, highlighting the importance of integrating cultural elements into healthcare practices,” Hannah said. environment for all our families.” In the hallway, there is also an
intensive care unit (NICU) has redesigned its cot cards, now featuring stunning artwork by Leanne Watson Redpath, a Darug educator and artist. The initiative introduces six new designs, each imbued with unique meanings symbolising various aspects of Aboriginal culture and heritage. NICU clinical support officer Hannah Carroll said for the past 12 months the team had been looking how to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the unit while supporting and recognising this vulnerable community. “It’s really beautiful to see the new cot cards
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 14| 26 JULY 2024
Manly Sea Eagles Donate Signed Jersey to AYAH The Manly Sea Eagles recently donated a signed 2024 Community Jersey to the Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH). Some players brought the jersey, spent time chatting with the patients and challenging them to a game of Boccia. “We’re so grateful for the ongoing support the AYAH receives from the Manly Sea Eagles,” said Laura Grant, AYAH Community Partnerships Manager.
coin toss opportunities, numerous Christmas gifts at the 2023 family Christmas event, and accessible tickets to multiple games.
Community Health, has announced her retirement, due to start from August 18. Kim began her journey with NSW Health in mental health, quickly flourishing into a team leader and supervising new graduates. By the early 1990s, she became Manager at Merrylands Community Health Centre, and later, Director of Community Health for Western Sydney Area Health Service. Her association with the district started in July 2005, when she was appointed Manager of Primary and Community Care in the former Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service. In 2011, she stepped into her current role, making significant contributions to community health. Kim’s notable achievements include her passion for serving vulnerable children and families and supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service. She was a driving force behind Bungee Bidgel, profoundly impacting the Aboriginal community. In recognition, Kim was inducted into the district’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service’s Wall of Fame in April 2023. Chief Executive Anthony Schembri expressed his gratitude for Kim’s dedication and service. “Kim’s commitment to public health and her “The team have already created so many memorable experiences for our patients and families. “We can’t thank the team enough for their ongoing support, generosity, and eagerness to make dreams come true at any given opportunity.” The Manly Sea Eagles have a long-standing relationship with AYAH. Their support began before the hospice opened its doors to patients, when they donated a jersey for a fundraising event. Their support has also included AYAH patient game ball delivery, patient guard of honour participation, tickets to games, pre-game
Sea Eagles players Brad Parker and Lachlan Croker at the AYAH
Kim Field Retires After 46 Years of Service Kim Field, Director of Primary and
leadership have been outstanding. She has not only advanced the quality of community health care but has also positively impacted countless lives within our community,” Anthony said.
Kim Field
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