Message from the Board Chair
It has been another remarkable year at Northern Sydney Local Health District, with many noteworthy achievements. Under the leadership of our new chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri AM, we have continued to be one of the highest-performing local health districts in NSW, providing high-quality, safe healthcare to the community. Solid progress has been made in staff and community engagement, planetary health and sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. Diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging have remained at the forefront of our priorities and the year ends with much to celebrate. We launched the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy 2023-2027, which outlines the objectives and initiatives planned to help us deliver on our vision to create a workforce that reflects the community we serve, where people from all walks of life are represented, respected and feel that they belong. The district held its first LGBTIQ+ Health Symposium which was a great success. Attendees heard from industry leaders about their experiences both as staff and as health consumers. These insights will guide our district as we strive to meet the objectives outlined in the NSW Health LGBTIQ+ Strategy 2022-2027 and foster a more inclusive environment. Additionally, our commitment to gender equity was showcased at the Advancing Women in Medical Leadership Conference. This event, attended by close to 200 colleagues, provided a platform for our female medical leaders to network and gain inspiration from a line-up of exceptional internal and external speakers who have managed to break barriers and advance their careers. The conference exemplifies our ongoing efforts to create a diverse and equitable workplace where every individual can flourish and feel they belong. As a health service with a large carbon footprint, we have acknowledged the district has a responsibility to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to embrace environmental stewardship, while continuing to provide high-quality healthcare. Planetary health and environmental sustainability are key areas of focus and the district is the first local health district in NSW to comprehensively measure its baseline carbon footprint and commit to a net zero roadmap. For the carbon emissions the district controls directly, a commitment has been made to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2035, including a 70-80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. For the emissions NSLHD does not control directly but can influence, the aim is to reach net zero by 2050, with a 50 per cent reduction in GHG emissions by 2035. We are really pleased to see the progress made in implementing the strategies outlined in the NSLHD Planetary Health Framework 2021-2023, with work
currently underway to develop a new framework for the next three years. Our Australian-first ‘Net Zero Leads Program’ which started in November last year has continued, with 12 clinicians now supported to lead projects to reduce emissions in clinical care. These projects include reducing single-use plastics in theatres, nitrous oxide and pharmaceutical waste, plus many others. There are many other projects happening on the ground and I would like to thank all our staff who contribute to important work and continue to make valuable suggestions to reduce our district’s carbon footprint. In particular, we should call out the sustainability committees at Royal North Shore, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Mona Vale, and Ryde hospitals and primary and community health (PACH). Together with the Net Zero Clinical Group, these teams have spearheaded local planetary health initiatives, delivering substantial environmental, health, and financial benefits to the district. Their contributions are invaluable, and we commend them for their tireless work. It was wonderful to see the completion of some of our capital works projects including the $321 million redevelopment of Hornsby Hospital and the $19.5 million Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH). It is also very exciting to see work starting on the initial stages of the $425 million redevelopment of Ryde Hospital. As we reflect on this year, on behalf of the Board, I want to express our deepest appreciation to our incredible staff. Your unwavering commitment and dedication to our community and the provision of high-quality care to our patients, consumers, and their families are truly exceptional. Each one of you plays a pivotal role in shaping our district and in enhancing its state-wide, national and international reputation. Our staff are our greatest asset and it is so important they are recognised. I was delighted to attend the district Exceptional People Awards this year and see staff receive their awards. And to have four finalists in the NSW Health Awards, with one winner and one highly commended, was simply outstanding. We are also incredibly grateful to our fundraising partners who have worked hard to raise funds and many philanthropists who have generously donated to our hospitals and services. I would also like to thank our many volunteers, who have also played an essential role, generously giving their time and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients, their families, visitors, and our staff. Looking ahead to 2024, we are filled with excitement as we anticipate even more successes. There are already important initiatives and projects in progress, and I am confident that together, we will continue to provide the very best healthcare to our community. Trevor Danos AM Board Chair, Northern Sydney Local Health District
NSLHD 2023 Year in Review
3
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online