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NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
child wellbeing and protection awards 2019
The NSLHD Child Wellbeing and Protection Awards were held on Monday 2 September, during National
Child Protection week. Read more on Page 4
2019 NSW Health award finalists g Page 3
F.A.S.T. heroes on a mission to raise stroke awareness Page 6
Leaders in healthcare, partners in wellbeing
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Message FROM the acting Chief executive Dr Tamsin Waterhouse
message FROM the Chief executive Deb Willcox
It was really pleasing to see the results of the 2019 People Matter staff survey which continues to see improvements in our results. Not only did more people complete the survey, but our employee engagement remains positive and five per cent higher than NSW Health overall - one of the top performing LHDs in the state. This means you reported being highly satisfied with your work. It is heartening to see more of you believe action will be taken following these results because it helps us make sure our workplace is the best it can be. That makes life better for all of us, and our patients. This is reflected in the report as 89 per cent of respondents said they strive to achieve patient and consumer satisfaction. There is always room for improvement and we will be studying the results at a hospital and service level more closely in the coming weeks. Hospital and service level results are currently being circulated to the executive teams. They will be communicating these results to you, and working with you to celebrate your successes and put action plans into place in order to make improvements across our district. District, hospital and service level reports are now available on the Staff Engagement intranet page. These results along with other public sector organisation level results are also available on the Public Service Commission website. Thank you to all the staff who took the time to complete the People Matter Employee Survey earlier this year. Northern Sydney Local Health District achieved a participation rate of 38 per cent overall. I also want to say a big thank you to all staff across our hospitals for working together to deliver another strong set of results in the Bureau of Health Information quarterly ED performance and elective surgery results for April to June. Our EDs experienced a six per cent rise in presentations and an almost 10 per cent rise in admissions to hospital from emergency during the quarter. Despite this, 78.6 per cent of patients started their treatment on time, which is almost seven per cent better than the NSW average.
There was a rise in the number of urgent surgeries performed within the district, and our waiting times remain better than the NSW average. For the first time, BHI reported on the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health units and mental health intensive care units throughout the state. Our mental health teams are committed to reducing the use of seclusion and restraint, and it shows in these figures, some of which are among the best in the metropolitan area. Thursday 12 September is R U OK Day, a day which encourages us to meaningfully connect with the people around us and support anyone who may be struggling. It is time to ask ourselves “Are you concerned about a colleague of someone close to you?” There are times we observe people in our workplace and feel worried for them. We often do not know what to do to help. The R U OK program is designed to help us talk to and ask the question by using a simple guide for starting a conversation that could save a life. You do not need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend, a great listener or simply care. You can find tips on how to approach the conversation on the R U OK Day website. Finally, I was delighted the district has four finalists in this year’s NSW Health Awards. Every year the Awards acknowledge the excellent work being done across our state in healthcare. The field of applicants is always strong and to be selected as a finalist is a wonderful achievement. The Awards will be hosted on October 10, with winners from each category being announced. Please see the article on page 3 for more information on our entries and I wish them best of luck and congratulations. Congratulations to you all on these wonderful results.
Deb Willcox Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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2019 NSW Health Award finalists Northern Sydney LHD will have four teams in the running for top honour at the NSW Health Awards.
This month the finalists for this year’s NSW Health Awards were announced.
Every year the NSW Health Awards acknowledge the excellent work being done across our state in healthcare.
The field of applicants is always strong and to be selected as a finalist is a great achievement.
All entries demonstrated a depth of commitment and should be congratulated for their contribution to NSW Health. The NSW Health Awards provide a unique opportunity to recognise and reward innovative programs, behaviours and services provided by the organisations that comprise NSW Health.
The categories are based on NSW Health’s Strategic Priorities and CORE values.
The four finalists in the running are:
Meredith Oatley and Professor Marg Fry for their entry Oncology Telephone Hotline, named in the Transforming Patient Experience category
Pavin Govinda and Laura Brain for their entry Contagious Innovation—Fighting Influenza with FluPortal, nominated in the A Safe and Healthy Workplace category
Dr Eveline Staub and colleagues for their entry Walking the Milky Way, nominated in the Patient Safety First category. Dr Sarah Hilmer for her entry Electronic Support for Medication Review in Older People, nominated in the Health Research and Innovation category. Awards will be announced on Thursday 10 October 2019. Congratulations again to all of our finalists.
Further information can be found on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ innovation/2019awards/Pages/finalists.aspx
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Child wellbeing and protection awards 2019 The NSLHD Child Wellbeing and Protection Awards were held on 2 September, The awards celebrated the achievements of NSLHD services and individuals whose child-focused practice supports the safety and well-being of children and young people across the district. These individuals and services put children/ young people at the centre of their work, building stronger relationships with the families and communities they support. during National Child Protection week (2-8 September).
Individual Category | Highly Commended Laura Martin
Individual Category | Winner Karen Peregrina
Congratulations to all the winners.
Service Category | Highly Commended CYMHS Coral Tree Family Service, Family Residential Stay
Collaborative Practice | Winner RNS Women’s Children’s and Family Health Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Service Category | Highly Commended CYMHS Getting On Track in Time (Got It)
Service Category | Winner CYMHS Outreach Support for Children and Adolescents
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Collaborative Practice | Winner Royal North Shore Hospital Women’s, Children’s and Family Health Social Work
Collaborative Practice | Highly Commended Chatswood Child and Family Health Nursing Service
Collaborative Practice | Highly Commended Child Development Service
Collaborative Practice | Highly Commended RNSH Perinatal Mental Health Consultation Liaison
Collaborative Practice | Winner RNS Women’s Children’s and Family Health Maternity Services
Collaborative Practice | Highly Commended Child Development Service
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F.A.S.T. heroes on a mission to raise awareness about the first signs of stroke National Stroke Week (2–8 September 2019) is the Stroke Foundation’s annual awareness campaign, urging Australians to recognise the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke to call an ambulance, thereby potentially saving a life. Staff across the district held a number of stalls at hospital site to spread the word about the F.A.S.T. test. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions: • Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Ryde Hospital’s F.A.S.T heroes spreading the word about stroke awareness in the main foyer of the hospital
• Arms Can they lift both arms?
• Speech Is their speech
slurred? Do they understand you?
• Time Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away. This year, we’re calling all those individuals who recognise the signs of stroke F.A.S.T. Heroes. Stroke can impact anyone of any age, with more than 80 per cent of strokes showing at least one of the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke.
RNSH staff in the main foyer are ready to fight stroke
Steptember update
More than steps
Did you know you can convert other physical activities into steps? Download the Steptember app and register your physical activity, including swimming, bike rides and many others and the app will automatically convert it into steps.
NDLHD is setting a great pace in this year’s Steptember challenge. We have 251 teams registered and our district has raised more than $36,000. We are holding the second spot Australia-wide for funds raised and the total step counts with 50,588,082 steps.
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Ryde Hospital’s jen Kinsella awarded diabetes fellowship Ryde’s Diabetes Service Manager and Clinical Nurse Consultant Jen Kinsella was recently awarded a fellowship at this year’s Australasian Diabetes Congress 2019. The fellowship recognises Jen’s outstanding contribution and expertise in diabetes leadership, education and management. Jen initially started out specialising in oncology, haematology and renal medicine at Concord Hospital. Her mentor at the time asked her if she would help out in the endocrinology unit. Diabetes was a path Jen never imagined taking, but that quickly changed as Jen learnt to understand diabetes related distress and health complications, with this became a turning point in Jen’s career. Jen continues to do wonderful work at Ryde Hospital where she and her multi-disciplinary team aim to offer a wholistic approach to managing diabetes.
Susan Davidson ADEA CEO presenting Jen Kinsella with fellowship award at the Australasian Diabetes Congress
Ryde Hospital Registrar Dr Stephen Ludgate with Jen Kinsella at the Australasian Diabetes Congress 2019
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY Each year September 8 marks UNESCO’s International Literacy day raising awareness globally on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy.
The distribution of new books for new babies is a practical demonstration of a commitment by the ALEA, to help raise the standard of literacy in Australia. It heralds the importance of encouraging parents to share the joy of books, spoken language and literacy as early as possible with their baby. For the twelfth year, books were presented to new parents at Royal North Shore Hospital.
To celebrate this day, over the past four decades the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) has presented the gift of a book to as many new babies as possible on International Literacy Day. This is the only project of its kind operated on a national level.
Paul Brown with wife Ali Brown and week old son Monty receive their book pack
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RNSH holds Renal Memorial Service The RNSH Renal Department held a renal memorial service in the chapel to honour the lives of people who have lost their lives to kidney disease. Attendees included family, friends, carers, staff, and current patients. The service included a candlelighting ceremony, a poetry reading and an address by the Head of Renal Dr Amanda Mather.
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS
We know our staff do amazing things and we want to hear about it. Share your news, achievements and events with your District colleagues. Contact our team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw. gov.au to submit your news.
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CALLING ALL MUSOS AND SONGBIRDS Now’s the time to roll up, roll up for Royal North Shore’s 2019 Festival of Music, which will be held in the RNSH main foyer from December 9-13.
world,” she said. Susan said the festival had its genesis in 2015 when medical service director Dr Philip Hoyle and now RNSH general manager Alison Zecchin burst into song in the foyer. “Philip Hoyle and Alison Zecchin sang several Christmas carols in the foyer and it was a huge hit,” Susan said. “That got me thinking and by the next December we had turned it into an event, with many staff contributing. “Our first event in 2016
showcased the ED with its staff performing comedy, music and songs. The crowds loved them.” Since then, the event has grown, flushing out some very talented staff who have been joined by an Opera Australia singer (for some high notes) and some members of the Brandenburg Orchestra. “Patients and staff particularly enjoy seeing staff in a different light, and this is a really nice way to lead into the festive season,” Susan said. “Please don’t be shy – if you’re keen to participate, we’re keen to have you.”
If you fancy bringing some festive cheer to your colleagues, patients and visitors you can sign up for the hospital choir, or perform a brief revue or musical piece. Music co-ordinator Susan Day (0418 213 212) would love to hear from you, especially if you can present a musical piece from
another part of the world. “As we are a multicultural
workforce we would love to hear musical pieces from around the
Local MP Rob Stokes dropped by to see the new kiosk and meet with the Mona Vale hospital Auxiliary staff
Transformation of the Mona Vale Hospital site continues The transformation of the Mona Vale Hospital site continues to progress well with demolition starting on the former nurses accommodation to make way for the new permanent ambulance station. to eight ambulance vehicles, administration, office areas and amenities, on site staff parking, a logistics and storage area and a dedicated, fit-for-purpose medication room to store and access restricted medications. operating next to the Urgent Care Centre providing hot and cold drinks, food and amenities for hospital patients, visitors and staff.
General Manager Jacqui Edgley said it was wonderful to see the transformation of the hospital campus begin to take shape. “The old main building and other outlying buildings sadly have come to the end of their useful life and from a safety perspective they need to come down,” she said. “The local community share my deep affection for Mona Vale Hospital and I am looking forward to being a part of the hospital’s transformation. “I am looking forward to seeing the construction work on the new ambulance station and the progress on the new 10-bed palliative care unit and 10-bed geriatric evaluation management unit.” WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU 9
Licensed specialists are busy working to safely remove material containing asbestos from the old building. The new ambulance station will include parking bays for up
Construction on the new ambulance station is expected to begin in early 2020. The hospital’s kiosk operated by the Auxiliary has also recently been relocated and is now
Demolition works underway at Mona Vale Hospital
New Director of Nursing and Midwifery at HKH Linda Davidson (pictured right) might be new to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, but to many staff in the district, Linda will be a familiar face. Recently taking up the position of Director of Nursing and Midwifery at HKH, Linda previously worked as DON/Site Manager at Ryde Hospital and held acting positions as the DONM and then Divisional Manager Medicine and Aged Care at Royal North Shore Hospital. Linda has returned to the district – after working at Lower Hunter Sector for the last four years – and is excited about the opportunities and growth the redevelopment will bring to Hornsby. “The vision of the new build and the development for nursing and midwifery is really important to me,” she said. “It’s good to be back in NSLHD. I look forward to making contact with those who I have worked with in the past.” Linda’s return to the district came during the winter flu season but despite the “baptism of fire” she was impressed with the professionalism of the staff, the warm welcome and the keenness of the nursing and midwifery teams in providing a high standard of care.
Her goal is to empower nurses and midwives to be the voice of patients in ensuring the provision of safe and quality care. “I would like them to be the voice of the patient and ensure the essentials of patient care are delivered with compassion and care,” she said. “We can do this through identifying emerging nurse/midwifery leaders for the future and supporting nurses and midwives in evidence surrounding contemporary care.”
Health Educators Professional Seminar Staff from across the district recently attended the Centre for Education and Talent Development’s Health Educators Professional Seminar. Around 70 health educators were in attendance for the all-day event which is run annually.
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Multicultural Health Week 2019: Health Literacy of New and Emerging Communities Since 2009, the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has annually held Multicultural Health Week to raise awareness of health issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The theme for Multicultural Health Week (2-8 September) is health literacy of new and emerging communities. Health literacy is recognised as a critical issue for health services. Health literacy refers to how people understand information about health and health care; how they apply that information to their lives; how they use it to make decisions and act on that information. Foster Carer forum again proves popular NSLHD recently hosted its second Foster and Kinship Carers Forum. The forum was held during Child Protection Week to acknowledge the role of carers and their families who care for children and young people in out of home care. Around 30 foster and kinship carers participated in the forum where they learned about challenging and aggressive behaviours, anxiety and depression. The feedback from the forum was positive, with carers saying the content was helpful when caring for vulnerable children and young people. The forum was also a successful collaboration between the Northern Sydney Child Protection Service and Child Youth Mental Health Services.
Ryde Hospital staff celebrating multicultural health week
New and emerging communities are defined as communities which are: • Recently settled compared with more established culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities; • Smaller in number of residents but with significant increase in the past 5 to 10 years;
communities;
• Experiencing significant
barriers in accessing health care and/or poorer health outcomes; and
• Isolated in their geographical area. Staff across the district celebrated multicultural health week by holding information stalls across the district to spread the word about the importance of health literacy within new and emerging communities.
• Lacking sufficient infrastructure and
resources compared with more established CALD
NSLHD OOHC Co-ordinator Liz Beveridge, NSLHD Child Protection Service Manager Mandeep Paddam, Coral Tree representative Matthew Symonds, NB CYMHS Pauline Leung and NSCPS Counsellor Imogen Richards
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Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre
PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR DAY: PATIENT SAFETY & HEALTH PROFESSIONALS’ WELLBEING
Friday 11 th October 2019 8.15 am to 4.15 pm Auditorium, Level 5 Kolling Building, RNSH
A unique event to inspire and inform all NSLHD clinical staff
Morning session (8.30 am to 12.30 pm) What every health care professional needs to know: Going back to the essentials to provide exceptional patient care Ms Kathleen Vollman, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Consultant, Advancing Nursing LLC
Part 1 – The future is now: strategies for creating a culture of safety Part 2 – Evidence-based care for eliminating hospital acquired conditions
Afternoon sessions Wellness at work
2.15 pm to 3.00 pm Cultivating compassion at work Dr Samantha Jakimowicz Lecturer Faculty of Health University of Technology Sydney
3.15 pm to 4.00 pm Vicarious trauma Ms Louise Sayers ICU Staff Support & Bereavement Co-ordinator Royal North Shore Hospital
1.30 pm to 2.15 pm Cultivating wellness at work (and in life) Dr Rosalind Elliott Translational Research Co-ordinator – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Nursing & Midwifery Directorate, NSLHD
Self-enrol via My Health Learning by Friday 4 th October (course no. 258947313) Enquiries: Claire Dunn 9926 4685 or Claire.Dunn@health.nsw.gov.au
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