April 2025
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Dear colleagues, As another Easter, Anzac and other significant religious festivities period is upon us, I want to take a moment to recognise those of you whom have worked over the period and share a big thank you as well. Your efforts are much appreciated and ensure we continue to provide the very best care and experience to our patients and community no matter the time of year! I was really pleased to see a large number of HKH staff recognised as finalists in the districts Exceptional People Awards (EPA’s) this this year-a list of all nominee’s is included in this edition of Hornsby Highlights. The work that our people do at HKH each and every day is truly remarkable and I look forward to attending the awards ceremony on 29 April and celebrating the outstanding commitment of our co-workers and colleagues across the district. Good look to all of our finalists. On the subject of recognition congratulations to Dr Omar Ahmed and our excellent Neurology Team at HKH whom now join a select group of hospitals across the country in boasting an accredited stroke unit. Great work to Omar and the team for all the hard work–this is a remarkable achievement for our hospital, patients and community. I am pleased to announce that after lots of hard work between HKH and our colleagues in the District Virtual Care team that we have now successfully opened the new HKH Hospital in the Home (HITH) service located in Ward 4B. Since opening we have seen an increase in the number of successful patient referrals to HITH which is a great thing for our patients whilst also taking some demand pressure of our inpatient wards. As you will have heard the district’s staff health team has begun its annual flu vaccination rollout. At HKH these shots are available in our Outpatients Area on Level 1 –the online consent and “check in” process is easy and I encourage all staff to attend for their shot ASAP. As healthcare workers, it is also important we remind our family and friends to get their flu vaccinations to protect themselves against severe complications this winter season. Click here for more information or to complete your Vaccination Consent form online: 2025 Influenza Vaccination. Finally I take the opportunity to farewell Ms Annette (Annie) Anderson our Clinical Governance and Patient Experience Manager whom will be leaving HKH in early May to take up a national role in the private sector. Annie leaves a rich legacy of quality, safety and governance systems following her 5 years at HKH and we thank her for her outstanding work and leadership during this time with us–All the best Annie you will be sorely missed by us all. Best Regards, Simon-General Manager, HKHS
HKH EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE AWARDS (EPA) FINALISTS 2025 The Districts EPA’s ceremony will be held on Tuesday 29 April 2025 and are an important part of celebrating the many dedicated, hardworking staff and volunteers who bring their passion to providing patient care, services and helping people each and every day. This year's HKH finalists have demonstrated their ongoing commitment, embodying the values and principles that make our hospital so special. It is very exciting to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible work they continue to do. Please join me in congratulating all the worthy HKH EPA finalists in the following categories as per the table below;
AWARD CATEGORY
NAME OF NOMINEE
TITLE
Partnering with Consumers & Carers Safe & Connected Care
Mikhaila O'Brien
Patient Representative
Dean McKeough
Co-ordinator Galston Community Health Centre
Healthy & Well Communities
HKH Allied Health Wellness Committee
Amanda Griffiths
Engaged & Supported People Research, Innovation & Digital Health Sustainability & Planetary Health
Administration Officer Clinical Nurse Educator - ICU A/Director ED Manager Clinical Redesign & Innovation
Kam (Jason) Au
Dr Lucy Lutze Nada Mirkovic Project IVORY Team –
Debbie Barry & Sally Nicolson
Pharmacist Pharmacist
CORE Values & Behaviours
Jen Loftus
Clinical Governance Coordinator Clinical Nurse Specialist - GRACE Team
Peta Hope
Youth Achievement
Administration Officer
Jack Honey
Leadership
Gwen Hickey
RACS, Outpatients & Allied Health Manager Staff Specialist- ED & Director of Prevocational Education & Training (OPET) Staff Specialist- ED & SIM Centre
Dr Jane Senior
Dr Thea Bishop
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HORNSBY HOSPITAL CONNECTS TO COUNTRY
Our yarning circle has now officially been opened for patients and staff at Hornsby Hospital, recognising our indigenous communities and connection to the area. The long-awaited opening of the yarning circle was accompanied by a smoking ceremony as staff and guests came together to mark the significance. Designed with Aboriginal elders and the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, the yarning circle is a special feature on the campus, taking in the landscape and enjoys a view of the campus. General Manager Simon Hill said he hoped many people would use the special space to come together and reflect, talk. “A yarning circle is one of those key elements of Indigenous culture, where decisions are made collaboratively and through inclusive dialogue,” he said. “The yarning circle compliments the other culturally significant places of recognition that are on campus: from the beautiful artwork in the stairwell in the main building, to the naming of the building, Muru Jannawi (which means take this path with us).”
Hornsby Hospital also has artwork installations outside Bungee Bidgel, Sorry Business Area, and the Community Centre.
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EVERY PERSON DESERVES A GP Too often as healthcare workers, we go to every length looking after our patients, but in the process neglect to look after ourselves. Hornsby Hospital is unique in having its own GP Unit, which operates as a regular general practice. The GP Unit offers the full suite of GP services including antenatal care, women's health, men's health, skin cancer checks, chronic disease management, travel vaccinations, preventative health and mental healthcare, and bulk bills staff. As a regular general practice the unit provides continuity of care and will continue to look after former staff should they choose too even after leaving emplyment at the hospital. Our permanent GP’s are highly experienced in doctors health, so everyone is welcome. For those who may be concerned about confidentiality, the GP Unit uses its own software program and no records are kept of visits or on eMR. If you are interested in checking the GP unit out, come visit the team in Building 14, or call reception on x56200 to book an appointment - do not forget to mention to say that you are a HKH staff member - we will always strive to fit you in on the day of your call!
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CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME INITIATIVE LAUNCH
You asked: For more opportunities to engage with colleagues in a relaxed, social way that also supports your personal health and wellbeing. We’re doing: We’ve launched a Container Deposit Scheme, where all funds received in return for eligible containers will be managed centrally and used for staff wellbeing activities chosen by you. How do I contribute? Use the attached poster to see which containers are eligible. Then contribute used containers to one of our container Deposit Scheme bis located in the main foyer (level 1) and kitchen (level 5, pictured). Patient and visitor containers will be collected by our environmental services staff. How do I apply for funding? Use the attached HKH Wellbeing Request Form to tell us what you would like and send to the HKH WHS & Wellness committee. What happens next? The HKH WHS & Wellness committee will review each request and will make recommendations to the HKH Executive, to ensure transparency and fairness. Bonus: By diverting our used eligible containers away from landfill we’re doing our bit for the planet, thank you! The forms and information are also found on the HKH Planetary Health intranet page here: Hornsby Ku- ring-gai - Planetary Health
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CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
Thank you for your warmth, kindness and accommodation. We are incredibly grateful for all you did.
ICU
I found all staff to be professional, competent and friendly. Staff took the time to explain everything as we progressed through all the steps. My experience was very positive.
Emergency
The care you provided was exceptional. We are so grateful for your warmth and professionalism. Thank you for all you do for our community.
Ward 3B
We sincerely thank all the nursing and ancillary staff who cared for mum. At all times she was treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Nothing was ever too much trouble. What you offered to our family in our time of need will never be forgotten. I was very impressed by the proficient, kind and friendly treatment I received by all members of staff. Everyone was so warm and positive. I've never been so impressed. I am so thankful for your tremendous support and overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness, compassion, care, support and empathy. Your professionalism is next to none. Thank you all so much. You've been absolutely incredible. You are all so caring and I appreciate the advice and time given to me. I will reflect on my stay warmly due to the care you have shown me.
Ward 1C
Ward 1C
Maternity
Maternity
The care you provided was exceptional. We are so grateful for your warmth and professionalism. Thank you for all you do for our community.
Ward 3B
Our experience at HKH was excellent. Thanks to everyone for such a smooth procedure.
Theatres
The care I was given was professional, appropriate, non-judgmental and caring. I thank you with sincere gratitude.
Emergency
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WELCOME SAM BOOTH!
Let's give a big, warm welcome to our newest member of the Clinical Nurse Educator Team, Sam! With over 7 years of experience in critical care and acute care settings in both Australia and the UK, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our team. Having completed the New Graduate year at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, Sam is excited to be back and working with us again. We look forward to collaborating with you, Sam!
Welcome aboard Sam!
WELCOME SUDIPA SUBEDI!
Infection control is fundamental to patient safety, and I am committed to ensuring best practices are consistently maintained. As the new Infection Prevention and Control CNS 2, I strongly focus on preventing healthcare-associated infections and maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff. With ten years of healthcare experience, including roles as an AIN, EEN, and RN, I have witnessed the significant impact of effective infection control measures. In my role on the infection control team, I concentrate on staff education, protocol implementation, and compliance monitoring to mitigate infection risks. I look forward to collaborating with all of you to maintain the highest standards in infection prevention. Together, we make a meaningful difference. Welcome aboard Sudipa!
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HKH ALLIED HEALTH WELLBEING COMMITTEE
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HKH ALLIED HEALTH WELLBEING COMMITTEE cont.
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APRIL FALLS 2025: Falls Prevention is Everyone's Business
April Falls 2025: Falls Prevention is Everyone's Business This year at HKH, we celebrated April Falls with Uncle Phil to help raise awareness about the impact of falls on our patients, carers, and staff. The focus was to promote best practices, falls prevention strategies, and ensure that falls prevention is everyone’s business. Throughout the week, our falls champions held a number of activities to promote and raise awareness around falls. These activities included:
• April Falls Quiz: Engaging staff and patients in a fun and educational quiz about falls prevention.
• Exercise Programs: Highlighting the benefits of exercise programs for our patients to improve strength and balance.
• Risk Screening Tools: Demonstrating the use of tools to identify patients at risk of falls.
• Building a Safe Ward: Discussing the building blocks that support creating a safe ward environment to minimize falls. By participating in these activities, we aim to foster a culture of safety and ensure that falls prevention remains a priority for everyone at HKH.
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NUTRITION CARE AUDIT The Nutrition & Dietetics Department conducted the twice-yearly nutrition care audit in March 2025. 77 adult patients were included in the audit across all adult wards (excluding maternity) with an overall compliance rate of 61%. 8 paediatric patients were included in the audit with a compliance rate of 83%, where target compliance for the nutrition care audit is 85%. Positive findings include:
• Patients being correctly positioned for meal service. • Patient’s requiring assistance/supervision at mealtimes receiving this. • Patients’ mealtimes not being interrupted with non-urgent activities by staff. • Patients being screened for malnutrition. • Patients at risk of malnutrition were referred to the Dietitian Improvement opportunities include:
• Patients’ weight and height to be measured during admission • Clearing of over bed table of clutter to allow Food Service to deliver meal safely • Patients being offered hand hygiene prior to meal service. • Food Service to offer patients assistance with opening packages and/or taking lids off meals.
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE FOR PATIENTS
Only a few hospitals in Australia have one and now Hornsby joins Royal North Shore Hospital in boasting an accredited stroke unit. Patients can be assured they are receiving the very best care with the dedicated stroke unit which received the accreditation from the Australian Stroke Coalition and Stroke Foundation for its standard of care, training and services it offers. The stroke unit treats about 210 patients a year and since 2022 began thrombolysising patients, through clot-busting medication.
Dr Omar Ahmad, neurologist and head of neurology at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, said 93 percent of patients who presented with stroke at Hornsby were admitted into the stroke unit within the first few days of their care. “ It means people who are being managed by experienced staff, have dedicated monitoring in a dedicated stroke area, compared to patients who are on a general ward,” he said. “ We know that patients on a general ward are more poorly managed than in a stroke unit. “This is about reducing mortality in strokes and maintaining high standards of care throughout the system .” The accreditation will continually be monitored every four years by the Australian Stroke Coalition, which has established a set of standards for stroke units to achieve by 2030 to improve outcomes.
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DIGNITY:WINTER WARMER COLLECTION DRIVE
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STAFF INFLUENZA VACCINATION: 2025
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POLICIES & PROCEDURES
POLICY AND PROCEDURE
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