March 2025
Time in Service Awards
Celebrations On 12 March 2025, we held our annual Time in Service Ceremony for staff who reached significant service milestones in 2024. This ceremony celebrated the dedicated individuals who contribute to the success of our hospital. Those whose unwavering commitment and professionalism form the very foundation of our organisation. Their collective efforts not only shape our workplace culture but also set the benchmark for the high standard of care we provide to our patients and the community. The Executive Director of Operations and the Ryde Exec team were on hand to present the awards. A full list of recipients is avaible on page 4, and see the photo gallery for more pictures.
A/General Manager’s Message A highlight of this month was having the honour of presenting and celebrating the time in service awards with the wonderful staff at Ryde who have provided so many years of dedication to Ryde. We also saw the opening of the interim multi-faith room, the interim loading dock and the interim kitchen. These are some of the final moves for corporate services before demolition and construction can begin for the new Ryde hospital. We continued to celebrate the diversity of the Ryde community with Harmony day celebrations on the 21 st of March. Next month we will hold our annual ANZAC Day service. Details will be available soon.
We welcomed Jenny McConnell back to Ryde Hospital at the end of the month, as the Acting GM whilst Heather is away. I would like to thank you all for your support whilst I have been covering the GM role in between Heather and Jenny as well. The Chief Executive, Anthony Schembri and members of the Board, including the chair Trevor Danos, visited Ryde this month to present Ryde Hospital Executive with the hospital’s hard earned Accreditation Certificate. Thank you to all staff for your ongoing support and dedication to provide best care to our consumers.
Contents Time in Service Awards
1
Harmony Day
10
General Manager’s Message
2 3 4 6 7 8 8 9 9
Focus on Allied Health : Social Work
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Ryde Redevelopment
Happy Social Work Day
12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 18
Time in Service Awards - Recipients
Carers
Quality & Safety Corner PIVC Quality Project Stroke Learning Day
Interim Kitchen Orientation
Nursing News
Welcome to Ryde Library Update
Seniors Festival Chaplaincy News
Just for Fun Photo Gallery Noticeboard
Ryde Wardspersons Sustainability Corner
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Newsletter is for Ryde Hospital Staff by Ryde Hospital Staff. Please email items of interest to: Catherine.jones3@health.nsw.gov.au
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Ryde Redevelopment Managing construction complexities while remaining operational As April approaches, the early and enabling works for the hospital redevelopment near completion, with most of the interim relocations in place. Once ICU/CCU move into their new interim department in May, the redevelopment reaches a significant milestone with early works complete, and the project’s focus can shift to preparing for construction of the new Acute Services Building (ASB).
Ryde Hospital Acting Redevelopment Manager Allana Thompson said staff will soon notice hoarding go up around the site to delineate the footprint of the new hospital. “This redevelopment project has presented significant complexities, with maintaining hospital operations as the key priority throughout the planning and management of construction,” she said. “We have decommissioned nine buildings to make way for the new hospital footprint, but we have managed to keep the vast majority of services here on the hospital campus – which is something we are really proud of. “Through this all, the hospital has maintained their high standard of care to the community while the early works have occurred.” To accommodate all the changes, Health Infrastructure identified spare space, such as the roof of the Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre, where the interim kitchen has been built. Allana said early stakeholder engagement helped with such a smooth transition, with all staff involved in the planning stage. “Led by the NSLHD redevelopment team, the staff have been involved in project user groups (PUGs), operational user groups (OUGs) and executive user groups (EUGs) to provide their hands on knowledge and experience. In addition, we have had internal change champions who have really assisted with all the moves over recent months,” she said. “The redevelopment team is appreciative for the hospital staff’s positivity and adaptability to all the changes that have occurred.” “It is wonderful to see the hospital moving to the next stage where construction on the Acute Services Building starts.”
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Time in Service Awards 2024 Recipients
35 Years of Service
Anne Hackett
30 Years of Service
Belinda Odgers
Ben Jiang
Radha Murthi
Sophie Chen
Caterina (Maureen) Murarotto
Elizabeth Fulton
25 Years of Service
Dayan Apram
Rado Nikic
Susan Fitzgerald
Ashraf Dobehrizadeh
Sergio Carro
Anna Kochetkova
Dr Sunil Misir
Stephanie Constable
Yolander McDonald
Lissy Mukulel
Jamila Samandar
20 Years of Service
Evita Cheng
Rosemary May
Vinay Sharma
Benjamin Goodwin
Jinni Peng
Kristine Teoh
Dr Harjeet Grewal
Ranjani Rao
Phillip Chen
Ermengare Hamblin-Walker
Dr Gilbert Shlaimon
Bharat Doshi
Grace Magro
Bobbie Wong
Pearl Koo
Stanford Mukambachaza
15 Years of Service
Jeanette Carey
Shuling Wang
Christine Choi
Linda Chan
Michelle Wong
Dr Constantine Glezos
Manpreet Kaur
Niheed Rahiminia
Dr Martin Hocknell
So Lai Lam
Dr Rebecca Seton
Ling (Rainbow) Lo
Pium Rambukwella
10 Years of Service
Irene Panteli
Kyung (Chris) Lee
Lilian Nassour
Pabitra Shrestha
Dr Terence Moopanar
Danielle Olling
Dr Shamini Athithan
Jonathon Needham
Jennifer Piggott
Dr Yogeshwar Gangrade
Linta Manuvel
Chuen (Cecilia) Wan
Michael Gray
Dr Jennifer Mann
Enaro Bermudez
Deimante Keblikaite
Dr Anubhav Mittal
Man Chan
Sandra Lever
Roshana Karki
Serena Clarke
Dr Renuka Makalandawa
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Anne Hackett started at Ryde in 1990, commencing in our RAU and transferred to Graythwaite at the opening. Anne is the nurse you want your mum to have during their rehab. She is incredibly patient, and her attention to detail is palpable. Anne has been a pivotal member of the Ryde Rehabilitation family, contributing to improvement in quality of life for our patients over 35 years. Her dedication to her patients is second to none. There is never anything more important to Anne than our patients, which we have all admired as a brilliant quality. Congratulations on this milestone Anne. Radha Murthi commenced in NSLHD in 1994 first as clinical dietitian in RNS then became Ryde Nutrition and Dietetics Department Head in 2000. Over the years Radha has built up a strong dietetics outpatient service as well as service for acute and rehab patients. She is passionate about and works tirelessly to ensure patients receive the best possible nutritional care and food in hospital.
Caterina (Maureen) Murarotto started with in 1995, and has worked as an enrolled nurse at Ryde since, working in the Rehabilitation Assessment Unit before coming over to GRC at it’s opening. Maureen’s ability to work with our patients with kindness, respect and care, no matter the challenge is to be admired. Maureen is retiring this year, her service to nursing cannot be understated. Belinda Odgers’ dedication to exceptional nursing care reflects a commitment to traditional hands-on patient care, emphasizing compassion, attentiveness and personalised care. The approach she brings to the team is invaluable, ensuring patients feel valued and well cared for. Last year she was the winner of Ryde Nurse of the Year.
Sophie Chen commenced at Ryde in 1995 as an EN in what was known back then as Ward 7. The original location for the Orthopaedic/Surgical ward. Her diligence in care needs & advocacy for the patient has not been unnoticed. Thank you, for all that you do for your patients, their families & your colleagues.
Elizabeth Fulton, affectionately known as Liz, embarked on her clerical career in 1994, starting in the reception area of ED. Liz's commitment and expertise have made her an invaluable part of the team. Liz’s dedication and attention to detail have been instrumental in supporting doctors and nurses, ensuring they have the up-to-date equipment and stock needed to provide the best care possible. Ben Jiang is a loyal employee who has worked as Wardsperson at Ryde for 30 years without break of service. As the wardspersons' team leader Ben ensures that the team's performance is to the highest standards. Ben has made a significant contribution to Ryde providing assistance to nursing staff with patient care and safe transport of patients across the campus.
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Quality & Safety Corner Hospital Acquired Complications
Thank you to all clinicians for providing exceptional clinical care to patients at Ryde Hospital. Clinical performance data shows a statistically significant reduction in the rate of two Hospital Acquired Complications (HAC). As of January 2025, Ryde Hospital has achieved a 33% reduction in the rate HAC Delirium and a 49% reduction in the rate of HAC Respiratory Complications (e.g. aspiration pneumonia, respiratory failure) when compared with the rates in Jan 2024 FYTD. This is a testament to the hard work of all clinical teams in providing high-quality evidence-based care to patients. This includes conducting appropriate clinical risk screening and implementing care strategies to reduce the risk of these conditions.
Quality Café Ryde Hospital is launching a new Quality Café, where staff are welcome to join (and bring their coffee) to listen to short presentations on QI projects around the hospital. In addition, staff can bring their questions about a Quality Improvement idea or trouble shooting for an existing project to Janine (Quality) and Catherine (Redesign). All welcome. Poster can be found in the Noticebaord section.
For more information or queries contact janine.carragher@health.nsw.gov.au or catherine.jones3@health.nsw.gov.au
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PIVC Quality Project Reducing Infections Ward 8 and the general medical teams have been participating in a quality improvement (QI) project about the insertion and management of peripheral intravenous cannulas (PIVC). Why we changed Ryde Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infection (BSI) rate was above benchmark for 2 consecutive reporting periods. The benchmark is < 1 BSI infection for every 10000 occupied bed days. Audits reported low PIVC documentation compliance for both insertion and management of PIVCs. What we did Successful use of short , sharp and relevant just in time training. This is now included in general medical JMO terms during the first few weeks of each new term. What was the result Three (3) months of audit data has demonstrated consistent and reliable documentation of PIVC assessment for patency, location/site and VIP score when PIVC insertion is documented in iView.
What next
Documentation improvement activities
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• Standardisation of PIVC trolleys across the facility
• Patient engagement and education with PIVC management.
What are the standards
• Standard 3.12: Invasive medical devices are selected appropriately, inserted & maintained safely
• Clinical Care Standard for managing peripheral intravenous catheters published by ACSQHC
• Adult Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) Insertion and Management NSLHD
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Stroke Learning Day We Did It Again! On 13/03/2025, Ryde Hospital hosted a highly successful Stroke Learning Day, bringing together our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for an engaging and educational event. The event drew attendees from across the district, with excellent participation and impressive numbers in attendance, reflecting widespread interest and commitment to stroke education in our region We had an amazing team of presenters including senior neurologist, ED consultants, INR consultants and stroke specialist nurses. The day covered a range of critical topics, including acute stroke management, types of stroke, imaging in stroke, and unusual stroke aetiology. The sessions were capped off with a dynamic case discussion, fostering collaboration and insight among attendees.
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who praised the depth of content, the expertise of the presenters, and the interactive format. With contributions from our dedicated MDT, the Stroke Learning Day underscored Ryde Hospitals commitment to advancing stroke care and education. For more information about Stroke Learning contact simpy.arora@health.nsw.gov.au
Seniors Festival CAReS Celebrates CAReS Celebrated Seniors festival, 3-16 March 2025. The stand in the waiting room of GRC provided information and resources on local services available to seniors. The information was really well received by vistors to the stand. Clients said, "this is really useful information on scamming, its a real issue for older people like me". ''Its great that there is information on Scams for older people, I have been worried I didn't understand how they happen".
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Chaplaincy News Multi Faith Room The Chapel is closed and the space has been handed over to AW Edwards. An interim Multifaith Room has been set up in the main hospital reception, in the previous General Manager's office. This provides a quiet space for prayer and reflection for all faiths. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact Chaplaincy Coordinator, Christopher.lsika@health.nsw.gov.au
Wardspersons A vital part of the team
Ryde wards persons play a vital role in the delivery of health services by making sure that patients are safely transported between wards or from wards to medical imaging or assisting clinical staff in care delivery. Our wardsperson team always keep the welfare of our patients at centre of everything that they do, for example by make sure that transport is smooth and as comfortable as possible for our patients. Campus changes due to redevelopment have brought about changes to their workflows and it now can take a bit longer to bring a patient from one side of campus to the other or fetch a bed/piece of equipment that is stored in different places around the campus.
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Sustainable Health Corner
Organic Waste The Food Muncher has been a fabulous innovation at Ryde to recycle some of the hospital’s organic waste. As the hospital demand grows there need to be changes to organic waste management and the hospital will expand to the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) waste management systems. FOGO and refers to a waste collection service where food scraps and garden waste are collected in a green-lid bin and recycled into compost. Ryde Hospital will be moving towrads this as part of the Redevelopment of Ryde Hospital. Look forward to sharing more details in the near future. This is an exciting step for Ryde Hospital and Planetary Health.
Harmony Day Orange
This month Ryde celebrated Harmony Day 2025 on Friday, March 21st, and celebrated the cultural diversity of our local community. The day emphasizes inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all. Staff were encouraged to wear orange. The theme for Harmony Day 2025 is "Harmony - we all have a role to play!".
Staff activley participated in the online quiz, and learned a few suprising facts about the Ryde local population. If you want to have a go at the quiz – just use the QR code. And of course there were cup cakes!
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Focus on Allied Health: Social Work
What is the difference between respite, rehabilitation, and permanent care? A question often asked by multidisciplinary teams. Respite is often requested as a discharge plan that carries loads of negative consequences to our patients, families and our hospital. It is a temporary stay in an aged care facility which patients will need to fund themselves. All too often our patients require a comprehensive plan including follow up appointments, medication management, rehabilitation and long-term care arrangements. Respite does not provide structured support needed for a smooth transition. During respite patients will get help with activities of daily living, social support, hot meals, medication management, GP visits and nursing care. It is like applying a band aid to a sprained ankle – not quite the solution we hope for patients with chronic and deteriorating health conditions.
Permanent care in aged care facility is designed to promote comfort and quality of life while meeting long-term needs. It provides security of care for as long as patients reside at their chosen aged care facility. But it is a room with a price tag that your patient will need to pay for and agreed to! Be mindful that there is a shortage of nursing home beds, respite further decreases the number of permanent beds available as facilities convert permanent beds to respite beds. What a conundrum! So where is rehab in all of this? In an aged care facility, they call it ‘therapy’, I call it ‘gossip hour’. Therapy is very limited to diversional support, emotional wellbeing with potentially exercise group running once a week aiming the physical needs. It is very much affected by staffing and resources mainly aimed at providing care. If your patients need rehabilitation, long term care or increased in home supports, respite is not the solution. To avoid the frequent flyer program often embraced by our patient through readmission please speak to your ward social worker.
Ward/Coverage
Pager
Ward/Coverage
Pager
Emergency Department
54608
CCU/ICU
54673
Ward 5
54624
Palliative Care
54618 weds only
Ward 6/Peri-Op Pre Admission
54583
Graythwaite
Ext 87148, 87137, 87130
Ward 7
54673
CAReS
Ext 87424
Ward 8
54583
Lastly, Our Social Work team: Kasia, Jo, Tim, Sarina, Jannette, Siobhan, Tracey, Gale, Jelena, Daniel and Mark are the ‘discharge wizards’, ‘master care coordinators’ and ‘counsellors galore’ who have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience. So, while you take care of the ‘boo-boos’ we will take care of the ‘boo-hoos’ with an ‘iron clad plan’!
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Happy Social Work Day
Thank you World Social Work Day was on Wednesday 19 March. Anna Butcher, Manager Allied Health, Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Ambulatory Care said, “Wishing you all a wonderful World Social Work Day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the hard work that you do every day and the enormous contribution you make to the safe and patient centred care that is provided at Ryde Hospital. Your efforts to manage a complex case load with dedication and compassion is noted by myself and the rest of the executive” Kat Schwerin, A/General Manager said “Your daily contributions have a profound impact on both our consumers and staff. Your dedication is invaluable and plays a crucial role in supporting our consumers and their families.”
Carer Support Service at Ryde
Carer Support are available 5 days a week through calling our main office number which is based at Royal North Shore Hospital on 9462 9488. Carer Support officers, Agnes Cheuk and Leonie Lui visit Ryde once a week to do ward rounds and support staff to engage with Carers who are at the bedside, as well as to provide information for Carers. During the Ryde construction you are encouraged to make referrals through eMR to Carer Support which will enable us to quickly provide appropriate information and support. Thank you for supporting the amazing relatives of our patients who rely on them for their care. For more information visit the Carer Support Service intranet page.
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New Interim Kitchen Orientation
In preparation for the opening of the new interim kitchen groups of staff were orientated to the new location and new processes. On March 26th, 2025, food services relocated to the Interim Kitchen, level 3 of Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre. There will no longer be faxing capabilities for Food Services. Please scan and send orders to HSNSW-rydefoodservice@health.nsw.gov.au which will managed by the food service supervisors. For any concerns or queries, contact Natasha.Hendy@health.nsw.gov.au
Nursing News NUM Ward 5
We would like to warmly welcome Grace Jones to the Nurse Unit Manager roles in Ward 5. Grace commenced on 17 March. Grace has previously worked as Nurse Unit Manager at Hornsby and as a Bed Manager at Royal North Shore, and brings extensive experinenece in Cardiology and Coronary Care. Grace can be contacted at 9858 7212 or 0429 475 379 or email Grace.Jones@health.nsw.gov.au Please join me in congratulating Grace. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Maureen Elliott for kindly covering this vacancy while permanent recruitment occurred, and to Isobel Mattingly for acting as Ward 8 Nurse Unit Manager during this time.
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Welcome to Ryde
New Staff Ryde Hospital welcomed the following new staff to join our wonderful teams. Welcome to you all.
Name
Position
Name
Position
Cat De Ramos Sumi Shah Vy Nguyen Grace Jones
Registered Nurse Registered Nurse Registered Nurse Nurse Unit Manager
Miteshkumar Patel
Wardsperson Wardsperson
Prachi Sapkota
Emily Yuen
Administration Officer
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Library Update
Just For Fun
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Photo Gallery
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Noticeboard
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As an employee of NSW Health, you are entitled to a fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption which allows you to salary package up to a capped limit of $9,009 on everyday living expenses (such as mortgage, rent, credit card repayments) and an additional $2,650 towards meal entertainment each year. That's up to $11,660 of your annual income tax free. For more information on salary packaging check out the Salary Packaging Intranet Page
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Respecting the Difference: Be the Difference face-to-face training 2025 - February to July Hornsby
Program Overview - course code: 428003510 Respecting the Difference: Be the Difference (RTD: BTD) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural awareness training, enhances our organisation’s capacity to provide respectful, responsive, and culturally safe services. RTD: BTD builds upon existing knowledge and skills of staff. The face- to-face session is presented in a safe and responsive environment, with interactive workshops and scenarios on conscious and unconscious bias, Aboriginal English, Aboriginal health, social and emotional well-being, and healing. RTD:BTD follows on from the Respecting the Difference: Know The Difference e-Learning module. Audience: Mandatory for all NSW Health staff Duration: 4 hours Enrol via My Health Learning ENQUIRIES: melinda.flower@health.nsw.gov.au or NSLHD-DACinfo@health.nsw.gov.au Hornsby Hospital – Meeting Room 1 – Bldg 60, level 5 • Thurs 20 th March : Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12 • Fri 28 th March: Meeting Room 1 - 12pm to 4pm • Thurs 17 th April: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm
Royal North Shore Hospital Auditorium & Wallace Freeborn Rooms – Kolling, L5 Dharug Rooms 1 & 2 – Community Health Building • Thurs 13 th March: Auditorium - 8am to 12pm • Mon 17 th March: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 24 th March: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 31 st March: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Fri 4 th April: Dharug Rooms 1 & 2 – 12pm to 4pm • Mon 7 th April: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Tues 29 th April: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Tues 6 th May: Wallace Freeborn – 12pm to 4pm • Mon 12 th May : Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm • Mon 19 th May : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 26 th May : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 2 nd June : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 16 th June : Wallace Freeborn – 12pm to 4pm • Tues 1 st July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Fri 11 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Mon 14 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 12pm to 4pm • Tues 22 nd July: Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Tue 29 th July : Wallace Freeborn – 8am to 12pm • Thurs 5 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm • Thurs 12 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm • Thurs 19 th Dec: Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm
• Mon 5 th May: Meeting Room 1 - 12pm to 4pm • Thurs 22 nd May: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm • Tues 3 rd June : Meeting Room 1 - 12pm to 4pm • Thur 19 th June: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm • Fri 27 th June: Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm • Thurs 24 th July : Meeting Room 1 - 8am to 12pm
Macquarie Hospital – Yellamundie Room – Building 61 • Mon 10 th March : Yellamundie Room - 12:30pm to 4:30pm • Thurs 15 th May : Yellamundie Room - 12pm to 4pm • Wed 4 th June : Yellamundie Room – 8am to 12pm • Wed 2 nd July : Yellamundie Room - 8am to 12pm Mona Vale Hospital – Beachside Resort Unit- Large Room • Tues 11 th March: BRU Room - 8am to 12pm • Wed 14 th May : BRU Room – 12pm to 4pm • Wed 9 th July: BRU room – 12pm to 4pm
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Ryde Hospital – ELCA Training Room - Main Bldg L1 • Mon 3 rd March : ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • Tues 18 th March : ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • Tues 8 th April : ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • Tues 27 th May : ELCA Room - 12:30pm to 4:30pm • Tues 25 th June: ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • 30 th June : ELCA Room - 8am to 12pm • Thurs 19 th Dec – Wallace Freeborn – 9am to 1pm
8th July: ELCA Room- 8am to 12pm
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24 Enrolments via My Health Learning - https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/my-health-learning
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