NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
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Short blurb NSLHD taking a grand stand against domestic violence
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Message from the chief executive
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues,
LGBTQIA+ community.
As winter takes hold our emergency departments are experiencing an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses. I want to thank those staff who are working extremely hard during this busy flu season. We have seen 72 per cent of our staff vaccinated against the flu which is a great result, but I hope we can get this rate higher. We know the flu vaccination is our first line of defense against serious infection, so if you or your loved ones haven’t had the vaccination yet, please do so. I want to extend congratulations to Dr Penny Browne and Associate Professor Elisabeth Murphy who were honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours. Penny received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to general practice and medicine. Penny is a GP at the Hornsby- Brooklyn GP Unit, at Hornsby Ku-ring- gai Hospital and has been a mentor to hundreds of junior doctors pursuing a career in medicine. Elisabeth was awarded a public service medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to child and family health programs in NSW. Elisabeth has been the district’s network director of child, youth and family services before joining NSW Ministry of Health on secondment, where she is the senior clinical advisor for child and family health. This month is Pride Month and is a moment for us to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. Pride Month underscores our district’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the support of our
As part of our Reconciliation Week celebrations, I had the privilege of attending a ceremony introducing Aunty Debbie Watson, a traditional Ngangkari healer, to Hornsby to provide healing to the community. This ancient Aboriginal practice, connecting the Indigenous community to their country, is culturally significant and I am so pleased we were able to host Debbie for a week at Hornsby Hospital. Ryde Hospital’s redevelopment has received a boost in funding from the NSW Government which has committed an extra $47.8 million in this year’s budget towards the redevelopment, which now totals $526.8 million. I joined Minister for Health Ryan Park as he toured the hospital’s emergency department and made the budget announcement which was warmly welcomed by staff. Nominations are now open for the Public Service Medal (PSM), which recognises the outstanding service of public sector employees. If you know of someone doing outstanding work, please feel free to nominate them. Nominations close earlier this year and must be received by 1 July 2024.
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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Ngangkari clinics held at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital When Matt White entered the room, he did not tell Debbie Watson what was wrong with him. And not many words were exchanged in the 20 minutes he spent with her, but Debbie – a traditional Ngangkari Aboriginal healer- pinpointed his condition and realigned his spirit. much more relaxed and different.” Debbie, together with Dr Francesca Panzironi, founded Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation which provides Ngangkari healing to communities around the country. (L-R) Adam Cryer, Ruth Stachowski, Aunty Debbie Watson, Francesca Panzironi, Jami Walk, Tavia Bernsdorff, Anthony Schembri, Karen Filocamo
Ngangkari are the traditional healers of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) lands in the remote western desert of central Australia. Ngangkari have looked after people’s physical and emotional health for thousands of years. It is passed down through families with children learning from a young age the art of healing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service Acting Director Adam Cryer said: “It is important for the community to be offered culturally safe and traditional wellness activities within the district. This is an opportunity for learning, connection, and culture with a focus on holistic and traditional healing.”
As part of Reconciliation Week, Ngangkari clinics were held at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital for indigenous communities to connect with their culture and be offered a chance to experience traditional healing by an elder. Matt was the first patient Debbie saw as part of the week-long clinics, held at Bungee Bidgel. Suffering from anxiety and not able to sleep, Matt was not sure what to expect from the appointment with Debbie but was relieved when she identified his issues immediately. “I didn’t know much about it (Ngangkari), so I wanted to go in with an open mind,” he said. “It was amazing. I got off the bed and felt so
Ngangkari healer Aunty Debbie Watson providing traditional healing to patient Matt White
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King’s Birthday Honours for NSLHD staff Between them Dr Penny Browne and Associate Professor Elisabeth Murphy have decades of looking after the community, earning them recognition in this year’s Kings Birthday honours. Dr Penny Browne
Penny has been a GP for more than three decades, looking after the community and mentoring junior doctors at Hornsby-Brooklyn GP Unit and Bungee Bidgel Aboriginal Health Clinic. Her service to medicine and general practice has been recognised with Penny receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours. Penny is passionate about GP education and has taught and mentored hundreds of registrars, JMOs, and students and was awarded the Royal Australian College of General Practice NSW GP Supervisor of the Year in 2018. In 2022, Penny was also awarded the Australian Medical Association’s President’s award. Associate Professor Elisabeth Murphy Elisabeth was awarded a public service medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to child and family health programs in NSW. Up until recently, Elisabeth was the district’s network director of child, youth and family services before she took a secondment to NSW Health, where she is the senior clinical advisor for child and family health. Her medical career has been devoted to ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and families. Elisabeth also shares a passion for mentoring the next generation of doctors and has an academic role as discipline head of child health at the University of Notre Dame.
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The Grand Stand Program hosting a workshop with the Warringah Rats rugby club
NSLHD taking a grand stand against domestic violence Since 2020, Northern Sydney Local Health District has been empowering northern Sydney men engaged in community sport to
“Our aim is to develop the young men we are working with to become community advocates against domestic violence,” she said. “In addition to the workshops, we encourage clubs to take a pledge against domestic violence and promote this through various means such as hosting an awareness raising event, wearing branded socks during games, nominating club ambassadors and much more.” The clubs have also taken to the program, with multiple club presidents acknowledging the impact it has had on the athletes. “This program has made our club more wholesome. By participating in programs like this, it talks to not just the players, but their wives, girlfriends, their kids and family members,” said the club president of Newport Rugby Club. “It really does express what Newport Rugby does stand for and shows we’re not just here to play a game of footy.”
take a stand against domestic violence. The ‘Grand Stand against Domestic Abuse’ program is currently working with four sporting clubs across the region to offer workshops, policy support and suggestions to raise the awareness of domestic violence in the community. The multi-sport program was launched in consultation with local sporting clubs after piloting the rugby league focused NSW Tackling Violence program. Since then, the grand stand program has strengthened its impact by including themes of alcohol and mental health through an interactive workshop. The workshops, facilitated by partners Think About It, has earned praise from attendees, prompting reflection on their own lives, with some courageously sharing their own experiences. Social Wellbeing Program Manager Crystal Hillery said the project has been received very well by participating clubs and the wider community.
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The NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service hosted a stall at RNSH
Celebrating Eddie Mabo Northern Sydney Local Health District recently celebrated Mer Island man Edward Koiki ‘Eddie’ Mabo on Mabo Day. The day is celebrated each year across Australia on 3rd June, as part of National Reconciliation Week. Monday 3 June is the anniversary of the Mabo decision where on 3rd June 1992 the High Court of Australia decided that terra nullius should not have been applied to Australia. The turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people`s rights was the Mabo decision, as it acknowledged their unique connection with the land. To mark the special day, the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service held a stall in the foyer of Royal North Shore Hospital. In light of Mabo Day, the Executive Director Peter Shine and Workforce Manager of the NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service Kuibuz Gillian Adidi held an exclusive interview with Gail Mabo, the daughter of Eddie Mabo. You can watch the exclusive Gail Mabo interview here: https://vimeo. com/943874666/3e684046de?share=copy
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Running for game-changing research Less than two years after a breast cancer diagnosis, Professor Gemma Figtree has completed the prestigious Boston Marathon while raising significant funds for cancer research.
donors who helped her raise more than $30,000. “Philanthropic funding is so important as it often supports early to mid-career researchers or early stage ideas, where there may not necessarily be all the data to succeed with a highly competitive national funding grant. It can be a crucial component in advancing medical research,” she said. Gemma hopes there will be further philanthropic funds for her own research program into heart disease and the rise in cases of coronary artery disease and heart attack in patients without the traditional risk factors, like blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking. “I’m sure we can learn from some of our cancer colleagues about the drugs that can target specific biological pathways that are driving an individual’s susceptibility or resilience to common disease,” she said. “This could be particularly relevant for heart disease, with 25 per cent of heart attack patients developing ticking time bomb coronary plaque without the traditional risk factors.”
Gemma crossed the finish line in under four hours as part of the team running for the internationally renowned Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Gemma ran her first marathon just after completing six months of chemotherapy in 2022, so to be accepted into the Boston event was a remarkable achievement. “For me to come through chemotherapy, and then qualify to run Boston was a major milestone in itself, and then to be able to run for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s fundraising team, was a perfect combination,” she said. “Running was a crucial part of my recovery, and there’s now increasing evidence around the benefits of exercise for cancer patients from reductions in recurrence, improved mental health and a reduction in the side effects of chemotherapy.” Gemma is tremendously thankful to her
Senior Clinical Pharmacist Mellissa Batger, Respiratory and Sleep Physician Katrina Tonga and RNSH Respiratory and Sleep Physician Sophie Timmins
Professor Gemma Figtree completing the marathon
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Researchers inform next-gen space suit design Leading researchers from the Kolling Institute have welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Metakosmos as it pioneers the development of a next-generation space suit.
which involves collecting comprehensive physiological data, creating pathways that work on simulated models, and addressing modifiable environmental factors, such as trip hazards and fall risks. “Our research is continually evolving as we measure and refine our approach. The Kolling Institute’s interest in muscle mapping aligns perfectly with the goals of Metakosmos, and we are integrating our findings to support this area. “By leveraging their combined expertise, Metakosmos and the Kolling Institute, among other institutions, are breaking new ground in wearable technology for extreme environments, marking a significant step forward in human health and performance.”
The company is working to revolutionise human spaceflight technology and has developed a Kosmosuit to reduce the physiological impacts of space radiation and microgravity. Space radiation for example, can have a detrimental effect on the musculoskeletal system, leading to bone density loss, muscle atrophy, joint degeneration, impaired healing and increased injury risk. The conditions in space can also lead to other changes, with astronauts returning to Earth five to eight centimetres taller. The Kolling Institute’s Professor James Elliott first met Kiriti Rambhatla, the CEO of Metakosmos at a space consortium last year. “We immediately realised we had synergies,” said James Elliott. “Kiriti was interested in our collaborative multidisciplinary work towards measuring wellbeing after trauma. Not much is known about long-term post-trauma recovery, and no two recoveries are the same. “Kiriti was intrigued by our methodology,
Metakosmos CEO Kiriti Rambhatla with Professor James Elliott
Research recognised at emerging researchers event Around 50 attendees gathered at the Kolling Institute for an early career research forum to hear cutting-edge research from NSLHD and University of Sydney researchers working in various clinical specialties.
Hosted by the RNSH Scientific Staff Council and PReSS, 22 speakers addressed a myriad of topics, covering research in neuroscience and pain, cancer, clinical medicine, and cardiovascular, renal and musculoskeletal. After a full day of innovative presentations, judges from different specialties awarded prizes to several scholars. Lydia Chen was awarded first prize in the higher degree research category for her presentation about a clinical trial on enhancing muscle strength in recent spinal cord injury patients. Kevin Winardi was first in the early career researcher section for his work on the hepatic protein signatures of chronic polypharmacy, monotherapy, and deprescribing in mice. Other higher degree research prize winners included Alison Sim (second) and Caitlin Fenech and Hari Sritharan (third). The other winners were Bilal Malik and Ryan Wallis (second) and Kaitlyn Trajcevski (third).
Kevin Winardi, Bilal Malik and Kaitlyn Trajcevski
Lydia Chen and Caitlin Fenech
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A eye surgery stretcher in use at RNSH
Pink Ladies’ Generosity Enhances Patient Care at RNSH Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) recently received generous donations from the Pink Ladies, a volunteer group that has supported the hospital since 1956. Their latest contributions include two new eye surgery stretchers and two sentinel node navigation probes, significantly enhancing the hospital’s surgical capabilities. The eye surgery stretchers, custom-built and in high demand, are essential for almost every eye surgery performed at RNSH. These new stretchers replace the ageing fleet, ensuring that patients receive top-quality care. Notably, one of the Pink Ladies recently had her eye surgery on one of these new stretchers, demonstrating the immediate impact of their donation. Additionally, the Pink Ladies funded two new sentinel node navigation probes. These probes are vital for detecting if cancer has spread to nearby nodes, particularly in melanoma and breast cancer treatments. When the older probes were damaged and irreparable, the Pink Ladies quickly helped replace them with the latest models. This swift action has allowed RNSH to continue providing advanced cancer care. The total value of these donations exceeds $90,000. “The kind donation of these items has allowed us to continue delivering high-quality care to our patients with the most current generation of technologies. We are incredibly grateful to the Pink Ladies for their unwavering support,” said Ben Chudleigh, Nursing Unit Manager, Module 3 Operating Theatres, RNSH. The Pink Ladies raise funds through their shop, cake stalls, used clothing sales, and a cart that visits the wards daily. Their longstanding dedication and support play a crucial role in maintaining and improving the hospital’s facilities and services.
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS Share your news and achievements. Contact the Media and Communications team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health. nsw.gov.au to submit your news.
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The Coral Tree team after the event
Coral Tree hosts first conference In what was five years in the making, the Coral Tree Family Service held its first service conference. The conference, which had 80 attendees from the community, was held at the Northern Sydney Education and Conference Centre on the grounds of Macquarie Hospital.
The aim of the conference was to provide an opportunity for local and regional clinicians to learn about the ideas and skills used by clinicians at Coral Tree. Coral Tree is a service that offers support for children and their families when they are in need of extra intervention with behavioural, emotional or mental health difficulties. The day finished with a short walk to the Coral Tree facility where guests were involved in workshops and given a tour of the Coral Tree site. Coral Tree Family Service Manager Cath McElroy said the event was received very well and has set the benchmark for an annual conference. “It was fantastic to hear from an array of Coral Tree staff members about a range of different topics,” she said. “We have received very positive feedback from the conference and we hope to now undertake a conference annually.”
Attendees walked back to Coral Tree for a tour as part of the conference
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Vale Dr Russell Vandenberg It is with great sadness that the district acknowledged the passing of Dr Russell Vandenberg, a who passed away peacefully at home last week surrounded by his family. His six-decade-long service at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) left a lasting mark on the hospital and its staff, patients and wider community. Russell began his career at RNSH in 1959. Apart from a four-year fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, he spent his entire professional life at RNSH, advancing to physician in 1968 and retiring in 2009. His groundbreaking contributions in respiratory medicine, including early research on inhaled corticosteroids for asthma in the 1970s were significant. Long-time colleague and friend, Associate Professor Chris Dennis, said Russell will be remembered as a dedicated, thoughtful physician who practiced the “art of medicine” in an exemplary fashion. “He was a doctor who cared deeply for his patients and showed them great kindness. His influence on colleagues, junior doctors and medical students will be an enduring legacy to his excellence as a physician and human being,” he said. including pre-term babies, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants born after 1st November 2023, and children up to two- years-old with chronic health conditions identified by specialist paediatricians. The immunisation effort aims to prevent severe infections and hospitalisations in these high-risk groups, ensuring better health outcomes during the critical winter months. The clinic’s success depended on meticulous planning and a multidi-team approach, involving the identification of eligible infants and ensuring sufficient vaccine supplies. Administrative staff played a crucial role in contacting parents and booking appointments. “The success of this enormous effort is a testament to the dedication
“Our deepest condolences and best wishes are with Dr. Russell Vandenberg’s loved ones during this time.”
RSV Immunisations Available for High-Risk Babies at RNSH The recent RSV immunisation clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) highlighted a collaboration between teams. Over four days, more than 59 infants received immunisations. The initiative targetted vulnerable infants, possible. To date, over 76 per cent of Royal North Shore’s eligible population has been
immunised. High-risk babies can receive the RSV vaccination under the NSW Health RSV vulnerable babies program, running until September 2024. For more information, visit the NSW Health website: https://bit. ly/3Vgm8Jl.
and coordination of various hospital departments and staff,” said Gemma Lowe, NICU Audit Officer. She expressed gratitude to all involved, acknowledging the extensive behind- the-scenes work that made the clinics
Two babies who received the immunisations at RNSH
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