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HEALTH PLAN LAUNCHED

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INNOVATION TRIUMPHPAGE 5

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 4 | MAY 20182

message from the Board ChairI very much enjoyed attending the recent Innovation Pitch event and want to congratulate all the finalists who put so much work, knowledge and energy into their presentations.

The proponents of the five creatively-presented projects were pitching against their fellow finalists for funding of up to $50,000 for their bright idea. All projects were underlined by a passionate commitment to finding innovative ways for staff to improve patient care.

The judging panel had a difficult choice and I was delighted to see specialist physiotherapist Sally Wootton win the $50,000 grant for her pulmonary rehabilitation initiative. I am looking forward to seeing progress of her project over the next 12 months. I would also like to thank all those who took part in the successful event.

Board members Dianne Ball, Mary Chiarella and I recently visited the new Brookvale Community Health Centre and were very impressed with both the building and the staff who gave us a wonderfully warm welcome.

We were particularly impressed by the Oral Health, Home Nursing Service work area and treatment room, BreastScreen, the treatment gym and the mental health client zones. These are fantastic services for our community and all now located in the one building and conveniently close to the Warringah shopping mall.

We really enjoyed meeting more than 30 staff over morning tea. They were clearly very proud of their new facilities.

I was pleased to see the recent results of the Junior Medical Officer training survey with more than two-thirds saying they feel supported and would recommend the district as a great place to work. We are committed to ensuring our JMOs are appropriately supported. While these results are reassuring, we are continuing to find ways to make further improvements to ensure we embed our CORE values.

Trevor Danos AM

Board Chair Northern Sydney Local Health District

have you had your flu shot yet?NSLHD Chairman Trevor Danos AM (left) was one of the first district staff members to be vaccinated ahead of flu season.

All staff, patients, visitors and community members are being encouraged to get vaccinated.

Take advantage of the drop-in clinics and get yours before the flu season gets in full swing.

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Message FROM the ceAustralia’s proud reputation as a nation of volunteers was recently on show during National Volunteers’ Week (May 21-27) and it was a great time to honour our local health volunteers.

Northern Sydney Local Health District is extremely fortunate to have more than 800 volunteers who regularly help make life easier for our patients and staff.

It’s always interesting to stop and have a chat with our volunteers. I’m always fascinated at their diverse life and work backgrounds – they truly reflect our community and make such a significant contribution. I thank them most sincerely for all their efforts.

I’d like to share news of some exciting new appointments, starting with Elizabeth Wood who is going to act as NSLHD’s Executive Director of Operations while Liz Curran is on maternity leave.

Previously NSLHD’s Manager of Operations, Elizabeth has most recently been Executive Director of the System Purchasing Branch in the Ministry. We look forward to working with her again and wish Liz and her husband well in their next exciting stage of family life.

Another returnee is Dr Jonny Taitz, our former Director Medical Services at RNSH, who has been appointed as the District’s Executive Director of Medical Services. Jonny joins us from the Clinical Excellence Commission where he was Director Paediatric Patient Safety. Jonny will continue to be a part-time practicing paediatrician while undertaking his DMS role.

I am also thrilled to announce two very prestigious appointments. Firstly, Royal North Shore Hospital and the Kolling Institute will be home to Professor Mark Molloy as Sydney University’s Lawrence Penn Chair of Bowel Cancer Research and Professor Bill Walter has joined us as Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery. Having these two eminent positions on site will be of great benefit to both our research and for patient outcomes.

I was delighted to launch our second Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Plan at a vibrant ceremony in Royal North Shore Hospital’s ASB.

This new plan builds on the work of our first plan, and underlines our steadfast commitment to providing holistic and culturally safe and appropriate healthcare and service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The plan will provide continued direction for improved and equitable health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community.

The District’s Aboriginal Health Service staff do a wonderful job helping to ensure the very best health care is provided to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our District.

Deb Willcox Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District

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4 NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 4 | MAY 2018

Lili turns 100Lili Middleton had a birthday to remember celebrating her 100th birthday in ward 6D with therapy dog Alfie on May 17.

To top it all off, after a rendition of happy birthday from the 6D staff, Lili was the star of filming for an upcoming Channel 7 House of Wellness story.

The Mosman local shared her secrets to long life, citing positive thinking, fresh food, mahjong and games of bridge with her daughters as the key.

Nutrition talks launched at Northern Sydney Cancer CentreNutrition Services have launched its Nutrition Talks video series, aimed at preventing and treating malnutrition in cancer patients.

In March alone, more than 3000 people accessed Northern Sydney Cancer Centre for chemotherapy or outpatient appointments and another 3275 people received radiotherapy.

Due to the high volume of patients, the dietitians had to be innovative about how they reached patients to help them during their treatment.

“This idea was really in the works from when I joined RNSH six years ago as a junior dietitian,” said Melissa Scattergood, senior dietitian.

“Nutrition is so important when you’re well, let alone when you’re sick, and we were seeing so many cancer patients with malnutrition that just weren’t reaching all the appropriate services.”

The five videos arm cancer patients with information and advice on managing some common side effects of cancer treatment such as taste changes, fatigue and loss of appetite which can affect food intake and quality of life through treatment.

“The videos give practical advice and strategies, using real patient stories, to overcome these problems,” Melissa said.

The video series was the first

project funded under NSLHD’s Innovation Program pilot in 2017.The program is now in its second year.

“As far as we are aware this is the first Australian-based online nutrition education platform for cancer patients,” Melissa said.

“It was amazing to see some of the patients who starred in the series at the launch.

“It was a great opportunity to formally thank them; however, they were more thankful they could help other patients through the videos.”

You can view the Nutrition Talks series at nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/nutrition-talks

Carrie and Warren Gray, Jenny Reynolds, Mel Scattergood, Sharon Frazer and Deb Willcox at the launch of Nutrition Talks.

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NSLHD INNOVATION PROGRAM: ROUND ONE WINNER SCOOPS $50,000

For Dr Sally Wootton, winning Round One of the NSLHD Innovation Program was all about the numbers.

Sally scooped $50,000 to fund her mobile pulmonary rehab (mPR) project after impressing the four panellists with her presentation.

The victory came after 18 months of planning and could help the two million Australians suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“It’s fantastic to win the innovation funding to enable us to get started with the mPR project,” Sally said.

“Pulmonary rehab is an eight week program of supervised exercise training and disease management education for people with COPD.

“It is an excellent treatment which is very evidence based and helps to improve people’s symptoms of breathlessness, exercise capacity,

and overall quality of life.”

Pulmonary rehab has been found to reduce hospital utilisation by 50 per cent among COPD sufferers; however, less than 10 per cent have access to it.

Sally, in collaboration with the CSIRO, hopes to change that.

“The $50,000 innovation grant is the first funding we have received for the mPR project,” she said.

“The mPR platform is a novel smartphone and internet-based solution that will enable patients to participate in a PR program in their own homes with support and interaction from clinicians.

“In the next 12 months we aim to build the mPR platform and then implement the program across the NSLHD.”

NSLHD Innovation Manager Gyani Swift congratulated Sally while paying tribute to the four other

presentations.

“Every pitch was absolutely amazing – the passion, dedication and vision demonstrated by each applicant was inspiring,” she said.

Gyani said it was great to see the focus on users of health services.

“Consumers were at the heart of every pitch – their needs, wants and practical considerations,” she said.

“The pitch gave staff the opportunity to bring awareness to their client group and what is needed to innovate.”

Applications are now open for the next round – please apply here for your chance to win $50,000 to implement your project: www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/improvementhub/Pages/Applyforprog.aspx

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE 4 | MAY 20186

International Nurses and Day of the Midwife celebrationsInternational Day of the Midwife (May 5) and International Nurses Day (May 12) are big events on the NSLHD calendar. Celebrations were held across the district in honour of the amazing work done by our nuses and midwives. The hard work and compassion they bring to the workplace and to patients is something that deserves some pomp and ceremony.

Ryde Hospital’s International Nurses’ Day award winners

Alex White and Traci Holt at Manly’s celebrations.Manly Hospital’s Tonya Wasley and Stephanie Besley.

Genevieve McKinnon and Anne Chiu at Manly Hospital.

Ryde Hospital nurses Clare Park, Marissa Valle, Eva Choi, Samantha Chan and Howard Davis.

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Role Model Nurse of the Year, Suzie Russell, accepts her award with Fiona Carmichael and Susan Henderson.

The Serious Burns Injury Unit took first place in the RNS nurses’ triathlon.

Manly Hospital staff showed their culinary skills with a bake off to celebrate International Nurses’ Day.

A humbled Matt Tinker is presented with his District Nurse of the Year award by Anthony Dombkins.

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE #4 | MAY 20188

International nurses’ day celebrations

The Mona Vale nursing team present Director of Nursing and Midwifery Jacqui Edgley with a bouquet of flowers for International Nurses’ Day.

Deb Willcox, Jacqui Edgley and Andy Ratchford.

Hornsby Hospital nurses enjoyed fruit baskets as part of International Nurses’ Day

Mona Vale’s Jayne Eagleton, Chris Brandwood and Bronwyn Friend.

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The team behind the Northern Beaches Amputee Clinic says it is tremendously rewarding to help their patients lead more independent, active lives.

The clinic has been operating for almost five years, and is one of the services remaining on the Mona Vale Hospital campus later this year.

It is supported by a multi-disciplinary team including physician Dr Jasmine Gilchrist, senior amputee physio Jane Woolgar and APC Prosthetics prosthetists Nick Haw, Sarah McConnell and Lina Ng.

Jasmine said they are well positioned to assist with mobility challenges, pain medication and the management of prosthetics.

“We are able to support our patients before and after surgery, and importantly, offer a life-long care program,” she said.

Amonrat Jamporn and daughter Alicia.

Northern Beaches Amputee Clinic busiest in Northern Sydney “Our goal is to enable those with limb loss to lead full lives without limitation and it’s incredibly rewarding to help our patients improve their quality of life.

“In many cases we have helped amputees get back to work, back to driving and back to being part of their local community,”

Amonrat Jamporn is very grateful for the support she has received, saying it’s helped her to remain independent and care for her nine-month-old daughter Alicia.

“I was really concerned that I wouldn’t be able to carry my baby but the team has helped me with a new prosthesis and rehabilitation, and I now have a very active and independent life,” the 24-year-old Northern Beaches mum said.

“I can do everything. I enjoy walking with Alicia and even helping with my husband’s delivery business which involves carrying

mechanical parts.”

The clinic supports more than a hundred people a year, offering more appointments than any other amputee clinic in Northern Sydney.

“Revolution on the way”: new chairBowel cancer treatment is set to be transformed by technology, says Professor Mark Molloy, the University of Sydney’s first chair, based at the Kolling Institute, to specialise in the disease.

The biochemist is the inaugural appointee to the University of Sydney’s Lawrence Penn Chair of Bowel Cancer Research, based at the Kolling Institute. The chair was established thanks to $6.4 million in funding from Bowel Cancer Australia, plus an additional $4 million in support from the University.

Mark’s focus is on molecular analysis, which can improve understanding of tumour

biology and help clinicians make decisions about treatment.

“There is no doubt that technology is driving a big revolution in clinical care,” he said.

One example of this technological transformation is the use of mass spectrometers – sophisticated weighing devices that allow researchers to determine the molecular make-up of various substances. With the help of two new mass spectrometers soon-to-be installed at the Kolling Institute, Mark and his team will be able to analyse the molecular features of proteins and metabolites in

individual tumours, in order to tailor treatment pathways according to the needs of each patient.

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE #4 | MAY 201810

The Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Rewards and Recognition Awards are back for 2018.

Nominations are open across eight categories, but hurry, they close on June 1 at 5pm.

mhda awards

Celebrating its Golden Anniversary, the Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service (RACS) at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital held a party with past and present staff and clients to commemorate the special occasion.

The 50th anniversary was attended by four of RACS’ directors, including Dr Richard Geeves, who established the service in a humble cottage in Burdett St in 1968.

Now located in the Palmertson Building, RACS has undergone some significant milestones, including the addition of Leighton Lodge in 1976, which was built as a convalescent care and respite centre, but now accommodates many of the clinical staff and research units.

Hornsby Hospital was one of the first four pilot sites nationally for the federally-funded Geriatric Assessment Teams in 1987 and has welcomed 1500 Japanese visitors annually to learn about aged care services.

On hand to provide an insight during their tenure were past directors – Dr Richard Geeves (1968-1988), Professor Ian

Dr Cesar Uy, Professor Susan Kurrle, Professor Ian Cameron and Dr Richard Geeves (front).

rehab and aged care services’ golden celebration

Cameron (1989-1997), Professor Susan Kurrle (1997-2013) and Dr Cesar Uy (current director from 2013).

“The celebration will leave a lasting memory for all the staff, past and present, who attended,’’ Cesar said.

``We have been very fortunate

to have had visionary leaders and dedicated staff. The event was also a good opportunity to acknowledge the generous support of the Bernard Curran Foundation and the Curran family over the years.

“I feel very proud to be part of a service that has improved the way we look after our older patients.”

We know our staff do amazing things and we want to hear about it.

Share your news, achievements, events with NSLHD colleagues.

Contact Corporate Communications on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.

Publication is at the discretion of the editor and items may be edited for length, style and quality.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

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volunteer awarded for service He is a regular around the corridors of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital delivering mail and now Brian Minnett is also a celebrated volunteer. The former hospital print manger has been awarded a special achievement award for his dedication to the local community.

Brian lives at Hornsby Heights and every Friday he joins the Pink Ladies and Men volunteers enjoying a cuppa and mingling with staff and patients. He has spent the past 10 years as head of the volunteers’ auxiliary.

Recently, Brian was recognised for his volunteering work in the community when he was presented with a certificate by Member for Hornsby, Matt Kean, at a ceremony. Aside from volunteering at the hospital,

Brian has volunteered for 43 years as a referee for junior rugby league games. He is now a lifetime member of the Northern Sydney District Referee Association.

“Congratulations on your hard work and dedication to our local community over many years helping to make Hornsby a better place,” Matt said at the ceremony.

After a 20-year career at the hospital as print manager, Brian retired in 2007.

“It is a lovely thing to be recognised by your peers, even though there are many other people who are doing the same,” he said. “I am very humbled.”

hEALTH PLAN LAUNCHEDOn May 18 the Aboriginal health team was joined by staff and visitors in the RNSH main foyer to officially launch the second NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Plan.

The goal of the plan - which runs until 2022 - is to improve the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in and accessing health services in our LHD. Special guest Kyle Freeman also wowed the crowd with his traditional singing and didgeridoo music.

Matt Kean (fourth left) congratulated Brian Minnett (second from right) on his award at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital recently.

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