www.sjog.org.au

Pomegranate

3 COMPASSION REWARDED Ailsa Tate announced as

Catholic Health Australia’s Nurse of the Year for 2012.

4 BERWICK READY TO HELP Quick action helps alleviate

stress for expectant parents.

8 DECADES OF DOCTORS New book recognises

doctors and Sisters who helped to shape St John of God Health Care.

Meeting demand for medical trainingIn the last decade the number of accredited medical schools in Australia has almost doubled and in 2013/14 twice as many university medical graduates will be looking for intern positions to complete the training requirements for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

In anticipation of the need for doctor training positions and the benefits that such training can bring to quality care and best practice at our hospitals and laboratories, St John of God Health Care has made medical training an organisation-wide priority.

In 2013 St John of God Health Care will have 64 specialist medical training positions, 40 of those will be funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Specialist Training Program (STP).

This is a dramatic increase from five STP positions across the group in 2009.

Historically there have been various specialist training arrangements and funding sources across the private sector. However in 2009 the greatest catalyst for change came when the Commonwealth Government established the STP.

Hospitality I Compassion I Respect I Justice I Excellence

sprIng 2012

Prof Con Michael (right) is flanked by doctors and administrators of the Specialist Training Program (l-r) Barbara Stanley, Dympna Brbich, Dr Roselind Chan, Dr Chandrakala Ramakrishna and Dr Iresha Kankanamalage.

This recognised that in order for medical graduates to complete their specialist training more teaching opportunities would need to be found outside of the traditional public teaching hospitals.

The same imperative exists for increased intern training positions in the private sector to accommodate the growing number of medical graduates from Australian medical schools.

The Commonwealth has committed to fund specialist training positions in private hospitals, regional and remote areas as well as non hospital settings such as community and Aboriginal health services.

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Meeting the demand for medical training

Continued from page 1

However the hospital must have the infrastructure to support the vocational education and training and be accredited by the relevant specialist medical colleges and local health networks.

St John of God Health Care’s Consultant Medical Advisor, Prof Con Michael, led the organisation’s endeavour to further engage with the respective clinical colleges, universities and government departments to become accredited to train specialist doctors.

He said to date the group had been particularly successful in getting medical training positions across the country accredited and filled with suitable applicants and was the most successful private sector applicant for STP posts in Australia.

STP administrator Dympna Brbich said the applications had been successful because St John of God Health Care had foreseen the benefits, consolidated a group wide approach and built strong relationships.

Prof Michael said while the organisation had made an auspicious start an even greater commitment was required to teaching and training so that the program was sustainable.

He said the benefit to the organisation would be delivering best practice medicine and excellence in care.

“Training and research will further enhance the credibility and reputation of the organisation,” Prof Michael said.

“To teach is to learn, to learn you translate into practice.”

St John of God Health Care is also pursuing an intern training program to meet the increased numbers of students that may not be able to be accommodated in the public sector.

Prof Michael said the clinical exposure available in the private sector provided enormous potential for teaching interns as well, some of whom would later enter specialist training.

speak with pinelodge Clinic’s triage coordinator and mental health nurse Ailsa Tate and it is immediately clear why her compassion was so justly recognised when she was awarded the Catholic Health Australia’s (CHA) nurse of the Year in August.

Compassion rewarded

Ailsa loves her job and says she feels tremendously lucky to enjoy her work. She is resolutely committed to the values of St John of God and her approach is a great assurance for frightened patients.

Ailsa is the first person patients and family members speak with at the 56 bed mental health hospital and she is largely responsible for breaking down the stigma and misconceptions that make it difficult for people with mental health problems to ask for help.

Ailsa said many of the people she speaks with everyday have never experienced psychiatric care and their only frame of reference comes from television and movies. Or they remember treatments from the 1970s that have long since improved.

“When I talk to people I treat them as you would want to be treated yourself, or how you would want your mother, son or sister to be treated,” she said.

Ailsa said the people she connects with are often in an extremely emotional state, like children seeking help for parents or grandparents who are desperate to help a grandchild afflicted by drug addiction.

“It’s about talking people through their options so that they are not afraid, so that before they come into hospital they know as much as possible.

“By developing a rapport they feel comfortable to speak to you. You talk to them and let them know that things will get better.

“It’s important that people who are depressed, lacking self confidence and self esteem know that they are not alone,” Ailsa said.

The understanding Ailsa develops with her patients allows her to provide in-depth patient histories for the specialists and general practitioners with whom she has also developed very close relationships.

Humbled by the acknowledgement of being awarded the CHA Nurse of the Year, Ailsa said she worked within the values to make the best possible outcome for patients.

She was presented with her award at the CHA Conference by the Chief Executive Officer Martin Laverty.

“Mrs Tate is able to quickly interpret the level of a patient’s distress during a crisis and make sure that the appropriate services relieve the crisis and, in many cases, save the patient’s life,” Martin said.

St John of God Health Care Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Stanford, said Ailsa had a long and distinguished track record with the organisation, having worked at the former Brighton Hospital and now at Pinelodge Clinic.

“We are extremely proud of Ailsa who has dedicated her nursing career to helping people with a mental illness.

“She has made a difference to countless lives due to her demeanour and empathy, qualities which stand out in feedback from her patients and fellow caregivers,” Michael said.

The CHA Nurse of the Year award honours an outstanding nurse working in Catholic health and aged care services. It recognises the commitment of a nurse to serving patients with respect and dignity whilst acknowledging their individuality. The award includes a $5,000 grant from Catholic Super to be used for professional development.

Pinelodge Clinic's Ailsa Tate is Catholic Health Australia's Nurse of the Year 2012.

st John of god Health Care was one of a number of industry stakeholders who contributed to Health Workforce Australia’s research into how Australia would meet the demands of the future health workforce.

The resulting report Health Workforce 2025 Doctors, Nurses and Midwives found that the Australian health workforce would not be fully self-sustaining and that as the population grows and ages there would be a significant shortfall in the number of nurses and health professionals across the industry.

A range of strategies are needed to increase the size of the workforce and we recognise that workforce planning is crucial to ensuring our ability to build a sustainable workforce well into the future.

This issue of Pomegranate highlights some of the initiatives underway at St John of God Health Care to achieve just that.

We pride ourselves in providing a nurturing environment in which to learn, whether you are a doctor, nurse, allied health practitioner or follow another health-related career path.

Our success in securing Specialist Training Program positions for student doctors is detailed on the front page and discusses the role of the private health sector as a credible source of support for doctor education in Australia.

There are twice as many universities training doctors in Australia compared to 10 years ago and private hospitals can provide the type of clinical exposure from which emerging doctors can learn.

With a grant from Health Workforce Australia, a new nurse training initiative at St John of God Subiaco Hospital in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame has resulted in a learning centre dedicated to postgraduate midwifery students.

At the same hospital, it is hoped that a new training program for indigenous nurses from Marr Mooditj Training Inc will go some way to bridge the gap in Aboriginal health. Many students who took part in the inaugural training program will take their learning back to roles within indigenous communities and three more programs are scheduled for 2013.

At St John of God Geelong Hospital a new entry point training program in allied health is exposing students who aspire to a career in the respective therapies to a clinical setting.

In mentioning workforce, I must highlight the clients of St John of God Accord who have intellectual and learning disabilities who are participating in a Certificate 1 in work education course in conjunction with the Kangan Institute of TAFE. This initiative is exposing them to a learning environment and work experience with the goal of achieving independent employment opportunities.

Health Workforce Australia grants have also allowed us to develop a Mental State Examination Training Program and purchase training equipment for St John of God Murdoch Training and Education Centre (MURTEC), and for our hospitals in Bendigo, Berwick, Geelong and Warrnambool and Health Choices, our home nursing division.

Various stories in this newsletter showcase how we are delivering on our commitment to excellence through education to meet Australia’s current and future health care needs.

GROUP UPDATE

Dr Michael Stanford Group Chief Executive Officer

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Berwick ready to helpst John of god Berwick Hospital sprang into action to assist up to 250 expectant parents impacted by the closure of the maternity unit at south Eastern private Hospital in Melbourne in July.

The Berwick hospital offered to accommodate all the pregnant mums who wished to transfer their hospital booking for the birth of their child.

St John of God Berwick Hospital Chief Executive Officer Lisa Norman said she could only imagine the distress the decision to close the unit had on families who had been booked in at South Eastern Private Hospital.

“Within 48 hours we had received over 100 calls from women who were upset and wanted to transfer their care,” Lisa said.

“It was important for us to respond quickly to reassure these women that we were able to continue their pregnancy care. We set up a 24 hour hotline that enabled us to provide immediate assistance and advice.”

Lisa was impressed by caregivers who worked rapidly to implement a number of strategies which included a dedicated team to manage the booking processes.

“Caregivers went above and beyond to ensure our response was effective,” she said.

News of the maternity unit closing broke on the 2 July and by 3 July St John of God Berwick Hospital had delivered its first baby

after a mother was transferred from South Eastern Private Hospital.

Berwick hospital had quickly offered guarantees to accredited obstetricians that all their patients could transfer their care.

By mid-week the hospital had set up additional booking consultations, hospital tours and childbirth education classes. They increased capacity in the maternity unit with additional inpatient beds and delivery suite capability. This had a secondary impact on theatre with additional theatre capacity allocated to obstetricians.

The hospital is now in the process of establishing a ‘medi-hotel’ service. This will give mums who have had a straightforward birth, the option to transfer after the birth of their baby to a luxury hotel with round the clock midwifery support. This will assist in managing bed availability without compromising on quality of care.

Lisa explained that the medi-hotel was just one of the innovations the hospital had been working on.

“Some city based hospitals offer this type of service but we would be the first hospital in the St John of God Health Care group to adopt a medi-hotel service for our parents,” she said.

In the last financial year the hospital had close to 800 births and in 2012/13 they expect to deliver in excess of 1100 babies, making St John of God Berwick Hospital a leading provider of maternity services in the South Eastern corridor of Melbourne.

Grant and Kelly Stutsel with baby Georgia were impacted by the South Eastern Private Hospital maternity ward closure.

FIrsT For rurAl WAResidents of Western Australia’s South West will have access to the latest technology to screen for cancer and heart disease with the installation of a $2 million scanner in the new Comprehensive Cancer Centre being built at St John of God Bunbury Hospital.

It is the first time this equipment has been installed outside of the metropolitan area and will be one of only five in use across the State.

The Positron Emission Tomography, or PET scanner as it is more commonly known, is used to conduct leading edge nuclear medicine tests and will be operational when the new Cancer Centre opens in early 2013.

Global Diagnostics, a leading international supplier of diagnostic medical imaging services, will operate the new service.

Radiologist for Global Diagnostics Australia and President, International Society of Radiology, Dr Jan Labuscagne, said the latest installation would complement the installed base of x-ray, ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance equipment.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Mark Grime said the burden on patients and their families would be eased with the ability to perform the scans locally.

“It will remove the need for patients to pack up their lives in order to travel to Perth for diagnosis or treatment,” Mark said.

The Comprensive Cancer Centre will provide public and private patients with chemotherapy, therapeutic services and on-site breast screening. It will attract new cancer and other specialists to the region and support the future health care needs of the region’s growing population.

The Comprehensive Cancer Centre, as part of the South West Health Campus, is being funded by the Commonwealth Government.

BlEssIng oF FrAnksTon rEHABIlITATIon HospITAlpoliticians, business people and residents turned out in a wonderful display of community support for their local hospital when a blessing ceremony was held for the new facilities and the name change to st John of god Frankston rehabilitation Hospital.

Father Alistair MacLennan performed the blessing at the hospital to celebrate the refurbished gymnasium and administration office and the re-commissioning of two rooms that will increase the hospital’s bed count by four.

The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Frankston Brian Cunial, Sisters of St John of God Florence, Ena and Josephine as well as many local business associates, patients and caregivers.

During the ceremony the St John’s East Frankston Junior choir, accompanied by soloist Julie Cowley, sang several pieces to entertain the guests.

Caregivers recited passages and were joined by a patient to deliver symbols to be blessed by Father Alistair.

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital changed its name from St John of God Nepean Rehabilitation Hospital earlier this year to better reflect the community it serves.

Midwifery collaborationuniversity of notre Dame’s postgraduate midwifery students can now learn first-hand from the experienced midwifery team at st John of god subiaco Hospital in a new purpose-built simulated training facility.

The Satellite Midwifery Education Centre was official opened on September 6 by the Hon Jim McGinty as the Chair of Health Workforce Australia, the government initiative that funded the learning centre.

The collaboration between the University of Notre Dame and St John of God Subiaco Hospital has created an environment where students can actively participate and observe all facets of midwifery.

The centre known as a ‘learning hub’ contains a lecture theatre, classroom, offices and a simulated birthing unit equipped with a viewing window and a virtual mother and foetus. University practitioner scholars and the hospital’s clinical nurse coordinators support the students.

The first students to train at the hub started mid-way through this year and the next student intake is in early 2013. Students will continue to access the centre throughout the university’s postgraduate midwifery course.

The Hon Jim McGinty, Dr Michael Stanford, University of Notre Dame’s Prof Selma Alliex, Dr Shane Kelly and Chris Hanna tour the simulated birthing unit.

Children from St John’s East Frankston junior choir.

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Geelong first placement for allied health studentsst John of god geelong Hospital has welcomed its first group of Vocational Education and Training (VET) students from sacred Heart College on a clinical placement.

The hospital is a pilot site for this unique collaborative approach to practical learning as part of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program, Certificate III in Allied Health.

Students are exposed to the duties of a physiotherapist, dietitian, ward clerk, theatre technician and orderly during their clinical hours, which are one day each week until the end of the year.

Learning and Development Co-ordinator, Libby Van Leeuwen was very pleased to see the students around the hospital after months of planning and organisation.

“The concept of applied learning, nurturing and working with a student in a holistic manner fits very well with our Mission,” Libby said.

“It also offers an entry point and learning pathway for the students towards their chosen career within the health sector.

“Opportunities like this to work with the Geelong community also enriches the hospital community. Our caregivers have a wonderful reputation for supporting the education and training of our future workforce,” Libby said.

On completion of the Certificate III in Allied Health the students have a sought after qualification as an entry level Allied Health Assistant.

Already the students have aspirations of further study to reach their goals. Sophie and Emilie would like to be paramedics, Remi is interested in occupational therapy and Celestine in nursing.

(L – R) Sacred Heart College students Sophie Kramer, Remi Schilder, Emilie Kelly, Celestine Larmah with SJG Geelong Director of Mission Patricia Boom.

Artist Joanne West Cornish and Registered Nurse Kristie Thomson

with new artworks at Murdoch.

Work CErTIFICATE For ACCorD ClIEnTsTo improve the work skills and experience of its clients, st John of god Accord day service in the West of Melbourne, known as ACEs West, has started a Certificate 1 in work education course in conjunction with the kangan Institute of TAFE.

It is a community based program tailored for people with an intellectual or learning disability who want to gain skills and ‘hands-on’ work experience in various industries.

The TAFE provides the schooling component one day a week, practical experience another and a third day of revision. This allows for two days of general programs at ACES West.

The program is an entry level course for the ten people already enrolled from ACES West.

On successful completion of the 12 month course, students will be awarded the nationally recognised Certificate I in Work Education. They will gain organisational, communication, numeracy and employability skills.

All students are motivated, supported and encouraged to work and are enjoying the level of independence required to study in an adult learning environment.

rEACHIng ouT To MorE pEoplEst John of god Health Care’s social outreach and Advocacy services have reached out to even more people in need in the last financial year with additional funds provided by the group and new partnerships initiated that helped the services to grow.

Across Australia and New Zealand, 6,300 people who experienced disadvantage accessed services to improve their health and wellbeing.

Included in this total were:

•1,215 Raphael Centre clients who used our specialist perinatal and infant mental health services across Victoria, WA and NSW.

•1,244 Youth Services clients, including at-risk young people living in Horizon House homes and a wide range of services provided by St John of God Waipuna in Christchurch, New Zealand.

•1,290 Alcohol and Other Drug Service clients including people supported by the South West Community Drug Service Team in WA, the Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Network (DAWN) in Perth and Dual Diagnosis Centre Bloomsbury House in Ballarat, Victoria.

•829 Disability Service clients used services provided by St John of God Accord in Melbourne, Casa Venegas in Sydney and the New Zealand facilities at St John of God Halswell and Wellington.

•412 Aboriginal mothers or families engaged the Strong Family, Strong Culture maternal and child health service in regional WA.

•Other clients used counselling at Ferns House in Fremantle (WA) and Pomegranate House in Ballarat (VIC).

Art distracts kidsst John of god Murdoch’s Emergency Department is a more welcoming place for children with the installation of new artworks that stimulate positive associations with loved pets, toys, books and fairy-tales.

Eye-catching artworks feature on two painted chairs and in a painted ‘window’ for the wall.

Designed by Joanne West Cornish, a leading furniture maker and illustrator, in consultation with the Emergency Department team, the new paintings are used as distraction therapy to help reduce fear and anxiety.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Nurse Manager Emergency Department Gail Chambers said medical procedures and a hospital environment could be traumatic for some children.

“We use distraction therapy to help reduce fear in children and it can help the time pass faster. Fear can make treatment times seem forever,” she said.

“We find that by diverting the child’s focus from what the nurse or doctor is doing we can reduce anxiety in the child and their parents and caregivers. A more relaxed and cooperative child can reduce treatment time.”

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Director of Emergency Medicine Dr Paul Bailey said the management of minor procedures was a difficult aspect of emergency medicine practice.

“Distraction therapy can assist with the treatment of a distressed child requiring a minor procedure or examination. This approach reflects Murdoch’s commitment to holistic care by utilising arts in health care to promote a healing environment,” he said.

“In our specially decorated paediatric ward, St Gabriel’s, we also use a range of age appropriate games and toys to assist our younger patients to relax during their stay.

“The ward also receives visits from Radio Lollipop volunteers who assist our team of dedicated caregivers by providing laughter and play opportunities,” Paul said.

(L-R) William, Bill (ACES West Instructor), Melissa, Tan and Martin on their first day of the course.

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A family of doctorsprominent perth general physician prof Michael Quinlan who retired as a Trustee of st John of god Health Care last year tells of a rich family association with the sisters of st John of god and the health care organisation that they founded.

As is fondly recalled in Decades of Doctors it was Prof Quinlan’s great uncle, Dr Michael O’Connor, who became the first doctor to the Sisters when they arrived in Australia in 1895.

Prof Quinlan said his Great Uncle Michael O’Connor would refer patients to the nursing care of the Sisters at their first home on Adelaide Terrace in Perth.

Prof Quinlan’s grandfather Timothy Francis Quinlan, then a local businessman, also helped the Sisters in setting up their home with the provision of furnishings.

The Sisters’ home became unofficially known as the first St John of God Hospital.

Decades of Doctors tells how alarm spread through the Sisters’ home when red spots started appearing on their faces, legs and arms sparking fears of an outbreak of smallpox, only to be diagnosed with mosquito bites by Dr O’Connor.

Prof Quinlan recalls his own childhood in the 1940s sitting outside St John of God Subiaco Hospital for many hours while his father, obstetrician Dr Daniel Quinlan, delivered babies into the world.

Dr Daniel Quinlan was credited with urging the Sisters to set up the obstetric and midwifery service at Subiaco Hospital in the 1930s.

Prof Quinlan himself was born at St John of God Subiaco Hospital.

As an indication of the mutual respect between the Sisters and doctors and their families Prof Quinlan remembered as a child spending Christmas mornings at the Convent with the Sisters, and how the Sisters always showed a keen interest in the welfare of all the family members of the hospital’s doctors.

In 1968 Prof Quinlan would follow in his family’s footsteps when he commenced practice as a General Physician at St John of God Subiaco Hospital as well as Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital.

He was involved in establishing a Surgical Teaching Unit for final year medical students at St John of God Subiaco Hospital in 1976 which followed in 1980 with the establishment of a Medical Teaching Unit.

Prof Quinlan and his family’s association with St John of God Health Care and the Sisters of St John of God continues to this day.

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(L–R) Dr Lachlan Henderson, Dr Michael Stanford, Sr Eugenia Brennan, Prof Michael Quinlan, Sr Teresina Connolly and Sr (Dr) Isobel Moran were some of those who contributed to Decades of Doctors.

Decades of Doctorsst John of god Health Care released a new book, Decades of Doctors, in recognition of the doctors and sisters who helped shape the health care group over 13 decades.

Decades of Doctors tells of the Sisters of St John of God who arrived in Australia in 1895 and the doctors who joined them in their quest to deliver health care in what was then considered an outpost of society with poor health care infrastructure.

The book chronicles decades of change in health care in Australia through two World Wars, the Great Depression and then later the technological advances that would enable health caregivers to not only manage symptoms but make diagnoses and offer more treatment options.

St John of God Health Care Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Stanford said Decades of Doctors provided a fascinating insight into the evolution of the practice of medicine and nursing care over the years.

“The book recognises many of the doctors who had made a significant contribution to hospital and health care delivery at St John of God Health Care.

“What is evident in the book and remains constant today is the vital relationship between the doctors, the Sisters and hospital staff and the importance of this in caring for the sick,” Michael said.

He recognised the significant contribution of Sr Eugenia Brennan who as a historian was the driver behind the St John of God Health Care Doctors History project from which Decades of Doctors was born.

He said without her enthusiasm to draw the stories, history and memories together this publication would not have come to fruition.

“Many others from within and outside the organisation would also contribute to pulling the tales together in readiness for publication, we thank them for their perseverance,” Michael said.

It is acknowledged that not all the stories could be told in Decades of Doctors so the publication calls for doctors and their families, and others with relevant knowledge to add to this fascinating glimpse into Australian medical history.

Decades of Doctors is a significant historical account and keepsake to obtain a copy, email info@sjog.org.au Dr Michael O’Connor (1865 – 1940) was

the first recorded St John of God Hospital doctor.

Pathologist Dr John Blackwell one of the first doctors employed by St John of God hospitals.

Theatre staff at St John of God Subiaco Hospital circa 1968.

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BEATING THE BINGE Hip hop band Justice Crew was the major drawcard at the Beating the Binge event for youth aged 12 to 25 during Drug Action Week supported by St John of God Ballarat Hospital’s Bloomsbury House.

Caregiver Peta Seabrook pictured here with the popular Australian dance and pop group helped to organise the event and was supported on the night by Tonya Lewis, also pictured.

Helping raise the drug awareness message were skits by Ballarat Community Health and a panel discussion that included Anthony Harrington of Bloomsbury House who provided a mental health perspective.

A short video competition focussed on the harms associated with substance use.

EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC TRAININGThe inaugural Perth Managing Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma (MOET) Course was held at St John of God Subiaco Hospital in May.

The MOET course was designed to teach senior obstetricians, anaesthetists and procedural GPs to manage life-threatening obstetric emergencies. The course originated in the United Kingdom.

Held over three days it involved 16 candidates who were examined at course completion with a questionnaire and an emergency scenario involving a critically ill pregnant woman.

The course was greatly enriched by the participation of four midwife observers from St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Michelle Cole, Jo Goldie, Emma Koen and Teresa Thompson.

The course was directed by Sydney obstetrician Dr Rahul Sen and organised by St John of God Subiaco Hospital obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Michael Gannon.

Feedback from the candidates and midwives was very positive and it is hoped to be held again in 2013.

COMMONWEALTH BANK SUPPORT FOR BURWOODThe local branches of the Commonwealth Bank in the catchment area of St John of God Burwood Hospital in mid-West Sydney donated $12,500 to the refurbishment of the the Richard Pampuri Unit program room.

The unit delivers care and treatment programs to patients with alcohol and drug dependence.

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News in Brief

HAVE You THougHT ABouT Your pErForMAnCE lATElY?st John of god Health Care recently introduced a new standardised approach to performance review and Development (pr&D) across the organisation.

Developed and piloted by caregivers and managers, feedback was gained to ensure the new approach was relevant and comprehensive.

Refreshed PR&D forms have been introduced to enable positive and productive conversations.

A stronger emphasis is also being placed on the importance of caregivers being informed and educated about their responsibilities in relation to their performance and ongoing development, as well as ensuring that they are aware of how their manager can support them.

“We want to make sure that our caregivers recognise that PR&D is about more than just the Annual Performance Review and Development conversation that takes place each year,” Deborah Pearson, Group Manager Learning and Development, said.

“On-going conversations between manager and caregiver are the most important part of the PR&D process.”

St John of God Health Care provides on-going opportunities for caregivers to develop their confidence, skills and capabilities. The performance review and development process supports this by encouraging continuous improvement in individual, team and organisational performance through regular two-way feedback between caregivers and managers.

To find out more about how to make the most of the performance review and development process, speak to your manager or check out Performance Review and Development under the LOD tab on Compass.

Indigenous nurse training at Subiaco

Rosalie Nodwell pictured with Marr Mooditj students during NAIDOC week celebrations at Subiaco Hospital

A shell-like, blue symbol has become commonplace around st John of god Bendigo Hospital, where it has been introduced to help caregivers identify patients with memory or thinking difficulties, or cognitive impairment.

Special training has been undertaken by clinical and non-clinical caregivers at the hospital to help communicate with these patients and their carers.

The symbol was developed by Ballarat Health with the help of Alzheimers Australia, and the Bendigo Hospital is one of two private Victorian hospitals selected for a pilot study funded by BUPA Foundation to test its use in the private hospital setting.

The gentle blue symbol is located in patient rooms after discussions with family and a simple cognition test, and it is only used when the family has agreed.

Early indications from other health care sites are that the introduction of the symbol has had great success in improving patient care.

Symbol helps patient care

As a signatory to the Australian Employment Covenant, st John of god Health Care has started training indigenous nurses from the Marr Mooditj Training Inc at its subiaco Hospital.

Two rotations of six students from the indigenous training college, part of the Clontarf Aboriginal College, have completed their undergraduate practical training in the medical and surgical wards of the hospital, with the goal of becoming Enrolled Nurses.

The majority of the students were mature aged, and many travelled to Perth from remote locations and communities. Some of the students came to the course with a background as carers, nursing assistants and indigenous health workers.

Staff Development Coordinator Rosalie Nodwell from the Learning and Organisational Development Department at St John of God Subiaco Hospital said close care and attention was given to this student cohort due to the complexities surrounding literacy levels and cultural issues.

A mentor from Marr Mooditj was involved with student supervision and education, as well as providing cultural awareness training to the St John of God Subiaco Hospital clinical facilitators. The hospital’s Pastoral Care team also provided additional support.

Rosalie said so much support was shown by the nursing caregivers, as well as the patients at the hospital to this particular group of students.

“We encourage these students to complete their training to increase their employability and literacy skills for when they return home, as well as apply for the hospital’s Enrolled Nurse graduate program,” Rosalie said.

Several students from Marr Mooditj will attend training at the hospital for the remainder of this year, and three groups are planned for next year.

The students also completed practical rotations at Bentley Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Swan District Hospital.

As part of our commitment to the Australian Employment Covenant’s 50,000 Sustainable Indigenous jobs campaign, St John of God Health Care has developed an Indigenous Employment Policy and is committed to creating at least 90 positions for indigenous Australians in recognition that meaningful employment is a critical factor in indigenous health and wellbeing.

Rosalie Nodwell pictured with Marr Mooditj students during NAIDOC week

celebrations at Subiaco Hospital.

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Caring for orphans in UgandaBurwood caregiver Elizabeth Flockton took Community service leave and went to uganda to work with babies who have been orphaned in traumatic circumstances at Baby Watoto.

New appointments

Elizabeth explained that the babies at the orphanage known as Bulrushes had been abandoned, some abused and others left all alone after the death of their mother at childbirth.

The orphanage can take 50 babies and relies on volunteers like Elizabeth who fund their own journey to help care for the children amid precarious political and safety conditions in Uganda.

As a baby carer Elizabeth worked with the staff known as Mums and Nannies to the children in their care. The Mums are usually widows who are matched with the orphaned children and become their Mum for life.

Elizabeth said she had never worked with children with disabilities, or “angels with broken wings” as she called them, but this experience had provided an unexpected joy.

She said she had time to cuddle them and learn about their special needs which had enriched her own skills.

Elizabeth said the experience had impacted her greatly but she could not say that she had loved it given the sadness and heart break she encountered.

Yet she admired the volunteers she worked with who gave her a whole new appreciation of the St John of God Value of Excellence.

Personally it was challenging as Elizabeth found it difficult to cope with the heat and food as well as having the safety issues of travelling an hour each way from her base in Kampala to the orphanage.

Elizabeth became involved with Watoto through her church. She and two other staff members from the St Benedict Unit at Burwood, Gloria and Cheryl, sponsor a lady with HIV which enables her to receive medication for her condition.

Elizabeth said she was blessed to be able to meet the woman she had sponsored on her trip to Uganda.

For further information on volunteering and donating to Watoto visit www.watoto.com

larissa pickford

Larissa Pickford has joined Group Services, based in our Perth head office in the role of General Counsel/Company Secretary.

Larissa recently relocated to Perth from

Sydney where she was a partner in law firm Atanaskovic Hartnell and prior to that she held positions at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Freehills.

Her career highlights to date include; corporate legal counsel to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, advising Transurban group on the $1.2 billion takeover of Sydney Road’s Group and acting for The Coca Cola Company in its response to the proposed acquisition by Lion Nathan/Kirin of Coca-Cola Amatil.

Baby boost to East TimorCaregivers from St John of God Health Care have helped to give babies born in East Timor a healthy start to life through a fundraising initiative to support families in one of the poorest countries in Asia.

Led by a team of data entry staff at St John of God Pathology’s Osborne Park laboratory and supported by nurses at Subiaco hospital, a food hamper raffle was held raising over $1,200 which was matched by the organisation.

The funds will be used to purchase 100 baby packs for the Bakhita Community Medical Clinic.

Country Manager for St John of God in East Timor Lionel Rudd said they were overwhelmed by the outstanding support shown in raising money for the packs, which would be invaluable to women with newborn babies.

“The mothers who receive these baby packs usually come from families with limited resources and limited income,” Lionel said.

“Few villages in the area have a water supply, let alone a supply to individual homes, which means basic amenities for personal hygiene for mother and

child are hard to come by, creating considerable difficulties in maintaining a healthy environment.

“The baby packs contain over 20 items in a carry bag, including nappies, baby clothes, blankets, towels, a tooth brush and toothpaste, hair brush, body oil, soaps, sanitary napkins and a sarong.”

This was the second fundraising initiative of St John of God Pathology caregivers in Perth to support health programs in East Timor.

St John of God Health Care has worked in partnership with the Timorese Ministry of Health since 2004 to implement national Pathology and Nursing Development Programs to improve the standard of health care in East Timor.

loTTErYWEsT supporT For HorIzon HousEGenerosity of spirit is evident in the community and caregiver support for the new Horizon House in Dianella that is now accommodating pregnant young mums who would otherwise be homeless.

Lotterywest Commissioner Garry Trinder recently handed over the keys for a brand new KIA vehicle to St John of God Subiaco Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Shane Kelly and Volunteer Coordinator Joshua Nipps.

The car will be used by the Horizon House residents to attend antenatal and postnatal classes and for the quick dash to the hospital when the babies choose to enter the world.

Lotterywest is a great supporter of the service and has provided funding to assist all the Horizon Houses in Western Australia that have been set up for youths aged 16 to 22 who require accommodation and support in a safe and stable environment.

$200,000 in Lotterywest funding has been used to renovate and refurbish the two homes that comprise Horizon House Dianella.

Joshua Nipps said caregiver support for the new service had also been exceptional.

“Over 60 people have been involved in setting up the homes, fundraising and volunteering their time on weekends.

“The first home opened in May and was full within two weeks. Regular visits are now being made by parent educators and two healthy babies have been born. The new bubs and their mums will be accommodated in the second house by October,” Joshua said.

Eddie De Pina visiting from East Timor is joined by members of the data entry team at Osborne Park; Carol Bond, Kerry Hutchinson, Carmen Garcia, Treena Joyce, Natalie Braccia and Leona Eder.

Lotterywest Commissioner Garry Trinder (centre) hands over the new car keys to

Dr Shane Kelly and Joshua Nipps for Horizon House Dianella.

Mark lubliner

Welcome to Dr Mark Lubliner who has taken up the position of Group Director Medical Services based in Melbourne Group Services office.

Dr Lubliner comes from Cabrini Health, where he held the position of Executive Director of Strategy and Clinical Governance, and led the development and implementation of its three-year strategic plan.

In the United Kingdom, he led a strategic planning program for South East London and was Deputy Medical Director for Southend University Hospital. Prior to this, he was the Medical Director at The Alfred in Melbourne.

Darren rogers

Darren Rogers is the new Chief Executive Officer of St John of God Bendigo Hospital. Darren’s most recent role was CEO of Ramsay Health Care’s Mitcham Private Hospital.

He has also worked with Healthscope in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne in general management and director of clinical services roles.

Darren trained and worked in London earlier in his career and as a registered nurse his specialty interest was in critical care. He also holds a Masters of Cardiology.

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no lIFT progrAM roll ouTAcross Australia the message is becoming clear as the occupational Health and safety (oHs) ‘no lift’ program is rolled out to all st John of god facilities in a bid to standardise our approach to manual handling and eliminate injuries.

Louise O’Shea who founded the No Lift Manual Handling System kicked off the program with five-day workshops at the South Melbourne head office and Murdoch Hospital in late May.

The goal is to combat injuries in health workers who are responsible for moving patients and materials.

Ms O’Shea, formerly a nurse, developed her system in 1995 and it is now used in 90 per cent of public hospitals in Victoria and has been endorsed by the Australian Royal College of Nursing.

OHS Manager Peter Bennett said the system used a train-the-trainer model with ‘No Lift’ Champions appointed in each department. Every caregiver then receives training relevant to their particular work area.

“The key to reducing injuries to our caregivers is that everyone must take responsibility for safe practice and be competent in the standard operating procedures,” Peter said.

The training is part of a comprehensive review of current manual handling practice. The group’s commitment to caregivers is detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2011 to 2015.

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Sandi Hatfield from Berwick and Murdoch’s Manual Task System Coordinator Rebecca Kitching turning a participant using a mechanical aid.

Slips, trips and falls result in thousands of injuries every year, mostly musculoskeletal, as well as cuts, bruises, fractures and dislocations.

In the past three years 35 caregivers at St John of God Health Care have reported a slip, trip or fall in the workplace. These incidents resulted in five caregivers taking time off, with a total of 26 days lost due to injuries sustained.

Though a safe working environment has always been important to our organisation, a revitalised focus on the health and safety of caregivers has been developed since the introduction of the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2011-2015. As well as reviewing procedures and enhancing existing safety infrastructure, the strategy encourages caregivers to not only think of the health and safety of their patients and clients, but also to think carefully about their own health and safety while at work.

Common causes of slips, trips and falls• Inappropriate floor surface e.g. smooth, shiny tiles in a wet area• Slippery floor surfaces e.g. oily, icy, wet or dusty• Poor housekeeping e.g. spills not cleaned up immediately, objects left in

corridors, cluttered work spaces• Uneven surfaces or sudden changes in floor levels• Inappropriate drainage e.g. liquid and waste from machinery leaking onto

floors• Inappropriate footwear• Poorly maintained floor e.g. cracked concrete or tiles, frayed or lifted carpets• Low, unseen objects e.g. electrical cords, boxes, stock, pallets, packing

material• View obstructed due to carrying of objects• Inadequate storage areas• Passage or walkways being used for storage• Poor systems of work e.g. using ladders or chairs to access high storage

areas, climbing down ladders while carrying objects, unsafe loading or unloading of vehicles

• Loading docks and mezzanine storage areas with no fall protection• Poorly maintained and dimly lit stairwells.

Tips to reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls•Modify practices that cause spills and ensure spills are cleaned immediately•Ensure appropriate footwear e.g. low heel with good tread•Treat floors to increase slip resistance e.g. acid etching, grooving or coating•Provide adequate lighting and signage• Improve storage at the workplace•Remove tripping hazards like cords etc by installing additional

powerpoints or taping cords out of the way•Minimise changes in floor levels e.g. if levels must change, use a ramp

rather than steps and provide handrails•Provide trolleys or other mechanical aids to carry objects which may

obscure their vision •Apply high visibility paint and edge strips to mark changes in floor levels •Provide adequate lighting and signage in stairwells and other hazard areas.

Slips, trips and falls

Francesca Hynes, Inpatient Accounts and Kim White, Workforce & Quality Manager accessing MyPay at St John of God Warrnambool Hospital.

MyPay liveMypay, as it was dubbed by Clive Hodgson of group services who won the competition to name the web service, is now live at Warrnambool hospital and group office and initial feedback from caregivers is very positive.

MyPay is St John of God Health Care’s new online self-service computer system which gives caregivers secure access to some payroll information with the ability to book annual and sick leave online. Managers can also approve leave requests online.

Caregivers can view current and past payslips, payment summaries like group certificates, leave balances and update personal details online and in doing so aid in the reduction of their carbon footprint. However this information can also be printed at home or from designated computers at work.

Following its successful implementation at Warrnambool, Francesca Hynes from Inpatient Services said, “Such an easy program to use and navigate around, no problems at all.

“I even checked future leave balances, I love that function!”

MyPay will continue to be deployed to all Divisions throughout 2012. If you have any queries regarding MyPay, please contact your HR representative.

Thank you to everyone for their assistance in making MyPay a successful project.

After 18 years as a midwife and lactation consultant in Murdoch Hospital’s st Mary’s ward, Vicki Hallion, has been recognised for the difference she has made to so many new mums as Western Australia’s Johnsons baby Midwife of the Year.

What made this title extra rewarding was being nominated by a former patient, Tina, who credited Vicki with being the reason she was still breastfeeding her son nine and a half months after his birth.

Tina met Vicki in the early days after the birth of her child when breastfeeding was proving difficult and not the perfectly natural experience she’d anticipated.

Vicki said she could see by the look in Tina’s eyes that something wasn’t quite right and that as a new Mum she was looking for answers.

Tina said that after a particularly bad night on day three following the birth Vicki had walked in and with genuine understanding said, “Did you cry, because I would have.”

Tina said Vicki made her feel comfortable and normal and provided her with the necessary tools to breast feed. She said she still remembers the reminder notes Vicki would write on the whiteboard in her room.

Vicki considers her role to be one of teaching people to parent.

She said if you can’t nourish your child you feel as though you can’t parent because you are not able to meet their needs.

“I’m pleased to have made a difference to mothering,” she said.

More than 500 people were nominated for the Johnsons baby Midwife of the Year Awards nationally. The prize for taking out the State title was a $500 travel voucher.

MIDWIFE oF THE YEAr

(L–R) New-mum Tina nominated Vicki Hallion for the Midwife of the Year .

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St John of God Health Care Inc ABN 21 930 207 958 ARBN 051 960 911 (Limited Liability) Incorporated in WA.

St John of God Health Care is a leading Catholic health care provider in Australia and New Zealand, operating 13 hospitals, home nursing, pathology and disability services, as well as Social Outreach and Advocacy services reaching out to people experiencing disadvantage. Editorial submissions or mailing list changes for Pomegranate to michelle.vegter@sjog.org.au

www.sjog.org.au

st John of god Health Care was again proud to be the principal sponsor of the prestigious Mandorla Art Award that concluded in August with the announcement of the $25,000 first prize going to artist John paul from Victoria.

The theme artists were invited to explore in 2012 was ‘born of a woman’ from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians 4:4, which tells of God’s intervention to redeem all humankind realised through the extraordinary relationship between God and a woman.

John Paul introduced his winning entry as, born of a woman, nurtured by her, freed by her and finally mourned by her.

The gouache and pastel drawing was set out like a 1950s cartoon where Jesus the alpha male has just roared up on his motorcycle, in this case his donkey. Other influences in his work were Roman sarcophagi and northern Renaissance engravings.

Youth winner 15 year old student Julian Poon’s texta on canvas engaged the viewer in a contemplation of one of the most profound moments in the Christian narrative with Jesus placed in the centre of the canvas, wearing a crown of thorns on the cross and bearing the title ‘King of the Jews’.

St John of God Health Care introduced the $5,000 Youth Award to the Mandorla Art Award in 2010 to support young artists just starting out.

Its intention reflects that of the group’s Social Outreach and Advocacy services that also have a strong focus on building the capacity of young people.

St John of God Health Care’s Public Relations Manager Fiona Clark has assisted Mandorla in developing its public profile.

“By encouraging youth to consider contemporary Christian art as a viable genre, it will ensure the sustainability of the Mandorla by creating a stream of future entrants for the main award,” Fiona said.

Julian was awarded $5,000 and his artwork is now the prized property of St John of God Health Care.

Below: Mandorla Youth Prize winner by Julian Pool, My Beloved Son, now the property of St John of God Health Care.

Below Right: The Mandorla Art Prize winner by John Paul, Palm Sunday.

Support for national art prize FroM BEHInD THE DoCTor’s lEnsAs an emergency doctor Vince russell has seen his fair dose of reality yet he finds viewing and capturing life through a camera lens as the perfect way to unwind from his job in the emergency department at st John of god Ballarat Hospital.

His passion was on display for all of Melbourne to see recently as part of a street photography exhibition entitled Shot in the Heart of Melbourne.

The exhibition’s opening night was attended by 350 people and ran over two weeks.

Vince and the collective of photographers exhibiting were described as those who tread the streets, lanes and public places of Melbourne, searching for the scenes, the citizens and the fleeting, decisive moments that create the graceful ambiance of Melbourne.

Dr Vince Russell’s exhibited photograph, ‘Cooling Down’.

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