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The Pulse WSLHD Newsletter
JANUARY 2014
www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
The official newsletter of Western Sydney Local Health District
Inside this edition
■ Cell therapy improving the odds 4
■ WSLHD welcomes new interns 5
■ Smoking ceremony marks start of new year 6
■ Smoke-free policy now in force at WSLHD 7
■ New equipment for women’s health 9
■ Get Healthy project boosts staff wellbeing 12
■ Farewell to Jillian Gwynne-Lewis after 28 years 16
■ Famous guide dog retires from WSLHD 18
A warm welcome to our A warm welcome to our A warm welcome to our
junior doctorsjunior doctorsjunior doctors
FULL STORY FULL STORY FULL STORY --- Page 5Page 5Page 5
Welcome to 2014!
John Donne, the ancient English poet and writer who was ‘rediscovered’ at the end of the 19th cen-tury, wrote:
No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the conti-nent,
A part of the main.
We can forgive him for writing ‘man’ instead of ‘man and woman’ given that he lived in the 16th and 17th centuries!
Cheers from the CE
JANUARY 2014 page 2
Professor Stephen
Leeder, Board Chair.
Message from the Board Chair His complex life and times are well described in a short biography at poet-ryfoundation.org/bio/john-donne.
Two things to note. First, Donne re-minds us how, as a society and in the case of our LHD, we are all part of a continent – we are not islands. We need to protect and nurture the ecolo-gy of our LHD and this can only be done if we start with an awareness that none of us ‘is an island’. It is rea-sonable to expect to be treated ac-cordingly and to treat others like that also.
Second, our LHD is not an island ei-ther. We belong on the continent of the NSW Ministry of Health. Robust
discussions are underway between our executive and the ministry as to what they expect us to do this year and what support and money they will provide. And of course, NSW is not an island either! What happens federally with Medicare affects us. Our views about proposed changes matter. Because one of the things that NOT being an island means is that each of us has a voice that will be heard. We are not calling out across a vast and empty ocean.
I hope that 2014 will be a year when we hear from you about ways we can improve our service to our communi-ty. I hope also that you feel ‘part of the main.’
2014 is a year of great opportunity for us.
Our strategic plan contains the prior-ities that require our attention and effort this year and beyond. A key goal of our organisation is that we plan for present and future success. No large
and complex business thrives with a “business as usual” approach to its operations. We must recognise and respond to the challenges of the broader environment in which we operate, including for example the use of the national Activity Funding model to determine our budget; the role and outlook for “personalised” medicine; and the expectation by policy makers, funders and consum-ers that we strengthen care path-ways between hospitals, primary care providers and others.
There are many planning and devel-opment projects contained within our strategic plan that are of critical im-portance this year. Just a few these include:
Danny O’Connor, Chief Executive.
The business plan to adjust to the Activity Model of service funding
The plan to complete stage 1 expan-sion of Blacktown Mt Druitt Health Service
The recent commissioning of a mas-terplan for the Westmead Health Pre-cinct, prior to the development of a capital development plan for West-mead Hospital
Planning funds to prepare stage 2 expansion of Blacktown Mt Druitt Health Service
Clinical service planning is also un-derway for Auburn, Cumberland and District Mental Health Services to further im-prove access to ser-vices
Work underway to cre-ate plans for Re-search, Health Scienc-es and Education and Training
A workforce plan to support the people in our organisation adjust to evolving roles.
The diagram below illus-trates how the various planning processes fit
together. The Board and manage-ment are committed to strong consul-tation in these various planning activi-ties. Much of the wisdom and know-how to plan effectively for our future rests with you and our organisational partners. I look forward to updating you on major planning and develop-ment milestones throughout the year.
To view the strategic plan visit:
www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Performance-and-Publications/Performance-and-Publications
Danny O’Connor
Chief Executive
JANUARY 2014 page 3
Carrie Marr: WSLHD passionate about improving health care
now and in the future
Health and Medical Research Minister Jillian Skinner is encouraging medical innovators to apply for grants under the NSW Medical De-vices Fund.
The NSW Government awarded a total of $10.3 million to five outstanding medical technologies in 2013 - the fund’s inaugural year. A further $7.7 million is now available through round two of the fund.
The NSW Government’s investment in medical research is more than $200 million per annum.
Applicants are encouraged to complete Stage One: Online Self-Assessment prior to submitting a preliminary application. The Stage Two prelimi-nary application submissions for the second round of the NSW Medical Devices Fund close at 5:00pm on 4 March 2014.
NSW Medical Devices Fund Applications now open!
An application kit and guidelines are available at health.nsw.gov.au/ohmr/mdf or email at [email protected]
WSLHD welcomes Carrie Marr, who has been appointed to Executive Di-
rector Organisational Effectiveness.
Carrie’s role has been appointed to en-sure that support is in place for the next phase of WSLHD’s quality improve-ment journey.
“It’s vital that we support frontline teams, clinical and non-clinical, in their improvement and safety efforts,” said Ms Marr.
“I’m keen to learn from staff throughout the system about the tools, techniques and support that are most needed.
“I would welcome the opportunity to visit teams who wish to discuss this further.”
Prior to Carrie’s role at Western Sydney Local Health District, Carrie has had a long and varied career in healthcare and a long-term interest and hands on involvement in patient safety and the science of improvement.
Her previous healthcare system was the first site in Scotland, and one of only four in the UK, to be a pilot site for The Health Foundation’s Safer Patient Initiative.
The significant successes of this pro-ject encouraged Carrie to drive forward a pioneering approach to building capa-bility and capacity for clinical quality and patient safety.
Look out for the next edition of The Pulse to learn more about the role of organisational effectiveness.
Any staff member interested in becom-ing involved in improvement and safety, is invited to contact Carrie and her team.
Mobile: 0407 653 141
Email: [email protected].
Twitter: @carriemarr
Carrie Marr is looking forward to working with you!
http://mscu-web10/Research-Network/default.aspx
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
JANUARY 2014 page 4
Professor Stephen
Leeder, Board Chair.
We have recently reviewed our wonderful research activity in the district and I com-mend to you a publication that describes it in gripping and entertaining ways. You can download it at http://wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Education-Network/REN-home
We have also commenced a strategic plan-ning exercise with Jacq Hackett, a consult-ant who will assist our efforts in education and training.
Many of our research staff will, at this mo-
ment, be energetically preparing their appli-
cations to NHMRC for new projects. Re-
search is an amazing amalgam of imagination
(coming up with the research question) and
discipline (doing the hard yards of experimen-
tation). We should not always expect suc-
cess, because that is not how science works.
You need lots of patience and self-strength to
handle disappointments and delays. To all
our research staff we say “We’re on your side!
Press on!”
2014 could be a very exciting year.
Every year more than 1,000 Aus-tralian adults and children un-dergo a bone marrow transplant complicated by a high risk of infection that can result in long stays in hospital, expensive medication and in some cases
loss of life.
Bone marrow transplant patients become immunocompromised for 12 months or longer when their immune system loses its ability to fight infectious diseases and can-cer.
Prof David Gottlieb, from the West-mead Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit and the medical director of the Sydney Cellular Therapies Laboratory, and his team are significantly enhancing the odds against infection and the loss of life with their work in T cell therapies and transplantation.
T cells are grown in the Sydney Cellular Therapies Laboratory (SCTL) at Westmead Hospital and administered to bone marrow pa-tients throughout Australia as part of the trials being coordinated out of Westmead.
Prof Gottlieb said adoptive T cell immunotherapy was designed to rapidly rebuild the patient’s immun-ity to viruses, funguses and any residual cancer cells that remain after the bone marrow transplant.
Cell therapy improving the odds
“We are seeing that patients who get this type of therapy have a much better ability to control opportunistic infections post-transplant,” he said.
“While there may be some evidence of reactivation of latent viruses, the T cells that are infused appear to control those reactivations much better than in patients who don’t have any immunity after transplant.
“Patients who receive this sort of thera-py need less antiviral and antibiotic medications that are toxic and costly, and keep them in hospital for long peri-ods,” Prof Gottlieb said.
“About half as many patients require
antivirals and antibiotics and of those
who need treatment the duration is
more than halved.”
Overall there is a reduction in need to treat viruses such as the herpes-related cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is not only common in this group of patients but poses severe risks.
“If we could replicate these results for the many other viruses that cause problems post-transplant, we could reduce morbidity and ultimate-ly mortality associated with bone marrow transplantation and greatly improve the patient’s quality of life,” Prof Gottlieb said.
Article courtesy of Network News - view the article in full at wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Education-Network/REN-home
Prof Gottlieb and researcher Kenneth Yehson inspect a peripheral blood stem cell harvest prior to transplantation
JANUARY 2014 page 5
SPECIAL FEATURE
Record number of intern doctors in 2014 This month, more than 959 interns started their year-long internship at the State’s public hospi-tals this year, with 117 interns commencing at Western Sydney Local Health District. To mark the occasion, the NSW Premier and Minis-ter for Western Sydney Barry O’Farrell and Health Minister Jillian Skinner welcomed medical graduates at Westmead Hospital. Mr O’Farrell and Mrs Skinner were joined by Parra-matta MP Geoff Lee and Granville MP Tony Issa at Westmead Hospital to greet interns - including in-terns from Auburn Hospital - on their first day of ori-entation. Mr O’Farrell and Mrs Skinner also welcomed interns from Orange Hospital and Coffs Harbour Hospital via teleconference – part of the large contingent of interns starting today in the State’s regional hospi-tals. Mrs Skinner told the interns: “The first day of an in-ternship is a great milestone in the life of every young doctor. I commend each one of you for com-pleting your university studies and wish you well at the start of this challenging new journey.” NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities. As well, NSW provides internships to many gradu-ates from interstate universities and, where possible, international full-fee paying medical graduates. NSW is the only state or territory to offer two-year employment contracts to medical graduates. During their one-year internship, the graduates will complete compulsory terms in the specialties of medicine, surgery and emergency. The interns will rotate through metropolitan, regional or rural hospitals, as well as GP practices.
WSLHD hospitals in which medical graduates
will commence their internship:
Westmead—70
Auburn—10
Blacktown-Mount Druitt—37
Our interns participate in a mock resuscitation session with the NSW Health Minister, The Hon Jillian Skinner.
The NSW Premier, The Hon Barry O’Farrell, with Tony Issa, Member for Granville, Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta and Dr Roslyn Crampton, Director of Medical
Services, Westmead Hospital & Director of Postgraduate Education.
Brian Chaing, Elie Boulos and Xiang Lou are ready for business at Blacktown campus.
GOOD NEWS
JANUARY 2014 page 6
Smoking ceremony marks the start of a New Year
at Mount Druitt Palliative Care
Community Elder Uncle Wes Marne and Aboriginal Elder Uncle Greg Simms visited Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital’s (BMDH) Supportive and Palliative Medicine Department yesterday to hold its first-ever smok-
ing ceremony.
The traditional ceremony was held to cleanse the department and to mark the start of the new year.
“The smoking ritual is an important part of Aboriginal history and culture. It’s a great tradition, and it was lovely for us to be part of this ceremony,” said Trish Dalgleish, Nurse Unit Manager, BMDH Supportive and Palliative Medicine De-partment.
Uncle Wes Marne, a Community Elder who is 91 years of age, performed the smoking ceremony - a service he has offered for more than 60 years.
“Smoking ceremonies have been con-ducted by Aboriginal people for thou-sands of years,” said Uncle Wes.
“The ceremony signifies a new begin-ning, and a cleansing.
“We cleansed Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital’s palliative care department with smoke, which contains cleansing properties that purifies the area.”
Traditionally, smoking ceremonies have been held to baptise children,
welcome people into camps, cele-brate marriages and send people into the next life.
“Whatever happens before a smoking ceremony doesn’t mean a thing,” said Uncle Wes. “It’s a new beginning, a fresh start.”
Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital’s
Supportive and Palliative Medicine
Department is based at the Mount
Druitt campus. It was officially
opened on 1 June 1998. The service
offers specialised, multidisciplinary
holistic care for people with an ad-
vanced, progressive terminal illness.
Uncle Greg and Uncle Wes cleanse the Supportive and Palliative Medicine Department.
GOOD NEWS
JANUARY 2014 page 7
Time to butt out - smoke-free policy now in force
Western Sydney Local Health District’s revised Smoke Free Policy was activat-
ed on 1 January 2014.
WSLHD continues to support completely smoke-free facilities, and smoking is pro-hibited in all public areas, including build-ings in their entirety, exterior grounds, parking garages, vehicles and bus shelters.
As part of its commitment to reduce the harmful effects of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke, the NSW Gov-ernment made changes to the Smoke Free Environment Act of 2000.
Western Sydney Local Health District has now aligned this smoke free policy in line with the NSW legislation.
Breaches of the
new legislation
may result in a fine.
“This policy reinforces WSLHD’s commit-ment to protecting staff, patients and visi-tors from the effects of environmental to-bacco smoke,” said WSLHD Health Pro-motion Manager, Christine Newman.
“It’s also about supporting smokers to make a quit attempt.
“Whilst WSLHD has made a significant effort in reducing the rate of smoking in our community (11.3% among adults) there are pockets such as Blacktown Lo-cal Government Area where the smoking rate remains unacceptably high (25.8%).”
“Smoking rates are also disproportionately higher among some groups such as those with a mental health illness, Aboriginal people and some specific non-English speaking groups such as those from an Arabic speaking background”.
Smoking is not permitted:
Within 4 metres of a pedestrian ac-
cess point to a public building;
Within 10 metres of children’s play
equipment in outdoor public spaces;
Railway platforms, light rail stops,
light rail stations, bus stops, taxi ranks
and ferry wharves;
Spectator areas at sports grounds
or other recreational areas during or-
ganised sporting events;
Swimming pool complexes.
From 2015, the ban on smoking will be extended to include commercial outdoor dining areas.
For more information about the WSLHD Smoke-free policy visit http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/view.aspx
For support with quitting, call the Quit-line on 13 7848, visit www.icanquit.com.au, or download the FREE MyQuitBuddy App to your mobile!
SMOKING:
THE FACTS
In NSW, there are still smok-ing rates higher than the state average in regional, remote and socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Smoking-related illness con-tinues to place a significant burden on the health system and accounts for around 5,200 deaths and 44,000 hospitalisations each year.
Hospitalisations cost the NSW economy around $8 billion each year from condi-tions such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease and heart dis-ease.
Environmental tobacco smoke can be just as harm-ful to your health as smoking itself, particularly for chil-dren.
One out of two long-time smokers will die from their smoking.
GOOD NEWS
JANUARY 2014 page 8
Improving cardiovascular services one beat at a time
This month, The Pulse spoke to Clara Chow, who is working to develop and improve Cardiovascular Services at Westmead Hospital as part of a newly created position. Read on to find out more about Clara and her job!
What is your position title?
I wear three hats! I am the Program Di-rector, Community Based Cardiac Ser-vices, Westmead Hospital. I’m also Head Cardiac Program at The George Institute and Associate Professor at Sydney Medi-cal School, University of Sydney.
What are your key responsibilities in this role at Westmead Hospital?
My overall key responsibility is to develop and improve cardiovascular services that face the community. That is foster ser-vices enabling community based man-agement of cardiovascular conditions, implementation of secondary prevention strategies for heart disease patients and providing leadership in improving heart disease awareness and education in the local community.
What do you hope to achieve in this role? Is this a newly created position?
This is a newly created position and I am excited by an increasing focus on cardiol-ogy’s role in the community as an exten-
sion of our inpatient and current outpa-tient services. I hope to achieve im-proved access to cardiology by the community, better ways of managing our sicker and chronic disease patients in the community and improvement in cardiovascular prevention services with cardiology leadership.
What is your career background?
I’m a Sydney graduate. I did basic med-ical training at Westmead and then car-diology training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. At the end of my training, I finally decided to do a PhD in Interna-tional Public Health at the George Insti-tute. My project was to develop a cardi-ovascular prevention program suitable for low-income settings and was based in India. This started my travels - I then did short stints at the University of Glas-gow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Harvard before a formal postdoc in clinical trials at McMaster University and skilling and accreditation in imaging particular cardi-ac CT. I retuned at the end of 2009 af-ter nearly four years overseas to start my combined role here and at the George Institute.
Any career highlights so far?
A current career highlight is the com-mencement of recruitment for the
TEXTMEDS (TEXT messages to improve MEDical adherence in Sec-ondary Prevention) study which we were awarded an NHMRC grant for to conduct a 1400 patient multi-centre national study. I am very excited by the potential of low-cost technologies to provide preventa-tive solutions and education to large numbers of patients, and the devel-opment of this program of work has thus far been well received.
Best advice received from a men-tor?
To train yourself well in the best places and by leaders in their re-spective fields!
Three sets of twins were born at Westmead Hospital in the lead up to Australia Day. A rare occasion—so we took the opportunity to take a cute pic of them all to-gether. Six precious bun-dles of joy welcomed to the western Sydney communi-ty. Adorable! Happy Australia Day!
Our Australia Day bubs
JANUARY 2014 page 9
GOOD NEWS
New equipment for Women’s Health thanks to Westmead volunteers
Cheeky dares and muffins to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research
Blacktown Community Health Centre set out to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foun-dation following the diagnosis of breast can-cer in a staff member’s family at a special
event last year.
On the proviso that the fundraising event reached $400, Lukas Szymanek, intrepid physio-therapist, promised to wear a pink singlet in a gruelling Tough Mudder Challenge.
Muffins, biscuits and booby cakes were baked and purchased by staff, donations were pledged, ACAT staff made a substantial contribution and staff donated Melbourne Cup winnings all to see Lukas in pink.
The event raised $680 so the team demanded that Lukas also wears pink shorts in the chal-lenge – and he did!
A fantastic sport and wonderful staff community who have come together for a good cause.
Lukas Szymanek supported breast cancer research by wearing a pink singlet and shorts!
Westmead Hospital’s Colposcopy Clinic is much better equipped, with the introduction of a brand new colposcope, thanks to funds raised by Westmead Hospital volunteers.
The team is excited to be the owners of two colposcopes, which run in two separate consulting rooms. The new colposcopes cost $9988.00 and come with the addition of a mon-itor, allowing for better teaching and record keeping.
“With the new equipment, the clinic is more efficient both for continuity of patient care and also for teaching,” said Richard Bellingham, Head of Department – Obstetrics & Gynaecolo-gy.
“The new monitor also makes the examination less embarrassing for the patient.
"Thank you to our Westmead Hospital volun-teers who raised money for the new equipment - thanks to you, local women now have better access to early diagnosis and treatment. I am grateful on their behalf," said Mr Bellingham.
Colposcopic examination is neces-sary for diagnosis and manage-ment of abnormal Pap smears and pre-cancer of the cervix, vagina & vulva.
Westmead has a specialist Gy-naecological Cancer service, with which the Colposcopy Clin-ic coordinates management when necessary.
Richard Bellingham, Head of Department—Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Dr Tina Su,
Medical Officer, are both very excited to use the new colposcope!
JANUARY 2013 page 10
GOOD NEWS
Looking back to look forward:
Leader’s Forum and THMC’s 20 year celebration
On 25 November, the Transcultural Mental Health
Centre (TMHC) was invited to partner with the NSW Mental Health Commission of NSW to host a Lead-er’s Forum to discuss perspectives and priorities of mental health for culturally and linguistically di-verse (CALD) communities in NSW.
The Forum aimed to expand the knowledge and under-standing of the mental health needs of CALD communi-ties, as well as identify gaps and opportunities to im-prove access to mental health services. The discus-sions provided at the Forum will help inform the draft Strategic Plan for Mental Health in NSW.
“Demand and complexities in multicultural mental health are increasing. The insights identified from this diverse group of leaders during today’s forum will help guide the direction of mental health across our ever-growing communities,” said Ms Cassaniti, Manager of the Transcultural Mental Health Centre.
Following the Leader’s Forum, a special event was held to celebrate the valuable work the TMHC has provided for CALD communities over the last 20 years in the ar-ea of specialist clinical service delivery, prevention and early intervention and culturally responsive service de-velopment and planning. It highlighted the importance of this service in addressing the future challenges of supporting CALD communities.
The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Kevin Humphries was in attendance, stating, “With more than 250 countries of birth now represented across NSW, the TMHC has been able to connect with communities, families and consum-ers, working with premise that the experience of diversity is at the heart of the Australian story”.
The event, ‘Looking back to look forward’ recognised the contributions and achievements of the TMHC and its staff, past and present, and acknowledged the key contribution of the WS LHD in its stewardship of this unique state-wide service.
The Transcultural Mental Health Centre (THMC) team partnered with the NSW Mental Health Commission of NSW to host a Leader’s Forum.
(L—R) Commissioner John Fenley, Mental Health Commission of NSW, Hon Kevin
Humphries, Minister for Mental Health, Maria Cassaniti, Manager, Transcultural
Mental Health Centre, Lily Wu, Consumer Advisor, Transcultural Mental Health
Centre and Prof Derrick Silove.
GOOD NEWS
Manufacturing the building blocks of life Not all departments in Pathology West are used for diagnostics and research. There is another ele-ment of pathology that is not well known – human cell manufactur-
ing.
The Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Laboratory is one of three specialised units in the Sydney Cel-lular Therapies Laboratory located in the ICPMR, Westmead Hospital. Its purpose is to receive, process, ma-nipulate, freeze, store and transport human stem cells from either bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood to help save patients’ lives.
A stem cell is the basic structural and biological unit of all living organ-isms. They are the smallest unit of living matter and are often referred to as ‘the building blocks of life.’
Cell processing and manufacturing in the BMT laboratory is most com-monly used to treat children and adults with leukaemia, non-haematological disorders and brain tumours. The BMT Laboratory pro-vides a full-time service for West-mead Hospital, The Children’s Hos-pital at Westmead, Nepean Hospital and Wollongong Hospital.
Scientific Director of the BMT labor-atory Vicki Antonenas said, “The lab does over 55 per cent of all BMT cell processing procedures performed in NSW making it the largest and busi-est stem cell processing lab in the state.”
Vicki explained that a doctor will re-move bone marrow stem cells from an unwell patient when the disease is low and take the cells to the BMT lab. Scientists will process the cells for freezing and store them in minus 170 degrees Celsius conditions from weeks to up to 12 years.
“Freezing the cells helps preserve
them and keeps them functional and viable for when the patient needs them for their transplant. We can freeze cells for over a decade, which is a common practice for children who have an illness like leukaemia and may need the healthy cells if the disease returns later in life.”
“Whilst the cells are freezing, the patient is given chemotherapy to eradicate all abnormal cancer cells. Once the treatment is finished, clini-cians put the healthy cells back into the patient. This ultimately gives the patient the opportunity to take on a new healthy immune system.”
Vicki has worked in the laboratory for over 15 years and is thankful for the continued support and funding from the NSW Ministry of Health as running a BMT Laboratory is expen-sive. “We have come a long way since we started many years ago in
ICPMR, and we have grown with new technology and procedures in providing what is best treatment for BMT patients.”
JANUARY 2014 page 11
Left to right: Kenneth Yehson, Fran Garvin, Vicki Antonenas and Gurdip Hansra.
Pathology West is geographically the largest public pathology provid-er in NSW, covering approximately 70 percent of NSW and six Local Health Districts. Its largest laborato-ry is located at Westmead Hospital and houses over 400 staff.
Pathology West – ICPMR West-mead offers a range of pathology services to the WSLHD, however the organisation is more than just a pathology service. The laboratory at Westmead specialises in clinical healthcare, public health services, medical research and is a teaching facility for our next generation of pathologists, hospital scientists and technical officers.
GOOD NEWS
Get Healthy project boosts staff wellbeing
JANUARY 2014 page 12
Last year a Get Healthy project was launched with the support of Jo Fuller, Community Health Group Manager, which aimed to increase the physical, mental and social wellbeing of Group 2 (Blacktown, Doonside and Hills) Community Health staff mem-bers.
“Implementing a comprehensive workplace health and physical activity program can mean happier, healthier and more productive employees,”
“The workplace is an important part of many people’s lives. Most of our staff members spend a large percent-age of their time at work, therefore the way they feel at work can affect their overall health and wellbeing.”
As part of the project, which ran from August to Novem-ber 2013, staff members were encouraged to participate in a walking challenge through the 10,000 Steps pro-gram or 30 minutes physical activities every day.
Staff were also encouraged to limit their intake of un-healthy food, and group events such as fun runs/bi-weekly walks, healthy lunches and bushwalking days were held.
They were also encouraged to join the NSW Health “Get
Healthy Information & Coaching service”.
The project was a great success, with more than 90 staff registering an interest in either receiving information, tak-ing part in the challenges or self-monitoring using pedom-eters issued.
Approximately 20 participated in a challenge competitive-ly. Winners and participants of monthly challenges were treated to prizes, including Healthy Food Fast cookbooks, Get Healthy mouse pads and tape measures.
Congratulations to the staff members who got involved in the Get Healthy program - we hope your new-found tips and lifestyle changes will bring long term benefits!
More information: Contact the Get Healthy Information &
Coaching Service, contact Mohamed Keynan on 9881 8746 or
GOOD NEWS
Healthshare NSW app available for download
Hainsworth Family Room formally opened
On Tuesday 10 December, Dr Senthil Muthuswamy, Director of Mental Health Services, for-mally opened the Hainsworth Family Room, thanking Mr Ian Robertson (Lions Club, Parra-matta) for their generous contri-bution to set up a family friendly room in an acute Mental Health
Unit.
Hainsworth nursing staff, in part-nership with the COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) service, recognised the need for an area to be set aside for children and visitors to feel comfortable and safe when visiting their family member in the hospital.
The Family Room initiative sup-ports local efforts to improve
Big year for expansion project!
‘family focused’ mental health care for clients who are parents in the inpatient adult MH setting.
Hainsworth nursing staff applied for and were successful in obtaining a grant from Lions Club, Parramatta, to assist with establishing the room. The funding assisted with purchas-ing child/family friendly furniture, toys, and books.
The wall mural was generously donated by a staff member’s mother.
It is hoped the Family room will
provide an area in which parents,
children and families are able to
visit and spend quality time togeth-
er in a safe, therapeutic environ-
ment.
JANUARY 2014 page 13
The NSW public health system is the biggest public health system in Australia with more than 130,000 dedicated staff that make up the health work-force.
Many of our staff work varied hours, with many working outside core business hours. Recognis-ing this, HealthShare NSW Ser-vice Centres have created a Smartphone App for the following HealthShare NSW Business Lines:
- Recruitment and Employee Transactional Services (RETS)
- Financial Services
- Procurement and Logistics Ser-vices.
KEY FEATURES
- Find out who to contact for what on our contacts page
- Keep informed with the latest up-dates
- Learn more with our pay query guide
- Ask us – with our pay query portal
The App is simple to use and best of all is available 24/7!
IS THE APP FREE?
Yes, the App is com-pletely free.
WHICH SMARTPHONE IS THE APP AVAILA-BLE ON?
The App is now avail-able for iPhone and Android.
HOW DO I GET IT?
Simply search “HealthShare NSW” in your iPhone or Android!
Dr Senthil Muthuswamy, Director of Mental Health
Services, thanks Mr Ian Robertson from the Lions Club, Parramatta.
What an action-packed year for the BMDH Expansion Project! To view a ‘yearbook special’ featuring highlights and achievements in 2013, visit http://www.bmdhproject.health.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_BMDH_Highlights.pdf - enjoy!
GOOD NEWS
WSLHD staff improving patient journeys
Western Sydney Local Health Dis-trict (WSLHD) Drug Health and Chronic Disease Management Pro-gram staff recently graduated in Diploma of Project Management aimed at improving clinical pro-cesses and deliver better patient
journeys.
The Hon Jillian Skinner, Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Re-search presented the six staff from WSLHD with the Agency for Clinical Innovation’s (ACI’s) Centre for Healthcare Redesign (CHR) Diplomas.
The teams awarded include the Physi-cal Health of Mental Health Consum-ers with or at risk of Developing Meta-bolic Syndrome team consisting of Joanne Medlin and Dimitra Kaldelis and the OPOID Treatment Services Enhancement team consisting of Nghi Phung, Glenn Hughes, Pip Bowden and Simone Angus.
Dr Kim Hill, Executive Medical Direc-tor, WSLHD congratulated all staff for their innovation, development of new model of care and outcomes.
“People with severe mental illness die
on average 20 years younger than the general population, often from avoidable physical illness. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of the most dangerous heart attack risk factors including diabetes, abdominal obesi-ty, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
“The project undertaken by Joanne Medlin and Dimitra Kaldelis, NSW Chronic Disease Management Pro-gram: Connecting Care in the Com-munity, WSLHD aimed to improve the physical health of mental health consumers with chronic disease risk factors that can lead to metabolic syndrome.
“The Drug Health Team WSLHD con-sists of Nghi Phung, Glenn Hughes, Pip Bowden and Simone Angus who changed their processes and en-hanced their data collection for the OPIOD treatment enhancement pro-ject.
“I would like to congratulate the mem-bers of the Drug Health Service Ex-ecutive for their project aimed to en-hance opioid treatment services in Western Sydney Local Health District
to improve treatment access. The knowledge they gained from this course will be applicable to other projects in Drug Health Service,” said Dr Hill.
JANUARY 2014 page 14
The NSW Health Minister, The Hon Jillian Skinner (third from left), presented Jo Medlin, Simone Angus, Glenn Hughes, Nghi Phung, Pip Bowden and Dimitra Kaldelis with their diplomas. Congratulations all!
What is the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation?
• The ACI is the lead agency in NSW Health for promoting innovation, engag-ing clinicians and designing and imple-menting new modes of patient care.
• The ACI Centre for Health Redesign
Diploma Program provides training in
project management, clinical redesign
and change management for clinicians
and non-clinical staff.
• WSLHD can provide you with assis-
tance in identifying the right program for
you.
More info: Carla Edwards, A/Director
Executive Medical Services—WSLHD
and Program Manager for Innovation &
Redesign on 0427 954 707 or
STAFF RECOGNITION
Shining the spotlight on staff
JANUARY 2014 page 15
Trevor Bates: The “broker” who links people to the support they need
Trevor Bates, a “jack of all trades”, is the Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the Mount Druitt campus of Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital, who acts as a “broker”, linking the Aboriginal pa-tients to the support and services they
need.
A Barkindji man, Trevor comes from Bourke in western NSW. He has worked at the NSW Corrections Service and the Queensland Aboriginal Legal Service. He also has experience working on the facto-ry floor and hard graft as labourer.
Trevor knew the Mount Druitt area well from past experience and was well aware of the challenges ahead in working with a population which is heavily dependent on government support.
“At Mount Druitt, my daily routine starts at 8am with a printout which lists any Abo-riginal inpatients.
“Several times during the day I will also identify clients who may have come through Emergency during the day.
“When they are inpatients, I visit twice a day to check on progress and see what I can do to assist,” said Mr Bates.
On average, Trevor sees around 40 –patients per month. A lot of the work is with the parents he meets in the Chil-dren’s Ward.
“I find that too often, par-ents have become disem-powered. They live on wel-fare, which can lead them to think that others are re-sponsible for what hap-pens,” said Trevor.
This is an opportunity to point out that these people can take control, that there are services in the community to help and
I encourage them to access that sup-port.”
Trevor believes that Aboriginal people are just like others in the community, they are a diverse group.
“Some are spiritual, some want cars and houses.
Traditional ways have been “shattered” by past and present welfare policies. Many people are no longer “doing their bit”.
Today there is a lot of opportunity but many don’t grab it.
Explaining this to our patients can be difficult, but it’s my job to help both pa-tient and health professional under-stand how this affects their health.
“You have to manage expectations from dif-ferent points of view and this might be the biggest challenge of all.”
Good luck Trevor, we know you’ll do a great job!
Ready for a challenge: Trevor Bates is the new Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Mount Druitt Campus.
STAFF RECOGNITION
Shining the spotlight on staff
JANUARY 2014 page 16
Farewell to Westmead Hospital’s first-ever Patient Repre-
sentative, Jillian Gwynne-Lewis
Farewell to Jillian Gwynne-Lewis, who resigned from Westmead Hospital last month, after 28 years of extraordinary achieve-
ments.
Jillian commenced her employment in 1985 at Westmead Hospital, un-der the leadership of Professor Robert Batey in the Drug and Alco-hol (D & A) Unit Clinic E. There, she worked as an RN/ D&A Coun-sellor both in the wards and unit, counselling and managing the with-drawal regimes for D&A patients.
In 1989, she was appointed as the first Patient Representative at West-mead Hospital and the second in Australia. She worked in this role for the past 24 and a half years.
During her time at Westmead Hos-pital, Jillian achieved a fair bit – in-cluding:
Jillian founded the Confidential Review Committee (CRC) to ex-amine and make recommenda-tions on system improvements for complex complaints that crossed disciplines and specialists. This committee ran for approximately 12 years.
In 1992 Jillian was awarded a Westmead Hospital grant to un-dertake a study tour to North America and Canada. This study tour examined the role and func-tions of the Patient Representa-tives in these countries.
Jillian chaired the committee that planned and hosted the 2004 Na-tional Patient Representatives Conference. The committee, which started without any funds, made a large profit, all of which was shared with the Starlight Foundation.
Dr Andrew Baker, DPET, Post
Graduate Medical Education & Sen-ior Medical Advisor, Clinical Govern-ance Unit, who worked closely with Jillian, said that she was an “institution” at Westmead Hospital, at her farewell morning tea last year.
“As I reflect on Jillian’s con-
tribution over a quarter of a
century – I recall the open
disclosure meetings that
we’ve been in together and I
know that you have a poten-
tial to really help patients –
help them to understanding,
to acceptance, to for-
giveness, perhaps closure.”
- Dr Andrew Baker, DPET, Post
Graduate Medical Education &
Senior Medical Advisor, Clini-
cal Governance Unit
“It doesn’t always go right but when it
does its tremendously rewarding,
because the benefit to patients is
tangible.
“Now when you think of all the patient
interactions Jillian’s had over the
years you can only be impressed by
the inordinate amount of good she
has done over this time,” he said.
Jillian said that she will miss being a member of a number of committees and working with great staff from every discipline.
“I’ll miss the stimulating challenge of the Human and Ethics and Research Committee, chaired by Professor Stephen Leeder,” said Ms Gwynne-Lewis.
“I will also miss working with wonderful staff to assist patients, their families and friends to navigate a complex and some-times daunting healthcare system.”
“So, Gillian – I don’t know what the next chapter of your life brings – I don’t know if you know – but we wish you all the best with that. Whatever it is – knowing you, I sure life will never be dull,” said Dr Baker.
Jillian was a true champion for Westmead Hospital. She will be missed!
Jillian was surrounded by many friends at her
farewell party!
GOOD NEWS
Christmas wrap-up
Thanking our wonderful volunteers
Christmas decorations make the ‘Christmastown Post’
The Pulse received a sweet interview with Leanne Calthorpe, Manager—BMDH Health Information & Record Service and the “Christmastown Post” about their team’s Christmas decorations. We couldn’t resist but to share it with our readers...
So, tell me, as the 2012 winners of the Christmas decorating competi-tion at BMDH with “Santa’s lollie shoppe”, what was the inspiration
for your 2013 theme?
The Tim Burton movie “The Night-mare Before Christmas”. It fit with all the flurry surrounding Christmas preparations, you know the “Christmas is such a nightmare with all the things to be done”. We also wanted to be original. White Christ-mas, 12 days of Christmas, Santa’s sleigh, etc—it’s all be done before. We wanted something fun to make people go “wow”.
I understand that your decorations were made by staff and family
members?
Yes that is correct. We used tissue boxes, old clothes, cardboard, boxes, pipe, and as a tribute to those people who lost their houses in the Blue Mountains Fire we used burnt branches and made a forest with them. Staff and family worked on the decorations for the best part of six months prior to Christmas. Staff would stay back after work to work on projects that were too large to transport between home and work.
And the final product?
Eye popping! We had the main char-acters from the movie – Jack, Sally, Zero the ghostdog who pulls the sleigh, Oogie Boogie and those cheeky kids – Lock, Shock and Bar-rel! All the staff wore black with masks to look like Jack Skellington the main character from the movie. The judging was conducted on Friday 13
th December, which seemed like a
good omen to us, but it was not to be. We were beaten by two departments whose themes shared a similarity to our winning 2012 theme.
Could you share some photos
with the readers?
Leanne: Of course.
J Skellington, Interviewer for the
Christmastown Post.
JANUARY 2014 page 17
Christmas parties were held for our hard-working vol-unteers across WSLHD facilities last year.
The events were held to express our appreciation for the work of our volunteers throughout 2014.
Your contribution to our services is greatly appreciated.
The volunteers had a break over the festive season and they’re now back on board—welcome back!
Mount Druitt auxiliary gift shop and courtesy
desk volunteers. Auburn Hospital volunteers. Mount Druitt kiosk volunteers.
JANUARY 2014 page 18
GOOD NEWS
Famous guide dog Odie is set for retirement
Westmead Hospital nurse wins John Sheard Memorial Award
Congratulations to Kate Goldsworthy, from the Neuro/Trauma High Dependency Unit, who was
awarded the annual John Sheard Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence last month.
Kate was awarded the perpetual trophy at an afternoon tea on Wednesday 18 December.
The Neurosciences Unit and Neuro/Trauma High Depend-ency Unit award the John Sheard Memorial Award for
Clinical Excellence each year in recognition of outstand-ing clinical skills of nursing staff.
The recipient is selected by the senior nursing staff, NUMs, Nurse Educator, CNC and Clinical Nurse Educators
following the selection criteria of advanced clinical skills, role model, patient advocacy, professional development
and resource person in the specialty of neurosciences.
“Kate commenced working in the Neuro/Trauma High
Dependency Unit in 2011 following her new graduate program. Kate completed the Graduate Certificate Neuro-
sciences in 2013 and is an exceptional team leader and
admired for her clinical skills in the specialty,” said Diane
Lear, Clinical Nurse Consultant Neuroscience.
“John Sheard was the CNC neurosciences from 1989 until his untimely death in 1999 and was extremely well loved
and respected by all at Westmead,” said Ms Lear.
Farewell, Odie! After six long years of service in health ser-vices, it’s time for us to bid him a
happy and healthy retirement.
Otis (more affectionately known as Odie) partnered up with Kate Mur-doch, Disability Employment Con-sultant, as her trusty guide dog in 2005. Together they began their journey within the Health Sector at Nepean Hospital in 2007, and for the last three years have been work-ing within the Human Resources Department at Cumberland Hospital.
Otis and Kate have worked together side by side for 8.5 years, with Otis going almost everywhere Kate goes.
He has also taken up the challenge of travelling to and around WSLHD facilities, and has done it all with grace and dignity - for the most part!
“Odie took it upon himself to keep the office fit and slim by hassling us
for fetch and tug-of-war games, then artfully stealing our lunches,” said Ms Murdoch.
“His bold personality, consistent need for a belly rub and food, and the snores during meetings will be sorely missed!”
In the past, Odie has helped promote WSLHD’s celebration of International Day of People with a Disability events. He has made some exciting TV appearances, and he has also had his ears tickled by his number one hero, Dr Harry Cooper.
Odie’s last day in the office was Thursday 16 January 2014.
“Odie, being my first guide dog, changed my life. He is my best friend and I am sad to lose him as my part-ner in crime. But he is ready to retire and very much deserves this well-earned break.”
“I think he’ll enjoy his retired life very
much, and will definitely give a help-
ing paw in teaching his sneaky tricks
to my new guide dog.”
Congratulations to Kate (centre) who has won this year’s John Sheard Memorial Award!
Kate walks with her best mate, Odie.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks a bunch
Date for your diary
Got news worth sharing in The Pulse? The WSLHD Media Unit wants to hear from you!
You don’t have to write the story - we can do this for you.
Email your news to [email protected] or phone 9845 8258.
Note: Publication is at the discretion of the Editor and Chief Executive. Items may be edited for length, style and quality.
Westmead Oscars
Thursday 10 April, 1pm
Westmead Hospital, John
Loewenthal Auditorium
Departments across Westmead Hospital will present a five minute video showcasing their department’s wit and talent.
The most outrageous and funny video will win your department an educational grant!
Don’t miss this exciting event!
Blacktown Hospital—
Connecting Care Manager
Thank you for sending out all the brochures regarding your programs.
I particularly wish to express my ap-preciation to the manner in which your Registered Nurse conducted her interview with me and the care, kindness and consideration she gave to my wife and myself. She was very helpful in explaining all the benefits we can gain from your or-ganisation. She also gave us some hope that we are not on our own in the future when the time comes, which will be soon.
Thank you so much for everything.
K Vaughan
Blacktown Hospital
I write with recommendation, admi-ration and satisfaction with the NSW Ambulance Service and Blacktown Hospital. On Saturday evening my partner John fainted and fell down
on concrete, hitting his head and grazing his back.
I must commend Blacktown Acci-dent & Emergency as a shining ex-ample of NSW excellent healthcare system. We are always hearing of how bad our hospitals are but we were extremely impressed with both the speed and quality of John’s treatment.
We had a wonderful intern Dr Sarah Vaughan who, after looking over the results decided that John had a par-ticularly low blood pressure and was mildly dehydrated. As such, John spent the next two hours on a drip to bring his fluids up and within three hours we were back home. My fami-ly are in awe of how kindly, thor-oughly and professionally treated John was.
Well done to the NSW Ambulance Service, Blacktown Hospital and all the wonderful health care profes-sionals that came to our aid in a hor-rible situation.
Thank you so much, Nicola Noakes.
Community Health—Group 1 Au-
burn, Holroyd and Parramatta
Dear Nurses,
It has been six months since Frank passed away but it still seems like yesterday.
Emotions, technical know-how and time have slowed down the process of making this card.
It was however something I wanted to complete once started and we wanted you to know your thoughtful-ness was appreciated.
Rosalind
