To submit a news story for publication in SWSLHD District News contact the Media Unit on 9828 6848 or email swsmedia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

It’s almost time to give your feedback on what it’s like to work in South Western Sydney Local Health District, by completing the 2015 YourSay Workplace survey.The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed through the YourSay button on the intranet from 30 March through to 24 April 2015.Survey results are strictly confidential and will help the District develop local action plans to build on our strengths and to address areas for improvement.SWSLHD Chief Executive Amanda Larkin said previous action plans have concentrated on areas like staff engagement and culture, addressing unacceptable behaviour, improving senior management communication and increasing participation in the YourSay survey.“We would like to see if the measures we have put in place have resulted in an improvement in your working environment. I strongly encourage all staff to participate in the survey and have YourSay,” Ms Larkin said.

Meet the graduatesWelcome to the cohort of 144 graduate registered nurses and midwives, who have begun their career at a SWSLHD Hospital this year.Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital has welcomed 36 new graduate nurses and midwives, while 32 began at Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, 47 at Liverpool, 7 at Fairfield, 6 at Bowral, 15 in Mental Health and 1 in Community Health. Welcome to SWSLHD!

Almost time to have YourSayMarch2015

SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

I would like to congratulate staff at Bankstown Hospital who recently achieved full accreditation following a review by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. The survey team was impressed with the teamwork demonstrated in achieving the quality goals. Surveyors congratulated the Hospital on its work rolling out the Medication Management Plan which was

implemented across the facility. The District continues to engage staff and the community through social media. A SWSLHD LinkedIn company page was recently developed to help professionals working across the District and beyond to stay up-to-date with District news and encourage professional networking. Visit LinkedIn and search South Western Sydney Local Health District.Camden Hospital has also recently launched a facebook page which is gaining many likes from the Camden community who are passionate about their local hospital: www.facebook.com/CamdenHospitalNSW.I would like to thank all those involved in the recent Camden and Campbelltown community consultation on the establishment of a Macarthur Cancer Wellness Centre. The evening was a

great success and staff were able to hear important feedback from the community about the new centre. Staff were overwhelmed by community support for the project, with many people offering their time and assistance to make the project a reality.I was delighted to hear that Campbelltown Hospital will be holding a community open day on 25 March. Open days are a great way for hospital staff to engage with the local community about the services hospitals provide and also an opportunity to give some healthy living advice.Finally, we are very much looking forward to the official opening of Campbelltown Hospital’s Acute Services Building. The first patient from the surgical ward recently moved into the new building and I would like to congratulate all staff involved in the smooth transfer of services.

2 | South Western Sydney Local Health District

March 2015

Message from the Chair

Video keeping mums smiling

NSW Minister for Health Jillian Skinner visited Campbelltown Hospital to announce the roll out of new electric beds at Hospitals in SWSLHD.The new push-button electric beds will replace older beds which need to be moved up and down manually.The beds , which are a $1.9 million investment, will be provided to Campbelltown Hospital (192), Bankstown Hospital (143), Camden Hospital (5), Fairfield Hospital (19) and Liverpool Hospital (284).Minister Skinner said patients and staff could easily adjust the height and angle of the beds, improving patient comfort and wellbeing, and helping staff to provide high-quality care.

Prof. Phil Harris, Chair

Danielle Guyder who appears in the video and Dr Ajesh George at the DVD launch.

The Centre for Applied Nursing Research, UWS in collaboration with District Oral Health Services have launched a new video, providing practical advice on maintaining good dental health during pregnancy. Keep Smiling While You are Pregnant was funded by a grant of almost $33,000 from NSW Kids and Families and is an initiative of the District’s Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Dental Service. Dr Ajesh George said hormonal changes, morning sickness and food cravings in pregnant women made them particularly susceptible to poor oral health. “Poor oral health in pregnant women can increase the risk of early dental decay in infants and may contribute to lower birth weight and even premature births.“Women who have untreated dental decay can nearly double the chance that their children will have early dental decay after birth,” Dr George said.The ten minute video is available at http://youtu.be/H5R24RjZiPE

Patient Mervyn Buckley, Minister Skinner, Local MP Brian Doyle, Assistant Minister for Health Jai Rowell and Respiratory Ward CNE Sharon West.

Electric beds a boon

3 | South Western Sydney Local Health District

March 2015

A pilot program is helping people in south western Sydney receive non-urgent oral health treatment earlier.The program will see SWSLHD patients treated at the Nepean Centre for Oral Health in a bid to reduce demand on south western Sydney services and ensure patients aren’t waiting too long for general dental treatments. Fifty patients will be identified to take part, being offered the opportunity to receive their treatment at Nepean.

Dental partnership

Assistant Minister for Health Jai Rowell and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres launched the program at the Nepean Centre for Oral Health.

Georgina Lunt has come full circle. After she was born at Bowral & District Hospital eighteen years ago, Georgina is now the recipients of a Centenary Scholarship, helping her to study a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at UWS. Ms Lunt said her family had a long and strong association with Bowral & District Hospital.“I was born there, as were my two brothers, my father and my aunties,” she said.“My aunty also received the Bowral & District Hospital Centenary Scholarship in 1989 and continues to practise occupational therapy for NSW Health and my mother works for the Local Health District as a community nurse for Bowral,” she said.Ms Lunt is one of two students awarded a four year scholarship worth $1,000 a year.

Wayfinding made easy

Finding your way around one of the biggest hospitals in NSW can be daunting, but thanks to the installation of seven new wayfinding devices, Liverpool Hospital is helping patients and visitors get to their destination more easily.The new digital touch-screen kiosks are located strategically around the Hospital’s entrances and lifts. As well as English, the digital signage is available in Arabic, Hindi, and Vietnamese.

Breast cancer support Campbelltown Hospital is now home to two of the most advanced breast cancer surgery tools in the state, thanks to funds raised by the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur.Two wireless Neoprobe Node Systems have been purchased to find the spread of breast cancer into the lymph nodes during surgery on breast cancer patients.“The probes in the machine are equipped with a narrower detection field, which means surgeons can make smaller incisions to remove the lymph nodes and allow patients a more comfortable recovery with less swelling,” Campbelltown Hospital Acting General Manager Chris Leahy said. “We are extremely grateful to the Macarthur community for continuing to raise funds through the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer to help us purchase equipment like this,” he said.

Scholarship success

Centenary Scholarship recipients Samuel Kasjan and Georgina Lunt are both starting health-related university degrees this year.

Chris Leahy with 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur Chairman Fred Borg, Peri-Op NUM Louise Scott and Dr Andrew Ong.

Liverpool Hospital General Manager Robynne Cooke (centre) with community participation members Judy North and Brian Rope.

New Acute Services Building open for all to see

4 | South Western Sydney Local Health District

March 2015

In 2005 a group of mothers from south western Sydney formed the Miracle Babies Foundation, with a vision to support families of premature and sick newborns and give back to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units that had cared for their babies. Ten years later, the Foundation is Australia’s leading not for profit group supporting premature and sick newborns, their families

and the hospitals that care for them. To celebrate the milestone, staff, families, volunteers and supporters gathered at Liverpool Hospital recently. Guests heard speeches from Miracle Babies Foundation Chairman, Morris Iemma, Liverpool City Mayor, The Hon Ned Mannoun, Miracle Babies Founder Melinda Cruz and Liverpool Hospital GM, Robyn Cooke.

Qui

ck n

ews

Healthy help

Printed on 100% recycled paper

A newly translated healthy food guide flyer is helping non-English speaking residents to better understand nutrition.SWSLHD Health Promotion Director Mandy Williams said the flyers, adapted from the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, have been translated in 11 languages.“The Australian Dietary Guidelines acknowledge Australia’s multicultural population by including foods commonly used in other cultures, however they aren’t translated in different languages.“Our new translated flyers are an ideal way to help people understand the type and quantities of food for a balanced diet,” she said.The flyers are available at www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au

Wellness Centre ForumThe Macarthur community had its say on the proposed new Macarthur Cancer Wellness Centre, designed to help support local cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones.A Community Information Forum was recently held to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the centre proposed for Menangle Road, Camden. For more information visit: www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/cancer/

CVP surveyStaff have the opportunity to share their views in the HealthShare NSW and eHealth NSW Customer Value Proposition Survey 2015.This is a chance for staff to give honest feedback on HealthShare NSW and eHealth NSW services and how they can better help us. The 20 minute survey is available at: http://pwc.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3xt4slUUR6QL93v

Volunteers neededThe SWSLHD Palliative Care Volunteer Service is seeking volunteers to provide practical and emotional support to patients, carers and families through end of life care. People who speak a language other than English (in particular Vietnamese, Arabic and Spanish) are encouraged to volunteer. An information session will be held on 13 March and training will begin on 24 March. For details call 8738 9755 .

On Wednesday 25 March, Campbelltown Hospital will open the doors to its new Acute Services Building for a Community Open Day.The Day will feature interactive health information stalls, entertainment, a petting zoo and a barbecue.Activities will run between 10am and 2pm. For more information on Campbelltown Hospital’s $134 million redevelopment visit www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/ccq/redevelopment

Miracle milestone

Campbelltown Hospital’s new Acute Services Building will soon be open to the public.