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Message from the Chief Executive Mr Stephen Rodwell has taken up the appointment of Acting Chief Executive for Far West
LHD. He comes to the Far West from Mid North Coast LHD, where he has been the Executive Director Nursing, Midwifery and Workforce since March 2011. Mr Rodwell commenced his career as a student nurse at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney in 1980.
FWIF sat down with Mr Rodwell and discussed his role and vision for the LHD:
I have come out for an interim period to be CE while the Board looks to recruit to a permanent person in the position, following the departure of former CE Stuart Riley.
My initial impressions after spending 8 days in the job, is the commitment of the staff and friendliness of the staff. I think that can be seen in a couple of ways.
It’s been evident in everyone I have met so far, and I’ve been everywhere with exception of Tibooburra and White Cliffs. Hopefully when people read this I will have been at all the sites, and had a chance to meet as many of the staff as possible.
The staff have been welcoming, and they’ve really impressed me with their commitment to looking after patients and clients and the people of their community. That can be seen in a number of ways. It’s in evidence for all to see in the quality boards that are on display in each of the facilities and wards (see article inside) and also being in the KPIs, particularly the quality indicators and the LHD’s performance in achieving benchmark and top performance with those KPIs.
Staff may ask what do you bring to the LHD and whether that may be any changes or innovations from your current role in Mid North Coast LHD?
It’s probably too early to talk about changes. What I’d like to do is spend more time seeing the good work that’s already going on in the LHD, and that’s been evident to me as I’ve said over the last 8 day period and with the chance to meet staff.
What do I bring to the position? I have a history as a Registered Nurse and have been working in health management for the last 20 years in various positions. My belief then is in building a strong workforce. I’m committed to empowering our workforce so they can deliver appropriate care to the community in which we work. We can do that through a number of ways. The best way of course is to have the responsibility for growth in the community and increasing the social capital of the community, by employing local people wherever possible. When that’s not possible, then look at partnerships with others, that’s universities, whether the UDRH, or schools and TAFE, to build that capacity so that we can grow our own people into health care professions. That’s particularly important then for people who identify as being Aboriginal and live in our communities.
Has anything struck you as particularly unique or surprising in your short time so far with us?
I suppose when you look at a map and see how big the LHD is, it shouldn’t be a surprise when you are in the car for three hours to get from one facility to another. I think probably the vastness, the distances, and then the importance to those remote communities of the health facilities that we provide, and the role we provide in those communities, is vitally important.
I’d welcome the opportunity to meet with staff. When we are conducting our normal business on a day to day basis, I’ll stop and have a chat and look forward to staff having a conversation with me.
It’s the role to recognise the good work that staff is doing, and support staff to continue to do that good work and to be leaders within our community, not only within health care but in the important role that we play in being a major employer throughout the Far West of NSW.
The first major event Mr Rodwell will be attending is the FWLHD’s Innovation Health Awards on Friday, 4 August. “I am looking forward to another opportunity to meet with staff and to celebrate the work they do”.
Mr Stephen Rodwell
The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
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Menindee Health Service combined their Live Your Best Life public launch with a community film night for the kids where the new popcorn machine was a huge hit!
The Live Your Best Life Menindee-branded banner was unveiled by Health Council Chair Pat Pascoe and HSM Barbara Turner.
The Menindee Health Council also took the opportunity to target community members with a survey about health services in their town and projects they can champion.
Everyone enjoyed the free meal and the kids loved the movie (and free
popcorn!).
The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Menindee Health Council Chair, Pat Pascoe, HSM Barbara Turner and Health Council Member Jack
Hanford, cut the Live Your Best Life cake!
Dimity Kelly (Aboriginal Health Practitioner) and Deena Bates (Administration Assistant) man the popular popcorn stand at the launch!
Menindee Live Your Best Life launch
Menindee Health Council Chair, Pat Pascoe and HSM Barbara Turner
unveile the Menindee Live Your Best Life logo!
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Elder Mrs Maureen O’Donnell and BHHS GM Ken Barnett did the honours to officially reveal the new mural and ‘reopen’ the Aboriginal Community Room.
From left: Mural artist Corey Payne, ALOs Haley King and Peter Crombie, Elisha Mangal (Corey’s partner) and Ken Barnett cutting the NAIDOC Week celebration cake
A large crowd attended the occasion and enjoyed the barbecue and celebration cake!
The BH Hospital joined in with the annual local NAIDOC Week celebrations by holding a barbecue at the hospital in the Aboriginal Community Room and courtyard on July 4.
This year there was extra to celebrate as we officially ‘revealed’ a new mural on the walls of the Aboriginal Community Room. The mural was the work of Aboriginal artist Corey Payne and his partner Elisha Mangal and represents the LHD and its nine communities.
At the same time, the Aboriginal Community Room was re-dedicated by Elder Mrs Maureen O’Donnell and BHHS GM Ken Barnett. A traditional smoking ceremony also marked the occasion.
The mural drew gasps of awe from everyone present and we are very appreciative of Corey and Elisha for their wonderful work which the community can enjoy for years to come. A huge thanks must go out to Shannon Rolton of Menindee for yet again another astonishing celebratory cake.
The opening and day was very successful with numerous community members and agency representatives attending and flooding the hallways around the Community Room.
A big thank you is extended to Mrs Maureen O’Donnell for unveiling the artwork with GM Ken Barnett and to Maureen and Corey for the smoking ceremony. Also to all staff who helped make the day another successful NAIDOC Week celebration for Far West LHD. It was a day filled with lots of smiles and laughter!
NAIDOC Week celebrations
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Update
The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Broken Hill community members attended the evening workshop to find out more about the redevelopment and provide
input into the look and feel of the public spaces included in the redevelopment. The $30 million project includes a new
community health centre on the corner of Crystal and Sulphide Streets and a refurbishment of the Ambulatory Care Unit at
the Broken Hill Health Service.
Furniture and Fittings
Work continues with the Broken Hill Health Service
Redevelopment. The project team has been busy
reviewing and updating a list of furniture, fixtures and equipment
(FFE) to confirm the requirements for each room. This process
ensures we know what needs to be bought and what current
furniture and equipment items can be reused and relocated into
the new areas.
Community consultation
June has also been a busy month with community consultations occurring between 3 - 16 June. Far West LHD and Health Infrastructure staff created pop-up stalls at the Outback Rugby League, Town Square, Compass Housing Tenants Forum and the hospital foyer. Two workshops were also held at the Centre for Community and a focus group with the Aboriginal Community Working Party. During these sessions, the designs of the redevelopment were showcased and feedback was sought about the look and feel of internal and external spaces of the redevelopment. A diverse range of suggestions were received as part of the consultations, and key themes identified during the consultation will be incorporated into the final look and feel of the redeveloped areas.
In the coming months, work will continue to clarify service
model changes that will need to occur as part of the
redevelopment
We are pleased to welcome Anthony Farquhar to the project team. Anthony was recently working as the purchasing officer in the Broken Hill stores, so some of you will already know Anthony.
He will be working as the LHD Project Officer to ensure that all essential elements of the project progress on time for the LHD.
He will meet with key personnel over the coming weeks to work with them to plan the resources they need to manage future re-location changes.
Contact Anthony on 08 8080 1320, 0408 025 680 or email [email protected]
Welcome to new team member
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Welcome to new Aboriginal Sexual Health staff member Yaama, Hi my name is Syl Phillips-Ayre, I’m a Koori descendant of the Kamilaroi peoples of North West NSW. I was
born in Penrith, grew up around Western Sydney and later moved to Qld, connected with family members and moved back to NSW.
My last role was at AMS Redfern where I worked in Public Health alongside lovely Elders and staff, as an Aboriginal Health Worker – Sexual Health Generalist. This role saw me engaging and connecting in community and through face-to-
face, individual client/patient consults, networking with a range of NGO’s and government sector organisations/services to support our local mob with their sexual health and wellbeing. This was through delivering community health education, health promotion awareness activities and micro counselling around safe sexy business, gender and sexual diverse support and wellbeing.
Since this time I’ve moved from city to country for both personal and professional reasons. I will be working alongside our CNC Sexual Health Jo Lenton, Sexual Health Nurse Chrissie Little, Primary Health staff and our Aboriginal community as a whole to provide a holistic approach to sexual health within the LHD including education, prevention, detection, treatment and care to Aboriginal people and increase access to quality services.
One of my key roles will be the frontline staff for the Deadly Liver Mob project. This program provides provide Hepatitis C education, recruitment and incentives for Aboriginal clients to access screening.
I look forwards to meeting you and working together. I am based at Primary Health and can be contacted on 08 8080 1554 or 08 8080 1610.
Come and try for yourself: Art Therapy Open Session Have you ever wondered “What is Art Therapy?” and “How can art therapy be used as a therapeutic intervention for
patient, carers and staff?” Of course you have, so come and find out for yourself! An ‘open session’ to experience the benefits of Art Therapy is being offered free of
charge by Art Therapist, Mia Vaux, in conjunction with FWLHD Cancer & Palliative Care Services.
This is aimed at:
Palliative Care and Oncology patients.
Other patients living with a life limiting illness (eg chronic care, renal patients).
Their carers/family or friends.
Health professionals working with people with a life limiting illness. Sessions will be held: August 29 from 11am to 12.30pm and September 26 from
2.45pm to 3.45pm, in Meeting Room 2, Broken Hill Hospital. No art skills are necessary and all equipment is provided. Spaces are limited so book your place in one of the sessions.
RSVP to Garry Halliday Psycho-Oncology Counsellor on 8080 1577 and leave a message or email [email protected]
Syl Phillips-Ayre
The man on the BH switch — Mark Hutton — has retired after 30.5 years with the health service.
Mark (pictured) started with the BH Hospital in January 1987 as a porter for 10 years and then had stints in Medical Records, X-Ray and as an EDSA.
He took on the switch role in 2002 as a temporary and served there for the next 15 years.
Mark said on his retirement: “It has been a pleasure to have worked with some of the friendliest and dedicated people over the last 30 or so years. But time waits for no man and its time to move on to another phase in my life. Sharon and myself hope to travel overseas and throughout Australia over the next few years and enjoy time with our grandchildren. Hopefully with some fishing in between. So its goodbye from the old grey headed bloke on the front desk!”
Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement Mark!
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Mark hangs up the phone for well-deserved retirement
The LHD celebrated staff who have recently completed courses provided in house through My Health Learning online.
The following staff were presented their Certificates of Completion by A/CE Stephen Rodwell:
People Management Skills Program Blended Course: Barbara Turner, Rachael Groves, Corina Kemp, Rebecca Smith, Annette Walker, Shane Webb, Robin Franklin, Rona Garrie, Karen Gleeson, Cheryl Robertson, Gaylene Preston and Jo-Anne Warhurst.
Financial Management Essentials Course: Leanne Hastwell, Gaylene Preston, Kim Morley, Corina Kemp, Zoe Tonkin, Chelsea Anderson, Dale Sayers, Michael Weinert, Anthony Farquhar and Sherree Ferrall.
Mr Rodwell was pleased to present the certificates, saying he appreciated all staff who completed such courses. “I think both are really important (and) people who complete the course, go on to do other things, and progress their
careers. I think certainly it’s a first step towards career development, and the fact they are done in-house is also important. I’m very appreciative of you completing these courses.”
Congratulations and well done to everyone for adding these courses to their qualifications.
Staff present at the ceremony were (from left) Sherree Ferrall, Leanne Hastwell, Corina Kemp, Gaylene Preston, Kim Morley, Jo-Anne Warhurst, Annette Walker, Rebecca Smith, Barbara Turner, Michael Weinert and Anthony Farquhar.
Graduates
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Communicating information to staff, patients and carers is an ongoing task of all health professionals.
Finding ways to distribute this information can be difficult at times, but Jane Cain (CNS) has been using the
Quality Boards in Surgical, Medical and Emergency to distribute information for the last two years. Every month
a new theme is displayed on the board, and commencing from this month, that information will be shared in Far
West in Focus as well.
This month’s theme is Advance Care Planning Advance Care Planning is thinking about your future, and putting things in place so that your choices will be
known and acted on if you cannot express these choices yourself later in life. This may happen if you have a sudden accident, become very ill or develop a
condition such as dementia that affects your memory and your planning ability. Planning ahead can include issues related to your finances, lifestyle or health care.
Advance Care Plan, Enduring Guardianship, Power of Attorney and a Will help you provide for future legal, health and financial decisions. When you have planned ahead you can rest assured that you and your loved ones will be looked after if circumstances change through your life. Your rights and wishes can be respected if they are properly documented. For further information about planning ahead documents:
NSW Health Advance Care Planning- http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/patients/acp
NSW Government Planning Ahead Tools - www.planningaheadtools.com.au or
call 1300 887 529.
Alzheimers Australia Start 2 Talk - https://www.fightdementia.org.au/planning-
ahead or call 1800 100 500.
Quality Board Communication
We have welcomed a new batch of junior doctors to the Far West.
Some are first timers to Broken Hill. Dr Sun Ho Kim has returned after last year for another rotation with the surgical team.
In their first week at Broken Hill Hospital they have had a thorough induction and orientation with Dr Andrew Olesnicky (Director of Prevocational Education and Training) and the Medical Services team.
Our new JMOs: Sitting (from left): Aliza Heywood, Intern General Medicine; Asher Kok, RMO Paediatrics; Sun Ho Kim, RMO General Surgery. Standing: Matthew Chan, RMO ED; Marjia Johns, RMO General Medicine; James Baee, Intern ED; Bronwyn Carroll, SRMO General Medicine; and Allan Chain, SRMO General Medicine.
New JMOs join the LHD
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Margaret and Eileen (pictured) were all smiles when they launched the annual Father’s Day Raffle in the BH Hospital foyer on 5 July.
The team hope to raise $2,000 to benefit Oncology and are looking forward to the usual generous response from the staff who they say are wonderful supporters of the raffles they run.
Although the other member of the Fundraising Team, Catherine, was unable to be there she rang in to wish them luck and looks forward to joining them towards the end of the raffle.
Thank you to everyone who supports the raffle and keep buying those tickets as the raffle will be drawn on 25 August 2017.
Fundraising Team support Oncology
With all the renovations and refurbishments that have been
happening at staff accommodation over the last 12 months or
more, Robyn and her team have topped it off with the purchase of
a new Maxi Caddy Van for residential cleaning.
The cleaning team at staff accommodation do a great job in
maintaining the BHHS residences for visiting locums and health
specialists. The new Maxi Caddy Van is the perfect size for the
demand that the
cleaning team has to
meet. A slight
adjustment was
made to the side
panelling with the installation of windows for safer driving. The team at staff
accommodation is thankful for all the work Fleet have done for them to get them this far.
Peter Schindler Fleet Officer is pictured giving an in-service to accommodation cleaning
staff on van features.
The Accommodation centre will be continuing its Renovation and Refurbishment plans
over FY17/18 so watch this space.
Quick word from the Quarters
Surplus hospital equipment destined to help overseas
The LHD has donated some defibrillators and vital signs monitors to South Rotary who then ship them to Donations in Kind for refurbishment and distribution overseas.
The equipment became surplus after the defibrillators were replaced by new devices earlier this year and the vital signs monitors were replaced by the recent donation of monitors by the BH Contribution Fund.
Donations in Kind (DIK) is a program supported by Rotary Clubs in Australia which grew out of the compassion and concern of returning overseas volunteers. It is a recycling and reuse program that involves the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch and distribution of donated items to countries in need of these goods.
Many goods and products, for which organisations in Australia have no further use, are valuable commodities in needy countries overseas and in some regions within Australia.
Pictured is South Rotary’s John Coff is pictured loading some of the donated equipment from Far West Local Health
District that will be sent to help overseas.
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Far West LHD Chronic and Complex Care
Services — LBVC initiative Leading Better Value Care is a NSW government initiative to improve the
health of people in NSW. This will be achieved through strategic investment in initiatives that optimise health outcomes, create better patient and staff experience and build value into the healthcare system.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) is pleased to support the implementation of LBVC in our LHD with funding. This funding has been provided for equipment for Far West LHD programs, training and assessment tools for clinicians.
The Chronic Care team are pleased to announce that they have recently received a new treadmill, a recumbent bike, upper strength trainer, and hand and leg weights, to update the physiotherapy gym equipment, and to assist in the provision of such programs like the Cardio-pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Congratulations to our Community Dietitian, Heidi Drenkhahn, for graduating the Clinical Excellence Commission’s Clinical Leadership program today.
Heidi joined her health colleagues from around the state in a one-year course, in which she completed a health improvement project titled “A Co-Ordinated, Local Approach to Disordered Eating Services (ACOLADES)” .
This project looked at improving identification of eating disorders in Far West LHD patients.
Heidi’s project is also a finalist in the LHD’s annual Innovation Awards to be held on Friday, 4 August.
Well done and great work, Heidi!
Lymphoedema services recommence in Broken Hill following staff training
Senior Adult Occupational Therapist Sally Connell and Occupational Therapy Manager Rebecca Smith (pictured) have recently completed the Level 1 Lymphoedema Course at Macquarie University. The pair were selected as part of the ACI specialist skills training program to attend the 9 day course in Sydney in early June 2017, with a range of clinicians from across NSW Health. This was the first program run and dedicated solely to NSW Clinicians. The qualifications are internationally recognised through the Australasian Lymphology Association guidelines.
Both Sally and Rebecca are excited to re-establish these services in Broken Hill again after a short gap in qualified practitioners within the Allied Health Department. The team is also grateful of the financial support provided by the Directorate of Cancer Services Innovation (Rural) and Palliative Care for the provision of funding to train an additional Physiotherapy practitioner who will be completing their training in October 2017. This will allow for a multidisciplinary approach whilst ensuring the sustainability of service provision for the community into the future.
The service focus is on those clients who are at risk or have developed Lymphoedema post cancer treatment or mastectomy. The team will also be working on the development of early intervention and detection for clients within the Far West.
If you would like further information on the services and how to refer please do not hesitate to contact the Broken Hill
Allied Health Department on 08 8080 1411 between the hours of 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
CEC graduate
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Broken Hill Intensive Care Unit now has a dedicated intranet page The Broken Hill Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is in the process of undertaking a range of improvement activities to align with
the Level 4 Intensive Care Service model. This essential work will ensure the future role delineation of Broken Hill Health Service continues to support the range of services we have come to expect.
As part of this improvement work, we undertook staff surveys and found that staff had difficulty finding relevant policies for critical care, and with high staff turnover and agency staff utilisation, it became even more important to have a central repository of relevant information for staff.
In response to this feedback, the Broken Hill ICU has recently implemented a dedicated intranet page. This is accessed via ‘Directorates/Broken Hill Health Service/ Intensive Care Unit’. A range of information is included within the page, including quick links to important resources. The ‘Policies and Guidelines’ quick link takes staff to a page listing all of the policies that may be needed to guide critical care practice. There is also a quick link to critical care drug protocols.
A lot of this information is also relevant to staff working ED and
operating theatres where critical care interventions are sometimes
required. Congratulations to Joe, Grace, Kimberley and the Broken
Hill ICU team for bringing this resource together for staff.
Outback Neural Knitworks Staff at the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health and Allied Health at
Broken Hill Health Service were inspired by the Science Week idea of Neural Knitworks. They saw the potential to use this concept as an Arts in Health project to inform the community of the benefits of fibre crafting on brain health and general well being. The project gained funding from the LHD’s Arts in Health Committee.
They have enlisted the help of health students placed in Broken Hill to speak to community groups about the project and ask community members to start knitting, crocheting and wrapping neurons. Allied Health professionals have also been involved as well and they are using the making of neurons as part of therapy for some of their clients.
Several workshops have been held to explain the project and demonstrate how to make a neuron. At one of the sessions we were lucky enough to Skype in one of the founding artists of the idea, Pat Pillai, who shared how Neural Knitworks came about and how helpful working with textiles has been in her personal journey.
If you want to make a Neuron or you may have or be part of a group that would like to participate, then contact Nicola Wright, Social Work Academic, BHUDRH, 8080 1294 or Tracy Herlihy, Dietitian, Broken Hill Health Service, 8080 1398 for supplies and help.
All Neurons made will be displayed in the BH Hospital foyer during Science Week (12-20 August). Information about the benefits of fibre craft and brain health will be available. Make sure
your Neurons are handed into the BHUDRH or BHHS Allied Health by 9 August!
We can’t wait to see the impact it has! From here we hope to send the display around the community so other people can learn about neurons, knitting and brain health.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the founders of Neural Knitworks for their great idea that we have been able to spread to our Outback Community of Broken Hill.
Want to know more and access the pattern book: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/neural-knitworks/ http://www.facebook.com/
groups/648068261927343/ Nicky Wright with some finished Neurons!
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
The Far West Local Health District was pleased to sponsor the Emerging Artist Award at the annual Lifeline Broken Hill Art Exhibition.
Maureen Clark (pictured right) was awarded the Emerging Artist Award for her work ‘Umbrellas in the City’. Two artists were awarded Highly Commended Awards – Janet Denley for ‘For the love of Iris’ and Airlie Blore for ‘Fierce Zaffiri’.
Our Director MHDA Ms Susan Daly, was on the judging panel and said the high calibre of work exhibited made for a very difficult task for the judges.
The exhibition helps Lifeline Broken Hill raise much needed funds whilst showcasing the variety of artists in Broken Hill including new and emerging artists. The exhibition opened on Thursday, 29 June at the GeoCentre.
Congratulations to all the winners and exhibitors and Lifeline Broken Hill for staging this worthy fundraiser.
(Photos courtesy BH City Council).
LHD art prize supports Lifeline
The 2017 WHRN Research Conference will be held on August 16-17 in Orange.
Details are: When: Colloquium - Wednesday 16
August, 1:00-5:30pm Conference - Thursday 17 August,
9:00am-3:30pm Where: School of Rural Health –
Function Room, Audley Building, Orange Health Service (Bloomfield Campus). Check out our keynote speakers and register now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2017-whrn-research-conference-registration-33689817150
Not able to make it to Orange? You don’t have to miss out. Video Conferencing facilities offered from Albury, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Mudgee and Wagga Wagga. Find the details on our online registration page.
Unable to attend, but would like to be added to the WHRN database? Email us: [email protected]
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
The FWLHD hand hygiene audit results for auditing period 2 2017 has shown pleasing results of 87.2% compliance.
One of our ward auditors has been awarded a certificate of appreciation for collecting the highest amount of moments for the auditing period. Tracey Hansen (pictured) collected 299 moments in the Subacute Rehab Unit. Well done Tracey and thank you to all the auditors for all your hard work!
Hand Hygiene champion
Do you have a Westpac Meal
Entertainment Card?
Effective 1 August 2017 your Westpac Meal Entertainment Card will feature a new compliance measure called merchant blocking.
Merchant blocking will restrict payments on your card that don’t meet the definition of the meal entertainment benefit as set out by the Australian Tax Office.
What this means for you • Merchant blocking may mean that your
Westpac Meal Entertainment Card may not be accepted at some venues, such as cafés that are located within a nursery or general retail stores. Additionally, it is possible that your Westpac Meal Entertainment Card may not be accepted at some venues located within NSW Health facilities. If this happens, simply keep your receipt and make a manual claim.
• You can continue to use your card as normal when paying for meal entertainment expenses at venues such as restaurants, cafes, taverns, hotels and fast food restaurants when dining with family and friends.
• Merchant blocking will be extended to supermarkets and liquor outlets effective 1st January 2018, all purchases for self-catered functions will no longer be available using the Meal Entertainment Card.
• You can still make claims for self-catered functions. Simply download the Far West LHD Meal Entertainment Claim Form from the intranet. As an extra compliance measure, these claims will be reviewed by Far West LHD Salary Packaging to ensure they reflect the NSW Health salary packaging policy and meet the definition of a valid meal entertainment claim.
• You cannot deposit after tax dollars onto your Westpac Meal Entertainment. This includes BPAY, internet banking, over the counter deposits and other transfers via AUSPOST and other means.
• If you have a Westpac Everyday Purchase Card, you can continue to use this as per normal.
What you need to do The merchant blocking restrictions will be
automatically applied to your card from 1 August 2017 and from 1st January 2018 for self-catered function. There is nothing you need to do to enable the new feature.
Should you have any questions about these changes or your salary packaging account, you can contact Karen on 08 8080 1498 or email [email protected]
Personal security (part 1)
As a number of unpredictable events unfold around the world it is important to consider how you can best position yourself to be secure and safe, it is not possible to be hyper vigilant 24/7 as this would likely result in being fatigued and dysfunctional right at the moment you need to be switched on, so a moderate consistent approach to your safety and security is more sustainable. This will enable you to have the stamina needed to responded to unpredictable events and match your response to the level of the threat presented.
These tips are just the ‘tip’ of the iceberg, so add your own to the list as your particular environment may necessitate. The big step is to at least start to think and develop a tactical plan and approach to your specific daily routine, how you can keep yourself and others safe from harm, you will soon realise where your individual vulnerabilities may be.
By Ben Harris
Security/Ward Services Officer, BHHS
Recruiting starts early in FWLHD by Melissa Cumming
Upon walking into the Broken Hill Oncology/Medical day Only Unit recently, a little girl was seated in the waiting area, dressed in a medical uniform (aka costume) waiting for her Pop.
The conversation went like this… Me: Oh, Hello there. What’s your name? Lilly: My name is Lilly Vigar… L-I-L-L-Y V-I-G-A-R (she spelt it out for me). Me: How old are you Lilly? Lilly? I am 5 and I’m in kindergarten. Me: Wow, look at you in your uniform. Lilly: I’m going to be a haematologist (she declared this with much conviction and
the word rolled easily off her tongue). Me: A haematologist! Goodness! That’s a big word. Do you know what a
haematologist does? Lily: Yes, they help people with sick blood. My Mum told me what it means. Me: You might like to come and work for us one day Lilly. We can always use more
staff!
LEFT: Lilly Vigar (5) - potential staff member of the future!
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Always inform family or friends if you are traveling, and give
them itinerary dates and locations you will visit and expected times of arrival to location and home again.
Consider the options available to you with today’s technology,
such as smartphones and other mobile devices that can pro-vide an enormous amount of new possibilities in the field of safety devices and services, Location sharing (cheeking in) and alert sending.
Be aware of escape routes for emergencies. Make yourself
aware of more than one way out.
Walk confidently, at a steady pace, if you are walking to a car
or door, have your keys ready in your hand, ready to open the entrance and secure.
Consider whether to respond to conversation from strangers on
the street. This could be an initial deliberate distraction.
If walking on a footpath near a street, consider facing the traffic
to avoid being surprised by someone in a vehicle, i.e. avoid curb crawlers.
Try to create a reactionary gap between brushes, trees and
blind spots when walking or jogging.
Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and
people sitting in them.
Be extra careful when using ATM machines. Make sure nobody
is hovering nearby and don’t count your money in public.
When on public transportation, cover your jewellery. Consider
Turning stone rings toward the palm side of your hand.
Consider your reactive spacing with people not familiar to you,
as a guide: intimate space = 0 to 1.5 feet; personal space = 1.5 to 4 feet; social space = 4 to 12 feet; and public space = 12 feet or more.
Please consider taking the time to complete the Security Module (Course Code: WHS908) on My Health learning under the catego-ry of WHS.
This advice does not constitute legal advice, for further guidance please consult with
local authorities, Security Staff, and specific Policies, Procedures & Guidelines if required
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Make the Invisible Visible was celebrated last month (14 June) and staff were encouraged to wear red and think how heart disease affects women.
Mary Leehane and Jane Cain started the day with breakfast, juice, quiches, muesli and yoghurt at the Aquatic Centre with the ladies from Aqua Aerobics. The ladies had their blood pressure attended and browsed through the relevant information available.
Next, was a display in the hospital foyer. Jane Cain and Kathryn Wallace manned the table and encouraged all staff and visitors to think about their current
health. Blood pressures were attended to, information about NSW Get Healthy was promoted and the ladies were asked to take the “Are you at Risk” test.
The day was finished with an old fashion “Walkathon” when several staff took the opportunity to embrace the pleasant day and complete the five laps around the hospital. Each staff member who competed were placed into the Go Red Raffle, which was won by Linda Gusling (Xray dept). Juice, water, oranges and healthy treats were on offer after their effort
and the Ginger Snowballs were a great hit (recipe below). The Chronic and Complex Care wish to thank everyone that participated and especially Mary
Leehane, Jeanette Stubing and Eureka Van Der Merwe for their support.
Make the Invisible Visible
GINGER SNOWBALLS Ingredients: 5 Sanitarium Weet-Bix 250g packet gingernut biscuits ½ cup chopped crystallised ginger ½ cup chopped dried apricots ½ cup sultanas 395g can sweetened condensed milk 2/3 cup dessicated coconut
Method: 1.Lightly crush Weet-Bix and gingernut biscuits with a rolling pin. 2.Place all ingredients, except coconut into a large bowl and mix well. 3.Form mixture into 35 balls and
toss in coconut.
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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Aqua volunteers celebrate Christmas in July
The Aqua volunteers, Ann, Eleanor and Shirley organised a wonderful Christmas lunch for the Aqua participants and kindly invited myself and Noni Inglis.
Although only a few of the usual participants and Noni braved a chilly morning, starting their day at the 7.30am Aqua class, 21 attended the lunch at the YMCA Aquatic Centre, which is not surprising as it was a delicious Christmas lunch prepared in the main by Shirley.
Many thanks to the amazing Aqua volunteers who not only run the Aqua classes twice a week throughout the year; they also arrange special morning teas and the Christmas in July celebration.
— Mary Leehane, Volunteer Manager.
Ann getting the participants warmed up and (below) Shirley, Ann and Eleanor with what is left of the delectable
homemade Christmas Puddings.
The Dementia/Delirium & Palliative Care Volunteer Team took advantage of a different type of training in July.
The Team workshopped with Mia Vaux, Art Therapy Facilitator. The session gave the volunteers another avenue of expressing their feelings and offering them an opportunity to adjust to the way in which the challenges they face in their role can affect their lives.
Art Therapy sessions are a tool offered by the Palliative Care Team, facilitated by an art therapist, to assist their patients and carers with relaxation, mood, expressing emotions and anxieties, coping with grief, pain/symptom management, gaining emotional control and combating feelings of isolation.
Melissa Cumming, Director of Cancer and Palliative Care, offered the workshop to the volunteers as an extension of their training giving them an insight to what is on offer to patient and carers. Melissa’s kind offer was immediately taken up.
I welcome any training opportunities for our volunteers and in this case I believe it will not only expands their knowledge of what is available to patients and carers, but it’s another tool they will be able to use in coping with challenges in their own lives and adds to their training and personal development.
The team thanked Mia for an educational and enjoyable morning and expressed their thanks to Melissa and her team for their inclusion and additional training opportunity.
— Mary Leehane, Volunteer Manager
Volunteers and Mia Vaux – Art Therapy Session (from left) Christine Simons, Marilyn Johns, Faye Weinert, Claire Bright, Lesley Sumsion,
Pat Peter and Mia Vaux.
Training can be fun
Policy Watch — PDs available
on MOH internet The following documents have been published on the NSW Ministry of Health internet site http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies. These documents are official NSW Health policy. Compliance with Policy Directives is mandatory.
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Submissions can be sent to [email protected]. The newsletter can be found on the Far West LHD website at www.fwlhd.health.nsw.gov.au
The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 6, Vol 7, JUNE 2017 The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 7, JULY 2017
Title Document Number Date Issued
NSW Youth Health Framework 2017-24 PD2017_019 05/07/2017
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) - Fees Policy and Schedule of
Fees PD2017_020 03/07/2017
Lifetime Care & Support (LTCS) Scheme - Charging Policy and Rates for
Designated Units PD2017_021 03/07/2017
Continuing Education Allowances - Public Health System Nurses' And Mid-
wives' (State) Award PD2017_022 03/07/2017
Chaplains' Subsidy IB2017_015 04/07/2017
Increased Rates of Pay and Allowances for Nursing and Midwifery Staff IB2017_016 07/07/2017
Priority Oral Health Program (POHP) and Waiting List Management PD2017_023 13/07/2017
Increased Rates of Pay and Allowances for Teachers in NSW Health Early
Childhood Service Centres IB2017_017 07/07/2017
Mandatory Reporting Protocol For SGRACF And Residential TACP Ser-
vices PD2017_024 13/07/2017
The Fleet Management team have had to deal with a couple of staff fined for parking LHD cars. All staff are reminded that drivers are responsible to pay all fines as per policy.
Drivers responsible for fines
Jump Start Youth Expo Dareton Primary Health participated in the Jump Start
Youth Expo on 27 July at Coomealla High School. The Expo is aimed at youth from Year 10 upwards and attracted other schools from the region.
The Expo showcases what is available to young people who may be considering leaving school or who are finishing school. Displays from tertiary education providers, military, police and fire brigade, service clubs, employment agencies and health organisations came together to provide as much information to young people as they could.
Anita Erlandsen, Aimee Smith (both pictured above) and Tanyia Brown from Dareton represented Primary Health at the Expo, giving out over 600 condoms as well as some health and career advice to the youth in attendance. Approximately 400 students from around the region attended the event.
