The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

Message from the Chief Executive

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As I write, I’m approaching the end of three weeks in the Chief Executive’s chair with a much greater appreciation of the number of issues the CE needs to manage and the stresses this involves. When Stuart returns from a much needed break, I hope you’ll join me in thanking him for his commitment to our LHD, our people, our communities and to all of us.

The best way to do this is by saying g’day at the Christmas Party on 11 December. This year, when our service has had much more than its fair share of criticism, it’s important to come together to support and celebrate each other and the great health services we provide.

We have a lot to celebrate this month too. Congratulations to Karen Kemp for taking out the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award, and to Sarah Wenham, finalist for staff member of the year. Barb Turner from Menindee has also done us proud in winning an award at the ACI’s Rural Health and Research Congress. We welcome

new staff and a new batch of SBATs too. Congratulations also to Muriel Hunter on her award win and Ryan Baker on being a finalist.

Every one of us, volunteers, students, gardeners, people who maintain our services, book our travel, arrange our pay, care for our cars, those who cook, clean, keep our computers running, answer our phones, man our offices, order our supplies, support and care for our patients and their families, manage our teams, support our staff, plan our services, educate our communities, work with our partners and do any number of the myriad of jobs in our service, is an important, valuable and integral part of a complex health service that does its best for our staff and our communities. Let’s remember that and come together to celebrate each other this Christmas.

Best wishes

— Susan Daly, Acting Chief Executive

Congratulations to SBATs student Muriel Hunter for being awarded Best School-Based Trainee in the Foundation BH Far West 2015 Excellence in Business Awards.

Muriel has really flourished in taking on her trainee nursing role at Broken Hill Hospital.

She is always enthusiastic and motivated and valued as part of the nursing team in the Medical Unit. Patients have been very complimentary about the care she gives and her positive attitude.

Muriel has expressed ambition to become either an RN or Midwife once completing her school studies.

Congratulations also to Ryan Baker for being our other finalist in the awards. Ryan is actively involved in his traineeship and like Muriel, he has thrived in a challenging environment. He also has aspirations to fulfil a career in health in the discipline of nursing.

Congratulations and best wishes in your future endeavours!

Best School-Based Trainee awarded to SBATs student

Muriel Hunter was named Best School-Based Trainee in the Excellence in Business Awards 2015 and is pictured demonstrating her nursing skills with

fellow trainee Ryan Baker. Both have aspirations for a nursing career.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 2

The District has welcomed ten new recruits to its highly successful School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) program.

The Year 10 students will gain an industry recognised qualification in their respective job role whilst completing their HSC. They will undertake 100 days paid employment with their respective health facility.

We launched the SBATs program in 2014 with ten students participating from across the District in traineeships in Business Administration (medical), Health Services Assistance, Allied Health Assistance and Aboriginal Primary Health Care. Traineeships were offered in locations where the health facility had a capacity to support the students.

It has been a highly successful program and all of the inaugural students enrolled last year remain in the program. They have gained valuable work experience in our facilities, enabling them to meet the requirements of their Traineeship as well as adding to their future employability opportunities.

This year, students from Broken Hill High School, Willyama High School, Balranald High School and Menindee Central School have been appointed to traineeships in the fields of Business Administration (Medical), Health Service Assistant, Allied Health Assistant and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care. We wish them all the best of luck and are confident they will all do well.

Ten new students join SBATs program

Our latest group of SBATs students pictured at orientation before embarking on their traineeship

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

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The Work Health Safety Day celebration at Broken Hill Health Service was an overwhelming success with departments enthusiastically embracing the opportunity to decorate their area with great displays.

Staff showed a great knowledge and understanding for Work Health and Safety when they were once again quizzed by visiting WH&S Committee Members — and a good number of yellow-decorated cup cakes were eaten as well!

The Best Decorated Department Award went to ICU. The Best Dressed Female Award went to Karen Kemp and Best Dressed Male was Kevin Emmett.

A colour in comp was run again and we had a great response with a number of children entering. The winners were: 2-4 years Kynli Higgins, 5-7 years Zakk Mawby and 8-10 years Taylor Nejaim. Thank you to everyone who took part in decorating their departments and dressing up — it all helps to raise awareness of a very important matter of Work Health and Safety and have fun at the same time! The WH&S Committee are also to be congratulated for their efforts in organising and running the day.

ICU was Best Decorated Department

Best Dressed Female: Karen Kemp

Best Dressed Male: Kevin Emmett

Work Health Safety Day

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 4

November brought the heat on with a hint of high summer and Corporate Induction was no different. This month’s mix of new and returning employees interacted zealously with our presenters, making the day interactive as well as informative.

A warm welcome to our new employees. We know this group will be champions for the positive culture changes happening across the District.

Pictured at the November Corporate Induction session were: (from left) Standing: Rachel Pillen, Administration Officer for the Merit Team in Broken Hill; Jacquie Ralph, Casual Hospital Assistant; Lucinda Moore, Registered Nurse at Broken Hill Health Service; Luke McDonald, Casual Hospital Assistant; Mary Toindepi, Registered Nurse at Broken Hill Health Service; Leanne Barber, Casual Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and CSD Technician at Broken Hill Health Service. Seated: Najuma Khatiwada, Casual Clerk in Nursing Administration at Broken Hill Health Service; Leah Wilkinson, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Clinician; Donna-Lynne Gers, Staff Health Officer for Far West LHD; Noeline Cook, Administration Assistant at Wentworth District Hospital; Robyn Gilby, Community Home Support Assessor with the Regional Assessment Service team.

The last group of JMOs for 2015 were welcomed to the District this month.

Orientation on 16 November went very smoothly with Dr Kathleen Atkinson DMS, Jeff King JMO manager and DPET Dr Andrew Olesnicky conducting a tour of the hospital, RDUH and grounds, then leading some core topics for the Juniors on their first day.

The orientation continued on for the rest of the first week using lunch times Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to ensure the best introduction to practicing medicine in Broken Hill.

The group consists of mostly new faces with former local Andrew Harris returning to finish the year in Broken Hill. Marty Hansen has also returned but sadly leaves us next year for Darwin. Andrew Harris will stay on as an RMO (PGY 2) fulfilling his two year contract as the first group of BH employed interns.

The others are looking forward to experiencing Christmas and New Year in Broken Hill and are looking forward to their week working with the RFDS.

Corporate Induction

Our latest JMOs: (from left) Standing: Drs Ji Li (SRMO), Meng Zhang (Gen Surgery RMO), Rebecca Jiang (Gen Med

RMO), Fred Hui (Paeds RMO), Andrew Harris (Medical Intern), Phil Vitols (Relief SRMO Medical Teams) and Manik Mayadunne (SRMO). Sitting: Drs Martin Hansen (Surgical

Intern), Jana Vitesnikova (Emergency RMO) and Lap Cheng (Med RMO).

JMOs welcomed

In Profile — Dietetics Department (Broken Hill Health Service)

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

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• What does the Department do? The Dietetics Department provides inpatient, outpatient and community nutrition services. Our inpatient role covers all wards in the hospital – from dialysis to surgical to paediatrics. Our most common cases for inpatients are malnutrition, gastroenterology and nasogastric feeding. Our outpatient clinics cover all dietetic issues including diabetes, pregnancy, allergies and intolerances. In the community we provide group education in schools and for NGO’s as well as participating in interagency events such as Children’s Day in the Park.

• How does the Department interact with the LHD? We are part of the MDT on all wards. We run the Staff Health Challenge every year and we are on many committees/working parties including: Food & Nutrition Committee, Musculoskeletal Working Party, Chronic Disease Management Program, Wound Committee and Integrated Care Clinical Reference Group. Consultative role across the LHD to remote sites including Assessment of Wilcannia Hospital Food service provision, Video-link consults to special need Dareton client, and liaising with Maari Ma dietitians who cover other sites.

• Who are the staff? Melanie Blair - Clinical Dietitian (Wards & outpatient

clinics); Stacey Evers – Nutrition Assistant (Wards & Admin); Heidi Drenkhahn – Community Dietitian (Outpatient Clinic, Dialysis & Community) and Tracy Herlihy – Team Leader (Paediatrics, Maternity & Management)

• What’s a typical day? Melanie Blair – Working on the wards, doing malnutrition assessments, calculating nutrient requirements for tube-fed patients, prescribing supplements for malnourished or at-risk patients providing discharge diet advice and education, keeping statistics.

Stacey Evers – Weighing patients on the wards, reviewing supplement tolerance, monitoring food intake and reporting back to the dietitians. Booking appointments and organising files for outpatient clinics, keeping statistics, and filing. May give group presentations if required. Heidi Drenkhahn – Providing a talk to parents of Kindy kids about school lunchboxes, meeting with supermarket managers about healthy cooking promotion, Facebook posts to Staff Health Challenge and

Dietetics pages, and attending committee meetings. Tracy Herlihy – Providing Gestational Diabetes and weight control education to

pregnant women with the Midwives and Diabetes Educator, attending Paediatric Allied Health Multidisciplinary Team assessment for high-need children with other disciplines:

Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, fixing food service system issues.

• What’s been some atypical days? Earlier this year the only type of nasogastric feed our LHD stocks was put on immediate hold for use due to a contamination scare. All current inpatients receiving NG feeds needed to have their regimes re-calculated and changed to oral supplements for decanting and all PEG clients in the community (including one in Menindee) needed to be contacted and provided with alternatives ASAP to be used until new stock could be delivered, to avoid them not having any nutrition provided to them. It was a very busy few days!

• What’s best about working in Dietetics? As we all share an office we are a close-knit group who are good friends as well as colleagues. We aim to maintain an air of jovial productivity within the department, keeping each other smiling whilst getting our jobs done.

• Future plans? Increased interdisciplinary practice to work more holistically with other health departments. Hopefully expanding services with an increased dietetics workforce to provide more comprehensive care to population groups such as oncology, renal and obstetrics.

Tracy (second from right) with the GDM Team - Karen Brewster (Diabetes Educator), Chelsea

Anderson (Midwife) and Medical Registrar Dr Ji Li.

Stacey (centre) working with Taryn Ruiz (physio) and Paula Harvey

(sub acute AHA) in the Sub Acute Rehab Unit.

Heidi – Talking to high

school students as part of

the UDRH Allied Health

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Mel – Co-ordinating patient care with Physio Daniel

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The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

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Menindee project wins Award A Menindee health projects has won an Agency for Clinical

Innovation (ACI) award. Menindee Health Service Manager, Barbara Turner, won the

‘Best Small Facility/MPS Project’ Award for her research project ‘Addressing the Burden of Disease: A Structured Cardiac Rehabilitation Program’ at the Rural Health and Research Congress held in Armidale on 4-6 November.

Barbara’s cardiac rehabilitation program project investigated the possibility of creating a cardiac rehabilitation program in a small rural village which was effective and meets the expressed needs of clients. The project was part of Ms Turner’s work as a participant in the HETI Rural Research Capacity Building Partnerships Program.

The ACI Awards recognise creativity and innovation which has potential to be taken up by other health sectors across the state.

Barbara’s project was presented as an abstract at the Congress. The award carries with it $1,000 to be used by the project team to value add to sustainability for the project. The cardiac rehabilitation program continues to operate in Menindee, with exercise classes and education sessions provided when needed.

The link to Ms Turner’s presentation can be found at https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=129216&.

Menindee HSM Barbara Turner

Over 82 people attended the screening of ‘Holding the

Man’ at the Silver City Cinema on 24 November as a World

AIDS Day event.

The film was premiered here in a joint partnership with

the Broken Hill Sexual Health Clinic, Positive Life NSW and

the BH GLTBI Support Group to raise awareness for World

AIDS Day, which is celebrated on 1 December.

The movie is based on the much loved and highly

successful memoir and stage play of the same name. It’s a

warm, funny and extraordinary moving story of a 15 year

love affair between Timothy Conigrave and a boy he fell in

love with at high school, John Caleo. Their relationship

blossomed and endured in the face of everything life threw

at them — pride, diversity, discrimination, temptation and

loss.

At the premiere, Paul Caleo, a representative from

Positive Life and cousin of John Caleo, shared his

experience of living with HIV and spoke about confronting

the stigma and the lived experience of HIV.

The film was well received and enjoyed by the

audience.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to address the HIV-

related stigma that still persists in Australia, undermining

prevention, testing and treatment efforts and causing social

isolation for many people living with AIDS.

Promoting HIV and AIDS awareness

At the premiere of ‘Holding the Man’ (from left) Paul Caleo, Jo Lenton, Brendan Barlow and Angela Parker.

Carer Ned Kelly was pictured looking at the information on

the Quality

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Wentworth

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Pressure Ulcer

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Info availability thumbs up!

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 7

Balranald Health Council — Lyn Flannigan Lyn Flannigan is the Chair of the Balranald Health Council and is an advocate for her

community. Lyn joined the Balranald Health Council after 45 years working in the health system. ‘When

I retired I thought my expertise could be used to contribute to this organization and assist other members of the community that were on the council’. Lyn has been involved in various committees in the community most recently appointed chair of the WPHN Far West Community Council

‘My vision for the next 12 months is to keep the current members motivated and to get some younger members to join our council. I am keen to achieve the vision we have to get funding to get heating in the small pool used for rehabilitation. This pool is situated at the local swimming complex’.

Lyn is a motivated person and has always been community minded and had the community at heart. ‘I like to see progress in our small town and am keen to have all things we plan achieved. I possibly run on adrenalin but have always been a busy person and frankly would not have it any other way’.

Lyn is also treasurer of the bowling club and a member of the Ex Service’s club board. ‘I play bowls 3 times most weeks and I’m past Sectary of the Balranald Race club and until recently worked with my husband on our hobby of race horse training’.

Lyn is married to Ron and have two adult children. ’Our daughter lives in Canberra and our son lives in Milwaukee USA. We have four grandchildren who we don’t get to spend enough time with. I enjoy travelling and will be spending two months spoiling our granddaughter in the US and having time with our son and daughter in law in March. In my spare time I like doing crosswords to keep my mind active’. Far West In Focus will be profiling Health Councillor who roles ensure the voice of the community is heard by the health service.

Lyn Flannigan, Chair of the Balranald Health Council

This month we are focussing on the impact of alcohol and drugs on our mental health. Substance use or misuse can have a huge impact on how mentally and physically healthy we are.

Giving up smoking, ceasing or reducing your use or misuse of illegal or prescription drugs and controlling your alcohol intake are some of the most important things you can do to improve your health and well-being.

It's not always easy to recognise that you need help with your alcohol or other substance use. The questions below may act as a guide:

Have friends or family ever worried or complained about your drug or alcohol use?

Do you ever use drugs or alcohol first thing in the morning or to get you through the day?

Are you concerned about your drug or alcohol use?

Do you ever use drugs or alcohol to overcome the effects of other drugs or alcohol taken earlier?

Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drug or alcohol use?

Have you ever felt regret after taking drugs or alcohol?

Do you conceal your use from family or friends, or play down stories involving your drinking or using?

Does your drug or alcohol use impact negatively on other parts of your life e.g. work, friendships, finances, health?

Have you ever run out of money for things you need (e.g. food, bills, going out) because you've spent your money on alcohol or drugs?

Would you like to change the way you use drugs or alcohol?

If you answer YES to any of these questions it may mean you should talk to a health professional.

For further advice regarding treatment options and support you can present to or contact:

Your local GP

Broken Hill or Dareton Mental Health and Drug &

Alcohol Service

Maari Ma Primary Health Care

Lifeline

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Alcohol and drugs can have huge impact on mental health

INNOVATION By Mel Welsh, Clinical Redesign & Innovation Manager

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 8

The NSW Health Symposium and Innovation Awards were held in Sydney on 2 and 3 November and the FWLHD was lucky to have two finalists in the awards. As was celebrated in last month’s Far West in Focus newsletter, Karen Kemp won for Volunteer of the Year – well done Karen! Dr Sarah Wenham was also a finalist for the Staff Member of the Year and Sarah achieved this honour for her commitment to patient centred care, her energy in achieving change and her ability to motivate the teams with whom she works. Congratulations to Sarah for being a very deserving finalist for the NSW Health Awards Staff Member of the Year. Kishen Bundhoo (Medical Ward NUM) and Thea Ritchie (MGP Project Officer) also attended the Symposium and Awards thanks to sponsorship from the ACI. Thea was inspired by the experience of attending the symposium: “I was amazed and

captivated by the ways of thinking of the presenters, I've honestly had an entire shift in my "conventional" (I didn't even realise I was conventional!) approach to health. I walked away with my mind buzzing with ideas and possibilities as to how I can make use of this newfound understanding of innovative ways of health care services. I count this as one of the most pivotal educational opportunities I've had in my career”. Kishen rated his top sessions as the opening address by the Minister for Health when she thanked staff for their contributions and hard work and a breakout session titled ‘Talking Time for What Matters’ about the value of patient journey stories for learning.

The projects and innovations presented during the NSW Health Symposium and Innovation Awards came from the districts, based on winning and highly commended projects that were presented via each district’s local awards ceremonies. Far West nominated five projects from the local awards into the state awards. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any state finalists this year, but we can still be proud of having work of a high calibre to meet the criteria for submission into the state awards.

Check out the FWLHD Intranet to be

reminded of the 2015 Local Awards

nominees http://

fwlhd.gwahs.nswhealth.net/

ClinicalGovernanceUnit/

InnovationAwards.php or the Innova-

tion Exchange for Far West Innova-

tions http://

www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/ie

Innovation Awards an inspiring experience

Dr Sarah Wenham, Karen Kemp and Kishen Bundhoo at the Awards

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 9

During Studer Rounding every month, employees are asked: “Is there someone you would like to recognise?” This important question ensures that staff who are excelling, and providing a great service are recognised and

congratulated. This information is fed to Managers and Directors through Studer Monthly Accountability Meetings. This month, the Finance and Corporate Services Directorate had a number of staff recognised for their continued efforts

and assistance to others:

Adrian Winter was recognised for accounts payable resolution by the Finance Team.

Lee Anne Hill was recognised by Procurement/Fleet for “assistance above and beyond”.

Travel Booking staff by Paul Robinson and John Leehane for handling significant increase in bookings. The team has also successfully implemented the new travel booking form across the LHD.

Robyn Stewart has been recognised for her co-operation and good humour by the Procurement/Fleet team.

Sherry Davis was recognised by Michelle McKee and Karen Chrisakis for the quality of her cleaning in Kincumber House.

Deb Curyer and Emma Clynch were recognised by John Leehane for the quantity and quality of tasks completed during absences of 3 other HR/Payroll staff.

Annette Walker recognised Peter McDonald, Noni Inglis and the Finance team, Deb Curyer, Karen Winter, Karen Chrisakis, Adrian Winter, Rodney Lynott and the Bio Med Team for the friendly, patient and high quality assistance given to her. She also recognised John Leehane for having staff that rock and for making her feel important.

The Finance Team was also recognised by John Leehane for the very high quality completion on time of the 2014/15 financial statements.

If you want to recognise someone for going the extra mile to help you in your role, make sure you recognise them in your next Studer Rounding session.

It is great to see so many staff being recognised for their hard work in supporting staff within Far West. Congratulations!

Recognition for Finance and Corporate Services Directorate team

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for the Community Health and Outpatient Care (CHOC) project commenced on 23 November, and will run until 11 December.

Community health staff from the district are getting together in Broken Hill to test the clinical documentation and assessment forms developed for the eight clinical streams (aboriginal health, aged and chronic care, allied health, child youth and family, community home nursing, drug and alcohol, mental health and

sexual health). The CHOC project team have requested all community health

workers, who will be using CHOC to submit a request to the state wide service desk for an eMR account. If you are a community health worker and don’t have an eMR account, now is the time to raise a request with the service desk. Not sure where to find the form or how to fill the form? Contact Umer Qureshi (eHealth Change Manager, Far West LHD) on (08) 8080 1527.

UAT for Drug & Alcohol: Vanessa Smith (left) and Melissa McInnes UAT for Sexual Health: (from left) Trevor Magadzire, Jo Lenton and Angela Parker

CHOC User Acceptance Testing

97 days remaining to Go-Live of CHOC and eMR 2 in Broken Hill, Wilcannia and White Cliffs!

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

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Far West Local Health District supports staff to collaborate with partner organisations to provide the best possible people centred support. Sharing relevant information is an important component of collaborative work and Patchwork is a great, secure tool to enable this.

Far West LHD clinicians of all disciplines are encouraged to use Patchwork to support the great work you do every day to enhance the lives of the people who need our help.

Patchwork is a FACS initiative and is fast becoming standard practice in community, health and correctional services across NSW.

It has been trialled in other parts of the State and has already produced good outcomes for clients who experience homelessness, mental health, domestic violence and child protection.

It is a free, secure and simple to use web-app that will improve the coordination of cross-agency support services. It is hoped that as people from a range of services begin to use Patchwork it will build into a strong system that helps you find and connect to the other workers who are supporting your clients in other services.

Why should you use Patchwork? It lets you know who else is providing services to

your client.

It helps you deliver more coordinated care.

It saves your valuable time – you can track down the other services involved in your client’s care in 1-3 minutes instead of 1-3 hours.

It prevents duplication of effort and activity – you can easily see what support each service is providing to your clients.

Go to www.patchworknsw.net.au to watch a Patchwork explainer video and sign up to join over 1,500 Patchwork users already in NSW.

If you would like support or training to use Patchwork, please contact the Patchwork Administrator for Murrumbidgee and Far West on 02 6937 9437 or Bob Dyson from the Department of Education on 0455 076 107.

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is mandated by the UN General Assembly and is held each year on 5 December. It is a day for volunteers and volunteer based organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to showcase the difference they make in their communities.

On 5 December 2015 join us in acknowledging and enhancing people’s participation, engagement and voice, in shaping our nation and the world we want through the spirit of volunteerism.

The theme for 2015 is:

Far West LHD will celebrate and acknowledges all of its volunteers during the week leading up to the 5 December.

Posters will be displayed in the community in celebration of the wonderful volunteers who support Far West LHD and the communities we serve.

Three Far West LHD volunteers will attend the 2015 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony in Sydney on the 4

th December.

The Regional winners, Eleanor Blows, Karen Kemp and Lesley Sumsion, representing the Dementia/Delirium and Palliative Care Team, are looking forward to representing Far West LHD.

When Karen and Lesley fly back to Broken Hill, courtesy of flights sponsored by REX, on 5 December, their hope is to return with an Award, but more than that they are proud to be representing all of the volunteers that give their time to Far West LHD and the community of Broken Hill.

— Mary Leehane, Volunteer Manager

Celebrating our

volunteers

Saturday, 5 December 2015

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 11

Aqua Volunteer Leaders celebrate Christmas early

Aqua Leaders Ann Millsteed and Eleanor Blows along with Shirley Barnett hosted a morning tea with the aqua water exercise participants. As usual it was a wonderful spread of sweet and savoury delights with the participants each bringing a plate to share and chat over morning tea. Thankyou gifts were presented to Ann, Eleanor and Shirley in acknowledgement of their hard work during the year. Their work and commitment to the classes enables the Broken Hill community to participate in low impact water based exercises, improving their health and fitness.

The classes also provide an opportunity for participants to enjoy the social aspect of the group, often getting together for morning teas and birthday celebrations throughout the year.

YMCA Centre Manager Shane and Frontline Coordinator Jacinta presented the Leaders with flowers and chocolates to thank them for their continued support of the classes.

From left: Jacinta, Ann Millsteed, Shirley Barnett, Shane

and Eleanor Blows.

The Spirit of Christmas In hospital foyer

Broken Hill Hospital is looking forward to hosting members of the Broken Hill Forever Young Singers in the Hospital foyer. The Forever Young Singers will fill the foyer with the spirit of Christmas when they perform Christmas carols for everyone to enjoy.

The two performances will be on: Tuesday 8 December at 11.30 am and on Monday

21 December at 1.30 pm. We hope that you are able to take a few minutes

either over morning tea or lunch to call into the Foyer and enjoy their beautiful performance.

Far West LHD Staff – The Best It is almost impossible to update readers about the role of

our volunteers without mentioning our great staff that work with our volunteers and contribute to the volunteer program.

On 22 November Karen Kemp gave up her Saturday morning to educate some of the Kiosk volunteers on Infection Control and Food Handling. Karen’s willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that everyone is aware of these important topics is typical of her commitment to her professional role and to the volunteers. It is, in part, this dedication that has seen her recognised as the 2015 NSW Health Volunteer of the Year.

Melissa Cumming and members of the Far West LHD Palliative Care Team with the DDPC Volunteer Team enjoying morning tea

during a break in their Training Session

Karen Kemp with some of the Kiosk volunteers

Likewise on 24 November Melissa Cumming Director Palliative Care conducted a half day refresher training for the Dementia, Delirium and Palliative Care volunteers.

The refresher included communication, boundaries and self-care for volunteers. Our volunteers always enjoy learning and when they have presenters of such a high calibre as Melissa, it enhances the team’s learning experience and their volunteering role. Their appreciation of the time and knowledge shared with them is reflected in the quality of their contribution, and in turn translates to a better service and care of our patients. We must also acknowledge and thank Alex Huntir and Palliative Care Volunteering for sending copies of Palliare: A Handbook for Palliative Care Volunteers. Melissa utilised this resource as a training tool for this session. Melissa also introduced members of her team Rebekah Zanette, Rebecca Dalwood and Carole Vlatko who were on hand to explain their roles and answer questions from the volunteers.

The Far West Local Health District

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Broken Hill Pharmacy staff were promoting awareness of antibiotic resistance and how we can all help come up with

solutions during Antibiotic Awareness Week. Pharmacy Technicians (left) Jess Sullivan, Morgan Morris and Evelyn Kelly with (second from left) Chief Pharmacist Ruth Martin promoted the message throughout the health service with the help of their

‘super bugs’.

The BHHS Paediatric Ward was the welcome recipient of a generous donation thanks to fundraising on Melbourne Cup Day by the Sturt Club and BH Boutique Tours. Manpreet Singh (from left), Claire Horn, Doug Coff and Vanda Singh check out some of the toys in the Ward that the donation could soon be adding to.

Thank you for your generous donation.

The District is appreciative of the support from local airline Rex who are sponsoring two of our health service volunteers (with return flights) to attend the 2015 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards

Far West LHD will be represented at the Awards by finalists Eleanor Blows, Aqua Leader, Karen Kemp, Patient Family Support Staff Volunteer and Lesley Sumsion, who will be representing the Dementia/Delirium & Palliative Care Volunteer Team.

Far West LHD Volunteer Manager, Mrs Mary Leehane, said the health service was very appreciative of Rex Airlines for assisting the volunteers to attend the State finals awards in Sydney.

“It is exciting to have three local volunteers in the State Volunteer of the Year Award finals and equally that such a prominent organisation like Rex Airlines has offered its support and backing to our volunteers and joining the health service in recognising their unselfish contribution to the health service and community,” she said.

The District extends its best wishes to all the volunteers at the awards.

Support welcomed

The District has purchased eight portable GPS SPOT Tracker units to enhance the safety and provide an alternative mode of communication for staff, who are required to travel in remote areas where mobile phone coverage and passing traffic is limited.

Using satellite technology, SPOT Tracker units have the ability to send SOS, Check In and Help messages, along with a GPS location, to pre-programmed LHD contacts. The contacts can then mobilise the appropriate response to assist the staff member if required.

SPOT Tracker units will be placed at Tibooburra, Menindee, Ivanhoe, White Cliffs and Wilcannia Health

Services. The LHD Relieving Health Service Manager will also carry a SPOT Tracker unit and two units will be kept in the Fleet office for use by staff travelling from Broken Hill to remote sites.

The rollout of SPOT Tracker units will include an information session to health service staff, where the units are located, as to when and how to use the units. As outlined in the SPOT Tracker policy, staff will be provided with a briefing and written information on how to use the SPOT Tracker prior to travel.

For further information please contact Brendan Hedger, District Disaster Manager on (03) 5027 7120.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 13

EDRaPT: Emergency Dept. Rapid Patient Treatment project

The Emergency Department at the Broken Hill Health Service has been the focus of a number of changes recently, occurring in and around the ED. A lot of these projects are ongoing.

EDRaPT is a change that is already showing improvements to the way people access care and the way staff work with the flow of patients through the ED. This model of care is based on a more efficient use of space and resources in the ED and removing major blockages created by waiting for triage. In the new model of care, triage occurs at the window and the triage nurse is the first point of contact. The triage nurse’s role is to undertake rapid triage, prioritise access to care and keep an eye on things while people wait. So far this has resulted in a marked reduction in wait for triage, with 80% patients being triaged within 5 minutes and 90% within 15 minutes. This change has achieved compliance with NSW Health Triage policy and ensures safer care for patients and faster access to care.

The second part of this change is the allocation of space in the back of the ED. At the moment, patients are either placed on a bed (even if they don’t need to be lying down) or a chair that is placed near the rear corridor, and once these beds and chairs are full, the ED blocks up again. The corridor bed and existing chairs (accommodating 3 patients) have been removed, as well as two cubicle beds, and replaced with 6 chairs in what is called the rapid treatment area. This streaming of lower and higher acuity patients has the potential to remove blockages related to access to doctor and nurse time. Work continues around how this part of the project can be optimised to increase flow and decrease risk to patients.

Patients have been positive about seeing the nurse first and with the registration process being done while they wait after seeing the nurse. More work will be done with staff on designing ways to enhance the patient’s comfort and privacy as the change moves forward.

The EDRaPT model of care will undergo phased implementation over the next few months. Staff in the ED have participated in consultation during the trial of the model and have done an amazing job collaborating and problem solving in these first changes. We look forward to watching the fine tuning and implementation of the new model of care in the Broken Hill hospital ED.

Brendan Hedger (right) District Disaster

Manager, showing the SPOT Tracker to

Geraldine Rolton and Michael Spencer from

Menindee

GPS trackers to enhance travel safety

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 14

Non-Violent Crisis

Intervention Training

Over one hundred and twenty FWLHD staff have completed this training course over the last eighteen months.

The ten units training course is usually completed in eight hours and includes learning skills and knowledge.

The training will enhance your existing skills and does not replace common sense.

Course evaluations confirm that most people enjoy the learning and gain useful skills.

NVCI is a safe, non-harmful behaviour management system designed to help human service professionals provide for the best possible Care, Welfare, Safety and Security of disruptive or out-of-control individuals, even during their most violent moments.

During the course you will learn about crisis development and preventative and de-escalation techniques based around personal awareness and communication skills.

Personal safety techniques are discussed and practiced. One of the units of NVCI demonstrates the use of safe restraint as a last resort and only when physical control is necessary. We also learn about the dangerous risks of restraint.

Responding to people following stressful events NVCI teaches a novel post-vention model that helps learning from experience and planning to promote more positive responses to stressful incidents.

Enrol through HETI online or contact John Keenan on 08 8080 1648.

The Broken Hill Staff Quarters is well on the way to being ready for summer. Eleven new evaporative air conditioning units have been installed as part of the Capital Investment Program for 15/16 FY. This project has been long overdue and is just one of the improvements set for staff accommodation this FY. Thank you to Darrin Quinn and the contractors for all the effort in planning, implementing and keeping the project within budget.

Ray Slater BHHS Fire Officer held a mandatory practice fire demonstration at the Staff Quarters

(above) on the correct and safe use of fire equipment. All staff in attendance had the opportunity to

operate and experience the feel of the equipment under the ever watchful eye of Ray, who also

travelled to Wentworth to deliver the training to staff there (pictured below with RN Cheryl Robertson

and EN Joy Casson).

Essential fire training across the District

Keeping the Staff Quarters cool

Carer Education Program Pilot Unpaid family carers are an often overlooked but vital part of our

health system. The 2.7million carers in Australia (I in 8 of our population) provide a myriad of services including ongoing care, transport, meals, personal care physical and emotional support and love. A recent report from Deloitte Access Economics (2015) calculates that the replacement cost of this care would be $60.3 billion ( 3.8% of the Australian Gross Domestic Product and 60% of the total health and social work budget and )

Carers tend to do it hard, and research indicates they have a lower level of wellbeing than the rest of the community; are financially poorer; suffer physical and mental illness at a higher rate than non- carers and are more socially isolated.

It is a mistake to think that caring is limited to people who are older. The greatest number of carers are aged between 35 and 55. However in Australia there are over 300,000 under 25 years providing care (1 in 15 of that age group).

The health system relies on these unpaid family carers yet often they are either taken for granted, or worse, ignored.

Far West LHD Cancer Services is about to pilot a new Carer Education program for carers of people diagnosed with cancer. The pilot will provide information as well as encourage participants to take concrete steps to ‘look after themselves’.

For more information contact Garry on 8080 1577 or garry.halliday@health.nsw.gov.au

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 15

The residents at Wilcannia MPS were treated to a ‘pamper day’ when local high school children and supervisors came to the Health Services and performed hand and nail care. This will be a on going initiative for community engagement with the Health Services. Congratulations to all those taking part in this wonderful event — we’re sure the residents loved it!

Wilcannia MPS residents have a special day

Hand Hygiene Compliance results for auditing period 3 — 2015 (Jul – Oct):

Theatre staff achieved the highest rate of hand hygiene compliance with an overall rate of 95.5% for Recovery and the Day Surgery Unit. Dialysis came in a very close second with a compliance rate of 93.1%

Pictured (left) receiving the award and a box of chocolates to celebrate this great achievement are Elissa Tweedie and Sue Beahl. The auditor who audited the most moments in the same period is Romualdo DeGuzman (pictured right) from Medical Ward. He audited an impressive 314 moments.

Hand Hygiene Compliance

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 16

Christmas celebrations started early with the Kiosk Christmas Function held at the Demo Club on 28 November. The Demo’s Function Room was buzzing with laughter and goodwill as the 60+ team of volunteers and special guests celebrated the end of another successful year.

Kiosk President, Cheryl Meuret, welcomed everyone and thanked the Executive for their outstanding work and support. She thanked the Day Supervisors and volunteers for another successful year and in particular the volunteers who filled in on extra days, saying that some volunteers worked extra shifts on various days when their colleagues were away. Cheryl also thanked the Chief Executive, Stuart Riley, for his support and Mary, Volunteer Manager, for her support and hard work on behalf of the volunteers.

Long Service badges were presented to Lou and Rae and a special farewell to Ma, who has retired after given 21 years of service to the Kiosk.

There was also a special visit from Santa and as the photos can attest, fun and frivolity was had by all. A special thanks to Cheryl and Dennis for arranging the evening, with Cheryl’s imaginative games that had everyone joining in and having fun.

I would like to add my thanks to Cheryl, the Executive, the Day Supervisors and all the volunteers for their dedication to the Broken Hill Hospital. You are an exceptional group who work tirelessly for our organisation and for our community.— Mary Leehane, Volunteer Manager.

Please note the Kiosk will be closed from 18 December until 18 January 2016.

Kiosk Volunteers celebrate Christmas

Cheryl presented Rae and Lou with 10 Year Badges

Ma says farewell after 21 years at the Kiosk

Monday Kiosk Team

Tuesday Kiosk Team

Saturday Kiosk Team

Wednesday Kiosk Team

Thursday Kiosk Team

Friday Kiosk Team

Frosty the Snowman Game had everyone laughing and the winner

is pictured (at right) Executive table with invited guests

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 17

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.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 5, Nov 2015

PAGE 18 Submissions for Far West In Focus can be sent to Branko.Licul@health.nsw.gov.au

The newsletter can be found on the Far West LHD website at www.fwlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Kincumber House staff celebrated the Melbourne Cup with a luncheon before the big race.

A Prettiest Hat Award was hotly contested and presented to Dallas Seager and the Best Dressed Male was awarded to Steve Gleeson (pictured right with two admirers) and who coincidentally celebrated his birthday as well. The Funniest Hat award was shared by Samantha Elliott and

Kimberley Flood.