$1.5M and counting - Northern NSW Local Health District
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Northern
exposure Newsletter, Issue 10
November 2017
Above, past and present members of the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary, special guests and Lismore Base Hospital staff
gathered at Summerland House Farm to celebrate 100 years of the Auxiliary’s volunteer service for the hospital.
$1.5M and counting
A centenary of volunteer show, to supporting nursing Lynne Weir, Director Clinical Base Hospital, purchasing
service was celebrated on students during exams, Operations for Northern NSW items ranging from pianos to
19 October, at a luncheon the Auxiliary has remained Local Health District, said. children’s toys, to vascular
honouring the 100th a strong presence in the “Through their tireless ultrasound machines and
birthday of the Lismore Base community over the last 100 efforts, we are able to pacemakers.
Hospital Auxiliary. years. continually improve the care In 1982, the word
From humble beginnings “Words cannot express we provide to patients in this ‘Women’s’ was removed
as a group of women how fortunate we are to have region.” from the Auxiliary’s name, in
making and mending such a vibrant and hard- Since 1917, the Lismore recognition of the many men
hospital linen, to annual working Auxiliary serving UHA has raised an estimated who were joining with their
tea tents at the agricultural the Lismore Base Hospital,” $1.5 million for Lismore wives.
The Northern NSW Local Health
Page 9: District Board and Executive are
Page 4: Interview with committed to fostering a safe
Workplace Chris Lowry, and inclusive work environment.
injury team Lismore Base Improving workplace culture
recognised at Hospital Staff is a key priority for 2017-18,
TMF Awards Specialist with an emphasis on enhancing
Anaesthetist staff wellbeing and increasing
communication throughout the
organisation.
Executive Update
Our safety and quality indicators Tweed and Lismore Base Hospitals, and
continue to show great results which soon to be rolled out at Grafton Base
reflect the care and expertise of our Hospital.
clinicians and staff. This has been the case The system automatically uploads
for some time now, with the Northern data at the patient’s bedside, resulting in
NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) considerable data entry time-savings for
tracking well against our reportable staff.
measures at quarterly meetings with the The system has been working smoothly
Ministry of Health. I thank all our staff at The Tweed Hospital since it began
for their continued contribution towards three weeks ago, and has been well
providing safe, effective and efficient received by clinicians. Lessons learnt from
healthcare to our patients. the introduction of eRIC across our LHD
q q q will be applied at other sites as the rollout
continues across the state.
We’re taking the next step in I’m pleased to note that as well as
developing a solid research platform for our local Change Managers and Clinical
the LHD with the establishment of the Nurse Educators, we now also have a
Research Strategic Advisory Group. Led permanent eRIC Application Specialist,
by NNSWLHD's Director of Research, Dr Jason Muller, who will provide support to his skills in other areas of clinical practice
Alex Stephens, the group is tasked with the three sites running the system. and training for a while yet. Dr Lowry has
providing oversight and governance to been an integral part of our Anaesthetic
guide the LHD's Research Unit. It will hold q q q Department for over 20 years, and his
its first meeting on 20 November. expertise is an asset to our more senior
I have had the pleasure of working staff members as well as our up and
q q q with Lismore Base Hospital Anaesthetist, coming anaesthetic trainees.
Dr Chris Lowry for many years and I
We continue our eHealth evolution, want to congratulate him on his amazing Wayne Jones
with the implementation of eRIC now in career as he winds down from theatre
place in the Intensive Care Units at The work. I'm delighted to see we will retain
Chief Executive
From the Board Chair
difference to the lives of patients, their Community Representatives on
families and staff. Committees and many others who all
I acknowledge the tremendous enhance the care of our patients.
achievements of the fifteen UHA Each year at the Board's Annual
branches within our district who General Meeting we have the
have raised vast amounts of funds opportunity to acknowledge a few
which have been utilised to provide of the individuals involved and the
equipment and resources with a direct diversity of ways people contribute is
impact on patient care. remarkable.
While this was the 84th Annual
Conference of the NSW United Hospital q q q
Auxiliaries, a number of Northern NSW
branches have existed under different This year’s Annual General Meeting
names and have been contributing will be held on 13 December 2017 at
for over 100 years. Grafton, Coraki, the Ballina Quality Inn from 3.00pm to
Lismore and Casino are amongst these. 5.00pm.
Two Northern NSW UHA members I am pleased to advise that Dr
were honored with Life Membership at Richard Mahoney, Northern NSW Local
I was privileged to open the 84th the conference this year. These were Health District Director of Retrieval
Annual Conference of the NSW United Byron Bay Hospital Auxiliary President Services will be our Guest Speaker.
Hospital Auxiliaries held recently in Mollie Strong and Lismore Base Dr Mahoney will be showcasing the
Tweed Heads. The conference was Hospital Auxiliary Vice President Joan work undertaken by a Retrieval Service
a wonderful celebration with around McKenzie. to a regional Base Hospital and will
240 delegates attending from across I also note that Nimbin UHA also speak on the development of
the state. I congratulate The Tweed has recently celebrated its 70th the service since the new Helibase,
Hospital and Murwillumbah District Anniversary. Helicopters and the Lismore Base
Hospital UHAs for bringing this event to Volunteering has a proud history Hospital Helipad have come online.
Northern NSW. in Australia and in Northern NSW we
As Board Chair I greatly value the are blessed to have many individuals
relationships with the volunteers who including UHA members, Pink Ladies, Brian Pezzutti
generously give their time to support Cancer and Palliative Care Volunteers, Board Chair
our health services and make a real
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 2
2
League women deliver a knock out blow
Women’s rugby league Health District (NNSWLHD) campaign reinforcing positive The campaign will also
and the Health Promotion Health Promotion sponsored messages from the community focus on the importance
Talking Tobacco Team are the event with help from a as well as strategies to of having community
playing a vital role in tackling Cancer Institute NSW funding improve community uptake conversations with children,
smoking among Aboriginal grant for tobacco treatment of tobacco treatment support teenagers, families, including
communities. support within local Aboriginal and resources. pregnant women and older
Eight local women’s rugby communities.
league teams competed in NNSWLHD Chief Executive,
the inaugural Deadly Dubais Wayne Jones, presented
nine-a-side tournament held trophies to the winning team,
in Lismore as part of the 2017 Kyogle Tiddas, and runners up
Koori Knockout. Casino Wahalbul Dubays. The
Teams from Tweed, best and fairest medal was
Lismore, Coraki, Ballina/ awarded to Levina Robinson
Cabbo, Kyogle, Tabulam, from the Kyogle Tiddas.
Casino and Lower Clarence The Cancer Institute grant
battled it out in uniforms is also being used to roll out
displaying totems and smoke- a social marketing project
free messages specially ‘Putting out the fires in our
chosen by each team. communities.’ The project will
Northern NSW Local involve a social marketing
adults. Messages from
smokers, ex-smokers and non-
smokers about how tobacco
affects their communities will
also feature prominently.
Tobacco smoking is the
most preventable cause of
ill health and early death for
Aboriginal communities.
Above and left, players
and supporters show their
colours at the inaugural
women's Deadly Dubais
Koori Knockout tournament
in Lismore earlier this year.
Golf day a winner for Tweed patients
The Tweed Renal Dialysis Unit will soon
have a new set of scales for their patient
hoist, thanks to the fundraising efforts of
a group of local golfing enthusiasts.
The 3rd annual Brian Duffy Memorial
Golf Day was held at Palm Meadows Golf
Course on 8 October, raising $5300 for
the Dialysis Unit.
“On behalf of our patients and staff,
I want to sincerely thank all involved in
the Golf Day,” Tweed Renal Unit NUM,
Andrew Gosling, said.
“We are grateful to the sponsors, Palm
Meadows Golf Club, Helensvale Tavern,
Print Rescue Brunswick Heads, and NAB
Tweed South branch, as well as the
Thomson, Collis and Duffy families who
gave their time and talents to organise Above, from left, Alistair Thomson, Annette Duffy and Nikki Collis present Tweed
the event, and the many individuals who Renal Dialysis Unit NUM, Andrew Gosling, and The Tweed Hospital A/ Director of
contributed to making the day a success.” Nursing, Peter Jeffree with a donation for The Tweed Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 3
3
Wanna buy a Recovery at work: a fresh approach
raffle ticket? An innovative injury management
approach has received state-wide
2016-17, the organisation has seen
savings of over $1.6 million in workers
recognition at a recent award ceremony. compensation premiums.
Are you feeling The Northern NSW Local Health Since the introduction of the
rushed, and don't District’s Collaborative Injury framework, injured workers have
have time to help Management project was named reported high levels of satisfaction, up
out your local “Highly Commendable” for Excellence to 95%, and managers have shown a
sporting group or in Risk Management at the 2017 NSW 41% increase in rates of satisfation, up
kid’s school P&C? Goverment TMF Awards in Sydney. to 85%.
It seems you're The team, led by Yvette Bowen, These figures highlight the excellence
not the only one. Manager Work Health Safety and of the NNSWLHD framework and also
According Injury Management, developed a showcase the continuous journey of
Fiona Baker
to the statistics, case management approach to injury improvement and the potential for future
Editor
volunteering rates management. It was aimed at reducing improvements thanks to the cultural mind
in Australia are on a downward trend. the high costs of annual workers shift around workers compensation in the
The 2014 General Social Survey compensation premiums and improving workplace.
by the Australian Bureau of Statistics staff return to work rates. NNSWLHD Chief Executive, Wayne
showed that in 2014, 31% of Together with QBE Insurance, Jones, praised the team behind the
Australians volunteered, compared to NNSWLHD successfully implemented an project for their commitment to the long
a peak of 36% in 2010. For the first injury management framework which term success of the plan.
time in almost 20 years, the numbers delivered improvements for individuals “The turnaround in workers
went backwards. returning to work, as well as significant compensation performance reflects the
People seem to be busier than financial savings for the health district. commitment, leadership and hard work of
ever, and as a result, unpaid Over three years from 2014-15 to the return to work team,” Mr Jones said.
involvement in sporting groups,
political organisations and community
organisations is waning.
Volunteering might be declining at
the national level, but you wouldn't
know it around here. We have some
extremely robust volunteer groups in
the form of our Hospital Auxiliaries,
who show no sign of slowing down.
The Lismore Base Hospital
Auxiliary this year reached 100 years
of continuous service, and with a
membership base of around 40,
there are plenty of people to share
the load.
The Nimbin Auxiliary just
celebrated 70 years of service, and
last year the Murwillumbah Auxiliary
celebrated its 90th birthday.
At the recent UHA State Above, NNSWLHD Collaborative Injury Management team of Clarence/ Ballina
Conference it was reported that in Return to Work Coordinator Julie McFadden, Senior Claims Officer Robyn Sears,
2016-17, volunteers contributed the Manager Work Health and Safety Yvette Bowen, Tweed/ Byron Return to Work
equivalent working hours of 540 full Coordinator Paul Raphael and Lismore Return to Work Coordinator Solange
time staff to our hospitals. Santander at the TMF Awards.
That's a lot of time spent helping,
talking, listening, baking, fundraising,
Check out NNSWLHD Facebook page
organising, crafting and advocating
The Northern NSW Local Health
for hospitals and their patients.
We mustn’t take for granted the District Facebook page is used for
contribution that these and many a range of promotional activities,
other volunteers make to our lives, including the Health Promotion
simply by putting their hand up. newsletter, pictured right, and by the
I think a great way to show our LHD Media Unit to promote local events
appreciation would be to pay it and celebrate the achievements of staff
forwards, and contribute in our own and volunteers.
way to whatever cause we hold dear. It is regularly updated with the
As well as finding time to say happenings across the LHD. Check out
thank you, of course! our page today!
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 4
4
Emergency training an Australian first
Experts from health and aviation been accredited by the Australasian Hospital and Dr Charlotte Hall from
combined their wisdom in Lismore last College for Emergency Medicine and the Lismore Base Hospital.
month to deliver an innovative approach Australian College of Rural and Remote The Emergency Protocols quick
to trauma care. Medicine. reference guide has been endorsed by
The first-ever Advanced Emergency The workshop also showcased the the Emergency Care Institute within
Performance Training (ADEPT) workshop Emergency Protocols quick reference the Agency for Clinical Innovation, and
was held at the University Centre guide that was developed by Dr Dean is now available to staff in all NSW
for Rural Health, with local nurses Robertson from Maclean District Emergency Departments.
and doctors seizing the opportunity
to advance their teamwork and
communication skills.
International Pilots Michael Aspinall
and Anthony Lock teamed up with Dr
Charlotte Hall and Dr Dean Robertson
to create the ground breaking ‘Human
Factors’ training workshop.
Dr Hall said the weekend workshop
was a success, with participants
learning valuable skills to improve their
performance in complex emergencies.
“We were blown away by the positive
feedback from workshop participants at
the end of this weekend’s course,” Dr
Hall said.
“They arrived with few expectations
but left with an armful of ideas and
skills that they said will change how
they practice from now on.”
This course is the first of its kind for Above, facilitators and participants attend the first ever Advanced Emergency
health workers in Australia, and has Performance Training (ADEPT) workshop held in Lismore in October.
Valley’s sights set on home grown medicos
Post-graduate medical training in the professionals. Joanne Chad has been appointed
Clarence Valley will see a significant “I am delighted to be involved in as Program Coordinator for the
boost thanks to a new training hub. increasing training opportunities for Regional Training Hub. During her
The Valley is one of the locations young doctors in the Clarence Valley. recent tenure at the University Centre
to receive a Regional Training Hub This is the first step in encouraging morefor Rural Health in Lismore, Joanne
under a new collaboration between the doctors to work and live in the Clarence,”worked closely with many university
Commonwealth government and the A/Prof Collie said. medical schools across NSW and
University of Wollongong. QLD, coordinating medical teaching
The hub will boost the opportunities programs across multiple disciplines in
available for junior medical officers to hospitals and GP practices.
complete more of their training locally. Jean and Joanne live and work in the
It will also play a vital coordination region and their local knowledge and
role, connecting local clinicians, personal connections will be invaluable
education and training providers, health in setting up the hub and maximising
service staff, General Practitioners and the training opportunities available to
the broader community to set up and local junior doctors.
manage the arrangements needed for The program also aims to increase
local doctors to be able to do more of the number of medical practitioners
their training without leaving the region. working rurally in future. Community
Associate Professor Jean Collie has engagement and developing strategies
been appointed as the Clarence Valley for attracting and retaining medical
Regional Training Hub’s Medical Director. Above, Joanne Chad and Associate professionals in the region will also be
A/Prof Collie brings knowledge and Professor Jean Collie will head up the a key focus for the hub.
experience from her previous role as the new Clarence Valley Regional Training A/Prof Jean Collie and Joanne Chad
Director of Medical Services with Grafton Hub, designed to increase training are based at Grafton Base hospital.
Base Hospital, and a lifelong interest opportunities for junior medical officers Please email Joanne at jchad@uow.
in the education of medical and health in the region. edu.au for more information.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 5
5
State conference a border affair
Around 240 delegates converged on campaign to secure the conference in the NSW UHA donated over $5.5 million
Tweed Heads last month for the 84th the Tweed region around 4 years ago. worth of items to their local hospitals,
Annual State Conference of the United “The Tweed UHA worked so hard and the volunteer hours worked
Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA). for this conference, with the help amounted to the equivalent of 540 full
Auxiliary members came from all of the Murwillumbah UHA and their time staff.
over NSW to network and celebrate the president Val Foster,” Tweed Heads 10 members were honoured with Life
great contribution their many hours of Auxiliary Treasurer and Deputy North Membership at the conference, including
volunteering and fundraising make to Coast Regional Representative, Jennifer Byron Bay Hospital Auxiliary President
hospitals throughout the state. McKellar, said. Mollie Strong and Lismore Base Hospital
Tweed Heads Auxiliary President, In the 2016-17 financial year alone, Auxiliary Vice President Joan McKenzie.
Annette Alexander, said hosting
the conference in this region was a
wonderful experience for her and her
branch.
“It was hard work, however the
hard work has been worth it, and it’s
been great to welcome the wonderful
members of the UHA,” Annette said.
The Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah
Hospital Auxiliaries started their
Above, Tweed Hospital Auxiliary members attend the NSW UHA State
Conference at Twin Towns, Tweed Heads.
Left, NSW Ministry of Health Executive Director Health and Social
Policy Branch, Tish Bruce, UHA Deputy State President, Marion Dickins,
NNSWLHD Board Chair, Brian Pezzutti and UHA State President, Linda
Swales attend the conference.
70th Anniversary no small feat
Staff at the Nimbin Multi-Purpose “I sincerely thank the Nimbin Auxiliary state-of-the-art lifting machine, the lovely
Service honoured the women and men for their tireless work,” Executive Officer/ new aged care furnishings and practical
of the Nimbin Hospital Auxiliary on 8 Director of Nursing MPS Network, Nancy items like pressure-relieving mattresses
November with a morning tea recognising Martin, said. they have generously provided to the
70 years of service. "Their generosity is evident in the facility.”
The Auxiliary punches well above its
weight, raising a substantial amount
of money from its small membership
base. At present there are only around
15 active members, and 29 members in
total.
In 2016-17 financial year, the Auxiliary
raised $26,851 and during that year
it gifted the Nimbin MPS with over
$33,000 worth of medical equipment and
furnishings.
“It’s a pleasure to mix with people
wanting to give back to their community,
and so inspiring to see all the effort
our members put in,” Nimbin Hospital
Auxiliary President, Robyn Roos, said.
During the last 10 years, the Auxiliary
has donated $90,650 in items to benefit Above, members of the Nimbin Hospital Auxiliary at a morning tea celebrating
Nimbin patients. their 70 years of volunteer service to the Nimbin Multi-Purpose Service.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 6
6
There are also a series of annual plans which offer short term goals for the LHD, covering Business
Can you pass me the map, please?
Units, Workforce, Clinical Services, Corporate Governance, Quality Improvement and Culture to name a
few.
As a public health service with an of the NNSWLHD. It is currently under
annual budget of approximately $780 Northern NSW LHD development, and will replace the
million, the Northern NSW Local Health previous five-year strategic plan which
District (NNSWLHD) is charged with Strategic Priorities 2017-2022 guided the health service from 2012-
providing health care services to over 2017.
280,000 people across a geographic Value, develop and empower When drafting the Strategic
area of around 20,732 square our people Plan, NNSWLHD is guided by three
kilometres. overarching NSW State Health Plans
The decision-making process for Our community value our which set out the key targets for the
service delivery and funding allocations excellent person-centred care state’s healthcare system between
is guided by a series of plans which now and 2021. These Health Plans
Closing the gap in Aboriginal
inform each step in the planning also inform the LHD’s Annual Service
Health
process. Agreement, which is renegotiated each
Combined together, these plans Integration through financial year and which guides our
and processes act as the LHD’s GPS partnerships operational and business planning as
in guiding the organisation and its well as performance agreements for
Business Units to develop strategies and Effective Clinical and Corporate Executive members.
actions to achieve the priorities set by Accountability As well as the five-year Strategic
the Board and Executive. Champion of innovation and Plan, NNSWLHD has other, targeted
The NNSWLHD Planning and research
long-term plans which guide service
Performance Unit is responsible for delivery in particular areas, such as
health service planning, supporting Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol,
facility planning and strategic business At the Board Strategic Workshop Kids and Families, Clinical Services,
planning across the district. in August, the Board and Executive Reconciliation, Workforce and Corporate
This Unit ensures that health service identified the six top strategic priorities Governance.
development is informed through for the LHD’s 2017-2022 Strategic There are also a series of annual
consultation and input from managers Plan. These priorities are shown in the plans which offer short term goals
and staff, clinicians, non-government breakout box above. for the LHD, covering Business Units,
organisations, other government The Strategic Plan outlines the Workforce, Clinical Services, Corporate
departments, community members and organisation’s vision, purpose and Governance, Quality Improvement and
groups, and professional organisations. objectives to guide the future actions Culture, to name a few.
Relationship of key NSW and Northern NSW Local Health District Plans
ATTACHMENT 1: SCHEMATIC RELATIONSHIP OF KEY NSW AND NORTHERN NSW LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT STRATEGIC CORPORATE AND CLINICAL PLANS
Service
NNSW LHD Service Agreement informs
NSW State Plan 2021 – A
NSW State Health Plan – NSW Rural Health Plan - State Plans inform Agreement 2017 – 2018 corporate and clinical
Plan to Make NSW
Towards 2021 Towards 2021 Annual Service Agreements (Annual Service service planning &
Number One
Agreements) initiates LHD
Performance
Agreement &
Reporting Cycle
NNSW LHD Strategic Plan NNSW LHD CE &
2012 – 2017 Strategic Plan informs Annual Service Agreements Executive
(underdevelopment) Performance
Agreements
Clinical/Health service planning informs Strategic Plan
Strategic, Health/Clinical Service/
NNSW LHD Health Care NNSW LHD Business Plan
Asset Strategic Plans
Services Plan 2013 - 2018 (Annual Plan)
inform Business Plans
Clinical/Health service planning informs HCSP
- Clinical Service Plans
- Health Service Plans Asset Strategic Plan 2017 Operational Business Unit
- Functional Briefs (Annual Plan) Plans
- Investment Decision Reports
- Workforce & Aboriginal Workforce Plans
Performance
- Culture Plan
Agreements/
- Corporate Governance Plan
Performance
- Quality Account & Quality Improvement
Reports
Plan
- Reconciliation Action Plan.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 7
7
Got it! - Getting it done
Children in Northern NSW can For children, Got It! provides
now be part of an early intervention opportunities to learn about and
program helping them take charge manage their feelings and behaviours
of their feelings and become better both at home and school. Kids involved
problem solvers. in the program develop problem solving
Got It!, (Getting on Track in Time), skills and become more confident and
is an exciting initiative for early resilient within themselves.
Health Literacy intervention mental health in young
primary school children.
The targeted clinical component of
Got It! also involves the parents and
on holidays The program is a collaboration
between the NSW Ministry of Health
carers of children and offers support
in their parenting roles to promote a
As many people prepare to hit and the NSW Department of Education positive family environment.
the road over the Christmas break, involving mental health clinicians, The second component of Got It!
there are some simple things people Department of Education staff, provides training to teachers under
can do to manage their health while primary school teachers and families in the ‘Fun Friends’ resilience program
away from home. delivering a multi-faceted program to which enables schools to implement
school children in years K-2. social and emotional learning structures
This is a good chance to remind
Northern NSW Local Health District within their classrooms to benefit every
patients to:
has its own Got It! team, split between K-2 child.
1. Make sure they have an Byron Central Hospital and Yamba This year has seen the new Northern
up-to-date medication list. Check Community Health to meet the needs NSW Got It! team working extremely
this with your doctor or pharmacist of primary schools across the large hard setting up the program, while
and remove any medications you geographical area that is our LHD. commencing roll-out across six primary
are no longer taking. Remember to Got It! identifies children with social schools from Tweed Heads to Grafton.
include over-the-counter medications and emotional difficulties and supports So far the response from schools
and supplements. You can carry this them to respond to challenging has been overwhelmingly positive.
with you when you go on holidays, behaviours. It teaches them skills for Teachers, parents and children are
use a smartphone app (e.g. continued use throughout their lives. reporting many encouraging changes as
Medicinewise) or save the list in your This early intervention aims to a result of completing the program.
online My Health Record. reduce conduct-related behaviours As 2017 comes to a close the team
2. Update their My Health within school and home environments, is already busily preparing for the new
Record. This is an online record of with the goal of increasing the child's schools coming on board next year
your important health information. learning opportunities and improving and looking forward to continuing to
Once you set up your record, you the family dynamics as well as reducing positively influence the mental health of
can access it from anywhere in mental health concerns later in life. many of the families in the region.
Australia or overseas. It’s a great
way to be able to access vital
information about yourself if you
become unwell or have to visit an
emergency department.
This may include information
about your allergies, medications, or
your health history. When you get
home, your regular doctor will be
able to see a shared summary of the
care that you had while you were
away.
3. Ask their regular doctor
for a Sick Day Action Plan. This
can help someone with a chronic
condition recognise early if their
symptoms are getting worse and
take action. Often this can mean
changing a medication, or visiting a
GP. This means you may be able to
avoid having to go to the Emergency
Department while on your holiday.
Visit http://healthliteracy.nnswlhd.
health.nsw.gov.au/ for more tips and Above from left, Community Mental Health Nurse Unit Manager Ciarán Carolan
tricks. with the Northern NSW Got It! team of Camille Smith, Kirsty McMillan, Tara
Bales, Alice Hinde, Lisa Mitchell and Emma Cronin.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 8
8
Interview with Chris Lowry
Northern Exposure recently sat down with Lismore Base Hospital Staff Specialist Anaesthetist, Chris Lowry, to find
out about his pathway into Anaesthesia, his love of the ocean, and his upcoming plans for retirement.
Halfway through his medical degree,
Chris Lowry was conscripted into the Army.
It was the 1960s and Australians were
being sent to fight in the Vietnam War.
Chris was able to postpone his Army
service thanks to his study, and at the
same time, he discovered an alternative
avenue for mandatory service. Chris
obtained a Naval Cadetship which
provided him with a living allowance and
money for textbooks for the final few years
of his course.
On completion he’d be bound to serve
four years in the Royal Australian Navy,
rather than two years in the Army, and
since Chris was a keen swimmer and
surfer, the Navy seemed a much better fit.
Chris graduated in 1970 and began
his sea service, before being stationed at
HMAS Penguin in Balmoral, with the Royal
Australian Navy School of Underwater
Medicine.
“When I was still a student I did courses
in diving medicine with the navy during
the holidays. When I came into the navy Living in Lennox Head, Chris spent as well as scuba diving here and overseas.
they earmarked me to do specific training almost 10 years as a VMO on the North His favourite dive location is Palau in
in diving medicine,” said Chris. Coast before obtaining a Staff Specialist Micronesia.
When his four years ended, Chris went position at Lismore Base Hospital. At the Aid work has also been a large part of
looking for something that would align end of this year, Chris will retire from Chris’ career. Since 1985, Chris has been
with his skills in diving medicine. theatre work, but will continue working in donating his time and expertise on annual
“Anaesthetics was all to do with gases, other areas of the hospital. trips with Interplast, a non-government
volumes, and partial pressures,” Chris Chris says part of the appeal of organisation set up by Australian
said. He took up an Anaesthetics trainee Anaesthetics is that it gives him a good plastic surgeons to provide plastic and
position at Royal North Shore Hospital, overview of the workings of the entire reconstructive surgery in countries where
where he stayed for four years before hospital. this treatment isn’t accessible.
moving overseas to continue his training. “We’re involved in many parts of In the early years, the program sent
In 1980, Chris returned to Australia as the hospital, not just in the operating Chris to Pacific countries, which also
a qualified Anaesthetist, and went back theatres. We’re consulting on the wards, happened to be ideal destinations for a
to Royal North Shore Hospital as a Visiting doing preoperative assessment, pain keen scuba diver.
Medical Officer (VMO). management, radiology department, “We’d work during the day and have a
In his youth, Chris had had the idea of obstetric department, cardiology, intensive dive at night, or on the weekends.”
one day becoming a General Practitioner care.” There is a downside, though. The Since 2000, Interplast work has taken
on the North Coast of NSW. long hours and on-call work isn't easy. Chris to Laos, as part of a larger team
So, after more than 20 years working “That’s fun and exciting when you’re performing bigger surgeries and training
and raising their two children in Sydney, younger, but it becomes very tiring as you staff on the ground. In February, Chris
Chris and his wife, Robin realised they get older,” Chris said. will take his last trip with the group to
could still go north if they wanted. It During his time in Lismore, Chris has Vientiane.
meant that Robin would have to give up been Director of Anaesthesia, Director of In retirement, Chris will pursue his love
her job as a high school teacher. Clinical Training for Junior Medical Officers, of the ocean, as well as his interests in
“I researched where the best hospitals and Anaesthetics Training Supervisor. photography and travel. He caught the
were with the widest experience, and “I’ve enjoyed teaching registrars and photography bug about 10 years ago,
I thought Lismore was the best one residents. It’s rewarding when you see meeting and photographing people in
between Newcastle and the Gold Coast,” trainees come back to work as consultants their own environment as part of his aid
Chris said. He organised a few locum here, and we’ve had quite a few.” work. Today whenever he travels he packs
appointments to get a feel for the place, When he isn’t working, Chris can be his favourite digital SLR, along with ‘quite
and eventually settled here in 1992. found swimming and surfing in the ocean, a few lenses’.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 9
9
Biobank to Healthy dose of talent on show
revolutionise The marriage of community health and
community art proved very successful
photographers and sculptors, young and
old, amateur and professional, from all
research when the new Coraki Campbell HealthOne
facility recently hosted the Coraki Art
over the Northern Rivers and beyond.
Coraki Art Prize President, Melva
Australia’s first storage bank for Prize. Thompson, said the feedback about the
human biospecimens opened in A record number of entries were venue was overwhelmingly positive.
Sydney this month. received for this year’s show, and over “Many visitors commented on the
As the largest facility of its kind in 500 visitors came to see the artworks and crisp, clean venue and in particular the
the southern hemisphere, the NSW have a look through the new HealthOne excellent lighting. We are very grateful to
Health Statewide Biobank is set to over the weekend of 28 and 29 October. the Northern NSW Local Health District for
revolutionise medical research in The 17th Annual Coraki Art making the HealthOne available for this
Australia. Prize attracted entries from artists, community event,” Melva said.
Minister for Health and Medical
Research Brad Hazzard said the $12
million Biobank will help researchers
change the way life-threatening
illnesses are treated.
“The Biobank will house more than
three million human samples including
DNA, tissue, blood and tumour cells
which researchers can use to unlock
the puzzle of disease.
“The NSW Government is proud
to have fully funded this world-class
facility which may one day support a
cure for cancer, diabetes, dementia
and more,” Mr Hazzard said.
Members of the public wishing to
contribute to research projects should Above, visitors admire the artworks displayed in the coridors of the Coraki
speak to their doctor about donating Campbell HealthOne at the 17th Annual Coraki Art Prize.
tissue samples.
Drinks set Valley goes fancy for festival
to change Visitors to the Grafton Base Adolescents’ Ward taking out with an afternoon tea, ladies
Hospital (GBH) on Thursday, the prize this year. in hats and men in ties. And it
You may have begun 9 November, may not have Following the success of the doesn’t end there.
to notice some changes recognised any of the usual Jacaranda Festival, GBH staff “You should see what we
to the drinks being staff. celebrated the Melbourne Cup have in store for Christmas!”
sold through cafeterias The annual Jacaranda
and vending machines Festival provided a great
throughout the Northern opportunity for staff to get
NSW Local Health District dressed up and support the
(NNSWLHD). community.
Retailers have started Each year, the GBH Staff
making adjustments to Health and Welfare Committee
their beverage offerings, encourage wards and
helping to make healthier departments to decorate their
choices easier for staff work areas and dress up in
and visitors. theme.
By December 1, “This year’s themes ranged
NNSWLHD facilities will from ‘Down on the farm’ to
be offering drinks which ‘Afrian Safari’, ‘the 80s’ and
meet the ‘Healthy Food ‘Getting your Purple On’,”
and Drinks in NSW Health Health Information Manager,
Facilities’ initiative, and Alison Lollback, said.
drinks that contain only An independent (and often
sugar (with no nutritional secret) judge makes their Above, the Aruma Community Nursing ‘African Safari’
value) will no longer be deliberations over the winning team, L-R, Michelle Thornton, Gail Turnbull, Jo Andrews, Ros
available for purchase. unit, with the Children and Hatfield, Annette Cornish, Julie Charles and Alison McIntyre.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 10
10Donations bring warmth, relaxation to new unit
Patients in Lismore’s newly-renovated therapy chairs for use by Mental Health Older Persons’ Mental Health Unit (Lilli Pili)
Mental Health Unit will be able to relax patients in Lismore. and Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre.
with purpose-built therapy chairs and Over the past 12 months, the Lions As well as donating funds towards
hand-made quilts, thanks to generous have helped donate 10 massage chairs the massage chairs, the Mental Health
donations by two local fundraising worth over $11,000 throughout the Support Group donated 46 patchwork
groups. district. quilts to adorn the beds of the new Lilli
The Lions Club of Lennox Head, The chairs will be allocated across four Pili Older Persons’ Mental Health Unit, and
together with the Northern NSW Local areas: the Child and Adolescent Mental 57 quilts to the Tallowwood Adult Mental
Health District Mental Health Support Health Unit (Kamala), the acute Adult Health Unit. These were made by local
Group have raised funds for six massage Mental Health Unit (Tallowwood), the quilting groups.
Below left, members of the Lennox Head Lions Club with a new massage chair.
Below, quilters Ruth Harris, Lorna Simpson, Diane Brown, Barbara Stoker, Lee
Winderbon and Liz Denman with Mental Health Support Group founder, Barbara
Swain, present handmade quilts to the Mental Health Unit.
Does your patient have a Thrombotic link to a printable pdf which offers education New Cancer HealthPathways
Disorder? for your patients on recognising symptoms
of deep vein thrombosis and lists other Click on the links below to view:
HealthPathways has recently localised precautions and preventative measures that • Breast Cancer Established
the Thrombotic Disorders HealthPathway could be undertaken to reduce thrombotic • Breast Cancer Follow-up
which adds another live pathway under the risk during long-haul air travel. • Head and Neck Cancer – Established
Haematology Category. The referral sections provide criteria • Endometrial Cancer
Thrombotic disorders (also called for referral to a non-acute haematology • Familial Cancer Syndromes
thrombophilia) refer to patients who assessment which provides information • Familial Breast or Ovarian Cancer
are at significantly increased risk of on public haematology providers and Syndromes
thromboembolism. This can also be due to also provides a link to the Deep Vein • Familial Colorectal or Endometrial
inherited causes or acquired causes. Thrombosis HealthPathway for specific Cancer Syndromes
The pathway provides a comprehensive information on this condition. • Head and Neck Cancer – Established
list of risk factors for the condition, guidance We currently have over 370 live pathways • Cervical Screening - This new pathway
on when testing is recommended and on our website! To view all localised Mid describes renewed changes to the National
information about negative test results. and North Coast Health pathways, follow Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) being
The assessment section, in summary, this link: implemented on 1 December 2017.
provides a list of factors to assist you in https://manc.healthpathways.org.au/index.
assessing if your patient is at thrombotic htm For further information email kkeyte@
risk and indicators for possible condition Username: manchealth ncphn.org.au.
re-occurrence. Password: conn3ct3d
In the management section you will find a
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 11
11Integrated Care Walking to work just got easier
- what does it Have you heard about the Make
Healthy Normal campaign? It’s a NSW
10,000 daily steps.
Evidence suggests that more walking
mean for me? Health campaign to increase healthy
eating and active living, with the aim of
means less time spent in hospital as
a patient. Walking and cycling have
reducing overweight and obesity rates. also been associated with a lower risk
The annual Community Now staff at Lismore Base Hospital of adverse cardiovascular outcomes,
Engagement Advisory Council (CEAC) (LBH) have a chance to take part, with particularly for women. Parking down
conference is on again in December. the recent installation of pavement town and walking to work each day
The one-day event will focus stickers leading from the hospital to would help achieve this.
on Integrated Care, and feature the Lismore Cental Business District Next time you’re at LBH, please cross
presentations and a panel of (CBD). These novel stickers are spaced the road and look for the Make Healthy
clinicians, health consumers, at 200m intervals and act as markers Normal pavement sticker to set you on
subject experts and health service for measuring walking distance from the your healthy walking journey.
management. hospital to downtown. The Health Promotion team has
Come along and find out what Did you know it’s exactly a one installed these as a trial to see how
Integrated Care means for you and kilometre walk from the hospital to they stand up to the rigours of feet,
your community. the edge of the CBD? This equates to rain and sun. They would love to hear
This year’s keynote speaker is Jay burning 220kJ of energy, about as much your nominations of walking routes near
Allen, Community Coordinator for energy as in an apple, so you’ll need to other facilities across the health district.
Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA). do it a few times! Contact Adam Guise at adam.guise@
Jay Allen is a former truck driver It’s also about 1300 steps, so a return ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au
and patient of MIA. trip downtown and back can provide You never know who you might
As MIA’s Community Coordinator, nearly a third of your recommended inspire to Make Healthy Normal.
Jay has devoted the last six years
to spreading the sun-safe message
to schools, organisations and
communities around Australia.
He recently trekked 1200kms from
Brisbane to Sydney to raise vital
money for a clinical trial for advanced
melanoma patients.
Jay’s story about surviving
melanoma is raw, honest, and
inspiring.
“Melanoma Institute Australia
saved my life and I want to give
back by raising awareness about
melanoma and how to reduce the
risks,” Jay said.
The conference will be held on
Thursday, 14 December at Ballina
Surf Club.
Click here to see the program and
to register to attend the conference.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 12
12eHealth Northern NSW – Health and Drug and Alcohol Services,
Connecting with Clinicians during the eMR-CHOC Project.
You can contact James via email at
The new eHealth Clinical Advisory
james.nunn@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
Group will hold its inaugural meeting A workshop was recently held to
For more information, please check
on 28 November. The group’s primary review the new workflows and confirm
out the web page here.
purpose is to provide advice on matters how clinicians will use eMeds.
relating to Clinical eHealth services in Northern NSW Local Health District eRIC Update
the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) sent three clinical Congratulations! Lismore Base
(NNSWLHD), including applications and representatives: Dr Alasdair Arthur Hospital (LBH) ICU – eRIC went live
devices. (Dep. Dir. ED TTH), Andrea Thawley on 13 November.
Nominations have been received (CNC Emergency Tweed-Byron) and eRIC landed at The Tweed Hospital
from a diverse group of Clinicians and Ahmad Sayar (A/Dep. Dir. Pharmacy (TTH) on 30 October, and Grafton
successful members will be notified LBH). They were joined in North Sydney Base Hospital is following closely with
soon. Wendy Roulston, Clinical eHealth by the District’s eMeds Project team. eRIC scheduled to deploy in early
Service Manager is the Secretariat, The Project team are very excited December.
contactable via email: wendy.roulston@ to have received 70% of the eMeds As a state-wide system, eRIC puts
ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au build for testing. The testing phases into effect standard practice across all
q q q are extensive and will take-up a large ICUs. This is the first time a state-
component of the team’s time during wide electronic ICU system has been
eHealth Northern NSW is continuing
the next several months. deployed across Australia and will be
to investigate WiFi connection problems
The eMeds project team are pleased one of the largest in the world.
with computer carts.
to announce that a new Change Jason Muller has been appointed as
An eHealth Incident team meets
Manager will start on 20 November. the LHD’s eRIC Application Specialist.
weekly to review proposed fixes
James Nunn has been appointed to Jason is responsible for the ongoing
and identify whether they can be
replace Wendy Roulston in the District maintenance of eRIC, which includes
applied across the District. Changes
Program Change Manager role. James granting access to use eRIC, training
to equipment and settings are
is a Registered Nurse with extensive and coordinating enhancement
underway with reported improvements
experience in the Drug and Alcohol requests, and system upgrades.
implemented at Ballina District Hospital.
Withdrawal Unit, most recently working Jason is a Registered Nurse and has
All sites note: please continue to
in the Mental Health after hours’ patient a background in ICU. You can contact
log these problems with the State Wide
flow role. James worked as the Network Jason via email at Jason.muller@
Service Desk (IT help desk) and request
Change Manager, Richmond Mental ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
“Attention the WiFi queue.”
Bombe Alaska in revival for Radiation Therapists
Retro food and fashion was brought Staff in the Radiation Oncology unit results for patients today.
back to life at the North Coast Cancer donned retro revival outfits and dined on NCCI employs 18 radiation therapists,
Institute – Cancer Care and Haematology Scotch eggs, cocktail onions and bombe who range from graduate placements to
Unit (NCCI) in celebration of World Alaska to honour to the birth of technical highly experienced therapists with world-
Radiography Day on 8 November. innovations which are still delivering wide expertise.
Senior radiation therapist, Richard
Ford, says developing good relationships
with patients during their treatment, and
the flexibility to travel the world working
in different places are some of the perks
of his job.
“I’ve always worked in big cities, so it
was nice to come to a regional centre.
I’m enjoying a more rural lifestyle, and
we’re so close to the ocean and to
brilliant cities, it’s an absolutely fantastic
place to live,” Richard said.
Radiation therapists complete a four-
year university degree, with training
placements during the final year.
Left, Radiation Therapists at NCCI
go retro in celebration of World
Radiography Day.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 13
13The last word…
Off and racing for Our Kids Luncheon
The annual Our Kids $20,000, with punters also identities. Children’s Ward at Lismore
Melbourne Cup Luncheon taking home around $58,000 “The ladies all looked Base Hospital.
was a sell out this year, worth of prizes. splendid, and some of the Now in its 15th year, the
attended by 200 people Lismore Base Hospital fascinators worn on the day Our Kids Melbourne Cup
dressed to impress and raise Special Care Nursery NUM, were amazing,“ Jo said. Luncheon is renowned for
a few dollars for the charity. Jo Ezzy, attended the lunch The money raised on its stylish decor and superb
The luncheon at Southern with several colleagues and the day will go towards a food.
Cross University raised over many well-known Lismore piece of equipment for the ”On behalf of the staff in
the Special Care Nursery,
I want to thank Dr Chris
Ingall and Rebekka Battista
for their tireless work in
promoting Our Kids in the
community. The equipment
purchased assists the staff of
Special Care Nursery and the
Children's Ward to give the
best care possible,” Jo said.
Pictured at left, back row,
L-R, Sally Butchers, Carmel
Kinkead, Sue Sheaffe,
Clare Warren, Marion
Pipper, Katrina Beohm,
Julie Roberts, Carolyn
Lindwell and Jo Ezzy
(front) attend the Our Kids
Melbourne Cup Luncheon.
Casino staff commemorate armistice
For the first time, Casino District
Hospital held a Remembrance Day
ceremony in the Harmony Garden on 8
November.
Members of the Casino RSL sub-
branch conducted the service, and
wreaths were laid by staff, RSL
members and a community member.
Around 25 people attended to pay
their respects to those men and women
who have died or suffered in armed
conflicts around the world.
Above, back row, Casino RSL sub-branch members with, at
front, Casino District Hospital Nurse Manager 1 Christine
Bulmer, Casino Hospital Auxiliary President Robyn Spruce, ex-
staff member Robyn Cooper, Enrolled Nurse Shirley Roach and
A/EO DON Melissa Ingram.
Left, Casino District Hospital domestic services staff Leanne
Mason, Rosemarie Newman, community member Maree
Flanagan and staff member Marcia Armstrong.
Northern Exposure November 2017 Page
Northern Exposure December 2016 Page 14
14You can also read
