Auricle - New tech brings back family meal time - Barwon Health
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Auricle EDITION 2 / 2021
New tech brings back
family meal time
05 13 19 24
New CT Scanner Ford site transforms into New research targets Coronavirus Emergency
community vaccination hub endometriosis symptoms Relief Fund – one year on
.
CONTENTS Fun facts
02 Message from the Chief Executive Here’s a snapshot of the Public
02 Interns learn the ropes of health management Affairs and Communications
WHAT’S NEW
03
Getting greener
team’s output since the beginning
Cutting speech pathology waiting times of the pandemic (1 March 2020
Satisfaction guaranteed with Clinical Engineering
New StaffCare Women’s Health service
through 7 May 2021):
Introducing the Barwon Biobank and Data Lake
New laser machine for urology surgeries
New CT scanner
06 New tech brings back family meal time
07 DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT | Oncology Rehabilitation
THE HEART OF THE MATTER | Royal Commission
08
sets path for new approach to mental health
11 Milestone for innovative ICU services
12 New theatres a healthy boost for Geelong patients
12 Pocket hearts for bereaved families to hold close
COVID-19 Vaccine
13 Ford site transforms into community vaccination hub
MEDIA INQUIRIES – 604
14 New vaccination hub evokes fond memories forJoe
PHOTOS TAKEN – 14,504
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
15 | Clinical trials can transform
community health FACEBOOK REACH -
4,070,626
Research at Barwon Health
18 Australian-first study reveals gender differences in footy injuries VIDEOS PRODUCED - 323
17 Research into sterilising pacifiers and food allergies published
POSTERS AND SIGNAGE
19 New research targets endometriosis symptoms
19 Announcing the BH DU PHD program
PRODUCED – 155
MEMOS AND CIRCULARS
20 MEDICAL MYTHBUSTERS | COVID-19 vaccination
PRODUCED - 159
20 Virtual word offers therapeutic remedy to isolation
21 Test Tracker streamlines waiting game
Cover: Lance Collins, who has MND, is able to enjoy
OT training videos take safer care to online audience
21 meals with his family again, thanks to the assistance
22 Staff acknowledgements of his Obi Robotic Feeder. Image: Geelong Advertiser.
22 Dr Renee Sheedy honoured with scholarship award
23 Lasting Legacy Tree unveiled www.facebook.com/barwonhealth
23 Refurbished cancer patient accommodation
www.twitter.com/barwonhealth
23 Barwon Health Foundation provides boost to Room 64 podcast
24 Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund – one year on www.instagram.com/barwon_health
24 Alex is a marvel
www.linkedin.com/company/barwon-health
25 Length of service
Auricle is edited and produced by Barwon Health’s
Public Affairs and Communications Department.
Barwon Health
01
.
the McKellar Centre, which is a fantastic of the vaccination program with carefully
community-funded project supported by the planned logistics, administration, promotions
Barwon Health Foundation that will make a and services. After just over three months
difference to families across the Barwon South of the rollout, the Barwon South West Public
West region. The community will be pleased Health Unit has administered more than
to see the recent State Government budget 80,000 vaccine doses, with more than 43,000
announcements for Barwon Health Surf at the former Ford site in just two months. It
Coast Community Hospital and the expansion was a huge effort to transform the Norlane
of paediatric services in the Emergency site into a community vaccination hub, and
Department. The Barwon Women’s and it’s very rewarding to see hundreds of people
Children’s also continues to progress with vaccinated there each day.
Message from the detailed planning well advanced.
We have been fortunate to experience a taste
In response to the Royal Commission into of “normal” life again; however, the past month
Chief Executive Mental Health, it’s been encouraging to see or so has shown how quickly this virus can
significant investment in mental health spread and impact our community. The latest
Now that we’re midway through the year, it’s that will make our services more accessible restrictions have taken a toll on everyone in the
instructive and interesting to look back at what in the community. This includes the recent community and I want to specifically thank our
has changed compared to the first six months announcement for a new five -storey staff who have shown agility and resilience in
of 2020. The pandemic continues to devastate Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services the way they have responded to the changes.
some communities around the world, and we Community Hub in central Geelong, which will
I am enormously proud of the way Barwon
have seen in Victoria how quickly we can both help people in our region get better access to
Health has responded to the recent challenges,
adjust to “normal” life again, only to return community based treatment and support. The
whether it is keeping our aged care residents
to the restrictions that are required during a Hub will complement our new Mental Health
safe, responding to more people seeking care
significant outbreak. Hospital in the Home program, as well as the
in the emergency department, or delivering
new acute mental health unit at the McKellar
Of course, there has also been a lot happening more babies. I appreciate all the work and
Centre that is now in the construction planning
outside of COVID-19. Here at University commitment of our staff in responding to our
phase.
Hospital Geelong, Building B has opened two community.
of the newly refurbished operating theatres A huge part of our success in keeping COVID-19
to create more capacity for elective surgery, out of Geelong has been the fantastic efforts
while the Swanston Centre redevelopment is of the community and all of our healthcare
progressing well, with new inpatient rooms, a workers across the Barwon South West
revamped therapy space and new courtyard region. We are now working with rural health
now complete. Construction has also started services, the Primary Health Network and
on our new Kids Rehabilitation Centre at other community providers on the rollout Frances Diver | Chief Executive
INTERNS LEARN THE ROPES OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Three management interns have “We’re doing work with Barwon Health’s
strategy planning team, but other interns
joined Barwon Health for a six-
around the state are working in service
month program aimed to develop provision, risk, policy, and other departments
future leaders for the health system. that cover the business side of healthcare,”
he said.
The Australasian College of Health Service
Health management interns Lucy Bertino,
Management (ACHSM) program offers “We have received a great level of support and
Sabrina Pilla and Harrison Thorn have
clinicians and graduates the opportunity to we’re lucky to be able to work with members
joined Barwon Health for six months.
develop knowledge and understanding of of the executive and staff across the
the health sector, as well as skills relevant to organisation, both clinical and non-clinical.”
“It’s a program that not only benefits the
health management.
Barwon Health Strategy and Planning adviser interns, but is also a great investment in
Intern Harrison Thorn said the program Simon Montomery said the ACHSM interns developing future leaders in the health system
was about introducing people into the had made meaningful contributions during and brings support and new perspectives
management side of healthcare, equipping their time at Barwon Health. across a range of our projects,” he said.
them as future health managers.
Auricle
02
.
WHAT’S NEW
Speech pathologists Alice Stewart, Amy Tischhauser, and
Courtney Skontra with the new endoscopy equipment.
CUTTING SPEECH PATHOLOGY
GETTING GREENER WAITING TIMES
The arrival of new endoscopy equipment will
Biodegradable denture of finding sustainable options dramatically reduce the waiting list for speech
that reduce the organisation’s pathology services at Barwon Health.
cups, paper pill cups and
carbon footprint, resulting in new
sugar cane injection trays products, including the sugar Speech pathologist Courtney Skontra said the new
are Barwon Health’s latest cane injection trays that are endoscopy stack and two videoscopes would play a pivotal
move to become more now being used for the COVID-19 role in service expansion.
environmentally-friendly. vaccination rollout.
“The new equipment will see significant growth in
Other initiatives have also endoscopy-based assessment and treatment of
The recent switch to these eco-
adapted a “reduce, reuse and swallowing, voice and some upper airway conditions, such
friendly products will cut back on
recycle” approach, such as as paradoxical vocal fold movement, in both inpatient and
significant waste, with 1.5 million
removing single use medicine outpatient settings,” she said.
plastic pill cups previously used
cups, and patients bringing
every year. Credentialed senior speech pathologists will advance their
their own overnight bag instead
scope of practice, dramatically reducing the waiting times
Barwon Health’s latest strategic of receiving a disposable
for these services, while (Ear, Nose and Throat service) ENT
plan has outlined the importance thermoplastic patient clothing bag.
continues to support the services for medical opinion and
follow-up as required.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED WITH CLINICAL ENGINEERING
Congratulations to Clinical The department is responsible for managing satisfaction, compliance to regulatory
a wide range of medical devices and requirements, managing resources, employee
Engineering for receiving ISO
technologies throughout Barwon Health engagement and continuous improvement.
9001 re-certification following an sites, its affiliates and other medical sites in
This marks 19 years since first being issued
independent audit for high quality Geelong and surrounding areas.
with the certification and an average
and standards.
This re-certification achievement confirms customer satisfaction score of 9.7 for the
a commitment to quality, customer past 10 years.
Barwon Health
03
.
NEW STAFFCARE WOMEN’S
HEALTH SERVICE
Barwon Health’s StaffCare before moving to Geelong and entering
general practice in 1994. To book an
Women’s Health service is now
appointment, Barwon Health employees
operating on Tuesday, Wednesday should book via HotDoc (https:// www.
and Thursday each week. hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/
geelong-VIC-3220/barwon-health-staff-
Led by Dr Margaret Somerville, all aspects
care/doctors). Alternatively, staff can
of women’s health are catered for in the
email staff.care@barwonhealth.org.au, or
service, including family planning, pre-
phone 4215 3220.
pregnancy counselling, pregnancy advice,
and menopause advice. Dr Somerville Pictured: StaffCare Women’s Health
has previously worked at St Vincent’s service GP Dr Margaret Somerville.
Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital
INTRODUCING THE BARWON NEW LASER MACHINE FOR
BIOBANK AND DATA LAKE UROLOGY SURGERIES
A new initiative is developing a Barwon Health has secured a new
system for healthcare providers state-of-the-art laser machine that
and researchers to analyse data can vaporise painful kidney stones
and samples, while protecting and support the treatment of men
consumer privacy. with prostate conditions.
Vast quantities of data and biological The Lumenis MOSES 2.0 laser device is the
samples are collected on a daily basis first of its kind in any Australian hospital
at Barwon Health and researchers have and will use the very latest medical laser
identified that these samples could be technology to manage about 350 urology
used to continually improve services, as patients each year.
well as to discover new treatment and Director of urological surgery Richard Grills
The equipment’s main benefit is a cost
prevention strategies. with the Lumenis MOSES 2.0 laser device.
effective approach that allows for quicker
The Barwon Health and Deakin University operations and reduced recovery time in
“On top of offering a quicker surgical procedure,
partnership has launched the initiative hospital, leading to shorter waiting lists,
this device will allow patients with urinary tract
called the Barwon Biobank and Data Lake. according to Barwon Health’s urological
stones to spend less time in hospital and it
surgery director Richard Grills.
The Data Lake will link a request for reduces the need for follow-up procedures.
research consent to a highly-protected Mr Grills said the device had equipped the
“Patients requiring surgery for urinary
environment in which people with region to better manage patients with urinary
problems related to non-cancerous prostate
approved projects can work on (but never tract calculi and benign prostatic disease.
disease will be able to be treated in less time,
remove) de-identified data and samples.
“The fact that University Hospital Geelong often with day stay procedures, with results
Researchers are now seeking input
has made this technology available to public that will reduce bleeding and the risk of blood
from the community to help design and
health patients demonstrates Barwon Health’s transfusion. Ultimately, this means less time
implement the Data Lake. To get involved,
commitment to innovation and having the away from work and family, and an earlier
email research@barwonhealth.org.au.
best equipment for our patients,” he said. return to normal activities.”
Auricle
04
.
WHAT’S NEW
The scanner delivers
valuable clinical insights
such as improved tissue
characterisation and
The BMI team has trained to use Barwon Health’s new spectral detector-based CT scanner.
visualisation for confident
disease management.
NEW CT SCANNER
A new CT scanner is Last year, Barwon Health received $1.5 • Bariatric capability up to 295kg to provide
million Medical Equipment Replacement CT imaging access to a larger patient
offering new insight Program funding from the Victorian State population
Government to replace a CT scanner
to help diagnose • Reduced patient dose and improved
at University Hospital Geelong.
diagnostic accuracy and image quality
diseases using
The new system, a Philips ICON Elite Spectral
technology not • Advanced technology and additional
CT scanner, was installed and began operating
support to inpatient and outpatient
on 23 March.
available anywhere scanning across Barwon Health
As the world’s first spectral detector-based CT,
else in Australia. • Support to emergency imaging in event
the scanner delivers valuable clinical insights
of the Emergency Department CT scanner
such as improved tissue characterisation
failure (eg. stroke imaging - perfusion,
and visualisation for confident disease
trauma CT, cardiac CT and advanced
management.
interventional CT)
In addition to the availability of spectral
• Reliability and timely scanning of acute
analysis on every CT scan, the scanner
patients and to maintain essential
also features:
imaging services to the region 24/7.
Barwon Health
05
.
New tech brings
back family
meal time
A robotic feeding device
designed for people with
physical challenges has
transformed meal times for
Highton resident Lance Collins.
Lance, 74, has Motor Neurone Disease and is
unable to use his arms or hands, which made
him reliant on his wife Cecile and healthcare
workers for support in everyday tasks.
The retired bank clerk, taxi driver and
The breakthrough technology
remedial masseur was referred to Barwon combines cutting-edge robotics
Health’s Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and intuitive feet controls
Clinic in March 2020, requiring assisted-
to give independence during
living equipment and help with dressing,
showering, cooking and eating. meals at home and in public.
Dining experiences for Lance had become
increasingly difficult, until receiving an Obi
Feeding Device from Motor Neurone Disease
Victoria this year.
The breakthrough technology combines
cutting-edge robotics and intuitive feet
controls to give independence during meals
at home and in public.
Lance said learning how to use the device
had been simple, with a robotic arm selecting
Lance Collins, who has MND, is able to enjoy meals with his family again, thanks
food from one of four compartments and
to the assistance of his Obi Robotic Feeder. Image: Geelong Advertiser.
delivering it to him on a spoon.
“I can control it with two foot pads and it’s “If you’re going out and sitting down for a “I’m the one who has to live with MND,
actually pretty easy to use,” he said. meal, you don’t want to watch someone else but my occupational therapist has the
eat first, so it’s given us back part of normal experience to know what might assist me in
“It’s good to pack up and take away, so we can life to be able to sit down as a family, eat the household.
go out for meals with a bit of planning ahead. together, and talk about our day.”
“The saying is ‘there’s no cure, but there’s care’,
“It’s a good experience and a bit of an eye- He said his occupational therapy at Barwon and I flip it around to say that I’m going to die
opener for everyone else to see that somebody Health had helped determine the Obi Robotic from this, but there’s so much care available
with a constraint like I have can find this Feeder as the most suitable device for his needs, that the care I’m receiving is almost a cure.”
technical equipment to solve a problem.” along with other home-assistance items.
Lance was the face of MND Victoria’s
Lance said his wife, who has congenital “There are so many technical advantages for Christmas Appeal last year, with the
blindness, had been feeding him first while people these days and when we first looked into fundraising contributing towards the
dining, but the robot had brought back the it, we found Obi was the best of the options purchase of the Obi Robotic Device.
simple joy of sharing a meal together. for people who can’t use their arms,” he said.
Auricle
06
.
DEPARTMENT SP TLIGHT
Barwon Health’s Oncology
Rehabilitation service provides ONCOLOGY REHAB
prehabilitation, during- AND TELEHEALTH
treatment interventions, and Oncology rehab sessions are run from the Sunrise
rehabilitation for people with Centre, but a significant number of interventions
are now delivered to patients in their homes
a cancer diagnosis. using virtual care options such as telehealth.
Running from the Sunrise Centre at GHMBA Distance and time are two reasons patients
Stadium, the service offers specialist sometimes chose to complete sessions via
intervention with cancer patients, from telehealth. Other reasons include symptom
their diagnosis all the way through burden, compromised immunity and challenges
treatment, and during their recovery. with body confidence relating to surgery that
The team includes physiotherapists, Oncology rehabilitation care can be disfiguring.
exercise physiologists, dietitians, clinical co-ordinator Catherine Williams
In the past 12 months, clinicians at the Sunrise
psychologists and neuropsychologists,
Centre have completed more than 1415 telehealth
speech pathology, audiology, as well as
“We’re seeing people well-prepared for appointments with a 90 per cent attendance rate.
occupational therapy and social work
surgery and cancer treatments because The Oncology Rehabilitation team is delivering
within Barwon Health.
of our program, and people tend to eight group sessions via telehealth each week and
An eight-week oncology rehabilitation recover faster too. hopes to expand in the future.
program was launched in October 2018 and
“We get very meaningful feedback from
received the Barwon Health Best Care Safe
our patients on the enormous impact our
Care internal quality award, with growth
service has at such a terrible time in their
from 24 annual referrals to 40 each month.
lives, and this is what drives my sense of
Senior physiotherapist and oncology purpose and wanting this service to be
rehabilitation care co-ordinator Catherine the best of its kind.
Williams said people who were physically
“It’s really important to us that as an
and emotionally prepared for treatment
organisation we provide a consumer-
had shown to recover faster.
driven service that is about more than
“Our rehab program is able to get people just their tumour or disease.”
back to what they’re passionate about
in life, with a huge sense of support from Physiotherapist April Chiu runs a
our team and from each other in a group telehealth session with patients.
environment,” she said.
Barwon Health
07
.
“I’ve done the hard
work, but the Sunrise
Centre staff pushed
me and knew what I
needed, so I give them
credit for it.”
Sandra Cox took part in a prehabilitation program at the Sunrise Centre, working with a multi-disciplinary team to improve her fitness prior to major surgery.
Drysdale woman Sandra Cox credits her post- “They said the fitter I am, the better I am “I’m going back to concentrate on different
cancer recovery to the Sunrise Centre staff going to handle the surgery. I’m home right needs, with an eight-week program to get
who knew just how hard to push her while now and should still be in hospital. It’s usually me back up for day to day living.
training to improve her fitness. a 16-day stay, but I was home after 11 days.
“Being able to get back to work is my next
In April, Sandra had surgery for cancer of the “I’ve done the hard work, but the Sunrise goal and the Sunrise Centre will be a big part
gastro-oesophageal junction and was told Centre staff pushed me and knew what I of that.
she needed to improve her fitness level to needed, so I give them credit for it.
“I think there should be more people pushed
have the best possible recovery from her
“I’ve got an exercise bike at home, but to go there because there’s so much they can
procedure.
it’s completely different to a controlled do for you.”
While she had an active lifestyle previously, environment where they can push you and
she said neoadjuvant chemo-radiation had they know how hard to push you so you have
taken a toll on her body. a safety net.”
“After four weeks of the prehabilitation Sandra said she planned to return to the
program at the Sunrise Centre, the Sunrise Centre program for her post-surgery
anaesthetist couldn’t believe how much I had rehabilitation.
improved,” she said.
Auricle
08
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THE HEART OF THE MATTER
ROYAL COMMISSION
SETS PATH FOR
APP R O A
NETOWMENTAL HEALTHCH
After two years, and more than 8000 submissions from service users, carers, service providers and
policy makers, the final report of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has
been tabled in parliament. The Commission was set a significant task – to recommend a design
for a new mental health system that will meet the diverse needs of the Victorian community.
STEVE MOYLAN | BARWON HEALTH CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SERVICES
It is important to remember where we are system should work. The Commission has our whole system operates together. There
coming from. Since the closure of asylums looked at the whole story, considering how are many reasons for this, including funding
in the 1980s and 1990s, the design of our we should promote good mental health constraints and divided responsibilities across
mental health care system has remained and connect people to options for self-help, Federal and State governments. But for us
more or less the same. However, during this all the way through to providing complex to deliver a better system, it is critical that
period our understanding of the causes of sophisticated and responsive care for those reforms drive a whole of system approach to
and contributions to poor mental health has most unwell. delivering services, bringing services together
grown enormously. At the same time, our in a way that makes it simple and easy for
There are significant challenges to achieving
community and broader society has become anyone to know how to access the right care
this goal. There is an adage that today’s
more comfortable discussing, debating and when they need it. This may be as simple as
problems result from yesterday’s solutions.
advocating for, our mental health needs. It is working towards unifying the front door to
Therefore, it is critical we take a long-term
therefore not surprising there is a mismatch mental health services in our region – so that
view of system reform.
between what the community is seeking, all people know where and how to reach out
and what the system delivers. For a long time, it has been an unfortunate for help at times of need.
reality that mental health care has been
The Royal Commission has brought forward
delivered without sufficient attention to how
a new design for how our mental health
Barwon Health
09.
“It will be important to
consider the needs of different
groups who have traditionally
been less well served. More
than ever, we recognise
there is no “one size fits all”
approach to care.”
It will be important to consider the needs of
different groups who have traditionally been
less well served. More than ever, we recognise
there is no “one size fits all” approach to
care, and we need to work proactively and
in partnership with communities such
as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders,
people from diverse cultural and linguistic
backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and
our homeless populations to understand Steve Moylan
how services can best provide what they
need. Some of these groups have faced
discrimination in healthcare systems, while be achieved for our whole community. As we go on this journey as a community
others have fallen through the cracks of a The Premier has already committed to together, it is important to note that
complex system that has struggled to keep implementing all the recommendations of impacts of mental illness will continue to
up its demand. This needs to change. the report, and it’s promising to note there be felt in our community. Our challenge, as
has already been a strong investment in an entire community, will be to continue
In concert with these changes to the system,
mental health from the most recent budget, working together – as one – to grow a society
it is vital we embrace prevention and
with funding for more beds and programs. At that supports positive mental health for all.
promotion of positive social determinants
Barwon Health, this includes new inpatient Our challenge, as mental health services, is
of mental health. No amount of treatment
care options such a Hospital in the Home to develop a system that ensures people
from a mental health system can alleviate the
program and McKellar Inpatient Unit, receive the care they need, when they need
impact that poverty, homelessness, a lack of
integration with new primary care options it, in a way that helps them feel better.
job opportunities, a degraded environment or
including the Head to Help Hub in Norlane,
decline in our social fabric has on a person. There has never been a better time to make
the development of new community mental
a difference to the mental health of our
Despite all these challenges, I feel there is health hubs, and expansion to our deeply
community.
great room for optimism about what can committed and compassionate team.
Auricle
10.
Milestone for innovative
ICU services
ICU nurse Nigel Bellears checks on a patient being treated using the ECMO machine.
It has been 10 After the tragic death of a child in April 2011, “Both programs have demonstrated what we can
two clinical programs were launched to improve achieve when we work together, and what is required
years since Barwon critical care services for Barwon Health patients, to achieve major changes in practice. This includes
including a paediatric critical care service and the an multiple departments, executive, and disciplines
Health’s Intensive
extracorporeal membrane oxygenator “ECMO” service. collaborating, listening, and developing a shared goal.
Care Unit embarked Both were unique at the time, with
no other non-tertiary Childrens
on two ambitious Hospital PICU in Victoria, and no
“In the 10-years from 2001 to 2011 we admitted
clinical programs regional ECMO service in Australia. 105 children. In the subsequent 10-years, we
that have potentially Intensive Care specialist Dr Neil
have admitted 1219.
Orford, who has had a key role
saved many lives. in the programs, said both were “In the 10-years from 2001 to 2011, we provided
now established, successful, and ECMO for seven patients, and since then, we’ve
recognised nationally as templates been able to provide ECMO for 124 patients.”
of new ECMO and PICU service
establishment.
“Most importantly, both services have allowed critically
“There has been an understanding that a
ill people from Geelong and South Western Victoria to
commitment of years was required, and developing
receive the highest quality care in their region, when
trust, celebrating small wins, and learning and
they are most vulnerable,” he said.
adapting when it was difficult. We have built
“In the 10-years from 2001 to 2011 we admitted relationships with tertiary high volume providers
105 children. In the subsequent 10-years, we have and government, and we have been transparent and
admitted 1219 children, but there have been no accountable for our results.
deaths since Easter 2011.
“On top of this, we listened to our patients, we have
“In the 10-years from 2001 to 2011, we provided ECMO shared their success, and eased their suffering.”
for seven patients, and since then, we’ve been able to
provide ECMO for 124 patients.
Barwon Health
11.
POCKET HEARTS FOR BEREAVED
FAMILIES TO HOLD CLOSE
Barwon Health maternity staff are
making crafts to support the one
in four families who experience
pregnancy loss.
Clinical midwife specialist Edwina McLean said
the crochet, felt, and knitted pocket-sized
hearts were given to bereaved families after
pregnancy loss to provide an extra connection
to their “angel babies”.
“In maternity, we are trying to make their
experience that little bit more bearable,” she said.
“Through treasured memory books,
photographs and hand and footprints, we try
to create as many memories with their baby
as possible for them to cherish.
“If we can give these crafted hearts to parents
while they lay with their baby, we hope they can
keep them in their pockets or a special place at
Building B theatre staff Katrina Shepherd and Tony Ma prep Shania for her elective surgery procedure. home to hold and feel close to baby again.
“We invite volunteers, staff and families to
create and donate these hearts so we have
New theatres a healthy boost enough to provide multiple to the family. Felt,
crochet or knitted hearts are all appreciated
for Geelong patients and can be dropped off to the maternity hub
or birth suite.”
If you or someone you know would like
“We expect to perform around 3300
Two additional operating to create some hearts, please contact
surgeries per annum initially, growing that
edwinajmclean@outlook.com for the patterns.
theatres at Barwon Health’s number in the future,” she said.
University Hospital Geelong “The project involved refurbishing theatres
previously used at the old Geelong
Building B have created Private Hospital and reconfiguring the
additional capacity for space to include first and second stage
recovery, reception, change rooms, staff
elective surgery in a huge rooms, equipment stores, offices and an
boost for the region. education space.
“Our initial focus will be on elective
Completed in March, the project was made
gynaecological surgery, along with urology
possible with funding from the Victorian
and general surgery.”
Department of Health and the combined
efforts of Barwon Health’s Operating A significant recruitment campaign for the
Services and Building Services. refurbished theatres netted 30 new staff,
including several who have relocated to
With Geelong experiencing strong population
the region from Melbourne and more still
growth, operating services manager Elyse
being recruited for.
MacDonald said the additional theatres
would help address demand for elective The new theatres opened on Monday 29 Some of the crafted pocket hearts that
surgery, particularly those deferred due to March and are operational between 7am are given to bereaved families.
the COVID-19 pandemic. and 8pm, four days per week.
Auricle
12.
COVID-19 VACCINE
Ford site transforms into
community vaccination hub
Ford’s former home Managed and operated by Barwon Health, vaccination at the site from 6 April, in line with
Geelong’s community vaccination hub has the the Commonwealth prioritisation. This includes
at Norlane has capacity to provide vaccines to more than 10,000 healthcare staff, including disability workers, and
people a week. emergency service workers, such as paramedics,
transformed from the
police, and fire services.
Barwon Health worked with Ford Motors site
centre of Australia’s
developers Pelligra and local contractors to fit Chief executive Frances Diver said the community
motor industry into the out the site over three weeks, including improved vaccination hub had the potential to vaccinate more
disability access, carpeted floors, new bathroom than 2000 people a day, depending on stock supply.
COVID-19 vaccination facilities, resurfaced parking, privacy screens,
“The Ford site has a significant place in the history
hub that will service the consultation spaces, and general refurbishment.
of the Geelong region, so it is fitting that it will
majority of the Geelong High-risk priority groups from the 1A and play a vital role as the vaccination hub that will
1B cohorts were the first to receive their help protect our region from COVID-19.
and Surf Coast region.
BMI PSA David Bridson, a former Ford factory worker, receives a COVID-19 vaccination from immunisation co-ordinator Caroline Poynder.
Barwon Health
13.
Managed and operated by
Barwon Health, Geelong’s
community vaccination hub
has the capacity to provide
vaccines to more than 10,000
people a week.
“Some of our staff members once worked at this site,
some for decades before retraining and beginning
careers in healthcare after the Ford closure.
“It’s fitting that some of them are able to join us Joe Puglia, who spent his career driving trucks for Ford, returned
here today to receive their second Pfizer vaccine to the Ford site for his COVID-19 vaccination in April.
and see how much work has been done to turn the
old administration building into a state-of-the-art
vaccination hub. New vaccination hub evokes
Book your COVID vaccine appointment by calling 1800
675 398 or book online: https://www.barwonhealth. fond memories for Joe
org.au/coronavirus/booking-a-vaccination.
When Giuseppe “Joe” Puglia awarded a certificate of excellence
before he left,” she said.
retired as a truck driver at
Norlane’s Ford Motor factory “He even got the job to drive open
in 2013, he never expected up the Ring Road with the B-Double
“The Ford site has a significant along with the Victorian Premier
to return to the site for a
Joan Kirner as his special guest.
place in the history of the vaccination 13 years later.
“He was well respected by all his
Geelong region, so it is fitting Joe, who also has Alzheimer’s mates at Ford, along with Victoria
disease, rolled up his sleeves to Police and Vic Roads, as Dad was
that it will play a vital role as receive his first dose of the COVID-19 known as the ‘Celebrity of Ford’.”
the vaccination hub that will vaccine on 21 April.
Josie said Joe’s family was relieved
help protect our region from The 80-year-old was also able to knowing he was going to be
experience the previous Ford site’s protected from COVID-19 after
COVID-19.” – Frances Diver transformation into the community today’s vaccination.
vaccination hub that will service the
majority of the Geelong and Surf “Initially, we were nervous, but we
Coast region. spoke to his medical team who
assured us that it will be the best
Managed and operated by Barwon thing for him. It will also ensure our
Health, Geelong’s community family can be together after a very
vaccination hub has the capacity to difficult year for us.
provide vaccines to more than 10,000
people a week. “Dad found last year very challenging.
He didn’t quite understand the
Joe, born in Sicily in 1940, was concept of not visiting family and
well-known during his time at Ford friends and as to why he wasn’t
and his daughter Josie recalls his allowed to leave the house. He
celebrity status among drivers for his couldn’t comprehend the isolation,
impeccable driving record. but with the help of his medical team,
The former Ford Motors factory has been transformed into we have been able to keep him happy
“Dad still likes to say that he was the
Barwon Health’s COVID-19 community vaccination hub. and comfortable.”
best truck driver at Ford, and was
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14.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
CLINICAL TRIALS CAN
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Medical research saves and transforms lives. Many of the advances in healthcare, which we
all enjoy, are based on the background research to test new treatments. From penicillin to
COVID-19 vaccines, clinical trials have played a pivotal role in the advance of medical care.
PAUL LIGHTFOOT | ADRIAN COSTA CLINICAL TRIALS CENTRE DIRECTOR
Barwon Health has a long history of fostering mortality rate by age 20. In my role within to people who haven’t had any treatment
medical research and running clinical trials. the clinical trials team, I was able to watch options previously.
This is now moving to the next level with a 13-year-old boy from a country town
As the director of the Adrian Costa Clinical
the advent of the Adrian Costa Clinical make incredible progress within months,
Trials Centre, I believe we’re in an exciting
Trials Centre, made possible by a generous from needing constant parental care, to
phase where the site location will soon be
donation from the Costa family. Prior to reaching a level of cognitive improvement
announced, the first construction is around
becoming the centre’s inaugural director, I and freedom from seizures that allowed him
the corner, and we now have 10 trials in the
was working in neurological clinical trials at to cook his own meals and ride a motorbike
start-up phase With more too follow. As part
the Austin Hospital. In 2017, my research team around the family farm. It was like turning on
of the planning process, I’ve been raising the
was tasked with trialling a very old treatment a light bulb. Just like that, this experimental
centre’s profile with clinical trial sponsors
for weight loss that might be used to treat treatment had transformed his lifestyle and
locally and internationally to attract new
Dravet Syndome, a rare form of epilepsy. that of his entire family. Witnessing the life-
studies, while also connecting with networks
changing power of clinical trials has fuelled
Children with Dravet Syndrome can across Australia that will direct trials to our
my passion for this field and I’m excited to
experience violent seizures throughout their service. We’re fortunate to be in a position
see the difference Barwon Health’s own
lives, starting as young as six months of age. where Barwon Health’s executive team has
clinical trials centre will make in the Geelong
This condition nearly always leads to the committed to make research a priority for
community. We’re in a position where our
development of an intellectual disability, the Geelong region. This means that while
research can fix problems and offer hope
and at that time, there was a 15 per cent some research centres both in Australia and
Barwon Health
15.
I was able to watch a 13-year-
old boy from a country town
make incredible progress within
months, from needing constant
parental care, to reaching a level
of cognitive improvement and
freedom from seizures
overseas can take months or even years to
approve a new trial, we will have a turnaround
time measured in weeks to approve new
research. This gives us an advantage in
securing clinical trials for Geelong.
A priority of this centre will be to address
the unmet health needs in the community,
with an ultimate research goal to deliver
more than just results and findings. We Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre director Paul Lightfoot.
will be developing treatments to improve
health, and trialling those with people in the
community. For example, we’re interested
our reputation as a whole, and makes by COVID-19 teaching us ways to conduct
in attracting new neurological research
Barwon Health more attractive to specialised important trials without participants leaving
for autism and dementia treatments
staff with high levels of expertise. their homes. People can now have a “Zoom”
that don’t currently exist. While there is
consultation, with the medication sent to
no standard treatment for Alzheimer’s The Costa Centre will allow us to cover new
their home, and that’s a game-changer for a
disease, there are many ongoing trials in the ground at Barwon Health, including first-time
regional health service.
research community that can be viewed as collaborations between different medical
a way to treat people who currently don’t fields. These types of clinical partnerships I’ve seen how clinical trials can transform
have any other options. The community will explore links that lead to new ways lives and I’m excited to bring that to people in
benefits of clinical trials are very large, with of diagnosis and treatment for different our region. With so much potential to provide
opportunities to offer new treatments. Many conditions. We’ll also be finding ways to bring new access to people who need life-changing
studies have shown that people who are more and better trials to Geelong at earlier treatment, the community has a lot to look
part of clinical trials have better health than stages of development, with innovative forward to. I believe the legacy of the Adrian
those who aren’t, and more local trials will trials that will test brand new lab-developed Costa Clinical Trials Centre will be one that
improve the overall health of the community medicines for the first time. A telehealth holds up hope where there wasn’t any in the
by giving access to new treatments where suite at the Costa Centre is another past. For people who have lived with their
there previously was none. Our work will innovative feature that will help decentralise injury or illness without any respite, the
also provide evidence that can inform the the process of research, providing greater possibility of accessing new treatment is the
way healthcare is conducted across the access to for greater regional community first step towards living a healthier life.
region, while also offering pathways for involvement. One big change over the next
local researchers to stay in the community To support the work of the Adrian Costa
10 years is that trials will become far more
rather than moving interstate or overseas. Clinical Trials Centre, contact the Barwon
decentralised, with the changes forced
Improving our research reputation improves Health Foundation.
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16.
RESEARCH AT BARWON HEALTH
Australian-first
study reveals
gender differences
in footy injuries
A landmark study has for the
first time revealed gender
differences in the injuries
sustained by community-
level footy players.
Barwon Health’s Aussie Rules Footy Injury Study team, pictured at the start of the project in 2019: Emergency
Department staff Libby Ellis, Russeen Norman, Stephen Gill, Nicole Lowry, Julian Stella, and Richard Page.
The Aussie Rules Football Injury Study study The results revealed that: “Instead, we found that concussions were
was led by Barwon Health’s Professor Richard shared almost equally between male players
• female players had a higher proportion
Page, Dr Julian Stella and Dr Stephen Gill, with and female players.
of hand/ finger injuries (34.3% v 23.4%),
support from Deakin University, the Barwon
neck injuries (6.6% v 2.5%) and patella “It was a similar story with ACLs, which
Centre for Orthopaedic Research and Education
dislocations (2.9% v 0.6%); is a serious knee injury. Women tend to
(B-CORE), and the AFL Research Board.
have higher rates of ACL injuries; however,
• male players experienced a higher
The study compares football injuries of we found only a small number of these
proportion of shoulder injuries (11.5% v 5.8%),
more than 1600 males and females, injuries, and our statistical tests did not
skin lacerations (8.0% v 1.7%), and thorax/
presenting to University Hospital Geelong find differences between male players and
abdominal/pelvic injuries (5.7% v 2.1%);
or one of 12 other south-western Victoria female players.”
emergency departments between January • concussion rates were similar between
With female players and male players
and October 2019. the genders and occurred in 14.1% of all
suffering different types of injuries, Dr Gill said
patients;
Results show female players (comprising it is important to now understand why this is
14.8% of study attendees) experienced more • anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and how these injuries might be prevented.
hand/finger and neck injuries and kneecap injuries were infrequent (1.0%) and not
“For example, do female players try and
dislocations, while male players endured more significantly different between genders
mark the football differently to male players,
shoulder and trunk injuries and skin lacerations. (2.1% v 0.9%);
which explains the higher number of hand
Senior B-CORE research fellow Dr Gill said the • female players received more imaging and finger injuries,” he said.
Aussie Rules Football Injury Study was the investigations, such as x-rays and CT
“If we can figure this out, then we can
first to directly compare football injuries in scans, (83.1% v 74.7%) and analgesia
implement targeted, gender-specific injury
community-level players. (62.4% v 48.5%);
prevention programs.”
“Given the increasing number of female footy • a higher proportion of male players
The results of the study are reported in the
players, it’s important that we understand required admission to hospital (5.0% v
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
the risks involved,” Dr Gill said. 2.1%), usually for surgery.
paper ‘Gender differences in female and male
“Most research to-date has focused on men, Dr Gill said he was surprised by some of the Australian Football injuries – A prospective
so together with the Australian Football findings, particularly around concussions and observational study of emergency
League (AFL), we’ve taken a much closer look ACL injuries. department presentations’.
at the injuries sustained by female players
compared to male players.” “Women have higher rates of concussion
than men in some sports, so we were
expecting to see that in this study,” he said.
Barwon Health
17.
Research into sterilising pacifiers
and food allergies published
A Geelong study The Barwon Infant Study compared dummy use and “This research should not discourage the cleaning of
cleaning methods among infants at six months of dummies, as this is a vital step in keeping a child safe
that links sterilising age and those with a confirmed food allergy at one from the more immediate risk of infectious diseases,”
year of age in more than 700 participants. Victoria said.
pacifiers (or dummies)
The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and “There is also no evidence from this study that
with an increased
Clinical Immunology, found infants whose dummies cleaning dummies by other methods is harmful.”
risk of food allergies were sterilised with an antiseptic solution were more
likely to have a diagnosed food allergy at the
in babies has gained age of one.
international
“These findings support the growing
Centre of Food and Allergy Research
recognition. investigator and Murdoch Children’s
recognition of the importance of good
Research Institute PhD candidate Victoria bacteria, known as ‘microbiome’,
Soriano said the link between dummy
sterilisation and food allergies warranted
in our mouth and gut on healthy
further research into how good bacteria growth and development,”
in the infant mouth and gut could help
prevent food allergies.
With food allergies often causing life-threatening
“These findings support the growing recognition of the
anaphylaxis and affecting up to 10 per cent of infants,
importance of good bacteria, known as ‘microbiome’,
more research is required to understand how to
in our mouth and gut on healthy growth and
prevent allergies.
development,” Victoria said.
The study team has contacted the Royal
The research found no increase in risk of food allergy
Australasian College of Physicians who are further
at one year of age among dummy users when the
considering this issue.
dummies were washed in tap water, boiling water, put
in the parent’s own mouth, or not washed at all before
being given to infants at six months of age.
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18.
RESEARCH AT BARWON HEALTH
New research targets
endometriosis symptoms
“We are seeking to address this with
A new clinical trial will aim to research, which can determine if adding a
reduce endometriosis pain by mind-based intervention, such as group
psychology treatment, or adding a mind/
comparing the effects of yoga, body intervention, such as group yoga,
cognitive behaviour therapy improves quality of life for people with
endometriosis and pain.
and education.
“Our control group will be those having
The controlled study, titled HaPPI, has been usual gynaecology care, which can involve
designed to improve quality of life and treatment with hormones and surgery, along
reduce health care costs for the debilitating with education about endometriosis.”
disease that impacts about 700,000
Australians, with a significant impact on the There will be 258 participants recruited
healthcare system. from Barwon Health, Monash Health and
endometriosis support groups, each running
Barwon Health, in partnership with Deakin for eight consecutive weeks with participants
University, Monash Health and University of completing online questionnaires to measure
South Australia, has received $893,981 from Barwon Health researchers Elesha
a variety of health aspects before and after
Parigi, Kirsty McColl, and Marilla Druitt
the Medical Research Future Fund to conduct the eight-week intervention.
are leading the HaPPi study.
the randomised trial over five years.
The study is open for participants who have a
Secondary outcomes include improvement “We already have good evidence that diagnosis of endometriosis and have had pain
in pain, mental health, fatigue and sleep; cognitive behavioural therapy is a great for at least six months, at least 18 years of
along with improved cost-effectiveness to treatment for pain, and there is some early age, not currently pregnant, no major physical
the health system, such as fewer hospital research that yoga can also decrease pain issues/injuries, have not recently completed a
presentations, and within society, including associated with endometriosis,” she said. course of therapist led yoga or CBT.
fewer sick days.
“Our healthcare system was not designed To become a participant, people who
Barwon Health obstetrician gynaecologist Dr with an interdisciplinary approach in mind, qualify for the study can contact
Marilla Druitt said the study aimed to better and we have known for decades that a thehappistudy@deakin.edu.au.
treat the pelvic pain caused by endometriosis, biopsychosocial approach works much better
which affects one in nine women aged for most health conditions than a purely
between 18 and 44 years in Australia. medical focus.
ANNOUNCING THE BARWON HEALTH-DEAKIN UNIVERSITY PHD PROGRAM
A Barwon Health and Deakin Growing the next generation of clinician- their candidates will have the opportunity
academics is a strategic priority for the BH to apply for further project funding for
University (BH DU) PhD Program
DU partnership and the Deakin University subsequent years of the project.
is offering nursing, allied health Faculty of Health is providing up to five PhD
and medical practitioners to scholarships to support the program. Each PhD scholarship will
maintain clinical training and
Each PhD scholarship will receive $10,000 of receive $10,000 of project
roles while developing research project funding in year one, via the Barwon
interests and skills. Health Foundation. Supervision teams and funding in year one.
Barwon Health
19.
MEDICAL MYTHBUSTERS
COVID-19 vaccination
clotting. The TGA has advised the vaccine
IS THERE ANY CANCER RISK CAN THE VACCINATIONS CAUSE is safe for people aged over 50.
ASSOCIATED WITH THE VACCINES? INFERTILITY?
No, there is no evidence of the vaccines These are not live vaccines, they’re ARE THERE ANY
having any damage to genes that result inactivated to produce protein within LONG-TERM EFFECTS?
in cancer. cells or the spike protein on the outside of
the virus, so there is no way the vaccine There is no evidence or signal of long-
term effects from vaccination, but the
DOES THE VACCINE ALTER could affect fertility in a human. It doesn’t
only way we’ll know properly is long-term
target our fertility systems.
YOUR DNA? surveillance. There can be long term
consequences from COVID-19 infection,
The programming of the Pfizer vaccine DOES THE OXFORD-ASTRAZENECA including fatigue and lung function.
stimulates your cells to produce copies
of a spike protein found on the outside
VACCINE CAUSE BLOOD CLOTS?
of the coronavirus. The immune system Blood clotting, or deep vein thrombosis, IS IT TRUE THE VACCINES CONTAIN
recognises it, as if you’re manufacturing is very common health issue associated ABORTED FETAL CELLS?
an antigen that will produce antibodies with many risk factors. So far, there is
to fight against COVID-19. Cells produce evidence that one in 250,000 people The vaccines people are receiving in
proteins all the time and there are no receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca Australia do not contain any stem cells or
dangerous mutations. vaccination have experienced blood fetal cells.
VIRTUAL WORD OFFERS THERAPEUTIC REMEDY TO ISOLATION
Barwon Health’s palliative care “People have been so isolated over the past
year and this therapeutic intervention has
virtual reality (VR) program has
made a huge difference to bridging that gap
expanded to bring the immersive and thinking about therapy in different ways.
therapy to more patients in the
“Most of our patients are too unwell to travel,
community.
even without travel restrictions in place, so
VR has been utilised as a form of diversion VR experiences can help meet the need for
therapy at Barwon Health since 2019, people to cross destinations off their bucket
with volunteers first learning to use the list, whether they have places they always
technology with patients. wanted to go, or they want to return to a Palliative Care Unit patient Leonard Walsh
place from their childhood.” enjoys a virtual reality experience in space.
Palliative Care program manager Jacqui
White said COVID-19 had interrupted a She said palliative care patient Leonard
Walsh, a former engineer, recently enjoyed a and we’ll bring them some French food to
program partnership with the City of Greater
VR experience taking him to a space station. go along with the experience, as part of our
Geelong Libraries, encouraging staff to
Have a Go initiative.
source some healthcare-specific VR
“Len talked a lot about watching the moon
headsets of its own to continue the program “We’re excited by this technology and
landing and a lot of memories of space travel
independently. also looking at how it can be used to
moments.
manage things like anxiety and pain, at a
“We’re been working hard to get staff
“On the day of his VR experience, he was psychological and mindfulness level.”
engaged with VR, with champions for each
energised and engaged and it makes such a
area of palliative care as we look at how can The device’s library currently has 18
difference to quality of life.
we can embed this technology within our immersive options, including city tours,
program,” she said. “Other patients might take a VR trip to Paris wildlife and space experiences.
Auricle
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