Pomegranate - St John of God Health Care

| AUG2014
JUL
09
WINTER
Pomegranate
Hospitality I Compassion I Respect I Justice I Excellence
Emergency care
for Geelong
The first private emergency
department in Geelong has
opened at St John of God Geelong
Hospital, as part of the hospital’s
$65 million redevelopment, and
is already taking pressure off the
existing public emergency service
operated by Barwon Health.
Emergency specialist, Dr Michael Ragg, who
heads up the new department, said they treat
patients whose medical conditions were too
severe or complex to be managed in general
practitioner rooms, including patients who
need to be admitted directly into St John of
God Geelong Hospital.
He said major trauma patients would still be
taken by ambulance to Barwon Health.
Geelong Hospital Chief Executive Officer,
Stephen Roberts said the opening of the
Geelong emergency department capped off
a period of rapid expansion at the hospital
since building works started in 2012.
“This has been a fantastic project for our
community,” he said.
“Despite the very challenging nature of the
extensive redevelopment we have been able
to continue to achieve outstanding patient
satisfaction. These results are a true testament
to the commitment of the Geelong team to
excellence in care.”
In just two years the hospital has added many
new facilities including 64 more patient beds,
three extra operating theatres, a post anaesthesia
care unit, a six storey medical centre, a chapel
and three levels of underground car parking to
support the increase in patients and visitors
coming to the hospital.
Pictured above: Dr Michael
Ragg outside the new 17 bed,
four ambulance bay emergency
department in Geelong.
Left: A new rehabilitation pool
helping patients to get back
on their feet.
Archbishop of Perth, the
most Rev Timothy Costelloe,
blessed St John of God Mt
Lawley Hospital
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A new rehabilitation service has been welcomed
by the community and hydrotherapy and
gymnasium facilities are already well utilised by
patients recovering from surgery or injury.
Eight new jobs created at
Murdoch as part of Disability
Access and Inclusion Plan
St John of God Health Care also operates
private emergency departments at its Ballarat
and Murdoch Hospitals. Both services
successfully complement what’s provided
by state governments.
Group CEO visits all Divisions
to announce group-wide
Strategic Priorities
5
8
Last year St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s
emergency department was rated the best
private emergency department in the country
in a Press Ganey survey.
www.sjog.org.au
.
GROUP UPDATE
During the month of
June I had the wonderful
opportunity to visit most
of our Divisions and Group
Services areas throughout
Australia to present to our
extended leadership teams
our new Strategic Priorities
for 2015-2019.
I delivered presentations which reached just over 500 of our leaders. This
was the first time in my 12 years as Group CEO that I had done such an
extensive roadshow and based on the very positive feedback I received I
intend to ensure I get out and about visiting Divisions whenever I can so
that everyone knows where the organisation, as well as all Divisions and
Group Services areas, are heading.
Our Strategic Priorities were described by those who attended the
sessions as transforming, exciting and aligned with the work that was
already being undertaken in Divisions and Group Services areas. I am
delighted that we have already included a number of activities deriving
from the Strategic Priorities in our FY15 Group Operational Plan. In our
FY15 Budgets we have committed $6m to furthering our progress
towards the specific, stretch outcomes we have described we want to
see in 2019.
Over the last three years we have committed a significant amount of our
resources, capital and people’s time, to various large building projects.
With most of these now at, or coming to an end, the focus naturally turns
to what we do inside the buildings. It was very exciting for me when I
visited Geelong as part of my roadshow to see the new rehabilitation
ward, emergency department and medical ward in full swing. The same
is true for the wonderful new completed developments at Burwood,
Bunbury, Christchurch and Murdoch. With the overnight beds and the
operating theatres opening at Murdoch in early August we can now
definitely move our focus at all these sites, and all others, to being an
even more attractive service provider of high quality health care that
anticipates and meets community need and provides a distinctive care
appropriate for a major Catholic Church ministry.
For me, the hard work of the last few years with the facility enhancements
now gives us the freedom, scale and financial wherewithal to invest
heavily in achieving our Strategic Priorities. It is right that we now move
our focus more to what happens inside our facilities whether they be
hospitals, laboratories, Social Outreach settings, and Group Services and
home nursing offices and work areas. The aim to be the recognised
leader in the Australian health care sector for the provision of high quality
care applies universally to all of what we do.
Dr Michael Stanford
Group Chief Executive Officer
WA MUM WINS NATIONAL
PHOTO COMPETITION
Nicola Spooner took out the St John of God
Raphael Centre Healthy Men, Healthy Minds
photo competition with a photo of her
husband Tom and eldest son Hamish titled
'On top of the world'.
The competition promoted positive images of men and a
total of 169 entries were submitted from across Australia.
The judges found that Nicola's photo displayed a strong
and warm connection between father and son, capturing a
spontaneous moment where both appear to be genuinely
enjoying themselves.
The photo was taken by best friends Jenelle Colley and
Shaeden Browne during a family and friends outing to
South Yunderup.
As a parent of three small children, Tom said the best thing
about being a dad was having the opportunity to watch
your kids grow up - to discover their personalities as they
develop.
"You get to know them as their own little person, with
their distinct character as it emerges."
Nicola has won an iPad Air and runners up, Kerry McGugan
and Judy Fasshauer received a $50 Coles Myer voucher.
The Healthy Men, Healthy Minds competition sought to
raise awareness of depression in fathers and promote
mental wellbeing in men. Postnatal depression can affect
the whole family with up to 15 per cent of men being at
risk of developing depressive symptoms in the first year
following childbirth.
The 10 finalists can be viewed on the St John of God Health
Care Facebook page.
Pictured: The winning entry in the Healthy Men Healthy
Minds photo competition.
Blessed at Mt Lawley
In the words of the Archbishop
of Perth, the most Rev Timothy
Costelloe, the ceremonial blessing
of St John of God Mt Lawley
Hospital marked the continuation
of Catholic health care in the
proud Western Australian hospital.
The event on Friday 6 June saw the coming
together of the Sisters of Mercy with the
Sisters of St John of God and many of the lay
people who have followed in their footsteps
to continue the delivery of health services.
It acknowledged the historical significance
of St Anne’s Hospital and the role the Sisters
of Mercy played in welcoming and
sheltering the Sisters of St John of God
when they arrived in Perth in 1895 from
Ireland to help care for the sick.
In the welcome to country, traditional land
owner Karen Jacobs spoke of the important
2
role of women in Aboriginal culture and
the significance of the hospital to all women
as a major obstetric service provider in
Western Australia.
MercyCare board member, Maureen
Colgan, spoke of how the Archbishop
the most Rev Prendiville on opening the
hospital in 1937 declared it would provide
maternity services.
This was unbeknown to the Sisters in charge
at the time, who then converted their own
accommodation into a delivery room and
to this day, the hospital is highly-reputed for
its obstetric care.
St John of God Health Care Group Chief
Executive Officer, Dr Michael Stanford,
made a commitment to continue the rich
Catholic traditions and to bring the strength
of the St John of God network to the
hospital that had operated as a stand-alone
hospital under the operation of MercyCare
since 1999.
The lighting of candles symbolised the
transition of the hospital from MercyCare
to the trusted hands of St John of God
Health Care. Music provided by MercyCare
staff member, Brenda Lee and the Santa
Maria College Year 11 group entertained
over 100 guests in attendance.
Pictured, top: WA Minister for Mental Health,
Helen Morton, SJGHC Chair of Trustees, Eva
Skira, MercyCare Chair of Trustees Tony
Wheeler, MercyCare Board Chair Dianne
Bianchini, Archbishop of Perth most Rev.
Timothy Costelloe, SJGHC GCEO Dr Michael
Stanford, Traditional Land Owner Karen
Jacobs, SJGHC Deputy Chair of Board Mark
Bahen, MercyCare CEO Chris Hall.
Below left: Joining in the symbolic lighting of
the flame were SJGHC Trustee Eva Skira and
MercyCare Trustee Tony Wheeler.
Below right: Many Sisters of St John of God
joined the Sisters of Mercy to take part in the
hospital blessing ceremony.
3
A collection to be enjoyed by future generations
A SJGHC Heritage Collection
is being curated by newly
appointed Heritage Coordinator,
Jacqui Sherriff, who is working
with the Divisions to ensure that
our irreplaceable resources are
kept for future generations.
Jacqui said heritage is much more than old
buildings and bits and pieces in museums.
“Heritage is everywhere – it is in everyday
objects, machinery, technology, buildings
and landscapes, books, documents,
photographs and artworks. And just as
important as the items are the stories
associated with them.
“Heritage can be intangible like expressions
handed down from one generation to the
next, oral traditions, folklore, language,
rituals, festive events and commemorations,
as well as the knowledge or skills to do
things a particular way,” Jacqui said.
The SJGHC heritage needs to be identified
and conserved if the diversity and
complexity of the organisation is to be
appreciated and enjoyed forever.
The SJGHC Heritage Collection will focus
on the history and heritage of the ministry
of health founded by the Sisters of St John
of God and include items dispersed across
the Divisions.
It will also include the history and heritage
of those Divisions whose stories began
before they became part of the St John of
God Health Care group.
Jacqui will be visiting all Divisions in the
coming months to work with nominated
heritage custodians to create a lasting
collection.
Pictured: Jacqui Sherriff brings extensive
experience in the identification, conservation
and sharing of all types of heritage to a new
role at SJGHC.
Tyler said his plan was to “get off the
disability pension and get into
employment.”
Five areas of focus will help to identify
relevant material; people, health services
and places where SJGHC operates, as well
as governance and cultural life.
“It’s always been my dream to be in
employment and ever since primary
school I’ve wanted to work in the
health care field.”
Jacque explained that anything that has
meaning, or cultural significance, to SJGHC
could potentially be included.
He said when he faced up to the
hospital on its open day his message
was clear and simple; “give me a go.”
She said there is no prescribed age at which
something is considered to be heritage.
The 54 bed psychiatric hospital in
Dandenong, Victoria was awarded the
Australian Council of Health Care
Standards (ACHS) National Mental Health
Standards Certificate and the Equip
National Accreditation Certificate in May.
The certification is the highest measure
of quality that can be achieved by
independent evaluation by a psychiatric
hospital in Australia.
“We are proud to have achieved both
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these standards without any
recommendations from the accreditors
to make any further improvements to our
service,” said Pinelodge Clinic Clinical Risk
and Quality Manager Amanda Ginger.
“We achieved 11 merits which indicate
that our service is of an extremely high
quality. Seven merits were for
engagement with consumers and carers
The tenacity of new recruit
Tyler Coupland earned him
a job on the Thomas Furlong
Ward at Murdoch Hospital
and three weeks into his job
as a patient care assistant he
has the whole ward smiling.
Tyler had been out of work for a year
when he turned up to the information
desk on St John of God Murdoch
Hospital’s Open Day with his resume
in hand asking for work.
The SJGHC Heritage Collection will not
include the congregational heritage of the
Sisters as this is already included in the
Sisters’ Heritage Centre at Subiaco and
their educational and mission work which
is housed at the Sisters’ Heritage Centre
in Broome.
It was only a week later that Tyler got
the call up from the busy Murdoch
recruitment office to come in for an
interview for a patient care assistant
role and he’s been smiling ever since.
HIGHEST QUALITY CERTIFICATION FOR
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IN AUSTRALIA
St John of God Health Care’s
Pinelodge Clinic is the first
private psychiatric hospital
in Australia to successfully
achieve a double accreditation
in health standards.
Perseverance pays
which makes us very proud because this is
about improving the patient experience.”
ACHS acting Chief Executive Officer Dr
Lena Low and Board Member John Smith
presented the two certificates at
Pinelodge Clinic which now take pride of
place in the entrance to the hospital.
His self-confessed “cheeky” presence
on the ward is keeping fellow
caregivers on their toes and bringing
joy to the patients he serves.
Quick to jibe his workmates Tyler has a
tendency to ring the bell on the
reception desk just to see the nurses
come running.
Unit manager Tony Patton said
supporting people with disability was
a real reflection of the St John of God
Values and his ward was proud to lead
the way in inclusive employment.
Tyler said his new goal was to turn his
two day a week job into full time and
hopes his work ethic will continue to
bring reward.
Tyler is one of eight recent recruits
employed at Murdoch Hospital under
the Disability, Access and Inclusion
Plan (DAIP).
“We took advantage of the job
opportunities created through the
hospital’s redevelopment, to increase
the number of caregivers we employ
who have a disability, as an integral
part of our workforce,” said Murdoch
Director Workforce Leanne Merchant.
Group Coordinator Social Justice
Advocacy, Neal Murphy, said Murdoch
Hospital had initially earmarked four
positions that could be filled by people
with disability however the applicants
put forward by the local Disability
Employment Services were so strong
that eight new roles were created.
“This ground breaking practice by
Murdoch Hospital stands as an
eloquent example to us that to
include people with disability in our
recruitment strategies does not
diminish our expectation of excellence
but actually enhances it.”
Pictured: Tyler Coupland (second from
right) is happy to be a part of the
Thomas Furlong team including (l-r)
Nurse Manager Tony Patton,
Registered Nurse Eden Aquino and
Case Manager Lesley Brinkhuis.
A FACELIFT FOR BAILEY
St John of God Ballarat Hospital’s
Bailey’s Mansion is getting a facelift
in time for a very special milestone.
Bailey’s Mansion was the site of the first St John of
God hospital in Ballarat in 1915 and is being
repainted and restored in time for the hospital’s
100th anniversary next May.
Facility services manager Matthew Lyttle said the
building had undergone a four-year restoration that
included replacing balcony timber, repairing iron
roofing and washing, sealing and water proofing
roof tiles.
“They’re currently stripping the old paint off and
repainting it, and should be finished by Christmas.”
Matthew said the hospital had received many
queries as to what was happening to the majestic
Drummond Street North building.
Some interior restoration works, including painting
and ceramic tile replacements, are still to be carried
out.
St John of God Health Care also operates
anther two psychiatric hospitals; St John
of God Burwood Hospital and
St John of God Richmond Hospital
in New South Wales.
Chief Executive Officer Michael Krieg said Bailey’s
Mansion, was a Ballarat landmark.
Pictured: ACHS Board member John
Smith, Pinelodge CEO/DON Graham
Cadd, Clinical Risk and Quality Manager
Amanda Ginger, DDON Christine Iddles
and ACHS CEO Dr Lena Low.
“It is a significant event for any institution to turn 100.
It’s also one of the iconic buildings in the town.”
“We had some trustees come through here yesterday
and they said it is one of the most iconic buildings
within St John of God Health Care,” Michael said.
Plans for the centenary celebration include a mass, a
ball and community events.
Pictured: Bailey’s Mansion under restoration to be
ready in time for a centenary celebration.
5
SMALLER INCISION,
LESS PAIN IN
HYSTERECTOMY
A study into laparoscopic
hysterectomy at St John of God
Subiaco Hospital has found that
halving the size of the incision,
and using a smaller endoscope,
significantly reduced postoperative pain for patients.
Study author Dr Jade Acton was awarded
for her presentation of the results at a
March meeting of the Australian
Gynaecological Endoscopy Society and
has been invited to present again at the
Royal Australian and New Zealand College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist
Regional Scientific Meeting in June.
The randomised controlled trial
examined the effect of using a 5mm
incision and endoscope, against 10mm,
on discharge times and patient recovery.
Patients in the study who underwent
the smaller incision were found to be
in significantly less pain on the first day
after surgery, as well as the next time
pain measures taken six days after the
procedure.
Dr Acton said the second measure was
particularly relevant because this was
when patients were back at home and
with less pain they were able to get back
to normal living without discomfort or
concern.
She said that the study findings verified
that smaller endoscopes used in a
hysterectomy provided better patient
outcomes and would give doctors
confidence in using the newer
technology.
She said the latest endoscopes available
at Subiaco Hospital had a better picture
quality than previous versions of the
equipment and that had contributed to
its early uptake by the hospital’s specialists
and the effectiveness of the procedure.
The study was co-authored by of Dr
Stuart Salfinger and Dr Jason Tan also of
St John of God Subiaco Hospital.
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Every floor tells a
story of Midland
Going to hospital can be a
stressful time for visitors and
patients who may be worried
about a loved one, or anxious
about a procedure they are
about to undergo.
The St John of God Midland Public and
Private Hospitals’ interior is designed to
minimise stress by ensuring that everyone
who goes to the new hospitals feels welcome
and can easily find their way around.
Clearly defined spaces and a combination of
colours, symbols, numbers, letters and
names will guide people as they navigate
their way through the building.
Once inside the public or private hospital
reception areas, people will see the
pomegranate colour and symbol that
represent the St John of God Health Care
story and its Values, particularly Hospitality.
The remaining four floors are inspired by the
geography and colours of areas within the
hospital’s catchment, being the Swan Valley,
the Avon Valley, the Helena River and the
Darling Scarp.
The designated colour and symbol continues
throughout each floor, in corridors and in
wards around entrances, on walls and at
nursing stations. Working in harmony with
this will be a number of stunning art pieces
with the theme of journeys.
“Our distinctive way-finding is
complemented by our arts strategy, which
will contribute to a climate of hospitality
and healing for patients, visitors, caregivers
and the wider community. They reflect the
unique history of the site upon which the
two hospitals are being built and the
surrounding region and elements of the
St John of God story,” said Director of
Mission Martin Loney.
It is hoped that everyone who visits, as a
patient or to work at the Midland hospitals,
will enjoy the stories told on each floor that
are inspired by past and present
communities.
Pictured: This cross section of the building
shows the colours and symbols that will guide
people as they navigate their way through
the new hospitals.
Training the trainers in Timor
Health workers at Dili’s
national hospital have received
vital wound management
training from visiting St John
of God Health Care caregivers
to prepare them to become
trainers in Timor Leste.
The training was delivered to 13 nurses
at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares
(HNGV) and six representatives from the
National Institute of Health (INS) and
Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e
(UNTL).
Lessons focused on the practical aspects
of wound management with a required
competency in the Aseptic Non Touch
Technique.
“I am so happy and proud to have taken
part in this program. It gives me a deeper
knowledge so I can become a more
professional nurse, following the right
techniques,” said HNGV outpatient nurse
Juliana Almeida.
Four SJGHC nurses trained and assessed the
health workers to ensure a sustainable and
ongoing wound management program was
delivered hospital wide. Once training was
complete, trainers delivered the program to
the hospital staff with the support and
encouragement of the SJGHC team.
“The wards have limited facilities and
supplies, yet the demand for wound care is
high and many of the patients require daily
dressings,” explained Health Choices
operations manager Mary Lou Hagebols.
“My secondment and time with the
Timorese staff and international health team
will long be remembered as a positive and
enlightening experience,” she said.
The trip helped Jenny Pattison, Clinical
Nurse Specialist at SJG Bendigo Hospital,
realise just how much can be accomplished
in such a short time.
“The most surprising aspect of the trip
was what the Timorese nurses are able to
accomplish with such limited resources,”
she said.
For Maureen Myers, Clinical Improvements
and Project Coordinator at SJG Bunbury
Hospital, the highlight was seeing the
Timorese nurses making changes that
reflected the training.
“It was challenging to work with a translator
but it was so rewarding to see the Timorese
absorb the information and then realise it
had been properly understood as we
watched them put it into practise,” she said.
The team was led by Jenny Tait-Robertson,
International Health Project Officer in
response to a needs-analysis conducted
in 2013.
Pictured: (l-r) Maureen Myers, Jenny
Pattinson, Lance Jarvis, Jenny Tait-Robertson
and Mary Lou Hagebols.
MURDOCH STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED
FOR EDUCATION ON PALLIATIVE CARE
A hospital-wide, multidisciplinary
study into staff perspectives on
palliative care at St John of God
Murdoch Hospital will inform
the introduction of palliative care
pathways and improved education.
Chair of Nursing at Murdoch Hospital
and Notre Dame University, Professor
Leanne Monterosso, said the study
highlighted the need for greater
understanding of palliative care.
“We found there was varied knowledge
amongst a large proportion of caregivers
about palliative care and referral
processes,” Prof Monterosso said.
“It is a common misconception that
palliative care is only for those who
are dying, which today is known as
end-of-life care, usually in the last week or
two of a person’s life.”
Palliative care is a much broader term and
its focus today is on the management of
symptoms and maximising quality of life
for patients with a life-limiting illness at
any stage of their illness.
Palliative care as a medical specialty has
evolved in recent years and there is now
understanding amongst health
professionals, patients and and families
that patients should receive good
supportive or palliative care throughout
their illness. This can occur while patients
are undergoing active treatment for any
life-limiting illness.
“Some patients will transit in and out of
palliative care throughout the duration of
their illness. The increasing recognition
that many conditions other than cancer
require supportive or palliative care is
also very heartening particularly since
cancer only accounts for 40 per cent of
all deaths.
“Our study identified some barriers to
referral of patients who would benefit
from a palliative approach and we hope
that through education, we will enable a
smooth transition from hospital to
palliative care services either in the
community or in a hospice setting,”
Prof Monterosso said.
The study results will be presented in
Hong Kong in July at the Sigma Theta Tau
International Nursing Congress.
7
Partnership to help returned soldiers
Soldier On has opened a Centre
in Sydney for armed forces
personnel who have returned
to Australia with physical and
psychological injuries and St John
of God Richmond Hospital will
be a critical partner in delivering
mental health care.
GCEO Roadshow sets the direction
With great conviction in the new
strategic direction for St John of God
Health Care over the next five years,
Group Chief Executive Officer Dr
Michael Stanford took to the road
in June to make 14 presentations
across Australian Divisions and
Group Services to share with
caregivers the recently announced
Strategic Priorities for FY15-19.
Michael used the face-to-face opportunity
to enlist caregivers in delivering the five
bold new Strategic Priorities that will shape
the organisation over the coming five years.
He challenged those who attended to take
responsibility for their individual actions to
position the Group as the leader in the
Australian health care sector for the provision
of high quality health care by 2019.
He said if we achieve this critical priority
then we would be delivering on the Vision
laid down by the Trustees, particularly in
delivering excellence in care.
Michael said there was a gap in the Australian
health care sector for an iconic leader in the
delivery of high quality health care and saw a
future where SJGHC will be reputed as the
leading voice in the industry and an
important partner of its key stakeholders.
He said in order to get there, the Group
Management Committee (GMC) and Board
had agreed four enabling Strategic Priorities,
including a significantly increased investment
in information, analytics and technology.
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One of the targets within the priority of
information, analytics and technology that
resonated with many caregivers attending
Michael’s presentations was the intention to
implement clinical information systems in all
16 of our hospitals by 2019.
He said we cannot achieve excellence in
care without access to clinical information.
We want to be able to access data on every
patient in our care and follow them through
the entire patient experience. With
strengthened analytical capabilities we can
support education, research and ultimately
shape the delivery of high quality care.
Another enabling priority was to be agile.
Michael called on all caregivers to take on
this priority personally. He said decisions
need be able to be made quickly at every
level of the organisation which will be
achieved if we truly support the Catholic
Church principle of subsidiarity - where
decisions should always be made at the
lowest level capable of making the decision.
Standardisation of all that should be
standardised will also assist us to be an
agile, responsive organisation.
The Strategic Priorities recognise that as an
organisation we don’t work in isolation, we
partner to deliver excellence in care with
other Church agencies, doctors,
professional bodies, consumers (including
patients and clients), health funds,
governments, universities and communities.
Deeper partnering with key stakeholders is
one of the enabling Strategic Priorities.
Michael said as the Sisters of St John of God
leave St John of God Health Care in the
hands of lay people it is of even greater
importance that we are more connected
with the broader Catholic Church.
“We can facilitate the greater formation of
our workforce, contribute actively to the life
of local Catholic communities and as a
leading health care figure we can help to
ensure a vital, dynamic Catholic sector into
the future.”
With such ambitious plans it was perhaps
with some trepidation that caregivers who
attended the presentations remained
focussed on the final enabling Strategic
Priority – capital optimisation.
Michael was candid about the limited
availability of capital as a non-profit operator
in a capital-intensive industry. However he
said the next five years would see a shift
away from the recent cycle of high cost
developments into equipping caregivers
with the tools necessary to deliver on the
Strategic Priorities.
Caregivers came away from the nation-wide
presentations invigorated and enjoyed the
opportunity to consider the part they will
play in the bigger picture of St John of God
Health Care.
The Michael Fussell Sydney Reintegration
and Recovery Centre was opened on June
26 by his Excellency the Governor-General,
Sir Peter Cosgrove and the parents of the
soldier that the centre is named after, who
was killed on deployment to Afghanistan
in 2008.
At the opening Mrs Madeline Fussell said her
family was honoured to have the Centre take
Michael's name as he proudly served with
Australia's Special Operations Task Group.
She highlighted the impact that post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have
on the lives of service men and women and
the families who support them, as well as
the physical injuries that soldiers can suffer.
St John of God Richmond Hospital will
provide counseling and reintegration
activities including exercise programs
that have proven clinical benefits in the
treatment of PTSD.
In the next year Richmond Hospital will
continue to work with Soldier On to deliver
early detection and intervention services
to prevent more serious mental health
problems developing amongst returned
service men and women.
The Michael Fussell Centre is located in
Milsons Point on the Sydney Harbour.
It provides a physical location where
wounded soldiers living in Sydney and
its surrounds can go for support.
Pictured: Richmond Hospital caregivers at
the opening of the Centre: Strephon
Billinghurst CEO, Jae Lee Director of Allied
Health, Cathy Scott Director of Mission,
Zachary Steel Prof Chair for Trauma and
Mental Health, Natasha Garwood Deputy
Director of Allied Health, Sean Fitzgerald
Nurse Unit Manager.
CHILD PROTECTION ADVISORY ROLE
FOR YOUTH SERVICES MANAGER
A new Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection
is being established by the Government of Western
Australia and Michael Board, Group Manager Youth
Services in Social Outreach and Advocacy Services, will
be leading the committee as its inaugural chair.
The council has been charged with three main tasks: to review
legislation to meet current requirements; provide a wider whole
of community response to the growing issue of child protection
in WA; and act as a sounding board for the wider community.
“This is a great honour for Michael and is a worthy reflection
of the esteem in which he is held by the state government,”
said Anne Russell Brown, Group Director Social Outreach and
Advocacy.
Pictured above left: GCEO Dr Michael
Stanford visited 14 divisions to deliver the
Strategic Priorities 2015 – 2019.
“Michael brings a wealth of experience, particularly from the
community and government sectors, and I have no doubt that
he will make a significant contribution.
Pictured above right: St John of God
Pathology caregivers included Dr Michael
Ragg, Andrew Shaw, Laura Polkaposki, Jodii
Anderson, Michael Courtney, Dr Geoff
Davey, Warren Shrimpton, Mahtab Mianai,
Dr Michael Stanford, Scott Wilkinson and
Jenny Grant.
“The appointment also provides a wonderful opportunity for
our services to be recognised and for us to enhance our role in
improving the welfare of children and families throughout WA.”
Pictured: Michael Board will advise government on child
protection.
9
New appointments
BUY A BRICK
FOR TIMOR
Claire Allman
An innovative fundraising campaign
driven by caregivers at St John of God
Pathology WA will help to renovate and
fit out a new pathology collection centre
at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares
in Dili, East Timor.
Claire Allman joins the St John of God Midland Public and Private
Hospitals project team as Director of Workforce. In this role Claire
is leading workforce development, including rolling out the
recruitment strategy that will see job offers made to over 1,000
people. Most recently Claire oversaw the development, initiation
and consolidation of human resources and industrial relations for
the non-clinical workforce at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
PAELLA, PAMPERING
AND PINS
A massive paella fit for the Spanish
namesake of the organisation and all
his followers rounded-off a week of
celebrations for the 10th anniversary
of Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital.
It was 2004 when St John of God Health Care took
over operations at the then named, Nepean
Rehabilitation Hospital.
Back then, the stated intent of St John of God
Health Care was to improve the range of services
and the quality of care and invest in new facilities
for the benefit of the rehabilitation patients.
The hospital has since grown from 56 to 69 beds,
in 2013 it treated 1,600 inpatients and conducted
more than 37,000 outpatient sessions with
outpatient rehabilitation services continuing to grow.
The 10 year milestone was recognised with a high
tea for past and present caregivers that included
the sharing of stories from those who’d been on
the 10 year journey with the hospital. The Most
Reverend Peter J. Elliott also attended.
Fun was had when caregivers donned the colours
of the pomegranate logo of red, orange and green
for a day and enjoyed pampering, fruit baskets,
goodie bags and competitions.
Chief Executive Officer, Sally Faulkner gave every
caregiver a pomegranate pin to commemorate the
anniversary. Sally had brought the pins back for
her caregivers from her pilgrimage to Granada,
Spain in 2013.
Pictured: Frankston allied health caregivers enjoying
a Spanish paella lunch.
10
Known as the ‘Buy a Brick for Timor
Campaign’, it invited caregivers to buy
a virtual brick for five dollars, then
emblazoned the brick with their name
and added it to a virtual ‘wall’.
Samantha Elder
Sam Elder has joined St John of God Health Care as Group
General Manager Finance and will be based at the Finance
Shared Services Centre in Osborne Park, Western Australia. Sam
has held multiple finance roles and comes to St John of God
Health Care with over twenty years of financial and operational
management experience. Most recently, Sam was the Australian
Chief Financial Officer for SGS Australia. Sam holds a Bachelor of
Arts (Business Studies) and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.
St John of God Pathology Director of
Mission Mario Bugna explained that a
building progress update for the virtual wall
was emailed to all caregivers each week and
many sent it on to friends and family who
also contributed bricks to the wall.
Mal Kendrew
“It was a huge display of generosity and it
also released many stories for the people
who bought them,” Mario said.
Mal Kendrew has been appointed to the newly created position
of National Manager Corporate Services at St John of God Hauora
Trust. Mal has held multiple project management roles with a
specific focus on quality control and risk management. He has
also led continuous improvement and change management
projects in the implementation of LEAN manufacturing.
Andrew Lovick
Andrew Lovick has joined the St John of God Geelong team as
Director of Finance. Andrew most recently worked as Acting
Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Barwon Health, and has also
held finance roles for packaging company Amcor and metals and
mining corporation Rio Tinto. Andrew holds a Bachelor of
Commerce and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.
Dr Allan Pelkowitz
Dr Allan Pelkowitz has taken on the role of Regional Coordinator
Medical Services, Perth Northern Hospitals. In this role Allan will
oversee aspects of medical services that will benefit from a
multi-divisional approach. This includes clinical services planning,
coordination of medical training and mentoring of senior
doctors, particularly in relation to Royal Australian College of
Medical Administrators qualifications. Allan is also assisting with
the integration of our newest hospital, St John of God Mt Lawley
while he continues his substantive role as Director of Medical
Services at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals.
Mahtab Minai
Mahtab Minai recently joined the Victorian St John of God
Pathology team as Laboratory Operations Manager. In this role
Mahtab will be responsible for ensuring that all pathology
collections are safe, of the highest quality and done in the
quickest possible manner for doctors, specialists and patients.
Mahtab has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory
Science) and a Master of Business Administration.
‘Midwife of the Year’
St John of God Subiaco
Hospital post natal midwife
and lactation consultant Lisa
Black was recently named the
‘Johnson’s Baby Midwife of
the Year’ for Western Australia.
The ‘Johnson’s Baby Midwife of the Year’ is a
joint award between the Australian College
of Midwives and Johnson’s Baby, with one
winner selected from each state.
Lisa was nominated by her patient Eun
Young Chae for her compassion and
empathy during all stages of her postnatal
treatment at the Subiaco Hospital.
“She is gentle in her touch, she made me
and my child feel safe in her capable hands.
She kept me informed of my situation,
offered invaluable advice and constantly
offered her service whole heartedly. Her
compassion and empathy touched our
heart. She shared my pain and lifted my
soul,” Eun said.
Lisa completed her post graduate diploma
in midwifery at St John of God Subiaco
Hospital in conjunction with Edith Cowan
University, graduating in 2002.
When asked about her personal work ethic,
Lisa stressed, “I like to believe however big
or small an interaction is with a family it
leaves a lasting and positive outcome. You
should make every encounter count.”
Lisa demonstrates a commitment to the
service ethos, and ensures every encounter
is an opportunity to exceed patient
expectations.
This is the second year in a row that a
Subiaco Hospital caregiver has been
awarded the state title for ‘Johnson’s Baby
Midwife of the Year’ for Western Australia,
with Michelle Stedman taking out the
prestigious award last year.
Pictured: Lisa Black, St John of God Subiaco
Hospital post natal midwife and lactation
consultant, has won the ‘Johnson’s Baby
Midwife of the Year’ for Western Australia.
“They shared stories of life, love and death,
memorials, marriages, family, grandparents,
grandchildren, pets, football teams, work
teams, adoption and long distance
friendships.”
Tracey sponsored a brick in memory of
her very special brother in-law who had
recently passed away.
“It was a great way to help fund raise and
every time I received an update on the wall
it brought special memories and allowed
our family to remember a much-loved
man,” she said.
Josie bought a brick in memory of her
father who worked in Indonesia for many
years, teaching mechanics in a large
logging company, and she said she’d
always felt a special bond with the country.
Ros’s brick is named ‘8 angels’ which is the
phrase she coined for her eight healthy
grandchildren that she considers to be
blessings in her life.
Di named a brick after her sponsor child
in Bali, Melyani, and Elle and Ben’s brick
reminds them of their new beginning as
a newly married couple.
The Campaign raised $2,000 and the
monies raised are now being used to
complete the renovation of the pathology
collection centre in Dili.
11
Training in obstetric emergencies at Subiaco
WARRNAMBOOL HELPS
REDUCE PUBLIC PATIENT
WAIT TIMES
A three day training seminar at St John of God
Subiaco Hospital in June helped clinicians from
across Australia to be armed with the skills to
deal with serious and life-threatening obstetric
emergencies.
St John of God Warrnambool Hospital has started
providing public elective surgery to patients in southwest and western Victoria, as part of a new contract
with the Victorian State Government.
Organised by Subiaco Hospital Head of Obstetrics, Dr Michael
Gannon, and Sydney Obstetrician Dr Rahul Sen, the Management
of Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma (MOET) course is highly
regarded by senior clinicians Australia wide.
Public wait listed cases in orthopaedics, gynaecology, ear nose
and throat surgery and ophthalmology are being referred to the
hospital from South West Healthcare, the adjacent public area
health service for the region.
Senior Obstetric Anaesthetist at Subiaco Hospital, Dr Nolan
McDonnell, was also one of the trainers.
St John of God Warrnambool Chief Executive Officer, Glen Power
said indications were that the new contract would see 70
patients operated on by June 2014.
“We are very excited to have completed nearly 70 per cent of the
contracted public patients, and are able to make a significant
contribution to reducing the waiting list for elective surgery
across our region,” Dr Power said.
One of the first patients to receive surgery, Nikita Moutray of
Warrnambool, said she was delighted to get the call regarding
early surgery after a 12 month wait for surgery.
“It was great to get the phone call last week to tell me I can have
my surgery next week at St John’s – awesome,” she said.
The Competitive Elective Surgery Initiative agreement with the
State Government and South West Healthcare allows for a
renewal of the arrangement in 2014/15 in the event of ongoing
funding commitment by the Victorian Department of Health.
Photo caption: Public patient Nikita Moutray was grateful to
finally have her elective surgery after 12 months on a wait list
pictured here with Division one nurse Rosemary Green.
Papal Cross of
Honour awarded
to former NZ Chair
Former Chair of the Hauora Trust Governing
Board, Garry Donnithorne, has been awarded
the Papal Cross of Honour for his distinguished
services to the Catholic Church and the Pope.
The medal is the highest accolade that can be awarded to a
non-ordained member of the Church and was presented to Garry
by current Chair of the Hauora Trust Governing Board Bevan Kilpatrick
on behalf of Pope Francis I.
Garry oversaw the growth of the St John of God ministry in New
Zealand from residential and respite support in Halswell,
Christchurch, to a coordinated organisation that now also includes
a Trust Office in Christchurch, residential and respite support in
Wellington and youth support at Waipuna.
Garry was presented with a golden medal and ribbon of the Vatican’s
distinctive white and yellow, along with a certificate containing the
official seal and signature of the Vatican’s Cardinal Secretary of State.
The Papal Cross of Honour was originally established by Pope Leo XIII
in 1888.
Pictured: Papal Cross of Honour awardee Garry Donnithorne with
members of the St John of God Hauora Trust Governing Board Marion
Cowden (SJGHT Trustee), Joanne Hope National Manager Mission,
Jacquiline Killick, Bevan Killick (SJGHT Chair), Sarah Mather (SJGHT
Trustee), Garry Donnithorne (Former SJGHT Chair), Sheryl
Donnithorne, Moana-o-Hinerangi (SJGHT Trustee).
The MOET course attracted Obstetricians and Anaesthetists from
New South Wales and South Australia, as well as a local cohort.
Four Subiaco midwives were also able to attend as observers
and provided invaluable support to the faculty and candidates.
The format included a package of didactic teaching, scenarios,
skills drills, small group workshops and demonstrations to teach
and reinforce the knowledge and skills acquired by the candidates.
There was continuous assessment of skills during the course and a
final examination.
Pictured: L to r Dr Michael Gannon, Head of Obstetrics with
midwives Tracey Lindsay, Tracy Lindford, Jenny Gasiorowski, Jennifer
Speirs and Dr Nolan McDonnell, Senior Obstetric Anaethetist.
CELEBRATING OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS
Across St John of God Health Care we stopped to
celebrate and thank our hard working volunteers who
help ensure that our patients and their families are as
comfortable as possible in our care.
The National Volunteering Week celebrations in May included a morning
tea at Murdoch, Subiaco and Frankston, a high tea extravaganza at
Berwick, and a Geelong National Wool Museum tour and lunch for
Geelong volunteers.
St John of God Subiaco Hospital sponsored the excellence in volunteer
management award at the annual gala dinner hosted by Volunteering WA.
Long-time volunteer at Berwick hospital, Trish Nicholson, said she was
proud to be able to give back to the community and help others, because
St John of God Health Care does things differently.
“I have volunteered for many organisations over the last 30 years, yet what
attracted me to the hospital’s volunteer program was the caring approach
of the caregivers,” Trish said.
St John of God Health Care relies on its 1,444 volunteers who come from
all walks and stages of life, including retirees, students, full-time and part
time workers who have the common desire to give back to the
community through the act of volunteering.
Pictured: Some of our amazing St John of God Subiaco Hospital volunteers
enjoying a visit to the Western Australian Museum.
12
13
Goodnight nurse engages
Geraldton community
Geraldton parents with young families
are enjoying better sleep thanks to
international child sleep expert, Emma
Pollard, and St John of God Geraldton
Hospital who co-hosted two sold out
child sleep workshops.
SJGHC Celebrates WA
Congratulations to Winthrop
Professor Kadambot Siddique
who took out the Celebrate
WA Day Professions Award, the
category sponsored by St John
of God Health Care, for taking
Australia to the forefront of
legume export around the world.
The overall Western Australian of the
Year Award winner David Flanagan was
celebrated for his major contribution to
the Western Australian iron ore industry,
his philanthropic activities and work with
Aboriginal communities.
Mother of a 15 month old child, Tegan Booysen,
said information about establishing a bedtime
routine, the dangers of white noise and sleep
potential for different ages was most valuable.
Pictured: Amy Ryan, Goldfields Midwest Medicare Local, Serena O’Brien St John of
God Geraldton Hospital, Chris Dobson and Renee Doyle Midwest Charity Begins at
Home, The Goodnight Nurse Emma Pollard and mother Tegan Booyson with
daughter Ayla. Photo courtesy Geraldton Guardian.
Pictured: GCEO Dr Michael Stanford made
the presentation to the 2014 Celebrate WA
Professions Award winner Kadambot Siddique.
CPE GRADUATES FROM ACROSS VICTORIA
DON'T LET A SLIP TRIP UP YOUR DAY
Graduates of the most recent Victorian St John of
God Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program
included internal recruits from St John of God’s
Pinelodge Clinic and Berwick Hospital as well as
the Dandenong Hospital and the Royal Women’s
Hospital in Melbourne.
In the last year, slips, trips and
falls were the second largest
cause of injuries across SJGHC.
The first CPE program to be hosted by Pinelodge clinic
demonstrated how St John of God’s mission as a ministry
supports the community in formation of pastoral practitioners
as well as providing a sustainable succession plan for its own
pastoral caregivers.
CPE Centre Director Bernadette Wurlod coordinated the program
with Andrew Somerville, Pinelodge Pastoral Services Manager.
The graduation ceremony was attended by many of the people
who were instrumental in establishing the first Victorian St John
of God Pastoral Practitioner traineeship incorporating CPE.
CPE is education involving the action-reflection process.
It requires sensitivity to people in vulnerable circumstances,
spiritual assessment, the ability to work as part of the clinical
team and articulation of clinical evidence to support pastoral
practice and its place in holistic care.
Pictured: Back (l-r) Tracey Burton, Isabelle Neil, Beverly Davis,
Andrew Somerville, Shibu Varughese, Graham Cadd.
Front (L-r) Bernadette Wurlod, Mary-Lou Henderson, Sr Josephine
Carroll, Sr Rosarii Carroll.
14
Prof Kadambot’s development and release
of chickpea, lentil and grass pea varieties
that have superior quality and yield has
helped Australia to become a major
exporter of grain legumes.
A member of the Order of Australia,
Kadambot has had his research published
in more than 250 scientific papers, review
articles and books. He has also been
instrumental in cultivating international
collaboration in research and teaching.
Otherwise known as ‘The Goodnight Nurse’,
Emma travelled from Busselton to conduct the
workshops for 120 attendees and included topics
like sleep cycles, day routines, tired signs and
withdrawal techniques.
A raffle was held at each workshop with the prize
of a one hour in-home consultation with The
Goodnight Nurse. Proceeds of the raffles were
donated to local charities, Midwest Charity
Begins at Home and Midwest Disaster Relief.
It is the seventh year SJGHC has been a
major sponsor of the award that recognises
excellence.
They resulted in a third of all lost time
due to injury from July 2013 to April
2014, with ten people missing work
because of injuries like fractures, sprains,
strains and concussion.
The solutions to taking safer steps are
simple; move things left on floors, fix
uneven surfaces, dry wet floors, use
handrails and lights and wear
appropriate footwear.
LIVE WELL, WORK WELL
COMPETITION WINNER
The lucky winner of the groupwide wellness program naming
competition, Bridget Wadling,
has used her $500 Rebel Sport
gift voucher prize to keep her
family fit and healthy.
Bridget, a Human Resources Coordinator
at St John of God Richmond Hospital, was
ecstatic that her submission ‘Live Well,
Work Well’ was selected as the official title
for the St John of God Health Care
wellness program introduced this year.
Bridget has a track record for encouraging
employee wellbeing. She spearheaded a
campaign two years ago to help
encourage caregivers to use up their
excess annual leave and have a welldeserved break.
“Wellness is important to me as it creates
a healthier and happier workplace and
benefits everybody in the organisation,
I am very excited that my idea was
selected as the new name for the
wellness program,” Bridget said.
concurrence with new Division led
safety initiatives.
Safety starts with everyone paying
attention. If you notice and point out a
hazard, it can be fixed.
All caregivers should be on alert to find
and report hazards to their manager,
supervisor or HSR representative to save
a colleague, patient or visitor from injury.
An awareness campaign has been
launched across SJGHC with new slips,
trips and falls promotional materials
distributed to all Divisions in
Pictured: St John of God Murdoch
Theatre orderly, Martin Buckland, takes
the lead in managing a slip hazard
identified in his work area.
Bridget purchased a cross training
exercise bike for herself and her family,
which is being used to keep them all
active during the winter months.
The SJGHC Live Well Work Well Program
is an integral component of the
Occupational Health and Safety strategy,
providing caregivers with the awareness
and knowledge to manage their own
health and wellbeing.
Pictured: Winning and working out,
Bridget Wadling.
15
.
New approach to
nursing and midwifery
The St John of God Health Care Nursing
and Midwifery Standards of Excellence have
been renamed and have a new look and feel
to better engage with the group’s 4,500
nurses and midwives.
They are now known as the Foundations of Excellence, and the
seven identified ‘Foundations’ set the expectation for how nursing
and midwifery care will be delivered at all St John of God Health
Care facilities.
Group Director Nursing Kate Birrell explained that the Foundations
bring together all that we know about clinical best practice and
what we aspire to be as nurses and midwives.
“It’s a commitment by SJGHC to provide an environment that allows
our nurses and midwives to do their best work,” Kate said.
“Over the past two years nursing and midwifery leaders have been
using the Foundations to guide and prioritise action.
“An example of the Foundations in action is how nursing teams have
used Foundation three, ‘We Participate’, as a guide to improving
communication and engagement.”
“When the Foundations are realised then we deliver on our Value
of providing excellence in care; for patients, our health partners
and our caregivers.”
FOUNDATIONS OF EXCELLENCE
Building excellence in nursing and midwifery
WE LEAD THE WAY
Build strong and positive relationships. Inspire others. Achieve.
WE WALK IN THEIR SHOES
See the whole person. Invite participation and advocate.
Remember every encounter matters.
WE PARTICIPATE
Have your say. Be accountable for your actions and behaviours.
Every contribution counts.
WE VALUE OUR RESOURCES
Treat them responsibly and manage wisely.
Accomplish goals. Protect the future.
WE DO THE RIGHT THINGS RIGHT
Commit to a culture of safety. Deliver excellence in care.
WE COLLABORATE TO SUCCEED
Value and support each other. Work together.
Cooperate across disciplines and departments.
WE SHAPE OUR FUTURE
Foster professional growth and development.
Model and educate. Recognise, reward and celebrate.
St John of God Health Care is a leading Catholic health care provider in Australia and New
Zealand, operating 13 hospitals, home nursing, pathology and disability services, as well as
Social Outreach and Advocacy services reaching out to people experiencing disadvantage.
Editorial submissions or mailing list changes for Pomegranate to [email protected]
16
St John of God Health Care Inc ABN 21 930 207 958 ARBN 051 960 911 (Limited Liability) Incorporated in WA.
www.sjog.org.au