Designs unveiled for new-look hospital: P2

the
Pulse
October 2015
Westmead reno
Designs unveiled for new-look hospital: P2
Westmead Hospital general manager Andrew Newton, Health Infrastructure project director David Ballantyne, NSW Minister for Health Jillian Skinner,
Health Infrastructure chief executive Sam Sangster, SCHN Board chair Christine Bennett, WMI executive director Tony Cunningham, WSLHD chief executive
Danny O’Connor, SCHN chief executive Michael Brydon and The University of Sydney Dean of Dentistry Professor Christopher Peck.
Check out the Western Sydney Local Health
District Quality Award winners: P14-19
Interactive walk-through brain shows the
community about dementia: P7
Transcultural Mental Health staff
celebrated Mental Health Month: P12
www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
Executive Update
From the
chief executive
Chief Executive Danny O’Connor.
Strong organisations value and respect their people.
Organisations can demonstrate this in practical ways by
providing a safe working environment, through ongoing
education and training, and by helping create strong career
paths.
If the organisation nurtures and supports staff, staff are always
willing to give a 100% in return. Generally, this return involves
people doing a good days work and using their core skills to
best advantage.
In September, this basic transaction between WSLHD and its
staff took on a whole new dimension. In that month I had the
pleasure of speaking at Westmead Hospital during the launch of
a series of War on Waste roadshows across our major hospitals.
Staff were encouraged to contribute ideas on how to cut
waste, reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
In the opening War on Waste phase, cash incentives were given
to departments responsible for the best ideas. Westmead
mailroom staff won $10k, a Blacktown Mt Druitt hospitals
nursing team won $10k for stock management, and Auburn
hospital won $10k for a laptop pilot. There were other smaller
prizes and many staff contributed ideas in writing.
Some sample ideas put forward were: switch off the lights and
computers when not in use, print on both sides of the paper,
compost uneaten food for bagging and selling, a single screen
assessment tool for allied health, do not make bulk stock
purchases a default, backfill for clerical staff to avoid clinical
staff picking up admin duties, social workers to do discharge
planning with the assistance of AHA’s, and update the global
address book with phone numbers for all staff to avoid
constant searching. There were plenty of others.
The ideas to combat waste are now being collated and
examined by the Organisational Effectiveness Directorate and
will afterwards pass to the Project Management Office for the
best to be implemented.
Ideas have tremendous currency in the WSLHD, an
organisation that prizes innovation. The quality of the ideas
generated by these roadshows and the level of creative, lateral
and analytical thinking from staff was outstanding. Some
were a bit left field, others spoke to the necessity of not letting
bureaucracy blind common sense.
From the Board Chair
Future of health care
in WSLHD
There were two highlights we
celebrated this month.
The first was the October 6
media announcement by the
Premier Mike Baird and the NSW
Health Minister Jillian Skinner of
the new concept design for the
first stage of the new Westmead
precinct.
The launch was held in the
delightful surroundings of the
Westmead Millennium Institute
and we were extremely grateful
for their hospitality.
The new building will be
situated between Westmead
Hospital and the Children’s
Hospital at Westmead and will
house the new emergency
departments together with
state-of-the-art operating
theatres and extra in-patient
beds.
Several major diagnostic services
will be there and it will unite the
acute care activities of the two
principal players in the provision
of acute care in the precinct.
Danny O’Connor
Health Infrastructure, the
planning and construction arm
of the NSW Ministry of Health,
continues to do a valiant job
designing the new venture with
the Westmead Redevelopment
team and the LHD deserves
warm congratulations in getting
the project to this stage.
Chief Executive
It was a happy morning that
It was clear evidence that while we are all aware of the
multimillion dollar capital works underway in our LHD, we
must never lose sight of how valuable our human capital is.
Board Chair Emeritus Professor
Stephen Leeder.
attracted wide media attention,
thanks to our Corporate
Communications team.
The second great event was our
Annual Public Meeting, which
was held at Blacktown earlier
this month.
More than 150 people attended
and the highlight was the
presentation of 11 quality
awards to teams of LHD staff,
who have done great work in
innovating, creating projects
like care for patients needing
post-op knee physio, a home
app to manage their dialysis
and falls prevention and many
more.
Speaking after the event with
Dr Mary Foley, the Secretary of
the NSW Health Ministry, I know
how much she enjoyed and was
stimulated by the afternoon.
Congratulations to everyone.
Stephen Leeder
Board Chair
The Pulse October 2015
2
News from across WSLHD
Westmead Hospital’s Dr Ian
Nicholson nominated for 2016
NSW Australian of the Year
Westmead Hospital’s cardiologist Dr Ian Nicholson.
Western Sydney Local Health District
congratulates heart surgeon Dr Ian
Nicholson on becoming a finalist for the
2016 NSW Australian of the Year.
they deserve yet cannot afford.
Dr Nicholson is one of Australia’s leading
cardiothoracic surgeons and is known to
have a heart of gold.
Each year, Ian lands in places like Papua
New Guinea, Rwanda and Cambodia to run
a ‘patient production line’ that treats both
children and adults suffering from a range
of treatable conditions – from congenital
heart defects to rheumatic heart disease.
A regular volunteer with Open Heart
International since his first trip to Fiji
in 1994. Ian has travelled throughout
the Pacific and Africa to give people in
developing countries the lifesaving surgery
With selfless generosity, Ian has mentored
medical teams in developing countries
for two decades, passing on his skills and
knowledge to help them gain
self-sufficiency.
Donating countless hours and
immeasurable expertise, Ian gives many
people, both young and old, a second
chance at life.
The NSW Australian of the Year will be
announced on Monday 16 November at the
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
The NSW Award recipient will then join
recipients from all other States and
Territories as finalists for the national
Awards, which will be held in Canberra on
25 January 2016.
The Pulse October 2015
3
World-class care by 2020
NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Health Jillian
Skinner has revealed the concept design for Stage 1 of
the $900 million Westmead Hospital redevelopment and
precinct earlier this month.
They were joined by Western Sydney Local Health District
(WSLHD) chief executive Danny O’Connor, WSLHD
board chair Stephen Leeder, Westmead Hospital general
manager Andrew Newton and representatives from The
Children’s Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney
and Westmead Millennium Research Institute.
The new-look hospital will include a new acute services
building, which will house complex and critical care
services in a multi-storey facility, along with new stateof-the-art operating theatres, extra in-patient beds and a
new emergency department.
Minister Skinner said centralising services in the acute
services building would improve treatment for critically ill,
trauma and surgical patients.
“The completed project will provide greater integration,
particularly between the two hospitals and the two major
research institutes,” she said.
“Westmead precinct partners have worked together to
ensure better approaches to service and facility planning,
precinct access, transport and car parking.”
The first works are now underway on-site, with critical
upgrades to power, water, gas and other essential services.
Work will soon begin on the first stage of new car parking
for patients, visitors and staff.
For further information about the redevelopment visit:
www.westmeadproject.health.nsw.gov.au
Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Danny O’Connor announces the
future of health care in western Sydney.
Welcome our new NUMs
Westmead Hospital welcomed
two new nursing unit managers
(NUMs) in October.
Claire MacBean joined the team
on ward B3C after working at
Royal North Shire Hospital while
former Nepean Hospital NUM
Frances Hoult joined ward B5A.
Welcome to Westmead ladies.
Welcome Frances Hoult NUM Westmead Hospital ward B5A and Claire
MacBean NUM ward B3C.
The Pulse October 2015
4
Research & Education
Research is big business
and NSW Premier Mike Baird on October 9 2014.
At our Annual Public Meeting, we heard 2000
research projects are in progress across our
facilities, with 400 new projects in 2013-14
and $28 million received in research grants (an
increase of 9.2 per cent on the previous year).
Another major achievement of 2014-2015 was
the recognition by the NHMRC of Sydney Health
Partners (SHP) as an Advanced Health Research
and Translation Centre (AHRTC).
In mid-2014, after more than a decade of
fundraising and planning, the Westmead
Millennium Institute moved into its new $110
million building, designed to enhance research
collaboration.
Ten centres of research, previously scattered
across six different locations in the Westmead
Hospital precinct, were brought together under
one roof. Generously funded by the Federal
and State governments, the new complex was
officially opened by Prime Minister Tony Abbott
SHP comprises Northern Sydney, Sydney and
Western Sydney Local Health Districts, the
Children’s Hospital Network (Westmead), the
University of Sydney and their affiliated research
institutions.
The recognition celebrates demonstrated excellence
in research, the translation of evidence into patient
care outcomes and a strong focus on research and
translation in the education of health professionals.
So that’s enough good news for one year!
Internet: http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Research---Education
Intranet: http://wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Education-Network/REN-home
Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder
Director, WSLHD Research &
Education Network
Bye ‘Westmead Way’
Nancy is farewelled by Westmead Hospital’s Division of Critical Care and Medicine Operations director
Jude Constable and director of Nursing Kate Hackett.
Nancy Lord was renowned for refining the
skills of new ward clerks via the “Westmead
Way” or “Nancy’s Finishing School”.
She provided assistance to ward clerks
working in the old Parramatta Hospital and
Westmead Hospital’s B5A.
Nancy is missed by many people since her
recent retirement from Westmead.
Her lengthy career started at Westmead in
1978, where she excelled in wards A5A/B,
B3B/B3C, Respiratory Infectious Disease and
finally, B5A.
On behalf of all Nancy’s colleagues and
friends, we wish her all the very best in her
well-deserved retirement.
Congratulations to Dr Sophie Liang
who was awarded the Group Troup
Prize for her scientific presentation at
the Australian Society of Anaesthetists
(ASA) and New Zealand Society of
Anaesthetists (NZSA) Combined
Scientific Conference in Darwin by Dr
Richard Grutzner past president of the
Australian Society of Anaesthetists.
The Pulse October 2015
5
News from across WSLHD
Huge thanks to our carers
Carers from across the Western Sydney Local Health District were
thanked for their generosity during National Carers Week 2015 (October
12 – 17) and received pamper sessions, morning tea and free medical
tests at Auburn Hospital.
Carers who help patients in Westmead Hospital’s eye clinic, geriatric day
hospital and the oncology ward were treated to complimentary beauty
treatments on October 12, receiving mini-facials, hand manicures and
relaxing massages.
An information stand, providing resources for carers, was also on display
in the hospital’s main foyer for the week while the McBeath Pharmacy
provided free carer blood pressure and blood glucose tests.
Staff at Blacktown Hospital also received some free pampering while
Auburn Hospital’s staff carers were treated to a special morning tea on
October 15.
Patient and Carer Experience officer Wendy Edmonds said Carers Week
was a good time for all Australians to recognise, celebrate and thank
carers in the community.
“There are more than 2.7 million carers in Australia providing unpaid care
and support to family members or friends who have a disability, mental
illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail or aged,” she said.
“Some carers spend the majority of their time and energy supporting
others and can sometimes forget about their own well-being; this is a
chance for them to have a little time-out”.
A huge thank you to all our wonderful carers – we greatly appreciate
everything you do.
Auburn Hospital’s staff carers Sylvia Vell, Marilyn and Dianna Kubrak.
Crustaceans for carers
Hevington House staff and local carers celebrate and enjoy the day out at Doyles Seafood Restaurant at the Sydney Fish Markets.
Auburn’s Hevington House celebrated
Carers’ Week in style, feasting on a
delightful selection of seafood at Doyles
Seafood Restaurant at the Sydney Fish
Market while enjoying the breathtaking
views of Blackwater Bay.
Carers from Bondi and Caringbah joined
the staff allowing them to socialise and
consume mouth-watering succulents from
the sea.
Hevington House acting nurse manger
Vilma Pacheco said everyone enjoyed the
lunch and the weather was perfect.
“Enjoy the little things in life one day you
may look back and realise they were the big
things,” she said.
The luncheon was funded by NSW Carers
on behalf of the NSW Department of Family
& Community Services.
If you would like to know more about
Hevington House Dementia- Specific Aged
Day Service, contact 9649 2583.
Referrals can be made through My Aged
Care on 1800 200 422.
The Pulse October 2015
6
News from across WSLHD
Super-sized inflatable brainarium
WSLHD showed off Australia’s first
brainarium during Dementia Awareness
Month (September) and gave the
community a unique insight into life for
dementia sufferers.
The interactive exhibit was on show at the
Living Well with Dementia forum, which was
hosted by WSLHD, WentWest, Alzheimer’s
Australia and Blacktown Council.
More than 150 carers, consumers,
community members and healthcare
workers took part.
Topics discussed included environmental
impacts on people with dementia,
legal considerations and psychological
symptoms.
WSLHD clinical nurse consultant Clare Drew
said dementia was now the second leading
cause of death behind heart disease.
“It was important that WSLHD and its
partners came together to promote
dementia awareness in the community
and across health care services as our
population is ageing and this disease is on
the rise,” she said.
Super-sized interactive brain attracts the Blacktown community.
Clare and fellow nurse consultant Katie
Conciatore who are both passionate about
dementia education, used the “brainarium”
to take people on a journey through the
brain of a person living with dementia.
Druitt hospitals to educate people about
the illness. Information was provided to
people who live with dementia themselves,
and to those who care for loved ones
suffering from the illness.
A number of dementia awareness activities
were also held at Blacktown and Mount
Activities included a poster competition for
staff featuring topics about dementia.
Spring into wisteria
Little heroes
Sophie Moessis, Heidi Cootes, YoungHee Reimeyer, Reena Uthappa, Margaret Bannister, Zelijko Mabic,
Fiona Bannister, Violet Griffin and Kim Dobson.
More than 2000 people flocked to the
annual Wisteria Festival on the grounds of
Cumberland Hospital during September.
along with corn on a stick, bacon and egg
rolls, steak sandwiches and 80 serves of
Hokkien Noodles.
Cumberland Hospital’s Wisteria Festival
Committee chair Margaret Bannister
said she was delighted with the gardens,
atmosphere and entertainment including
Ruhi (The Voice Kids), Viraasat Folk Academy,
Ray Barrone, Romeo’s Girls, the Parramatta
RSL Caledonian Pipe Band and our resident
DJ Luke.
“The fete has been a popular family fun day
for more than 85 years, raising more than
$12,000 for patients,” Margaret said.
More than 400 chicken kebab sticks, 480
burgers and 670 scones with Devonshire tea
were consumed over the four-day festival
“On behalf of the Wisteria Festival Organising
Committee and volunteers, I would like to
thank everyone for their time and energy in
ensuring another successful Wisteria Fete.”
President Newton thanks the students.
These adorable Year 5 and 6 girls
from Villawood East Public School
raised a very sweet $55 because
they wanted to support Westmead’s
Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre
Westmead.
“Patients can use this money to buy
Christmas presents for their families or for
entertainment such as The Royal Easter
Show or other activities.”
General Manager Andrew
Newton (known by the kids as “Mr
President”) visited the school to
collect the donation.
What a beautiful gesture by the
young ladies.
The Pulse October 2015
7
News from across WSLHD
Mini-field of Pink Ladies
Gemma is
picture perfect
Oil canvas of Westmead Hospital
neurosurgeon Dr Gemma Olsson.
Sydney artist Michael Simms recently
created a powerful portrait of Westmead
Hospital neurosurgeon Dr Gemma Olsson.
Michael, who struck up a friendship
with the busy clinician through mutual
friends, created the oil-on-canvas image
of Gemma as a gift.
Westmead Hospital’s Breast Cancer Institute cancer survivors and supporters celebrate by plating Pink
Lady silhouettes in the garden at Westmead Hospital.
One of Westmead Hospital’s courtyards
turned pink earlier this month, to pay
tribute to those affected by breast cancer.
Staff from the Westmead Breast Cancer
Institute (BCI) held a Mini-Field of Women
event planting 100 Pink Lady silhouettes in
the garden in a show of support for women
suffering breast cancer.
It is now set to take pride of place in her
Balmain home.
The community was invited to participate
in the event, leaving personal messages of
support on the silhouettes and joining staff
for morning tea.
Michael has since been commissioned
to create portraits of other Westmead
Hospital staff.
Men also got a look-in on the day, with a
single Blue Man silhouette also on display.
The event was part of BCI’s regular Best
Breast Friends support group.
Nice work Michael – hopefully we can
snag a painting for our walls!
Auburn celebrates with colour
Auburn Hospital’s medical ward celebrated
Multicultural Week during September
where staff wore their national traditional
costume and shared delicious cuisine.
The ward’s staff come from diverse cultural
backgrounds, from Australia to Zimbabwe.
The lunches comprised of a multicultural
feast incorporating sweet and savoury
international delicacies.
The staff appreciated the opportunity
to bond and share stories with their
colleagues and peers.
Auburn Hospital’s Mylene Tungul, registered
nurse Rassidatou Diallo, registered nurse
Sangita Khatri Chhetri, registered nurse Roshni
Kumar, ward clerk Sangita Chand, registered
nurse Saras Elete, clinical nurse educator and
Dianne Ford (seated).
The Pulse October 2015
8
News from across WSLHD
Award for consumer poster
Congratulations to the Blacktown Mount
Druitt Hospital (BMDH) Expansion Project
which won best poster in the prestigious
co-design category for their community
engagement poster at the prestigious APAC
forum, Asia Pacific’s premier healthcare
conference held in New Zealand.
Western Sydney Local Health District
consumer and community engagement
manager Dr Coralie Wales said it was an
unexpected win as their poster was by far
the smallest.
“The feedback from the Blacktown and
Mount Druitt Hospital expansion project
consumer engagement effort has been
positive and has strengthened the trust
relationship between staff and consumers,”
she said.
“Now I hear often from some of those
consumers who were involved that they
feel they ‘own’ the new hospital.
Congratulations to Dr Coralie Wales and
co-authors Emma Clarke, Dr Kim Hill and
Peter Rophail, in showcasing the excellent
work being undertaken with consumers in
Western Sydney.
WSLHD consumer and community engagement manager Dr Coralie Wales with the award winning
poster and medal.
Placement program for FACS nurses
A group of Family and Community Services
(FACS) nurses arrived at Westmead
Hospital on October 12, ready to learn a
new set of skills.
The nurses, who have previously worked
at FACS care residences, have been given
the chance to retrain, gaining skills in acute
nursing, via a new work placement course.
The course, which kicked off with
corporate orientation at Westmead
Hospital, will see the nine registered and
enrolled nurses work within various units
at Westmead, Blacktown and Cumberland
hospitals.
The program is a collaboration between
Western Sydney Local Health District
(WSLHD )and FACS and is a great
opportunity for these valuable nurses to
retrain.
Good luck guys and welcome to the LHD.
Welcome to the Family and Community Services nurses to Western Sydney Local Health District.
The Pulse October 2015
9
Building the future
Double honour
for BMDH in
NSW Health
Awards
Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital (BMDH)
Project’s innovative Paper-Lite has been
selected as finalist in this year’s NSW Health
Awards.
The prestigious awards recognise
innovation and excellence in the delivery
of health programs and services to the
communities of NSW throughout the public
health system.
Paper-Lite is a clinician-led transition from
written notes to electronic documentation
for the majority of inpatient records at
Blacktown Hospital. The project will roll out
at Mount Druitt Hospital in late 2015.
BMDH Project was also nominated for a
WSLHD Quality Award in the arts health
category.
Transition Manager Peter Rophail said the
team was thrilled to be nominated.
“The nominations recognise two very
different aspects of our project but at the
heart of it they’re both about consultation,
communication and partnerships.
“Paper-Lite was very strongly staff led
and involved hundreds of staff members
and agency partners working together
to create something that had never been
done before – to make Blacktown Hospital
the first major public hospital in NSW with
Dietitian Bronwyn and CNE Surinder at the launch of Paper-Lite in 2014. The project has now been
nominated for a NSW Health Award.
electronic hospital records.
“It was so successful and so well-accepted
that the initial implementation timeframe
went from 30 months to just three months.”
The project was also recognised at
the local WSLHD awards in a new arts
health category for its arts and culture
program which includes a mosaic seat
created by local Chinese, Africa and Baha’i
communities with staff, children and
women from the local Mount Druitt Wash
House.
Other projects include a meeting place
in the new clinical services building, play
area for the new ante-natal clinics, a mural
for the Mount Druitt Hospital foyer and an
iconic sculpture for the new main entry
depicting the journey of the local glass eels.
The NSW Health Award winners will be
announced in early November.
In brief
•
Blacktown Hospital departments are
gearing up for the move to the new
clinical service building in early 2016.
The move will happen in two stages
with clinics and lower levels due to
move in February and the wards to
follow about 10 weeks later.
•
The Admin Building at Blacktown
is now being refurbished for the
Regional Renal Dialysis Centre
Exceptional staff produced quality DVD
Western Sydney Local Health District’s Health Care Interpreter Service professional
development co-ordinator Anna Kenny was recently commended for her role in the
production of the Working with Interpreters training DVD.
The DVD is a statewide resource, which will be utilised and shared across many local
health districts for the training of interpreters.
“I am very touched and appreciative of the recognition I have received by the WSLHD
executive and from my colleagues across NSW Health Care Interpreter Services for my
contribution to the DVD production,” Anna said.
“I want to acknowledge NSW Health Care Interpreters and the Transcultural Mental
Health Centre, who assisted me with this project.
“Without their dedication and commitment, producing this resource would not have
been possible.”
WSLHD Health Care Interpreter Service
professional development co-ordinator
Anna Kenny.
WSLHD staff who require a free copy of this DVD can contact Anna Kenny on phone
9912 3818 or email [email protected]
The Pulse October 2015
10
News from across WSLHD
Danish students explore
cancer nursing at Westmead
Meet the team
Corporate Communciations
Mathew Nott, Corporate
Communications director
I have been the director Corporate
Communications for almost four months
and the discovery phase continues.
Corporate Communications mitigates
risk, maximises opportunities, and is
committed to pumping information
through our internal structures.
As a unit we contribute to communities
by generating information which helps
people understand what WSLHD does
and how our outstanding teams can
assist them.
Malene Lei, Danish nursing student, Noeline Rozanc, nursing unit manager Crown Princess Mary
Cancer Centre, Anja Schwabach, nursing student and Deirdre D’Souza, clinical co-ordinator, CPMCC.
Westmead Hospital’s Crown Princess Mary
Cancer Centre (CPMCC) welcomed two
nursing exchange students from Aarhus
University Hospital in Denmark, as part of
an international fellowship program.
CPMCC director Professor Paul Harnett
said he was delighted to have the nurses
on board as part of the centre’s ongoing
relationship with the University Hospital.
“It was great to have Anja Schwabach
and Malene Baekhaard Lei at Westmead
Hospital where they studied nursing as
observers,” he said.
“Anja and Malene had the opportunity to
learn from, and interact, with our top class
nursing staff in a high-volume cancer centre
in western Sydney,”
Westmead Hospital’s nursing unit manager
Noeline Rozanc visited Denmark’s Aarhus
University Hospital last year, after securing a
Internally, we focus on keeping our staff
better informed so we run as a well-oiled
machine in delivering health services. In
the coming editions, all members of the
Corporate Communications team will
use this space to introduce themselves
and describe the specialised services
they offer.
two-week fellowship.
“I was able to observe oncology nursing
and care in a different environment and
share my Australian experience with my
Danish colleagues,” she said.
We look forward to working with you.
“We can both learn from each other to
improve both process and outcomes.”
The recipient of Westmead Hospital’s 2016
travelling fellowship will be announced in
October.
Sweet Tweets
With Sia Anthopoulos
A palliative care nurse will spend two weeks
in Denmark.
It’s been a great couple of weeks on
social media for WSLHD. Read on to
see what our lovely followers tweeting
about us:
Westmead was the first cancer centre in
NSW and the second in Australia to receive
international accreditation as a Designated
Centre of Integrated Oncology and
Palliative Care by the European Society for
Medical Oncology.
• Ea Mendoza @eamendoza5
Dad had a heart attack and we are
still blessed that he survived the
operation. Thanks to Dr Jason of
blacktown hospital.
Congratulations Carrie Marr
• Katie Maree @KatieMaree_88
Blacktown hospital is building
carer zones. people can stay &
support people while they’re in
hospital. Supportive of mental
health #qanda
Western Sydney Local Health District’s
Executive Director of Organisational
Effectiveness Carrie Marr has been
appointed as the Chief Executive of the
Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC),
effective October 26.
• Nine News Sydney @9NewsSyd
Westmead hospital will be
transformed into a world-class
health campus for western
Sydney. #9News pic.twitter.com/
HupB3HgGK2
Carrie has been a valued member of the
executive team and the WSLHD board over
the past two years.
“It has been a privilege to work with
everyone and I hope our paths will continue
to cross in my new role at CEC,” she said.
Best wishes Carrie for your new role at the
Clinical Excellence Commission.
WesternSydneyHealth
Farewell and thank you to Western Sydney
Local Health District Executive Director
Organisational Effectiveness Carrie Marr.
@WestSydHealth
The Pulse October 2015
11
News from across WSLHD
Minds matter month
Front row left to right: Maria Cassaniti, Chamboramy Var, Lefkothea Maria Grigoratos, Hanh Nguyen, Katrina Elias. Second row: Anthony Arestakesians,
Gabriela Salabert, Mona Alforque, Anu Bobby, Katherine Ingham, Sepideh Kahangi, Soojin Park, Amandah Nkomba, Chandrani Kannangaran.
Back row: Ian Koh, Simon Winya, Dora Onesemo, Michele Sapucci, Debbie Draybi.
The community was encouraged to make
their mind a priority during Mental Health
month in October.
The theme for this year’s Mental Health
month was “Value Your Mind”, encouraging
people to reflect on their own mental
health and make caring for their mind a
priority.
Western Sydney Local Health District’s
Transcultural Mental Health Centre
works with people from culturally and
linguistically diverse communities, while
partnering with health professionals and
other organisations to support good
Spread the news
mental health.
The Pulse is a great way to share
your project, initiative or event. Our
publication is distributed to more
than 10,000 staff in Western Sydney
Local Health District and our many
stakeholders. To submit your story for
consideration, phone 8890 4564 or email
[email protected].
au Publication is at the discretion of the
editor and chief executive. Items may be
edited for length, style and quality.
Throughout October, the centre held a
variety of activities to challenge stero- types
and false assumptions about mental illness.
This was achieved by activities including
walking along the banks of the Parramatta
River, entertainment, child well-being and
health seminars, and workshops targeted to
the Arabic and Indian communities.
For more information, visit: http://www.dhi.
health.nsw.gov.au/Transcultural-MentalHealth-Centre/Programs-and-Campaigns/
Mental-Health-Month/CommunityEvents-2015/default.aspx
October edition
Graphic design: Joshua Said
Editorial co-ordinator: Jenny Harrison
Follow-up service
provides exceptional care
for Aboriginal patients
Western Sydney Local Health District is
improving the health of Aboriginal patients
with chronic disease by providing a 48hour follow-up service for patients after
discharge from hospital.
This discharge service is co-ordinated by a
chronic care worker, who calls the patient
at home.
The service provides advice about
medications and health and well-being.
The chronic care worker can complete
referrals to other agencies and arrange
transport requirements for more specialised
appointments.
They also provide links to General Practitioners, Aboriginal Medical Service or
specialists and other services.
For more information contact Katia Joseph
(Connecting Care Program) on 0407436310.
Connecting Care co-ordinator Jillian Reade,
Follow-Up Service Aboriginal Health Education
officer Lynette Miene and Connecting Care
coordinator Kelly Hardy.
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News from across WSLHD
Bank staff tee off for
matters of the heart
Staff from Arab Bank Australia teed off for
a good cause on Friday, September 25,
holding their inaugural charity golf day at
Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club to raise
funds for Westmead Hospital.
Money made from the golf day is set to be
donated to My Westmead, a fundraising
initiative of the Westmead Medical Research
Foundation, supporting health care and
research.
Westmead Hospital cardiologist and
researcher Dr Eddy Kizana, who is
conducting gene research into a heart
rhythm disorder, was the guest speaker at
the golf day luncheon
Arab Bank Australia has been supporting
medical research at Westmead for more
than 20 years and has contributed funds
to equipment and refurbishment of wards
within the hospital.
Westmead Medical Research Foundation Belinda Szfraniec, Westmead Hospital cardiologist Eddy
Kizana and Arab Bank Australia chief executive officer Joseph Rizk.
Cultivating cannabis for
better health across NSW
Recently the Federal Minister for Health
Sussan Ley visited Westmead Hospital to
announce a plan to allow the controlled
cultivation of medicinal marijuana across
Australia.
Controlled cannabis has a range of benefits
for people in chronic pain who currently
cannot get pain relief, as well for children
who have a type of epilepsy for where
cannabis has demonstrated and proven
positive effects.
“The states are conducting clinical trials and
eligible patients will have access through
their doctor’s treatment program,” Ms Ley
said.
“The drug will go through the TGA process
and will be closely managed from the farm
to the pharmacy”.
Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley tours the ICPMR laboratories at Westmead Hospital.
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News from across WSLHD
Quality winners recognised
The Western Sydney Local Health District was proud to announce the winners of the 2015 Quality Awards on Tuesday, October 15. The awards
recognised innovation in healthcare that benefit carers, families, staff and the community across the region. Congratulations to all the winners!
Here are the winners:
Patients as partners: mothers and babies together – skin to skin
Every child deserves the best when they
enter the world and the midwives at
Westmead Hospital are ensuring their
newborns are getting the ideal start in life.
Skin-to-skin contact between a mother and
baby is a vital time to help the infant adapt
at birth especially breastfeeding.
But babies delivered through a caesarean
section had been missing out on
immediate breastfeeding until Westmead
Hospital initiated a special program to give
these infants the same advantage as those
born normally.
Westmead Hospital’s project lead and
clinical midwife consultant Gwen Moody,
said within five minutes of the baby being
delivered in the operating theatre the bub
was placed on the mother’s chest.
“A skin-to-skin midwife remains with the
mother when she is moved to recovery
where the first breastfeed can take place,”
Gwen said.
“It is natural for a newborn to look for their
mother’s breast, use touch and skin-to-skin
contact promotes this instinct.”
Previously women who underwent a
caesarean section were separated for two
hours from their baby until they were
reunited on the ward.
Westmead Hospital delivers more than
5300 babies each year of these, 27 per cent
are through caesarean section.
“Now, more than 1400 of our caesarean
babies will be able to breastfeed within the
hour,” Gwen said.
“The first 60 minutes of life outside the
womb is a special time when a baby meets
Westmead Hospital’s midwives Lydia Hamid and Michelle Underwood.
his or her parents and a family is formed
and nutured.’’
Skin-to-skin promotes greater respiratory
temperature and glucose stability, and
significantly less crying, indicating
decreased stress.
The benefits for mothers who hold their
newborns skin-to-skin have increased
maternal behaviours, show more
confidence in caring for their babies and
breastfeed for longer durations.
Being skin-to-skin with mother protects
the newborn from the well-documented
negative effects of separation and supports
optimal brain development.
The Pulse October 2015
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News from across WSLHD
Preventive health: HOPP together to reduce falls
A unique exercise partnership is set to help
reduce injury and death in our elderly due to falls
and allow them to live independently at home
for longer.
Western Sydney Local Health District Health
Promotion has developed the Healthy Older
People Partnership, a strength and balance
program training 1289 staff and linking with 35
aged care organisations, including multicultural
services in western Sydney.
No other single injury cause, including road
trauma, costs the NSW health system more than
a fall.
Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injuryrelated death and disability in older adults.
There are 84,742 people who are 65 years and
older living in the WSLHD catchment.
WSLHD falls prevention co-ordinator Kitty Kaur
said HOPP had seen a 43 per cent increase in
services running the exercises, including at-home
carers.
“The fear of falling can affect an older person’s
participation in every day life which affects their
wellbeing,” she said.
“Strength and balance exercises decrease the risk
but many older people reduce their exercise as
they age.”
WSLHD Health Promotion’s Kitty Kaur, and Trish Nove.
Local solutions: falls prevention in a challenging
neurosciences unit
One of the biggest challenges for staff in
Westmead Hospital’s Neuroscience Unit is
watching for patients who may fall.
Clinical nurse consultant Diane Lear said
the nature of the patient’s injury or illness
makes them prone to falling and potentially
further injury.
“We had more than 2000 admissions last
year and many have head injuries, cognitive
impairment or are unsteady on their feet
which leads to falls,” Diane said.
“To reduce the likelihood of toppling over
we assess every patient weekly.
“We have allocated a special room with
beds that can be lowered to the ground
with a concave mattresses so it is harder for
the patient to roll out.
“These rooms are staffed by a nurse 24
hours a day.
“Immediately we are seeing the results,
with less of our patients taking a tumble,”
she said.
Westmead Hospital clinical coordinator
Vicki Bourke and neuroscience clinical nurse
consultant Diane Lear
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News from across WSLHD
Integrated healthcare and CE award: Integration not just colocation - full
integration between mental health and disability employment services to
achieve greater employment outcomes for consumers with mental illness
Blacktown City Mental Health Service is taking a unique
approach to looking after the health of their clients by placing
them in skilled employment.
A formal partnership with Commonwealth accredited disability
employment service WISE Employment is seeing those with
mental illness find purpose and independence in jobs like
chefs, IT and childcare.
WSLHD Mental Health vocational consultant Catherine Skate
said there were up to 50 western Sydney mental health clients
gainfully employed on award wages.
“We were the first mental health service in Sydney to introduce
the program and the results have been outstanding,” she said.
“The employment service works with clinicians to ensure
the client is appropriately placed into a suitable job and is
supported.”
“These clients are integrated into the communities.”
They have quality of life, have a better choice of
accommodation, can afford to go on holidays with families or
friends, can go shopping and most importantly they have an
identity.”
Westmead Hospital vocational consultant Catherine Skate and senior occupational
therapist Dhiraj Kishnani Commission Dr Nigel Lyons.
Innovation: How cold is too cold - thermal management of the fragile neonate
Keeping a newborn baby warm is
paramount, but when the infant arrives
prematurely, it becomes critical.
Ann-Maree Padernia, clinical nurse educator
in Westmead Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU), has devised new practices
to keep these tiny bubs at the optimum
temperature of between 36.5C and 37.5C.
“We call it the golden hour where babies
born less than 32 weeks are at their most
vulnerable in the first hour of life,” AnnMaree said.
“Every 1C decrease in temperature on
admission to the NICU increases late on-set
sepsis by 11 per cent and the risk of death
by 28 per cent.
“Strategies developed to maintain thermal
stability include a new method of wrapping
the babies in polyethylene so they can still
be examined without heat loss.
“Polyethylene-lined bonnets stop heat
escaping from the head.
“Specialised heat controls are used during
transfer from the operating theatre or birth
unit to Westmead Hospital’s Neo-natal
Intensive Care Unit.”
WSLHD executive director organisational effectiveness Carrie Marr, WSLHD clinical nurse educator AnnMaree Padernia and Acting chief executive Clinical Excellence Commission Dr Nigel Lyons.
The Pulse October 2015
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News from across WSLHD
Harry Collins award: an antimicrobial stewardship ward
rounds attacking broad spectrum antimicrobial use head on
Westmead Hospital senior pharmacist Tony Lai and his team are educating
doctors on the appropriate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials so
patients don’t become susceptible to infections that are caused by resistant
microorganisms while in hospital.
Antimicrobials kill microorganisms or keep them from multiplying or
growing.
They are most commonly used to prevent or treat infections due to
microorganisms.
“By using a narrow-spectrum antimicrobial we are targeting the infection
without causing unwanted side effects, such as severe diarrhoea,” Tony said.
“Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials is associated with
healthcare associated infections and the emergence and spread of
antimicrobial resistance.
“Pharmacists and an infectious diseases specialist accompany doctors on
ward rounds to provide advice and guidance.
“The pharmacy’s dispensing data has showed a significant decrease in
broad spectrum and an increase in narrow antibiotics since our education
campaign commenced in August last year.”
“As a result, there has been significant improvement in the appropriateness
of antimicrobial use across the hospital.”
Westmead Hospital pharmacists Dr Matthew Watts and Dr Tony Lai.
Collaborative team: old habits die hard
Blacktown Hospital is leading the way with
a hospital-wide medication documentation
program that will pave the way for
electronic medicine management for all
medical staff.
The medications reconciliation project was
driven by medical, nursing and pharmacy
staff, who developed six solutions to
improve the quality of drug documentation
with a focus on admission and discharge.
Electronic Medication Management
Improvement pharmacist Annie Chong
said they aimed to remove barriers to
identifying accurate medication histories
in the emergency department (ED) and
improve the patients level of understanding
about their drugs.
“The solutions included providing
Emergency Departments (ED) with
more information to establish the initial
medication history; establish roles and
responsibilities of the ED and in-patient
teams; ensure the patients drugs are
transferred with them to the ward in
specially identifiable bags; provide every
patient with a current, changed and ceased
list of their medication on discharge; help
them understand their medication; and
empowering our patients to take control of
their prescriptions.”
WSLHD executive director organisational effectiveness Carrie Marr, Westmead Hospital’s eMEDs
pharmacists Annie Chong and Jimmy Chen and acting chief executive Clinical Excellence Commission Dr
Nigel Lyons.
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News from across WSLHD
Translational Research: A KNEEd to success - an innovative program
following total knee replacement
Physiotherapy is crucial within the first two
weeks after a knee replacement to restore
mobility and function.
It is the second most common reason a
patient needs to see a physiotherapist,
often delaying other patients’ treatment
due to long waiting lists.
Genevieve Langron, a physiotherapist at
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals,
has come up with a simple but effective
solution.
She and her colleagues developed a
group-based model of care where eight
patients are seen together. The feedback
has been overwhelming with great patient
satisfaction.
“Our knee replacement patients like the
group approach because they realise they
are not alone and can share experiences,”
Genevieve said.
“We are looking at using the time saved to
educate people to exercise and lose weight
before surgery to improve their recovery.”
This new approach provides high quality
treatment based on current research to
a greater number of people, significantly
reducing waiting times for other patients.
WSLHD executive director organisational effectiveness Carrie Marr, Westmead Hospital
physiotherapists Genevieve Langron and Sandhya Desai and acting chief executive Clinical
Excellence Commission Dr Nigel Lyons.
Chair of the Board Award for innovation and excellence: REACH OUT: the
home haemodialysis (HHD) app project real-time evaluation, action and
communication (without leaving) home through optimal use of technology
Home haemodialysis (HHD) is a preferred
life-sustaining treatment for end stage
renal failure because it empowers patients
to perform their own haemodialysis
treatments at home, and it enhances health
outcomes at lower healthcare costs.
Ongoing home support is best practice and
essential to sustain its success, but nursing
resources are often limited to visiting
patients spread across many geographical
locations.
Without a structured monitoring process,
important aspects of care may be
overlooked.
Patients may feel isolated and discouraged
due to limited contact with clinical staff.
With the Home HD App, nurses can reach
out to patients in multiple locations from
the dialysis unit, resulting in improved
efficiencies and increased patient support.
Acting chief executive Clinical Excellence Commission Dr Nigel Lyons, Blacktown Hospital clinical
nurse consultant Mary Ann Nicdao, Nepean Hospital renal medicine department head, Associate
Professor Kamal Sud and Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder.
The Pulse October 2015
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News & Events
Community Choice
Award: medication
reconciliation in an aged
care setting - a quality
improvement project
Save the date
Crown Princess Mary Cancer
Centre Symposium
November 20
Novotel Sydney Olympic Park
The fourth annual Crown Princess Mary
Cancer Centre symposium, by the Sydney
West Cancer Network and Sydney West
Translational Cancer Research Centre
The symposium is for clinicians,
researchers, nurse and allied health staff
with the aim to improve cancer outcomes
through evidence and collaboration.
This year’s themes are immune-oncology:
a new era in cancer medicine, integrating
clinical care and research in breast
cancer, communication in cancer care,
multidisciplinary care and research in
gastrointestinal cancer and a translational
cancer research showcase.
The day also provides opportunities
to network with colleagues across
professional and geographical
boundaries.
For further information and to register for
the symposium visit:
www.sydneywest.org.au/symposium
Westmead Medical Research
Foundation Saving Little Lives
Auction and Banquet Fund
Raiser
NewsLocal editor-in-chief Kathy Lipari, Westmead Hospital deputy director pharmacy Lorraine Koller,
aged care specialist pharmacist Anita Sivasubramaniam and acting chief executive Clinical Excellence
Commission Dr Nigel Lyons.
Many elderly people admitted to hospitals
are unsure of the exact medications they
are taking, putting them at risk.
Dr Tasneem Mayat and her colleagues at
Westmead Hospital developed a system to
clear the air both for patients and clinicians.
“We found a third of our geriatric patients
did not have accurate medication histories
on admission,” Dr Mayat said.
“Many have dementia, are confused or
unsure of the exact strength of their
prescriptions and don’t consider the
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“Elderly patients are twice as likely to be
readmitted to hospital if their medication
list is inaccurate because they could be sent
home with the wrong drugs.
Dress up as your favourite Superhero
and let’s save the day! Let’s join forces
and together we can raise much needed
funds for the sick and premature babies
at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in
Westmead Hospital.
“We targeted pharmacists and doctors on
how to take the best possible medication
history we are now confident 99 per
cent of our discharge summaries contain
the correct medications for our geriatric
patients with a copy going to the patient,
their general practitioner, and the hospital.”
For more information of tables of 10
people visit:
www.savingourlittleones.com.au
The Pulse October 2015
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