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A free health newsletter
from Mayo Private
Hospital Taree – part of
the Healthe Care Group.
SUMMER 2013 NEWSLETTER
NEW OPERATING
THEATRE OPENS
Dr Chris Pollock,
Psychiatrist
IN
PROFILE
When Chris Pollock was 12 years
old, he watched his doctor stitch a
gash in his leg and decided, then
and there, he wanted to be a doctor.
He grew up on the Central Coast
of NSW and studied medicine at
the University of New South Wales,
Sydney.
He worked in a number of areas including paediatrics,
gastroenterology and accident and emergency before
finding his niche in psychiatry. “Accident and emergency
medicine was dramatic and exciting but patients were only
there for a short time before being transferred elsewhere.
I always wanted to follow their progress,” says Dr Pollock,
Clinical Director of Mental Health Services at Mayo Private
Hospital.
He specialised in psychiatry and psychotherapy and started
working in Taree in 2003. He treats people of all ages for
a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating
disorders, drug and alcohol dependency, marital issues,
post-traumatic stress disorder and long-term management
of psychosis.
Dr Pollock is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New
Zealand College of Psychiatrists and a member of the
Australian Medical Association. He has consulting rooms
at Mayo Specialist Centre where he consults Monday,
Thursday and Friday. He also provides education sessions
for GPs and the general public.
Dr Pollock was an inaugural Director of Down Syndrome
Australia – a national not-for-profit organisation for people
with Down Syndrome and their carers. In his spare time
he pursues his life-long interest in photography and art
history. He is married and has three children.
For an appointment, phone Dr Pollock’s rooms on
02 6552 0071.
The first procedure in the Mayo’s
new integrated operating theatre
was performed on 22 January.
The new theatre is part of the $10
million redevelopment of Mayo
Private Hospital which now has three
commissioned operating theatres and
a fourth for future commissioning.
“The new theatre opens up more
operating sessions for surgeons,
reduces waiting times for surgery and
brings new specialties to the hospital,”
says Sue Cini, Mayo Theatre Manager.
The new theatre’s integrated system
controls the operating room’s digital
devices, surgical lights, in-light camera
and endoscopy equipment and it also
‘remembers’ the surgeon’s favourite
settings for next time. Wall-mounted
flat screens facilitate training - staff can
see on-screen in real time, the intricate
work of the surgeon.
“The integrated operating suite
provides a single point of control for
all images, audio and data the surgical
team needs,” says theatre equipment
specialists, Device Technologies.
The first patient
to have an
operation in the
new theatre,
Laureen Mitchell,
receives flowers
from the Mayo
MENTAL HEALTH
UNIT EXPANDS
The expansion of Mayo Private Hospital’s
Mental Health Unit was completed in
January. Story continues on page 2...
CHECK
YOUR PULSE
One in four people
experience an
abnormal heart
rhythm called atrial
fibrillation (AF) and it
can lead to strokes or
other potentially life
threatening conditions.
“AF is the most
common heart rhythm
abnormality,” says
local cardiologist
Dr Seshasayee
Narasimhan (Dr
Sesh). “Most at risk
are females, people
over 65 years, and
those with a history
of heart disease,
obesity, or kidney or
thyroid disease. With
appropriate treatment,
people can lead a
normal life.”
Symptoms of AF can
be vague but may
include:
Chest pain
Pounding heart, or
sensation of ‘heart
skipping a beat’
Breathlessness
Feeling dizzy or faint
For an appointment
with Dr Sesh, ask your
GP for a referral and
phone 02 6551 0722.
NEXT ISSUE:
- Official opening of
Mayo redevelopment
- Pain management
service extended
CEO’S UPDATE
“2012 came to a rapid close with a
very busy year-end for the Mayo.
The organisation has achieved a lot
in the short time since Healthe Care
Australia took on full operation of the
Mayo Healthcare Group on 1 July
2012.
REHABILITATION - BACK
TO YOUR BEST
With a combined 340 years of service between them, 42
staff members from Mayo Private Hospital and Mayo Home
Nursing were honoured in December. The longest-serving
staff member, Christine Jobson, was acknowledged for 20
years of service. Five staff received recognition for 15 years
of service; 13 staff for 10 years of service; and 23 staff for
five years of service.
Highlights:
• Completion of the new operating
theatre, with the first operation
performed 22 Jan
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Opening of new mental health beds 21 Jan
Pathology moved into new premises 29 Jan
New renal dialysis unit opened 4 Feb
Rollout of high-tech, hand-held mobile devices for Mayo
Home Nursing team 4 Feb
Completion of refurbished medical/rehab/surgical beds
late February
New radiology site to be completed late Feb/early March
Thanks to all patients, visitors, staff and doctors for your
support and cooperation while these developments were
undertaken. The upgrades ensure the Mayo will continue
to serve the growing needs of the community well into the
future.” - Brett Goods, CEO/DON, Mayo Private Hospital and
Mayo Home Nursing Service.
IN PROFILE
Dr John Le Roux,
Orthopaedic Surgeon
As a young student in Cape Town,
South Africa, Johan Le Roux had a
gift for woodwork and crafting things
with his hands. When he later studied
medicine, surgery was a natural fit for
him and he trained as an orthopaedic
surgeon.
Dr Le Roux specialises in general orthopaedic surgery
including knee and hip replacements, trauma, sports injuries
and upper limb and shoulder surgery. He is a Fellow of the
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Australian
Orthopaedic Association and the South African Orthopaedic
Association.
He came to Australia in 1998 on a working holiday as a
junior doctor. After further training in South Africa, he moved
to Australia permanently with his family.
“We lived in Ballarat for three-and-a-half years. It was a great
place and we felt very welcome. However, our family loves
water sports and Ballarat is a long way from the ocean!”
“One of the reasons we moved here was for a better work/
life balance and we’re really enjoying it. I love to surf and
paddle, my wife enjoys outdoor sports and we get to spend
more time with our two boys,” says Dr Le Roux. He even
hopes to find time to learn a musical instrument with his
children.
Dr Le Roux has been living in Forster for a year and works
in Forster and Taree, in both public and private hospitals.
He started operating at Mayo Private Hospital in Taree in
February and has consulting rooms at the Mayo Healthcare
Centre, co-located with the hospital. To make an appointment,
phone 02 6550 0705.
YEARS OF SERVICE
AWARDS
Rehabilitation programs can help people maximise functional
independence and quality of life after surgery, injury or
disease. Rehab provides support, education and skills to help
people live more confidently and safely in their homes and
community.
“Recognising the years of service of our staff is an
important acknowledgement of their contribution across the
organisation,” says Mayo CEO Brett Goods. “Some of the
staff have held a number of different roles at Mayo Healthcare
Group over the years. Each staff member is integral to the
organisation’s success and we thank them.”
MENTAL HEALTH
UNIT EXPANDS
Continued from page 1... The project included a new wing,
increased the number of inpatient mental health beds from 9
to 20 and larger dining/lounge facilities.
SERVICES AT MAYO
Mayo Private Hospital offers a broad
range of health services in your local
area. The skill and accessibility of local
specialists and staff is complemented
by visiting specialists and the expertise
of allied health professionals.
Medical & Dental:
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Cardiology
Dental
Dermatology
Ear, nose and throat
Echocardiography
Gastroenterology
General surgery
Gynaecology
Medical imaging/radiology (MRI
service to commence March 2013)
Mental health services
Ophthalmology
Oral and maxillofacial
Orthopaedics
Pathology
Psychiatry
Rehabilitation (inpatient and dayrehab programs)
Renal dialysis
Sleep studies unit
Urology
The Unit, based in Taree, is the only private mental health
inpatient facility between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.
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“We’re all very proud to be able to increase services for people
with mental health disorders in the mid north coast. The
increase in number of beds is most helpful in this respect,”
says Dr Chris Pollock, Clinical Director of Mental Health
Services at Mayo Private Hospital.
Allied health services & nursing
services:
“In addition we have begun a very exciting staff training
and upskilling program in order to provide the best service
possible.”
To access Mayo’s mental health services, ask your GP for a
referral. For enquiries or to arrange an admission, please call
02 6552 0071.
Thirty years ago, while visiting his
parents in Taree, Brian saw some
land for sale and bought it. It was a
fairly spontaneous purchase – at the
time he was working in Sydney as a
compositor in the printing trade. He
built a mud brick home on his new
property and has lived here ever
since.
When the computer era took over the
printing trade, the compositor’s role steadily declined. Brian
worked in construction and bush regeneration projects and
he and his wife and three young children travelled around
Australia for a few years.
Brian started working in the maintenance department at
Mayo Private Hospital in 2003 and has seen a lot of change
and growth in that time. “I’ve been working here for 10 years
and I’ve never had two days the same. I love my job!”
After recent trips to Nepal and Canada, Brian is also looking
forward to his next travelling expedition. He hopes to one
day build his own art studio and get back to painting, drawing
and stained glass.
“Rehabilitation programs are available for inpatients and
outpatients; anyone in the community,” says Dr Ragavan.
“Rehabilitation programs are run at the Mayo in conjunction
with the Physiotherapy Network. Each person is carefully
assessed and a rehab program is designed specifically for
them.”
To access Mayo’s rehab services, ask your doctor for a referral
and phone 02 6551 0722.
Brian Poulton
The past six months have been particularly hectic for Brian
during the hospital redevelopment and he’s been “jack of all
trades” managing day-to-day hospital maintenance around
the logistics of new construction works. “It’s been very busy
but we have really good people to work with. I’m looking
forward to the next few years; I think it will be a positive time
for the hospital.”
Mayo Private Hospital’s rehabilitation service is led by
rehabilitation physician Dr Rajen Ragavan, supported by
medical specialists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, exercise physiologists, contracted speech
pathologists and hydrotherapy.
Rehabilitation can be very beneficial following:
• Brain injury and strokes
• Accidents and trauma
• Surgery, joint replacements and amputations
• Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions
• Chronic pain
• Acute or chronic illness
STAFF PROFILE
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Dietitian
Exercise physiology
Hydrotherapy
Injury management
Massage
Mayo Home nursing
Occupational therapy
Pathology laboratory/collections
Physiotherapy/allied health
Psychology
Starting soon:
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Pain management (radiologyguided injection)
MRI - UPDATE
A Medicare-funded MRI will be available to public and private patients from early
March when Mayo Private Hospital’s new radiology and medical imaging facility is
complete.
“The MRI will be used by Manning Rural Referral (public) Hospital patients as well
as Mayo Private and outpatients,” says Mayo CEO Brett Goods. “Taree has not had
an MRI before. Now people will have access to a Medicare-funded MRI closer to
home.” Healthcare Imaging Services will install and operate the MRI.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that produces detailed images of the
body. MRI scans are used to diagnose tumours, strokes, cancer, sports injuries and
brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
HOME NURSING GOES HI TECH
Mayo Home Nursing went ‘live’ in February with hand-held
mobile devices, allowing nurses who work in the patient’s home
to securely access and update care information while on the go.
ComCare – from the Silver Chain Group in Western Australia –
is an application designed by community nurses for community
nurses. When nurses visit clients in the home, their smartphone
device shows the care needed for that person at that time and
alerts to any changes to medication or treatment.
“The new ComCare system can benefit clients and staff,” says
Karen Martin, Service Coordinator, Mayo Home Nursing. “One
benefit is better communication between staff and local GPs.
This collaborative approach to care coordination gives the best
possible outcomes for clients.”
“Technology change can be difficult and we thank the Home
Nursing team for their hard work during the rollout of Comcare,”
says Mayo CEO, Brett Goods.
Dr Reichan Walther (Dr Rachel),
Dermatologist
FRIENDS OF MAYO
Dr Rachel first visited Australia in 2003
while on honeymoon and fell in love with
the lifestyle. At the time she was living
in Germany where she trained as a
dermatologist.
IN
PROFILE
After becoming a dermatologist, she did
further training which qualified her to do
skin surgery. She also researched new
treatments for psoriasis using
phototherapy and biologics (the use of light sources and
medication to treat psoriasis).
A luncheon was held in Taree recently to acknowledge the
tireless efforts of the Friends of Mayo – women and men
who volunteer their time each week to run the hospital kiosk,
support patients and fundraise for much-needed hospital
equipment.
Over the years, the team of 25+ volunteers led by Friends
of Mayo President, Roma Woolnough and Secretary, Marcia
Jarman, have raised funds to refurbish a patient lounge
room, purchase defibrillators and special chairs, patientlifting equipment and much more.
“Some of our volunteers knit cuddle bears for children, or
slippers and bed socks, or sew special cushions to make
patients comfortable after breast surgery. Others sit and talk
to patients who might be lonely. We enjoy the opportunity to
give back to the community,” says Roma.
The Mayo sincerely thanks all its volunteers – past and
present – who contribute so much through their fundraising
efforts and their support of patients and staff. If you would
like to volunteer, call Roma on 02 6552 4543.
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
The Mayo congratulates staff member,
Michelle Higgins, who has recently
completed a Diploma in Community
Services Management. Michelle is
Mayo Home Nursing’s Case Manager,
located in the Port Macquarie office.
“It has been a journey going back
to study and looking at a computer
instead of books” says Michelle.
“I thank the Mayo for the opportunity. It was very much a
learning curve but one I enjoyed and I’ve learnt a lot.”
OFF TO NEW ADVENTURES
After 15 years of service at the Mayo’s current site, Robert
Gander has decided to move to new ventures. The Mayo
sincerely thanks Robert for his commitment and contribution
to the organisation (most recently as manager of catering,
housekeeping and laundry) and wishes him well in the future.
a member of the
group
Dr Rachel ran her own surgery in Germany for six years
and spent four years in the United Kingdom. In 2011 she
moved to the Manning region where she worked with Port
Macquarie dermatologist, Dr Ian Hamann, before opening
her own practice in Taree in January 2013. She is a Fellow of
the Australasian College of Dermatologists, a member of the
American Academy of Dermatology, the German Dermatology
Society and the European Academy of Dermatology and
Venereology.
She is a specialist consultant in dermatology and venereology
(sexually transmitted diseases), allergology (allergy-related
skin conditions) and laser treatment. “Half of my practice is
dermatology and half is skin surgery. I treat anything from
moles to psoriasis to skin cancer in children right through to the
elderly,” says Dr Rachel. She also offers cosmetic and laser
treatments for removal of wrinkles and photodynamic therapy
– a non-surgical treatment for early-stage skin cancers.
“I enjoy living in this area and feel very welcome,” says Dr
Rachel. “When I’m not working I enjoy learning to play the
piano and I recently started flying lessons.”
Dr Rachel consults and operates at Mayo Private Hospital,
Monday to Thursday and in Forster on Friday.
To make an appointment phone 02 6551 0102 or email
[email protected]
WORKPLACE INJURY
MANAGEMENT
Mayo Injury Management:
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Provides independent claims management assistance
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Improves outcomes for injured workers
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Improves workplace safety
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Helps reduce workers’ compensation insurance premiums
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Offers workplace mediation and dispute resolution
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Minimises the economic and social costs of work-related
injury and disease
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Is an accredited Work Cover provider
The Mayo Injury Management team includes allied health
professionals, occupational therapists, psychologists, rehab
counsellors, exercise physiologists, workplace educators,
employment consultants and certified workplace trainers.
Mayo Injury Management’s head office is located in Taree and
it services the area from the Central Coast to Coffs Harbour.
It provides onsite and offsite assessments across all industry
sectors. Call Mayo Injury Management today on 02 6539 0700
or email [email protected]
For more information please
phone: 02 6539 3600
or visit www.mayoprivate.com.au
The health information provided within this newsletter
is general in nature and not to be substituted for the
advice of your own doctor.