Discover the research and innovations of NSW Health and join in on a special Check In Easter egg hunt! |
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This Friday 7 April, not only marks Good Friday, but also it is World Health Day. It is an opportunity for us to stop and reflect on how the work that we do every day has improved the quality of life for people throughout the world.
From new methods to overcome antibiotic resistance, to major milestones like Australia’s first uterus transplant, or new ways to collaborate and keep patients safe - many medical innovations can be found right here in NSW, in our hospitals, local health districts, pillar agencies and health organisations. Our health system has helped place Australia as one of the best in the world in medical research, and many medical breakthroughs have been designed, researched, tested, and implemented in collaboration with our staff. |
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Ahead of World Health Day, I’d like to acknowledge the researchers, clinicians, scientists, data analysts and all those who support the implementation and promotion of these remarkable innovations.
On another note, today marks the start of Passover and this Friday is also Good Friday. I would like to wish all Jewish staff a happy Passover, and all staff celebrating Easter, a happy Easter. I hope you're looking forward to this time with your loved ones or doing something just for yourself. I’ll be getting my family out super early to head to the fish markets as we do every Christmas and Easter. When the groaning stops about the 4am alarm, I tell them they’ll appreciate the tradition one day when I’m too old to do it anymore :)
For staff who are working over the holiday period, I would like to personally thank you for continuing to care for your patients. The work that you do and the commitment you show to your patients is one of the ways that makes our health system one of the best in the world. And finally, I did notice that the Easter Bunny has left a few Easter eggs throughout this edition. Join in on the fun and let us know how many eggs you found! Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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The virtual intensive care unit turns one! |
Since April 2022, the virtual intensive care unit (vICU) has supported 125 consultations involving 74 patients across all three urgency categories (category A, B and C).
The 24/7 service provides Critical Care Services staff at Broken Hill Health Service in Far West Local Health District with specialist support and advice directly from the ICU team at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH).
Kahlia Liston, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Broken Hill, shares her experience with vICU.
“Clinically, I’ve initiated and engaged in many vICU service contacts and I’m proud to say that the model remains patient-centred, clinician-friendly and clinically adaptive to acute deterioration,” said Kahlia.
“vICU has innovated and enhanced Broken Hill Health Services’ ability to escalate to specialist support while keeping patients and families on country and supported education and collaborative relationships between hospitals.” |
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Kahlia Liston demonstrating vICU |
| The service’s ability to communicate real-time patient data and medical records has had a positive impact on both ICU teams at Broken Hill and RPAH. Katina Skylas, Clinical Nurse Consultant at RPAH echoes Kahlia’s praise of vICU.
“The service currently averages three calls a week across ICU and ED. The service is currently going strong and a recent staff experience survey confirmed that vICU is a supportive and collaborative space, with staff feeling that they are making a positive impact,” said Katina. |
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Australia's first uterus transplant |
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After more than 16 hours in the operating theatre, a surgical team at the Royal Hospital for Women performed Australia’s first uterus transplant.
Dr Rebecca Deans, gynaecologist and clinical trial lead at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, shares what the moment felt like. “There was a real buzz in the operating theatre. It felt like we were making history,” said Dr Deans. |
| Surgical team performing uterus transplant |
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This ground-breaking trial involved more than 20 multidisciplinary staff who were able to turn 25 years of collaborative research into a hopeful future for one woman, and hopefully many more. “I was a little nervous performing the surgery for the first time, but I was confident knowing that years of rigorous research and testing was backing this moment, and that I was surrounded by people who were dedicated to making it happen,” said Dr Deans.
The trial is a significant moment for everyone involved, as well as other women with uterine factor infertility. |
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Dr Dean with surgical team and Swedish team |
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“It took a lot of hard work to get here and the collaboration between hospitals, all the doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, allied health staff, theatre staff and ward staff made it a wonderful day,” said Dr Deans.
“We’re hopeful this trial will show other women with uterine factor infertility that they have a choice, that this is possible, and that there is another option other than adoption or surrogacy.” |
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Name: Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque
Role: Deputy Secretary, Clinical Innovation and Research Division; and Chief Executive, Agency for Clinical Innovation Now, let’s get to know you a little better…
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? I think they would say I am creative, passionate and competitive. Last great TV show or movie you watched? There is only Seinfeld for me! And, of course, the French films of the avant-garde movement. I am obviously a bit nerdy… Favourite book or podcast? My favourite book of all time is The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. I have had a passion for Russian literature and this book has captivated me since I was a teenager. |
| Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Luthiery, especially guitar making. I am quite good with my hands and would like to build an instrument I could play afterwards. If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Spicy shrimp, ginger and coriander steamed dumplings! Any hidden talents?
Playing classical guitar. Why are you passionate about health research and innovation?
Right from the start of my clinical training, I felt we can make a positive difference by challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box.
Can you share one memorable or impactful research project that you have worked on or championed? My most memorable research project will always remain my PhD research on ‘Inequalities in access to healthcare in urban south India’. It brought me lots of amazing friendships and a deep sense of purpose. What is your vision for the new Clinical Innovation and Research Division?
The new Clinical Innovation and Research Division will bring together and catalyse the various components of the continuum of innovation in NSW. Bringing together these components will enable NSW Health to accelerate research and development and its translation into a future-oriented health system. We have so many assets and talented people in NSW in this space. Bringing various teams together will enable us to get a more coordinated and impactful approach to innovation.
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Sydney pathologist making a global impact |
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For 25 years, NSW Health has had access to the brain power of Anatomical Pathologist A/Professor Ewan Millar.
Now through a ‘Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry’ Fellowship, Ewan is applying his expertise to a global team working to develop artificial intelligence (AI) software for breast cancer detection.
Ewan has always had an interest in breast cancer pathology, AI, and research and now he has the opportunity to gain first-hand access to industry research. |
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Associate Professor Ewan Millar |
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“Finding cancerous tissue can be very time-consuming,” said Ewan. “Some work can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.” The research could change the way anatomical pathologists operate to find the smallest anomalies in tissue samples for faster, more accurate identification and diagnosis. “Pathologists may look at up to 75 slides to find a tumour that is no more than one millimetre in diameter. This AI is capable of reviewing the slides and finding the cancer within minutes, making the workflows more efficient and allowing pathologists to concentrate on the most meaningful parts of their role,” said Ewan. This is a dream role for Ewan. His years with NSW Health Pathology have led to this opportunity to revolutionise the diagnosis and understanding of diseases, and improve patient care and outcomes.
Read more about what this fellowship means for Ewan and for the future of digital pathology here. |
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Did you know that not everyone who celebrates Easter does it on the same day? While many Christians will celebrate this weekend, Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar and will be celebrating Easter Sunday on 16 April.
Some Catholic and Orthodox colleagues have shared how they celebrate this time with their traditions. |
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| "Easter is the holiest of celebrations for people of the Serbian Orthodox faith. Every year, my family attends our local Church in Alexandria for midnight mass on Easter Saturday leading into the early morning of Easter Sunday. We all walk around the church holding candles in the darkness and everyone greets one another with the words “Hristos Vaskrese. Vaistinu vaskrese!” which translates to “Christ Resurrected! Indeed Resurrected!” On Easter Sunday, we get up early to prepare the feast for the family. We have a table laden with Serbian delicacies such as sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), spit roast pork and lamb, and a variety of salads.
At the heart of the celebrations are eggs that are dyed red to signify the blood of Jesus Christ. Whilst it is traditional to just dye the eggs red for religious reasons, last year I did them in a variety of colours and patterns." |
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Milica Mihajlovic, Multicultural Planning and Evaluation Program Manager, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District |
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"As Catholic, it is our family’s tradition to celebrate Easter through prayer, almsgiving and fasting for forty days starting from Ash Wednesday until Holy Week. This involves reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During this time, we do not eat meat and limit our meal to one (or two small meals) on Fridays and offer support/donation such as Project Compassion through our church.
On Good Friday (Jesus Christ’s death), we stay solemn and use this time to reflect until Easter Sunday (resurrected) where we come together with our extended family to celebrate over food." |
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Jenny Del Rio, Employee Experience Manager, NSW Ministry of Health |
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The battle against antibiotic resistance |
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The reality of antibiotic resistance is a little less scary thanks to Professor Jon Iredell and his team at Westmead Hospital and the Westmead Institute for Medical Research in the Westmead Health Precinct.
Antibiotic resistance is increasing and so is the impact on health outcomes and costs however the research being led by Professor Iredell, Director of Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Western Sydney Local Health District, will deliver an alternative to antibiotics for patients who do not respond. “Medical research gives you the opportunity to ask the key questions and see research all the way through to novel solutions,” says Professor Iredell.
“Precision antibacterial therapy uses bacteria’s natural predators, bacteriophage, to improve the impact of antibiotic therapy and to treat people with infections that don’t respond to antibiotics,” says Professor Iredell.
Viruses called bacteriophages, or ‘phages’, selectively target and kill bacteria in a highly specific manner.
“The diverse demographics in NSW is reflected in different antibiotic needs when people get sick. Antibiotics don’t work as well in some of our neighbour countries, so we need to be able to respond to that.”
Professor Iredell is trained in critical care, infectious diseases and microbiology. With his team, he is harnessing innovations in data science and genomics to rejuvenate a century-old therapy. |
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“I really like the idea that we have a whole country’s intellectual firepower focused on one problem. We are building a multidisciplinary network of molecular biologists, clinical microbiologists, phage biologists, clinicians, bioinformaticians, data scientists, software engineers, chemists and QAQC scientists to speak in a common language using phages to combat antimicrobial resistance.” Read more on the Office for Health and Medical Research website. |
| Professor Jon Iredell and Associate Professor Ruby Lin |
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| Cancer Innovations Conference 2023
The Cancer Innovations Conference is back Tuesday 1 August with a program centred on equity. Hosted by Professor Tracey O’Brien, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive of the Cancer Institute NSW, this free event has been designed to explore the big challenges facing the NSW cancer system now and into the future.
Abstract submissions are encouraged. Register today to secure your spot. |
| A conversation with Shane Hamilton about the Voice to Parliament
In 2023 Australians will have their say in a referendum on whether to update the Constitution to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Attend an engaging, respectful, and dynamic conversation with Shane Hamilton, a Wakka Wakka and Bundjalung man from Queensland and the Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Affairs NSW, about the Voice to Parliament.
These virtual sessions will be held from 12:30-1:30pm on 12 April (register here) and 3 May (register here). |
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Clinical trials in the bush |
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Clinical trials are expanding into the vast regional, rural and remote areas of NSW. Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is establishing a Clinical Trial Support Unit to increase access to new treatments in the district, as well as for their neighbours in the Far West Local Health District.
Dr Rob Zielinski, Clinical Lead for the WNSWLHD Cluster Clinical Trial Support Unit, shares how this expansion will support these communities.
“Breaking down barriers like geographic isolation will supercharge access to the latest therapies, reducing the need to travel vast distances for treatment,” said Dr Zielinski.
“It will help us significantly improve health outcomes across our region, and help to address the specific health needs of our rural and remote communities.” This expansion provides more than just access for regional, rural and remote NSW.
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“We know institutions that participate in clinical research deliver better outcomes to all patients both on and off trials, as the clinicians performing research bring their valuable insights, skills and oversight into their everyday care,” said Dr Zielinski.
The WNSWLHD Clinical Trial Support Unit is working towards improving the quality of life for regional, rural and remote communities. |
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Dr Rob Zielinski, photograph by Jude Keogh |
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Serving up a healthy innovation |
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Packing a school lunch that is healthy, well-balanced, and sure to be eaten each day can be challenging. That’s where SWAP-IT comes in.
Winner of the Health Research and Innovation Award at the 24th Annual NSW Health Awards 2022, SWAP IT encourages families to pack healthier lunchboxes by sharing healthy food ideas to “swap in” to lunchboxes. |
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“Many school snacks all look the same, but nutritionally those products can be quite different. So we've really tried to put the tools in parents’ hands so they can make really informed decisions about what they're packing,” said Rachel Sutherland, Public Health Nutrition Program Manager at HNELHD. With the support of the Office for Health and Medical Research at the NSW Ministry of Health, a team of dieticians at Hunter New England Local Health District were able to transform this small idea in a nation-wide project.
“One of the nicest things about SWAP IT is no one person has driven the program, it really has been co-designed. We've got a multidisciplinary team made up of practitioners, academics, Aboriginal health education officers, Multicultural Health, all the LHDs, parents as well as school leaders and teachers,” said Rachel. “We're so lucky to really work in an organisation that allows you to be innovative and to integrate that into your practice. We need to continuously be evaluating and creating, and that philosophy is driven from our unit level all the way through to the Ministry of Health. NSW Health is really looking for innovation, for something that makes a difference in the end.” |
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'At the CORE' of the Agency for Clinical Innovation |
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Our CORE values are at the heart of everything we do at NSW Health. At the CORE showcases the teams, initiatives, and achievements from around the system that display our values in action. |
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Collaboration: The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Innovation Exchange is empowering NSW Health staff to innovate and improve service delivery through collaboration and knowledge sharing. “The Innovation Exchange champions innovation and improvement projects across NSW. It highlights projects that can be adapted to suit local health challenges in other parts of the state, reducing duplication and sharing important insights with other healthcare professionals,” said Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque, Deputy Secretary, Clinical Innovation and Research and Chief Executive, ACI. |
| Maddie with the Information Exchange platform |
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The collaborative online space features hundreds of healthcare projects from a variety of clinical areas across a range of care settings.
“The website provides a unique opportunity for health staff to learn from the experiences of others; to transform health services; and improve health outcomes for patients,” said Dr Levesque. Maddie Cherrington is a Digital Project Officer who has been revamping the website. “We’ve recently updated the site to provide a more user-friendly experience. It has a fresh new look, an updated search engine and it’s now easier for people to share their projects,” said Maddie.
“I’ve really enjoyed this project because I’ve been able to speak with many people across a range of healthcare settings. I’ve learnt how they are operating, and how we can better collaborate via platforms like the Innovation Exchange. I am grateful to be involved in a project that will make a real difference across NSW Health.” |
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An innovation created by Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is now being rolled out across Australia. Dysphagia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to swallow which can impact their overall health. The information communication and technology team, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, and speech pathologists at CCLHD have developed a way to keep patients with dysphagia safe. “We developed a guideline that tested over 75 liquid medications to determine their thickness and match them with the thickened fluids that we provide to patients,” said Katie Beckett, Speech Pathology Manager at CCLHD. |
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Multidisciplinary team at CCLHD |
| The solution includes an alert within the electronic medical records system to warn staff.
“Ultimately, the guidelines and the alerts work to prevent a patient receiving a liquid medication that they’re unable to swallow,” said Katie.
The expertise of the multidisciplinary teams at CCLHD were each a piece of the puzzle to improve patient safety. Watch a video of the team behind this innovation on the CCLHD Facebook page. |
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We acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional custodians of the land in which we live and work and pay respects to all Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working with the NSW Government. |
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