A message from the Secretary, celebrating Multicultural Health Week and latest COVID-19 statistics. |
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The People Matter Employee Survey (PMES) has been open for week and a half. Thank you to the more than 32,000 NSW Health staff who have already had their say.
However, we still have a long way to go. I encourage you to complete the survey which is open until 16 September.
Over the past 12 months, we have achieved incredible things as we responded to new challenges as a health system. Which is why it’s important to take the time to reflect and provide input to make sure the systems which support us are continuously improving. |
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Your feedback is so valuable and will help us shape the future of NSW Health. Next week we’re celebrating Multicultural Health Week (5 – 11 September), which aims to raise awareness of health issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
There’s no better example of this than how we kept community at the centre of our COVID-19 health response. All across the health system, from the Ministry to local health districts, there were teams working hard to translate health resources and to partner with multicultural media services, cultural leaders, local community groups and services to make sure our communication was reaching all. We should be proud that as a health system we are always looking at the opportunities and ways we can engage with the diverse communities that make up NSW.
In the lead up to this important week, I encourage you to visit the Multicultural Health Week website to access these resources and learn more about how you can get involved. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce
Secretary, NSW Health |
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Multicultural Health Week 2022 |
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The theme for this year’s Multicultural Health Week is ‘Cancer Screening Saves Lives’. We know from research that the earlier someone is diagnosed with cancer, the better their treatment options and overall health outcomes are likely to be. It’s concerning that CALD communities are under-represented in the three national cancer screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical). To support the week, the Ministry of Health, NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS) and Cancer Institute NSW have come together to produce resources that address the higher cancer incidence and poorer health outcomes for some multicultural communities. To encourage participation in screening programs, the Multicultural Health Week 2022 Community Grants Program provided small grants of $1,500 to 21 organisations (local health districts and community organisations) to support community engagement activities promoting cancer screening in multiple languages across NSW. Find out more about Multicultural Health Week, access the resources and see what your local health district is doing to celebrate the week visit the Multicultural Health Week website. |
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Latest COVID-19 statistics |
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Information on COVID-19 related cases: - There were 4,271 new cases reported in the 24 hours to 4pm on 29 August.
- For the week to 23 August:
- The daily average number of reported cases was 5,969 (-1937 from the previous week)
- The 7-day average growth factor was 0.96 (0.95 in the previous week). This indicates a 4% decrease each day.
- Of 41,785 confirmed cases in the seven days to 23 August, 16.1% were 65 years or older, 49.6% were detected by RATs
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The 7-day conversion rate from cases into new ward admissions this week is 1.67% (up from 1.51% the previous week); while conversion of cases to new ICU admissions is 0.13% (up from 0.10%)
- There were 150 reported deaths over the past seven days. The case fatality rate was 0.08% (up from 0.07% the previous week) and death rate was 0.18 per 10 000 population (down from 0.21 per 10 000 population)
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There were 179,641 PCR tests in the past seven days, and the 7-day average test positivity rate was 12.21% (14.44% the previous week)
- The 7-day average COVID-19 ward occupancy was 1,868 (2,074 in the previous week), 47 in adult ICU (56 previously) and 1 in PICU/NICU (3 previously).
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On 24 August, there were 1,220 NSW Health staff furloughed (down from 1,273 the day before).
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Reaching our diverse community: Learning from the COVID-19 experience |
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South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) led an unprecedented, local collaborative effort to keep south western Sydney’s diverse community safe throughout the pandemic.
Traditional vaccination distribution and communications methods were not reaching these groups at a critical time.
Working hand-in-hand with community leaders and organisations, the District’s own diverse workforce and the SWSLHD Multicultural Health team targeted, localised campaigns and outreach programs were created. In-language communications were produced, local community distribution networks activated and staff were supported to take on community leadership and communication roles to promote COVID-safe measures, vaccination information and counter misleading information circulating in the community.
Messaging was produced in close collaboration with communities to ensure communications were responsive to their needs. It was also provided to health interpreters to incorporate into their services.
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More than 225 videos have been created so far featuring trusted multilingual District and community spokespeople, while a wide range of in-language materials have been distributed. Recognising the particular needs of the diverse south west and working in partnership with the community led to highly responsive public health campaigns and approaches, which are now being transferred to a range of health issues and opportunities. |
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New Multicultural Mindfulness Resources |
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A range of new Multicultural Mindfulness Resources were launched online by the Hon Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health and the Hon Mark Coure, Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors on Tuesday 23 August 2022. The in-language resources provide support to people from culturally diverse communities to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. The digital mindfulness resources in Arabic, Bangla, Greek, Mandarin, Nepali, Spanish and English aim to help people improve their wellbeing and reduce psychological distress through six mindfulness exercises. This initiative is led by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District with the support of community partners and promoted in partnership with the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS). |
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| These mindfulness exercises provide an effective way for people to reduce stress, manage difficult emotions and improve their sense of wellbeing.
All Multicultural Mindfulness Resources can be accessed at MHCS Multicultural Mindfulness Resources webpage. |
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(Left to right: Ms Hend Saab, Ms Lisa Woodland, Minster Bronnie Taylor, Dr Marianne Gale and Minister Mark Coure) |
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| Name: Professor Tracey O’Brien, FRACP, MBA, LLM (Health), GAICD, MBChB, BSc
Role: Chief Cancer Officer NSW and Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Institute NSW
Now let's get to know you a little better... What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Genuine, empathetic and determined Last great TV show or movie you watched? Top Gun Maverick – I had a smile from ear to ear watching it. |
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Let’s talk about media – what are some recent things you have watched and read? I just read A Little Life by Hanya Yanaghihara. Unsettling, gripping and beautiful all at the same time. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I have never mastered a language and still have a fantasy about speaking fluent French as I eat and drink my way through France.
If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Dessert! Any hidden talents? I have played with the Harlem Globetrotters and can spin a basketball on my finger with my eyes closed. Any pets? I have two dogs, Bailey Waffles O’Brien and Lola Muffin O’Brien. |
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Multicultural Health Communications Awards |
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Congratulations to the 2022 finalists for the Multicultural Health Communications Awards. The Awards recognise the excellence in multilingual health communication across NSW Health. The winners of 2022 Awards will be announced in November. To view the finalists visit the Multicultural Health Communication Service website. |
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Complete the 2022 People Matter Employee Survey |
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The 2022 People Matter Employee Survey (PMES) is open until Friday 16 September.
The 15-minute survey gives every person in NSW Health an opportunity to have a say about their workplace and assist in continuing to make NSW Health a great place to work. |
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The PMES is run by the NSW Public Service Commission together with an independent research company. The survey does not collect your name, title or contact details, so your answers will be anonymous and confidential. |
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Recent releases from the Health Education and Training Institute |
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In the past month, the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) has released the following education resources on My Health Learning: -
Implementing trauma-informed care – developed in partnership with the Agency for Clinical Innovation, this e-learning module is for all NSW Health staff.
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Rural Nursing Pathways in Practice (RNPiP) – encompassing a series of six tailored e-learning modules and opportunities for postgraduate study, RNPiP is designed to reinforce and advance nursing expertise in the unique environment of rural practice. Developed in collaboration with Nursing and Midwifery Office and rural nursing experts.
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Caring for People Living with Dementia – this learning path includes five modules for all nurses and allied health professionals. Developed in partnership with the Health and Social Policy Branch.
Complete these courses for professional development or to refresh your knowledge. For all the latest My Health Learning resources, visit the HETI website. |
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From the Critical Intelligence Unit |
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The Critical Intelligence Unit has produced and/or released new evidence briefs on:
In the past weeks, the Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest features:
The Evidence Digest is available via the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) website. To receive the Digest on Friday mornings, sign-up by emailing Critical Intelligence Unit.
The Critical Intelligence Unit continues to provide: - living evidence tables capturing emerging evidence on vaccines, variants of concern and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (long COVID)
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an integrated dashboard to support risk monitoring in healthcare settings.
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