Celebrating the Gathering of Kindness, 10 years of NSW Health Pathology and a visit from a very special pony |
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This week is our annual Gathering of Kindness.
Working in health, kindness is deeply ingrained in what we do and who we are. We do so much more than just attend to patient’s health needs, we care for their wellbeing, connect with them during tough times, and by extension, support and care for their families and friends.
In this edition, you'll see how kindness happens all across the health system and it comes in many forms - even from the most unexpected friends, like a pony!
I am a firm believer in the small things that make a big difference. Every interaction we have can be an act of kindness. I encourage you to think about how you can make your next moment an act of kindness and get involved in this year’s Gathering of Kindness celebrations. |
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The People Matter Employee Survey results have just been released. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey - your feedback is greatly appreciated and welcomed. While we’ve seen improvements in many areas, we have more work to do. I’ll have more to say about the survey in the next edition of Check In.
On another note, I’d like to congratulate NSW Health Pathology for ten years of incredible service. As Australia's largest public pathology service, more than 5000 staff work hard every day to deliver vital testing and clinical diagnostic expertise.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge all our radiographers and radiation therapists as they celebrate National Radiographer and Radiation Therapists Week. Thank you for the work you do to support patients in all stages of their care. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce
Secretary, NSW Health |
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What does kindness look like to you? |
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Kindness is everywhere! A warm smile, a listening ear or making sure someone is comfortable are all small acts of kindness that can make a big difference to someone's day.
Check out the Gallery of Kindness and get inspired by NSW Health staff who have shared what kindness means to them. You can submit an image to the gallery and join in on spreading compassion throughout NSW Health.
It's also not too late to get involved with this year's Gathering of Kindness. There are many virtual events available to join in on conversations about creativity, change, collaboration and courage. View the Gathering of Kindness program to see how you can get involved. |
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A selection of photos from the Gallery of Kindness. |
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10 years of NSW Health Pathology |
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Happy ten years to NSW Health Pathology!
Today on International Pathology Day, we recognise ten years of incredible service delivered by NSW Health Pathology staff and services across our state. There are 60 laboratories, 150 collection centres and more than 5000 staff across NSW, each providing vital support to patients, clinicians, forensics, and other services to help protect our community. |
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Founding Chief Executive Tracey McCosker continues to guide our pathology services and is excited by the potential of the next ten years. Tracey shared a special message to celebrate this milestone. NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce shared her thanks and congratulations to NSW Health Pathology staff on such an amazing milestone.
Watch her message here. |
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Name: Tracey McCosker PSM
Role: Chief Executive, NSW Health Pathology
Now, let’s get to know you a little better… What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Tardy (for family gatherings) Optimistic Generous
Last great TV show or movie you watched? Ted Lasso |
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Favourite book? All the Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I would love to be able speak another language.
If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? A seafood pasta and salad.
Any hidden talents? Surprisingly, I have become a pretty good gardener over the last few years. |
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Small acts of kindness in NSW Health |
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Jan Walter, Judy Brooks and Dee Hunter |
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Jeffery participating in the virtual music session |
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True kindness is continuing to serve your community after retiring, and that’s exactly what former Nursing Unit Managers and United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) volunteers Jan Walters and Judy Brooks are doing at Macksville District Hospital.
The Bowra Macksville branch members, pictured with fellow volunteer barista and UHA Regional Representative Dee Hunter, have become experts at whipping up cappuccinos, macchiatos and lattes – always served with a big smile. |
| The care and kindness of the South Western Sydney Volunteer Coordinator helped to put a smile on Jeffery's face.
As a previous owner of a music store, lover of jazz, collector of music albums and a little encouragement from the staff, Jeffery was keen to participate in the online music session.
He instantly perked up after interacting with the music volunteer. He was thankful that this experience brought back many happy memories. |
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People Matter Employee Survey results out now! |
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The People Matter Employee Survey results are now available.
This year, there was a significant increase of 14 percent of NSW Health staff who completed the survey. Thank you to all the staff who took the time to complete the survey and shared how they experience work at NSW Health.
The results show strengths in ‘job purpose and enrichment’, ‘customer satisfaction’, and ‘risk and innovation’. Detailed results for individual NSW Health organisations have been shared. If you have any questions, ask your manager to find out how your organisation will use the results.
Find out more by visiting the Public Service Commission website. |
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Proud owner of Hocus Pocus and nurse at Mid North Coast, Bec Fawcett-Ashley says that Hocus Pocus is a very special pony. Bec brings Hocus Pocus along with her to see patients and staff. The pair spread their magic and brighten everyone’s day.
“It’s amazing how he can connect with patients. He can recognise the more vulnerable patients and respond by being very soft and gentle by placing his nuzzle on their chest so they can pat him, and have a moment together,” Bec said. |
| Bec and Hocus Pocus visiting a patient |
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Just a simple pat can bring beautiful memories flooding back for patients, especially those who have worked on the land. It’s not only the patients who adore Hocus Pocus. Bec brings him along for the staff too. Staff on duty flock to him as he makes his way through the ward, taking selfies, and lining up for a cuddle.
“Having Hocus Pocus at the hospital brings a sense of joy. Everyone gathers around and it really boosts staff morale,” Jennie Helisma said, Acting Executive Officer of Bellinger River District Hospital.
Keep an eye out on NSW Health social channels to see Hocus Pocus work his magic. |
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‘Kindness Kits’ are wheeling around the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) to support staff to practice wellness and mindfulness at work.
The Kits include many different wellness items such as colouring books, a singing bowl, and a selection of teas and sweets, amongst other things to support the emotional wellbeing of staff.
The Stability Encompassing Endurance and Direction team, or ‘SEED’, is the district's wellbeing program run by staff for staff, who are leading the roll out of Kindness Kits to workplaces across the district. |
| Nursing staff test the kits during the planning phase |
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“We have considered what our staff really want and need by engaging with them from the beginning, testing products, and collecting feedback,” Paula said, SEED Project Coordinator.
Each Kindness Kit has been customised based on staff feedback. To help gather all the items, SEED worked with a local vendor, Jude Felton, to design the kits and what will go in them. Jude was inspired by her own experience at the local emergency department after seeing how hard the staff work.
“I think about the staff in health, their crazy days and their tiredness, and I can’t wait to supply beautiful items to them,” Jude said.
“My vision for the Kindness Kits is to bring staff into the present and help them in whatever way they need that day. I’m grateful for this opportunity to provide staff with something real, beautiful and useful,” Jude said.
75 Kindness Kits will be rolled out across ISLHD from early 2023. |
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Care and kindness are one and the same |
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Joana Andre Garrido worked at Western Sydney Local Health District as a Patient and Carer Experience Officer supporting and advocating for carers through the WSLHD Carer program. Overnight, Joana became a carer herself.
In September 2021, Joana’s mum, Teresa was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in her hip bone. Soon after, the difficult decision was made to amputate Teresa’s right leg and part of her right hip.
“There are so many things that come with being a carer that no one tells you. I would have never thought that it could be me, especially at such a young age," Joana said.
Between Joana, her sister and dad, who make up Teresa’s care team, they are right beside her through Teresa’s journey to hold her hand through difficult times and celebrate the small wins.
“As mum doesn’t speak English and is now unable to drive, someone always needs to be around to attend her appointments with her." |
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“We’ve shed many tears, anxiously awaited test results, learned how to sleep in a hospital chair, and continue to smile every time mum makes progress,” Joana said.
There are over two and a half million carers in Australia who spread kindness to patients, their families, and our health staff every day. “If you are a carer, thank you for what you do,” Joana said. |
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Joana's family - Joao (dad), Teresa (mum), Joana and Henar (sister) |
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Today, the Birpai Nation, Port Macquarie region on the Mid North Coast of NSW, will celebrate a very special gift of sound, language, and culture – a lullaby.
The Bubay Bangay Gathang Lullaby is an original piece of work created by the Djiyagan Dhanbaan (Strong Sister) Movement Group, in collaboration with Djuyalgu Wakulda and Muurrbay Aboriginal Cultural and Language Centre and sung by vocalist Amy Davis.
This gift was made possible through the Mid North Coast Local Health District’s Close the Gap initiative and provided an opportunity for the connection between Aboriginal Elder of the Birpai Nation Aunty Rhonda, and local Perinatal Infant Mental Health Clinician, Jess Trembath. In working together this initiative enabled health and local Elders to come together to create a culturally appropriate and publicly accessible resource in language on country.
Jess Trembath said “we would encourage other health services to seek out their local language groups on country and to create their own lullaby”. |
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The Bubay Bangay Gathang Lullaby has been shared with perinatal services on Birpai country and within the community.
In the words of the creators “sounds of Aboriginal languages connect us to the land and our natural environment. The experience of listening or singing to language sounds replicate the sounds of nature and connect you and baby to Mother Earth”. |
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2022 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards
This year marks the 10th annual Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards with 30 finalists from across the state. The event celebrates the outstanding nurses and midwives of NSW Health and recognises the contributions they make every day to patients, their families, and communities. The event will be livestreamed on 18 November at 2:00pm. |
| Multicultural Health Communications Awards
The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS) invites you to celebrate the Multicultural Health Communication Awards 2022. Susan Pearce, Secretary for NSW Health will be announcing the winners on 21 November.
The event takes place at the State Library of New South Wales between 10:00am-12:00pm.
Please register to attend by 17 November. |
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Save the date: 24th Annual NSW Health Awards 2022
The 24th Annual NSW Health Awards will be held on 1 December 2022. After another extraordinary year of delivering world-class healthcare, it’s crucial to recognise and acknowledge the achievements of our health system and workforce.
We are excited to return to hosting an in-person evening event with all finalists after two years of hosting a smaller hybrid event. We will continue to livestream the Awards for those who cannot attend in person or wish to view the ceremony.
Mark it in your diary and look out for more information coming soon! |
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Spreading kindness across the globe |
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| ‘Yes’ was the only answer for Yenni and Lenore when they were asked to provide on the ground support for the people of Ukraine. Yenni and Lenore are nurses from Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and had never met before their journey to Ukraine.
They both wanted to help people in Ukraine and took the opportunity to offer their care as nurses to support people facing the hardships of war on the other side of the world. |
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Despite the obvious challenges of working in a makeshift field hospital located in an underground car park and a bus station clinic, Yenni and Lenore felt privileged to have worked beside Ukrainian nurses and doctors to care for people in need.
Their shared experience has turned into a friendship that will last a lifetime.
Watch the video of Yenni and Lenore to hear the full story of their experience in Ukraine. |
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National Radiographer and Radiation Therapists Week |
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This week is National Radiographer and Radiation Therapists Week.
A chance to mark the incredible and very important work of our Radiographers and Radiation Therapists.
Janine Slade has been practicing radiography for 30 years. The importance of her role and all NSW Health imaging staff has remained vital over the years and continues to support patients in all stages of their care.
“The impact of medical imaging is so amazing because we are able to guide medical teams to |
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Janine (right) and her colleague Melissa (left) |
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help make decisions about patient care and management, especially for staff working with regional populations as they struggle to access major centres,” Janine said.
Janine established the ultrasound service now part of the medical imaging department at Condobolin District Hospital back in 2008 and is one of her most proud achievements.
“I am proud to be able to provide this service for the community to access. It’s a huge help for locals as they don’t need to worry about travelling far distances,” Janine said.
Despite the many challenges faced by regional communities of Western NSW, including the recent floods still impacting people, Janine and her team keep working to help the people of their community.
Janine now has the support of Melissa Seton, fellow radiographer, and sonographer at Conodobolin.
Thank you to Janine, Melissa and all NSW Health Radiographers and Radiation Therapists for supporting delivering high-quality care that makes a difference to patients. |
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| New information about parental leave
As part of the NSW Government's 2022-23 Budget, new provisions to parental leave have been announced. The changes made to parental leave are outlined on the NSW Health Website. More information can be found in the parental leave Frequently Asked Questions. |
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Respecting the Difference feedback survey
Anonymous feedback on the refreshed Aboriginal Cultural Training - Respecting the Difference is being collected from NSW Health staff by an external provider to explore how to support increased participation and implementation of this training. All staff are encouraged to take part, even if you haven't completed the training.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey on Survey Monkey here. |
| COVID-19 information update
Read the full Clinical Intelligence Unit Evidence Digest here. |
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End of year public holiday dates The end of year period for 2022 – 2023 will be from Monday 26 December 2022 to Friday 6 January 2023 inclusive.
There are a few Public Holidays during the end of year period to make note of, including: - Monday 26 December 2022 – Christmas Eve
- Tuesday 27 December 2022 – Boxing Day
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Friday 30 December 2022 – Public Sector Holiday
- Monday 2 January 2023 – Additional public holiday for New Year's Day
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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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