A spotlight on regional and rural health, six months of the Regional Health Division and the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Award winners. |
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NSW is a vast state full of different geographies and landscapes and naturally, our local heath districts are distinctly unique. This edition shines a spotlight on the remarkable work happening across regional, rural and remote NSW, and the incredible staff who provide the very best care to people in their local communities. I have a deep and enduring connection to rural NSW. I grew up in the country, I started my health career in the country, and my beautiful son was delivered by incredible midwives in Broken Hill just over 30 years ago.
The resilience, and resourcefulness, of regional communities has shone through the most difficult of times and continues to be a source of great strength. |
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There are some truly amazing things happening across our state and I hope you enjoy reading this collection of stories from our regional areas.
As we near the end of another year, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come. Our CORE Values of collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment have truly been at the heart of what we do, and it is evident in our recent People Matter Employee Survey results.
The results also show that we need to take care of our wellbeing, whether it’s offering a small act of kindness to each other or taking a well-deserved break. I encourage you all to speak with your manager to plan your leave during the upcoming festive season and into 2023.
I am proud to see continued improvement as we take steps to enhance our workplace and the service we provide to the people of NSW. More information about the survey results is shared in this edition.
As we come into the awards season, I would like to congratulate, not only the winners, but all nominees and finalists. The work you do makes a real difference to patients. Thank you again for your tireless efforts and commitment. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce
Secretary, NSW Health |
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Six months of the Regional Health Division |
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This week marks six months since the Regional Health Division was established. The Division is committed to ensuring that people living in regional, rural and remote NSW can access high quality, timely healthcare and have excellent patient experiences and optimal health outcomes.
The regional health team is working in LHDs across regional NSW, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and communicating in a collaborative, respectful and culturally appropriate way. |
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In this video, Luke Sloane, Coordinator General for Regional Health, reflects on the last six months. |
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The first nurse endoscopist |
Christal Ayton has lived in Dubbo for nearly 30 years and has worn many hats (or scrubs) as a perioperative nurse, working in intensive care, paediatrics and also in emergency.
Recruited two years ago by the Dubbo Health Service, Christal is now an accredited Nurse Endoscopist in the Western NSW Local Health District.
An expert at juggling work and study, she has also completed a diploma in Surgical Assisting, a Masters in Perioperative Nursing Care and a Masters in Nurse Practitioner.
Having previously worked in Sydney metropolitan hospitals, Christal quickly recognised the opportunities for nurses to progress in regional areas.
“Never did I think I’d be a surgical assistant for a general surgeon or become a nurse endoscopist – the first in New South Wales,” said Christal.
“There are 30 perioperative nurse assistants in the state and there’s only two of us out here in Western New South Wales. You learn quickly out here, and you’re well supported by the close-knit team around you.”
Patients also receive a great level of care when they come in for their procedures.
“They don’t have to travel, they don’t have to leave their families, their farms or their jobs, so the availability to have any sort of intervention done in Dubbo is very beneficial,” said Christal.
A country girl born and bred, Christal went to school in Gunnedah and then moved to Dubbo where she raised her children. |
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Superpowered service supporting rural generalists |
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The Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS) is Australia’s first virtual care service designed locally by rural generalists, for rural generalists.
The service supports doctors and nurses working in regional, rural and remote areas to provide 24/7 care to patients across the Western NSW LHD. The VRGS does this by integrating both in-person and telehealth services as part of its model of care.
The impact – local doctors avoid burnout as it builds capacity and supports local staff, patients and doctors can stay close to home, and the whole community is supported, particularly when traditionally there may be no doctor available in a town.
Dr Shannon Nott, Rural Health Director of Medical Services for Western NSW LHD, hopes that the VRGS can be a model of best practice for virtual care services in regional areas.
“In the last financial year, the service has helped 15,000 regional patients receive care close to home. Because the service was designed and implemented at a local level, it helps rural areas provide optimal health care for our communities. VRGS is also helping us recruit and retain experienced rural doctors in community by working with local teams to provide out of hours and weekend support to avoid local burnout," Dr Nott said. |
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VRGS consultation in practice |
| “With VRGS implemented at a local level and with doctors required to do both virtual and in-person shifts, we ensure doctors understand local contexts."
There are around thirty doctors part of the VRGS, each who have committed 25% of their work to be in-person. This allows local, on-the-ground doctors across Western NSW, the opportunity to care for themselves and have a good work-life balance.
Learn more about the superpowered Virtual Rural Generalist Service here. |
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Name: Jill Ludford
Role: Chief Executive, Murrumbidgee Local Health District
Now, let’s get to know you a little better… What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Compassionate, big thinker, resilient Last great TV show or movie you watched? Travel Man on SBS Favourite book or podcast?
Conversations – ABC podcast |
| Jill Ludford in Murrumbidgee |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? To play the cello If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Vegetables from my garden and eggs from my chooks!
Any hidden talents? I play the violin |
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Imagine...regional, rural and remote |
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There are nine regional and rural local health districts across NSW.
Each district is beautifully unique, from the breathtaking landscapes to the bright people who make up the community. Over the last six months, our staff have captured some special moments within our regional, rural and remote districts. Watch the video to see some of these snaps! |
| A look across regional NSW |
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Launch of the NSW Refugee Health Plan
The NSW Ministry of Health invites you to the launch of the NSW Refugee Health Plan 2022-2027 and a celebration of 10 years of the NSW Refugee Health Nurse Program. The Minister of Health and Chief Executive of South Western Sydney LHD will be delivering an address.
Watch the event live on Thursday 1 December from 9:30am. Join via Zoom with this link. |
| Elevating the Human Experience Showcase
You’re invited to the Elevating the Human Experience Showcase on 7 December, 11:00am - 12:30pm. The showcase will celebrate the achievements of 2022 and shine a spotlight on current projects that are transforming the experiences of patients and staff across NSW Health.
Please register to attend by 5:00pm on Tuesday 6 December or join the Microsoft Teams on the day with this link. |
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| HETI Research Webinar
If we want to make the best and most objective decisions, it is important to understand the impact of emotions and their influence on our decision-making.
Guest speaker, Professor Rohan Walker will share insights on how we can train for emotional resilience in workplace decision-making and stress management.
For more information about the webinar and to register to attend, visit the HETI website. |
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Give a little, learn a lot |
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After witnessing the devastating impact of the floods in her hometown of Lismore, Angela felt helpless from afar and knew she wanted to contribute in some way.
So, Angela asked the Special Care Nursery at Lismore, ‘how can we help?’ The answer – on-site specialised Neonatal resuscitation training. |
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Staff from SCHN Critical Care Team and Lismore Special Care Nursery Team at Lismore |
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The Critical Care Team at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) went to Lismore Base Hospital to work with a specialised team of nurses and doctors and the Lismore Special Care Nursery team to deliver a two-day workshop. This involved education around neonatal resuscitation, ventilation, cardiac diagnosis, and intubation. “Seeing my colleagues together in my hometown, supporting neonatal colleagues who have lost so much themselves was an incredible moment for me personally and professionally,” Angela said.
Angela and the staff at the SCHN were able to see the real impact of the floods on the Lismore community and witness the strength and resilience of the community.
Joanne Ezzy, Nurse Unit Manager of the Lismore Special Care Nursery, said the visit from the SCHN team was an amazing boost for her and her team.
"Everyone was so lovely and friendly, and we felt nurtured by those who came to educate and guide us through the simulations and answer all our questions," Joanne said.
The workshops in Lismore have upskilled staff and empowered them to confidently provide specialist emergency neonatal care to some of the most vulnerable and youngest patients in their community. |
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This year's World Diabetes Day is all about access |
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The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day is ‘access to diabetes care’. Delivering high-quality care deep within regional NSW makes a world of difference to the staff and patients of these communities. The Diabetes Alliance Program (DAP) brings specialised care to regional hospitals across the Hunter New England LHD. Instead of patients travelling far distances to attend specialised diabetes appointments, endocrinologists and diabetes educators visit these areas to work alongside general practitioners (GPs) to help identify and treat patients with diabetes needing specialised support. Since 2017, the Program has visited 141 GP surgeries and more than 3,500 patients. DAP has been highly effective in improving metabolic, glycaemic and cardiovascular risk profiles of the patients who participate. |
| Map of Hunter New England Local Health District |
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Access to diabetes care is also about access to diabetes education. |
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The program is dedicated to upskilling all doctors, nurses and allied health clinicians that work in regional areas, so they are empowered to provide important care to patients with a diagnosis of diabetes within their communities, at any time. The NSW Health state-wide initiative for diabetes management is grounded in a value-based approach to healthcare and collaboration with LHDs and Primary Health Networks.
Discover more about how NSW Health is integrating care for people with diabetes. |
| Specialist and primary care teams undertaking case conferences |
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Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Award winners |
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Congratulations to the winners of the 10th Annual Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding contribution of our nurses and midwives to patients, their families, carers and communities.
South Western Sydney LHD won four of the eight categories, and Sydney LHD won one category. It's exciting to see four winners from regional LHDs including two regional nurses winning the New to Practice Award.
See our regional award winners below. For the full list of winners, visit the NSW Health website. |
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| Cultural Burn at site of new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital |
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Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment and Cowra Hospital Redevelopment. Each of these projects is shaped by the local community – through staff feedback, community input and engagement with First Australians.
In Eurobodalla, HI, Southern NSW LHD and the local Yuin Aboriginal community held the first ever cultural burn as part of an ancient Aboriginal tradition used to regenerate Country and prepare the land as a safe and welcoming place. Yuin Elder Uncle Bunja Smith said cultural burning is an ancient fire practice that has been used by Aboriginal people for over 60,000 years. “For millennia Aboriginal people managed the land through cultural burning - it was one of our farming and land management practices to care for Country and will help to restore the land to create a healthy foundation from which the new hospital can grow,” Uncle Bunja said. “Cleansing the land is an integral part of our connection with Country to restore and rejuvenate the land spiritually, and today’s ceremony signifies that this hospital will be a healthy and safe place where the whole community can come to be healed.” |
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2022 People Matter Employee Survey results |
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Thank you again to those who participated in the 2022 Public Service Commission People Matter Employment Survey (PMES).
Here is a quick summary of what we have learned from the NSW Health overall results. - We continue to work collaboratively to achieve goals.
- We treat each other with respect.
- There is an increase in staff feeling like they belong in their organisation.
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Our top strengths are job satisfaction, job purpose and enrichment, customer service, and risk and innovation.
- Workplace culture - which measures matters like morale, confidence in leadership, and ability to speak out - remained steady at 58 per cent.
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The employee engagement score – informed by many factors including feeling supported by your manager, accountability, and access to flexible working conditions - has dropped slightly from 2021.
The 2022 results do show the continued effects COVID-19 has had on our workforce as you continue to work hard to keep the community safe. We acknowledge that we still have work to do, and each individual NSW Health organisation is currently in the process of reviewing and briefing their staff on results and developing an action plan to continue to improve employee experience within your organisation. |
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The 'C-Side Van' is bringing hepatitis C testing and treatment to rural and remote communities across the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD (ISLHD).
Danielle Brown, Nurse Unit Manager at ISLHD says the C-Side Van can reach the more vulnerable communities and help educate people on hepatitis C prevention.
"We're so happy to see people embrace the service. We recently had someone who visited the van after becoming homeless. We helped them to start treatment for hepatitis C and after connecting with our team, they felt comfortable to confide in us," Danielle said. |
| ISLHD Drug and Alcohol Service team: David Reid, Connie Graf, Peta Mcalister and Danielle Brown, with the new C-Side Van. |
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"They are now hep C free!"
The new C-Side Van is supporting the goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health concern by 2028 as part of the NSW Hepatitis C Strategy 2022 – 2025. It is also brightening up the roads as it travels between towns. "We were so pleased to have local Aboriginal artist and proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman, Jasmine Sarin, contribute her artwork for the exterior design - you definitely can’t miss us when we drive through town," Danielle said.
The team running the C-Side Van are helping to give people living with hepatitis C a new lease on life. |
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24th NSW Health Awards 2022
Congratulations to the finalists of the 24th Annual NSW Health Awards. Watch the video to discover this year's finalists.
Winners will be announced on Thursday 1 December 2022 at an in-person award ceremony. You can livestream the event at this link from 6:00pm on the day. |
| 2023 Enrolled Nurse Scholarships Enrolled nurses are valued members, providing compassionate and skilled care across a range of clinical and community environments.
These scholarships include a position in the Diploma of Nursing program, cover course fees and lead to employment as an enrolled nurse in a NSW Health facility.
To check eligibility requirements and applicant information, visit the NSW Health website. Applications open on 9 January 2023 and close at midnight 12 February 2023.
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Changes to Parental Leave
Changes to paid parental leave for NSW public sector employees took effect from 1 October 2022. The provisions are intended to help families better balance work and family life, enable both parents to be involved in raising children and support women to return to the workforce.
Details of the changes are outlined on the NSW Health website and more information can be found in the Parental Leave Frequently Asked Questions. |
| COVID-19 information update
Read the full Clinical Intelligence Unit Evidence Digest here. |
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A refresh of Respecting the Difference mandatory training
Our Aboriginal cultural training program, Respecting the Difference, has been refreshed to better demonstrate how everyone can help to improve the safety and experience of Aboriginal patients and staff.
Our Secretary Susan Pearce outlines support for improving Aboriginal cultural considerations in leadership, clinical and other decision making and community engagement processes. You're encouraged to complete the training and submit anonymous feedback via an external survey. |
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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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