Celebrating the achievements of 2022, recognising our award winners and the work of staff making an impact on our communities. |
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It goes without saying, the last three years have been an extraordinary time for all of us, and the story of working during this time deserves to be documented.
This week we have launched the pre-orders for the Remarkable Humans of NSW Health 2019 - 2022.
This photo book is an important acknowledgement for our staff who have rallied time and time again to care for our communities and for each other. We are fortunate that, because of the generosity of sponsor organisations, we are able to offer every staff member currently working for NSW Health a copy. Please watch out for information from your Chief Executive on how to get your copy! |
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It’s awards season and I would again like to acknowledge our three NSW Premier’s Awards winners, as well the team from Health Infrastructure who were named in a fourth win as a partner organisation. This is an amazing achievement and recognition that the work we do is some of the best of the best across the NSW public service.
We should be proud that our innovation and patient-centred care, as well as our staff, are being acknowledged at the state level and taking out top honours.
Last week, we also celebrated the 24th Annual NSW Health Awards. It was lovely to see people come together to celebrate and connect with old friends and colleagues. Check out the night’s highlight video in this edition – it was a wonderful evening and congratulations to all once again.
There have also been local celebrations and recognition of individuals and teams from across Local Health Districts and Specialty Networks for their remarkable achievement and innovation which has been lovely to see.
Finally, I was delighted this week to launch the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to receive funding to kick-start high impact innovation projects that will improve health outcomes and reduce our environmental footprint. I'd like to encourage you to get involved in NSW Health's sustainable future by applying for the fund today today. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce
Secretary, NSW Health
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NSW Health Awards winners announced! |
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Congratulations to the 12 winners of the 2022 NSW Health Awards - check out the highlights video of the night! |
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NSW Health staff from Western NSW Local Health District are being recognised for their incredible achievements. Staff and services from the District have recently won not one, not two, but three honourable state awards! Congratulations to the superstars from the west!
Donna Stanley, Acting Executive Director Aboriginal Health Winner of the Australian Mental Health Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Prize. A proud Gunggari Umby (woman), Donna Stanley has been a tireless advocate for the mental health needs of her people, applying her knowledge of how Aboriginal communities’ social structures influence the mental health of individuals.
Dominique Spork, Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant and Nurse Manager Winner of the Michelle Beets Award for Inspirational Paediatric Care.
As a highly respected Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant, Dominique Spork goes above and beyond in her quest to improve the care provided to families by seeking out innovative ways to provide holisitc care to paitents.
Virtual Rural Generalists Service Winners of the NSW Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Digital Innovation
The Virtual Rural Generalist Service is a support service for western NSW hospitals that enables rural generalist doctors to provide virtual and face-to-face medical coverage to vulnerable rural communities. Since implementation, there has been improved access to medical support close to home and on country, high service uptake, high patient satisfaction, and improved support for retaining rural GPs. |
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Virtual Rural Generalists Service team |
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Name: Garth Hungerford
Role: Chair of the Wagga Wagga Local Health Advisory Committee, Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Volunteer of Year Award, 24th Annual NSW Health Awards 2022 Now, let’s get to know you a little better…
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Hardworking, diligent and honest Last great TV show or movie you watched? The Ipcress Files
Favourite book or podcast? Doctor Karl |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Learning to fly a helicopter
If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Lamb cutlets Any hidden talents? Ballroom Dancing |
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Working towards a sustainable future |
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This week, the NSW Health Secretary launched the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund.
The Fund will support staff-led innovation projects that improve patient care and help to reduce our environmental footprint – just like HealthShare NSW, you can help your organisation achieve ‘silver’ status. HealthShare NSW has been recognised for their sustainability efforts by achieving ‘silver’ status in the Department of Planning and Environment’s Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme. The Scheme celebrates and provides public acknowledgement of the sustainability outcomes achieved by members.
Achieving ‘silver’ status is a fantastic outcome and recognises the enormous amount of work HealthShare staff are already doing as part of their commitment to sustainability. Their vision, as outlined in their Sustainability Plan 2021-24, is all about making sustainability part of their DNA and making status as a Silver Partner helps make that vision a reality. Help reduce your organisation environmental footprint by applying for funding for your project. Visit the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund website for more information. |
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Australia first carers program |
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Carers at a CRAM 4 Carers workshop |
Kath presenting at a CRAM 4 Carers workshop |
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The Clinical Risk Assessment and Management (CRAM) training Program has been in place across NSW Health since 2008. Now, 14 years later, a team from the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network have transformed the program to support carers.
The CRAM 4 Carers workshop has been co-designed with carers, but not just any carers. Those who have cared for people with a lived experience of mental health issues and have had contact with the criminal justice system.
This is a major achievement as it is the first program of its kind in Australia.
NSW Community Forensic Mental Health Service Director Kath Jones Director described the program as a ‘priceless’ for carers.
“The purpose of the CRAM 4 Carers workshop is to help carers feel more equipped, more confident, and more comfortable to communicate the concerns that they have about their loved one,” Kath said.
“The workshop offers an opportunity to develop new skills, confidence and actually connect with other carers who have been in a similar situation.” |
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One of the carers who have participated in the workshop shared why she thinks this is a big step for carers. “Carers should come to this workshop because they will be able to be supported, connected, informed and encouraged – that’s why they should come!” Watch the video to see what a CRAM 4 Carers workshop is like and hear more from the carers. |
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New lab opens at Port Macquarie Base Hospital |
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After months of meticulous planning, recruiting a team, and ordering and installing new equipment, NSW Health Pathology opened the doors on its brand new, purpose-built laboratory and collection centre at Port Macquarie Base Hospital on 1 November 2022.
Laboratory Manager, Mark Ashton said it was a mammoth effort to reach this point.
“Pathology is crucial to detecting, diagnosing and treating disease, and managing long-term health conditions. Everyone worked extremely hard to ensure a seamless transition between services with little disruption,” Mark said.
The new lab operates 24 hours, seven days a week, providing a full range of pathology diagnostic services. It is fully equipped with services in haematology, blood transfusion, chemistry, microbiology, as well as anatomical pathology. |
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Not only does that lab bring important pathology services to local areas, but it is also a centre-point of collaboration.
The new lab is linked to NSW Health Pathology and the John Hunter lab in Newcastle to ensure the delivery of pathology services in the Mid North Coast LHD continues, even during periods of high demand. |
| Meet some of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital lab team
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Since its launch, the new virtual intensive care (vICU) in Broken Hill has had over 120 service contacts and has received recognition as the CIO50 Best Project 2022 in one of Sydney's biggest Digital Summits. The vICU has helped the Far West LHD achieve a level of intensive care not possible before.
Far West LHD Interim Chief Executive, Brad Astill says vICU is a powerful example of quality healthcare. |
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"The service has been successful in helping to keep patients of Broken Hill closer to their homes; helping to avoid unnecessary hospital transfers, upskilling clinical staff through educational activities, and providing support in the assessment and management of critically unwell patients,” Brad said. The service allows for the remote surveillance and continuous monitoring of patients in real-time, timely transfer of deteriorating patients to a high-level ICU, and the ability to retain patients on site. It also provides clinicians with: -
24/7 video and phone access to an ICU intensivist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA)
- Patient monitoring at RPA through a high-definition camera
- Live access to the patient’s scans and electronic medical records
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24/7 access to bedside clinician education for ICU and high dependency
- unit patient care
- Specialist consultations and multidisciplinary team consultations via video
The partnership between Sydney and Far West LHDs shows how the highly networked NSW Health system continues to collaborate to improve patient experiences and health outcomes throughout the State. |
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NSW Health staff are high achievers in their personal and professional lives. One group of brave NSW Health staff set out to be the first people to cross the Bass Strait in a row boat. This feat involved 330kms of rowing and took eight days to pull off, and it was all in an effort to raise money for Charity.
Andrew Lawson, physiotherapy head of department at SESLHD; Dr Joe Isaacs, VMO Orthopaedic Surgeon at NSLHD; and Philip Vial, Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist SWSLHD – also known as the “Musselrowers”, made the choice to row the Bass Strait to raise money for Clown Doctors. |
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The Bass Strait is the stretch of water that connects mainland Australia to Tasmania. Over eight days, Andrew, Joe, Phil and their team faced many challenges to reach Little Musselroe in Tasmania. “My experience as a trauma surgeon and as a Musselrower has shown me the importance of supporting those in need, especially during times of crisis,” Joe said. “I often see the wonderful benefits of providing patient support beyond the conventional medical treatment, just like the support provided by Clown Doctors. I am proud to have been able to raise funds for organisations who support patients,” Phil said. The Musselrowers raised $130,000 for Clown Doctors which will help fund weekly clown visits for patients, every week for an entire year and help bring laughter and joy to patients and their families facing tough times.
The Musselrowers milestone has sparked the same courage in Anna McGlynn, Program Manager SES HealthPathways at SESLHD, who will complete the crossing for charity in early 2023.
“We are very excited that the Musselrowers live on through a new all-female group that aim to complete the Bass Strait crossing in early 2023 to raise money for Red Nose,” Andrew said. |
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Reaching 'Angel Gold' status |
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The stroke units at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus have achieved ‘Angel Gold Status’ in stroke care. The Angel Gold Status Award recognises best practice and high-quality stroke care. It is implemented by the World Stroke Organization, European Stroke Organisation and Boehringer Ingelheim – so it’s a big deal!
Port Macquarie PMBH Stroke Care Coordinator Jennifer Steel said her team was so proud to have been awarded Angels Gold Status for the second consecutive year.
“It is wonderful that this award recognises not only the efforts of the stroke team, but all the other teams involved with providing holistic care for our patients. The Mid North Coast is the national hot spot for stroke so having rapid access to a specialised stroke service is essential for our community,” Jennifer said. Coffs Harbour Stroke Unit Clinical Nurse Consultant Amanda Buzio said achieving World Stroke Organisation Gold Status is a great honour and testament to a team effort to enhance local stroke care.
“This Award is a welcome acknowledgment of the efforts and commitment of our staff, demonstrating that the care we provide is in line with recommended practice and of an international standard, giving our stroke patients the best chance of a good recovery,” Amanda said.
Congratulations to our Angel Gold Stroke Units at Mid North Coast for achieving this honour. |
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Coffs Harbour Health Campus Stroke Unit |
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Port Macquarie Base Hospital Stroke Unit |
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Getting the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’ message out across Australia is a tremendous and very important task that the Cancer Institute NSW works hard to deliver.
Right before the 2022/2023 Aussie summer kicked off, the Institute launched their new ‘Arrows’ campaign. The campaign that was two years in the making creatively uses arrows to visualise invisible yet harmful UV rays penetrating the skin. |
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Cameron Sugden, Cancer Institute NSW Skin Portfolio Manager, Social Marketing and Campaigns, explains how ‘Arrows’ was a huge team effort.
“Since 2016, we’ve been creating skin cancer prevention campaigns to educate the community that skin cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or where they live,” Cameron said.
“The Arrows campaign has involved countless people with plenty of experience in marketing, public health, and behaviour change. Our success relies heavily on input from teams within the Institute, the NSW government network, external agencies, clinical specialists, young people and skin cancer sufferers.” Despite Australia having one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, more than 70 per cent of young people are still not protecting themselves from UV rays.
The team at the Institute are passionate about protecting or communities from skin cancer and are thrilled to have launched a new live-saving campaign.
See the years of hard work come together. Watch the Arrows campaign video. |
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COVID-19 information update Read the full Clinical Intelligence Unit Evidence Digest here. |
| Refugee Health Plan launch
The NSW Refugee Health Plan 2022-2027, released on 1 December, outlines how we can continue to support people from refugee backgrounds.
The plan helps staff respond to the unique health challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, and supports access to timely, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed healthcare.
Learn more about how NSW Health is committed to supporting the health of people from refugee backgrounds at the Refugee Health Policy website. |
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Recent releases from HETI
HETI has recently released the following education resources on My Health Learning: - Care of adult patients with a tracheostomy or laryngectomy (445928270)
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Pain Management: Epidural infusions (441985392)
- Sexual Assault Early Evidence Collection (398086123)
- Procedural Conscious Sedations (436493037)
- Paediatric and Neonatal Nursing Learning Navigator (442096301)
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WHS and Community Staff Safety (434594949)
- Alcohol and Other Drugs - Comprehensive Assessment and Care Planning (433769881)
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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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