How we are celebrating Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras and how you can get involved! |
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Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras celebrations have begun and all across the NSW Health System people are joining in! The theme this year is gather, dream, amplify. I encourage you to gather together with your colleagues and have conversations about how you can be an ally, make our dream of creating an organisation that provides the best possible care to everyone a reality, and amplify the voices of the community.
By celebrating Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras, we are continuing to show our commitment to creating a respectful workplace where everyone is treated equally and their contributions are valued regardless of their position, role, gender, sexuality, intersex variations, ethnicity, or physical ability.
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Whether you are a staff member, patient, carer or visitor, everyone who steps into one of our hospitals, health facilities, or a health office, deserves dignity, safety, respect, kindness, and to be themselves.
Finally, I spent time with staff from Forbes, Parkes and Eugowra recently to hear their stories of the floods that devastated the area in November 2022. The sense of ‘team‘ and willingness to help each other and the broader community was palpable. I’m so glad I was able to go and visit and would encourage anyone who is looking for a getaway to consider paying a visit to the area.
Rachel Ellem, Health Service Manager, was kind enough to share her personal reflection of this time. I was so moved by Rachel's words and asked her if I could share them with you.
Below you can read some of Rachel’s beautifully written words and find the full version on the NSW Health website.
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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Soggy Socks, Gumboots and Mateship |
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By Rach Ellem, Health Service Manager, Lachlan Health Service
November 2022 As I sit here reflecting on the floods of November 2022, I see the visuals – our rural landscape saturated in rushing, debris filled water – flowing like an outsider in places new and never before seen. I see soggy socks, gumboots, muddy brows, fire trucks, choppers overhead and the weariness portrayed in slumped shoulders.
I see vision from the air of swollen lakes, rivers and waterways…of paddocks that were not so long ago posed to birth crops and produce; and now are glassy with their laden water filled bellies. I see the imprint and shadows of that was – and what will be again – but for now, the water clouds it – muddy and untamed. I see animals; their fur, wool and hides dripping in muddy water, caked with mud, the patches worn like medals marking their time in sodden paddocks as they strive for higher ground. I see the news crews, the TV flashes, the Facebook clips where those from outside our homes and communities battle to understand these times and re-tell our stories. This is what I see. What I feel though is twofold…
It’s the feeling of loss, of sadness and grief. It’s the lows of heartache – of overwhelming misadventure. This picture is one you could easily get lost in – it’s heavy and emotive, it’s raw and it’s real. It’s families apart, each member playing their role in defence of lives built in our gorgeous rural landscape. It’s community – my team – working and serving even when their homes, possessions and families are at risk. It’s one foot, then the next, plodding as though through the mud for fear of stopping – and the emptiness that may well come with it.
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NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce's recent visit to Lachlan and Condobolin
Health Services in Western NSW Local Health District |
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Wagga’s party is back, bigger and better than ever |
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The team at Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is gearing up for a week of fun and colourful events at this year’s Wagga Mardi Gras.
Together with their colleagues at Primary Health Network, MLHD are feverishly collaborating on their float for the parade on 11 March.
Jill Ludford, Chief Executive at MLHD explains the importance of participating in events like Mardi Gras and WorldPride which are focused on coming together to advocate for LGBTIQA+ communities. |
| Murrumbidgee staff holding up their diversity banner |
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“A health presence at festivals such as the Wagga Mardi Gras tells our communities that people can safely come to us for healthcare, no matter how you identify,” said Jill.
“We want our rural communities to know that we respect you and provide care that is centred around what you need as a person,” said Jill.
Celebrating the Wagga Mardi Gras is just one of the many initiatives focused on fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging at MLHD. The team are also busy implementing their first Inclusion and Belonging Action Plan and preparing their second ever ‘Festival of Inclusion’ – a celebration of the diversity of the community and being inclusive of everyone.
The staff at MLHD is inspired by their local community to create the same sense of belonging within their health services.
“A workplace that is truly inclusive provides individuals with a sense of belonging, enhances engagement, innovation, creativity, and overall happiness at work,” said Jill.
“When we reflect the communities that we serve, we are a workforce at its best.” |
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NSW Health recognises that language and terminology to describe sexuality, gender and intersex variations continues to evolve. We have chosen to use LGBTIQA+ throughout this edition of Check In but acknowledge that communities may use other terms to describe themselves. For more information please refer to the LGBTIQA+ glossary of common terms.
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As part of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District's (NBMLHD) Festival of Inclusion, an annual week-long program of activities for staff to celebrate difference and embrace diversity, staff made a video sharing why they have added their pronouns to their email signatures.
With this video, staff are hoping to spark conversations about using pronouns and how it helps to create an inclusive and safe space at work. Watch the video to find out why staff at NBMLHD are using pronouns. |
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Name: Dr Teresa Anderson
Role: Chief Executive, Sydney 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? Loving, hard-working and fun Last great TV show or movie you watched? The Trip to Bountiful with Cicely Tyson
Favourite book or podcast? Long walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela or Becoming by Michelle Obama |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I would learn Italian
If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? Potato and leek soup with warm bread rolls
Any hidden talents? I like to draw and I’m a good handywoman |
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'At the CORE' of Sydney Local Health District |
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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.
Respect: Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) is committed to ensuring it’s a safe, welcoming respectful and inclusive healthcare service.
The district is decorated with rainbows and progress flags in support of Sydney WorldPride 2023 and has launched its new diversity and inclusivity statement to be displayed in its hospitals, facilities and services. |
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Corey Makelim; Athena Mumbulla; Grace Robin; Huaying Yang; Erin Heine; Ana Romero; Eli Ryan; Brooke Dailey; Shih Chi Kao |
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“The statement recognises the diversity of our staff and the patients and communities who we serve. It reflects the importance we place on providing high-quality, safe, respectful and inclusive working environments and healthcare services,” said Dr Teresa Anderson, Chief Executive SLHD.
Sydney is also the first to display a LGBTIQ+ version of the Australian Charter of Health Care Rights, developed in partnership with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
To be featured across SLHD, the Charter explains what patients can expect when receiving healthcare, in terms of access, safety, respect, partnership, information, privacy and feedback opportunities.
In a further demonstration of the team's commitment to its diverse workforce, Dr Anderson is hosting a special staff celebration during WorldPride.
“It’s an opportunity to show that we recognise, value and respect all our staff and their contributions towards providing better healthcare services for all,” said Teresa. |
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The NSW Health building at St Leonards has been transformed for Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras!
Stairs around the building have been fitted with the colours of the Pride Progress Flag to spread the message that we are all a part of one Health community where everyone deserves dignity, safety, respect, kindness, and to be themselves.
The NSW Ministry of Health, pillars and health organisations from the building also came together for a morning tea to celebrate WorldPride. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce attended the very colourful event which highlighted the importance of being supported to bring your true self to work.
Carolyn Murray, Director of Public Health Programs, Centre for Population Health said the colours on the flag represent and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTIQA+ community and calls for a more inclusive society.
“Mardi Gras has seen a lot of changes over the years. It remains part of the celebrations of all the LGBTIQ+.” “My favourite quote is that you should remember you are exactly who you should be!” |
| Above: One Reserve Road stairs displaying the pride progress flag. Left: NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce with Carolyn Murray, Director of Public Health Programs. |
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Excellence in Allied Health Awards
Join us as we celebrate NSW Health's allied health professionals at the 2022 Excellence in Allied Health Awards.
Tune in to the livestream tomorrow from 6:00pm to meet the finalists and the 2022 winners!
Watch the video from Andrew Davison, Chief Allied Health Officer for a taster of what to expect on the night. |
| Celebrate International Women's Day
Staff are invited to the Public Service Commission ‘International Women’s Day: Innovating for a gender equal future’ virtual event on Thursday 2 March, 10:00am – 11:00am.
Female leaders of different levels and sectors will discuss how innovation can drive change to accelerate progress towards a gender-equal future. Register now using your NSW Government email address. |
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Sydney is painted with the colours of the rainbow for Sydney WorldPride 2023.
NSW Health staff have been busy keeping communities safe during the festivities and joining in to show their support for the LGBTIQA+ community. Check out what some of the local health districts in and around Sydney are doing this WorldPride. |
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Health hub in the heart of Sydney
Staff from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) have transformed the existing Crown Street MPox vaccination clinic in Surry Hills, into a temporary preventative health hub to keep people safe and healthy during WorldPride.
“Our team is excited to be partnering again with trusted community organisation ACON to provide a welcoming, inclusive clinic for people from LGBTIQA+ communities,” said Dr Phillip Read, Director of Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses.
Not only will SESLHD staff be providing free Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, MPox vaccines, needle and syringe access, condoms and COVID-19 testing kits, but the Kirketon Road Centre Team will be marching for ‘Health for All’ in the Mardi Gras parade. |
Clinical staff at the Monkey Pox/Prevention hub clinic on Crown St, Surry Hills |
| Gather, dream, and amplify safely NSW Ambulance is thrilled to be part of the Sydney WorldPride 2023 festival to support LGBTIQA+ communities and makes sure everyone can celebrate safely! The team will have a stall at Fair Day to educate people at WorldPride on how to perform CPR, provide emergency medical services, and showcase what it’s like to work at NSW Ambulance. The team will also be joining in on the Mardi Gras Parade.
“We are excited to march down Oxford Street once again for the Mardi Gras Parade together with St John Ambulance who have been our Parade partner for many years,” said Joe Wasuruj, Acting Senior Manager Diversity and Inclusion at NSW Ambulance. |
NSW Ambulance celebrating Mardi Gras |
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Standing together for LGBTIQA+ communities St Vincent’s Hospital (SVH) has a history of creating inclusive and safe healthcare services for people living with HIV and AIDS. An SVH staff member explains how marching in the Mardi Gras parade at Sydney WorldPride is a celebration of what SVH stands for. "The parade provides a platform to provide key messages to the wider community and is a wonderful opportunity to share in a space where both individually and collectively, we can celebrate visibility, equity and belonging." |
| St Vincent's Hospital staff celebrating Mardi Gras |
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Participating in WorldPride as a health service also allows SVH to provide education and advocacy to the community.
“Many people in the hospital system have waited a long time to march and represent St Vincent’s. I feel proud working for an organisation that reflects the community we serve while also staying committed to delivering the best care to all,” said an SVH staff member. |
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The Mid North Coast Local Health District Integrated Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (IMHAOD) service is making it known that everyone is welcome here.
‘Safety’ at IMHAOD means not misgendering people, using correct pronouns and names, and celebrating diversity and uniqueness. To spread the message that IMHAOD services are a safe space for LGBTIQA+ people, the team has put up rainbow “welcome here” stickers almost everywhere. “Patient safety is often narrowly interpreted as ensuring there are processes to provide safe services to our clients but from a client perspective, it is also about how safe people feel accessing our services,” said Penny Jones, Director Integrated Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs. |
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People who identify as LGBTIQA+ experience higher levels of stigma and discrimination which can have an impact on mental health and substance use. This means LGBTIQA+ people are a priority for the IMHAOD team. “We have received positive feedback from clients about how the visual representation of the Welcome Here stickers indicates services are safe and welcoming for sexuality and gender diverse people,” Penny said.
The team’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is more than just the stickers. They have also posted their diversity statement in all waiting rooms and offices and established an Empowering Pride working group that includes LGBTIQA+ community members. |
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David Hedger, Adam Ulrick, Sarah Fox, Juliana Ford, Penny Jones and Tim Castleden |
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Sandy Vlahakis, Bianca Wigman, Ally Heaney and Catherine Wilson from the Alcohol and Other Drugs team. |
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A better chance of diagnosis |
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Rare Diseases Day (28 February) is an opportunity to show support for the eight percent of Australians living with a rare disease. Although 80 percent of rare diseases are genetic, doctors often have difficulty diagnosing patients. Now people living with rare neurogenetic diseases have a better chance for diagnosis, thanks to a new genomic test offered by NSW Health Pathology.
Whole exome sequencing, performed by the statewide sequencing service, allows Dr Anthony Cheong, Genetic Pathologist, and his team of scientists, Dr Marion Stoll and Dr Danqing Zhu at the Concord Molecular Medicine Laboratory, to examine a person’s entire set of over 20,000 protein-coding genes to look for mutations and abnormalities which can cause a wide range of life-limiting, inherited genetic conditions. Providing this service in-house at NSW Health Pathology, rather than sending individual patient samples interstate or overseas for testing, means Dr Cheong and his team can collaborate more closely with clinicians to diagnose genetic conditions and care for patients sooner. “We can access the patient’s test data readily and work collaboratively with their clinical geneticist and specialist,” said Dr Cheong. |
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“The doctors can also contact us to revisit the data as they discover new clinical information that can guide our genetic investigations, rather than collecting and sending a new sample interstate or overseas every time they’d like to investigate another potential gene mutation." “The statewide sequencing team at NSW Health Pathology performs these tests weekly, which means wait time for results is shorter, patients are diagnosed more quickly and can start receiving management or treatment faster than ever before,” Dr Cheong said. |
| The team from left to right: Marion Stoll, Judith Wong, Khim Perkins, Kishore Kumar, Anthony Cheong, Michael Chin, Marina Kennerson, Danqing Zhu |
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Putting inclusive strategies in place |
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Last year, NSW Health launched an LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy to outline how we can deliver the best possible care to LGBTIQA+ people and create safe and inclusive spaces for people to access our services. Many local health districts, networks, pillars and health organisations are implementing their own local diversity and inclusion initiatives. Check out how the LGBTIQ+ Strategy is taking shape at NSW Health Pathology and Western Sydney Local Health District. |
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NSW Health Pathology putting the NSW Strategy into action
With the launch of NSW Health Pathology's (NSWHP) LGBTQIA+ Health and Inclusion Strategy, the organisation is working hard to begin addressing the disparities in health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people and make NSW’s public pathology services more safe, inclusive and respectful for people of diverse genders and sexualities.
The team is rolling out new online trans-affirming training delivered by ACON, to help frontline staff understand the unique and important health needs of people with diverse genders and sexualities, and the barriers they face in accessing equitable healthcare. Claire Padgett, Collections Trainer at Gosford Hospital said, as a mum of two kids on the autism spectrum, the importance of inclusion explored throughout the training resonates with her.
“I've spent what feels like an eternity being an advocate for my kids and constantly trying to promote social inclusion, so I’m pleased we’re moving towards better inclusion for our LGBTQ community," Claire said. |
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Western Sydney is talking the walk Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Chief Executive Graeme Loy says he is proud to demonstrate the support of the values and inclusivity which underpin WorldPride. “Last year we released our LGBTIQIA+ workforce plan, and now we’re launching our LGBTIQIA+ webpages – which demonstrate to staff and consumers our continued support of the community we live and work in. The strategy was developed through a wide consultation process and we are working hard to imbed it into every facet of our work,” said Graeme. The work is part of a broader organisational Diversity pillar at WSLHD. The aim is to ensure that all staff are comfortable bringing their full person, culture and background to work. Embedding such a culture is not an easy transition and takes time but the District is laying the foundations for this work through our strategic development and will deliver on change, diversity and become more inclusive. |
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COVID-19 information update Read the full Clinical Intelligence Unit Evidence Digest here. |
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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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