Recognising Earth Day and our work towards a net zero future, celebrating Eid al-Fitr and wishing the Regional Health Division a Happy Birthday! |
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It has been an extremely hard week as we mourn the loss of our colleague Steven Tougher, a dedicated NSW Ambulance paramedic, loving husband, father, son and friend, who died in tragic circumstances last Friday.
Learning more about Steven’s life, his commitment to the health system including his time as a nurse in the Illawarra and the wonderful impact he had on his family, colleagues and community have been a source of some comfort while we each grapple with this incomprehensible loss.
Thank you to everyone across the NSW Health community who has reached out publicly and privately to offer words of support and compassion. |
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It is a time for all of us where a small act of kindness goes a long way. If you need support please don't suffer in silence. Reach out to your manager, a trusted friend or colleague, or access the Employee Assistance Program for support. Kind regards, Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health |
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Meet the NSW Health Net Zero champions! |
Frontline staff are playing a critical role in NSW Health’s transition to a future with net zero carbon emissions, by bringing their personal passion and commitment to new positions as Net Zero Leads. A group of 10 clinicians from nursing, medicine and allied health are working to address known carbon hotspots and embed low-carbon models of care in their workplaces. Six of the Net Zero Leads are based in regional NSW, including Dr Brian O’Connell, Emergency Staff Specialist, Mid North Coast Local Health District.
“Globally, if the health sector were a country, it would be the fifth biggest polluter on the planet, so as frontline staff we all have a crucial role to play in our net zero transition,” Dr O’Connell said.
“I feel this program is a vital first step towards reducing healthcare's clinical carbon footprint. I can see NSW Health is really walking the walk and showing our staff we are taking this seriously.”
The team will act as change agents and lead a network of like-minded peers focused on developing, implementing and embedding scalable low-carbon models of care. |
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Dr Kate Charlesworth, Senior Advisor, Climate Risk and Net Zero Unit, NSW Ministry of Health, shared how exciting it is that the leads have been given the opportunity to take climate action into their own hands at work.
“NSW Health is the first in any state government across Australia to establish a staff-led program like this.
“While initiatives such as solar panels and electric ambulances will be important in reducing carbon emissions, more than half of healthcare’s emissions comes from clinical care, so we want staff to feel empowered and inspired to take action” Dr Charlesworth said. |
| Coffs Harbour Emergency Staff Specialist, Dr Brian O’Connell is one of 10 clinical leads helping to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. |
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Plans for a sustainable future |
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Staff across the state are dedicated to making healthcare sustainable! As part of the Future Health strategic objectives, the Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund is supporting 17 staff-led innovation projects that aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce our carbon footprint. We hear from two fund recipients, Derek and Monique, who share their passion to help reduce our carbon footprint. |
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| "I am very grateful to be a recipient of the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund. This will support my work as part of the Net Zero Program with the Climate Risk and Net Zero Unit
Developing carbon efficient processes will help us deliver efficient, effective and high value care.
I believe that everyone has a role in environmental sustainability. It will require investment and change from all of us, but this is an opportunity to reflect on our personal and professional activities and make positive changes for the services we deliver and the communities we deliver services to."
Derek Kay, Director of Pharmacy Bathurst Hospital, Western NSW Local Health District |
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“We’re excited and grateful to have been selected as one of the successful sustainability projects. The project involves installing sensor taps within NSW Health Pathology’s Dubbo laboratory, to conserve water, support energy efficiency and create a hygienic and safer environment for staff and patients.
The timing was perfect as we’re currently redeveloping the Dubbo laboratory. Sensor taps create a hygienic and safe environment, as people don’t need to handle the taps, which reduces the chance of cross contamination. |
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They are easier to operate than manually operated taps and assist people who have arthritis or reduced motor skills.
The sustainability benefits of sensor taps are significant, and this will provide important water and energy savings. This also impacts our community, who have lived through many years of drought, and we appreciate how precious our water supply is.”
Monique Mintern, Laboratory Manager, NSW Health Pathology |
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Staff from NSW Health Pathology’s Dubbo Laboratory are excited to install sensor taps in their new lab. |
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Happy birthday Regional Health Division! |
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Since its establishment in April 2022, the Regional Health Division (RHD) has been connecting with healthcare workers and advocating for regional, rural and remote communities across NSW. In the past 12 months, RHD team members have been working across regional NSW - from Broken Hill to Batemans Bay and Tocumwal to Tweed Heads. The RHD’s key focus areas include community engagement, regional workforce, primary care reform and access to transport and accommodation.
Luke Sloane, Coordinator General, Regional Health said he and the team have continued to experience innovation, resilience and resourcefulness that occurs in regional health every day.
“There is something very special about our regional, rural and remote healthcare workers. Their connection and dedication to the local communities they are part of is remarkable. |
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Regional Health Division Coordinator General Luke Sloane discussing the Coffs Harbour Health Campus expansion project with change lead Tracey Moore. |
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"Working closely with our regional local health districts and valued partners such as Aboriginal Medical Services, Primary Health Networks and community organisations, we appreciate the importance of collaboration, built on the foundation of a common purpose and effective communication,” he said.
As it heads into its second year, the RHD is continuing to build on the work already undertaken to improve health outcomes in regional NSW and address the priorities of the Regional Health Strategic Plan 2022-2032. |
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| Regional Health Division Coordinator General Luke Sloane during a recent community engagement tour of Leeton in Murrumbidgee Local Health District. |
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The how and why of Net Zero Health |
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How is NSW Health leading the way? Did you know that NSW Health has the largest solar panel system on a hospital in the world?
The NSW Ministry of Health Finance and Asset Management Sustainability Team are incredibly proud of how NSW Health is leading the way towards net zero.
“Delivering environmental sustainability outcomes in a government context is always challenging, yet we have been able to achieve more in six years than most sustainability practitioners do in a career,” said Russell Burns, Team Manager.
“Despite significant challenges, NSW Health has more solar installed than any other government agency in Australia and the largest solar panel system on a hospital in the world! It’s something we regularly reflect on when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.”
“NSW Health will continue to be a significant user of energy and resources because we can’t provide healthcare without it. Our aim is to provide first class healthcare while continuing to lead the way in environmental sustainability,” said Stephen Ransom, Senior Project Officer.
“Health’s carbon emissions are rapidly declining, and our energy efficiency programs have us on track to hit government targets and see a future net zero Health!” |
Russell Burns and Stephen Ransom |
| Why care about climate?
“When the ‘why’ behind your work is strong, it is incredibly motivating,” said Kathryn Asher, Associate Director of Strategy Innovation and Planning at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN). Kathryn’s ‘why’ is simple – to protect the future. “At the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network we have a strong commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to help leave the planet in the best way possible for children and young people,” said Kathryn.
“I am proud to work for an organisation that is taking climate change seriously and lucky enough to work with a strong team dedicated to building a sustainable future that can continue to deliver quality health outcomes”
After working as a clinician at SCHN for more than 10 years, Kathryn is now leading the Network’s sustainability program. “We know that the climate crisis is a health crisis.”
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing our impact on climate change. However big or small, our actions can impact the future of NSW Health.” |
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Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslim friends and family gather together to break their fast and share a feast together.
Hear from some staff below about how they are celebrating Eid this year. |
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| "Eid Ul Fatr marks the end of fasting of Ramadan which is a significant time for Muslims around the world and for families and friends to get together.
I have very fond childhood memories of Eid which brings a warm smile to my face and joy to my heart. This is including the aroma of special dishes and baked sweets which used to fill up the atmosphere at home and in the neighbourhood in the last week of Ramadan announcing that Eid is looming.
The family shopping which usually starts weeks ahead to purchase our new outfits to honour the occasion. On Eid days we would parade the streets of our town with other children and brag about the amount of money we collected from relatives as our Eid gifts."
Hend Saab, Senior Psychologist, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District |
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"The night before Eid, in Pakistani culture, we celebrate “Chaand Raat” (Moon Night), marking the new moon of the new month and we normally put henna on our hands as a part of the festivity.
We start our Eid morning by having something sweet when we wake up, which is a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and in Pakistani culture, that is traditionally Kheer (rice pudding).
Before we join the morning congregational Eid prayers, we must give charity to the needy so they can share the joy of Eid. At the mosque, we take sweets to share and wish Eid to everyone we meet, even if they are complete strangers, to celebrate as a community.
In our culture, we also give “Eidi” or envelopes of money to children. Growing up, I would spend all of it on ordering food with my cousins, something I will cherish forever. As an adult, I host Eid BBQs and we dress up in our traditional Pakistani clothes to share the celebration with our friends and family.” Kanwal Nazim, Acting Director, Cash Transformation Program, NSW Ministry of Health |
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Coming up with creative solutions to reduce waste is an innovative way to limit what ends up in landfill and reduce your carbon footprint. These teams have trialled, tested and successfully implemented methods to manage waste in their department and boost the human experience. |
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Rubbish to riches
Staff at Bellinger River District Hospital in Mid North Coast Local Health District have raised $6000 for the hospital.
Kerrie Nicol, Food Services Assistant, rallied the troops from the hospital’s Patient Food Services team to help redirect waste from landfill and transform it into much needed funds to support their colleagues and community.
“I’m extremely happy and proud of what we’ve been able to do at Bellingen,” said Kerrie. |
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Lisa Slater, Chantel Baker, Friska Wawn, Wendy Sanders, Kay Kanis and Kerrie Nicol. |
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“We’ve all joined in to collect bottles to feed to the Return and Earn machine and in four years, the team has collected 60,000 bottles which has now come full-circle as donations towards new medical equipment.”
Bellingen Hospital Food and Patient Support Services leading hand, Kay Kanis said the 14 staff involved were an awesome group to work with. “It’s a tight-knit team who always work together for the common good,” said Kay. “Kerrie had an idea and everyone got behind it with no problems because they knew the money would come back to the hospital.” |
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Easy-peasy recycling Recycling single-use medical instruments (SUMI) has become business as usual in the Parkes Hospital Emergency Department, with plans to roll out the Recycling Project across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).
The Recycling Project removes SUMI from sharps waste for it to be cleaned and sold as scrap metal. Cath Jarvis, Sonographer at Parkes Hospital, found that a simple, one-step change in how SUMI were disposed of could make a huge difference to the carbon footprint.
“The process is well accepted as it’s easy for staff. They want to see less waste and are passionate about reducing our carbon footprint,” said Cath.
“We initially aimed to collect 40kg of metal in the ED, but when word of our project spread, we were able to divert almost 130kg of metal from throughout the hospital from landfill.”
Other sustainability projects in the pipeline for WNSWLHD include community gardens at multipurpose facilities and diverting hard plastics from landfill to be made into recycled chairs. |
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Shiralee Foodey, Chef at Bowral and District Hospital |
| Saving the planet one meal at a time HealthShare NSW are proving that hospital food services can reduce waste while improving patient experiences and nutrition. Their vision is laid out in six Food Service design principles. “These principles aim to deliver improved choice of tasty and well-presented meals for patients in hospital,” said Melanie Frost, Associate Director Food Service Reform.
The principles have been tested in South Western Sydney Local Health District at the Bowral and District Hospital and proven to reduce food waste. |
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“Patients were given more choice over when and what to eat. They could order when they were hungry and select meals suited to their dietary needs and personal preferences,” said Melanie. These changes resulted in a 52% reduction in food waste and taking what's left to offsite composts, so nothing ends up in landfill.
“We’re proud of the results and that these design principles have led to great patient and sustainability outcomes.” |
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Name: Margaret Bennett
Role: Chief Executive, Southern NSW 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? Resilient, loving and tenacious. Last great TV show or movie you watched?
Call the Midwife… again! Favourite book or podcast? Phosphorescence, Julia Baird. |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Parallel parking. If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? You’ll be enjoying a night out at a wonderful restaurant! Any hidden talents? I can settle any baby. |
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'At the CORE' of Southern NSW |
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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. |
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Empowerment: The medical imaging team at Queanbeyan District Hospital in Southern NSW Local Health District are proud of their sustainable solution.
CT studies require the use of radiographic contrast media which contributes to a significant amount of non-recyclable waste.
"We were alarmed by the amount of waste that was being created through using the contrast syringes. We felt we had an environmental responsibility to do our best to reduce that waste," said Bronwyn Hodges, CT Senior Radiographer at Queanbeyan Hospital.
Their concern for the environment empowered the team to take a leap forward and implement a sustainable and cost-effective solution - a multi-patient syringe system (MPSS). This game-changer replaces single-use syringes and has reduced clinical waste in the CT department by 75%.
Simon Plum, Queanbeyan's Chief Radiographer, says that the project is growing after the successful trial at Queanbeyan. |
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"We've made substantial environmental savings, but also significant cost savings, to the degree that we're now looking at rolling this change out to other CT sites in the district.”
The environmental benefits of this initiative are outstanding, and the added cost and consumer benefits are a testament to the team's innovative approach. |
| Watch a video about this Southern NSW Local Health District sustainability project |
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Biggest polluter in health
One of the biggest contributors to pollution in healthcare comes from anaesthetics. Desflurane is the general anaesthesia commonly used during surgery. When used for a single day of surgeries, desflurane gives off the same amount of greenhouse gases as driving a car from Sydney to Perth. The Central Coast Local Health District’s (CCLHD) team of anaesthetists including trainees Richard Davey and Sarah Wong, and anaesthesia consultants Lee Zimmer and Ben Mora, are leading the change to greener alternatives.
“We’re using a combination of alternatives including gases like sevoflurane as well as continuous infusions of anaesthetics like propofol.” The switch has reduced the department’s use of desflurane by around 90 percent in just three months. “We have already saved the equivalent of over 21 tonnes of CO2 emissions. That’s equal to driving a regular car two-and-a-half times around the circumference of the Earth,” said Richard. |
| Driving sustainability targets
On their journey to Net Zero, NSW Ambulance are upgrading their emergency vehicles to run on solar-powered energy. NSW Ambulance Fleet and Equipment team designed a system to replace the lead-acid battery with a more environmentally friendly lithium battery to power several electrical components of the vehicles. “This has involved solar panels being installed on the roof of the vehicles which charge the lithium batteries,” said Ols Duerr-Reuther, Associate Director Fleet and Equipment.
The use of solar panels and lithium batteries is already proving to reduce waste and keep NSW Ambulance’s vehicles on the road longer and more often.
So far, approximately 400 solar panels and 550 lithium batteries have been installed in ambulances and they are on the way to achieving a reduction of 2,000 battery changes per year. |
NSW Ambulance Associate Director Fleet & Equipment Ols Duerr-Reuther |
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Know the power of community Get ready for Human Experience Week 2023 (1 – 7 May) and check out the program.
NSW Health staff and consumers, and best-selling authors, Dr Rana Awdish and Ben Bravery will host conversations about this year’s theme, ‘All of Us: the Power of Community’ and the importance of love, belonging, and healing in elevating human experiences.
Expect to be immersed in new information, ideas and innovation, with best practice combined!
Don’t miss out and register now to attend now. |
| A conversation with Shane Hamilton about the Voice to Parliament
In 2023 Australians will have their say in a referendum on whether to update the Constitution to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Attend an engaging, respectful, and dynamic conversation with Shane Hamilton, a Wakka Wakka and Bundjalung man from Queensland and the Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Affairs NSW, about the Voice to Parliament.
The second session will be held from 12:30-1:30pm on 3 May (register here). |
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World Day for Safety and Health at Work |
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Emotional safety is the focus of new work from the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) encouraging health workers to use reflective practice to care for their own and colleagues’ psychological wellbeing.
Reflective practice involves critically and openly reflecting on your work to help to manage the emotional toll which can be associated with patient care roles.
CEC Chief Executive Professor Michael Nicholl said reflective practice is a key consideration this World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April) as it can help staff improve their self-awareness and regulating their emotions.
“We know that reflective practice fosters higher levels of wellbeing among health workers by reducing levels of stress, emotional exhaustion and burnout,” Professor Nicholl said.
“When we make time to take part in reflective practice, it also strengthens our ability to adapt and respond to situations. |
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“We spend so long training for the specific skills and knowledge of our clinical roles but it’s also important to allow time to consider how we maintain the wellbeing of individuals and their teams.”
The CEC Reflective Practice and Reflective Practice workbook are among several resources available to help staff integrate reflective practice into their work life.
Watch Professor Nicholl share with Clinical Communication Lead Debbie Draybi how reflective practice influenced his management of the complex stressors associated with patient care. |
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The future of health is green | |
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‘Planetary Health Manager’ might not be a job title you’ve seen before but this innovative role is home to Nicola Groskops in Northern Sydney Local Health District.
“In this role, I’m lucky enough to combine my two passions – preventative health and sustainability,” said Nicola.
“My role is quite unique as it sits in the Population Health Promotion Directorate, so we think more broadly around ‘how do we reduce the health impacts of climate change and encourage people to lead healthier lives while caring for the environment?’” As Nicola explains, the health of the planet and the health of the population are linked. The NSLHD Net Zero Leads Program aims to improve patient care and reduce the District’s environmental footprint. |
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A group of twelve clinicians across NSLHD are dedicating time each week to decarbonise healthcare and empower their colleagues to make sustainability a priority.
“It’s exciting that NSLHD is the first health service in Australia to undertake a program of this nature with such enthusiastic and passionate Leads from different clinical areas.”
“I envision our sites becoming innovative, green, electrified, and health-promoting precincts where people have the opportunity to connect with nature, and patients can experience the very best healthcare with minimal environmental impact,” said Nicola. |
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Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District
Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri AM has been appointed as Chief Executive of Northern Sydney Local Health District. Anthony will commence in the role 17 July 2023. |
| Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District
Ms Tracey McCosker, PSM has been appointed as Chief Executive of Hunter New England Local Health District. Tracey has been acting in the role since February 2023. |
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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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