Shining a light on our allied health professionals across the state |
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Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that many members of our community may be experiencing a challenging time at the moment, including our colleagues in NSW Health, due to events at home and worldwide.
Here at home, the referendum process has been particularly difficult for our Aboriginal colleagues.
I urge everyone to be mindful of the ongoing impact of the referendum during this challenging period and ensure our Aboriginal colleagues are supported in a workplace that is sensitive to their needs and experiences.
The result of the referendum will not slow, or diminish the work of NSW Health to Close the Gap, support truth-telling and the ongoing process of healing for our Aboriginal communities. |
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We remain deeply committed to listening to and working with Aboriginal people and ensuring that their lived experience helps us to provide better experiences and outcomes of healthcare.
I would also like to acknowledge the impact the heartbreaking conflict in the Middle East is having on many of our colleagues in NSW Health and the communities we all serve.
Please also be mindful of our colleagues affected by these tragic events who may be struggling at the moment.
Now, more than ever, the care, kindness and compassion that are the hallmarks of the remarkable people who work for NSW Health are so important – for our patients, our colleagues and the wider community as a whole.
If you or a colleague are in need of support, please reach out for help. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on your local intranet offers free, confidential counselling and wellbeing services. You can also connect with a trained mental health professional through the Mental Health Line,
Allied Health Professions Day
This year’s theme for the International Allied Health Professions Day (14 October) is Stronger together. It highlights one of the most fundamental aspects of allied health, which is collaboration.
There are more than 15,000 allied health professionals across 23 unique professions in NSW Health. Each and every one of you plays an important role in assessing, diagnosing and treating patients with a wide range of conditions and illnesses, as well as preventing illness in the first place.
Thank you for making an incredible difference, not only to the lives of patients, their families, and carers, but also to your multidisciplinary services and teams. Whether in a hospital or out in the community, you provide high-quality care to our communities and we could not do it without you.
Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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For some children in hospital, the strange looking machines, unfamiliar faces and new sounds can be frightening. |
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| That’s where child life therapists swoop in to help.
“I’m like the optional extra – if you want me there, I’ll stay. If not, I will go,” said Kerry Crannis, Child Life Therapist at Northern Sydney Local Health District.
A big part of Kerry’s role is supporting young children to overcome fears of being in a hospital and giving them a choice. Sometimes this choice is whether they want to sit on the bed or in their parents lap during their consultation, or which stress toy they want to fiddle with.
“Providing options such as ‘do you want to play PlayStation or draw?’ is really important in helping children gain back some control,” said Kerry. “I give them the space to write down any questions they’re holding onto for their doctor, and help them gain the confidence to ask.” As the only child life therapist in the district, Kerry is known as a happy, smiley person. |
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“I show that I care, and I build connections with all patients on the ward – which I absolutely love!” said Kerry. “Coming home and knowing that I got a child to smile or speak a few words is the most fulfilling part of my role. These little steps are a big win for me.” |
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A nutritious diet isn’t just good for your body; it plays a key role in your mental health too. That’s a message Michelle Hsu wants to share for this National Nutrition Week (15-21 October).
Michelle is a mental health dietitian with Keeping the Body in Mind, a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention program at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District for people with severe mental illness. “A big part of my role in the program is to help our patients build a healthy relationship with food, which is something I’ve always had a passion for since I was in high school,” said Michelle. “I work with patients in their home kitchen, see what’s in their pantry and develop healthy, sustainable recipes together.
“It’s a great way to gain insight into what their day-to-day looks like. Being able to provide the most tailored care and be there for their journey is what makes my job truly fulfilling,” said Michelle. |
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Name: Andrew Davison Role: Chief Allied Health Officer, NSW Health Now, let’s get to know you a little better…
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
Authentic, caring, inquisitive. Last great TV show or movie you watched? I’m really enjoying the Ahsoka Star Wars series at the moment, but my wife and I watched Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris the other week which is a lovely film.
Favourite book or podcast? A Fortunate Life by Albert Facey. It’s also hard to go past The Lord of the Rings series.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Surfing. |
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If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating?
Butterflied roasted lamb over the grill, with tasty chard bits on the edges, with mint jelly and roast veggies. Any hidden talents?
Making up alternate lyrics to my kid’s favourite Disney songs and singing them at the top of our voices on long car trips. What is one thing people might not know about allied health? Many allied health professions were created during the World Wars to care for injured soldiers. However, the term ‘allied health’ was only coined in the 1990s for administrative purposes as a collective noun, for the large group of health professions which weren’t medical, nursing or dentistry. Lastly, what does Allied Health Professions Day mean to you personally?
Every day in my role I see the dedication of so many allied health professionals in providing great care and advocating for their patients. This is a day where we can pause, reflect and acknowledge this exceptional workforce and the vital role they have in the NSW Health System. |
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'At the CORE' of an allied health ally |
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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. Empowerment: In a previous life, Sue Steele-Smith was a clinical occupational therapist (OT). |
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Today, Sue is part of a small allied health team at the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) that creates and delivers training to empower allied health professionals across NSW. “Learning doesn’t stop after you graduate – it’s a lifelong journey. A lot of what we do is advocate for allied health, so their value and expertise is recognised in the health system,” said Sue.
“There are 23 different allied health professions, so we are collaborative by nature. Working together to achieve the right outcomes for patients is something I try to include in our training.
“I enjoy working with people and walking alongside them to achieve goals. That’s a bit of the OT in me – I want to know where you want to go and figure out how to get you there." |
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Sue aims to empower allied health professions in every way she can. That sometimes includes translating complex policies into simple, understandable information through training.
"Something I am really proud of is working on the development of the Allied Health Assistant Framework to recognise and empower allied health assistants, and developing training so they can implement quality care in their everyday practice with their patients," said Sue. |
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Tune in to the 25th Annual NSW Health Awards The final countdown is on for our night of nights – the 25th Annual NSW Health Awards!
Cheer on your colleagues and be the first to know who the winners are by watching the ceremony live from 6:00pm on Tuesday 24 October. Find out more about the finalists and watch the awards live on our website 2023 NSW Health Awards.
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Infection prevention is everyone’s business |
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Infection prevention and control should never drop off a health professional’s radar. |
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As the Clinical Excellence Commission’s NSW Chief Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner and HAI Advisor, Kathy Dempsey understands the importance of this better than most. “There’s no room for complacency when it comes to infections and making sure they don’t spread,” said Kathy.
This week is International Infection Prevention and Control Week (15-21 October), which aims to highlight the part every health professional plays in preventing infections.
This year’s theme, Celebrating the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention, is a reminder about the importance of following prevention strategies like vaccinations, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. |
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Infection control practitioners at the 2023 Infection Prevention and Control Summit |
| “We must always stay alert and be prepared to face any emerging infectious diseases. The attention we give infection prevention and control needs to be constant and not limited to a week or when significant outbreaks occur,” said Kathy. The week also shines a light on those working behind the scenes in infection prevention and control.
“It’s an honour for me to work with a community of professionals that is as dedicated to public health as the one to which I belong. I am always in awe of the dedication and passion our infection prevention and control practitioners exhibit and the difference we make; challenges and all,” said Kathy.
“What people often do not realise is that – long before COVID-19 – infection control practitioners have been working hard behind the scenes to keep the public safe.
“Yes, during the pandemic the work requirements were relentless, but that was not the beginning and end of our contribution to high clinical quality care and patient safety,” said Kathy. |
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and BreastScreen NSW celebrated a few key milestones. |
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BreastScreen NSW brought together 180 clinical staff from across NSW for their Radiographer and Counsellor symposium – an opportunity to network, share and learn about current research and hear from consumer advocates. The team also proudly announced Bronwyn Morley’s appointment as Lead Radiographer at BreastScreen NSW.
Visit the website to learn more about how BreastScreen NSW is helping women across the state detect breast cancer. |
| BreastScreen NSW staff at the Radiographer and Counsellor symposium |
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Kicking goals for podiatry |
Grace Charlesworth is the first Podiatrist employed full-time within the Far West Local Health District, and she is proud to be ‘kicking off’ high risk podiatry services in the area. |
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| The High-Risk Foot Clinic in Broken Hill, which began as a trial in March 2022, is the first of its kind in the community. “People leave feeling better than how they came into the service. I get to meet people from all walks of life and make a real impact to people’s lives and health,” said Grace.
“Most of the time patients only come in when they start developing wounds. The opportunity to provide a comprehensive, preventative service would make a world of difference.”
Being the only public funded podiatrist in the district for high risk services, Grace is looking forward to expanding the services and growing the team to meet the needs of the community. “Each day is so different, and you really get to solve challenges and problems on the spot,” said Grace. “It’s been a great opportunity in Broken Hill and continue developing services that have never been established out here before.” |
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Keeping paramedics on the road |
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As a Senior Psychologist at NSW Ambulance, Kimin Lim knows a thing or two about self-care.
“For me, I find the best stress reliever has four paws and purrs (or barks). My two gorgeous Birman cats always give me an immediate energy boost!” said Kimin.
Kimin helps keep NSW Ambulance paramedics on the road by supporting their mental health and wellbeing. “All healthcare workers may and can experience exposure to potentially traumatic events, especially in roles that involve being on the road,” said Kimin.
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"That’s why there is a strong focus on post incident and trauma support. Our NSW Ambulance Staff Health team is busier than ever engaging our workforce with resources to build resilience for times when it’s needed. We have introduced the new Psychological First Aid Training programs, and right now, we’re in the middle of a ‘21 days of self-care’ campaign,” said Kimin. Psychologists like Kimin play a vital role in helping people learn ways to cope with life’s stresses. |
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Intersex Awareness Day
Intersex Awareness Day is observed internationally on 26 October. It is a day to celebrate intersex people and to recognise the human rights issues intersex people face.
The NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy prioritises better meeting the health needs of intersex people in NSW. Each of us can support this by increasing our awareness of the experience, health needs and human rights of intersex people.
You can read more on the healthdirect website. |
| Update to the COVID-19 Results Service and Portal
NSW Health Pathology will stop providing the COVID-19 Results Service and Results Portal.
From 31 October, patients will receive their results from their treating GP or requesting clinician. This takes us back to the process that was in place before the pandemic.
Patients who have used the Results Portal on NSWHP’s website will be able to access their historical results until 31 December 2023.
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Allied health scholarship now open
Applications for the Allied Health Rural Generalist Program scholarship are sill open. The scholarship offers up to $12,000 to study the Rural Generalist Program (Level 1) at James Cook University. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals are especially encouraged to apply.
For more information, please visit the Health Education and Training (HETI) website or email MOH-RuralScholarships@health.nsw.gov.au.
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| Statewide Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service
The new Framework for the Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) Health Service for People Under 25 Years provides advice on how statewide health services for trans and gender diverse young people will be undertaken.
The TGD Health Service is undergoing a phased rollout, with Maple Leaf House already operational supporting young people in rural and regional areas. A second Hub for the Sydney metropolitan area is under development. To learn more, visit the NSW Health website. |
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From the Critical Intelligence Unit
The Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest focuses on clinical innovations that have the potential to change clinical practice and delivery or organisation of care.
In the past weeks, the CIU Evidence Digest featured:
To receive the digest in your inbox on Wednesday mornings, please subscribe. |
| Upgrades to the Life Saving Drugs Register
The Life Saving Drugs Register has been upgraded. The register now provides easy access to near real-time stock information on critical treatments including 31 antidotes and 10 antivenoms, stored across NSW Health facilities.
The new, digital register will update daily and help frontline emergency workers pinpoint the exact location of these life-saving drugs to specific NSW public hospital departments.
The Life Saving Drugs Register is also accessible from mobile devices and can be found on the Clinical Excellence Commission homepage. |
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working with the NSW Government. |
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