Celebrating the success of the integration of virtual care across the system |
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Last week we celebrated the 25th Annual NSW Health Awards – one of my favourite nights of the year. It’s terrific to come together and recognise our many exceptional people and teams from across the health system. Congratulations again to the finalists and winners! The awards impressed upon me how innovative and adaptable our people are, continually adopting new ways to overcome challenges and continue deliver the very best healthcare to the people of NSW. It’s something you should all be very proud of.
This innovation is immediately apparent when you consider the strides we have made in areas such as virtual care. I find it inspiring and energising to see projects that were once considered ground-breaking become regular practice and genuinely benefit people throughout NSW, particularly those in regional, rural and remote areas. |
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The incredible work happening in the virtual care space was recently on show during Virtual Care Awareness Week (16-20 October). Our virtual care teams are doing a remarkable job keeping patients safe and connected, no matter where they live. From partnerships between metro and regional local health districts, to initiatives that care for our Aboriginal patients, the stories in this edition highlight our deep commitment to putting patients at the centre of the care we deliver, including virtual care.
Next week is National Radiographer and Radiation Therapists Week (6-12 November). A huge thank you to our radiographers and radiation therapists for the work you do to support patients in all stages of their care. |
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I’d also like to acknowledge our NSW Health Pathology team as we celebrate International Pathology Day (8 November). Thank you to the more than 5,000 staff who work hard every day to deliver vital testing and clinical diagnostic expertise across the system.
Lastly, to our colleagues celebrating Diwali this month, I hope the new year is full of light, love and laughter. Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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Putting comfort in virtual care |
Vince Cram and Michael Wai are two clinical psychologists at Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital who are breaking down barriers that sometimes get in the way with in-person care. |
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Vince Cram and Michael Wai |
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“I have lost count of how many people have said that they feel much more comfortable by having their sessions virtually,” said Vince.
“If anything, it’s more often the patients themselves who are pleasantly surprised by the depth of connection in virtual sessions,” said Michael.
Each day, they meet different patients with unique stories, which can be challenging, but it’s also why they’re both so passionate about their roles. |
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“Being in the Virtual Health Hubs means I have to rapidly shift between different models of care. I can go from treating a patient with Long COVID or a survivor of a motor vehicle accident, to someone experiencing homelessness and major depression,” said Vince.
“It also means we get to connect more deeply with different aspects of people’s lives we otherwise might not have the chance to – like meeting many adorable pets in sessions!” said Michael. |
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Keeping people on Country |
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As District Manager of Aboriginal Integrated Care Initiatives in the Mid North Coast Local Health District, Ro Stirling-Kelly understands the benefits of virtual care for Aboriginal patients.
“The most fulfilling aspect of virtual care is seeing the uptake among our Aboriginal community members,” said Ro. “We’ve received positive feedback from Aboriginal patients who are grateful for the flexibility in how services are delivered.”
Delivered at home and on Country, this culturally safe alternative enables support from family or carers, and eliminates the need for arranging transport.
"For those living with chronic conditions, attending the many appointments can sometimes feel like a full-time job, especially for people in rural settings,” said Ro.
“One of our patients used to worry about his wife, who drove him to see his many different specialists. It was very tiring for both of them and they sometimes missed what the doctor had said. |
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“By attending the appointments virtually, they avoid travelling long distances, meaning they are more rested and relaxed, and can better understand the important information from the doctor,” said Ro. |
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Spreading kindness and compassion |
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The Gathering of Kindness (13-17 November) continues the conversation about kindness and compassion in healthcare.
This year, the theme is MY KIND of experience – reframing quality and safety, where actions and moments that matter to us all in transforming experiences will be explored.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Clinical Excellence Commission, Local Health Districts, and Speciality Health Networks, there is an exciting program of events that will inspire creativity, change, collaboration, courage, and contemplation. Register today to receive your invitation!
Learn more about the Gathering of Kindness and watch last years highlights. |
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Name: Dr Zoran Bolevich Role: Chief Executive, eHealth NSW and Chief Information 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?
Caring, curious, deep thinker. Last great TV show or movie you watched? I’m a bit late to the game, but I’m watching Succession, and loving it. Favourite book or podcast?
I’m an avid reader of non-fiction and have amassed a reasonable collection of management and leadership literature. One book that has changed the way I think is Edward De Bono’s Serious Creativity. |
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If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? I would like to learn Spanish as I’d like to travel around Latin America at some point in the future. If you’re cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating? I’ve recently bought a smoker barbecue and am enjoying it a lot, so I would probably be cooking something ‘low and slow’, like a beef brisket. Any hidden talents? None. But once upon a time, I was in a punk-rock band. Tell us about one of eHealth NSW’s recent achievements or milestones?
We recently finalised contract negotiations with the preferred technology supplier of the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR). As a result, we have been able to move into the design and build phase of this transformative program.
Can you share an interesting fact or statistic about some of eHealth NSW’s programs?
eHealth NSW provides ICT support for all clinical and non-clinical staff across the state, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each year our State Wide Service Desk manages more than 500,000 inbound calls for IT support and 300,000+ service requests logged by NSW Health staff. Our Health Security Operations Centre monitors 200,000 computer systems and analyses 2.2 trillion activity and system logs every year (some serious AI is used to crunch this data!).
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'At the CORE' of virtual care |
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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: Sarah-Jane Messum and Aaron Costello lead virtual care programs at eHealth NSW.
They see first-hand how virtual care is changing the way healthcare is delivered and empowering our patients and workforce. |
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“Virtual care looks at models of care and clinical workflows to see how technology can fit into these processes and make it easier for patients and staff,” said Sarah-Jane, Program Manager.
“Programs like Remote Patient Monitoring or Electronic Prescribing are removing barriers, so care is delivered equally across the state.” They see virtual care not just as data and technology – but as putting people at the centre of care. “I’ve seen how virtual programs can really make a difference to people’s lives and I think most of us have family or friends who could benefit from virtual care right now,” said Aaron, Program Manager. |
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As virtual care continues to grow and more data becomes available, it’s an exciting space for Sarah-Jane and Aaron to be in. “I think people will start to expect more virtual services and we’ll see more wearable devices and automation of processes,” said Aaron.
“The opportunities are huge! We can empower both clinical and non-clinical staff and move more into the early detection space of healthcare,” said Sarah-Jane. |
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National Nursing Workforce Strategy workshops
The Federal Government, in collaboration with all states and territories, are developing a National Nursing Workforce Strategy to address workforce challenges and support the nursing profession to deliver person-centred, evidence-based, compassionate care to Australian communities across all sectors, now and into the future.
Consultation is now open to capture views on nursing workforce issues and opportunities for improvement.
Sign up to attend a workshop or contact nursepolicy@health.gov.au if you have questions.
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Tune in to the 2023 NSW Premier’s Awards The 2023 NSW Premier’s Awards ceremony is now two weeks away! Cheer on your colleagues and be the first to know who the winners are by watching the ceremony live from 6:30pm on Tuesday 14 November.
Find out more about the finalists on the Premier's Awards website. |
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Shining a light on radiography |
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Next week is National Radiographers and Radiation Therapists’ Week (6-12 November), which celebrates medical radiation professionals and their vital role in healthcare. Radiographers Ashley Johnson and Daniel O’Kane reflect on this year’s theme, Focused on Person Centred Care. |
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It’s all about community As a baby, Ashley Johnson was in and out of hospital for treatment, which later shaped her decision to work in a hospital.
“There were nurses, doctors, speech pathologists, audiologists – a whole spectrum of people who helped me along the way, and I’ve always wanted to be able to pay it forward,” said Ashley, now a radiographer at Cooma Hospital.
“I get really close with my patients. I get to talk to them a lot and I get to learn their stories. Every now and then I have a cry with them,” said Ashley.
Working in a small regional hospital in the Southern NSW Local Health District means Ashley can often follow a patient’s whole journey, giving her that personal connection she enjoys.
“Since I am from this town, I probably know 50 per cent of my patients; some of them may even know my grandparents,” said Ashley.
“Sometimes my patients are really scared, and I love being able to reassure them. I love how I can be that person that they can trust.” |
| Raising people’s spirits Daniel O’Kane began his radiography journey in Ireland before moving to Australia and starting his career in the Hunter New England Local Health District 40 years ago. He is now the Assistant Chief Radiographer at John Hunter Hospital.
“The thing I love most about my job is my interaction with patients – nothing to do with imaging, just looking after a person,” said Daniel. His colleagues describe him as a natural leader, who raises the spirits of staff and patients. “The best advice anyone has given me in my 40-year career is when you come here to work, you lift the patient’s spirits,” said Daniel.
Daniel has been sharing his knowledge and patient-centred value to many radiographers and hundreds of students over his career. His contributions to the field have earned him the Lifetime Impact Award at the 2023 Hunter New England Excellence in Allied Health Awards.
‘I find it very rewarding to provide graduates with the confidence to make decisions and encourage them to see the person, not just the imaging needs,’ said Daniel. |
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Partnership to keep care local |
A collaborative Virtual Intensive Care Unit between Sydney and Far West Local Health Districts is keeping patients safe, on country and in community.
If you’ve ever wanted to see virtual care in action, watch the video below and see just how critically ill patients and clinicians at Broken Hill Hospital can connect with a team of specialised clinicians at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in real time. |
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Many might see clinical engineering as the ‘mechanics’ for the medical field, but for Tony Easterbrook, it’s much more than that. |
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Tony's journey in clinical engineering began in 1983. As the Senior Technical Officer at Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, he plays a crucial role in managing more than 10,500 pieces of equipment and offering technical support throughout the hospital and into patients’ homes.
“We cover a large range of technologies at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. From contributing to the development of new clinical methods and equipment to designing patient monitoring computer networks, we provide critical information to clinical staff to ensure the best possible patient care,” said Tony.
For this year’s Global Clinical Engineering Day (21 October), Tony shared a heartfelt story that highlights the important work of clinical engineers.
“Our department played a key role in a project providing small infusion pumps throughout the hospital. As clinical engineers, we were exclusively focused on the technology,” said Tony. |
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“But one day I looked out the window and saw a young child in his pyjamas connected to this small infusion pump, sliding down the slippery-dip in pure happiness.
“It is a very touching moment to see the hard work we put in resulted in great outcomes for our youngest patients,” said Tony. |
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Virtual Clinical Care Centre turns two |
After celebrating its second year of operation, NSW Ambulance’s Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC) is expanding. “When we first started, there were only a handful of clinicians,” said Hayley Turner, VCCC Associate Director. |
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“We’re now hiring registered nurses and registered paramedics specialising in triage, clinical nurse consultants and specialist physicians. By the end of this recruitment drive, we’ll have a team of over 100 staff.”
Established in 2021, the VCCC has been redirecting non-emergency patients away from hospital emergency departments to more appropriate care pathways.
Now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, VCCC clinicians have provided secondary triage for tens of thousands of Triple Zero (000) calls. The team also helps oversee interhospital transfer bookings and answer calls from the Clinical Advice Line. |
| Hayley Turner (right) and VCCC Clinical Nurse Consultant Bethany Harvey |
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“Whether it’s Blacktown or Broken Hill, our VCCC staff step in to ensure we’re delivering the right care in the right place, at the right time, from the right clinician,” said Hayley. “It’s truly rewarding to be part of a growing area of care that’s making a difference to patients across NSW.” |
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It’s been five months since NSW’s first mobile Computer Tomography (CT) imaging van hit the road, providing essential virtual care services to the Western NSW Local Health District. Since then, the team has scanned more than 400 patients, helped avoid 52 transfers and saved patients more than 255,000 kilometres in travel.
“Having doctors and specialists remotely access results and provide a telehealth follow-up appointment, without the patient leaving their community, is bringing a world class service to rural and remote communities,” said Tom Capell, Senior CT radiographer. |
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The van connects with virtual care services, specialists and hospitals across NSW. The CT scans are read by radiologists, who will report on images remotely from other areas of the district or from Sydney. “It is extremely rewarding to provide a service to a community that allows them to access such an important diagnostic tool at their doorstep,” said Tom. “Previously patients would have to take time off work, travel seven or more hours and have an overnight stay – now they can get a CT scan during their lunch break.” |
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New Virtual Care Connect SharePoint site
Looking for resources and materials to help you implement, communicate and engage about virtual care? Take a look at our new virtual care SharePoint site Virtual Care Connect.
The internal site hosts information about the NSW Virtual Care Strategy, including links to our implementation partners, and a range of ready-made and editable materials for you to use, adapt and share.
Check out the site and share with your colleagues and networks. |
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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: Early antihypertensive treatment for stroke, catheter ablation in end-stage heart failure and deep learning to detect foetal malformations Ultra-low dose CT, living guidelines for generative AI, million hearts model for myocardial infarction or stroke, updated NICE recommendations for lymphoma and stroke
To receive the digest in your inbox on Wednesday mornings, please subscribe. |
| View the 25th Annual NSW Health Awards
The 25th Annual NSW Health Awards went off with a bang, with 14 winners celebrated at the ceremony on 24 October.
If you didn't get a chance to watch the awards on the night, or want to re-watch the highlights, the recording is now on our website.
The Awards recognise personalised, sustainable, and digitally enabled health programs that deliver outcomes that matter most to patients and invest in the wellness of the NSW community. |
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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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