How we're spreading holiday cheer this festive season |
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As 2024 comes to a close, I want to extend my sincere best wishes to you, your loved ones and your families. On behalf of the NSW Health executive team, a huge thank you to every one of you for your dedication, expertise and commitment to the people of NSW once again this year.
We know for many of our staff, the festive season is anything but peaceful. An extra special thank you to the many thousands of you who are working to care for our community during this period. I hope you are able to take a well-deserved rest soon.
I would also like to convey the sincere thanks of our three Ministers: The Hon. Ryan Park, MP, The Hon. Rose Jackson, MLC, and The Hon. David Harris, MP. Each have expressed their genuine appreciation and heartfelt thanks for the significant contribution made in millions of ways each day across NSW Health. | | |
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Wishing you all a brilliant festive season, a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and safe New Year. With kind regards, Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health |
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| There are a few gingerbread men on the loose throughout this edition. See if you can find them all. Check at the end of the newsletter for the total count! |
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At the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, staff find creative ways to spread holiday cheer. |
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“Given our setting, we’re limited to the type of decorations we can use to celebrate,” said Victoria Eddies, Youth Justice Centre Nurse Manager.
“So we don jolly hats and festive colours to bring some fun to our patients. We want them to experience the caring side to the festive season.” Since 2015, Victoria’s team has immortalised their holiday costumes by taking a team photo and adding it to an ever-growing wall.
“We add a photo every year and it just keeps growing. |
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Victoria Eddies and her colleagues on the festive photo wall |
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“The team may change a little, but they will always be a part of our work family.” |
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Hospital in the Home for Christmas |
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For retired airline attendant and Coasters Retreat local Alice*, Christmas at home seemed out of reach after she was hospitalised with discitis and a small epidural abscess.
Living in a remote northern beaches community, accessible only by boat, presented significant challenges for ongoing care. But thanks to the Hospital in the Home (HITH) service, her wish to recover at home and spend Christmas with her loved ones became a reality. |
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| The HITH team taught Alice how to use a self-connecting IV infuser for her treatment. With daily virtual care appointments and twice-weekly clinic reviews, the team closely monitored her progress. “Recovering at home gave me the peace and rest I needed,” she said. “Being able to be home with my husband for Christmas, rather than in a hospital bed, meant the world to both of us.”
The service saved Alice 20 days in hospital. It also delivered 20 nursing visits, eight medical reviews, and a pharmacy review, all from the comfort of her home. “Working with HITH has been incredibly rewarding,” said Michelle Lane, HITH Clinical Nurse Consultant, Northern Sydney Local Health District. |
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“It’s a privilege to be part of a patient's journey to better health.”
*At the patient’s request, her name has been changed to protect her privacy. |
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Santa and NSW Ambulance mascot Bearamedic joined forces to bring happiness to the Northern Control Centre (NCC) staff and their families.
Bronwyn Frost, Communications Educator, had considered volunteering to don the costume and play Bearamedic. This year she finally got her chance. |
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"As Bearamedic you can be amazingly free. You can do your silly dance moves. Be larger than life. Bring happiness to children and adults - all while promoting our service.
“There was an adorable baby girl at our Christmas function. She had the best laugh and the best giggle. It was so infectious. It was so heartwarming to see how much joy Santa and Bearamedic brought. “It was such a wonderful experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.” |
| Santa and Bearamedic at the Northern Control Centre |
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Here’s some jokes to get you and your colleagues ho-ho-ho-ing!
What do you call an old snowman? A puddle! What do you get when you cross a Christmas tree and an iPad? A pineapple! What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitis!
Why did the gingerbread man go to the doctor? Because he was feeling crumby! What do you call an obnoxious reindeer? Rude-olph! |
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Meet the people taking healthdirect calls |
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Injured or feeling unwell? Whether it’s for you or a loved one, healthdirect is free and here to help. Call 1800 022 222 and speak to a registered nurse, like Fatima, who will guide you to the care you need. This might include: -
finding you a nearby doctor or pharmacist, or offer you a call or video call from a GP
- booking you an urgent appointment at a local urgent care service
- connecting you to virtual care by phone or video, or to virtualKIDS for your child
- if it is life-threatening, calling you an ambulance or direct you to your nearest emergency department.
Watch the video below to find out more. For more information, visit the NSW Health website. |
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EAP for health advice or support during the holiday season The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to all NSW Health staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Details on how to access EAP and other staff wellbeing initiatives are on your local intranet. |
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The Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead really know how to party. At this year’s Party Day, Heroes and Villains took centre stage.
The super-sized parties saw wards and departments at both hospitals morph into a multiverse of themes, including 101 Dalmatians, Harry Potter and Monsters, Inc. to name a few. Staff stepped out of scrubs and into character to bring festive joy to patients and their families. |
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“Party Day is fabulous. It's probably the most anticipated event on the calendar each year for our patients and families, and our staff too," said Sheridan Bourke, Nursing Unit Manager at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. "Everyone looks forward to getting creative and decorating the wards, with patients participating in colouring-in, painting and cutting out things to go on the walls. “It is a really great day, and this year was no exception." |
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In Focus with Jennifer Van Cleef |
Q: What’s the Christmas menu like in hospitals?
A: Every Christmas Day, HealthShare NSW serves approximately 26,600 meals to 152 hospitals across the state. The special Christmas menu begins with a slice of fruit cake for morning tea. Lunch includes a traditional serving of roast turkey, accompanied by cranberry sauce, gravy, and a selection of sides that vary by hospital. Alternative options and special diets are also catered for too. |
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For dessert, traditional plum pudding with custard takes centre stage. Pavlovas are offered at Sydney Children’s Hospital, a lighter, sweeter treat that’s more suited to their young palates. Fresh Christmas fruits, including grapes, cherries, and plums, also add a festive touch.
Dinner rounds off the celebrations with a selection of hot mains, tailored to dietary requirements, and is paired with Christmas chocolates for a sweet ending.
For patients staying in hospital, this thoughtfully crafted menu brings the spirit of the season. It helps everyone in hospital care feel a little holiday magic, no matter where they are. Jennifer Van Cleef Executive Director Patient Services and Planning, HealthShare NSW |
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Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship and Scholarships Program Applications for the Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship and Scholarships Program will open from 16 December 2024 to 23 February 2025. Scholarships and cadetships provide financial and educational support for undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery studies.
To learn more about the cadetships and scholarships, visit the NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship and Nursing and midwifery scholarships and financial assistance pages on the NSW Health website. |
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From the Critical Intelligence Unit
The Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest highlights transformative clinical innovations.
Recent features include: ED triage using machine learning and natural language processing, AI for the health workforce and for stroke detection Virtual home care for patients with acute illness, the management of long COVID, and Health at a Glance in 2024.
Subscribe for Wednesday morning updates or explore the CIU's living evidence table on AI in healthcare.
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Did you catch them all? The total gingerbread man count is 29.
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NSW Health acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of NSW and pays respect to Elders past, present and future. |
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This marks the last edition of Check In for the year. Your stories have made it special – thank you for sharing and reading the stories. Look forward to the first edition of Check In in late January 2025.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the editorial team.
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