Celebrating our incredible nursing and midwifery staff |
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Recognising and celebrating peoples’ achievements is a big part of our culture in NSW Health. Last week I had the privilege of joining the Western Sydney Local Health District 2024 Nursing and Midwifery Awards ceremony – a terrific initiative to recognise outstanding achievements.
I’m already looking forward to seeing the nominations for upcoming statewide awards including the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, the NSW Premier's Awards, and the NSW Health Awards.
But alongside awards, there’s many ways to recognise our colleagues every day and it can only take a few seconds. Simply saying "well done" and "thank you", or a small act of kindness can make a huge difference and lets others their efforts are recognised and truly appreciated. |
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This edition follows on from International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day. It highlights some of many ways these professions protect and nurture peoples’ health and wellbeing. From welcoming new life into the world, to supporting patients and their families through difficult times, our 60,000+ nurses and midwives provide exceptional care in many diverse ways every hour of every day, 365 days a year.
Lastly, next week is National Palliative Care Week (19-25 May). My sincere thanks to everyone working in palliative care for the exceptional care, comfort and support they provide to our palliative care patients and their loved ones.
Kind regards,
Susan Pearce AM
Secretary, NSW Health
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More than 20 years ago, Clarisse Manishimwe fled civil wars in Burundi and Rwanda. After initially finding refuge in Tanzania, she ultimately found a new home in Australia. Adjusting to a new country, language and culture took time. |
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| But after settling in, Clarisse decided to pursue a mental health nursing career.
“One of the reasons was because of my community. They had been through wars, trauma, and life-changing events.
“I saw people in the refugee camp who needed support, and now I know they probably were suffering from a mental illness,” she said.
Through her work in the Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs team at Mid North Coast Local Health district, Clarisse brings empathy, bridges cultures, and provides compassionate care.
“I find it rewarding bridging the language barrier – if you don’t understand, then you don’t know how to ask for help and you just suffer in silence. I see it all the time in our community, and I want to change that.” |
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Male midwife Martin Gaspari |
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Martin Gaspari is one of the few male midwives in NSW Health. He’s been consistently recognised for the exceptional care he provides. This includes being a finalist in the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2023, New to Practice Nurse/Midwife of the Year category.
He’s hoping more men will choose the same career path and experience the amazing opportunities midwifery offers. Watch the video below to find out what he loves about midwifery.
If you are a registered nurse and want to train as a midwife like Martin, apply for the MidStart program from Tuesday 21 May.
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Creating legacies (and lamingtons...) |
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“I spent years in emergency and coronary nursing trying to change the course of a patient’s life. Now my role is to improve the life that people have left, and make every single minute of every single day count.”
Bernadette Orange, Transitional Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care, Western NSW Local Health District Bernadette admits palliative care can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding to be able to make a huge difference for the patient and their loved ones, both now, and into the future.
“Palliative care is not about end of life. It’s about making a difference every day.
“Recently the team organised a wedding for a terminally ill patient. It fulfilled their final wish and created a lasting memory for the family,” said Bernadette. |
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“Dying will happen to all of us, and how we do it matters. National Palliative Care Week (19-25 May) normalises end of life and provides awareness of palliative care support networks.”
Bernadette says that a supportive workplace is vital for a sustained workforce. “Our team members support each other – especially on the tough days. You’ll burn out if you don’t take the time to appreciate the day-to-day achievements and acknowledge the emotional impact of your work.” In between Bernadette’s Master of Nurse Practitioner studies, she spends her down time relaxing on the farm, visiting her three adult children, making messy lamingtons with young visitors, and helping her husband with the sheep work. |
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When the lab coat comes off, Dr Vidiya Ramachandran gets her dancing shoes on. She has been working at NSW Health Pathology for more than a decade. But alongside her passion for improving public health, is a love of Bollywood dancing.
“I am all about expressing myself through the power of dance. It is my ultimate happy place,” said Vidiya.
“I started learning Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance, at a young age, and kept at it all through high school.
“I am grateful that I can still pursue this passion today. I also teach dance, and I love being able to share this part of my culture and my love for dance with my students.” This creative passion is counterbalanced with a professional one in her role as Clinical Trial Coordinator. |
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Ahead of Clinical Trials Day (20 May), Dr Vidiya says she loves the direct impact her work has on public health.
“Collaborating with diverse teams of professionals allows me to contribute my knowledge while gaining insights and learning from others in different fields.
“I also find it fulfilling knowing that my efforts are improving patient outcomes and making a positive difference in public health.” |
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Clinical Master Class
Learn about the cultural and psychological implications of sexual assault and rape for women in the latest Clinical Master Class. In this free webinar on 22 May, 3:30pm - 5pm, you’ll gain practical tips on how to support women when there is such a disclosure.
Register now or watch the event recording when it becomes available. |
| National Palliative Care Week events
Celebrate the incredible work of palliative care nurses, doctors, allied health workers, carers and volunteers across NSW this National Palliative Care Week (19-25 May).
Learn more about palliative care and check out the events happening throughout the week on the Palliative Care NSW website. |
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IDAHOBIT Day 2024 panel discussion
Join the NSW Public Service Commission for a panel discussion on the importance of LGBTIQA+ inclusion for fostering positive workplace cultures on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). You will learn about LGBTIQA+ discrimination, and how to create workplace environments where LGBTIQA+ employees feel valued, safe, and respected. |
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Content warning: This story contains themes that may be distressing or triggering for some readers. Whether you have experienced a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination, stillbirth, neonatal death or the death of a baby or child from any other cause, you can contact the 24-hour Bereavement Line on 1800 651 186 for information, support and counselling. |
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The death of a baby before or shortly after birth is a heartbreaking reality for some families. However, understanding the reason why can offer comfort or closure during a difficult time. NSW Perinatal Post-mortem Service at NSW Health Pathology plays a crucial role in this process.
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“Along with all the joy midwifery can bring, there is also sometimes sadness,” said Fiona O’Shannessy, Clinical Midwife Specialist for the Service.
To Fiona, midwifery is more than just being present at birth.
"Part of my current role is to support families when they make the incredibly difficult decision to consent to a perinatal post-mortem examination to give them answers,” she said.
“I also support hospital staff in all aspects of a post-mortem. This includes everything from how to care for the baby, helping pathologists, to arranging transport to the examination centre. |
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“I have been asked to attend the post-mortem on the families’ behalf and update them regularly on the progress of the examination. I will always honour this.” After 40 years in midwifery, Fiona remains deeply passionate.
“As a midwife, the opportunities I have had to teach others have brought me the most satisfaction. I would love for more people to consider midwifery as a career.”
“It is a lifetime of educating women and families and colleagues about pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood,” she said. |
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According to Registered Midwife, Natasha Fotofilli, and new mum Bianca, the continuity of care is one of the best things about the Midwifery Group Practice at Concord Hospital.... along with now sharing a birthday with Bianca’s baby, Peggy.
“Since I was a student, I wanted to work at Concord Midwifery Group Practice because of the focus on relationship-based care. |
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“You get to know the families during their pregnancy, which is just beautiful. It is the best part of the job,” said Natasha.
“On the day Bianca went into labour, I was on call, and we went into RPA together … and Peggy was born on my birthday,” said Natasha.
At the Midwifery Clinic – named Bulbuwul Mudjin, which means “Strong Families” in a local Aboriginal language – a midwife cares for women who have a low chance of developing complications during her pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.
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| Bianca and her baby daughter Peggy, and Natasha Fotofili |
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Alana Nixon, a proud Dunghutti woman, is one of the few Aboriginal nurses working at the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. |
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“Unfortunately, there is a large population of Aboriginal people in the justice system. I feel like there is no better way to care for my people than to be where they are,” said Alana.
Alana’s focus on kinship brings a special dimension to her work at the Riverina Youth Justice Centre.
“Working at a youth justice centre is very rewarding. I treat the young people in my care like my own kids,” she said.
“I want what is best for them and try to help them understand the importance of health.”
“It can take a lot of patience, but there is no better feeling than being able to empower a young person to take responsibility for their own health, particularly when they have had little to no interaction with the health system before. |
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“When they leave and become adults, I want them to remember what they have learned, and know where they can seek healthcare help themselves.” |
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Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2024 |
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Nominations for this year's Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are now open.
These awards acknowledge the passion, dedication and contributions of nurses and midwives, who positively impact the health outcomes of patients, women and families across NSW.
Nominate an outstanding nurse or midwife colleague on the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards website by Friday 14 June.
Watch the video below and hear directly from last year's finalists on what a career in nursing and midwifery means to them.
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Chief Executive, Sydney Local Health District
Dr Teresa Anderson AM, Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, has been assigned to the role of Chief Executive of the newly-established Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) Implementation Authority.
She will commence her new position on 27 May 2024. Graeme Loy, Chief Executive of Western Sydney Local Health District, will serve as Acting Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District while recruitment progresses. |
| Chief Executive, eHealth NSW
Dr Zoran Bolevich, Chief Executive of eHealth NSW and Chief Information Officer for NSW Health, has tendered his resignation. He has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). His last day will be 31 May.
While recruitment to the role progresses, Dr Amith Shetty, Clinical Director, System Sustainability and Performance, Ministry of Health will act as Chief Executive of eHealth NSW.
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GradStart 2025
Applications for GradStart 2025 will open from 18 June to 1 July.
The GradStart program is the annual state-wide process to recruit graduate nurses and midwives to NSW Health.
Visit the NSW Health website for more information. |
| From the Critical Intelligence Unit
The Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest highlights transformative clinical innovations. Recent features include:
- CRISPR-based treatments for sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia, and genetic testing in cardiovascular disease
- Health systems and environmental sustainability and a Health Foundation report on technologies that offer opportunities to save staff time
Subscribe for Wednesday morning updates or explore the CIU's living evidence table on AI in healthcare. |
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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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