NSW Health has launched Future Health, our guiding document that will act as a roadmap for how we deliver our services over the coming decade.
It builds on the achievements of our NSW State Health Plan and looks to position our health system to meet the needs of our patients, community and workforce over the coming years. It aims to deliver on our vision for a sustainable health system that delivers outcomes that matter most to patients and the community, is personalised, invests in wellness and is digitally enabled.
Thousands of individuals across NSW generously shared their insights to help shape our ambitious plan, and their aspirations have been translated into six strategic outcomes and 30 key objectives we hope to achieve.
We will turn the strategy into action and implement the outcomes and key objectives set out in Future Health through a series of Delivery Plans which guide how we realise our vision over the next ten years. The strategic outcomes will also be embedded across the health system through Service Agreements, Annual Business Plans, and local strategic planning. This will enable us to work towards our shared goals.
Together, we'll help ensure everyone in our state benefits from a stronger, more effective public health system.
To mark Reconciliation Week, Sydney LHD unveiled their new Aboriginal Cultural Garden at Canterbury Hospital.
The garden acknowledges the Bediagal people of the Eora Nation, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Canterbury Hospital was built.
The blue and ochre colours on the floor of the garden represent the river and land, with native plants to be dotted throughout the space.
"It's important to learn the history of the land we live and work on every day. If we know the history, we can improve the future by striving to never make the same mistakes of the past," says Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson.
She was joined by the hospital's Acting General Manager Michael Morris, Brendan Kerin from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal elder Uncle Cliff Daylight for a special smoking ceremony to launch the garden.
We hope it helps our Aboriginal patients and their families feel welcome and safe using our services.
A free flu vaccination is now available to all NSW residents in a month-long blitz, in an effort to combat this year's expected severe influenza season.
With a sharp increase in flu cases already, the NSW Government will fund flu vaccinations at GPs and pharmacies until 30 June.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant strongly urges everyone over six months of age to get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones, as the virus is easily spread and potentially deadly.
The Commonwealth Government provides vaccines for vulnerable populations, and funds GPs through the MBS to administer vaccines. However, as COVID-19 has taught us, the role of pharmacies is crucial, and the NSW Government is funding community pharmacies to deliver flu vaccinations this June.
NSW Health has also permitted pharmacies to administer flu vaccines to children aged five years and older, reduced from 10 years, making it easier for families to get vaccinated together.
GPs will be reimbursed for any flu stock they have already purchased that is used in the month of June for this vaccination program.
You can read more on the NSW Government website.
Expanded ATAGI recommendations for Winter COVID-19 Booster
People aged 16 - 64 years who have a complex, chronic or severe condition that increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are now recommended to get an additional winter COVID-19 booster.
This includes people with:
This is in addition to these existing groups who are already eligible for a COVID-19 winter booster since April 2022:
An additional winter booster dose focuses on protecting the most vulnerable groups against severe illness caused by COVID-19.
You can read more on the Australian Government's Department of Health website.
Information has now been released on the NSW Government website about long COVID.
Some people with COVID-19 will have no symptoms. Others will experience common symptoms during their infection. In most instances, these symptoms will disappear after a few weeks.
A small number of people may develop persistent symptoms that may affect their quality of life.
This is often referred to as 'long COVID' or 'post COVID-19 condition', but is clinically referred to as 'post-acute sequelae of COVID-19'.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation has also released a Clinical practice guide for assessment and management of adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. The clinical practice guide is intended for use by clinicians caring for adults aged 16 years and older with a history of COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of illness severity or COVID-19 variant of concern.
Light-weight plastic bags with handles are now banned in NSW.
Legislation was passed in November 2021 to deliver a ban on specific plastics under the NSW Government Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.
From 1 June 2022 single-use, light-weight plastic bags with handles were banned.
The ban does not apply to:
NSW Health has a temporary exemption for specific uses of light-weight plastic bags.
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a temporary three-month exemption from 1 June to 31 August 2022 inclusive, for the use of existing excess stock of lightweight plastic bags in NSW Health public hospital.
This exemption is for non-retail settings only for the following purposes:
All new orders must meet legislative requirements.
You can find out more on the ban, on the NSW Health Intranet.
This year, we commemorated National Sorry Day on the 26 May with a special event where the Secretary, Susan Pearce, on behalf of NSW Health, made a formal apology to the survivors of the Stolen Generations.
This commemoration is a significant milestone in the history of NSW and embraces truth-telling and the ongoing process of healing for Aboriginal communities. Past government policies very much still impact the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families today.
You can read more on the commemoration on the NSW Health website.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection usually associated with travel to Central and West Africa. It is usually spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox and most people recover within a few weeks.
Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in monkeypox cases reported from multiple countries where monkeypox is not usually seen. Cases so far are mainly among people with no recent travel to Central or West Africa, meaning there is local community transmission.
You can access our fact sheet on the NSW Health website.
Annie and Andrew are registered nurses in Northern NSW Local Health District.
At the beginning of the year, Annie and Andrew started a not-for-profit organisation 'Recharging for Health', following frequent requests from patients on-ward for a phone charger.
"Patients often get admitted unexpectantly to hospital, and packing a charger is usually not on the forefront of their minds. So, we thought we would do something about it", said Annie.
"The experience of being in hospital can often be stressful or frightening, so staying in touch with family, friends and support services is very important".
Recharging for Health's goal is to supply free charging plugs and cables to any hospital or care facility, so that patients can stay in touch with the people who are important to them.
You can read more about how it works, make your order, and get involved on the Recharge for Health website
There has been a significant increase in the frequency of phishing emails with malicious HTML attachments.
Ensure you and your team are cyber-safe by completing the Cyber Security Fundamentals eLearning module (course code: 349301434) in My Health Learning. You can read more about how to be aware on the NSW Health Intranet.
Nominations are now open for the 2022 NSW Premier's Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements from across the sector and are an opportunity for us to showcase the work we do at NSW Health. To nominate your colleagues and projects, contact your Awards Ambassador.
Professor Michael Nicholl has been appointed Chief Executive, Clinical Excellence Commission, effective 1 August 2022. With a clinical career of over 40 years, 30 of which have been in specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist roles and 15 years as a senior clinician manager, Michael has demonstrated leadership and commitment to promoting excellence in safety and quality in clinical care in NSW, for consumers, their families and our staff, a commitment we know he will continue as Chief Executive, CEC.
You can now choose to be connected to a Customer Service Representative for a live chat.
If you choose to be connected, a member of the Payroll Customer Service Desk will appear in the chat window and message you. You will now be able to type messages to them in real-time to get further help with your question.
The SARA live chat will be available during the Payroll Customer Service Desk hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Meet Dr Shannon Nott from Western NSW LHD, the winner of NSW Health's 2021 Collaborative Staff Member of the Year Award.
Dr Nott has become a leading authority on rural healthcare not just within NSW but also nationally, working above and beyond his role as Western NSW LHD Rural Director of Medical Services to create partnerships, develop technology-enabled solutions and link multidisciplinary teams for more sustainable rural health services.
Shannon's work has delivered more sustainable rural health services in a number of towns, and his 'whole of health' approach to rural healthcare encompasses not only the hospital sector but also primary care.
Dr Nott is a natural collaborator who listens and seeks advice from communities, clinicians, representative groups, and parliamentary representatives across government jurisdictions to deliver solutions.
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance reports - COVID-19 and Influenza is now available:
In the week ending 28 May 2022:
Tuesday 14 June marks World Blood Donor Day.
Did you know, 1 in 3 of us will need a blood donation in our lifetime?
An escalating cold and flu season and COVID-19 cases have hit blood supply, and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood are continuing to see up to half of all appointments cancelled.
If you're well and able to, donate today and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
You can find our more on the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood website.
You're invited to the Elevating the Human Experience Showcase on 29 June, 11am-12:30pm.
The showcase shines a spotlight on six statewide projects that aim to transform the experiences of all people that come into contact with NSW Health (patients, families, carers, staff and volunteers).
Join us on Level 1, 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards, or access the Teams link directly on the day.
Please RSVP by Wednesday 22 June at 5pm, if you wish to attend in-person or receive an Outlook invitation to your calendar. In-person attendance is limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Conversations in Human Experience is also back on Wednesday 15 June, 12pm. Join Senior Speech Pathologist, Kelsie Davies and Clinical Nurse Consultant, Alison Devitt from Western NSW LHD on Zoom for a conversation in 'Virtual Care for People with Intellectual Disability – Preparing for Success'.
All prescribers and pharmacists in clinical practice in NSW are now able to access the state's real time prescription monitoring system, SafeScript NSW.SafeScript NSW is part of NSW Health's commitment to reducing harm associated with the unsafe prescribing and use of monitored medicines.The system provides prescribers and pharmacists with real-time information about a patient's prescribing and dispensing history for certain high-risk medicines. This information helps to improve clinical decision making and keep patients safe.
To learn more, visit the SafeScript NSW website.
The Critical Intelligence Unit published its final COVID-19 Monitor on Thursday 26 May 2022. The last issue of the Monitor provides updated data on COVID-19 cases, testings, vaccines, hospitalisations and deaths.
Previous editions will remain accessible on the Critical Intelligence Unit website.
The frequency of releases for the digest has changed since from the 27 May 2022 and is produced on a weekly basis. This week's Evidence Digest features:
The Daily Digest is available via the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) website. To receive the Digest on Friday mornings, sign-up by emailing Critical Intelligence Unit.
The Critical Intelligence Unit continues to provide:
Health check in is sent directly to all employees across the health system to keep you informed of important updates. Email story ideas, suggestions or feedback.
