Congratulations to our finalists of the 23rd Annual NSW Health Awards – celebrating the achievements of 2021.
Don't forget to save the date Thursday 19 May 2022 | 12.30pm to 2.30pm, to tune into the live broadcast to find out who the winners are!
You can read more about our finalists on the NSW Health website.
Congratulations to the winners of the first-ever Excellence in Allied Health Awards.
The Awards were hosted in Sydney on Thursday 28 April, promoting, and recognising the high-quality work of our allied health professionals and their support staff.
We met our 24 finalists across the six categories and also discovered this year's winners.
Congratulations:
Allied Health Professional of the Year – Anwar Hassan, Physiotherapy, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year – Cameron Edwards, Physiotherapy, Western Sydney Local Health District
Allied Health Assistant or Technician of the Year – Sarah Gibson, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
Allied Health Educator or Researcher of the Year – Dr Cathryn Crowle, Occupational Therapist, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year – Sophie Fletcher, Social Work, Western New South Wales Local Health District
Allied Health Leader of the Year – Megan Byrne, Nutrition and Dietetics, Western Sydn ey Local Health District
If you missed the broadcast, watch the show on Vimeo at Excellence in Allied Health Awards.
You are invited to watch the NSW Health commemoration of National Sorry Day on Thursday 26 May, from 10:00-11:30am. The occasion will be livestreamed and details on how to join us online will be provided closer to the date.
National Sorry Day is held annually on 26 May to acknowledge and recognise survivors of the Stolen Generations. It honours the resilience and self-determination of Aboriginal people who have been impacted by the forced removal of babies and children from their families.
Name: Jacqui Cross Role: Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
Now, let's get to know you a little better…
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
Forthright, fun and caring.
Last great TV show or movie you watched?
There have been so many - it's a close run between Schitt's Creek and The Good Place.
Favourite book?
Anna Karenina and The English Patient - for the sheer beauty of the writing.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
I love music but have no musical ability whatsoever, so I would love to be able to play a musical instrument.
If you're cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating?
I love to cook and I love to share the cooking with family and friends - preferably during a long Sunday lunch. We are going into winter so something slow cooked with creamy mashed potatoes, a fresh green salad, and a yummy glass of red!
Any hidden talents?
I'm not sure it's a talent - or even hidden - but I have perfected the art of online shopping. The postie and I are on a first name basis - even bought dining chairs online during the first lock down!
Tomorrow, we celebrate International Nurses Day.
Meet two of Northern Sydney LHD's graduate ICU Nurses, Megan Feneley and Beth Riordan.
A career in health is one of the most sought after for young Australians, according to a recent survey, which is encouraging news for nurses Megan and Beth who both started their nursing careers at Royal North Shore Hospital's intensive care unit this year.
It was their passion for helping people that drew them to the nursing profession.
"To be the person who is there for patients every step of the way and assisting them in getting better is something so special that no other profession can embody," Megan said.
"Nursing is so rewarding and nothing brings me more joy than seeing my patients improve and eventually go home thanks to the care myself and others have provided."
Beth's mum, as well as her love of science, also inspired her to go into nursing.
"My mum used to be a theatre nurse at Royal North Shore Hospital and I always found her stories really interesting," Beth said.
Megan said the staff have been so supportive of her learning and ensuring she gets the best experience out of her first year as a new graduate. She said to see her patients smile and thank her for the care she provides always touches her heart.
Last week, we celebrated International Day of the Midwife.
Meet Claire Devonport, Midwife of the Year for the 2021 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing in Midwifery Awards.
Claire is the Midwifery Unit Manager at Canterbury Hospital in the SLHD, and values women centred care with a commitment and drive to offer models of care to meet the needs of women, babies and families.
Find out more about the report of the Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No 2 Inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote NSW (the Inquiry) which was tabled in the Parliament of NSW on 5 May. The report is publicly available on the inquiry website.
The report makes 44 recommendations and also highlights the hard work, dedication and commitment of NSW Health staff.
The findings of the Inquiry will feed directly into the work already underway to understand and address a number of issues we know are affecting our health system in rural, regional and remote NSW.
Many of the recommendations within the Inquiry report are already underway and in addition, we are beginning the process of developing our next Regional Health Plan for the period between 2022 and 2032. During this process we will be consulting with and listening to regional communities, health staff, an extensive range of stakeholders and the new Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel to inform the plan.
The plan will be an opportunity to address issues raised in the report and will be a long-term strategy to ensure the health needs of regional, rural, and remote communities are met.
The recently established Regional Health Division of NSW Health will play a key role in the NSW Government's ongoing work to improve and deliver excellent patient experiences and outcomes for the people of rural and regional NSW. In addition, the Regional Health Advisory Panel will ensure the development of healthcare services in rural and regional NSW have the needs of local communities at its heart.
A formal response to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales will be handed down in the coming months.
NSW Health recently received The Beryl Institute's 2022 Organisational Innovation Award for Elevating the Human Experience.
"Elevating the Human Experience is a piece of work that we are exceptionally proud of. We are being clear to the community that the experience people have when in our health system is just as important as anything else we measure," said NSW Health Secretary, Susan Pearce on accepting the award.
Accepting the award in person at ELEVATE PX, The Beryl Institute's annual conference in Indianapolis, was Chief Experience Officer, Anne Marie Hadley.
If you would like to learn more about Elevating the Human Experience, visit the NSW Health website, and if you would like to benefit from NSW Health's organisational membership with The Beryl Institute, contact the Experience team.
Changes have been made to StaffLink to enable you to confidentially update your disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and veteran status. For more information view our FAQs EEO Fact Sheet.
The impact of shingles (herpes zoster) and its complications can be severe and long lasting however vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against this disease in most people.
Register for the webinar, Thursday 12 May, 12:30-2pm.
NSW Health Pathology has developed its first ever statewide test catalogue. The test catalogue is an important reference tool available to all NSW healthcare professionals via a secure, online portal accessible anywhere at any time. It consolidates existing pathology testing information with access to links for extra information.
Influenza (also known as 'flu') is a highly contagious illness that is more serious than the common cold.
Both flu and COVID-19 are circulating in the community.
With international borders reopening, increased social mixing and lower exposure to flu over the past two years, more people of all ages will be at risk of getting flu this year than in the past two years.
We are already seeing an increase in flu cases and admissions to hospital with flu, indicating an earlier start to the flu season than in previous years.
It is important to protect yourself and your community by getting your flu shot as soon as possible and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is your best protection against serious illness.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, recognises the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu vaccine and received her flu vaccine last week.
Read more on the NSW Health website.
This Sunday 15 May is International Hyperemesis Gravidarum Awareness Day. Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or HG as it's often known, involves unrelenting and excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Unlike regular 'morning sickness', which is considered a normal symptom of pregnancy, HG often leaves women bed-bound with vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and food aversion.
Around 1 in 100 pregnant women will experience HG, although there are likely many more women who aren't diagnosed due to limited awareness of this debilitating illness.
The NSW Ministry of Health is implementing a number of strategies aimed at raising awareness and educating health care providers, pregnant women and their families, and the broader community.
For more information, visit the NSW Health website.
Ensuring the patient perspective is embedded into how we care for patients across NSW is a core function of the Clinical Excellence Commission's Partnering with People Panel. The value of this work is highlighted in programs such as Top 5 and End of Life where significant focus on human experience in dementia and palliative care has been achieved.
"Patient experience underpins all the organisation's work and is central to a safe health care system. The CEC's People Panel enables consumers to share their experiences and perspectives as they collaborate in the design and development of safety and improvement programs", said Clinical Excellence Commission Director of Capability and Culture, Karen Patterson.
"Of course, we want patients receiving safe and reliable clinical care but just as importantly, we want families, carers and patient's experience of that care to be positive," Ms Patterson said.
"Our People Panel members bring diverse voices and experiences and by involving them in the development of programs that are subsequently used widely across hospitals we start to see a cultural shift towards recognising the importance of what matters to patients and responding to that through more human centred care being offered in our hospitals.''
People Partner, Mary Borg was inspired to become an advocate for patient experience after caring for her father during his dementia illness. Her work with the CEC has included helping to develop human centred programs Top 5 and End of Life.
"I'd worked as a teacher all my life and when Dad was struggling with dementia I realised if staff could find a way to connect with these patients, similar to how I connected with young students, a lot of the patient's angst and fear could be relieved," Mary said.
"The Top 5 program really plays into that thinking by encouraging health staff and carers to work together to personalise patient care and agree on five 'tips' which will help keep the patient calm, reassured, and engaged.
"The tips can include things like sharing details of favourite pets or people, known fears and information about calming and happy memories. We worked on Top 5 as people partners for about three years – really refining the program and getting it working to improve patient experience in a range of healthcare facilities across NSW.
Ms Patterson said the End of Life program had been similarly influenced by People Panel members to ensure a patient's last days reflected their wishes and intentions.
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance reports - COVID-19 and Influenza is now available:
In the week ending 30 April 2022:
The Agency for Clinical Innovation has launched a new framework for change. The is now available to support the implementation of trauma-informed care in mental health services across NSW.
The framework identifies what good practice looks like for mental health systems, services and staff under six key priority areas. It will support mental health workers to embed trauma-informed care in their practice by translating theory into clear actions.
This work will support a transition to better value healthcare, safer mental health services, and lead to better outcomes for both staff and people accessing mental health services in NSW.
Join the Mental Health Network to be invited to attend the framework's launch and stay updated with more TIC resources.
Learn more or contact the Mental Health Network.
Bear Cottage swung open its doors 21 years ago, when it became the first children's hospice in NSW. Since then, it has become so much more than that. For many, it is the first home-away-from-home for families of children with life-limiting illness.
Since its humble beginning, Bear Cottage has cared for more than 1,000 children and their families, providing support, respite and end-of-life care in an environment far removed from that found in a hospital.
Joshua's family, who were among the first to experience Bear Cottage, described it as their lifeline.
"Joshua was diagnosed with a progressive illness which put simply would eventually take his life. We didn't have a timeframe and services in the community for children suffering from life-limiting illnesses were scarce."
"We dealt with many things emotional and physical, as well as countless hospital admissions, then late in 2001, I finally came across Bear Cottage. I was overwhelmed with tears of joy and sadness. I finally found the support I had been searching for," Malinda, Joshua's mum, said.
Initially, Malinda and husband, David, like any parents, found it difficult to handover care of their little boy but they quickly developed a sense of confidence and trust in their newfound family that gave them the opportunity to get the respite they needed.
Joshua would often enjoy a bubble bath and loved a splash in the spa pool during his stay, a little luxury most people take for granted, but also one that Joshua and his family otherwise wouldn't have been able to enjoy.
Joshua fought his illness with courage and determination but sadly lost his battle three years later, just two days after Bear Cottage celebrated its 3rd birthday.
While Joshua may no longer be with us, his family continue to stay connected. Malinda joined the Family Advisory Group, helping to support other parents.
The Critical Intelligence Unit COVID-19 Monitor provides a snapshot of topical information and graphs – generally drawn from international and national sources. This week the Monitor provides updated data on COVID-19 cases, testings, vaccines, hospitalisations and deaths.
In the past weeks, the Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Daily Digest has included a range of new articles.
The Daily Digest is available via the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) website. To receive the Digest each morning, 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.
