Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia, otherwise known as IDAHOBIT Day.
The day is celebrated across Australia and is an opportunity to take a stand against discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people.
Today, and always, we stand together with our LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate each others diversity.
IDAHOBIT Day was launched in 2004, and marks May 17 1990, the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.
Christine Nicolaidis, co-chair of the Rainbow Working Group, says, “Whilst we have come a long way since homosexuality was considered a disease, LGBTQIA+ people are still discriminated against and experience poorer health outcomes as a result.”
Electra Ulrich, fellow co-chair, added, “As health care workers on the front line, it is important to know how to support and respect our diverse community, so that everyone, including staff, feel safe.”
Northern Health staff will today wear rainbow colours in support of our LGBTQIA+ community and are invited to join an education session this afternoonvirtually at 2.30. This will be run by Minus 18, an Australian charity working to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. The speaker is Max (he/him), who feels strongly about promoting and creating safe spaces to drive LGBTQIA+ inclusion all across Australia.
Other activities to mark the day include displays across sites, giveaways and even dog therapy at Bundoora Centre, Broadmeadows Hospital and Northern Hospital Epping from 10 am – to 12 pm today. Thank you to Lort Smith Animal Hospital! You can also participate in a staff survey and share ideas on how we can we better support the LGBTQIA+ community, including staff and patients.
As Paula Murray, Health Literacy Coordinator, and member of the Rainbow Committee says, “The LGBTQIA+ community need support more than ever.”
The Volunteers Services team at Northern Health is responsible for coordinating volunteer support across Northern Hospital Epping, Bundoora Centre, Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigieburn Centre.
There are three staff members working across Northern Health; Henni Wade, Manager Volunteer Services, based at the Northern Hospital Epping, Kim Berger, Volunteer Coordinator at Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigeburn Centre and Natalie Carroll, Volunteer Coordinator at Bundoora Centre.
The team conduct induction, training, and ongoing management, support and recognition for the volunteers. They also work in partnership with Northern Health Foundation, helping to coordinate fundraising and engagement activities.
Volunteering Australia’s National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are used as a guide to manage the program, and the guidelines provide a framework with eight standards that address the key areas of volunteer involvement.
Prior to COVID-19, the team had over 300 volunteers. Currently, there are 185 volunteers that provide support to various departments within Northern Health.
“For us, it is not so much about the actual numbers of volunteers, it is about the impact they make,” says Volunteer Services Manager, Henni Wade.
“This week we are celebrating National Volunteer Week and we have 27 volunteers reaching milestone years of service. Two of these are celebrating 20 years and a further two are celebrating 25 years.”
2023 also marks 50 years of the Busy Fingers Auxiliary at Bundoora. Current Busy Fingers President Kerry Wall, along with her parents have clocked up over 120 years of service with the Auxiliary.
“Volunteering provides an opportunity to be involved in activities, reflecting interests and skills. Meaningful activity in turn, promotes a sense of belonging and general wellbeing. For others, volunteering can be a way to develop skills, potential pathways to employment, or a way to contribute existing skills for the common good. It can also be a great outlet to just get out of the house for a change of scenery,” says Henni.
The volunteers support Northern Health in many ways, including wayfinding support for patients and visitors, helping behind the scenes, assisting with fundraising and a variety of administration tasks for many areas of the hospital.
Volunteers also cuddle babies, help in the simulation space, transport patients from home to hospital for appointments and provide face to face visiting in Palliative Care and Aged Care Facilities. Volunteers also provide virtual visiting through How-R-U telephone support program.
The Consumer Participation team also benefit from volunteer involvement, with volunteers giving their time to sit on Northern Health committees, working groups, focus groups and projects.
In 2023, the team are excited about rebuilding the volunteer program to pre-pandemic numbers.
“Reinstating volunteer fundraising activities is also exciting. The volunteer fundraising has been put on hold due to temporarily vacating the Foundation Office in the front foyer, but in six weeks, we hope to return our space,” says Henni.
In the months prior to relocation, their small retail shop was bringing in around $1,500 a month from sales. The majority of the items for sale are hand-crafted by Northern Health volunteers and from local community groups. Money raised goes directly to the Foundation.
“The volunteers are proud to see their contributions have a four-fold impact. The first being the volunteers feel their skills in crafting are valuable, the items they make will bring a smile to somebody’s day and they are raising money for the Foundation. This money will then go towards a piece of equipment that many of our patients will benefit from,” she adds.
Thank you to our volunteers for all your support and dedication!
Pictured in featured image (L-R): Henni Wade, Volunteers Services Manager with volunteers Brian Hoctor, Tama Kanasaby, Anuki Manamperi, Julie Phillips and Eden Galea.
Kim Berger, Volunteer Coordinator, Natalie Carroll, Volunteer Coordinator and Henni Wade, Manager Volunteer Services
Northern Health’s Simulation and Safety Unit is paving the way to build stronger multidisciplinary links that will ultimately improve patient care.
Dr Kirin Channa, the recently appointed Medical Lead, In-Situ Simulation, together with Elise Sutton, Nurse Coordinator, Simulation and Safety, are keen to incorporate simulations into both operational expansion and quality improvements for policies and procedures.
As described by Dr Channa and Ms Sutton, when it comes to human factors, there are four types relating to work:
Work as imagined, what we believe is happening. Work as prescribed, what were told to do. Work as described, how we explain it to others, and finally work as done.
It’s this factor, ‘work as done,’ that the Simulation and Safety Unit want to focus on. As Dr. Channa explained, it’s more about how people, policies and procedures combine, and less about testing clinical knowledge.
“Simulations were instrumental in the successful launch of the Main Ward Block. Doctors, nurses and PSAs all played a part in providing feedback on what worked and what didn’t, ensuring any issues in procedures could be fixed well before patients ever set foot in the space,” said Dr Channa.
Mini simulations held during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Emergency Department and the Anaesthetic and Intensive Care teams helped foster trust and long-lasting relationships that have benefited many staff.
“Medical and nursing times often just don’t line up, so we end up in silos. In-situ simulations are held on the ward, at an ad hoc time, so staff can treat it as if it’s a real patient,” said Ms Sutton.
“We’re testing the environment and systems – we’re not testing the staff on their clinical knowledge. So we often share the scenario beforehand so that everyone knows what to expect. Also, it’s fun!” Dr Channa added.
Debriefs are a really significant part of the process as it gives everyone a voice and can bring about some new understanding. Feedback following the simulations often highlights how, a few days after a specific simulation, the same patient presentation happens in real life, and the unity between the departments is really tangible.
The Simulation and Safety Unit has big plans to expand but are currently only available one day a week. To book a simulation, or just find out any more information, please email: sasenquiries@nh.org.au
Pictured: Dr Kirin Channa, Medical Lead, In-Situ Simulation and Elise Sutton, Nurse Coordinator, Simulation and Safety.
As we celebrate International Nurses Day today, we meet Courtney Lowry, Director of Operations, Women’s and Children’s.
Q: Today is International Nurses Day. What significance does this day have for you?
A: For me, International Nurses Day is a time to take a moment to recognise the passion, dedication and contribution of, not only my own nursing colleagues, but nurses right around the world. The last few years have really shone a spotlight on nurses, and I think it’s a time to reflect on the significant work we do and the impact we have on our patients and families lives while caring for them.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: One of the things I enjoy most about my job is how rewarding it is. Within the Women’s and Children’s Division, we care for patients and families at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Watching kids leave and wave goodbye from the Paediatric Ward after they have been nursed back to health, or watching families leave for home with their newborn baby, which is an extremely precious time for them, is heart-warming. I am very fortunate to be a part of these experiences.
Q: We understand you started at Northern Health as a student nurse. Tell us about your journey and some of your career highlights.
A: My nursing career has spanned 22 years, of which I am proud to say, has all been at Northern Health. I completed my graduate year in 2001, with a specialty rotation in the Paediatric Ward. When my grad year finished, I was offered a position to continue on the Paediatric Ward and I have never looked back. I progressed over the years with the skills and knowledge that I built as a Registered Nurse, a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a number of years, and then an Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM). During my time as an ANUM, the role required me to network and work alongside other leaders within Northern Health, on a shift-by-shift basis. This opened up many opportunities and I found myself then job-sharing with Paediatrics and the Access Team as a Hospital Coordinator. This gave me a great opportunity within Northern Health to expand my skills outside of Paediatrics, and it was a challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed.
In 2019, I took on the role of Nurse Unit Manager of Ward 2 – Children’s Ward. This role would have to be one of my highlights, and was so rewarding. I learnt so much in the three years that I fulfilled the role, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity. I learnt a lot about leadership and management, and I was privileged to have been able to lead the exceptional and special team of paediatric nurses on Ward 2.
After much thought, consideration and support from my leaders, I made the decision to step away from direct patient care last year and into the role I am currently in, which is Operations Director- Women’s and Children’s Division. I am absolutely loving my new role with all the new challenges it brings, and I am proud to be a part of the wonderful work that the Women’s and Children’s team achieves every day.
Q: What makes you laugh the most?
A: My family and friends make me laugh the most. These last few years have been extremely tough and challenging for everyone, so being able to come together with my family and friends and have a good laugh is a great outlet and time out.
Q: What songs have you completely memorised?
A: I have the radio on all the time in the car and at home. I do love all of the 80’s classics, but if I had to pick a favourite, I would have to say Bon Jovi. I have most Bon Jovi songs memorised!
On Saturday, 6 May, Northern Health Foundation hosted its first major fundraising event since the beginning of the pandemic – The Northern Health Foundation Fundraising Gala, in the stunning Plaza Ballroom on Collins Street, Melbourne.
The event showcased the incredible work being undertaken at Northern Health and highlighted the brilliance and innovation that stems from research right here in our northern community.
Research is an integral part of any health service. Innovations such as the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) stemmed from ideas that eventually came to fruition. This platform now services all of Victoria, saving lives, and eliminating pressure on our Emergency Department by enabling patients to access care in the comfort of their homes.
Given the extreme weather on the night, the team was grateful for the incredible turnout of sponsors, corporates and executives who all enjoyed a wonderful evening. The night involved live and silent auctions, with Joe Horton from Nelson Alexander ramping up the crowd to maximise our fundraising efforts. A sincere thank you to ISS for their kind donation of the MCG Corporate Box which raised $8,000 alone during the live auction.
The support from the event made over $74,000 in proceeds alone for research at Northern Health, which is an incredible effort.
Melissa Grenville, Foundation Director, was thrilled with the outcome.
“This fabulous event was only made possible by the support of our sponsors and guests who danced the night away whilst raising valuable funds for our research department – what a fantastic effort by the Foundation team to ensure the success of the night,” Ms Grenville said.
A special thank you to our speakers, Jennifer Williams AM, Dr Katharine See, Dr Loren Sher, Nikolajs Zeps and Channel 7 reporter Christie Cooper, our wonderful MC for the evening.
We also thank our sponsors, New Epping, ISS, Lendlease, Ramsay Health Care, La Trobe University, RMIT University, The University of Melbourne, The SILC Group, That’s Amore Cheese, Nexus Primary Health, BankVic and Henry’s Cafe, as well as our entertainment which included the enigmatic Three Waiters, violinist, Evangeline Victoria and band Un-Limited.
Northern Health Foundation looks forward to holding its next Gala Fundraiser to continue raising much-needed funds for our growing community.
This morning, Northern Health virtually hosted the Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing work of our staff.
We had an outstanding response from our staff, with a number of nominations received across seven categories. Today’s ceremony awarded winners from 2023 Quarter 1 (January – March).
Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the hard work of our staff across the health service.
“Northern Health has over 7,500 staff, who work across a wide range of areas, departments and sites, and are all committed to providing great care to our community each and every day,” he said.
“Among our award winners today are staff who exemplify a strong and positive workplace culture, staying true to Northern Health’s values of “Safe Kind Together,” and who continue to show a genuine commitment to their patients.”
Jade Ralston, Director People and Performance, People and Culture, presented the awards to the winners.
“It is an honour to stand here today to recognise and award the staff who demonstrate excellence in the work they do each and every day,” she said.
“I am extremely proud to work in an organisation where staff are passionate and kind and turn up to work every day to provide outstanding care to our patients and community. We thank you all for your hard work and dedication.”
David Langsford, Nephrologist, Head of Medical Obstetrics, Director of Physician Training, won the Innovation Award, for implementing a better way to deliver care or service through a new idea or initiative. David was instrumental for establishing the Medical Community Virtual Consult Service.
The Above and Beyond Award, presented to an individual or a team who has gone above and beyond in providing care or support to a patient, family or work colleague, was presented to Rachel Nolan, Speech Pathologist. She was recognised for welcoming new staff members and showing a strong initiative to lead the team, collaborate and offer compassion.
The ICT Services team won the Excellence in Safety Award for making Northern Health a safer place for patients, visitors and staff. The team was acknowledged for ensuing the highest level of cyber security across the organisation.
The Patient Experience Award for making a significant achievement in improving the care experience, including showing kindness and compassion towards a patient, family or colleague, was awarded to Warren Bawanee (Mervin), Registered Nurse. Warren was recognised for his exceptional care provided to a patient by showing compassion, providing support and gaining their trust.
The Clinical Excellence Award, presented to a person or team who are generous with knowledge, instil confidence in patients and colleagues, and achieve the best patient experience outcomes, was won by Kirstin Tirant, Plural Clinical Nurse Consultant. She was acknowledged for developing clear hospital-approved protocols for multiple complex plural procedures to be facilitated on the ward and oupatient setting.
Gurjeet Kaur, Registered Nurse, was presented with the Education Award for having exceptional skills and passion to pass on knowledge to others in either clinical or administrative environments. Gurjeet was recognised for being a knowledgeable, experienced and confident staff member on Ward 20, and for teaching new staff everything about patient care and documentation.
Lastly, the Rising Star Award, presented to a staff member as having great potential to grow and develop in their career at Northern Health, was won by Stephanie Thompson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO). Stephanie was acknowledged for progressing in her role as an ALO with great speediness and maturity, and for working with hospital staff to improve services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Congratulations to all award winners. The Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards are proudly sponsored by BankVic and Northern Health Foundation.
To watch the ceremony recording, please click here.
Featured image L-R top row: David Langsford, Nephrologist, Head of Medical Obstetrics, Director of Physician Training, Rachel Nolan, Speech Pathologist, David Calvo, ICT, Warren Bawanee (Mervin), Registered Nurse
Yesterday, 8 May 2023, we farewelled our Concierge Service from all Northern Health campuses.
As we reach the stage of the pandemic where public health directives and community expectations continue to wind down, it is time to reduce our centralised hospital entry screening in line with updated government guidelines.
Concierge was first implemented at Northern Health in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, as an outsourced program managed through ISS. Over the last three years, Concierge has formed a vital part of Northern Health’s COVID-19 response, by ensuring compliance with public health directives during uncertain times, including:
Enforcing visitor restrictions
Enforcing mask wear and safety compliance
Registering visitors into the visitor portal
Enforcing Rapid Antigen Testing for unvaccinated visitors and those visiting sensitive areas
Ensuring temperature, vaccination status, purpose for visit and QR codes are monitored on entry into the facility.
ISS Key Account Manager, Saj Amerasinghe said, “The ISS Concierge team has done a tremendous job demonstrating the Northern Health and ISS core values from day one. They provided an important and supportive role in the overall process, focusing on the consumers by greeting community members and assisting them to understand the flow and process. Job well done, and I am very proud of my team.”
ISS Facility Services Manager and Northern Health Concierge Project Lead, Snezana Poposka, also congratulated the team.
“Leading the concierge team and working closely with Northern Health management teams has been a great part of my daily job. Everyone has been very professional and polite, and most importantly, they felt very proud to be caring for our community. They have always worked as one team. I am very proud of the Concierge team and on what they have achieved in keeping our community safe.”
In May 2022, the Concierge transitioned from an outsourced ISS program into a Northern Health internal department, and ceased operations at the vaccination centre, PRACC.
Hospital Reception Manager, Nick Caruana said, “The focus of Concierge has always been the protection of Northern Health’s staff and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have continuously been at the forefront of each campus, greeting our consumers and ensuring first contact with our organisation is a positive one.”
“The impact Concierge has made over the last three years has been clear as day – the foot traffic across Northern Health has been controlled, the visiting guidelines have been thoroughly enforced, and mask compliance has been sustained. I am very proud of the work achieved by the Concierge.”
Debra Bourne, Chief Operating Officer, expressed her appreciation for the wonderful work of the staff.
“Northern Health would like to thank the Hospital Concierge staff for their unwavering contribution over the last three years. The significant work performed during this time has helped keep our staff, patients and community safe during a period of uncertainty and anxiety,” she said.
“The enforcement of mask wearing and monitoring of visitors will now shift to local departments within the organisation, as we begin the transition to a sustainable business as usual model.”
From all of us here at Northern Health, farewell and thank you!
Pictured in featured image: Concierge staff from Craigieburn Centre, Bundoora Centre, Broadmeadows Hospital, McLellan House, Merv Irving Residential Care and Northern Hospital Epping.
The Cardiovascular Ambassador Project involves 20 participating health services and hospitals, including Northern Health, to improve the quality of cardiac care delivered to patients, and reduce unplanned hospital readmissions.
Participating hospitals have received funding by Safer Care Victoria for a cardiovascular liaison nurse to plan, lead, implement and coordinate appropriate multifaceted interventions for each site’s model of care. The model of care for this project in 2023 is focusing on atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrythmia and contributes to significant burden upon Victorians as the leading cause of stroke and a frequent cause of hospital admission.
Northern Health currently receives 400-500 admissions for this cohort of patients annually, with an unplanned readmission risk of 16 per cent in the last year.
The Rapid Access Atrial Fibrillation (RAAF) clinic is a face-to-face nurse-led clinic that focuses on supporting patients and implementing evidence-based care for patients who have been recently admitted with atrial fibrillation/flutter, or where atrial fibrillation has been a major clinical event during their inpatient stay.
The aim of the RAAF clinic is to ensure that decisions regarding rhythm and rate control are made in a timely manner, appropriate prescription of anticoagulation, better symptom control and to help support the patient’s stability in the initial vulnerable phase following discharge.
The clinic is led by Madonna Goro, Cardiac Liaison Nurse/ Atrial Fibrillation Clinical Nurse Consultant and Rob Clayton, Cardiac Nurse Practitioner, with medical oversight by A/Prof Gautam Vaddadi.
There will be a strong focus on managing comorbidities that drive atrial fibrillation, such as weight management, obstructive sleep apnoea and alcohol use.
Wait times for patients to be seen by an electrophysiologist at Northern Health is currently a nine – 12 month wait. The RAAF clinic is one-stop shop that will aim to review these patients within two weeks post discharge and ensure a thorough management plan and appropriate follow up is established. This will help to alleviate some of the burden on the Outpatient’s clinic department and improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
“There is well-established clinical research to support and prove nurse-led integrated atrial fibrillation clinics to reduce all-cause mortality and improve patient outcomes,” said Ms Goro.
The RAAF clinic launched on 27 March 2023 and is a weekly clinic that runs on Monday afternoons, with a 30-day telephone follow up clinic to assess patient progress and evaluate outcomes.
All patients reviewed in clinic thus far have reported positive feedback and appreciate the prompt follow up. Please see below recent patient feedback:
“The help and management and being able to touch base with someone has been amazing.”
“I felt so reassured by you, Madonna. You and Rob listened to me and adjusted my medications, and I feel so much better than I ever have. You have taken the fear out of it, and I know I have someone to touch base with when I am unsure.”
“Having that rapport with someone is valuable. I am so grateful I got to meet you in hospital and be seen in the rapid access AF clinic when I did, and I believe it has kept me out of hospital.”
If the pilot project proves successful, the plan is to increase clinic sessions and open up referrals to Outpatients and general practitioners within the local community.
“By raising awareness of this cardiac condition, we hope to equip and empower patients to self-manage their condition and keep them well in the community,” said Ms Goro.
Pictured : A/Prof Gautam Vaddadi, Madonna Goro, Cardiac Liaison Nurse/ Atrial Fibrillation Clinical Nurse Consultant and Rob Clayton, Cardiac Nurse Practitioner.
