This morning, Northern Health Foundation hosted a sold-out breakfast event in celebration of International Women’s Day, coming together to acknowledge the achievements of women.

Held at Mantra Epping, guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the company of women and men within the health care industry and from the local community.

Debra Bourne, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, who was the driving force behind the event, opened the breakfast and said the event celebrated and acknowledged the significant contribution all women at Northern Health make to not only improving the health wellbeing of our community, but also the support we provide to each other.

“Northern Health is extremely fortunate to have strong female leaders in all areas of this organisation providing important role models and having a clear strong voice in creating an empowered workplace,” she said.

Inspiring guest speakers included Jennifer Williams AM, Northern Health Board Chair, Dr Nancy Sadka, Emergency Physician and ED Clinical Lead in Education and Research and Shiraz Lubke, Northern Pathology Victoria Operations Manager.

Facilitated by Project Manager, Ariana Carrodus, Jennifer, Nancy and Shiraz answered questions and led discussions around juggling work-life balance, supporting young women and women in the workplace, the importance of gender equality and celebrating the ordinary moments of life, as well as the extraordinary.

Jennifer, Nancy and Shiraz also touched on society expectations of women and having confidence in yourself.

Nancy said, “I can be a leader in my field and be myself. I do not need to be more masculine or more feminine, I just need to be Nancy.”

Ariana Carrodus said, “It was such a pleasure to be part of the inaugural event – to take the time to celebrate women, talk about some of the biggest issues facing women and how we can all work together to shift inequality. It was thought provoking and an inspiring morning hearing from three incredible Northern Health women.”

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated this year on 8 March, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year, IWD celebrated under the theme – ‘Each for Equal’ – acknowledging that, collectively, each one of us can help to create a gender equal world.

Thank you to all of the amazing women who work and volunteer at Northern Health!

“i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful
before i’ve called them intelligent or brave
i am sorry i made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is all you have to be proud of
when you have broken mountains with your wit
from now on i will say things like
you are resilient, or you are extraordinary
not because i don’t think you’re beautiful
but because i need you to know
you are more than that”
― Rupi Kaur

Featured Image (left to right): Ariana Carrodus, Project Manager; Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive; Jennifer Williams AM, Northern Health Board Chair; Shiraz Lubke, Northern Pathology Victoria Operations Manager; Dr Nancy Sadka, Emergency Physician and ED Clinical Lead in Education and Research, Debra Bourne, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

Gary Lloyd, the only male midwife at Northern Health, retired last Friday after three years of working at Northern Health.

Many of our staff, patients and families will remember him for his hard work, passion for midwifery and the willingness to make a real difference in his role.

One colleague, Dr Sita Murugappan, has a special connection to Gary – he was the midwife at her birth and was present when Sita was born.

Dr Murugappan began to connect the dots when she read an article about Gary and saw he worked at the Western at 1992.

“My mum has been telling me for years that she had a male midwife at delivery. Then I asked Gary if he was the only male midwife and he said yes. That is how I found out,” she said.

“My parents were migrants at the time and had just moved to Australia from India. For my mum back in those days, it was a cultural shock to have males in delivery suite. That is why she automatically thought he was a doctor, because that was what would be expected in India,” she added.

Dr Murugappan has been at Northern Health for the last three years. She is an OMG HMO and currently going away for six months for rotation, but will be coming back as a Registrar.

“I came to Northern Health as an intern. One day, I came to the registration session and that is how I found out about Northern,” she said.

Gary added he wasn’t surprised when he heard that it was him who delivered Dr Murugappan.

“I have delivered babies who are now students at Northern. I always feel like a parent to them,” he said.

Sita confirmed this, adding that he always checks up if she had dinner or not and that they always have a chat when they are on the ward at the same time.

“When I started as a male midwife, I was a bit of an oddity. Not many men last in this job. Some come for a couple of years, decide it’s not for them and then leave. For me, it’s a job that I enjoy doing and now the time has come to finish it up,” he said.

Gary left Sunshine Hospital in about 2014 and went back to nursing. He didn’t particularly like it so he went back to what he loves – obstetrics.

“I loved working here at Northern as this is the most culturally diverse hospital and it just felt right for me. And the people were always nice,” he said.

“I think I will miss the job – but I won’t miss getting up at 5.30 am,” he added.

Michelle Morrow, the Nurse Unit Manager of Maternity, proudly said she was the one to employ Gary.

“Gary first came to Northern as an agency midwife. I was so impressed with his work ethic, with his empathy, humour and sense of team that I nagged him to accept some permanent hours. He has been an absolute delight to work with,” she said.

Featured Image (left to right): Gary Lloyd and Dr Sita Murugappan

Northern Health has welcomed guests from around the globe to the 2020 Digital Health Futures Forum at the Northern Centre for Health Education & Research.

This landmark forum brings together consumers, health system leaders, health professionals, policy-makers and digital health researchers to identify technology solutions to some of our country’s most significant health challenges, including diabetes, heart failure, musculoskeletal disorders, mental health and cancers.

“Northern Health is delighted to once again host the prestigious Digital Health Futures at Northern Health. Now in its second consecutive year, the forum brings together some of the best and brightest minds in research, technology and health care to discuss our country’s biggest health challenges,” said Professor Peter Brooks, Research Lead, Northern Health.

“We increasingly depend on technology in aspects of our daily lives – communicating with friends, making appointments, purchasing things from entertainment to clothes and banking, and now it is time to see how technology can enable health care,” Professor Brooks said.

The event commenced with a Corporate Breakfast, hosted by Northern Health Foundation, together with NORTH Link.

Guests from local business, research and health care networked and heard a presentation from Professor Vassilis Kostakos, Professor of Human Computer Interaction at University of Melbourne, who spoke about digital solutions driving health care.

Following the breakfast, the summit officially commenced with an inspirational Welcome to Country from Kelli Hunter, Traditional Owner, who spoke about her own experience with digital health.

A range of internationally reputed speakers presented throughout the day, including:

• Sharmila Mande, Chief Scientist at Tata Consultancy Services Research
• Professor Jussi Pihlajamaki, University of Eastern Finland
• Associate Professor Clair Sullivan, Chief Digital Health Officer, Metro North Hospital & Health Service
• Matiu Bush, Deputy Director, RMIT Health Transformation Lab and Founder, One Good Street
• Professor Don Campbell, Clinical Director, Staying Well, Northern Health
• Professor Peter Brooks, Research Lead, Northern Health

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) in Interactive Digital Technology to Transform Australia’s Chronic Disease Outcomes was also formally launched during the forum. The CRE for Interactive Digital Technology to Transform Australia’s Chronic Disease Outcomes will create a national research capability in the field of digital population health research.

Professor Don Campbell, responsible for the Staying Well Program at Northern Health, says, to foster wellness in the home, we need to build connectivity, if we are to have the ability to monitor in the home.

“A means for digital engagement is essential. That’s why this Centre for Research Excellence in Interactive Digital Technology to Transform Australia’s Chronic Disease Outcomes is timely,” says Professor Campbell.

“Investment in this CRE program will create a national research capability in this emerging field of digital population health research and will generate evidence and methods that will significantly improve chronic disease outcomes for Australians now, and into the future.”

Chris James, Executive Director, NORTH Link; Andrew Williamson, Northern Health Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation; Peter McWilliam, Northern Health Board; and Professor Peter Brooks, Northern Health Research Lead at the Northern Health Foundation Corporate Breakfast

Matiu Bush, Deputy Director, RMIT Health Transformation Lab presenting on the importance of system design in digital health

Participants acknowledging the role of women ahead of International Women’s Day

Northern Health is partnering with Bolton Clarke Research Institute (BCRI) and volunteer organisation, Friends for Good, to roll out a new program to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people after being discharged from hospital.

The peer support program named the HOW-R-U? project involves community members, volunteers and ED staff matching eligible patients with volunteers who will provide weekly telephone support for three months after discharge from Northern Hospital.

Northern Health Chief Allied Health Officer / Partnerships, Briana Baass, said, “In our efforts to achieve our strategic priority of ‘A Healthier Community’ we recognise the fundamental interconnectedness of our physical health and our psychosocial wellbeing. For that reason, initiatives like HOW-R-U? are critical to addressing the increasing impact of social isolation and loneliness in our community.”

“If we don’t pull together with a whole-of-system approach to this, we feel that our patients are more likely to deteriorate and find themselves back in our emergency department. This initiative highlights how we can partner with not-for-profits and other organisations across the system. It also shines a light on how our volunteer workforce is an integral part of our models of care.”

The HOW-R-U? project, funded through the Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund, builds on an earlier successful pilot undertaken by BCRI Principal Research Fellow Professor Judy Lowthian.

“Older people experiencing social isolation, loneliness or depressive symptoms are more likely to be at risk of poor health and increased hospitalisation,” she said.

Telephone support has been found to reduce feelings of social isolation, loneliness and depression and to improve quality of life.

“The HOW-R-U? program involves identifying symptoms of social isolation, loneliness and depression in older people presenting to Northern Hospital,” Professor Lowthian said.

“Work has already begun to co-design the roll-out of the interventions, which will create opportunities for the provision of social support and referral to community-based services where appropriate.”

Maureen Canzano is a Northern Health Consumer involved with many projects and initiatives, including Patient Experience Consumer Advisory Committee (PECAC) and Choosing Wisely, and she advises our health professionals on understanding the patients and establishing a connection. Her professional experience is in social work, as she spent four years at DHHS. For the last eight years she has been working in adult education space.

Maureen has a daughter with disability. After her daughter was treated at Northern Health, Maureen decided to become involved in the consumer network and explore the ways to improve patient experience.

“Being with others, getting something done, seeing achievements and the satisfaction of contributing to making things better is what motivates me,” she said.

Maureen is passionate in helping medical staff understand disability. She makes her own, personal experiences open to sharing and learning from. For example, how to engage with a person in your care – simple things can make a difference to the person’s experience.

“My daughter is absolutely terrified of hospitals and I have taught staff to take the time to engage with her to reduce acute stress and fear. One specific example of this is discovering that my daughter’s favourite coffee table book on Graceland must come into hospital with her. When staff look at her book and ask questions, this greatly helps with connections and calms her down,” she said.

Maureen thinks it is great for consumers to be involved as it helps them understand the dynamic environment of a health service, and increases the appreciation of the work staff do.

“As consumers, we have gained insights into the staff perspective, and this leads to greater understanding of the connections between teams, carers, patients and staff,” she said.

Last year, Maureen was involved in the Family Violence forum and the Choosing Wisely conference, both of which were great learning experiences.

“The Choosing Wisely conference at the MCG was very important and I felt very grateful for the opportunity to attend this through my consumer work at Northern Health,” she said.

Maureen is a great ambassador for ‘Choosing Wisely’ and the ‘5 questions’ and she feels that it opens discussion with doctors, and reduces stress for the patient and family.

“I have used this on a number of occasions in relation to my daughter’s care and it had great results. Using the 5 questions meant my daughter could have follow ups with her regular GP, rather than having to come back to the hospital for follow up – an excellent outcome given my daughters fear of  the hospital environment,” she explained.

Yesterday, Northern Health hosted the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Hon. Jenny Mikakos MP, for a ‘topping out’ ceremony of stage 2 of the Northern Hospital Epping expansion.

Welcomed by Northern Health Board Chair, Jennifer Williams AM and Northern Health Chief Executive, Siva Sivarajah, Minister Jenny Mikakos said, “More and more families are calling Melbourne’s outer north home every day. That’s why we are building a bigger and better Northern Hospital to meet demand for world-class healthcare into the future.”

To mark stage 2 works, local fundraising champion, Josie Minniti OAM, was honoured with the naming of the crane at the site. Josie was also presented with a certificate to acknowledge her tireless fundraising efforts and the contribution she has made to patients receiving treatment at Northern Health. Josie has been fundraising for over 20 years and has raised an amazing $700,000 for cancer services in Melbourne’s north.

The Hon. Mikakos MP was joined by Frank McGuire MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research and Crime Prevention, Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority staff, Northern Health Board Directors and Kane Construction staff on Level 7 of the construction site to celebrate this building milestone.

Former respiratory patient, Norma Cooper, also attended the ceremony and spoke very highly about the care and the treatment at Northern Hospital Epping.

“I had COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and was looked after by the respiratory department. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The team was amazing and I think this is the best hospital. Everything that the team here has done has helped me manage my condition,” she said.

As a local resident, Norma added that she feels very lucky to have the new development close to home and is looking forward to seeing more beds at her local hospital.

Due for completion mid-2021, Stage 2 of the Northern Hospital expansion will feature four new floors in the inpatient tower, 96 new beds, three new operating theatres, recovery spaces and a new central sterilising supply department.

Watch the below video to hear more about Josie:

Just six months after receiving a double lung transplant, Jillian Wilkes, 70, is keen to show off her cycling skills to Maureen Goodwin, Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant at Northern Hospital. This doesn’t concern Maureen, after all the two have been on this journey together for some time now!

Jill’s first visit to the Northern Hospital Emergency Department (ED) was on New Year’s Eve in 2018. Jill says “As you can imagine, ED on New Year’s was very interesting. All the staff that night were fantastic – of course it was a bit noisy!”

Jill was admitted and spent five days at Northern Hospital, where she says, “Everybody was very attentive and looked out and looked after me.”

A few weeks later, however, she says she felt unwell again and came back to Northern Hospital, and was this time admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“The fellows in ICU kept an eye on me and put me at ease! I was referred to the Respiratory team, where Dr Bassem Dawood and Dr Naomi Atkins took over, and it went from there,” says Jill.

“I still remember the first time I met Jill,” says Maureen. “It was in April 2018 when I was asked to help organise home oxygen for Jill.”

Jill had recently been diagnosed with scleroderma, a condition which can affect the lungs and the severity of her condition was quickly recognised.

Scleroderma literally means hard skin. It is an auto-immune condition, which means the immune system attacks healthy tissue and causes them to produce too much collagen, making their skin hard and tight. Currently, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available to help particular symptoms. Prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment can minimise the symptoms of scleroderma and lessen the damage.

In Jill’s case, it had affected her lungs and was spreading rapidly, and she was promptly referred to the Alfred Hospital lung transplant team.

As Jill says, ‘Thanks to you people sensing that something was very wrong,” her treatment was timely.

On the first anniversary of her transplant, Jill visited Northern Hospital to say thank you to Maureen, the oxygen clinic service and the rest of Respiratory Department.

“Maureen has kept in contact with me. She helped organise oxygen for me, when I needed it,” says Jill.

Jill is keen to make up for lost time, and says her new lungs are fantastic, and despite the scleroderma affecting her fingers and toes, she is back to playing tennis and enjoying cycling.

“Maureen was just lovely to me. Plus the staff on ward 18 and in the Respiratory Clinic, who could see that I was unwell and looked after me. They didn’t just treat me as a number,” says Jill.

Jill is looking forward to sharing her experience with others and is happy to tell anyone who will listen how grateful she is to the staff at Northern Hospital. Jill will soon be joining the Northern Health Respiratory Steering Committee.

Featured image shows Jillian Wilkes ready to set off on a cycle ride with Maureen Goodwin looking on.

This week, we hosted the first of our Chief Executive Staff Forums for 2020. These quarterly forums provide us with an opportunity to share news and highlights about Northern Health’s performance, achievements and plans for the future.

I encourage you to attend an upcoming forum if you have not yet done so, and look forward to answering your questions and hearing your feedback. Please click here for forum dates and times. 

As most of you will be aware, 2020 has been declared as the International Year of Nursing and Midwifery by the World Health Organisation. During the year there will be many opportunities to celebrate the outstanding work of our nurses and midwives.

Next Friday 6 March, we host the 2020 Digital Health Futures@Northern Health. This landmark forum will launch the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Interactive Digital Technology to Transform Australia’s Chronic Disease Outcomes.

While the situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) is continually evolving, I can confirm that there have been no cases of COVID-19 identified at Northern Health. Thank you for your work in ensuring we have practices, systems and adequate consumables in place to keep our community safe. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and update as required, and I encourage you to visit the portal on the intranet for the most up-to-date information.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate Northern Health Foundation Board Chair, John Molnar, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in last month’s Australia Day Honours.

John was previously a Northern Health Board Director and was instrumental in establishing the Foundation. I would also like to congratulate Lilian Leonard OAM, a well-respected nurse at Panch and Northern Hospital from 1984 to 1999, who also received an OAM and Sabine Phillips, Northern Health Board Director from 2007-2016, who received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

 

Siva Sivarajah

Chief Executive