Northern Health’s Victorian Virtual Specialist Consult (VVSC) service is offering more specialty care across the state in an effort to address equity and access barriers.

The service has expanded since its initial conception as the MCVC (Medical Community Virtual Consults) to provide direct consultations to patients across Victoria who previously faced long wait and travel times.

The collab-consult model offering community healthcare providers access to a free 20-minute case conference (with or without the patient) is still the main stay of the service, aiming to provide timely access to specialist expertise and support capacity building in the community.

The list of specialties on offer has grown from the initial general medical pilot to over 16 different specialty including dermatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, wound care, allied health, psychiatry, paediatrics, geriatrics, paediatric allergy, asthma and continence, with more to come.

The VVSC also offers a response to support Northern Health’s waiting lists. GPs are invited to participate in a collab-consult, and identified patients from waiting lists are redirected to a single virtual appointment to allow early assessment, initial investigation and management to occur, whilst waiting definitive care.

‘The success of our service lays mainly in the hands of passionate clinicians who recognise state-wide gaps in service and design and implement innovative models of care to plug these gaps,” said Dr Joanna Lawrence, VVSC Director.

Cassandra Bramston, Project Manager, who drives the operational side of the model, emphasises that establishing partnerships with specialist clinics and department heads has been pivotal to our success.

“Medical specialties are attracted by the chance to serve, not just patients in the northern catchment, but those across the state. We offer a distinct opportunity to support primary care physicians in managing complex patients within their communities, delivering excellent outcomes for patients,” she said.

Local referral pathways also exist for Northern Health patients requiring one off reviews post discharge. To refer, visit www.vvsc.org.au

To discuss opportunities to partner with the VVSC team, please contact Jo (Joanna.Lawrence@nh.org.au) and Cassie (Cassandra.Bramston@nh.org.au).

Pictured in featured image: Vivienne King, VVED clinician. 

“I am Sayed Sahil Hashemi from Afghanistan and a graduate from the Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. I have always wanted to study medicine to help people in any way I possibly could. My dreams were big, but my opportunities were small. It wasn’t easy to achieve this goal in a country where we witnessed terror every day because of war and conflict,” – Sahil Hashemi, Hospital Medical Officer (HMO) at Northern Health.

Sahil is one of the many incredible International Medical Graduate (IMG) doctors working at Northern Health, who took part in the Transition to Practice (TTP) Observership. The program is designed to assist international doctors gain experience in the Australian healthcare system and smooth their transition upon entering the workforce. After completing his Observership in mid-2023, Sahil went on to successfully secure an HMO position at Northern Health.

However, this talented doctor’s journey, from training in his home country to becoming a doctor in Australia, wasn’t an easy one. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a Taliban bomb attack on the day of the entry exam, known as Kankor Examination, Sahil managed to secure admission to the highest ranked public medical faculty in Afghanistan, the Kabul University of Medical Sciences. His determination led him to study medicine, despite continuous security threats and his mother’s pleas to stay safe.

After graduating in March 2020, he passed the national exam for doctors with the highest marks and completed his internships in various hospitals around Kabul, before working for a year at Kausar Hospital. Sadly, his dreams crumbled before him when the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, leading to the government’s collapse and forcing him to seek refuge.

Now, with an opportunity to further his career in Australia, Sahil is committed to utilising all available resources to make a significant impact.

“The Transition to Practice Observership program was a stepping stone and played a vital role in my journey. It provided me with a clear understanding of the local healthcare environment, professional practices, and patient care standards, ultimately smoothing my transition and ensuring I was well prepared for my role as a training doctor in Australia,” said Dr Hashemi.

“Furthermore, it enabled me to demonstrate my clinical knowledge, commitment to patient safety, and passion for the profession,” he added.

Payal Rautwad from India, also completed the TTP and commenced working as a HMO at Northern Health two months ago. She says, “I firmly believe the stress that every international medical graduate feels before joining the Australian healthcare system can be mitigated through this Observership program.”

“I feel lucky to have had such an opportunity and all credit goes to the fantastic Observership team and everyone at Northern Health. This experience was invaluable, and I’m very grateful for it,” she adds.

Georgina van der Vliet, IMG Supervisor, says the IMG doctors are an incredibly resilient group who bring so much to Northern Health.

“Many of them are multilingual and mirror the diversity of the community we serve. Moving to a new country is difficult enough, but working in a different healthcare system while often speaking another language, adds another layer of challenge. I am incredibly grateful for the TTP Observership program, which helps individuals like Sahil and Payal transition more smoothly into practice,” she says.

Pictured in featured image

Top row (L-R): Payal Rautwad, IMG HMO, Georgina van der Vliet, IMG Supervisor, Sahil Hashemi, IMG HMO. 

Bottom row (L-R): Shafaq Binte Tariq, IMG HMO, Fathima Ijaza Lafeer, Medical Education Advisor. 

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Erin Edwards, Nurse Unit Manager, Ward 21.

What is your coffee order?

Skinny cap please!

How long have you worked at Northern Health, and in what roles?

I’ve been with Northern for over 17 years. Fourteen of those years have been spent working as an ANUM, and now as a part-time NUM on Ward 21. I’ve moved across a few different wards in this time, mostly medicine, with a stint in ED.

What are the best things about working at Northern?

The friendships I’ve made. Some of my best friends are other nurses I’ve met while working here. The friendships you make while caring for vulnerable patients are really special and unique. You care for and support each other, while caring for and supporting your patients.

What is your most prized possession?

I’d say my most prized possession, besides my three beautiful children, is the jewellery I inherited from my Mum when she passed. Something that will now become our family heirloom.

Do you live by any particular mantra?

A mantra I live by would be Que Sera Sera- “Whatever will be, will be.”  You can’t sweat the small stuff.

What is something not many people know about you?

I have really curly hair. I wear my hair straight every day, and my team were shocked to see me with my ringlets one day, they all thought I’d gotten a perm!

What are some of the things on your bucket list?

Go to Ireland to see where my family comes from, with a stopover in the Maldives to relax.

To see the Western Bulldogs win a grand final was always on my bucket list – but I ticked this one of in 2016! Another one would be nice… but I don’t like our chances this year!

Erin at the 2016 AFL Grand Final

Northern Health is delighted to announce the launch of our new inpatient and aged care menu at Kilmore District Hospital. This menu is the result of extensive planning and collaboration aimed at transforming the gastronomic experience and nutritional wellbeing of our patients.

Developed with consumer collaboration and considering their preferences, the new menu not only complies with the nutrition and food quality standards for adults in Victorian public hospitals and residential aged care services, but also embraces the sensory and sentimental aspects associated with food.

“With a focus on increased choice, nutritional optimisation, aroma, texture and presentation, our meals aim to provide not just nourishment, but a dining experience aimed to enhance the overall outcome for our consumers,” says Andrea Traficante, Dietitian, Kilmore District Hospital.

This significant milestone underscores Northern Health’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional care and support to the Kilmore District Hospital community.

Here’s some of the positive feedback from our patients:

“The food has been exceptional, not good or great but absolutely exceptional.”

“The meals here are so good, the best I’ve had at any hospital.”

“The meals are so good, I’m licking my plates clean.”

From our Occupational Therapist in Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM):

“On behalf of the GEM team, thank you for all the effort you have put in with the new menu, all the patients have had positive feedback and we have noticed an improvement with the amount of food being consumed by our patients. This helps so much in their recovery journey. All our patients mention how friendly the staff are and their willingness to help them fill out their menus or change items on their tray if they make a mistake. Thank you!”

The introduction of this new menu marks a new era in patient care at Kilmore District Hospital. We are committed to continually enhancing our services to meet our patients’ needs and preferences. Providing delicious and nutritious meals is essential to improving the patient experience and ensuring the highest quality of care for our community.

Last week, Northern Health’s Spiritual Care, Palliative Care and Social Work teams hosted a memorial service to honour the memory of those who passed away at Northern Health.

The service, ‘A time to remember’, was an opportunity for loved ones and staff to join together to remember those who passed away at Northern Health between June 2023 and November 2023. The service also paid tribute to Northern Health staff who have passed away.

The event was attended by many loved ones and staff, including Dr Andrea Kattula, Northern Health Board Member, Associate Professor Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer, who opened the service, and Stephanie Thompson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, who delivered the Acknowledgment of Country.

Other attendees included representatives from Palliative Care, Social Work and Spiritual Care. The Northern Health Community Choir also performed at the service.

During the service, guests were invited to reflect by choosing a butterfly that represented an element – grief, courage, memories, love, peace and hope – that was meaningful to them. The butterflies were beautifully placed on a community tree in memory of those being honoured, creating a very colourful representative of attendees thoughts and feelings.

Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, said it was a privilege to offer a sacred healing space for Northern Health’s community.

“We had 135 people attend, including 40 staff, who came to support, honour and grieve together with family, friends and loved ones,” she said.

“Tears, laughter and beautiful stories were shared and celebrated. Hearing the positive feedback from those attending affirms the importance of offering compassionate holistic care.”

“My deepest gratitude to those involved in creating a heartfelt memorial service especially to Spiritual Care, Palliative Care, Social Work, Volunteers and the Northern Health Community Choir.”

Northern Health received positive feedback from next of kins following the memorial service, many saying they felt supported and that their grief was heard and understood by the audience.

“I remember the wonderful care my husband received at the hospital. My daughter came from Queensland to be here for the memorial service”.

“It is so good that the hospital runs this event.”

“Well done, that was beautiful”.

Featured image: Staff at the memorial service.

Northern Health’s Dietetics, Speech Pathology and Food Services departments, with support from Support Services and Ian Brand Residential Care management, have led the implementation of a new style of texture modified meals at Bundoora Centre’s Ian Brand Residential Care.

Texture modified meals are provided to patients and residents across Northern Health who have swallowing problems, otherwise known as dysphagia. Food and drinks are modified to make swallowing safer as well as reduce the risk of choking and aspiration. The meals are provided in consultation with a speech pathologist who prescribes the required level of texture following a detailed swallowing assessment.

Modified food textures offered at Northern Health include puree, minced and moist, soft and bite-sized and easy to chew, which are compliant with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Framework.

As part of this project, over 50 new menu items will be introduced at Ian Brand Residential Care across the puree and minced and moist diet codes. The menu items will be in the shape of easy to recognise food items including beef ravioli, chicken breast, roast meat slices, vegetables including carrot, broccoli and corn cobs and desserts such as chocolate cake, apple and cinnamon cake and lemon panacotta.

Tara Buratto, Senior Food Service Dietitian, said the moulded textured modified meals are in the shape of real food and designed to improve the consumer mealtime experience, nutrition intake and promote dining with dignity, irrespective of diet and meal requirements.

“This is a unique quality improvement initiative that will enhance the food service provision to residents requiring texture modified meals at Ian Brand Residential Care and provide a model for further growth across Northern Health. The pilot project was highly encouraged and supported by Ian Brand Residential Care management in order to also ensure compliance with the Aged Care Standards,” she said.

This innovative transformation is a novel food service initiative that showcases Northern Health as a leader in progressive and dignified meal provision within a publicly funded aged care service.

Initially, the moulded texture modified meals will be offered at Ian Brand Residential Care with a view to explore the potential for further expansion.

Featured image: Jennifer Paraskeva, Senior Speech Pathologist, Lora Davies, Divisional Director, Sub Acute Services and Access, Tara Buratto, Senior Food Dietitian, Snezana Poposka, ISS Facility Services Manager, Bundoora Centre and Rachael Evans, Associate Director, Dietetics.

On Thursday, 23 May 2024, the Australian Chapter of the Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) visited Northern Health to provide a certificate in recognition of our Recognised Employer Partner accreditation.

The certificate was formally presented to Rick Garotti, Northern Health’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Financial Controller, and is now proudly displayed in the office of Basil Ireland, Northern Health’s Chief Financial Officer.

The Recognised Employer Partner accreditation is widely esteemed and highly valued by the CPA. Northern Health is one of only 400 global employers and one of the few healthcare services in Australia to be formally accredited with this status.

The accreditation recognises the breadth and depth of professional development (PD) reward and recognition programs offered by Northern Health to all staff, including those in finance roles. This accreditation brings several benefits to employees, such as an exemption from mandatory CPA PD requirements.

“The CPA Recognised Employer Partner accreditation provides a very strong signal to the market of Northern Health’s commitment to the professional growth and development of our staff and assists us in retaining and attracting quality team members across our finance, revenue, payroll and business support teams,” Mr Ireland said.

“Northern Health has 20 professional accountants, working across a variety of teams, and doing great work to support the organisation. We are particularly proud of three of our team members who are currently being supported to complete their CPA while working at Northern Health. The CPA Recognised Employer Partner accreditation will greatly assist them on this journey,” said Mr Garotti.

Naach Ulagappan, Corporate Business Analyst, one the three team members currently completing her CPA journey, says she is deeply thankful for the support she is receiving from Northern Health.

“The resources provided such as study leave, guidance and flexible working hours were instrumental in my success. Special thanks to my mentor, Karen Barnett, for her guidance, wisdom and encouragement. Her insights and belief in my abilities have been invaluable. To our Directors, Rick Garotti and Jimmy Jacob, thank you for fostering a culture of learning and development, and for creating an environment where aspiring professionals can thrive. My CPA journey has been rewarding – thank you for the collective and continuous support,” said Ms Ulagappan.

Adi Jamwal, CPA Australia, said, “As the financial year comes to a close, it’s inspiring to see organisations doubling down on their commitment to employee growth and success. Northern Health’s dedication to continuous training and development for their employees is truly commendable.”

“We are honoured to part with such a forward-thinking team and look forward to witnessing their ongoing success!” he added.

 

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Helen Zhu, CPA Australia, Adi Jamwal, CPA Australia and Rick Garotti, Northern Health.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Dorothy Tu, Deputy Director (Clinical), Pharmacy.

Q: Firstly, what is your coffee order?

Like a true Melbournian, I like my coffee simple and strong. My preferred coffee order is a Melbourne Magic.

Q: What does your role as Deputy Director of Pharmacy entail?

Aside from the managerial tasks associated with the job, the Deputy Director of Pharmacy (Clinical) involves supporting a team of highly skilled clinical pharmacists to ensure the hospital ward services are looked after with a strong focus on patient care and safety.

Q: How did you come to work in pharmacy?

I originally studied Pharmaceutical Science with a specialty in Formulation (so I learned how to make the drugs). However, after completing my course, I realised I enjoyed patient interaction and being involved in patient care. Alongside my talkative nature and wanting to help others, I also enjoyed physiology and the impact medicines have on the body. This propelled me to pursue pharmacy as a career and we can say the rest is history.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am a true foodie at heart and have a love for traveling along with cocktail making.

Q: Where has been your favourite place to travel and why?

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to. The Duomo is an absolute stunner, not to mention the Italian history, delicious food, wonderful wine and deep culture. I would visit this city over and over again if I had the chance!