Today, on 14 February, in the heart of Northern Health’s maternity unit, three families welcomed the most precious gift of all on this special Valentine’s Day, their beautiful babies.

As the world celebrates love in all its forms, the maternity ward echoed with the sounds of new beginnings, each cry a testament to the miracle of life.

As for Northern Health’s Maternity staff, it is both their honour and privilege to witness these moments, and to share in the warmth of new beginnings.

“Midwifery is such a sacred job that it allows you to be with the woman and her family when creating core memories of their family growing. When you add a day of love, it adds that extra bit of sparkle and joy to the day,” said Seda Kiroglu, Maternity Unit Manager, Northern Health.

“Maternity Services at Northern Health take pride in the care we provide for our new families, which is why as we celebrate the year of kindness, we would like to echo that value through our practice.”

Our heartfelt congratulations to all the families who have welcomed their new bundles of joy on Valentine’s Day.

Ward 16 is a 32-bed Medical Surgical ward, and it is located at Northern Hospital Epping. The Ward has been adapting to various changes in recent years, including a current configuration with 16 beds dedicated to medical patients. The adjustment in bed allocation reflects on the response to the ever-growing demand for medical patients in the hospital.

The team in Ward 16 currently consists of 55 staff members. The workforce is predominantly composed of fairly new staff, most of whom have been on the ward for almost a year. The significant turnover of staff experienced last year has resulted in a relatively young and novice team. Despite this, the team has been actively addressing the challenge by prioritising upskilling initiatives and fostering an environment that builds confidence among staff. Their aim is to provide comprehensive care to patients, ensuring patient-centred approach aligned with their specific needs.

Patient cohort in Ward 16 are surgical colorectal patients, patients with gastroenterology issues and medical patients dealing with multiple complex health issues. The diverse patient population requires a specialised and multidisciplinary approach to address their unique needs.

Recently, one of their staff members, Bilgin Kocaburak, Registered Nurse, has made a significant contribution for the early diagnosis of patients experiencing delirium post-surgery. As part of his post-graduate work, he developed an informative poster which helps to effectively identify delirium in post-operative patients. This initiative has gained popularity and recognition, leading Mr Kocaburak to join the Delirium Committee.

“His expertise in the early identification and management of delirium patients is now being shared with other wards across the organisation,” said Jeena Katuwal, Nurse Unit Manager, Ward 16, Northern Hospital Epping.

In another uplifting development, Ward 16 has been the recipient of a generous $3500 donation from a deeply grateful patient, who, after nearly six months under their care, successfully overcame his health complications and returned home. The donation serves as a heartfelt token of appreciation to the entire staff of Ward 16.

“The generous donation served as a testament to the impact and quality of care provided by our dedicated team. We are grateful for such positive feedback and committed to maintain this highest standard of patient care,” said Ms Katuwal.

After the pandemic, Ward 16 transitioned back to a surgical ward, however during that time, they faced a notable lack of stability in leadership and staffing. Recently, the team has taken significant strides towards restoring cohesion and harmony within the unit. With a renewed focus on upskilling and safety, they are actively working to enhance their capabilities and maintain a secure and proficient workplace.

“In 2024, we are committed to achieving excellence in patient care. Our primary goals include delivering high-quality patient-centred care, by fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture, and face challenges with a positive attitude as we continue to grow. Our focus is on continuous improvement and ongoing training and development opportunities for our wonderful staff,” said Ms Katuwal.

Featured image: Staff at Ward 16, Northern Hospital Epping. 

Each week in the lead up to Accreditation, Northern Health will focus on a different Standard. You will hear from the Chair of each of the Standard Committees about the key points you need to know.

This week we spoke to Dr Saliya Hewagama, Infectious Diseases Physician, about Standard 3: Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections.

Dr Hewagama explained Infection Prevention is a very broad and diverse standard that effects all disciplines, departments and levels of the organisation. Infection Prevention mechanisms are in place to ensure that patients and staff are kept safe throughout their time at Northern Health.

What is this standard about?

Healthcare associated infections are the most common complication that impacts on our patients while they are in hospital.  It is our responsibility to work with patients to ensure our systems and procedures protect them because many hospital acquired complications (HACs) are preventable.

At Northern Health, this standard looks like…. 

Standard 3 has a dedicated Infection Prevention service who lead a variety of work that occurs across the health service, but it relies on every employee in the organisation to be aware of the importance of the work and follow evidence-based practices to protect our patients.

What are the top five ways staff can be prepared for Accreditation against this Standard?

1. Ensure your immunisation status is up to date and if you have vaccinations outstanding in Cgov that you update your file.
2. Complete your mandatory training – hand hygiene, PPE module and aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).
3. Antimicrobial stewardship is important – use evidence to engage your patients and ensure they understand their care. Champion antimicrobial stewardship for your patients.
4. Ensure you check alerts for transmission-based precautions requirements for your patients and ensure correct room placement and PPE usage.
5. Ensure that you keep equipment and the patient environment clean.

What are the top questions staff needs to be able to answer about this Standard?

1. Why might your patient be at increased risk of infection?
2. How do we identify risk of infection in patients?
3. What infection prevention strategies are in place for all your patients?
4. What are the key features in recognising and managing sepsis?
5. How do you communicate information about preventing infection to your patients and their families?
6. What quality activities have you been involved in to reduce infection in on your unit?
7. What is the purpose of Antimicrobial stewardship and its impact on patient care, and how do you play a role in it?
8. Do you know your immunisation status?
9. How do you manage and dispose of clinical waste appropriately?
10. What are the 5 moments of Hand Hygiene?
11. What do you do if you have an occupational exposure (e.g. needlestick injury)?

Is there anything else you would like staff to know about this Standard?

Standard 3 is part of your daily work.  Be aware of the principles of good hand hygiene, aseptic non-touch technique and cleaning between patients.

Click here to learn more about Standard 3: Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections.

Northern Health celebrates significant cultural events starting with Lunar New Year 2024: Year of the Dragon

At Northern Health we recognize the richness and diversity of our staff and the communities we serve, with over 40 per cent of staff and patients born in non-English speaking countries. To honour this commitment, we will be celebrating cultural events throughout the year, starting with Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant cultural holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly those of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other East Asian descent.

It is a time of renewal, reflection, and joy for millions of people around the world. It is a celebration deeply rooted in tradition, symbolising the arrival of spring and the opportunity for new beginnings. Each year in the lunar calendar is associated with one of the twelve Eastern zodiac animals.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which symbolises power, strength, and good fortune. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be charismatic, ambitious, and natural leaders.

“Year of the Loong’ (dragon) is a symbol of power, wisdom, and nobility. In Chinese culture, the ‘Loong’ is a serpentine creature symbolising wisdom and nobility. Across many cultures, dragons represent strength and guardianship. Let’s embrace these qualities, wishing everyone a year of courage and prosperity,” said Yue Hu, Director, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and Narrun Wilip-Giin Aboriginal Support Unit, Northern Health.

Lunar New Year is celebrated with various customs and traditions, including family reunions, feasting on special foods, giving red envelopes filled with money for good luck, lighting firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and decorating homes with red lanterns and paper cut-outs.

Red is the dominant colour during Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing good luck, joy, and prosperity.

“In Vietnamese culture, Tết (Lunar New Year) is a celebration of the arrival of spring and a new year and an opportunity for people to reunite with their families, show respect for their ancestors, and wish for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year. May 2024 be a year filled with luck and opportunity for everyone – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year),” said David Le, TALS Manager, Northern Health.

By celebrating Lunar New Year together, we hope to create a space where staff members from diverse backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and forge deeper connections. We believe that celebrating cultural festivities not only enriches our workplace culture, but also strengthens our bonds as a team and fosters a sense of belonging for all.

We would like to wish all staff at Northern Health who are celebrating a wonderful Lunar New Year and 2024!

Featured image (left to right): Navneet Gill, Stefania Zen, Yue Hu, David Le and LuYuan Chen.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Susan Richardson, Computer Clerk, Broadmeadows Health Information Services.

What is your coffee order?

I love a nice hot, strong cappuccino.

Tell me about your role at Northern Health and what it entails?

I am involved in the prepping and scanning of medical records and the merging of UR Duplicates, all of which have evolved with technology changes over the years.

Why and how did you choose your specialty?

I have always had an interest in health and wanted to apply my administrative skills within the medical field. After completing an Advanced Medical Terminology Certificate at Victoria University, I commenced working as a medical transcriptionist at Broadmeadows Health Service – that was 25 years ago.

What is your greatest achievement or favourite memory since working here?

My greatest achievement is still being here after 25 years! My favourite memories are many… but I think the lovely co-workers that I have had the opportunity to work with has been the most wonderful experience.

What are some things people don’t know about you?

What some people may not know about me is that I have a twin brother. I grew up listening to music like Skyhooks, Rolling Stones and AC/DC.  I have two sons and a cat named Eva. My religion is the Collingwood Football Club and I enjoy watching all sports.

Northern Health is bringing together medical, nursing, allied health, legal counsel and lived experience staff to discuss and redefine admission pathways for mental health consumers on 27 March 2024, at the Ibis Melbourne.

Keynote speakers include Anna Love, Victoria’s Chief Mental Health Nurse, who will speak about strengthening pathways for direct admission and supporting the Royal Commission findings, along with Sergeant Brad Turney, Northern Hospital Police Liaison, Victoria Police, who will discuss the role of Police and Clinician Emergency Response (PACER) and emergency services.

Northern Health speakers include:

• Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health Division
• Dr Daniel Crompton, Director, Emergency Services
• Awash Prasad, Director of Legal Services
• Dr Vinay Lakra, Divisional Director, Mental Health Division
• Dr Vijay Danivas, Head of Unit, Mental Health Division
• Shaveta Sood, Nurse Unit Manager, Mental Health Division
• Tanya Goodison, Ancy Joy and Janne-Marie Blackman, Program Managers – Community Mental Health
• Mary Mackie-Low, Emergency Mental Health Team Leader
• Christopher Ferguson, Manager, Consumer Lived Experience Workforce, Mental Health Division

Dr Crompton believes, “For too long now, mental health patients have had too few options in the community to seek help. Limited service availability means that many people living with mental illness receive treatment, care and support only at times of crisis. This has led to a risk-averse model of care in which people do not receive therapeutic and psychosocial supports and do not receive support early enough to aid recovery or to avoid an escalation in their illness.”

Dr Lakra says, “Providing a timely and appropriate care for those who are acutely unwell with a psychiatric illness is very important as delays in treatment can lead to poorer outcomes.  It is a very timely and topical issue given significant demand for mental health beds in a system which is under severe pressure. It requires a whole of system approach to provide high quality treatment including a focus on preventing relapses.”

Ms Sood in her presentation will delve into the intricacies of direct admission from the lens of an inpatient unit, unravelling both the barriers that impede progress and the facilitators.  She says, “By understanding these dynamics, we can pave the way for our consumers to have a smoother transition from the community.”

Mr Ferguson says his role in this forum is to remind everyone of the human face of consumers presenting to the emergency department. “I aim to be a conduit for the ‘consumer voice’ and help those attending to understand the barriers that mental health consumers experience,” says Mr Ferguson.

Click here to learn more, or register for this event.

New Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service: towards a healthier and happier community

The Mental Health Division is pleased to announce the launch of a new specialist service, bringing together Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinicians and Addiction Psychiatrists, and merging the former Alcohol and Other Drugs Consultation and Liaison Service with the SPECTRE unit.

The Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology (APT) Service is available to consumers admitted through the Northern Hospital Emergency Department, medical and surgical inpatients, psychiatry wards, and for current consumers of our mental health services.

Services include specialist assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of co-occurring substance use disorders and toxicity, secondary consultations with treating teams regarding advice on diagnosis, clinical management and treatment options.

The next phase of the service development will include a specialist Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Outpatient Clinic.

Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health said, “This is a significant service, as we bring together our Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology expertise to care for consumers in Melbourne’s north.”

Associate Professor Joe Rotella, Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician, said, “This is a unique opportunity to do something that forgoes the status quo and seeks to do better for our consumers. The creation of a multi-specialty and multi-disciplinary team is the very embodiment of our values, ‘Safe, Kind and Together’. As the quote goes ‘to get something different, you must do something different”.

Joby Philip – Manager for APT said, “We are committed to providing the best possible care to those struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental and physical health co-morbidities. The new Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service, is a step towards a healthier and happier community.”

Pictured from left to right (from the top): 

Belinda Scott – Executive Director Mental Health, Dr. Brian O Riordan – APT Toxicology Consultant, Associate Professor Joe Rotella- APT Toxicology Lead Consultant, 

Shiruo Liu – AOD Senior Clinician, Sonia Andersen – AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Aniruddh Narasimha- Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr Nathan Clinton- APT Toxicology Registrar

Dr Prince Rajamanickam- Addiction Psychiatrist, Trudy Mponda- AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Saada Malouf – APT Toxicology Consultant, Harjot Kaur Brar- AOD Senior Clinician, Emily Whitfield – Administration Officer

Joby Philip – APT Manager

In 1996, Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ community took to the streets to show solidarity for the first ever Pride March. The 1996 March took almost the same route along St Kilda’s Fitzroy St, transforming the strip into a show of community pride. The March has since taken place each year, as an opportunity for members of the LGBTIQA+ community and allies to take part in a fun, colourful and joyful day of celebration.

This year, the Midsumma Pride March was held on Sunday, 4 February. 10,000 people took to the sweltering streets of Melbourne for the annual March, with thousands more lining the streets to watch the iconic parade.

Northern Health staff were among the many who braved the 38 degree weather to march along Fitzroy Street, together with other healthcare services and organisations. The presence of Northern Health at the Midsumma Festival Pride March shows our LGBTIQA+ staff, family and patients that we are a health care service that prioritises the wellbeing of our diverse community. This is Northern Health’s fourth time marching in the event.

Event Organiser and co-chair of the rainbow Committee, Electra Ulrich, was proud of the turnout.

“What another amazing Pride March with Northern Health! It was great to see some familiar and some new faces marching with us. I felt proud to be representing Northern Health,” she said.

Maria Soo, Director of Workforce Planning and Projects said, “It was incredible being part of the Northern Health contingent with representatives from across various campuses and directorates getting together to celebrate our uniqueness. There was so much excitement and buzz throughout the day, with people (and lots of canines) marching for the right to a discrimination-free existence. As a member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, I look forward to working with our workforce in 2024 to promote and celebrate diversity.”

First time marcher at Northern Health, Melanie Cricco said, “For me, joining in the Pride March under the Northern Health banner was a vibrant and colourful celebration, conveying that Northern Health is a safe and inclusive place for everyone to access its healthcare services.”

Andrew Grey, Rainbow Health Working Group Member, also echoed this sentiment.

“Pride March is an important day to celebrate those who are a part of the LBGTIQA+ community and to show our solidarity. It is important for our patients and their families to see that we are a supportive organisation and a LBGTIQA+ safe place to receive healthcare.”

The Northern Health Foundation was very happy to support Pride March by purchasing the flags. This was part of the funds donated by staff through the Northern Health Workplace Giving Program. The Foundation is passionate about supporting causes that promote equality and inclusiveness and this is a fantastic opportunity to further our commitment to the LGBTQA+ community.

The Workplace Giving Program is agreat way to contribute and support these ongoing initiatives that are making a difference. The form is available on PROMPT or you join by getting in touch with the Foundation team via email foundation@nh.org.au. 

If you would like to get involved with the Northern Health Rainbow Working group, email rainbowgroup@nh.org.au

Featured image: Northern Health staff at Midsumma Pride March 2024.