April 2021
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Major move into new Wards next week
Stage 2 works of the Northern Hospital Expansion Project, into what is now named the ‘Main Ward Block’ have been completed and we are in the final stages of the move. On the ground floor, we will have our new concierge service which is an extension of existing main reception services, satellite pharmacy, orthotics and Transit Lounge 2 which we have been able to utilise for our COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Next week, Level 3, 4 and 5 of the Main Ward Block will be opening. Attached is a summary of which areas will be on each level of the new…
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Tick the box for safety
Standard 6 – Communicating for Safety aims to ensure timely, purpose-driven and effective communication and documentation that support continuous, coordinated and safe care for patients. This standard recognises that effective communication is needed throughout patients’ care and identifies high-risk times when effective communication is critical. Tracey Wyllie, Peri Operative Services Manager explained communicating for safety is very important in the peri operative theatre complex, like in many others. “This is particularly important for our teams within theatre, as the patient transfers care from ward nurse to anaesthetic nurse, anaesthetist, surgeon, the recovery team and then back to the ward. We…
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Responding to family violence
The Victorian Government has introduced three interrelated family violence reforms in response to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016). The three major family violence reforms are The Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS), The Child Information Scheme (CISS), and the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM). Tanya Ellis, Project Support Officer for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence at Northern Health, said the reforms aim to strengthen system-wide family violence risk assessment and management, and support information sharing in an attempt to keep adults and children, with lived experience of family violence safe, and to hold perpetrators…
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Standard 6: What you need to know
In the lead up to organisation wide Accreditation from 24-28 May 2021, each week Northern Health will be focusing on a different Standard. You will hear from the Chairs of each Standard Committee on what you need to know. This week we spoke to Simone Motton, Associate Director, Allied Health, about Standard 6: Communicating for Safety What is this standard about? Standard 6 is all about Communicating for Safety. The three main areas this covers are 1) Patient Identification, 2) Procedure Matching and 3) Clinical handover, but as you can imagine, the need for clear and timely communication is required…
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Staff flu vaccination starts
From yesterday, Northern Health staff and volunteers are able to receive their annual influenza (flu) vaccinations. Compared to previous years, there won’t be a community vaccination program, due to our focus on COVID-19 vaccinations. Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive was the first to receive this year’s flu shot. “Getting the flu shot this year remains important with the ongoing global pandemic. I would strongly encourage all of our staff to get vaccinated against the flu this year. By getting the flu shot, we are not only protecting our own health and wellbeing, but those around us as well,” he said. “All…
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Getting ready for the big move
Stage 2 works of the Northern Hospital Expansion Project have come to an end, as our staff prepare for their move into the new ‘Main Ward Block’ in May. Kathryn Bartho, Director of Operational Readiness for the project, is excited about the coming weeks as she works with staff towards operational readiness. “We are now in the final stages and adding the finishing touches in preparation for the opening of the Main Ward Block – Wards 19, 20 and 21,” Kathryn said. “This week, we have completed handover from the capital team to the operational teams including keys, remotes and…
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ANZAC Day 2021: Lest we forget
This morning, Northern Health held our annual ANZAC Day service at Bundoora Centre, with participation from Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria and 138 Signal Squadron along with local RSL branches. Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive at Northern Health, delivering the ANZAC Address, said, “It is a special day for Northern Health. Our ANZAC Service is closely associated with our patients, especially those at our Bundoora Centre.” “Today, we remember those who made the supreme sacrifice of paying with their lives, to make this country a safer place. We express our gratitude to them for the freedom we enjoy and…
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Doing it for dad
Earlier this month David Abud, Senior Theatre Technician, embarked on a 304 kilometre bike ride from Melbourne to Horsham on behalf of his dad, Dr Rodney Abud, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 18 months ago. Before Rodney was struck with the disease, he worked at the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham for nearly 30 years, and treated patients with Alzheimer’s in the later years of his career. He is now in fulltime care at a Heidelberg aged care facility. David began his three-day journey at Federation Square, and cycled to Ballarat on the first day. The following day, David…