2021
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Mindfulness sessions are back
This is a unique time for all of us, and that is why it is important to take extra care of our wellbeing and mental health. To support you on that journey, the Wellbeing team are excited to announce virtual “Collective pause” mindfulness sessions. These expert-led sessions start from today, 5 October, and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at alternating morning and afternoon times. The first mindfulness session will be the all familiar ‘TREAT Rest and Recovery’, led by Jo Gibbs, who will guide staff through a gentle movement and rest practice, aimed at providing relaxation, fatigue management…
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Working together to beat COVID-19
Jacqui Harper, Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) COVID Ward 20 at Northern Hospital Epping, spoke at the Victorian Premier’s COVID-19 media conference on Sunday, along with Michelle Spence, NUM Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). Jacqui and Michelle were invited to help spread the word on the importance of being fully vaccinated. ‘‘COVID-19 is a terrible illness,’’ Jacqui said. ‘‘The patients we see coming into our hospitals are seriously, seriously ill. The clinical deterioration is so sudden.’’ Jacqui said she’s witnessed patients go from “sitting in a chair one minute” to saying their goodbyes an hour later. “They…
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It’s thunderstorm asthma season
Spring is here, and this favourite season often brings thunderstorms and pollen in the air. During grass pollen season, from October through to December, people may notice an increase in asthma and hay fever. These months also bring the chance of thunderstorm asthma. Kirin Channa, Emergency Physician, explained thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm. “For people who have asthma or hay fever, this can trigger severe asthma symptoms. This can become very severe, very quickly and many people may require…
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Northern Health Foundation: How we care for the community, together
Are you aware that Northern Health has its own Foundation? Northern Health Foundation is a formally registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC) and has its own board of directors. Established in 2005, the Foundation’s purpose was to increase philanthropic, corporate, and community support for Northern Health services. While this is still the mission today, it’s role goes even deeper than this. According to John Molnar OAM, longstanding Foundation Board Chair, “We support Northern Health in its vision of creating a healthier community. We do this by funding life-changing medical equipment, research, and training. We are a…
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Stronger together: North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU)
At the beginning of the year, Northern Health became part of the North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU), a team of healthcare workers focusing on the North Eastern region to help manage the COVID-19 outbreak response. Austin Health has been appointed as the lead health service, in collaboration with Northern Health and Eastern Health. Dr Christian McGrath, Clinical Lead NEPHU @ Northern, explained the idea for a localised health unit came about last year due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and the need for more contact tracers to support the Department of Health. “At some stage, it got quite…
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Care packages for our junior doctors
Our dedicated junior doctors received a special delivery of care packages as part of R U OK? Day from the Junior Medical Staff Association (JMSA) Welfare team, to show their thanks for their incredible work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The R U OK? Day Care Packages filled with goodies were delivered to all junior doctors; interns, residents and registrars at Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital and Bundoora Centre. Dr Natina Monteleone, JMSA Representative, said the Welfare team recognised that this was a challenging time for all our Doctors, and wanted to show their appreciation to the junior doctor community at…
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New COVID-19 outpatient treatment at Northern Hospital
This week, Northern Health launched a new outpatient service to treat patients with COVID-19 in the community. The ‘Sotrovimab Clinic’ is located at Entry 5 of Northern Hospital Epping. In the clinic, staff administer Sotrovimab, a novel monoclonal antibody treatment, intravenously to patients in the community who are unwell with COVID-19. Northern Health is one of only a couple of sites across Victoria that are administering this therapy in an outpatient setting. Professor Don Campbell, Director Staying Well Program, said, “We are very pleased to have the Sotrovimab infusion centre established here at Northern Health.” “Vulnerable communities who haven’t yet…
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Supporting people with COVID-19
Northern Health has a support program in place for people who have tested positive to COVID-19 in our catchment area. Our COVID Monitor Program provides best practice care for people whom have tested positive for COVID-19, and ensures other health care needs are met whilst in the program. The telephone-monitoring program also helps to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions of mild COVID-19 cases and ensures isolation protocols are followed to limit community spread. Patients complete a daily self-check survey to let a Northern Health staff member know how they are feeling and if they have any other symptoms. Staff will then…