In early 2019, Northern Health will be implementing a powerful new Learning Management System (LMS) as an integrated and collaborative online learning space for the future.

The system will provide an exclusive learning environment for all employees and allow those within our community to connect with the traditional delivery of training in a digital form.

Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, says the new LMS is about bridging the gap between employee qualifications and Northern Health’s business requirements.

“Fundamentally, the LMS underpins employees life-cycle with Northern Health. We invest in equipment, we invest in buildings, we invest in new ideas, and the LMS is a way of investing in our employees,” Michelle Fenwick said.

For the duration of 2018, the focus will be on governance and support for the new system, sourcing and implementation of the system and providing leadership in the effective use of new and emerging technologies to enhance learning.

One of the first tasks, as an organisation, is to name the system. Open to all employees, a competition has been announced to devise a unique name.

Bec Gilbert, eLearning Manager, says they would like to brand the LMS with a name that represents Northern Health and the purpose of the new system, which is to accompany and enhance the traditional delivery of our training and online learning.

You’ll be notified if your selection is one of the top three and the person who submits the winning entry will receive a prize to the value of $200. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, 13 September.

To enter, please click here.

It’s Wear Blue Day at Northern Health’s Speech Pathology Departments, supporting the Speech Pathology Australia Week. This year,  the speech pathology professionals call for greater action to ensure accessibility for the 1.2 million Australians with a communication disability.

Communication access is vital to enable everyone to participate fully in the social, educational, economic and sporting aspects of life.

Emma Beer, Associate Director Allied Health Speech Pathology (CPSP), Audiology and Orthoptics at Northern Hospital says that they celebrate Speech Pathology Week every year with a different theme. This year, the focus is on communication access for all.

“In a hospital setting, we have a lot of patients with communication problems from stroke, who can’t communicate their needs. As speech pathologists, it’s important that we enable them to express themselves. We are all wearing blue today to draw attention to the importance of communication,” she said.

Technology plays a growing and vital role in keeping Australians with communication difficulties engaged with their family, friends and those in their local community.

Assistive technology such as electronic and speech generating devices, voice amplification and computer access aids (including eye-gaze mouse control and head tracking devices) allow people with speech difficulties to communicate with those around them.

Building communication accessibility will ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. When we create communication accessible communities, everyone gets the message.

Last week, Northern Health marked the Hand Hygiene Week, holding workshops and activities across all sites.

Hand hygiene is a crucial element of Standard 3 in the National Healthcare Standards which aims to improve infection prevention and control measures to help prevent infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Having in mind that healthcare-associated infections are the most common complication affecting patients in Australian hospitals, having regular safety and hygiene trainings helps us prevent complications while ensuring our staff receives the best possible education and practice.

Numerous events were held for our staff and visitors, including a Stethoscope raffle, Gold Standard Auditor Workshop hosted at NCHER, Pink “Avagard” T Shirts, display boards and educational workshops.

Our clinical staff handed out brochures to in-patients at Northern Hospital and answered questions about prevention and hygiene, while nurse educators assisted with hand hygiene promotion at Northern Health – Bundoora and Broadmeadows Hospital.

 

 

It’s that time of year again and the Northern Health Foundation Race Day is in full swing.

Hosted by Bev Carman, longstanding Northern Health supporter and Kilmore resident, Race Day will be returning trackside for the first meeting of the 18/19 country racing season to raise funds for research grants at Northern Health.

Bev Carman is passionate about improving the health of her community and encourages locals to get behind the event.

“The money raised will go toward researching the future of health for our community. We hope that people get involved in this fun day for a great cause supported by Freemasons Victoria,” she said.

Funds raised will go towards research into Telehealth and eHealth, changing how we use our smartphones to connect with medical professionals by providing health care services across geographic and cultural barriers.

Northern Health Research Lead, Professor Peter Brooks, is an active supporter of Telehealth.

“This cutting edge research into smartphone use will enhance the delivery of health care, educate patients and minimise hospital presentations,” Professor Brooks said.

Come along and join in the fun! Tickets are only $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10. 

When: Saturday 8 September 2018

Where: Kilmore Racing Club

Time: 12pm – 5.30pm

Click here to book your tickets. Includes seating in the main dining room which overlooks the track with a 3 course meal and beverage on arrival. Bus transfers from The Northern Hospital Epping will also be offered.

Northern Health, together with Victorian Simulation Alliance (VSA) held the Inaugural Simulation Conference 2018 last week at Northern Centre for Health Education and Research (NCHER).

Under the Alliance, Innovation and Inquiry motto, this year’s conference focused on supporting the simulation community.

Over 30 different simulation-related research articles were presented, covering multidisciplinary health topics and focusing on how simulation can be used to enhance patient outcomes.

Dr Alison Dwyer, Chief Medical Officer says that Northern Health is committed to providing outstanding care for the community in the north, which can only be achieved by supporting the clinicians to maintain and grow their clinical skills.

“This simulation conference is an outstanding example of cutting edge teaching philosophies, of which Northern Health will continue to support into the future. Congratulations to Todd Mason, as part of the Conference Organising Committee, and the Research and Education Unit on hosting  a successful conference,” she said.

Northern Health’s research is built upon innovative service delivery underpinned by excellence in education, as we create a culture for health that is based on the growing need for innovative and progressive care.

It’s Northern Health Foundation Audi car raffle time again this year, and a great moment to catch up with Charys Winter, Clinical Nurse Consultant and the lucky winner of the 2017 raffle.

Charys bought the ticket last year, inspired by the efforts the Foundation is putting into supporting our patient’s families.

“I was pleased to see the initiative of the Foundation to build housing for patient families, as that must be an enormously stressful time for all, on top of the obvious medical concerns,” Charys said.

Charys was surprised to hear that she was the winner.

“The phone call woke me up on Saturday evening. I think I was in disbelief initially then the excitement kicked in,” she said.

The car came at the right moment for her and her family, as she decided to sell the car and help the family attend a wedding in Canada.

“Please support the Foundation and make a real difference towards achieving important goals – you might win as I did,” she added and told us that she’ll be getting a ticket this year too.

Tickets can be purchased from our volunteers at The Northern Hospital Epping foyer and online by clicking here.

 

Northern Health currently has 345 active volunteers across the sites performing a variety of roles, including behind the scenes administrative support, fundraising initiatives and bringing comfort through patient visiting.

This week we held annual volunteer forums to acknowledge their contribution, discuss roles and responsibilities and provide mandatory training.

The forums were held at Northern Hospital, Broadmeadows Hospital and Northern Health Bundoora.

“Our volunteers make a real difference to the experience of patients and visitors during their time with us,” said Andrew Williamson, Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation.

“They have a profound impact on the lives of so many people, right from the moment they arrive at our facilities.”

On behalf of the Executive, he acknowledged volunteers valuable contribution – whether they have face-to-face roles or work behind the scenes supporting our staff.

Our volunteer program also includes a Commonwealth funded Community Visitor Scheme where we coordinate volunteers to visit recipients in Government funded Aged Care Services who are socially isolated and whose quality of life is improved by friendship and companionship.

Led by Henni Wade, Christine McGowan and Peter Fryer, Northern Health volunteers contributed an astonishing 41,287 hours of support towards our services over the past twelve months.

Is there anything more soothing than a warm soup in winter? Or a delicious scone? The staff at Broadmeadows Hospital seem to agree as they get together for another Winter Wellbeing event, hosted by Unit 1.

During busy winter shifts, it’s important for staff to have a break, relax and share a laugh with their colleagues.

“The winter wellbeing program has included a range of events in which wards and nursing department take turns to host a wellbeing event for the site. Events have included meditation sessions, quiz and game activities and plenty of shared food events. It has also included the ‘take a break on us’ initiative in which fresh fruit was provided in all staff tea rooms,” says Zoe Devenish, Site Director/Operations Director and Director of Nursing at the Broadmeadows Hospital.

Picture:  Zoe Devenish, enjoying a scone with Hospital Coordinator, Jen Greenwood.