June 2022
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NAIDOC WEEK ’22: Our theme and Quiz
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer and proud Gunditjmara woman, says, “NAIDOC time is important to me, it’s a time to relish in my culture with my family, grandchildren and community. It’s a special time of year where…
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Generous donations supporting our patients
Northern Health has recently received important equipment to continue providing high level care to our patients. We take this opportunity to thank our supporters for their contributions through the Northern Health Foundation. The Batten Foundation generously funded the purchase of three Panda Warmers for our Northern Hospital Epping Birthing Suite. “We are very appreciative of the generous donation by the Batten Foundation,” said Zeyneb Gokler, Midwifery Unit Manager, Birthing Suite and Maternity Assessment Centre. “Panda Warmers are critical equipment in providing resuscitation of the newborn. Currently, we have four Panda Warmers and with the addition of a further three Panda…
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Smooth transition to a new Data Centre
Transitioning to a new Data Centre at the best of times is no easy task. Doing so during COVID Peak required not only contending with an enhanced COVID response structure, but also careful coordination between Capital Development and Engineering. The fact that this was achieved without any impact on business, is testament to the seamless fashion the various teams involved worked together and the detailed planning – from budgeting to implementation, all under the lead of the ICT (Information Communication Technology) team. The transition brought together the expertise of the whole ICT team, but particular mention should be made to…
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VVED featured on Sunrise
It was a busy Friday last week for the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) team, with the service featured on Sunrise, Channel 10 News and ABC Radio. Dr Loren Sher, Clinical Director VVED and Hayley Gray, Nurse Unit Manager, were up bright and early to explain how the service works, and the plans for future expansion. “We’ve developed a system where patients in our local community and Ambulance Victoria can register electronically, and this certainly is one of the solutions to ease pressure on the ED waiting rooms,” Dr Sher said. Dr Sher ensured the community VVED is run by…
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It’s the day for Crazy Socks!
Today is Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day, dedicated to breaking down the stigma around mental health in doctors. On this day, held every year on the first Friday of June, doctors and their colleagues wear their craziest socks to encourage conversations around mental health. Dr Dean Pritchard, Emergency Physician and Senior Medical Staff Association (SMSA) Chair, explains mental health awareness days have grown in profile and importance through the pandemic. “Crazy Socks for Docs Day is one such day. The sheer escalation in demand for healthcare has challenged medical staff like never before. Our doctors have soldiered on and shouldered…
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Q&A with David Calvo, Chief Information Officer
Today, we chat with David Calvo, Chief Information Officer, who has been in this post for just over three months. What’s your coffee order? I don’t drink coffee… Yeah… I know… How is it that live in the coffee capital of the world, but don’t drink it? I’m one of those weird ones. Orange juice is always on the cards for me though! Tell us about your time so far at Northern Health? Everything is very new to me. I used to work in the recruitment industry, so jumping into health has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone.…
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Training allied health professionals
Representatives from our allied health team took part in a Complex Case Series webinar last week, aimed at providing free education and training to allied health professionals across Victoria. The Allied Health Clinical Educator’s Network (AHCEN) has developed a format of complex case webinars that allow experienced allied health professionals to problem solve and talk about their reasoning behind clinical decisions. Last week’s webinar was on early allied health intervention to optimise neurodevelopment in high-risk infants. Expert professionals from different health services, including Northern Health, spoke at the webinar. Justine Slattery, Northern Health Allied Health Education Lead, facilitated the webinar,…