Kellie Le, Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Coordinator, Vascular Surgery and Senior Podiatrist at Northern Health, is one of 10 clinicians across the state selected for the 2024 MacHSR Future Leaders Fellowship program.

The program is open for fully qualified clinicians (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals) who are keen to use Health Services Research to explore an evidence-based solution to a practical healthcare problem that is pertinent to their health service.

Kellie was selected for the program for her project: ‘An Evaluation of the Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults (VVSC) at Northern Health.’

“I had a rollercoaster of emotions when I received the news I was selected,” Kellie said.

“It is such a great opportunity and I am very grateful to have been successful with my application for the fellowship, along with the support that I received from the VVSC team.”

The VVSC is an evolution of the Medical Community Virtual Consult model that launched at Northern Health at the beginning of 2023, and was designed in response to the current difficulties with access to specialist clinics, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VVSC provides virtual consults to patients with substantial barriers to specialist access across the state and co-consults to support GPs and other healthcare professionals with immediate answers to help manage complex patients in the community.

In doing so, it aims to reduce demand on hospital outpatient services and avoid presentations and admissions to hospital through earlier optimisation of care.

“Robust evaluation is absolutely critical to understand the impact any new service has on patient experience and outcomes,” says Dr Joanna Lawrence, Director of VVSC.

“Kellie’s research, supported by experts in Health Services Research, will hopefully showcase the value VVSC is adding to the healthcare system and help guide future development.”

The fellowship offers Kellie the opportunity to enrol into Introduction to Health Services subject training, have protected research time, mentoring and cohort networking.

“It’s a program which supports health service research in partnership with hospitals to facilitate the development of evidence-based solutions to practical healthcare problems,” Kellie said.

“I am most excited about being able to learn how to complete research, especially in a structed environment with a supportive team.”

“Being a clinician, we are often pulled in lots of different directions, and having dedicated time to complete research is very compelling to me. Learning how to robustly evaluate VVSC will give me the background knowledge and empower me with the skills to eventually evaluate my own service under ESD Vascular.”

The goal of the ESD Vascular program is to reduce Length of Stay (LOS) by 20 percent in the vascular patient cohort, for those patients that are recruited and are eligible for ESD. This program offers virtual monitoring and support for patients at home, whilst they wait for their elective procedures with Vascular Surgery.

It also enables patients to safely remain at home, or encourage escalations to hospital if their health or condition deteriorates.

“I am hoping that once I have grasped the skills to evaluate a service, I can apply them to the current service program that I am working on or assist others within the health service,” said Kellie.

Northern Health congratulates Kellie on her success, and wishes her the best as she embarks on this journey.

Breast cancer is a significant health concern, and early detection and treatment plays a crucial role in improving survival rates. Northern Imaging Victoria has expanded its breast imaging services with a team of seven Breast Radiologists and dedicated mammography technologists. They have also instituted a new Women’s imaging Fellowship in Radiology, further contributing to the expertise and knowledge available within the team.

In April, Northern Imaging also introduced three new specialised services – Contrast Enhanced Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsies and MRI Breast Biopsies. This expansion has resulted in the availability of a fully comprehensive breast imaging service at Northern Health.

Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM): Mammograms can be challenging to interpret, especially when detecting cancers at their early stages. CEM is a new, cutting-edge technique that improves cancer identification. By using a contrast agent, CEM enhances the visibility of abnormalities that may not be clearly visible on a standard mammogram. This technology increases the rate of breast cancer detection and provides better information for evaluation and treatment planning. Importantly, CEM offers the benefit of cost-effectiveness and a shorter procedure time compared to MRI scans.

3D Tomosynthesis guided Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Biopsies are essential for confirming whether a breast abnormality is benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous. Stereotactic breast biopsy offers a less invasive alternative to surgical biopsy and is used when a small growth or an area of calcifications is detected on a mammogram, requiring further investigation. Northern Imaging Victoria has capability to perform 3D tomosynthesis guided stereotactic biopsies, further enhancing the accuracy of the procedure.

MRI-Guided Breast Biopsy
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – guided breast biopsy is an advanced procedure that precisely targets suspicious areas identified on breast MRI for diagnosis. It is minimally invasive and completed on an outpatient basis, reducing discomfort and recovery time for patients. MRI-guided breast biopsy has transformed breast imaging practices, allowing for earlier detection and more effective management of MRI detected breast abnormalities. Northern Imaging Victoria is one of a very small number of providers of this highly specialised service in Victoria.

Dr Ming Joe Lim, Deputy Director of Imaging Services and Consultant Radiologist, highlights further enhancements to the service, made in collaboration with the surgical team:

Magseed and Magtrace Procedures: The recent introduction of Magseed and Magtrace procedures, increase patient convenience and comfort as they can be performed on an outpatient basis ahead of any planned surgery.

By investing in state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options, Northern Imaging Victoria continues to lead in breast health, supporting the expertise of our multidisciplinary breast care team and the needs of our population.

Director of Imaging Services, Associate Professor Terry Kok, says, “We now offer a fully comprehensive breast imaging service that few health services can match. I am proud of our team for pioneering these advances in the north.”

Associate Professor Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer, says the partnership between Northern Imaging Victoria and Northern Health Breast Unit is to be congratulated. “It is amazing to be able to provide absolutely first-class care to the women in the north of Melbourne and along the northern rural corridor,” she says.

Main image shows:

A Prof Terry Kok, Director Imaging Services, Dr. Ming Joe Lim, Deputy Director Imaging Services, A Prof. Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Judy Kuo, Breast Radiologist and Mr. Michael Issac, Head of Breast Surgical Unit.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Atif Khawaja, Talent Acquisition Partner, People and Culture, Northern Health.

Q. Firstly, your coffee order please?
Extra hot cappuccino with two sugars and full cream milk.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about your career.
My career is diverse. I’m a qualified electrical engineer and certified lead auditor. After earning my MBA, I worked as an HR Generalist for a multinational telecom company, managing HR functions in their technical operations and maintenance department. I moved to Australia just before the Covid-19 outbreak.

Q. What is your greatest achievement since working here?
My journey at Northern Health spans roughly two years, and recently I won the staff quarterly award in the Rising Star category. This recognition is definitely one of my proudest achievements while working here.

Q. How do you relax after a long shift?
I have two young daughters, and answering their innocent questions and having silly conversations with them helps me relax. Additionally, watching my favorite TV show after dinner with a cup of tea alongside my wife helps me unwind and prepare for the next busy day.

Q. Do you have a bucket list item? Something you would love to do.
I am a big fan of aviation and airlines, so sitting in the cockpit of the largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, is definitely on my bucket list. In terms of travel, I would love to visit the small Caribbean islands to enjoy the tropical landscape of the Atlantic Ocean and experience the scenic beauty of the Arctic Circle in Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway.

Q. Where is a favourite place you’ve travelled and why?
As a relatively new Australian, I am still exploring the country. All the beaches I’ve visited so far, mainly along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and Bondi Beach in Sydney, are among my favorite places. Outside of Australia, I enjoy the urban lifestyle of Dubai, UAE. Visiting the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, is an experience I will never forget.

 

Northern Health Foundation hosted their 2024 Thank You Evening at NCHER yesterday, Wednesday, 5 June, to celebrate the wonderful support of their donors and community and to say thank you.

The evening began with an introduction from Pina Di Donato, Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation, who acknowledged the efforts of our generous supporters and donors and thanked all the guests in attendance.

This was followed by Peter McWilliam, Northern Health Foundation Board Chair, who spoke about the wonderful work being done at the Foundation saying, “I am pleased to report that the Foundation distributed $728,000 to Northern Health in 2022-23. This achievement was only possible because of the generosity of our corporate partners, donors and philanthropic support.”

“As the demand for health services in the north continues to increase, the Foundation will continue to do all it can to support Northern Health to provide outstanding health care for our community.”

Thanks to the ongoing support of the community, the Foundation has been able to continue funding life-changing equipment for major areas at Northern Health, including the Women’s and Children’s Department, where they raised $70,000 at The Great Gatsby Gala in November 2023.

Most recently, they hosted the Foundation Gala Ball at The Plaza Ballroom on Saturday, 4 May 2024 where they successfully raised over $130,000 for Cancer Services at Northern Health. Their vision to create a Cancer Wellness Centre here in the north is now one step closer, so patients can have an area where they can relax and enjoy time with their family outside of clinical spaces and time away from their treatment. While this vision is still far into the future, it is fantastic to see the tremendous response from sponsors and guests in attendance.

The Palliative Care Unit courtyard reopened in December 2023, where they hosted a ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Through the dedication of Workplace Givers, supporters and staff, this area has now been completely refurbished for family and friends to visit with their loved ones, with brand new gazebos and couches in place, a relaxing water feature and beautiful, new gardens. A big thank you to everyone for their contributions towards this project.

Melissa Grenville, Director Foundation, is excited to see what another year will bring, saying “we look forward to seeing what collectively we can achieve, and with the support of our wonderful donors we can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of families and patients here in the north.”

During the next financial year, the Foundation aspires to continue fundraising for important equipment, refurbishments, research and training while envisioning the future of Cancer Services at Northern Health. The Thank You Evening highlighted and reenergised our donors to continue supporting Northern Health Foundation in creating a healthier northern community for all. We look forward to seeing what another year will bring.

 

This week, 3 – 9 June, we celebrate Hand Therapy Week!

Hand therapy practitioners are either Occupational Therapists (OTs) or Physiotherapists, who specialise in assessing and treating upper limb injuries. At Northern Health’s Hand Therapy Department, our practitioners primarily focus on injuries of fingers, hands and forearms.

Patients in the northern catchment who visit the Hand Therapy clinic often suffer from acute traumatic hand injuries, typically resulting from workplace accidents, sports injuries or incidents at home. Hand therapy clinicians enhance patient healing and facilitate a return to function by fabricating splints, offering rehabilitative exercise programs and providing scar management advice.

For patients requiring surgery, the hand therapy team is normally involved within the first week post-surgery, providing basic wound care. In cases where the injury can be managed without surgery, the Hand Therapy team collaborates with the Plastics team to determine the most effective treatment options.

“Hand Therapy is a specialised service that works closely with the Plastics Unit, and provides a multi-disciplinary team approach to treatment for the most suitable patient-centred hand therapy care,” says Fiona Moate, Clinical Leader Hand Therapy, Northern Health.

For Simone Cariss, Acting Associate Director Occupational Therapy, Northern Health, Hand Therapy Week is about recognising and celebrating the fantastic work of our highly skilled clinicians.

“For the first time in a long time, we have both OTs and physios working within the Hand Therapy team at Northern Health. The team has embraced a lot of change this year and has been instrumental to the implementation of the new and innovative Hand Therapy Procedure Unit. Since its commencement in October 2023, the unit has seen over 180 patients, enabling patient care to be streamlined direct from surgery to therapy, minimising touch points within the organisation, and improving patient waiting times and overall patient experience,” she says.

Feel free to pop in any time this week and say hello to the friendly staff that work in the Hand Therapy Department.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Erin Williams Grade 3 Senior Clinician, Maddy Stewart Grade 3 Senior Clinician, Fiona Moate Grade 4 Clinical Expert and Jaime Do Grade 2 Hand Therapist. 

During World War II, Dr. Edwin Cohn ingeniously adapted a cream separator machine to revolutionise medicine. His process separated whole blood into its vital components, saving lives on the battlefront; including those wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Today, we call this process Apheresis, derived from the Greek word meaning “to remove or separate a part from the whole.” Since April this year, Northern Health Cancer Services offers Apheresis as a critical service. Led by Head of Clinical Hematology, Dr. Rachel Cooke, nursing staff at the Oncology and Medical Day Unit, located at Northern Hospital Epping, have been trained to use the cutting-edge Spectra Optia Apheresis machine, pictured above.

Key Applications of Apheresis:

Plasma Exchange: Harmful autoantibodies are extracted and replaced with normal plasma. Patients’ plasma is swapped with either a donor’s or a plasma substitute.

Red Cell Exchange: This technique treats sickle cell disease by replacing abnormal sickle cells with healthy red blood cells.

Leukopheresis: Excess white blood cells are meticulously removed from circulation, especially in acute leukemia cases.

Director of Cancer Services, Associate Professor Prahlad Ho, says this ‘life saving treatment’, benefits hematology, neurology and renal patients, and negates the need for them to go to ICU or transfer to other hospitals.

Dr. Cooke adds, “We currently offer elective plasma exchange and plan to expand to red cell exchange and emergency apheresis in the future.”

Melissa Gwynne, Nurse Unit Manager, Day Oncology, shares her excitement about this expansion.

“Patients in our community no longer face the burden of traveling to other hospitals for apheresis treatments,” she says.

Pictured: Tess Roeg (kneeling), Melissa Gwynne, Rachel Cooke, Dalia Joseph, Nisha Poly and Anna O’Brien (patient).

Last week, Northern Health was delighted to warmly welcome a delegation from the renowned National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH). The visit marked an important step in international collaboration aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and integrating community medical resources.

The delegation, comprising 10 distinguished senior executives from NTUH, visited Northern Health as part of their initiative to develop a new facility designed to integrate hospital and community medical resources. This project aims to significantly improve the quality of medical care and address the issue of outpatient crowding.

During their visit, Northern Health had the pleasure of sharing our experiences and strengths, particularly in the realm of digital and virtual healthcare. Our team showcased various innovative practices, including our successful Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), which has been instrumental in providing remote healthcare services.

The exchange of knowledge was incredibly enriching. We shared our expertise in virtual healthcare, while the NTUH delegates brought a wealth of ideas and insights from their own experiences. The discussions were lively and inspiring, highlighting the strengths of both our institutions in advancing medical care.

“A hospital full of humanity, care, vitality, and innovation. We appreciate your passionate reception and selfless sharing. We hope for more opportunities of exchange in the near future, and warmly welcome your visit to Taiwan and National Taiwan University Hospital,” said Tyng-Guey Wang, Vice Superintendent, Superintendent Office, National Taiwan University Hospital.

This visit reflects Northern Health’s dedication to international collaboration and our commitment to continuously improving healthcare delivery. By sharing knowledge and expertise, both Northern Health and NTUH are better equipped to meet the challenges of modern healthcare and enhance patient outcomes.

“It has been such an honour to be visited by the NTUH delegation. The exchange of ideas was stimulating. Our conversations will no doubt continue into the future so I foresee that both our communities will benefit,” says Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer, Northern Health.

We look forward to future collaborations with NTUH and other international partners as we continue to innovate and improve the healthcare landscape together.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Fatema Tajbhai, Senior Scientist in our newest service – Anatomical Pathology.

Q: Firstly, your coffee order, Fatema?

It varies and is very mood dependent – long black or batch brew (depending on the cafe)/ soy latte/soy magic.

Q: How would you describe your role?

It is a very challenging but rewarding role. Anatomical Pathology is a new service to the Northern Hospital, only operational since 5 February 2024. Currently, I am managing the operational aspects of running the laboratory and doing all the background work to try and offer the best service we can.

Q: How did you get into this role?

I studied and worked as a medical scientist back in the UK and when I moved to Melbourne, I continued in the same line of work. When the Anatomical Pathology Service was being set up at Northern Health, I was excited to get involved and be a part of this new venture. I applied for a position and was fortunate enough to get it!

Q: Any highlights?

The last few months have felt like I’ve been on a rollercoaster! All the highs and lows that go with getting a laboratory service off the ground have not been easy, but realising that any challenges that you face, as long you have the right support and people in your corner you can achieve anything. The highlight has definitely been seeing the laboratory progress from day one to where we are now – offering an efficient service, good teamwork and a department that is finding its feet.

Q: What are some of the challenges?

The challenges have been varied from rostering to navigating the laboratory information system.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of this role?

When I see the new team getting to know each other and working well together.  Also receiving positive feedback from the clinicians!

Q: Your impressions on joining the Northern Health family?

I’m about a year in, in joining Northern Health and it has been a great experience so far.  Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for our health service and Anatomical Pathology Service.

Q: Lastly, tell us something that most people would not know about you Fatema?

I have been an Australian National Cycling Champion in my race category.