February 2024
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Standard 4 – What you need to know
In the lead up to organisation wide Short Notice Accreditation, 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 Vinod Chellaram, Director of Pharmacy, about Standard 4: Medication Safety “Everyone has a role to play in medication safety at Northern Health,” Vinod said. “The patient is the central focus in medication management and all clinicians are responsible for working collaboratively to ensure the patient receives safe and effective care. The patient/carer is always involved in shared decision making…
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Get to know: Anne Bright
#WeAreNorthern Meet Anne Bright, Project Manager, Northern Imaging Victoria. What is your coffee order? I have never developed a taste for coffee. Terrible stuff! I generally order an Earl Grey tea if out with friends, but my current favourite at home is Black Rose tea from the Tea Centre. Tell us about your Northern Health journey? (When you started, your roles here etc.) I joined Northern Health in April 2023 as a Project Manager to bring imaging in-house under Northern Imaging Victoria. I continue in that role drawing upon my past experience as a Chief Radiographer to help grow and…
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Caring for kids in Kilmore and beyond
A new paediatric service has launched this week at Kilmore District Hospital, as part of Northern Health’s commitment to providing better connected care, and ensuring we are meeting our communities needs now, and into the future. The newly established service provides support to young children who experience developmental and behavioural issues. This includes children experiencing speech delay, concerns of autism, concerns of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and significant levels of anxiety, particularly post-COVID. Many of these children are eligible for NDIS funding, and the team at Kilmore is focused on recognising and treating concerns before they commence school and…
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Valentine’s Day Bubs at Northern Health!
Today, on 14 February, in the heart of Northern Health’s maternity unit, three families welcomed the most precious gift of all on this special Valentine’s Day, their beautiful babies. As the world celebrates love in all its forms, the maternity ward echoed with the sounds of new beginnings, each cry a testament to the miracle of life. As for Northern Health’s Maternity staff, it is both their honour and privilege to witness these moments, and to share in the warmth of new beginnings. “Midwifery is such a sacred job that it allows you to be with the woman and her…
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We are Northern: This is Ward 16
Ward 16 is a 32-bed Medical Surgical ward, and it is located at Northern Hospital Epping. The Ward has been adapting to various changes in recent years, including a current configuration with 16 beds dedicated to medical patients. The adjustment in bed allocation reflects on the response to the ever-growing demand for medical patients in the hospital. The team in Ward 16 currently consists of 55 staff members. The workforce is predominantly composed of fairly new staff, most of whom have been on the ward for almost a year. The significant turnover of staff experienced last year has resulted in…
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Standard 3 – What you need to know
Each week in the lead up to Accreditation, Northern Health will focus on a different Standard. You will hear from the Chair of each of the Standard Committees about the key points you need to know. This week we spoke to Dr Saliya Hewagama, Infectious Diseases Physician, about Standard 3: Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections. Dr Hewagama explained Infection Prevention is a very broad and diverse standard that effects all disciplines, departments and levels of the organisation. Infection Prevention mechanisms are in place to ensure that patients and staff are kept safe throughout their time at Northern Health. What is…
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Happy Lunar New Year 2024
Northern Health celebrates significant cultural events starting with Lunar New Year 2024: Year of the Dragon At Northern Health we recognize the richness and diversity of our staff and the communities we serve, with over 40 per cent of staff and patients born in non-English speaking countries. To honour this commitment, we will be celebrating cultural events throughout the year, starting with Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant cultural holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly those of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other East Asian…
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Get to know: Susan Richardson
#WeAreNorthern Meet Susan Richardson, Computer Clerk, Broadmeadows Health Information Services. What is your coffee order? I love a nice hot, strong cappuccino. Tell me about your role at Northern Health and what it entails? I am involved in the prepping and scanning of medical records and the merging of UR Duplicates, all of which have evolved with technology changes over the years. Why and how did you choose your specialty? I have always had an interest in health and wanted to apply my administrative skills within the medical field. After completing an Advanced Medical Terminology Certificate at Victoria University, I…