Every year in September, the Step on Sepsis team participates in World Sepsis Day campaigns to celebrate our achievements in improving sepsis care at Northern Health, and to remind everyone of the seriousness of this life-threatening disease.

World Sepsis Day (13 September) is a vital reminder that sepsis remains one of the world’s deadliest emergencies, affecting millions of people each year. It can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime – but with early recognition and timely treatment, lives can be saved.

At Northern Health, we proudly join the global effort to reduce the burden of sepsis through our Step on Sepsis program, a locally developed initiative that continues to drive evidence-based sepsis care across the organisation. Headed by Associate Professor Craig Aboltins, together with project coordinators Cassandra Gilbert and Yasmin Sungkar, Step on Sepsis has led to measurable improvements in the identification, treatment and outcomes of patients presenting with or developing sepsis.

“Sepsis is a medical emergency that can affect anyone,” says Dr Aboltins. “Those that are very young, very old, have other medical conditions or lowered immune systems are particularly at risk. Every year sepsis claims more lives than road accidents in Australia. When sepsis is recognised and treated early, lives can be saved. It is important that people who have an infection who quickly become extremely unwell seek urgent medical care.”

Step on Sepsis was first introduced in Northern Health’s Emergency Department in 2013 and has since expanded to the wards and external sites. Most recently, the program was implemented at Kilmore District Hospital, where educators collaborated with the Step on Sepsis team to develop a tailored Sepsis Checklist. This tool supports staff in identifying and responding to patients who have or are at risk of sepsis, ensuring they are managed with best practice protocols. Raising awareness through education and resource development for clinical staff is also part of the core mission of the Step on Sepsis program. In support of this mission, an LMS sepsis hub was recently launched to centralise all the sepsis related resources for Northern Health staff.

To mark World Sepsis Day this September, the Step on Sepsis team is leading a series of activities to raise awareness of sepsis among staff and our community.

Be sure to visit the foyer display board, which will feature important information about sepsis and the Step on Sepsis program.

Our Step on Sepsis coordinators will also be touring Northern Hospital Epping, speaking with patients and staff, and sharing valuable sepsis resources.

And don’t miss out on the online sepsis quiz – you could test your knowledge and go in the draw to win a coffee voucher!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LZYXF8P

To find out more about sepsis management at Northern Health, click here.

If you would like to know more about Sepsis and World Sepsis Day head to:

https://www.worldsepsisday.org/

https://www.australiansepsisnetwork.net.au/

Pictured in the featured image (L-R): Cassandra Gilbert and Yasmin Sungkar. 

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Stephanie King, Registered Nurse (RN), Kilmore District Hospital, Nothern Health.

Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order?

A: Latte with two sugars – simple, sweet, and just how I like it!

Q: Tell us about your journey at Kilmore District Hospital (KDH)? 

A: I started at KDH in 2022 as a casual RN in charge at Dianella Hostel. Since then, I’ve taken on a fixed-term NUM role at Dianella Hostel, an ANUM role on the inpatient ward, and now I work across different departments, including Hospital Coordinator, Infusion Clinic, UCC, and Recovery.

Q: What is the best part of working at KDH?

A: I absolutely love the people I work with and the strong sense of community that comes with being at a small hospital. One of my favourite parts is getting to see the beautiful newborn babies in Maternity – it always brightens my day!

Q: What does a day in your job look like?

A: Every day is different, and that’s something I truly enjoy. Working across so many areas means I’m constantly learning new skills and taking on different roles. I also love connecting with my patients and getting to know them – it’s one of the most rewarding parts of nursing.

Q: If you weren’t in your current role, what would you have been instead?

A: If I wasn’t a nurse, I would definitely be a chef! I absolutely love cooking and baking – it’s my happy place.

Q: Tell us one thing not many people know about you.

A: I was actually a contestant on Millionaire Hot Seat! Unfortunately, I didn’t win any money, but it was an amazing experience!

Q: Sweet or savoury?

A: I like both, but I definitely have a sweet tooth!

Q: Mountain or beach? Why?

A: Beach, 100 per cent! I love the ocean and the sunshine – I instantly feel relaxed when I’m at the beach. One day, I’d love to retire by the sea.

Q: What advice you’d like to give to your younger self?

A: You will go through hard times, and that’s okay. It’s those challenges that help shape you into the person you’re meant to be. Time goes by so quickly, so enjoy your life and treasure your family as much as you can.

Today is R U OK? Day, a national day of action to remind us all to check in with the people around us – our colleagues, friends, and ourselves. It’s about starting meaningful conversations and showing that we care, especially in high-pressure environments like ours.

It’s not about having all the answers or being a mental health professional. It’s about listening without judgment and encouraging others to seek support when needed.

At Northern Health, our values of safe, kind, together mean that checking in with each other goes beyond R U OK? Day itself. Our values drive us to check in with each other any day.

Casey O’Brien, Manager, Staff Wellbeing, said R U OK? Day is a timely reminder that a conversation could mean many different things to many people.

“For some of us, talking and chatting is the natural way to check-in. But equally, some may feel comfortable just sitting in silence, providing comfort to someone,” she said.

“Taking a walk side by side or offering to make someone a cuppa – there are many ways to show we care and connect with someone.”

In addition, our newly appointed Psychosocial Safety Consultant, Bianca Fazzari, said meaningful conversations can make a real difference in the workplace.

“In the busy, high-pressure environment of healthcare, we give our all and focus on our patients. But it’s just as important to check in on our team,” she said.

“Whether you’re asking the question or answering it, know that you don’t have to have all the answer. Just being there, listening, and showing you care is a powerful step. And remember, you’re never alone. Support is available, and your wellbeing matters – not just today, but every day.”

Our dedicated Director of OHS & Wellbeing, Graham Wilson, speaks with authenticity, vulnerability and courage, when reflecting on R U OK? Day.

“Unfortunately, I’ve lost close friends to suicide, and each loss has left me wishing for one more chance to listen and to be there for them. This is why World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) and R U OK Day? matter,” he said.

“Reaching out and asking, “R U OK?” can make a big difference for someone struggling.”

We also want to acknowledge that R U OK? Day can be difficult for some. If this is you, we also support you to engage in the day in whatever way feels comfortable for you – this might look like asking or answering the R U OK? question, or reflecting on your own.

Today, let’s take a moment to check in with our colleagues. Ask, listen, encourage, and follow up. Because in healthcare, we care for everyone—but we also need to care for each other.

R U OK? Day 💛 A conversation could change a life.

Wellbeing Wall Competition

In support of R U OK? Day, Northern Health launched a Wellbeing Wall Competition, encouraging staff to create a wellbeing wall to promote connection, support, and positive mental health wellbeing in the workplace. The winner of the competition was Ward 7 Women’s Mental Health. Thank you to all staff who submitted an entry.

This week marks Malnutrition Week ANZ, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness of malnutrition and encouraging action across healthcare settings in Australia and New Zealand.

Malnutrition occurs when a person’s dietary intake does not meet their body’s needs, leading to loss of muscle and strength, impaired wound healing, reduced immunity, and poorer recovery from illness. It can present from undernutrition which remains a significant concern for hospitalised patients.

Nadia Obeid, Dietitian, said Northern Health staff are committed to reducing the impact of malnutrition through early screening, timely referral and multidisciplinary care.

“Northern Health inpatients are screened for malnutrition risk within four hours of admission to hospital, and re-screened weekly,” she said.

“When a risk is identified, patients are referred to a dietitian for assessment and management. The referral is autogenerated in areas using the EMR.”

Northern Health undertakes an annual Malnutrition Point Prevalence Study to monitor malnutrition rates. This year, one in five Northern Health inpatients were found to be malnourished, with the rate higher in subacute settings, where one in four patients were affected.

“We were pleased to find nurses have been doing an amazing job meeting KPI targets with 94 per cent of patients screened for malnutrition risk on admission. It was also very reassuring that all malnourished patients were receiving nutrition care from a dietitian,” Nadia said.

At Kilmore District Hospital, the Dietetics team is leading a new quality improvement project to strengthen malnutrition management.

“In addition to individualised strategies to modify food intake, oral nutritional supplements play a key role in supporting patients who are malnourished to meet their energy and protein requirements, aiding recovery and reducing length of hospital stay,” said Cat Li, Dietitian at Kilmore District Hospital.

“On the GEM Ward, older adults are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition due to factors such as reduced appetite, multiple health conditions, swallowing difficulties and reduced independence.”

Cat’s project focuses on aligning oral nutrition supplement management at Kilmore District Hospital with other Northern Health sites. The initiative aims to ensure patients at Kilmore District Hospital have timely access to nutrition supplement drinks to support patients with malnutrition and those at risk.

Northern Health’s Dietetics Department continues to monitor malnutrition prevalence, support education across teams, and lead initiatives to ensure best-practice nutrition care for patients.

“For Malnutrition Week, we thank our nursing, medical and allied health colleagues for their ongoing collaboration,” said Cat.

“Recognising malnutrition risk and supporting nutrition care is truly a team effort.”

Featured image: Aaron Henderson, Allied Health Assistant, and Cat Li, Dietitian at Kilmore District Hospital.

Every year on 8 September, the global community comes together to celebrate World Physiotherapy Day – a day dedicated to recognising the hard-working, kind and knowledgeable physiotherapists who play a vital role in keeping people well, mobile and independent.

At Northern Health, we are proud to have more than 120 physiotherapists working across all our campuses. Their work spans the entire health journey, from newborn care to aged care, from the Emergency Department to community services, and from ICU to wellness programs.

Physiotherapists work side-by-side with Exercise Physiologists and Allied Health Assistants to support patients through personalised exercise therapy, manual treatment and education.

Whether it’s helping someone recover after surgery, manage a chronic condition, or simply regain confidence in their mobility, our physiotherapists are there every step of the way.

This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Ageing’, highlights the important role physiotherapy and physical activity play in preventing falls and frailty – helping people maintain independence and quality of life as they age.

The impact of our physiotherapists is best told through the voices of our patients:

“My physio is an excellent physiotherapist who follows up on the wellbeing of her patients and makes recommendations for their treatment and prosperity”.

My physio was “happy, courteous and thorough.”

“I was very surprised with the level of care we got because physio staff went above to make a difference.”

My physio was “very patient & explains really well.”

My physio “looks after me brilliantly.”

“They paid attention to my need, personalised treatment targeted my needs. There was information, education and handouts of great benefit. Also, the feedback on progress was very good.”

“Gave me more confidence.”

These words reflect the profound difference our physiotherapists make in the lives of patients and their families each day.

On this World Physiotherapy Day, we say thank you to our physios for their compassion, expertise and dedication and for helping our community live healthier, more independent lives.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Hannah Bisignano, ANUM Team Lead of the Ash Team in Antenatal Clinic.

Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order

I love a large latte to fuel my caffeine addiction.

Q: Tell us about your role at Northern Health

I am the ANUM Team Lead of the Ash Team in Antenatal Clinic. On a Wednesday, at Craigieburn Community Hospital, the Ash Team provides a midwifery-led model of care. My wonderful team of midwives empower families through their pregnancy journey with education, continuity of care and a safe place for open discussions.

On Thursdays, at Northern Hospital Epping, our Obstetric and Midwifery Team work together with Maternal Fetal Medicine, Genetics Counseling and our OPAL clinics to provide individually tailored care for complex pregnancies.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

My favourite part of my job is facilitating a growth driven environment. I am very passionate about empowering people. Whether that is through educating and encouraging patients or supporting and upskilling staff.

Q: How do you resonate with Northern Health’s values of Safe, Kind and Together?

We are always striving to uphold Northern Health’s values. The structure of our care model perfectly demonstrates working together to create a safe environment for all. And a key aspect to achieving this is through using open and kind communication with all involved in the pregnancy, birthing and postpartum experience.

Q: Favourite place to travel and why?

My favourite place that I’ve ever travelled is Venice. I love the romanticism and architecture within the city. As well as being surrounded by water.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, real or imaginary, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with my favourite musician, Vessel. He is the lead vocalist of Sleep Token and I find their music haunting. I would love to discuss the bands lore, musical processes and inspiration.

On Saturday, 23 August 2025, the Freemason Lodges of Bank Place, Evolution, Garibaldi, and Victorian Naval and Military, came together to host A Touch of Spring Gala at Casa D’Abruzzo Club in Epping, raising vital funds for Northern Health Foundation to continue supporting cancer services at Northern Health, and the overall vision of building a Cancer Wellness Centre, here in the north.

Guests were welcomed into an elegant evening featuring a three‑course meal, live music, and a dance floor alive with energy. The gala also offered a range of ways to participate in fundraising activities on the night, including a table raffle and a silent and live auction with prizes up for grabs including a luxury Bali Stay.

The event not only offered a delightful night out but also reinforced the vital collaboration between Northern Health and local philanthropic organisations. Ticket sales supported the Foundation’s work to enhance patient care and healthcare services.

A heartfelt thanks is given to the support of the event sponsors who made the evening possible; Casa D’Abruzzo Club, Josie and Rino Minniti’s Cancer Fundraising Group, AECS, Forensic Engineers, NorthLink, Care Dental Group, and RMIT University. A sincere thank you is also extended to Josie Minniti OAM, Professor Peter Brooks AM, along with special guest speaker Professor Wanda Stelmach, the Northern Health Community Choir for their joyful preformance on the evening, and the four Freemason Lodges and Freemason Foundation for their support.

Peter McWilliam, Northern Health Foundation Board Chair, spoke on the event saying, “A big thank you to everyone who supported the spring gala dinner, especially the four Freemason lodges, Casa D’Abruzzo, our wonderful event sponsors, and the Northern Health Foundation staff for all their help in making this a very successful evening that exceeded our expectations. Thanks also to Professor Wanda Stelmach, who enlightened us on how we started this journey, and the importance of this for [oncology] patients.”

Through events like this gala, Northern Health Foundation continues to build momentum toward its long-term goals, including the Cancer Wellness Centre, and improved patient services across the northern suburbs. These efforts are part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality for local residents.

With the success of A Touch of Spring Gala, Northern Health Foundation looks to the future with optimism, eager to expand its circle of supporters and deepen its impact across northern Melbourne. The generosity shown at the gala underscores the strength of community spirit and the difference that collective effort can make.

Thank you to all four Freemason Lodges for their support in hosting this event and to the Freemason Foundation for their support.

Wound Awareness Week (1 – 7 September 2025) raises awareness about chronic wounds and their impact on individuals and communities. The theme this year of Wounds Affect Every Body, emphasises that every cut, graze, or tear in the skin can become chronic if not treated properly.

To bring awareness to living with a wound, the Foot Procedure Unit sat down with Mr Abdul-Halim Saad (one of our current clients) for a Q and A regarding his experience with living with a diabetic foot ulcer over the past five months. 

Q: What is it like living with a wound? 

I’ve previously had Charcot’s foot, and now this wound has impacted my daily life, requiring regular dressing and limiting my ability to walk both inside and outside the home.

I’ve been going through a challenging time, and it has impacted my ability to work, as I was unable to travel as planned. Even for simple things like going on a picnic, I’ve had to decline because I’m not in a position to attend right now. I’m hopeful that with proper care, I’ll overcome this and be able to enjoy these activities again.

Q: What advice would you give someone else in a similar position? 

If you know what the problem is, in this case diabetes, make sure to keep your blood sugar levels under control, keep the wound clean, always take the advice of your medical team and try to limit movement while the foot wound is healing. Doing so will help the wound heal faster. 

Q: What have you done or what strategies have you put in place to cope with the period you have be managing the wound? 

I have found the management through the podiatry and orthotics team to be very helpful. I have followed the teams’ instructions with the offloading felt and the boots that they have prescribed me. I am hoping that this will help me to get out of this problem soon. So, following the specialist’s instructions has been a big help. 

Q: How has podiatry helped you to achieve your goal/s? 

They have been very supportive, advising me on the wound’s progress and suggesting solutions and ways to offload the area to help improve the healing rate. The podiatry and orthotics team have been debriding and cleaning the wound for me, reapplying the felt to my foot, and using all their available resources to keep the wound healthy and progressing toward healing. I had a new orthotic fitted today, so hopefully, I’ll remain wound-free with this.

Photo caption: Mr Abdul-Halim Saad photographed with Tim Butters (Podiatrist) and Amanda Sergi (Orthotist) from the Craigieburn Centre, Sub Acute Foot Procedure Unit.