Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Today, almost half of Victorians were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas.

Here in the North, our patients were born in 184 countries, speak 106 languages and follow 90 religions and beliefs.

Our Northern Health staff were born in 44 different countries and over 30 percent speak a language other than English at home, with over 50 different languages spoken.

Harmony Week is an opportunity to reflect on what gives us all a sense of belonging in our multicultural community. Here’s what our staff had to say:

“Harmony presents a balance of Yin and Yang.” – Yue Hue, Cultural Liaison Officer

“Harmony to me means feeling safe, happy, and being able to get along with others no matter where they come from or what their background is. We are each unique and beautiful, but together we are a masterpiece!” – Stefania Zen, Cultural Liaison Officer

“Harmony means acknowledging the First Peoples Nation of Australia and being inclusive and welcoming to all other cultures to our beautiful land.” – Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer

“Active, mutual, non-paternalistic acceptance, co-existence, cooperation and representation, in all aspects of a society’s and a country’s life, of culturally diverse people.” – Kostas Karamarkos, Greek Interpreter

“Harmony means being together with a good heart.” – Atira Marcus, Booking Officer

“Harmony is recognising and accepting that there is no ‘us and them’, but only ‘us’.” – Emiliano Zucchi, Transcultural And Language Services (TALS) and Aboriginal Support Unit Manager

Our TALS team currently have 43 in-house interpreters, covering 17 languages; Arabic, Turkish, Italian, Assyrian, Greek, Macedonian, Vietnamese, Chaldean, Persian, Punjabi, Mandarin, Nepali, Croatian, Serbian, Cantonese, Urdu, and Hindi, and provides over 70,000 occasions of service per year.

In this week’s Get to know: Q&A with… we catch up with People & Culture Recruitment Coordinator, Evelyne Kollaras.

What is your coffee order?

Soy latte.

Can you tell us a bit about your Northern Health journey? 

I started at Northern about two and a half years ago whilst I was still completing my HR degree. I was absolutely stoked to get my foot in the door as a HR Advisor, as I’d had a few questionable jobs – Red Rooster cashier, filing clerk, switchboard operator, the works! I’ve since moved into a Recruitment Coordinator position and absolutely love it.

What do you love most about your role?

I really enjoy the interactive nature of the job. I am a social person and have found that working within the recruitment function of HR is always a positive experience. Whether it’s coaching staff with the recruitment process or assisting an employee with their on-boarding, I’ve come to realise the impact that truly enjoying a career and workplace has on a person’s life, and being a part of this instils a sense of fulfilment. I also love my team!

What do you find most challenging about your role? 

Just the transition from studying – coming from a theoretical background, and then having to apply it into everyday work, it’s really hard to know how and when to apply it. And meeting deadlines, but that’s not too much of a challenge when you work in such an efficient team.

What are your favourite memories since starting here? 

When we started specialising within the People and Culture team, it made for a really strong team dynamic and relationship building – it’s been amazing. We do so much together and it’s really lovely. Going to events together as a team, like the Northern Health Annual Dinner, that was a really lovely memory.

I also remember when I first started – I’m a crazy Carlton supporter – and one day they came here and I got them to sign things and get photos, I had the best day. That was a personal favourite memory.

I have also really enjoyed sitting in on interviews – to be able to see what talent is coming in and seeing who is right for the organisation.

What do you like to do after work?

Sitting behind a desk all day has its drawbacks, so I like to keep fit by playing netball, running, and doing yoga (although I’m not very good). Along with fitness, I love my food, especially sweets – too bad they don’t go hand in hand.

What are some things people don’t know about you?

I actually love spending time outdoors and go on hikes whenever possible. I recently travelled to Tassie and completed a short hike down the southern coast. It was absolutely beautiful and I would recommend everyone give it a go, although it’s not for the faint-hearted. One of my all-time favourite hikes would have to be Roy’s Peak in New Zealand. The view was spectacular and the trip to McDonald’s afterwards was well deserved.

I also participate in running events and am currently training for my second half marathon in May. I hate to admit it, but Shiraz (from Northern Pathology Victoria) is actually a lot quicker than me, but hoping I’ll be able to take the win this time around. Watch this space.

How would you describe Northern Health in one sentence?

A thriving health service working for the community.

Who would you nominate next for a staff profile?

I’d like to nominate Josh Wallace from Medical Workforce Unit. Josh is amazing at what he does and I’d love to hear his spiel!

Today we celebrate social workers’ contribution to making a difference to people’s lives, respecting their dignity and rights.

This is also an opportunity to recognise the contribution social workers make world-wide, and to acknowledge the great work and achievements of our social workers across Northern Health.

Associate Director Allied Health, Penelope Vye, said the theme of World Social Work Day 2019 is ‘Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships’.

“Given the recent horrific event in New Zealand, it is a very timely day to reflect on the importance and power of building positive relationships. It is also a day to acknowledge the power of working together to create a world where justice prevails, where equality and human rights are acknowledged and celebrated, and where diversity is recognised as part of being human and is highly valued,” she said.

Social workers are an integral part of our patient care at Northern Health, providing support to patients, their families and carers.

Since the last World Social Work Day, the team of 53 social workers has seen 36,938 patients, helping them with a range of services such as facilitating safe and appropriate discharges, providing advocacy on behalf of patients to address social issues impacting on their health and well being, support with psycho social issues, resources and referrals, and crisis interventions.

Every year in hospitals the size of Northern Health, there are about 8-10 cases of staphylococcus bacteraemia mostly related to intravenous cannulas. These infections can result in death, but most are preventable.

Northern Health is looking to improve how we care for patients with Peripheral Intravenous Cannulas (PIVCs). During the Safe Practice Forum on Wednesday 20 March, staff will be able to hear more about safe cannulation practices and patient case studies, as well as hear about Northern Health’s new cannulation policy, now available on Prompt (click here to download).

Clare McCarthy, Project Manager, said the three-day focus on cannulation safety is the lead up to an organisation-wide ‘Week of Cannulation Safety’.

“This will occur towards mid-2019, culminating in a re-audit and further education sessions. The week will be organised by front line clinicians to enable and embed local ownership of the campaign,” she said.

The focus on Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation (PIVC) during these three days aims to raise awareness of the risk PIVCs carry in our emergency department and wards, and aims to prevent infection, improve patient safety and reduce the usage of cannulas.

Whilst mainly safe, PIVCs come with the risk of complications. Following all the necessary procedures for the insertion and care of PIVCs is crucial, as they can provide a direct portal of entry for microorganisms and result in bacteraemia, the most common being staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB).

Northern Health’s focus on patient safety and high reliability has led to revising the old cannulation policy and establishing a new one, which is formed on evidence-based practice.

With the new policy, nursing staff are supported by Northern Health and executive team to remove the PIVC if an ongoing need is not documented – such as ongoing medications, fluids or documented plans for access in the next 12 hours.

Dr Craig Aboltins, Infection Prevention, said that previously, nurses may not have been empowered to remove unused cannulas, as they felt this is something they need instructions from the doctor.

“Recent evidence suggests that care for patients with IV cannulas in a hospital like ours can be improved. Part of this program is to empower the nurses to be able to remove intravenous cannulas. If they are not meant to be used in the next 12 hours, and there are no ongoing intravenous medications, the nurses should remove them,” he said.

Remember – if in doubt, take it out!

In the emergency department, clinicians will be asked to “think before you cannulate.”

Avoiding unnecessary cannulas or cannulas put in “just in case” is a simple way to prevent patients from experiencing both the risk of severe infection and the discomfort associated with a PIVC. A guideline has been developed for use in the emergency department to help advise clinicians which patients should and should not have cannulas.

To hear more from Dr Aboltins about the correct cannulation procedures, patient safety and recent evidence findings, as well as to see a demonstration, please watch the video below.

The Assyrian/Chaldean population mainly displaced from Iraq, make up a large sector of the refugee population in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Women of refugee backgrounds are at risk of poor maternal and perinatal outcomes and are more likely to have complex health needs. They also face multiple barriers accessing pregnancy care or navigating health systems in Australia.

Northern Health was selected by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) to be one of four regions in Melbourne to pilot an innovative approach to antenatal and postnatal care. This is how the ‘Happy Mothers Group Pregnancy Care’ sessions were born.

The sessions run fortnightly at Craigieburn Centre and cover topics on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, breast feeding, health and well being.

The Happy Mothers team consists of team leader Marie Treloar – Midwife and Childbirth and Parenting Educator (Northern Health), Bronwyn Madigan – Maternal and Child Health Nurse (Hume Council), May Khoshaba – Interpreter (Northern Health), Michelle Griffiths – Parent Support Worker (Hume Council) and Maria Toma – Bicultural Worker (VICSEG New Futures).

The overall aim of the group is to improve the engagement of families of refugee background in pregnancy and postnatal care, early childhood health and health literacy, as well as reduce social isolation.

The team encourages the women to share their experiences of pregnancy, labour, birth, breast feeding and parenting overseas and in Australia.

“This encourages good positive chatter within the Assyrian/Chaldean community. It’s really about helping these women navigate their way through the system,” Marie says.

“They may see their health care professionals and leave a health service feeling upset or powerless if they have not understood the systems and procedures, and don’t feel comfortable with what has been recommended for them,” she continues.

Marie says women need to enquire to make informed choices, and is a strong advocate for any population that can be vulnerable because English is not their first language or they have limited understanding of the healthcare system.

“We’ve had women who are birthing at other hospitals come to our group because we are the only Assyrian/Chaldean Group Pregnancy Care Program in Melbourne. The women find community and familiarity within their own culture, and they get the evidenced-based education to navigate their healthcare needs within local health and community services,” Marie explains.

The group is also working on improving breastfeeding rates and parenting experiences, with expectant mothers receiving a lot of education during and after pregnancy.

The program involves inter-agency collaboration between public maternity hospitals, settlement services and maternal and child health (MCH) services.

For more information about Happy Mothers Group Pregnancy Care sessions, please email Marie.Treloar@nh.org.au

Northern Health Diabetes Nurse Practitioner, Michelle Robins, received the ‘Above and Beyond’ award at the recent Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards.

The award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond in providing care or support to a patient, family or work colleague.

Michelle was nominated by Melissa Langborne, for the care and understanding she provides to all of her patients, and assistance she provides to her colleagues.

Melissa works at front reception at Craigieburn Centre, and has come to know Michelle quite well, feeling confident while working together with Michelle to ensure great patient care. Melissa says she works collaboratively with the team and nothing is ever a bother for her, working outside of her normal hours to ensure a fantastic Diabetes Service.

“Michelle works efficiently and has a lovely, caring nature. She goes above and beyond to help her patients, and several patients have told me they feel safe and secure in the knowledge that Michelle is a great communicator and accessible for help and advice when they need it,” Melissa said.

“She understands and does her best to accommodate patients when they are running late or have forgotten an appointment, and has the patience to take the time, listen and understand the needs of the patient.”

Working as a Nurse Practitioner for the past five and a half years, Michelle says she enjoys working collaboratively with the diabetes team, plus many other teams across all Northern Health sites.

“I work in an advanced role with an extended scope of practice that allows me to implement treatment changes in a timely manner for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, women with gestational diabetes, and clients with secondary diabetes, such as steroid-induced hyperglycaemia. I also have the opportunity to mentor a number of colleagues within the organisation,” Michelle says.

On winning the award, she says, “it means a lot to be nominated by a team that works so hard and are so under recognised – the reception staff. They are our front line team and help me so much – I feel they should be the people who get this award, not me.”

In the future, Michelle hopes the profile of nurse practitioners can be enhanced, and the number of nurse practitioners in the organisation increased.

“The future of diabetes management is changing, and new medications and technologies are exciting – both are challenges and opportunities moving forward.”

Sponsored by Maxxia and BankVic, our Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards have been designed to formally recognise outstanding contributions by our employees and celebrate staff excellence.

Featured image left to right: Award winner Michelle Robins and Melissa Langborne

During its first year, the Respiratory Care Unit (RCU) has seen 284 patients, looking after patients who would most likely be taken to intensive care.

Gavin Fahey, Respiratory Clinical Nurse Consultant, says this unit bridges a gap between critical care areas and ward beds, where staff can manage more complex respiratory patients, enabling patients to receive a closer observation.

“The nurse to patient ratio here is one to two for the four beds the unit has. The patients usually stay here around two to three days, and that varies as we’ve had patients who had referrals elsewhere. Here, we also do non-invasive ventilation and high flow oxygen, as the main therapies,” he said.

Katharine See, Head of Respiratory Medicine, added the staff have done an amazing job in developing new skills and learning all about new therapies which make our patients safer.

Respiratory Nurse Emma James agrees that the Respiratory Care Unit has been a really great addition to the ward, giving staff the ability to take care of complex patients and see a different variety of patient acuity and conditions.

“Having that one nurse to two patient ratio allows us to take care of our patients with greater ability. As the year has gone by, I think we’ve done really well to progress to where we are now, and we are continuing to make improvements,” she said.

Opening this unit required additional training of the existing staff to enable them to look after more acute patients safely. The Respiratory department plans to increase the amount of education for the staff within the Respiratory Unit and is commencing with a Supported Transition to Excellence in Practice (STEP) program in June this year. This program will assist nurses in advanced practice, and it’s a step between general training and post-graduate training.

Photo (left to right): Dr Victor Duong, Respiratory Registrar; Dr Liam Hannan, Deputy Director Respiratory; Emma James, Respiratory Nurse; Dr Toby Fothergill, Respiratory Registrar; Gavin Fahey, Respiratory CNC; and patient Julie Uren.

Northern Hospital ICU

The Northern Hospital Stage 2 expansion project has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the $22m early works. This provides a modern 18-bed intensive care unit, freeing up space for a future cardiac care unit, as well as delivering a new loading dock and facilities for support services.

The new Intensive Care Unit will open in two weeks with the latest high-tech monitoring equipment, with improved comfort, care and privacy for patients and their families and new staff facilities.

Well done to our Capital Planning team and everyone else involved in this key stage of the development.  Next, we look forward to mid-year – when we commence the main works providing 96 new inpatient beds, three new operating theatres and more treatment rooms.

Strategic Plan

As you know, we are currently in the midst of developing our Strategic Plan 2019-2024. Thank you to almost 2000 staff who participated in the staff survey or workshops to help us identify the key themes and priorities for Northern Health over the next five years.

As we work on the strategic plan, we are well into our High Reliability Organisation – Trusted Care transformation work.

This month we are checking in to identify any gaps or improvements in our ability to continue to meet our commitment of delivering trusted care to our community.

We are also looking into the work we are doing to move our organisation from a hospital-centric culture to a partnership in a healthy community – helping our patients Staying Well.

These aspirations will be incorporated into our new Strategic Plan.

My HR

This week People and Culture are launching the My HR suite of initiatives to help your journey as an employee of Northern Health.  My HR will improve rostering, payroll, recruitment, your training and much more, as they are introduced over the coming months.

You can read more about My HR in the guest column this week. Well done to Michelle Fenwick and the People and Culture team.

I hope you all have a great week ahead.

Regards,

Siva Sivarajah

Chief Executive