Family violence is a prevalent health issue in our community and Northern Health is committed to improving response to family violence for our patients and staff.

On Friday 23 November, we will host our first ‘Breaking Through the Barriers’ Forum, focussing on practical ways professionals can be more supportive, approachable, and effective in supporting people when family violence is present.

Anyone can be a victim/survivor of family violence, but there are some communities within society who face a higher risk.

Northern Health’s primary catchments, the City of Hume, City of Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire Council, experience the highest rates of family violence in Victoria, making it vitally important for our staff to develop skills to help them effectively identify and respond to family violence.

We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of those experiencing family violence in Melbourne’s north. Northern Health is the second health service in Victoria to be awarded White Ribbon Accreditation, a program which recognises workplaces that promote respectful relationships and gender equality.

The Forum will feature presenters who work within these at risk communities. Presenters include:

• Charelle Jackson – Elizabeth Morgan House (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities)
• Matthew Parsons – LGHV (LGBTI+ Communities)
• Lucia Prinzi – inTouch (Culturally & Linguistic Diverse Communities)
• Stephanie Hosking – GV Health (Workplace Disclosures)
• Alison Maclean – 3whitehorses (Rural & Regional Communities)

Alison Maclean from 3whitehorses says, “Encouraging gender equality in our every day lives and being positive role models for others (particularly our children) is a key focus.”

The forum is suited to professionals of all levels of experience who work with people experiencing family violence. It is a free and open event and everyone is encouraged to attend.

For more information and to register head to Eventbrite.

Justine Slattery, Senior Paediatric Speech Pathologist at Northern Health, recently received the award for ‘Innovation’ at our inaugural Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards.

Justine was nominated by Associate Director Speech Pathology, Audiology & Orthoptics, Emma Beer, for her continuous learning and development of best practices in the Neonatal Unit (NNU) and children services.

She has implemented initiatives such as the infant feeding scales, which promote developmentally supportive feeding practices for premature babies and their families.

“Justine is motivated, dedicated and positively engaged, serving as a true inspiration,” Emma says.

With over 25 years’ experience as a speech pathologist, Justine is considered a “guru” in her field. She has a particular interest in early identification and intervention for neonates and infants with feeding, swallowing and neurodevelopmental difficulties, and has research publications in this area.

On receiving the award Justine says, “It’s really nice for somebody out of the blue to acknowledge your efforts and contribution. It reinforces what you’re doing and the value of it – I found that really powerful for me.”

Continuing her strides in innovation, Justine, in collaboration with Janet Henry, Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist, successfully received a grant for the DHHS Advancing Practice Allied Health Workforce Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Initiative.

“It’s really nice to be in a health organisation where you can be contributing and also have the opportunity to look at ways to improve what’s going on,” Justine says.

The grant will improve the pathway from referral to diagnosis, providing a clear procedure that will support both families and clinicians to participate in early, open conversations regarding possible ASD assessment and intervention, which is currently not available at Northern Health.

When asked why she enjoys working at Northern Health, Justine says, “I love that there is a really diverse community that access our services and I really like the people I work with.”

“I’ve worked in a lot of different organisations over the years and the strong focus on collaboration here is fantastic. Northern Health have a really good model that other health organisations would be happy to have.”

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. Nominations for the next Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards will open December 2018.

Over the past few years, we have welcomed a large influx of refugees and asylum seekers to Melbourne’s north.

In 2017 alone, we welcomed approximately 3,500 new refugee arrivals in the Hume/Whittlesea area.

We know the tragedy, disruption, trauma and torture that underpin the experiences of these people before they arrive in Australia.

Many start life here with a range of health concerns, including mental illness and chronic diseases. Our health system is difficult to navigate, and without knowledge and confidence of health services, many people come to the place they are most familiar with for health care – the hospital.

The Northern Health Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health Study Day in September outlined the latest refugee and asylum settlement data in Whittlesea and Hume catchment areas. It also showcased the support services available and focussed on clinical issues such as the mental health of young refugees, paediatric, general health and infectious diseases.

This included a very personal and moving presentation by an Azari refugee, Pouya. He captivated the audience with his heart-rending story of fleeing Iran following episodes of torture.

Participants commented favourably on his story – “hearing a refugee speak about his experience was absolutely amazing,” and “the refugee guest speaker was great – eloquent and articulate, funny, open and honest.”

Organised by the Northern Health Refugee and Asylum Seeker Working Group, the study day has contributed to making our services more responsive to the needs of this vulnerable community group.

With nearly 100 attendees, the day proved a great success and will now become an annual event.

 

Photograph left to right: Jason Cirone, Director Transformation, People & Culture, with refugee speaker Pouya.

This week is Pressure Injury Awareness Week at Northern Health.

Pressure injuries (also known as bed sores) are areas of damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by constant friction or pressure. They occur in bony areas such as the heels, elbows and back of the head.

Pressure injuries are considered one of the most common causes of hospital-acquired complications and can develop quickly in anyone with reduced mobility, such as older people or those confined to a bed or chair.

They can cause pain, discomfort, increased immobility and mortality. Pressure injuries carry substantial financial burden to the health service with regards to ongoing care.

In response to the risk of pressure injuries acquired in hospital, Northern Health Bundoora will be launching a program focussing on feet. This program will involve patients who are assessed as being at a high risk of developing a pressure injury, having preventative strategies including heel prophylactic dressings, bed cradles and bed wedges implemented to reduce their risk.

Lora Davies, Director of Nursing, Site Director and Director of Operations – Northern Health Bundoora, says “if we can reduce these hospital-acquired complications, it would improve patient experience and reduce the financial burden on the health service.”

2018 World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day will be celebrated on 15 November.

Kilmore Trackside was a sea of florals and fascinators yesterday for Bev Carman’s Annual Oaks Day Luncheon.

The stylish ladies of Kilmore put on their best frocks for a day of delicious food, great company and fundraising for a good cause, with all proceeds from the day helping to fund research at Northern Health.

Executive Director Public Affairs & Foundation, Andrew Williamson, was delighted to see such colourful support and thanked Bev Carman, along with Denisse Grech from A Little Birdie Told Me, for their wonderful fundraising efforts.

“The support the Northern Health Foundation receives from events such as this is essential for continuous innovative research at Northern Health,” he said.

“By supporting the Foundation, our patrons contribute to the trusted care we provide to our community. I would like to thank Bev, Denisse, sponsors and guests for their dedication and generosity.”

The action packed afternoon featured entertainment, a best dressed and best hat competition, balloon raffle and sweepstakes.

Apart from its fundraising benefit, the luncheon was a wonderful opportunity for guests to enjoy the atmosphere of the Spring Racing Carnival.

‘It takes a village to raise a child’, goes the African proverb, which nicely describes the Koori Maternity Service Program at Northern Health. The program pairs babies from families unable to be with their baby, with an aunt or guardian figure from the Aboriginal community.

Donna Wright, Gunditjmara woman, was at work when she received a call asking if she could come to the Northern Hospital Epping. Donna knows the Northern Hospital well, as more than one of her grandchildren were born here, with another on the way.

Yet it wasn’t her experience as a grandmother or her wisdom as an Aboriginal Elder the hospital was seeking. They needed Donna to simply cuddle the baby she is pictured with. She readily agreed.

The business of holding babies as much as possible, or what doctors and parents are increasingly referring to as ‘kangaroo care’, can have real developmental benefits. Babies who receive constant cuddling tend to sleep better, manage stress more easily and exhibit better autonomic functions such as heart rate. It also aids the weight gain and social development of the cuddled babies.

The cuddling program at Northern Health takes on an added significance to Koori mothers. The mums are comforted knowing their child is in the care of someone they look up to and respect in their community, states Jo Quinn – Aboriginal Health Worker, Koori Maternity Service, who runs the program at Northern Health.

“The program, which is probably the first of its kind in Victoria, offers a culturally safe space for Koori mums, respecting their customs and traditions and in turn, providing the comfort and reassurance they need at this critical stage of motherhood,” says Jo.

“The Koori Maternity Service serves as a good example of the emphasis on ‘Trust’ Northern Health places, in its mission to provide Trusted Care to the communities in the north,” says Deb Bourne, General Manager – Access, Women’s, Children’s and Surgical Inpatient and Director Nursing, Northern Hospital.

The month of November is all about highlighting men’s health through the ‘Movember’ movement.

The Movember initiative aims to raise awareness and make a difference in men’s health, particularly addressing prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Prostate cancer rates are expected to double in the next 15 years, while testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50.

Poor mental health also leads to half a million men taking their own life every year – three quarters of all suicides are men.

Movember Australia says we need to come together to face this issue and “stop men dying too young”.

Northern Health has chosen to support the cause by creating their own Movember group.

Social Work Clinical Leader and Movember group organiser, Juan Alhucema, said, “as some men are hair-growth challenged, we have extended the idea of growing a moustache to changing your facial appearance. Participants can choose to either cut, grow, shave or dye their hair for the month of November.”

“Two staff members have already chosen to cut their ponytails off should they receive over $1,000 in donations,” he added.

Northern Health already have excellent representation across disciplines who have chosen to participate, including social work, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

To support and make a donation to Northern Health’s group, click here – our group’s name is Noh-vember.

It’s not too late to join! If you’re interested in joining the cause, please email Juan Alhucema (Juan.Alhucema@nh.org.au) – they are also accepting pledges for the ponytail chop!