Northern Health’s Department of Gastroenterology made a significant impact at this year’s Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW) in Adelaide, leading or contributing to an impressive 29 accepted abstracts. This marks the department’s most substantial contribution to the national meeting to date.

Highlighting the event, three abstracts were selected for oral presentations, including two by current Liver Fellow and incoming Gastroenterology Registrar for 2025, Dr Leya Nedumannil. Jonathan Maker, a final year Medical Student at Northern Health, also presented the largest systematic review and meta-analysis to date on the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in colonoscopy.

In the poster hall, the Department continued to excel with two posters nominated as Posters of Merit, including one by Liver Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristen Peake. Dr Nedumannil’s poster was also recognised as a finalist for this award. Several posters by the interns, registrars, IBD and endoscopy fellows also received substantial attention.

Further accolades included Dr Nicholas Hannah being shortlisted as a finalist for the Young Investigator Award, honouring his PhD work under the supervision of Associate Professor Sid Sood, Head of Hepatology.

Director of Gastroenterology, Associate Professor Mayur Garg, who co-convened the highly successful Postgraduate Course and chaired several sessions at the meeting, praised the team’s achievements.

“It was tremendous to see Northern Health researchers contributing in such an impactful way, as much as any other Australian centre, at this national meeting. It is a privilege to be a part of such a dynamic and enthusiastic team, and a health service that encourages learning, growth and innovation,” he stated.

Nurse Practitioner Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of our Nurse Practitioners to healthcare.

At Northern Health, Nurse Practitioners have been an integral part of our care model since the early 2000s, shaping the delivery of exceptional, patient-centred care across our services.

Today, Northern Health is proud to have over 30 Nurse Practitioners, and several candidates working towards endorsement.

These highly skilled professionals represent a wide range of specialties, including Aged Care, Diabetes, Emergency Department (ED), Mental Health, Endoscopy, Haematology, Heart Failure, Mental Health, Neonatal Care, Oncology, Pain Management, Palliative Care, Plastics, Pleural Care, Stroke, and Virtual ED.

“Nurse Practitioners play an important role in providing specialised care to patients, families and the community. Northern Health is fortunate to have such dedicated Nurse Practitioners in numerous specialities providing outstanding care,” said Vicki Malamatinas, Plastic and Reconstructive Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

With advanced education and clinical training, Nurse Practitioners are equipped to provide an extensive range of healthcare services.

From diagnosing and prescribing medications to performing procedures, interpreting diagnostic tests, and managing treatment plans, their expertise is critical to delivering holistic and comprehensive care.

“We, as Nurse Practitioners, are advanced practice nurses dedicated to ensuring best practice in patient care and safety,” said Nicole Gauthier, Pain Management Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

This dedicated week shines a light on the invaluable role Nurse Practitioners play in improving patient outcomes. Known for their holistic approach, Nurse Practitioners focus not only on treating illnesses but also on promoting overall health and wellbeing.

Their work embodies Northern Health’s values of safe, kind, and together, ensuring patients receive personalised and preventative care tailored to their needs.

Nurse Practitioner Week also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of the expanding roles of Nurse Practitioners and advocate for policies that support their contributions to high-quality healthcare.

“Nurse Practitioners lead change in healthcare. We are advocates for helping our patients to prioritise health in their choices, understanding that every decision contributes to a healthier future,” said Elizabeth Mackey, Stroke Nurse Practitioner, Northern Health.

Tyson McLeod, one of our dedicated candidates, shared in a recent podcast about his candidacy and journey toward becoming a Nurse Practitioner – listen to his podcast here.

To all our Nurse Practitioners, thank you for the extraordinary difference you make every day.

This morning, Northern Health hosted the annual Length of Service Awards for 2024.

More than 460 staff were recognised for achieving between 10 and 40 years of service, with many of our staff providing service since the days of PANCH. Combined, these staff have contributed to more than 7,100 years of service to Northern Health.

More than 250 staff watched the ceremony online on as their colleagues celebrated significant milestones. The ceremony also featured a series of fun throwback videos that highlighted major events of each year.

Debra Bourne, Northern Health’s newly appointed Chief Executive, was unavailable to attend today’s ceremony. However, she sent her warmest congratulations to all staff celebrating service milestones via a short video message.

Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People & Culture, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the large number of staff working across Northern Health.

“We have a large number of staff working across Northern Health, many who have provided service since PANCH. It is great to see how our health service has grown since PANCH, with the inclusion of Kilmore District Hospital staff from 1 November last year,” she said.

Two staff members reached 40 years of dedicated service in 2024 – Jenine Padget, Consultant Psychiatrist and Glenn Ellul, Theatre Technician.

Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health, and Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, presented Jenine and Glenn with their awards. Both Jenine and Glenn reflected on their many years of service, and the changes they have seen in healthcare over four decades.

Members of the Executive team presented the awards for the 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35-year recipients.

Michelle Fenwick closed the ceremony by congratulating all staff on another year of providing care to the community.

“I am so proud to be part of an organisation with such a rich history, and whose staff are dedicated and passionate about caring and serving our community,” she said.

“Congratulations on providing another year of care, and we look forward to continuing the same level of care in 2025. As we move towards the end of 2024, on behalf of the Board and Executive team, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.”

Congratulations to all our recipients today!

Click here to watch the ceremony.

Featured image: Jenine Padget and Glen Ellul.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Angie Chong, Physiotherapy Clinical Leader – Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigieburn Centre.

Q: What is your coffee order?

A: Skinny latte. And usually only one per day or I’ll be bouncing off the walls.

Q: What does a typical day look like as the Physiotherapy Clinical Lead at Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigieburn Centre?

A: The role itself is multi-faceted and consists of staff support and management, service improvement projects, recruitment, liaison and collaboration with various stakeholders, and day-to-day leadership to ensure the physio departments at Broadmeadows and Craigieburn are running as smoothly as possible.

The best part of my role is working with a phenomenal team of physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and Allied Health assistants, and being a part of the wider Allied Health team at Northern Health.

Q: Tell me about your career and how you came to work at Northern Health?

A: I graduated with a Physiotherapy degree from the University of Cape Town and went on to work in South Africa (Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg in neuro rehab). I spent almost seven years in the UK working as a physiotherapist in the NHS. I moved to Melbourne in 2013 and successfully navigated the process of getting registered as a physiotherapist in Australia that same year. I started off working in private rehab and joined Northern Health in March 2019, after a friend mentioned how great it was working here. She was right!

Q: How do you like to unwind after work?

A: I like going for long walks whilst listening to a good podcast or chatting on the phone with a friend. I also enjoy a good series binge every now and again – crime drama or anything with a serial killer is my go-to.

Q: Do you have a bucket list item? Something you have always wanted to do?

A: I’ve always wanted to visit Petra in Jordan, and the Maldives (before they disappear!).

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. This worldwide initiative begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) and concludes on Human Rights Day (10 December).

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that causes or could cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of harm or coercion, in public or private life.” The World Health Organization recognises gender-based violence as a global public health and human rights priority.

In Australia, one in three women experience violence, and on average one woman per week is killed by an intimate partner.

Gender inequality is the primary driver of violence against women. Violence against women and girls is a manifestation of inequality and discrimination based on gender, race and other power imbalances. Women in Australia continue to be disproportionately impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence.

While violence affects women everywhere, women are more at risk of experiencing violence by a family member and in their own homes. Family violence is a pervasive and serious health issue that causes significant harm to individuals, families and communities. It is prevalent and affects people across the lifespan and has a profound impact on the physical and psychological health of victim survivors.

Tanya Ellis, Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program Manager, says that family violence does not discriminate, and during the campaign, it is important to highlight that our staff members and volunteers can also experience violence in their personal lives.

“Family violence is an epidemic and research indicates that female clinicians working in the public health sector are at higher risk of experiencing family violence compared to the general population.”

“Northern Health receives multiple family violence disclosures from our staff members each week. This issue can impact the affected staff member and others in the workplace in several ways including; risks to safety, disrupted work, decreased concentration, absenteeism and even resignation. It is recognised that a supportive workplace and remaining connected to employment are significant protective factors in mitigating risk.”

The SHRFV Team and the OHS & Wellbeing Team have worked together to establish the Family Violence Workplace Support Program. The program is designed to identify, respond to and support our staff members at risk of family violence.

Family Violence Contact Officers (FVCOs) have been implemented in People & Culture. FVCOs are designated senior staff members specifically trained to identify and respond to family violence in the workplace. They also provide guidance and consultation to Managers in their roles. FVCOs can be contacted on 8405 8034 or via email: nh–familyviolencecontactofficer@nh.org.au.

Northern Health is committed to providing a workplace in which violence is not tolerated or excused. We aim to play an important role in the prevention of violence against women through providing a safe, equitable and respectful workplace. We are committed to supporting our staff members and to providing a workplace environment that is safe to make a disclosure and receive support and access to safety.

Staff members are encouraged to disclose to their Manager, a FVCO or the SHRFV Program and seek workplace support entitlements including; workplace safety planning, family violence leave and referrals to specialist services.

Northern Health encourages our community to get involved in the campaign by wearing something orange, calling out disrespectful behaviour and have conversations about what constitutes healthy relationships.

The SHRFV Program is available to provide specialist consultation and facilitate family violence education. Please contact the SHRFV Program if you would like to organise training in your area (8405 8519).

For further information, please click here and to participate in in various activities around Melbourne click here.

Featured image: Graham Wilson, OHS Director and Tanya Ellis, Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program Manager.

Northern Health relaunched its Peripheral Intravenous Cannulas (PIVC) Safety Campaign this November, led by Associate Professor Craig Aboltins, Head of Infectious Diseases, and Barsha Baral, Infection Prevention Clinical Nurse.

A cannula is a small flexible tube that is inserted through the skin into a peripheral vein in the arm. This allows for the administration of a range of therapies such as medicines and fluids directly into the bloodstream, which otherwise cannot be given, or are less effective if given by other ways. Cannulas are also used to perform tests to help diagnose and treat health problems.

“Peripheral Intravenous Cannulas (PIVC) insertion is the most common invasive procedure we perform here at Northern Health. PIVCs are important for the care of many of our patients however they come with a small risk of complications, including serious infection. Other complications of PIVCs such as phlebitis can also be uncomfortable, which impacts the patient experience,” said Ms Baral.

This campaign underscores Northern Health’s commitment to reducing complications, improving care, and staying aligned with evidence-based practices.

PIVC Safety Week was an opportunity to reinforce best practices in PIVC clinical care via a number of education initiatives held across the organisation.

Key messages included:

• Consent matters: Always obtain verbal patient consent before inserting a PIVC. To support this, we’ve introduced the “Looking After My Cannula” brochure, designed to inform and empower patients to participate in their care.
• No unnecessary insertions: Avoid inserting a PIVC “just in case.”
• Timely removal: Remove PIVCs as soon as they are no longer needed. If there is no prescribed intravenous medication of fluid or no plan to use it for other reasons within the next 12 hours, the PIVC should be removed.
• Optimal placement: The preferred location for PIVCs is the forearm. Avoid inserting PIVCs in the antecubital fossa (the crease of the elbow joint) and other areas over joints, as these sites carry a higher risk of complications.

“We would like to thank all the staff who organised and participated in the events throughout the week. Your dedication helps improve patient outcomes and experiences for one of the most commonly performed procedures in Australia,” said A/Prof Aboltins.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Barsha Baral, Infection Prevention Clinical Nurse and Associate Professor Craig Aboltins, Head of Infectious Diseases.

International Day of People with Disability is celebrated each year on 3 December. This year, Northern Health proudly continues its tradition to celebrating this day with a range of meaningful activities and initiatives, designed to educate, inspire and foster inclusion.

Our staff are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and improving the accessibility and services we provide to achieve meaningful outcomes for all people, including those with a disability. To support our staff in achieving this goal, Northern Health has a dedicated group of staff and consumers who focus on improving the experiences of our staff and consumers who have, or care for someone with, a disability.

Deepmala Awasthi is Northern Health’s new Disability Liaison Officer. A qualified social worker, Deepmala has extensive health promotion experience in creating safe spaces and supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Deepmala is fully committed to advancing the implementation of Northern Health’s Disability Action Plan, which was developed with valuable input from both consumers and staffs with the aim of achieving improved participation, access and inclusion of staff and consumers with lived experience of disability.

“I am very excited to use my health promotion lens and create a safe and accessible space for people with disability at Northern Health so that they feel heard and valued,” Deepmala said.

Earlier today an informative session was held via Teams featuring a panel of our consumers who shared their lived experiences of disability and key messages they would like to share with the Northern Health community. You can watch a recording of this session here. Consumer members Jane Spracklan, Jo Young, Stephanie Grassie and Jo McKenna, along with other Disability Sub-Committee members contributed to the organisiation of this event.

Information stalls and displays are also available in the foyers of Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre and Craigieburn Centre. These feature information and posters to help staff and the community understand different types of disabilities and effective ways to support and communicate with people with disabilities.

As one of our consumers shared, it’s not about focusing on disability, “It’s about removing the ‘dis’ and recognising each person’s unique abilities. Inclusivity starts with seeing people as individuals, not as problems.”

Let’s celebrate resilience, positivity and the power of inclusion together. Join us in creating a world where everyone feels supported, heard and valued!

You can access more information about International Day for People with Disability here.

For more information about support or resources within Northern Health please reach out to our Disability Liaison service via disabilityliaison@nh.org.au

Featured image: Back row: Chelsea Simpson, Director of Planning and Chair of the Disability Subcommittee and Deepmala Awasthi, Northern Health Disability Liasion Officer. Front row: Consumers Jane Spracklan and Jo Young.

The Christmas season is upon us once again, and Northern Health is ready to gift-wrap up another year of caring for our community. This December, staff are invited to enjoy a variety of Christmas activities designed to bring cheer and camaraderie, and show appreciation for all the hard work throughout the year.

With a calendar full of joyful activities, there’s something special for everyone. From festive feasts to cheerful carolling and creative competitions, let’s make this season a memorable one!

Christmas BBQs:
Gather together for a delicious BBQ lunch with your colleagues. Join us at the following locations:

• Monday, 9 December: Bundoora Centre
• Thursday, 12 December: Kilmore District Hospital
• Monday, 16 December: Craigieburn Centre
• Wednesday, 18 December: Broadmeadows Hospital
• Thursday, 19 December: Northern Hospital Epping

Staff from Mental Health will also have options —more details can be found here.

Christmas Decorating Competition:
It’s time to deck the halls (and wards, offices, and hallways!) with tinsel, baubles, and festive cheer. Unleash your creativity and join the annual Christmas Decorating Competition.

Thanks to our proud sponsor, BankVic, six prizes will be awarded to the most stunningly decorated areas. To find out how to enter and get decorating, click here.

Christmas Carolling – Northern Health Community Choir:
The voices of the Northern Health Community Choir will bring joy across our sites with their Christmas carolling performances. Be sure to catch a performance and join in the cheer! Check out the full list of dates in our Festive Calendar here.

Christmas Eve Platters and Christmas Day Lunches for Staff:
On Christmas Eve, share platters will be delivered to Kilmore, Bundoora, Epping, and Broadmeadows. While Christmas Day will feature special lunches for staff at Kilmore, Broadmeadows, and Bundoora. Epping staff can enjoy their festive meal at Henry’s Café.

Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on the incredible impact we’ve made and the care we’ve delivered to our community. Whether through a shared meal, a song, or the sparkle of decorations, these moments beautifully embody our values of safe, kind, and together which make Northern Health truly special.

We look forward to seeing you at these events and sharing in the Christmas spirit across all Northern Health sites.