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 descent.

It is a time of renewal, reflection, and joy for millions of people around the world. It is a celebration deeply rooted in tradition, symbolising the arrival of spring and the opportunity for new beginnings. Each year in the lunar calendar is associated with one of the twelve Eastern zodiac animals.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which symbolises power, strength, and good fortune. People born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be charismatic, ambitious, and natural leaders.

“Year of the Loong’ (dragon) is a symbol of power, wisdom, and nobility. In Chinese culture, the ‘Loong’ is a serpentine creature symbolising wisdom and nobility. Across many cultures, dragons represent strength and guardianship. Let’s embrace these qualities, wishing everyone a year of courage and prosperity,” said Yue Hu, Director, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and Narrun Wilip-Giin Aboriginal Support Unit, Northern Health.

Lunar New Year is celebrated with various customs and traditions, including family reunions, feasting on special foods, giving red envelopes filled with money for good luck, lighting firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and decorating homes with red lanterns and paper cut-outs.

Red is the dominant colour during Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing good luck, joy, and prosperity.

“In Vietnamese culture, Tết (Lunar New Year) is a celebration of the arrival of spring and a new year and an opportunity for people to reunite with their families, show respect for their ancestors, and wish for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year. May 2024 be a year filled with luck and opportunity for everyone – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year),” said David Le, TALS Manager, Northern Health.

By celebrating Lunar New Year together, we hope to create a space where staff members from diverse backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and forge deeper connections. We believe that celebrating cultural festivities not only enriches our workplace culture, but also strengthens our bonds as a team and fosters a sense of belonging for all.

We would like to wish all staff at Northern Health who are celebrating a wonderful Lunar New Year and 2024!

Featured image (left to right): Navneet Gill, Stefania Zen, Yue Hu, David Le and LuYuan Chen.

#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 commenced working as a medical transcriptionist at Broadmeadows Health Service – that was 25 years ago.

What is your greatest achievement or favourite memory since working here?

My greatest achievement is still being here after 25 years! My favourite memories are many… but I think the lovely co-workers that I have had the opportunity to work with has been the most wonderful experience.

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

What some people may not know about me is that I have a twin brother. I grew up listening to music like Skyhooks, Rolling Stones and AC/DC.  I have two sons and a cat named Eva. My religion is the Collingwood Football Club and I enjoy watching all sports.

Northern Health is bringing together medical, nursing, allied health, legal counsel and lived experience staff to discuss and redefine admission pathways for mental health consumers on 27 March 2024, at the Ibis Melbourne.

Keynote speakers include Anna Love, Victoria’s Chief Mental Health Nurse, who will speak about strengthening pathways for direct admission and supporting the Royal Commission findings, along with Sergeant Brad Turney, Northern Hospital Police Liaison, Victoria Police, who will discuss the role of Police and Clinician Emergency Response (PACER) and emergency services.

Northern Health speakers include:

• Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health Division
• Dr Daniel Crompton, Director, Emergency Services
• Awash Prasad, Director of Legal Services
• Dr Vinay Lakra, Divisional Director, Mental Health Division
• Dr Vijay Danivas, Head of Unit, Mental Health Division
• Shaveta Sood, Nurse Unit Manager, Mental Health Division
• Tanya Goodison, Ancy Joy and Janne-Marie Blackman, Program Managers – Community Mental Health
• Mary Mackie-Low, Emergency Mental Health Team Leader
• Christopher Ferguson, Manager, Consumer Lived Experience Workforce, Mental Health Division

Dr Crompton believes, “For too long now, mental health patients have had too few options in the community to seek help. Limited service availability means that many people living with mental illness receive treatment, care and support only at times of crisis. This has led to a risk-averse model of care in which people do not receive therapeutic and psychosocial supports and do not receive support early enough to aid recovery or to avoid an escalation in their illness.”

Dr Lakra says, “Providing a timely and appropriate care for those who are acutely unwell with a psychiatric illness is very important as delays in treatment can lead to poorer outcomes.  It is a very timely and topical issue given significant demand for mental health beds in a system which is under severe pressure. It requires a whole of system approach to provide high quality treatment including a focus on preventing relapses.”

Ms Sood in her presentation will delve into the intricacies of direct admission from the lens of an inpatient unit, unravelling both the barriers that impede progress and the facilitators.  She says, “By understanding these dynamics, we can pave the way for our consumers to have a smoother transition from the community.”

Mr Ferguson says his role in this forum is to remind everyone of the human face of consumers presenting to the emergency department. “I aim to be a conduit for the ‘consumer voice’ and help those attending to understand the barriers that mental health consumers experience,” says Mr Ferguson.

Click here to learn more, or register for this event.

New Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service: towards a healthier and happier community

The Mental Health Division is pleased to announce the launch of a new specialist service, bringing together Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinicians and Addiction Psychiatrists, and merging the former Alcohol and Other Drugs Consultation and Liaison Service with the SPECTRE unit.

The Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology (APT) Service is available to consumers admitted through the Northern Hospital Emergency Department, medical and surgical inpatients, psychiatry wards, and for current consumers of our mental health services.

Services include specialist assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of co-occurring substance use disorders and toxicity, secondary consultations with treating teams regarding advice on diagnosis, clinical management and treatment options.

The next phase of the service development will include a specialist Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Outpatient Clinic.

Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health said, “This is a significant service, as we bring together our Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology expertise to care for consumers in Melbourne’s north.”

Associate Professor Joe Rotella, Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician, said, “This is a unique opportunity to do something that forgoes the status quo and seeks to do better for our consumers. The creation of a multi-specialty and multi-disciplinary team is the very embodiment of our values, ‘Safe, Kind and Together’. As the quote goes ‘to get something different, you must do something different”.

Joby Philip – Manager for APT said, “We are committed to providing the best possible care to those struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental and physical health co-morbidities. The new Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology Service, is a step towards a healthier and happier community.”

Pictured from left to right (from the top): 

Belinda Scott – Executive Director Mental Health, Dr. Brian O Riordan – APT Toxicology Consultant, Associate Professor Joe Rotella- APT Toxicology Lead Consultant, 

Shiruo Liu – AOD Senior Clinician, Sonia Andersen – AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Aniruddh Narasimha- Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr Nathan Clinton- APT Toxicology Registrar

Dr Prince Rajamanickam- Addiction Psychiatrist, Trudy Mponda- AOD Senior Clinician

Dr Saada Malouf – APT Toxicology Consultant, Harjot Kaur Brar- AOD Senior Clinician, Emily Whitfield – Administration Officer

Joby Philip – APT Manager

In 1996, Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ community took to the streets to show solidarity for the first ever Pride March. The 1996 March took almost the same route along St Kilda’s Fitzroy St, transforming the strip into a show of community pride. The March has since taken place each year, as an opportunity for members of the LGBTIQA+ community and allies to take part in a fun, colourful and joyful day of celebration.

This year, the Midsumma Pride March was held on Sunday, 4 February. 10,000 people took to the sweltering streets of Melbourne for the annual March, with thousands more lining the streets to watch the iconic parade.

Northern Health staff were among the many who braved the 38 degree weather to march along Fitzroy Street, together with other healthcare services and organisations. The presence of Northern Health at the Midsumma Festival Pride March shows our LGBTIQA+ staff, family and patients that we are a health care service that prioritises the wellbeing of our diverse community. This is Northern Health’s fourth time marching in the event.

Event Organiser and co-chair of the rainbow Committee, Electra Ulrich, was proud of the turnout.

“What another amazing Pride March with Northern Health! It was great to see some familiar and some new faces marching with us. I felt proud to be representing Northern Health,” she said.

Maria Soo, Director of Workforce Planning and Projects said, “It was incredible being part of the Northern Health contingent with representatives from across various campuses and directorates getting together to celebrate our uniqueness. There was so much excitement and buzz throughout the day, with people (and lots of canines) marching for the right to a discrimination-free existence. As a member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, I look forward to working with our workforce in 2024 to promote and celebrate diversity.”

First time marcher at Northern Health, Melanie Cricco said, “For me, joining in the Pride March under the Northern Health banner was a vibrant and colourful celebration, conveying that Northern Health is a safe and inclusive place for everyone to access its healthcare services.”

Andrew Grey, Rainbow Health Working Group Member, also echoed this sentiment.

“Pride March is an important day to celebrate those who are a part of the LBGTIQA+ community and to show our solidarity. It is important for our patients and their families to see that we are a supportive organisation and a LBGTIQA+ safe place to receive healthcare.”

The Northern Health Foundation was very happy to support Pride March by purchasing the flags. This was part of the funds donated by staff through the Northern Health Workplace Giving Program. The Foundation is passionate about supporting causes that promote equality and inclusiveness and this is a fantastic opportunity to further our commitment to the LGBTQA+ community.

The Workplace Giving Program is agreat way to contribute and support these ongoing initiatives that are making a difference. The form is available on PROMPT or you join by getting in touch with the Foundation team via email foundation@nh.org.au. 

If you would like to get involved with the Northern Health Rainbow Working group, email rainbowgroup@nh.org.au

Featured image: Northern Health staff at Midsumma Pride March 2024.

Our values – Safe. Kind. Together. Simple, straight to the point, memorable and actionable. These are the values that have become entrenched in the fabric of Northern Health.

The intention, however, is that they are not merely bright coloured words on a poster or screen, but qualities we can practice with our patients, families, community, and most importantly, each other, every single day.

In 2023, we focussed on the ‘Year of Together’. This year, ‘kindness’ will take centre stage.

As we launch into this brand-new year, we ask all staff to join us to make ‘kindness contagious’ by engaging in random acts of kindness as often as possible.

So, will you help us fill our hallways with kindness? How, you might ask? Well, the choices are endless…

A thoughtful gesture, a smile, a warm acknowledgment is one of the most valuable things you can give to another person. Not only does it warm the heart of the person receiving it, but it gives great reward to the person administering the act of kindness. Everyone wins with kindness.

Should you come across these ‘random acts of kindness’ please share them on our virtual wall for everyone to see. While you are there, you can give a shout out to a member of staff who you believe demonstrates this value.

Speaking of which, we recently asked some of our staff to tell us what kindness means to them. Here is what they had to say…

If you would like to add some kindness to your email signature, you can download a new logo here.

Pina Di Donato

Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation 

 

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 speak with Dennis Gyomber, Divisional Director, Surgery, and Chair of Standard 2: Partnering with Consumers.

Northern Health is committed to delivering patient-centred care. Partnering with consumers is central to ensuring that our patients and their carers are at the core of all the work we do.

According to Dennis, “Delivering person-centred care depends very much on our partnership with our patients and consumers. This care extends even further than the patient/clinician relationship. It encompasses the relationship between Northern Health and the wider community. It is a relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and the sharing of knowledge to deliver the best health outcomes.”

What is this standard about?

Standard 2- The Partnering with Consumers Standard aims to create a health service in which there are mutually beneficial outcomes by having:

• Consumers as partners in planning, design, delivery, measurement and evaluation of systems and services.
• Patients as partners in their own care, to the extent that they choose.

This standard is about partnering with consumers at all levels of our work.

At a direct care level, it is about Shared Decision Making, that is getting to know your patients and their preferences and values, meeting their needs and providing them with information that they can understand and use to make decisions about their care and to consent to treatment.

At a service and system level, it is about listening to the voices of our patients and their carers and involving them in the work we do to improve our services. The information received from the Northern Health patient survey and feedback data provides opportunities for service improvement at the local level and organisational level.

At Northern Health, this standard looks like….

Patient Centred care for best outcomes: https://inews.nh.org.au/2023/03/shared-decision-making-how-partnering-with-consumers-creates-best-outcomes/

Our Consumer Network:

Patients are encouraged to become Consumer representatives and support Northern Health in different areas.

The patient journey: feedback data is always helpful to improve our patients experience and informs a variety of projects such as the Emergency Department redevelopment and the recently established Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.

Building and infrastructure: consumer input has influenced the design of our new mental health ward that was opened in 2023

Developing our second innovative Reconciliation Action Plan: many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners have made a significant contribution to the development of the plan including what is important to the Aboriginal community.

Our publications: the CLEAR group (consumer group) provides feedback on the patient information Northern Health produces so that they get the consumer tick of approval that they are written in language our community can understand.

Developing our staff: consumers have presented their stories and experiences at training sessions such as the Safe Practice Forum and Refugee and Asylum Seeker Study Day. Consumer stories are a very important part of our Partnering with Consumers Clinical Improvement Committee.

These examples show the impact of partnering with the consumers on our Consumer Network or the consumers who receive care in a local service:

What are the top six ways staff can be prepared for Accreditation against this Standard?

1. Involve your patients and their carers in goal setting and care planning – click here for an animation about Shared Decision Making
2. Ask the patient what matters to them, what is their goal for the day and document this on the bedside communication board.
3. Identify the substitute Medical Treatment Decision Maker if a patient does not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves – click here for how to ask (or visit https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/advance-care-planning/brochures-forms-documentation/)
4. Explain their Rights and Responsibilities and provide a patient information brochure.
5. Check that your patient understands the information you are providing and encourage patients to provide feedback and act to resolve any problems while they are in your care
6. Wear your name badge and introduce yourself.

What are the top five questions staff needs to be able to answer about this Standard?

1. When should a patient be provided with Northern Health’s Healthcare Rights and Responsibilities?
2. How do you partner with patients and carers in care planning and treatment decisions?
3. What do you do if a patient is at risk of not understanding the information you are providing to them?
4. How would you respond to a patient who was dissatisfied with their care?
5. How is Northern Health partnering with consumers in activities to improve our services?

Northern Health’s ‘Partnering with Consumers Plan’ is a valuable source of information and can be accessed here.

Click here to learn more about Standard 2: Partnering with Consumers.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Grace Parisi, Receptionist, Northern Hospital Epping.

What is your coffee order?
My coffee order is white skinny latte, one sugar.

Tell me about your role at Northern Health and what it entails?
I was employed at Northern Health in January 2020 on a casual basis and am now permanently employed on a variety of different shifts. My shifts are day, afternoon and night shifts.

My role at Switchboard/Reception is to answer calls. The Switchboard/Reception department plays a pivotal role in our organisation, seamlessly managing various responsibilities to ensure effective and smooth operations. At the forefront, we skilfully handle the switchboard, serving as the primary point of contact for the public. Our adept communication skills shine as we engage with diverse individuals, addressing inquiries and aiding with professionalism and courtesy.

Moreover, the Switchboard/Reception department extends their expertise to liaise with doctors and nurses, fostering clear and efficient lines of communication within the healthcare team. This includes coordinating and relaying critical information to facilitate the seamless flow of patient care.

In the midst of a dynamic healthcare environment, the team excels at multitasking, effortlessly juggling responsibilities to meet the demands of a fast-paced setting. Our ability to remain composed and focused while handling various tasks concurrently is a testament to our dedication and organisational expertise.

Beyond interpersonal skills and multitasking capabilities, the Switchboard/Reception department also plays a pivotal role in logistical aspects, diligently organising equipment to ensure its timely availability. This careful attention to detail contributes significantly to the overall efficiency of our healthcare services.

In essence, the Switchboard/Reception department stands as a linchpin in our organisation, skilfully managing the switchboard, engaging with the public, collaborating with medical professionals, multitasking with finesse, and organising equipment seamlessly to support the delivery of exceptional healthcare services.

How do you like to relax after work?
There is no hesitation in relaxing with a large Moscato after work.

What is your favourite travel destination and why?
I travelled to Europe in 1990 and one of my favourite destinations was Paris. I would love to experience it again with my partner and admire the beautiful Eifel tower and romantic scenes together.

What is one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
That I am a proud grandmother of two beautiful grandsons, aged four and nearly two.