April 2025
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Happy 100th Birthday Peter
One often wonders what it would be like to see the world through another person’s eyes. A fresh perspective of the familiar, or a glimpse of the other side of the globe. Imagine having the chance to gain some insights from 100-year-old eyes. That’s just what the staff at Ian Brand Residential Care (IBRC) get to do now. Last week Peter Milentis, resident at IBRC, located amid the undulating landscape of Northern Health’s Bundoora Centre, was the guest of honour at a special 100th birthday afternoon tea. Staff, residents and family gathered to celebrate with Peter, as a slideshow of…
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Stress Awareness Month – Together, we can make a difference
April marks Stress Awareness Month 2025, a time for all of us to take charge of our wellbeing and discover effective ways to manage stress. This year’s theme, #LeadWithLove, empowers us to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion, and acceptance, no matter the challenges we face. At Northern Health, we recognise that stress is a natural part of life, but when left unaddressed, it can impact our physical health, mental wellbeing and overall quality of life. In the fast pace of our everyday lives, stress can accumulate, whether through professional pressures or personal challenges. As an organisation, we are…
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The future of safety at work: AI and digitalisation and the impact on safety
From wellbeing apps to wearable sensors, digital technologies are rapidly changing the landscape of staff safety and wellbeing. As we mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work today, 28 April, it’s a timely moment to reflect on how these innovations are being applied – and what they mean for our staff. Across the globe, robots are taking on high-risk tasks in hazardous environments, managing toxic materials, and operating in extreme conditions. Digital devices and AI-driven systems can now detect risks before they escalate, reducing harm and improving early intervention. But, as we embrace these technologies, we must also…
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Anzac Day: Lest we Forget
Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. For many years, our ANZAC Service has been deeply rooted in Bundoora Centre. This year, however, marked a new chapter as we united with the residents and staff of Dianella Hostel, Kilmore District Hospital (KDH) on April 16, for our ANZAC Service. The ANZAC Address was delivered by Chief Executive Debra Bourne, who drew attention to ‘the remarkable Australian nurses who served with unparalleled courage during the World Wars’. Today, we are pleased to share her powerful words once again, as we gather to reflect on the legacy of the ANZAC spirit: “On the first day…
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Raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease this April
April marks Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, support those living with the disease, and highlight the importance of early detection and ongoing care. At Northern Health, we stand with our community in recognising the impact of Parkinson’s disease and reaffirm our commitment to providing compassionate, multidisciplinary care to those affected. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the control of body movements. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in Australia, affecting more than 220,000 Australians. While there is no known cure, early diagnosis and access to appropriate medical, allied health, and community support…
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Roll up your sleeve this flu season
Northern Health staff and volunteers are now able to receive their annual influenza (flu) vaccination. As Melbourne’s cold winter months approach, now is the time for staff and volunteers to come forward, roll up their sleeves and boost their immunity with the flu vaccine. It is recommended by the Department of Health that individuals receive their annual flu vaccine from mid-April onwards to ensure protection against the flu when it is at its highest during the peak flu season, typically between June and September. The flu is highly contagious and a potentially life-threatening disease. It is not the same as…
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Mary Kouvas recognised for Excellence in Patient Documentation
Behind every accurate medical record is someone making sure the clinical truth is told, and at Northern Health, that someone is Mary Kouvas. Mary, our Clinical Documentation Integrity/Improvement (CDI) Coordinator, has been named Clinical Documentation Specialist of the Year at the 2025 Clinical Documentation Improvement Conference. This national recognition celebrates her extraordinary work in improving the quality and accuracy of patient documentation. “I’m very honoured to receive the very first CDS of the Year award and grateful for the nomination and support from Northern Health,” said Mary. “It came as a surprise and I wasn’t able to attend the conference…
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Honouring ANZAC Day 2025
Earlier today, the annual Northern Health ANZAC Day Service took place at Dianella Hostel, Kilmore District Hospital (KDH). For many years, this service has been deeply rooted in Bundoora Centre. This year, however, marked a new chapter as we united with the residents and staff of KDH to commemorate ANZAC Day. The MC’s were Jennifer Gilham, Divisional Director Community Hospitals and Bec Van de Paverd, Divisional Director Medicine and Cancer Services-both with close ties to KDH. They paid tribute to the 60,000 Australians who were killed and 156,000 wounded or taken prisoner in that war. Along with 800 Aboriginal Australians…