June 2025
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Inspiring Futures: Assumption College Careers Expo
Northern Health was proud to participate in the recent Careers Expo at Assumption College Kilmore. For Northern Health, it was more than just a day of presentations – it was a meaningful opportunity to connect, inspire, and share the passion behind healthcare careers. Simone Cariss, Allied Health Workforce Manager, described the day as “a fantastic opportunity to showcase potential careers at Northern Health across Nursing, Medical, Pharmacy and Allied Health.” She noted the genuine curiosity from students, many of whom were unfamiliar with the breadth of roles within Allied Health. “There were passionate discussions around career pathways,” she said, “and…
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Get to know: Daniella Chapkoun
#WeAreNorthern Meet Daniella Chapkoun, Clinical Informatics Advisor, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Northern Health. Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order? A: Always a latte. And while we’re here – let me help everyone out with my surname, which often causes a bit of confusion. It’s Chapkoun, like Napkin… but with a twist! Q: Tell us about your journey at EMR? A: I joined the EMR team in 2018 as a Workflow Analyst, before Northern Health had secured funding. My role focused on understanding current clinical processes and identifying what would be needed to safely and effectively transition the organisation…
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GEM@Home celebrates 10 years of innovative care
Northern Health’s Geriatric Evaluation and Management at Home (GEM@Home) program has recently marked its 10-year milestone, celebrating a decade of delivering innovative, hospital-level care to older patients in the comfort of their own homes. The program was established to ensure frail older people with multiple and complex needs have access to specialist assessment, diagnostic and management services, including care coordination – without needing to leave home. The idea was born from a shared vision to reimagine subacute care. “We brought together the key services traditionally delivered in a hospital bed and trained our staff to provide the same level of…
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Care beyond walls: How the Virtual Observation Ward is transforming Hospital at Home
Since the inception of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) in 2020, Northern Health’s virtual services have continued to expand across the full continuum of care. One of the newest innovations, the Virtual Observation Ward (VOW), launched on 6 May 2024, is helping patients receive hospital-level care in their own homes. Recognising an opportunity to support more unwell patients remotely, VOW offers hospital-grade assessment, monitoring, and treatment — virtually. It provides a less disruptive alternative for people who would otherwise need to present to hospital, particularly the elderly, vulnerable, and those in rural or remote communities. Staffed by doctors and…
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Leadership and innovation in anaesthesia
Northern Health’s Department of Anaesthetics, Perioperative Medicine and Pain made an impressive mark at the 2025 ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists) Annual Scientific Meeting, showcasing the depth of innovation, expertise, and clinical leadership within our service. Dr Hosim Prasai Thapa presented “Making Blocks Accessible”, highlighting the groundbreaking model at Northern Health where the Acute Pain Service (APS) and Pain Management Nurse Practitioner provide regional anaesthesia for hip and rib fractures — a virtually unique practice globally. The presentation received glowing praise, with one attendee noting, “the APS team deserves immense credit for the amazing service and care…
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Get up, get moving, get better
Today, Northern Health launched the “Get up, get moving, get better” campaign across Ward 4 at Northern Hospital Epping and Unit 1 and PCW at Bundoora Centre. “Get up, get moving, get better” is a proactive initiative designed to combat hospital-acquired functional decline and promote faster, safer recovery for our patients. Hospital stays, while essential for treatment, can unintentionally lead to a loss of physical function—especially in older adults. Research shows that just 10 days in bed can age muscles by a decade for people over 80, and one week of bed rest can result in a 10 per cent…
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Get to know: Colin Bourke
#WeAre Northern Meet Colin Bourke, a Senior Social Worker, marriage celebrant, marathon runner, and mentor to many. After 20 years of dedicated service, he is preparing to retire at the end of June. Q: First, let’s start with your coffee order? I much prefer an orange, tomato and carrots smoothie. Q: Tell us about your journey at Northern Health? It started in 2005 when I was 54; I’d been working with The Richmond Fellowship of Victoria at their Brunswick Psychosocial Resident Rehabilitation facility in Victoria Street for about three years. I crossed from this non-profit to Northwest Area…
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Healthy choices, healthier futures at Northern Health
Northern Health’s continued commitment to align with the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices Policy means staff and visitors have greater access to healthier food options. The Healthy Choices Policy Directive aims to improve health and wellbeing by supporting and promoting the availability of nutritious food and drink options in vending machines, staff catering, and in-house food outlets. Health services are required to meet specific targets around the proportion of healthy food and drink options offered. At least half of the food options available across catering services, vending machines, and in-house food outlets must be “green” foods. These include fresh fruits and…