At midday yesterday, a statewide COVID-19 Pandemic Code Brown was declared for Northern Health, along with other health services in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

While a normal Code Brown is generally reserved for short duration external emergencies such as natural disasters and mass casualty events, this Pandemic Code Brown requires an extended response, which is expected to last four to six weeks.

The commencement of a Pandemic Code Brown enables our health service to achieve a well-coordinated, entire health service response that adequately manages resources for a surge in patients from an emergency, and to share the load and manage patient flow from a state level.

Jason Amos, Manager Emergency Management, said a Pandemic Code Brown required a different organisational response to a regular Code Brown.

“Normal Code Brown requires immediate actions from staff, including rapid discharge, staff to remain on shift, set up of ED triage areas and walking wounded clinics. These immediate actions are not required for a Pandemic Code Brown,” he explained.

“Existing COVID-19 procedures remain the base structure of a Pandemic Code Brown response. However, recent changes including significant spread of COVID-19 in the community, severe workforce shortages, treating a vast number of patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalisation, as well as other patients with urgent and emergency needs, has meant that we will need to make additional changes.”

Since 7 January, Northern Health has been operating two Incident Management Teams (IMT), seven days a week to better manage the health service’s COVID-19 response. Under the Pandemic Code Brown, IMT will continue.

“The IMT is aware of the requirement for a balance between COVID-19 and business as usual requirements for critical care,” Jason said.

“The IMT will still, as required, implement additional plans to scale down non-critical services to deal with a continued influx of pandemic and non-pandemic patients, supply chain and critical staffing deficiencies.”

“For our staff, there are no immediate actions required to be implemented. Any changes required will be communicated to you by the IMT through your leadership teams.”

This afternoon, we hosted a Pandemic Code Brown Live Event, to provide staff with the opportunity to ask any questions.

To watch the live event, click here.

Northern Health Foundation provides philanthropic, corporate and community support for Northern Health. The Foundation helps to raise vital funds which are then allocated toward the purchase of life-saving equipment, capital works, research and training.

While 2021 was a challenging year, Northern Health Foundation are pleased to share some of the ways they were able to support Northern Health over the past 12 months:

With February fast approaching, we reflect on the year we’ve had, taking into account both the losses and the wins that 2021 brought to us. Here, at the Northern Health Foundation, we see any shortcomings from the effects of COVID-19 as an opportunity to grow and learn for the year ahead.

As the charity arm of the north, we aim to build a healthier community together by funding life-changing equipment and research for Northern Health. Our achievements for 2021 were made possible by the support of our community, and together, we were able to tackle another challenging year.

In July of 2021, Northern Health Foundation ran its Dry July campaign, raising over $30,000, allowing Northern Health to purchase a car for the NOAH@Home program. Nurse Unit Manager of Day Oncology, Melissa Gwynne, explained: “another vehicle will enable us to expand our geographical parameters to include rural areas”. This was a massive achievement for our staff and everyone who participated in the event. Our Dry July leader and now former colleague, Josie Verga, was incredibly passionate about this event, championing the campaign to support the staff every step of the way.

As you may have also seen, the green coffee cups that adorn the tall windows at Henry’s Café couldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our community. As a way of saying thank you to our healthcare workers for caring for their loved ones every day, the community ‘shouted’ a coffee to the staff at Northern Health, to show their gratitude and appreciation.

The solidarity of our community makes what we do here at the Foundation possible, allowing us to get through these unprecedented times.

We look forward to 2022 with a renewed sense of enthusiasm to continue these displays of generosity that echo the care our community gives to us.

If you would ever like to come and say hello, our office is located in the main foyer of the Northern Hospital Epping – knock, and we’ll be there for you.

Our amazing volunteers play an important role at Northern Health.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our volunteers would roam the hospital halls with a friendly smile and cheer, ready to assist.

But the hospital halls have been noticeably quiet, with onsite volunteer activity scaled back due to the COVID Peak status of our health service.

Our volunteer program during the pandemic evolved from a focus on volunteers providing support to the health service, to one where the health service provided ongoing support to our volunteers, to help them stay connected to Northern Health while at home.

The How-R-U telephone social support program – which offers participants weekly social support via a telephone call provided by a Northern Health volunteer – is one of the activities the team activated. This program has now been embedded into the Volunteer Services Team and has been a wonderful addition for our volunteers who can continue to support patients from their own home.

To assist in the health service’s COVID response, the Volunteers Services Team facilitated the preparation of specimen collection bags for our COVID testing clinics, with more than 67,300 bags collected to date. As COVID-19 looks to be with us for some time, this will most likely remain a regular task our volunteers can assist with.

The team continued to promote the many activities and achievements of volunteers through online stories published on the Intranet. These stories helped to remind staff that although volunteers weren’t visible onsite, they were still very much active behind the scenes.

Weekly newsletters helped our volunteers retain a sense of connection to Northern Health. Volunteers were kept up to date about ongoing changes, new programs and services. For volunteers, newsletters provided a platform to share the great work and contributions other volunteers were still doing, something the volunteers truly appreciate.

Our volunteers also regularly stayed in touch with one another – regular phone calls were made, Zoom chats were organised and birthday cards were sent to each other. Volunteers also facilitated the pick-up of hand-made items made by our community of volunteer knitters. Some of these items were for patients and some were made to support the fundraising for Northern Health Foundation, with volunteer fundraising enabling the purchase of equipment for Northern Health.

Henni Wade, Manager Volunteer Services, said it was great the Volunteer team felt they could still make a difference and help out where they could.

“It’s wonderful to have the continued support of our Northern Health Volunteers. Not only is their support helping the hospital, but it is also helping them to stay well while at home,” she said.

“They are so keen to return to their onsite volunteering as they are missing interactions with staff, patients and other volunteers.”

“If there is any task you think might be suitable for the volunteers to do from the safety of their homes, please contact the Volunteer Services Team on volunteer@nh.org.au.”

 

 

 

Christmas came early for Toxicologist and Emergency Physician, Dr Joe Rotella, after receiving news that he had been awarded the title of Associate Professor (Clinical) from the Department of Critical Care at the University of Melbourne’s Medical School.

Associate Professor Rotella is one of a handful of Emergency Physicians to receive this accolade and the first for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Northern Health.

“A worthy recipient of University of Melbourne recognition!” said Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer.

“Joe, who I am proud to say was my intern, has been instrumental in setting up and supporting the Toxicology service at Northern Health – a service that in effect supports the northern community, which is close to Joe’s heart,” she added. 

A Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician, A/Prof Rotella returned to the ‘Great North’ over a decade after he first walked into the Emergency Department as a 4th year medical student in 2006.

He now works in the Emergency Department and runs the SPECTRE Unit, a novel team aiming to provide care for patients with problems relating to Toxicology, Toxinology, Substance Use, Mental Health and Trauma.

Since growing up in the northern suburbs, A/Prof Rotella has maintained a strong connection to the area and is especially passionate about caring for our diverse community here in the north.

On receiving the new title, A/Prof Rotella said, “It has been an honour to receive this recognition and to represent Northern Health. It is a nod to the innovative and collaborative environment we foster in the north and holds promise for a great future ahead.”

This week, 50 enthusiastic junior doctors commenced their internship orientation virtually.

Dr Carol Chong, Supervisor of Interns, said the Omicron variant made things unpredictable for the Medical Education Unit.

“Our aim was to ensure the safest and best experience for the new interns. Half of the intern cohort are from the Northern Clinical School and are familiar with the hospital and the other half of the cohort is a mixture of Monash, Deakin, interstate and overseas interns,” she explained.

One of them is Joshua Lendon, who moved from Geelong into Melbourne’s north for this opportunity. He is now looking forward to becoming more familiar with how the hospital is set up, and the tasks he will be performing every day.

“I am actually from Deakin, and was trained in Geelong. I am excited to do some hands-on doctoring and explore different areas through my rotations. Northern Health staff have done a great job of organising the online orientation. Thank you Northern Health for taking me on. I am excited to be here and make a difference,” he said.

His colleague Christie Yung, who studied at the University of Melbourne, is also is very excited about her internship and the upcoming rotations.

“I am starting at Psychiatry and looking forward to seeing how it looks at Northern. Everyone has been saying a lot of good things about Northern Health, and I am looking forward to being in this culture and working here. I also had to move houses to live closer to work and I am looking forward to getting to know the north better,” she explained.

“It’s the first time that we’ve had to go virtual for most of the orientation. Interns have done very well to navigate around MS Teams and the various channels we have created online to ensure a smooth virtual transition. It has been great watching them using the chat function to ask questions and seek clarification,” said Susie Sangas, Medical Education Manager.

Susie and the team also held a face-to-face two-hour workshop, which involved rotating through Basic Life Support, Cannulation, PPE and Indwelling Catheters skills stations in small groups, in N95 masks and face shields.

“There is also an opportunity for the interns who are not familiar with the Northern Hospital to get a tour by the outgoing interns,” Susie added.

“It has been a huge effort from many staff in the hospital to ensure orientation runs smoothly. We’d like to thank everyone who has participated so far. Some of them are Jeff Khoshaba and team Pharmacy and the Junior Medical Staff Association (JMSA), who have been integral in the running of the orientation,” Dr Chong added.

Last month, Northern Health held the Length of Service Awards for 2021, where more than 400 staff were celebrated for achieving between 10 and 45 years of dedicated service.

Eight award recipients celebrated 40 and 45 years of service. The 40 year award recipients included Anne Roast, Sharon Robinson, Ann Maffei, Glenda Levens, Stefan Herodotou and Helen Opasinis.

Sharon Robinson, said, “For the past 22 years, I have worked at Broadmeadows Hospital in different roles and in one place. Broadmeadows Hospital is a very friendly place and this friendliness and compassion from all members of the various teams who work there to achieve the outcomes for the patients, makes going to work enjoyable.”

Stefan Herodotou: “I honestly feel like it was only yesterday when I was interviewed for the job and I can clearly remember my excitement when I received the call a few days later, telling me that the job was mine. A lot of people ask me, how could you be doing this and for so long? Life in the fast line of the Emergency Department is full of highs and lows. How can you forget or not become emotional when as a team you save someone’s life? I regard myself as honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of this amazing institution and work next to so many wonderful and inspirational people.”

Helen Opasinis: “I have had the pleasure of working as a mothercraft nurse and caring for three generations of families within 41 years of service, but it would be the unknown impact you have on people’s lives over the years, whether it be the people you care for, the students, or the staff you work with. How blessed I feel to have been part of their noteworthy and remarkable event.”

Here’s what the recipient’s managers had to say about their staff.

Belinda Nash on Sharon Robinson: “Whilst I have only known Sharon for two years, I am aware of her many achievements over 40 years whilst on Unit 2 Rehabilitation. She has been a well-respected and valued member of the rehabilitation team. She has attributed to so many changes to the unit and has been a great support to new staff and students. We wish to congratulate Sharon on her outstanding achievements over her career.”

Jade Ralston on Anne Roast: “Anne is a kind, caring and incredibly wise member of the People and Culture team. Her historical knowledge is invaluable and we are lucky to learn from her experiences. Despite all the changes she has been through in the past 40 years, one thing that has continued to grow is her passion for staff and patients. This is at the forefront of what she does every day.”

Nicholas Caruana on Ann Maffei: “If you’ve ever worked at Northern Hospital Epping, you’ll know Ann by her distinct Scottish accent, calling emergency codes over the PA. Ann’s professionalism, dedication and authenticity stems from her love for helping people and her down-to-earth personality. She is able to find the humour in almost any given situation and is highly respected and valued by all who know her.”

Nadine Stowell on Glenda Levens: “Glenda is a skilled and dedicated nurse, who gives her patients excellent nursing care. Glenda treats each patient as a person first and a patient second. She will chat with those are are lonely, sit with those who are frightened and offers companionship and respect to all. We are fortunate to have her working with us on Ward 18.”

Megan Robb on Stefan Herodotou: “Stefan is a living legend of the Northern Hospital Epping Emergency Department. In a career spanning 40 years across emergency medicine, surgery and general practice, Stefan is well loved and deeply respected by his patients, community and colleagues. A passionate teacher, he continues to inspire a new generation of doctors with his gentle, patient-centred and humble approach to medicine.”

Barbara Rischitelli on Helen Opasinis: “Helen is a much loved and valued mothercraft nurse who brought so many outstanding qualities to ensure safer, kinder care delivery to all of her patients and families. Helen has provided a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team.”

Featured image L-R: Stefan Herodotou, Helen Opasinis, Ann Maffei and Glenda Levens

The ISS Concierge Team at our Vaccination Clinic at Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) has received an ISS Apple Award.

Apple Awards are client-nominated and recognise our placemakers who demonstrate the ISS values and deliver customer service excellence across ISS chosen sectors.

Hayley Gray, Nurse Unit Manager COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, nominated the team for the award, acknowledging their great customer service skills and ability to adapt in a fast changing environment.

“On behalf of the Northern Health Vaccination Clinic, I nominate the incredible concierge team at PRACC for an Apple Award. Thank you for always performing over and above your required duties to ensure all clients are welcomed and safe on arrival,” Hayley said.

“You are all an asset to our Vaccination Clinic team. The friendly and informative demeanour of each and every one of the concierge team makes me proud to walk alongside them all.”

“I commend you on your ability to assist in the ever changing and fast paced environment. Thank you all.”

Saj Amerasinghe, ISS Key Account Manager, said, “The ISS concierge team has done a tremendous job demonstrating the Northern Health and ISS core values from day one. They provide an important and supportive role in the overall process, focusing on the consumers by greeting community members and assisting them to understand the flow and process. Job well done and I am very proud of my team.”

Snezana Poposka, ISS Facility Services Manager and Northern Health Concierge Project Lead, also congratulated the team.

“Leading the concierge team and working closely with the management in the Vaccination Hub has been a great part of my daily job. Everyone has been very professional and polite, and most importantly, they feel very proud to be caring for our community,” Snezana said.

“They have always worked as one team. I am very proud of the concierge team what on have they have achieved in keeping our community safe.”

Featured image: Hayley Gray (far left) Nurse Unit Manager, Saj Amerasinghe (middle front) ISS Key Account Manager, with ISS Concierge team.

Associate Professor Wei Qi Fan, has been awarded Medical Doctor Year 3 (MD3) Teacher of the Year.

Wei Qi has been working at Northern Hospital Epping as a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist since 2004. She is the Head of Neonatal Unit and is currently a member of the State Neonatal Advisory Group and the Maternal and Newborn Leadership Group. She is also an Associate Professor in paediatrics at the University of Melbourne – Paediatric Academic Lead/Course Coordinator at University of Melbourne Northern Clinical School.

Wei Qi has been awarded the Teacher of the Year award eight of the last nine years, and is honoured to be recognised by her medical students.

“It really is an honour for paediatrics to see so many students enthused about paediatric medicine, which makes it a wonderful team effort,” she said.

“I have a great personal passion to teach others and believe I have a gift to engage students. I have more than 25 years of experience teaching paediatric medicine at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Melbourne. Soon after I started working at Northern Health, I became a Melbourne University lecturer and Child and Adolescent Health teaching coordinator. Northern Health’s paediatric rotation is now widely recognised as the best centre among all the other Melbourne University clinical schools.”

Dr Leonie Griffiths, Director Northern Clinical School, congratulated Wei Qi on her great achievement.

“Wei Qi is a long-standing recipient of this award. She continues to show the students commitment, enthusiasm and advocacy which ensures students have a fantastic time undertaking their children and adolescent health rotation at Northern Health. Students remark studying paediatrics is a highlight in the course and attribute this to Wei Qi’s investment in their learning providing opportunities for feedback and consolidation of challenging concepts.”

“Congratulations on winning MD3 Teacher of the Year. Your continued passion and dedication showed towards the students is greatly appreciated, you clearly are a wonderful role model and integral to the success of the rotation and the clinical school, thank you so much.”

Wei Qi said she feels she has a responsibility to pass her knowledge, gathered over the years, onto others.

“I enjoy getting to know students when they are on paediatric rotation and get a great sense of satisfaction in guiding them through their studies,” she said.

“With all students, my role is to make sure they have both adequate knowledge and have learnt how to be a safe and caring doctor in the paediatric setting.”

“Many of my ex-medical students are now medical specialists – some of them medical specialists at Northern Health.”

Wei Qi’s students have described her as, “very dedicated,” and always going, “above and beyond to teach and find us new learning opportunities.”

“No one is more committed to her students than her. She is relentless in her efforts to aid students in their learning, doing everything in her power to assist them,” says one student.

“She’s incredible. She is a great teacher and advocate for students’ learning and education. The paediatric rotation at the Northern is by far the best run and most helpful of all rotations in my entire degree,” says another student.

Well done and congratulations Wei Qi!