Since the launch of Northern Health’s in-house medical imaging service Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) in October last year, we have expanded the scope and capacity of services provided. One of the key constituent services of NIV is our clinical arm – Interventional Radiology (IR). This has grown into a full clinical service delivered by a dedicated team of specialist medical, nursing and radiography staff.
The Interventional Radiology service is staffed by five Interventional Radiology consultants and a dedicated team of IR nurses and radiographers who are available 24/7 to manage acute emergencies, in addition to providing a comprehensive IR service during business hours.
“The IR team have expertise in managing a wide range of conditions including minimally invasive treatments for acute bleeding, cancer, vascular, liver and renal and neurovascular diseases. We are also unique in having expertise to treat both an adult and paediatric population,” said A/Prof Terry Kok, Director of Imaging Services and Head of Interventional Radiology, Northern Health.
The IR service development also includes recent refurbishment of the angiography suite in the Radiology department with a new state-of-the-art Philips Azurion angiography system, and plans for installation of a second angiography suite later in 2024. Recent highlights have included the availability of tumour ablation and radioembolization (SIRT- Selective internal radiation therapy) for cancers and TIPS (Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) insertion for portal hypertension in chronic liver disease.
Regular IR clinics have already commenced, offering the convenience of a one-stop-shop for patients encompassing consultation with a specialist, on-site imaging, as well as treatment and follow-up discussions. The IR team are also available daily for consults on the ward, as well as imaging review, and are always happy to assist and provide advice to all Northern Health clinicians.
The team are located in the main Radiology department and contactable in person or via the IR on-call service (after hours via switchboard).
Pictured in the featured image: The Interventional Radiology team.
Throughout the duration of the Northern Health Timely Emergency Care Collaborative (TECC) project, robust consumer engagement has been a cornerstone.
Led by the Department of Health, this two-year initiative has involved collaboration with 14 health services and Ambulance Victoria, all aimed at enhancing access to timely care. Significant strides have been made across various fronts on the project, focusing on key access indicators including prompt patient handover upon ambulance arrival, reduced Emergency Department (ED) lengths of stay and minimised wait times for accessing sub-acute services.
The TECC project began in late 2022 and is scheduled to conclude by the end of June 2024. Throughout its duration, two consumers, Karyn Findlay and Evan Bichara, have played active roles in contributing to its success.
Every four months, large learning sessions are held, gathering staff from all health services to share progress and plan the upcoming phases of work. These sessions serve as crucial checkpoints for consumers like Karyn and Evan to offer feedback on ongoing efforts and collaborate on designing new ideas for trailing. Their involvement has been instrumental in tasks such as reviewing brochures, conducting ED walkthroughs, and developing processes for early morning discharge communication.
During the February Learning Session, the team engaged with Karyn, a primary school teacher deeply involved in her local community, who shared her invaluable insights into the project based on her extensive experience with Northern Health services. Karyn has consistently offered pragmatic and logical perspectives, particularly emphasising her passionate support for ED initiatives. She expressed admiration for “the collective dedication of Northern Health personnel to serve the entire northern region”. Furthermore, Karyn highlighted her appreciation for the commitment of senior staff members to enhance services, noting their genuine consideration of community feedback in all decision-making processes.
Laura Hughes, Transformation Unit and TECC project lead, commented, “Both Karyn and Evan have contributed significantly to the TECC project and have constantly given us valuable feedback on complex access problems. Active consumer engagement can be done via patient surveys and feedback; however, we find consumer participation in the actual process to be most helpful”.
The project team will continue to work with consumers until the end of the project, and are looking forward to continuing the partnership following the end of June 2024.
Pictured in featured image top row (L-R): Sandeep Sharma, Consultant Physician, Karyn Findlay consumer, Lora Davies, Divisional Director, Access and Subacute Services, Linda Romano, Divisional Director, Emergency Services, Edward Savill, Divisional Director, Medicine and Cancer Services.
Bottom row (L-R): Laura Hughes, TECC project lead, Rhiannon Cooper, NUM Ward 20, Simone Motton, Director Allied Health.
Each week in the lead up to Accreditation, Northern Health will focus on a different Standard. You will hear from the Chairs of each Standard Committee on what you need to know.
This week we spoke to Dr Anthony Cross, Head of ICU, about Standard 8: Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration.
What is this Standard about?
Standard 8 aims to ensure that a person’s acute deterioration is recognised quickly and appropriate action and response occurs. Acute deterioration could be physiological changes or changes in cognition and mental state. Recognition of deterioration could be by a clinician, family member, carer, or the patient.
At Northern Health, this standard looks like….
Observation and response charts with a track and trigger systems are utilised to prompt staff of acute deterioration.
Processes are in place to ensure correct escalation.
Resuscitation training for staff with direct patient care is mandated to promote patient safety.
Medical Emergency Teams respond to escalation of acute deterioration.
Cardiac arrest HAC, MET and Code Blue data is monitored and reported on.
What are the top 5 ways staff can be prepared for Accreditation against this Standard?
Know the process for escalating acute deterioration and where to locate the procedure.
Ensure you and your patients are familiar with the REACH escalation process.
Know where your resuscitation equipment is kept, how to know it has stocked and equipment is working.
Complete the Observation and Response Chart audit and ensure your departments compliance with questions.
Ensure you have completed your mandatory online resuscitation module and successfully completed the online assessment.
What are the top 5 questions staff needs to be able to answer about this Standard?
How do you know when to escalate acute deterioration and how do you do this?
If you do not have a response after you have activated an emergency call due to acute deterioration, what is the process to escalate this and ensure timely care is delivered?
What is the process for patients, carers or families to escalate care?
Where is your resuscitation equipment located and how do you know it is available and stocked?
How do you access the resuscitation training?
Is there anything else you would like staff to know about this Standard?
Standard 8 is part of your daily work when caring for patients. Ensure you escalate care if your patient falls into PreMET or MET criteria and if you have no response or there is no one logged on to Medtasker, escalate as per the Deteriorating Patient procedure. Always remember to engage your patient and their families in their care, even in an emergency situation and ensure they are aware of the REACH process.
Q. Firstly, what’s your coffee order?
A. A large latte with two sugars…particularly in the morning
Q. Why did you choose your specialty?
A. I’m very passionate about social justice, equity and equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob accessing services, particularly in E.D. where I’m based. My aim is to give them a positive patient experience that’s also culturally safe.
Q. Do you have a bucket list item? Something you would love to do.
A. I’d love to travel the world, particularly Canada. I’ve always loved the culture, the country, and I find there’s a connection there to their First Nations mob and our history and stories here. And I’d love to own my own home one day, so I can have a bigger yard for all my pets.
Q. What’s something people might not know about you?
A. I love to paint, in a tradition Aboriginal, contemporary mix kind of style. My mum is an artist, and so I’ve been exposed to the medium all my life. And as part of the Bachelor of Social Work course I’m doing at the moment, I’m actually producing a series of paintings on canvas depicting Aboriginal history and culture as part of one of my assignments.
Q. Which superhero do you wish you could be?
A. Definitely Mystique from X-men. I’d love to be able to morph into anyone, use their skills and have different experiences. Or maybe Cyclops, because I wear glasses. If I saw someone mucking up, I could pull my glasses down and zap them! lol.
This week, Northern Health celebrates Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day.
Harmony Day is held every year on 21 March, to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The message of Harmony Week is “Everyone Belongs” and it promotes inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.
With more than 50 per cent of Australians either born overseas or having at least a parent born overseas – this is a week to celebrate the cultural diversity of our country.
As far as Northern Health is concerned, this cultural diversity is prominent amongst patients, staff and volunteers.
Henni Wade, Manager of Volunteer Services, explained that, “Northern Health volunteers represent 23 birth countries and 25 per cent of our volunteers speak another language. We very much appreciate the diversity they bring to our team. Volunteers who can speak another language can make a real difference to the experience of our patients.”
David Le, Manager of Transcultural and Language Services (TALS), says, “One in five appointments are conducted with a patient from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background with the assistance of an interpreter. This demonstrates how culturally diverse the Northern Health catchment is and our commitment to provide equitable and inclusive care.”
For Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, being able to hold a sacred space for a rich and diverse group of patients, family and staff is a true honour.
“It is a beautiful and enriching experience. I am privileged to work with staff who strive to meet the different cultural, spiritual, and/or religious needs of our patients. We can all learn from each other’s perspectives, traditions, and experiences,” she said.
This year, Harmony Day brought with it a renewed sense of celebration and unity, marking a significant milestone, as we gathered in person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Displays were set up at Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn Centre, and Kilmore Hospital. Staff from various departments worked together on the displays and this was also an opportunity to collaborate with a local childcare centre and a local school. The Green Leaves Early Learning Centre in Craigieburn donated a beautiful painting made by the kindergarten children. The children worked collaboratively to create a Harmony masterpiece that was displayed at Northern Hospital Epping during the Harmony Day celebration.
The Northern Hospital EppingBroadmeadows HospitalBundoora CentreCraigieburn CentreArtwork from the kindergarten children at Green Leaves Early Learning Center
St Monica’s College in Epping also donated a poster made by Year 7 students. The students chose orange, the official colour of Harmony Day, as the background and added hearts and flowers. This masterpiece was displayed at Bundoora Centre.
The Northern Health library has put together a display focusing on Culturally Safe Care (see attached photo) and resources can be found via the e-library: https://nh-au.libguides.com/home
Henry’s Café and Café 1231 have special menus this week, highlighting Cultural Diversity and international foods. click here to view Henry’s menu and here to view Cafe 1231 menu.
Staff were encouraged to wear something orange or their traditional costume on Harmony Day, to go into a draw to win a prize, by sending a photo of their team effort to TALS Enquiries by Friday, 22 March. The winning team will be announced on Monday, 25 March.
Kilmore District Hospital hosted a Cultural Awareness afternoon tea on Monday, 18 March and invited staff to attend an online education session on Cultural Competence delivered by Education and Engagement Manager, Stefania Zen. The presentation focused on Cultural Competence in Health Care and the importance of delivering effective, quality care to patients who have diverse beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours.
“It is about recognising that we are all different, even within the same culture,” said Stefania.
On Wednesday, 20 March, the Northern Health Community Choir performed in the main foyer of Northern Hospital Epping, and on the same day, a new episode of the ‘Visiting Hours’ podcast was released, featuring Dr Fidel Touma who talked about his migration journey and what it was like to start a new life in Australia.
This morning, staff embraced the celebration and attended a live performance at Northern Hospital Epping by the Little Town North Cyprus Dancing Group. The performance was opened with a speech by Chief Allied Health Officer, Jason Cirone, who talked about how cultural diversity enriches us as a health service and as a community, and was followed by a morning tea, which included a variety of delicious traditional Turkish pastries.
Other gatherings during the week included the celebration of Nooroz, a secular cultural festival observed by diverse communities, including Iranians, Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Central Asians and others. Based on the Iranian Solar Calendar, Norooz/Noruz is the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The first day of Norooz festivity this year was 20 March, and the Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) team celebrated this event with traditional Persian food, provided by their lovely Persian Interpreter, Zoreh Karimi.
As the vibrant colours of cultural diversity adorned the corridors of Northern Health today, Harmony Day showcased the power of unity in embracing our differences, because today and always, we all belong!
Pictured in featured image: Staff from the TALS Department.
In line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission, a new model of care for Adult Community Mental Health is being launched. The aim of the redesign is to provide services at a level/intensity and timeliness that meets the consumer’s care needs, with the focus of keeping people well in the community.
Joy Barrowman, Director of Operations, North West Area Mental Health Service (NWAMHS) says, “We are shifting from an episodic to ongoing model of care that will provide better access and timely specialist mental health services, with focus on consumers’ recovery and prevention of relapse.”
The first phase began in February 2024 and involved the commencement of Consultant/Psychiatrist led Outpatient Clinics at the four community sites – Hotham Street, Hume, Merri-bek and Noogal Clinic.
The new model provides consumers with the option to transition to an outpatient stream of care with less intensive ongoing support for as long as they choose to engage. Early warning signs of relapse can be picked up, with an easy transition to more intensive treatment and care in the community setting. This will reduce the incidences of acute relapse and protracted recovery journeys.
Consumers eligible to be seen in the Outpatient Clinics are those who no longer require active case management in the community and consumers who are transitioning from a Northern Health Mental Health Inpatient Unit or Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) Service and are deemed not to require case management. Internal referrals are identified at clinical review meetings and discussed directly with the Outpatient team.
Chris Ferguson, Manager – Lived Experience Workforce Manager, NWAMHS, says, “I’m excited about the provision of this new stream which better meets the changing needs of consumers accessing services. This new option is in line with the principles of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act which advocates for autonomy, supported decision making and access to diverse services. Northern Mental Health has shown real commitment and flexibility to meet consumers where they are at with our new model of care.”
Pictured Dr Owais Sharif and Aimee Kerr from the Noogal Clinic Outpatients team.
“I feel good knowing I have done it,” Diane Lonsdale, Northern Health consumer.
The National Advance Care Planning (ACP) Week runs from 18 to 24 March, and encourages people to “Share what matters most” with their Medical Treatment Decision Maker/s (MTDMs), loved ones, GP and/or Specialists. Advance Care Planning involves thinking about, talking about, and perhaps documenting future healthcare preferences, for a time when you may be unable to communicate.
The Advance Care Planning Program aims to increase awareness through engagement and supportive collaboration for people aged 18 years and over, throughout the Northern Health organisation and the community. The team consists of three staff members; A/Prof. Barbara Hayes – Clinical Lead, Ella Critchley – Advance Care Planning Program Manager and Karen Overall – Administration Support.
Recently, Ms Critchley sat down with Diane Lonsdale, a past consumer of Northern Health, to discuss her reasons for undertaking Advance Care Planning.
Q: What matters most to you?
A: For me, it’s planning and my autonomy, but above all, it’s my family. I first heard about Advance Care Planning (ACP) as a patient at Northern Health. I was interested and intrigued to know more and was given a brochure alongside a discussion with the medical team.
As time went by, I attended a community education session delivered by the Northern Health’s ACP Program Manager at my place of residence, a local retirement village. I knew this was my opportunity to complete ACP documents, after experiencing the uncertainty of illness within my family, and I just wanted to take the pressure off my family.
Q: In your opinion, what are the benefits of ACP?
A: When thinking about what happened to a family member, I reflected on previous ACP discussions. I appointed two people to be my MTDMs, people I trusted to make the medical decisions I would make for myself, and the importance of making it easier for my kids, by sharing knowledge of what I wanted.
With the help of Ella and my GP, I completed the appointment of a MTDM form and an Advance Care Directive, making it clear to my MTDMs and medical team, exactly how I wanted to be cared for, ever if I lose the capacity to provide consent. My GP discussed the forms with me and witnessed my signature.
Communicating preferences and values can be difficult, but the benefits of not having to make unprepared, in-the-moment decisions, far outweigh these difficult conversations. Reflecting on undertaking ACP, I feel good knowing I have done it and feel a sense of relief that it’s done.
“We are grateful to Diane for generously sharing her ACP story. We couldn’t agree more with Diane’s statement in which she says ‘Some people think you don’t need it. I say, ‘you do’,” said Ms Critchley.
“Being prepared and having a good understanding of a person’s preferences and values is paramount to receiving person-centred care.”
“We’re encouraging everyone during this week, and moving forward, to “Share what matters most” about future health care values and preferences!”, she said.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas yesterday visited Northern Hospital Epping to announce that the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) will be expanded to care for more than 1,000 people daily.
“We’re doubling the Virtual ED’s capacity so more Victorians can get the urgent care they need, from their own home – taking pressure off our busy emergency departments,” said Premier Allan.
Since rolling out statewide in October 2020, the VVED has provided clinical assessments, medical advice, treatment and local referrals to more than 256,000 patients.
The service has helped 86 per cent of patients avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital, freeing up physical emergency departments across the state for those who need them most.
Jennifer Williams, Board Chair and Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive met with Premier Allan and Minister Thomas on Sunday morning to tour the VVED and meet with staff. They were also joined by local MPs Bronwyn Halfpenny, Member for Thomastown, Lily D’Ambrosio, Member for Mill Park, and Lauren Kathage, Member for Yan Yean.
The Labor Government will invest more than $235 million to continue the service and recruit additional clinicians to double its capacity. This will enable VVED to assist more than 1,000 Victorians with consultations directly from home or work, providing them with the care and advice they need, and potentially avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital in the process.
It will also support more direct referrals from aged care, paramedics in the field, primary health networks, the Nurse on Call service and self-referrals from the community.
“I welcome the funding announcement from the Victorian Government, which will enable us to continue to provide patients across the state with access to the right level of care, at the right time,” said Siva Sivarajah.
“This investment speaks to the exceptional talent and dedication of our staff in creating a service that is widely used and highly regarded. I am proud of the VVED and look forward to continuing to grow this exceptional service,” Mr Sivarajah said.
“Congratulations to our local Northern Hospital team who are delivering this service – they are working hard to improve care across the state and seeing real results,” said Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny.
