#WeAreNorthern

Meet Michael Cooney, Nurse Practitioner, Oncology/Haematology.

Q: Tell us about your journey with Northern Health?

A: I have been caring for people affected by cancer, in a range of nursing roles, for around 35 years. For the last 11 years, I have been here at Northern Health. During that time, I have seen so many things change about Northern Health but have also noted how many things have stayed the same. I began my journey with Northern Health whilst I was employed at Peter Mac – assisting Maree Glynn and Lucia Bento with the development of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner (NP) Model of Care, as I was trying to develop a similar role for Peter Mac at the time. This was my first exposure to the personal dedication and commitment that people at Northern Health seem to have towards providing the best possible care to cancer patients, that I have since experienced at Northern.

I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the new Oncology NP Candidate and began working with what was a relatively young cancer service – both in how long the service had been running and the ages of the staff that made it up – the NP candidate was (and still is) older than almost all the consultant medical staff and certainly older than the registrars and residents. This made for some awkwardly funny times on morning rounds, where the patient would assume the older man in the suit (I tended to overdress in those days) was clearly the consultant – and so addressed all their attention, comments and questions to me, virtually ignoring the skilled and more qualified medical practitioner standing beside them.

Being here at Northern Health has provided me with the opportunity to participate in the development of  some fantastic patient care initiatives: exercise physiology referral and exercise groups for patients having chemotherapy, nurse-led care for patients commencing treatment for myeloma, establishing the cancer care coordinator role, setting up of one of the best Symptom Urgent Review Clinics (SURC) in Victoria and currently, a project to establish a nurse-led supportive care service for patients receiving oral cancer therapies.

I am now working fewer hours – trying to begin the difficult process of establishing a better work-life balance. I have found it to be mixed in its blessings. I now have the opportunity to do a little volunteering work that I’ve always wanted to do and have time to go camping or cycling or paddling, all of which I love to do. It means though, that I have given up spending time doing work I love with people I think are amazing at what they do and believe in giving the best they can to the people they care for – that’s hard to give away.

Q: What motivates you in your current role? 

A: I think a couple of things motivate me in my work. I believe in my work. It means something to me to be good at it. Being good at my work means that I can make a real difference to the experience of a person with cancer who is being cared for here at Northern Health. I love what I do.

The second thing that motivates me is the people I work with. Since I started working at Northern in 2011, I have described my experience of my work as “Christmas every day”. That is not as Pollyanna as it sounds. Through my more than 30 years of working in public, private, inpatient and outpatient care settings, I have worked with smart people and caring people in organisations with famous reputations. Of course, I have had difficult times and there has been instability in the organisation – the horror of working through the pandemic, getting tired and frustrated – but at Northern Health, I have always felt the support of the kind, clever, dedicated and remarkable professionals I get to work with. I have worked in places where I know the patient and their family are well cared for, but Northern Health is the place where I have most felt that patients are also likely to feel that they are also cared about.

Q: Tell us something about you not many people know?

A: I am the middle child of nine – four above and four below, with a traditional Catholic upbringing. I turned out to be a nurse – “quell surprise!” My late father raised us in the idea that each person has a reason for being and something to contribute and it is their responsibility to make that contribution wherever they can. So as an homage to my dad, who was also a great dad-joker, I have a dolphin-like tattoo on my leg so that wherever I go, I will always know I have a porpoise!

Q: Favourite vacation destination? 

A: The place I haven’t been yet.

Q: Ice cream or cake?

A: Por que no los dos. But if I had to choose, my wife makes amazing cakes!

Those living in Melbourne’s north now have access to donor sperm and eggs through Australia’s first ever public egg and sperm bank, in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital.

The Northern Health clinic will provide eligible patients with access to a range of fertility services including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, ultrasounds, medications and in-cycle management all closer to their home – helping cut down on unnecessary travel time and avoid indirect costs.

Access to the public fertility service at partner health services is available through a GP or specialist referral sent to the Royal Women’s Hospital, which will then organise for patients to receive their fertility treatment at the health service closest to their home.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 12 July, Minister for Health, The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, visited the future fertility clinic site in Epping to meet with staff and discuss the investment in fertility care in Melbourne’s north.

“We’re so proud to be rolling out public fertility care at partner health services across Victoria – because your ability to start a family shouldn’t be limited by where you live,” said Minister Thomas.

Once fully operational, the $120 million program will help up to 5,000 Victorians every year to start or grow their family – helping them save up to $10,000. Since launching in October last year, more than 550 Victorians have already commenced their fertility journey.

“This new clinic in Epping is all about bringing fertility care to the heart of the community, meaning it’s more accessible and affordable for those wanting to start a family,” said Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown.

Minister Thomas had some wonderful things to say about Northern Health, our staff and the care we provide. Please watch the short video here.

You can also read the press coverage of yesterday’s event in the Herald Sun here.

On Wednesday, 5 July, Northern Health officially launched the Education and Training Strategic Plan 2023-27.

The Education and Training Strategic Plan will provide strategic direction for education and training over the next five years and will guide Northern Health and our partners as we work to meet the education and training of needs of our staff and community now, and into the future.

The event was well attended by internal and external stakeholders, including members of the Northern Health executive, managers, educators, clinical support nurses, administrative staff and academic partners from University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.

Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive, welcomed guests and officially launched the plan.

“Education and training are pivotal to the successful implementation of the Northern Health Strategic Plan, as the ‘science’ of education will empower teams and enable staff through their engagement with the terrific learning culture here at Northern Health,” said Mr Sivarajah.

“In turn, this culture will help Northern Health to attract, retain and develop our workforce in a way that best meets the health needs of our diverse northern community.”

“We know that our community benefits from empowered teams collaborating together and it makes sense to harness this sense of collaboration across disciplines during the process of life-long learning. I look forward to the implementation progress of the Education and Training Strategic Plan and the contribution it makes to the transformational journey that Northern Health is on, in pursuit of a healthier community, making a difference for every person, every day,” Mr Sivarajah said.

Tony McGillion, Divisional Director, Education & Training, said, “We know that the evidence of effective Education and Training is corroborated by the safe, quality team-based care that we give our community and it makes perfect sense that the process of education and learning ensures that our consumers as the vital ingredients of a multi-disciplinary recipe for success.”

Over the past week, there have been several activities focusing on the importance of effective education and training, with a few still available to attend. You can view the full event program here.

To learn more, and to view the Education and Training Strategic Plan 2023-27, please click here.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Peter Brack, Director, Education (Allied Health), Tony McGillion, Divisional Director, Education & Training, Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive, Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer and Rob LoPresti, Chief Education Officer – RACGP

The Outpatients Department at Northern Health has approximately 60 administration staff working across three campuses – Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigieburn Centre.

The Patient Management team is responsible for performing numerous duties, including scheduling appointments, greeting and checking-in patients, collecting patient information, answering phone calls, supporting clinicians and nursing staff, and directing patients to the appropriate departments. All of these tasks are essential for ensuring patients have a seamless experience when visiting Northern Health.

Kelly Luca, Administration Manager, says the Patient Management team play an integral role in ensuring patients receive the best care they need.

“They are the first point of contact when patients attend an outpatient appointment, and play a vital role in setting the tone for the entire patient experience. Their contribution is significant, and their work is invaluable”.

“Outpatients experience approximately 300,000 attendances per year, including face-to-face and telehealth appointments. Work can often be challenging, as they are required to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Staff need to have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a positive attitude. They also play an instrumental role in promoting the safety of patients, staff, and visitors,” she added.

The Contact Centre team answers approximately 3,000 calls per week relating to appointment changes, referrals and general enquiries. They must ensure the confidentiality of patient information and comply with the hospital’s policy and procedures.

Liz Fawcett, Clinic Lead and Project officer, says, “Our clerical workforce is invaluable in being able to deliver clinical Northern Health Outpatient Services. They are the friendly voice on the phone, the smiling face on the front desk and the kind words in an email, and often the first patient introduction to Northern Health. We are truly lucky to have such a dynamic and dedicated clerical workforce.”

Deanna Kernaghan, Administration Officer, who has recently joined the team, says, “I have really enjoyed working in Outpatients at Northern Health. The genuine care shown by staff towards patients and myself makes working here all that more meaningful and has allowed me to grow as an individual and employee.”

Sonia Tebano, Team Leader, Northern Hospital Epping Patient Management Team and Tori Caruso, Team Leader, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn Patient Management Team, provide their teams with leadership, guidance, and support. They also ensure the team is working collaboratively, effectively and efficiently towards achieving the department’s goals and objectives, while overseeing the day-to-day operations.

Sonia and Tori both agree the pandemic was a difficult time for all, however the Front of House (FOH) team within Northern Health Outpatient Services are embracing the return of patients face-to-face.

“FOH staff lead by example, ensuring a positive work environment, promoting teamwork and making sure patients receive the best customer service. We are proud to be part of such a caring team,” said Sonia.

Thank you to the Outpatients Patient Management team for all your hard work and dedication.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Broadmeadows Hospital staff Vanessa Reali, Shontell Robertson, Louise Padovano, Zuleyha Kara, Tori Caruso.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you may know, the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) team has been training our EMR Super Users for the past two weeks, with over 300 staff trained. The time has now come when we begin the eight-week journey of EMR training.

From today until 1 September, we will be training more than 4,000 clinical and non-clinical staff working in inpatient and specialist clinics maternity settings. The EMR team is also working on eLearning training modules for areas that would have limited interactions with the EMR for more than 800 staff. These modules will be available by August. Remember, no training, no access.

We understand that learning about the basic functions of the EMR and new workflows within a day is not an easy task. On the myLearning platform, there are pre-learning videos for nursing, medical, allied health, and pharmacy staff to view before attending the classroom session.

“In the past two weeks when we have been training our super users, it was evident that learners come into the session feeling more confident in basic EMR functions if they have watched the pre-learning videos, and we are glad that staff found the videos useful,” says Linh Tran, EMR Trainer.

The team has been receiving positive feedback on EMR training, which:

• More than 87 per cent of learners agreed that they feel more confident applying the knowledge learned to their area of work when the EMR is live.
• 95 per cent of learners agreed the training delivered was relevant to their work.
• 85 per cent of learners agreed the training was well structured and easy to follow.

The EMR training team has been reviewing the evaluation and will continue to improve how training is delivered throughout the training period. We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming eight weeks.

After training, it is important to practice. We are running practice labs for staff who have completed their classroom training across Epping, Bundoora and Broadmeadows. Please click on the hyperlink to register your interest.

#WeAreNorthern

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to honour and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for this year is ‘For Our Elders’, which pays tribute to the Elders who have been mentors, teachers and role models, passing on their wisdom and cultural knowledge for generations.

Today, we meet Moira Rayner, Emergency Department Aboriginal Liaison Officer.

Q: What does a typical day look like as the Emergency Department Aboriginal Liaison Officer?

A: From my perspective, there is no such thing as a typical day. Every shift is different as patient journeys and supports are so diverse depending on the needs of each patient. Some patients just like to ‘yarn’ and have another Aboriginal person present, so they feel culturally safe and comfortable. Other patients might come in with quite complex needs, so I get to work with different program areas across the emergency department and in the hospital. It’s never dull.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?

A: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, my deadly team sister girls at Narrun Wilip-giin, and the champions that exist at Northern Health – you know who you are and there is quite a few. I have been very fortunate to have co-worked with many people who share the same passion about supporting the Aboriginal patient journey.

Q: This week is NAIDOC Week. What significance does this day have for you?

A: NAIDOC is a reflective time for me. It’s a reminder of all the struggles my people and Elders have experienced in the past and at the same time, a celebration of achievements within our communities. It’s an opportunity for all of the community to learn and experience what culture means to us and share in amazing cultural activities that run throughout the course of the week.

The best part is the ‘NAIDOC March’, where you can experience the whole Aboriginal community and allies marching down the street in the colours of our flag, with my children and grandchildren in tow – this is the highlight of the year for me.

 Q: Which Northern Health value (safe, kind, together) do you relate to best and why?

A: The Northern Health value that I can relate to is together – with my team, our executive, and other program areas that I have been fortunate to work alongside. Northern Health has a willingness to support Aboriginal health in ways I have not experienced in other hospitals.

Q: If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

A: Spending all my time with my grandchildren.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time

A: Most people smile at this, but believe it or not, I play pennant in the sport of lawn bowls. I love it because it’s a game that you can never master! So, any spare time I have, I can be found at my local club practicing.

This week, we join the nation in celebrating NAIDOC Week – a time to honour and appreciate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme for this year is ‘For Our Elders’, which pays tribute to the Elders who have been our mentors, teachers, and role models, passing on their wisdom and cultural knowledge for generations.

Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer, said, “NAIDOC Week for me is a time for all the mob to come together and celebrate our rich Aboriginal culture. We celebrate through song, dance, awards, acknowledgements, speeches, community events and marching for the rights of our people. Embracing our elders, sharing stories and attending as many events as possible.”

Our Narrun Wilip-giin, Aboriginal Support Unit, has displays at each site showcasing the stories of inspirational Elders. The displays also feature artwork by the children from Streeton Primary School in Yallambie, who painted their dreamtime stones to express their connections and meanings.

Sherrilyn Ballard, Consumer Participation Coordinator, and Toni Gabelish, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, visited the school and thanked the students and their teacher Jenny Donald. The children shared the symbols and stories behind their paintings and received Narrun Wilip-giin colouring books in return.

Teacher Jenny Donald, Learning Specialist at Streeton Primary School, said, “When you are welcomed into someone’s place you should acknowledge it and show respect for it. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for many thousands of years. They have a very strong connection to their place. They call this connection ‘country’ and they share it with everyone. Each day we acknowledge the land on which we live, ‘Yallambie’ which is derived from an Aboriginal word ‘nglambi’, meaning ‘to rest’ or ‘remain’. We value inclusivity and talk daily about how we value others and accept our differences.”

Narrun Wilip-giin Aboriginal Liaison Officers Stephanie Thompson and Toni Gabelish interviewed Elders Nicole Bloomfield and Noel King, and created a video gallery as part of an online NAIDOC display.

“Our elders have a lot of wisdom and lived experience and that needs to be shared and nurtured down the line in order for our young to grow up strong with identity,” Nicole said.

Narrun Wilip-giin will be visiting Elders from the Wandarra group, an Aboriginal community organisation in Broadmeadows, to deliver dilly bags to acknowledge their wisdom, stories and contributions to community.

Narrun Wilip-giin has also put together a NAIDOC Week staff quiz that will test your knowledge and reward you with exciting prizes. Click here to take the quiz.

We invite staff to attend a NAIDOC Grand Rounds tomorrow, Thursday 6 July at 8 am. The event will feature guest speakers Andrew Morrison, Director of Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Karinda Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing. Click here to join the Grand Rounds.

Tya Fry, Occupational Therapist, who is hosting a basket weaving workshop for Aboriginal women in the Aboriginal Cultural Space said, “NAIDOC to me is a time to come together and celebrate our history, culture and country. It’s a time to continue the ways of learning through yarning.”

Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer, said, “This week is a unique time in the year where we recognise nationally the rich history and contribution of our First Nations people. We have so much to learn from Aboriginal Elders, we need to build and maintain genuine opportunities to facilitate authentic discussions.”

Please find a NAIDOC Week Library Guide here.

Featured image: Toni Gabelish, Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Sherrilyn Ballard, Consumer Participation Coordinator with Streeton Primary School children and teacher Jenny Donald, Learning Specialist.