Northern Health has released the 2022-23 Quality Account.

The Quality Account is developed to inform patients and community members about how quality and safety are monitored and improved throughout the health service. In the report, information about our services and the changes we have made to improve care and patient outcomes are highlighted, along with patient stories and data on important quality and safety indicators.

“Throughout this report, you will read about how Northern Health continues to meet, and exceed, many of the state and national health standards,” said Siva Sivarajah, Chief Executive.

“While it is important to measure our performance against healthcare targets, it is important to review all feedback we receive from our consumers, patients and their families. As a result of this feedback, we can continue to make improvements to the quality of our services.”

The report also highlights the many achievements of Northern Health during the 2022-23 financial year, including Northern Health becoming a designated mental health service and the third largest mental health provider in the state and the opening of a brand new state-of-the-art mental health facility. Other key milestones include our Australian first, Virtual Emergency Department becoming a state-wide service and renaming to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). Since its launch in October 2020, the VVED has seen 142,035 virtual presentations, and reduced unnecessary visits to the emergency department by 75 per cent.

Also highlighted in the report are the number of patients admitted to our emergency department (ED) at Northern Hospital Epping. More than 112000 patients were admitted to the ED in the 2022-23 financial year, making our ED the busiest in the state. More than 3,000 babies were born, just over 25,100 paediatric emergency presentations were admitted and over 254,000 Specialist Clinical appointments were attended.

The Quality Account also reported on our richly diverse patient community, with our patients born from over 195 countries and communicating in more than 115 languages. Our Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and the Narrun Wilip-giin Aboriginal Support Unity collaboratively provide a combination of face-to-face and online cultural competence education sessions, cumulatively drawing an attendance of 1,245 individuals. TALS undertook 62 translations projects, effectively translating more than 257,000 words across our top 10 languages – Arabic, Turkish, Italian, Macedonian, Greek, Assyrian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Punjabi and Persian.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, patients, volunteers, consumers, and their families for their ongoing commitment to providing the very best care for our community,” Siva said.

We encourage all staff to read the 2022-23 Quality Account. Please click here the report.

While hospital emergency departments across Australia have an important role in the care of people with mental illness, there is an increase in presentations to emergency departments, due to a lack of capacity to directly admit to mental health inpatients units.

Consumers will frequently be sent to emergency departments as a place of safety with a decision to admit already been made by a community team. As healthcare services across Australia continue to struggle to meet the demands of mental health presentations to emergency departments, in some states the admission pathway now informally includes an emergency department with direct admission becoming the exception.

On 27 March 2024, the Northern Health Mental Health Division is bringing together medical, nursing, allied health, legal counsel and lived experience staff to discuss and redefine admission pathways for mental health consumers at the Ibis Melbourne.

This conference will expose you to new viewpoints, strategies and approaches to redefine admission pathways for mental health consumers to ensure that we start to move away from the notion of using emergency departments as a step in the admission pathway for consumers in need of admission.

It will provide an opportunity to share views and ideas with healthcare peers and a panel of experts including senior clinical, operational, lived experience staff and legal counsel.

Click on image below to register:

Program Objectives:

• Highlight the challenges, acknowledge the limitations and review the current evidence.
• Consider medico-legal perspectives.
• Explore the lived experience perspective of presenting to ED.
• Define medical clearance in an emergency department and its impact on the direct admission pathway.
• Understand how programs like PACER impact on diverting people from ED and the direct admission pathway.
• Review community mental health process and procedures for alternative options to ED presentations and planning admissions.
• Examine approaches to bed management that will support direct admission.
• Present the key ingredients for direct admissions and strategies for re-establishing pathways for direct admissions.

Who should attend:

• Mental Health and Emergency Department clinical staff
• Clinical staff
• Bed access and patient flow coordinators
• Mental Health community program managers
• Police and Ambulance staff

Any queries about the conference? Email NHMHGP@nh.org.au

#wearenorthern

It isn’t often you come across someone who can offer to both “marry you and bury you” and that too, in the kitchen at Kilmore District Hospital (KDH). Meet Shelley Coyle, Food Service Assistant as well as a wedding and funeral celebrant. Read on to find out her other talents and why she wouldn’t work anywhere else.

Q. Firstly, your coffee order Shelley? 

White latte with two sugars, please!

Q. How would you describe your role?   

My role as a food service assistant, is quite a busy role; from food preparation to delivering meals to being a menu monitor. Sometimes I am also guilty of socialising with the patients – to fill in their day of course!

Q. How long have you been with KDH?

I was employed in November 1996 as a 26-year-old and was only planning to be here for a few years. Now I’m nearly 54 and wouldn’t work anywhere else! I love it here, being close to home, and the staff throughout the years have been amazing.

I have made some beautiful friends through the years. I’ve seen so many changes in my time, the hostel being built, the renovations of different departments. I have so many stories but maybe they are best left as stories for Christmas parties!

Q. What is the most rewarding part of this role?

I have always admired the nurses in their roles, but I get the easy part of delivering the meals and chatting to them all. I love that as part of my role I can connect with the patients /residents. Sometimes listening to their stories makes you realise how good I actually have it. I must also add I was rewarded with meeting my hubby here. After 20 something years (Harry met Sally) we got hitched!

Q. Your impressions on joining Northern Health? 

The process of moving over to Northern Health has been amazing. From changing over payrolls to new email addresses to Roster On, Northern Health have been so professional and supportive, the process has been so easy for us.

Q. Lastly, tell us something that will surprise us about you?

Most people wouldn’t know I taught and ran a little rock n roll and ballroom class in Broadford. That’s besides being a wedding and funeral celebrant, having performed over 180 weddings and funerals to date!

 

On 8 August 2023, Northern Health proudly launched Visiting Hours, a series of podcasts where listeners are invited beyond the frontline to learn about the inspiring lives, outstanding work and personal triumphs of our Northern Health family. These podcasts also serve as an opportunity to learn about the lives, work and dreams of our wonderful staff and be part of the touching narratives that remind us of the unwavering dedication and compassion of these amazing individuals that call Northern Health, home.

Join us and tune in as we stroll down memory lane, revisiting the highlights from Season 1.

Episode 01 – Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Karen Bryant chatted about visits to Country, the importance of family and her divisive choice in pizza topping that’s outraged some of her friends.

Episode 02 – Associate Professor Joe Rotella, an emergency department physician and clinical toxicologist heading up Northern Health’s SPECTRE Unit, revealed his motivation to help people, his passion for sharing information and why teleportation would be his ‘go to‘ superpower.

Episode 03 –Professor Don Campbell, Northern Health’s Divisional Director of Hospital Without Walls spoke about health service innovation, research trials and how an ironing board, a football match and a players reaction has led to some amazing encounters in Alice Springs.

Episode 04 – Tracey Webster OAM, Director of Clinical Leadership, Effectiveness & Outcomes (CLEO) spoke about the success of Northern Health’s Digital Pathways program, service to the community and how Crocodile Dundee changed her life forever.

Episode 05 – Breast Care Nurse Consultant Cheryl Murray shared her insights on helping patients navigate life-changing diagnoses, her advice to new nurses just starting out, and reveals the playlist that pumps her up to take her opponents down.

Episode 06 – Medical Unit 5, Doctor Vinita Rane shared her experiences on the collaborative care for patients, the importance of selfcare for clinical staff, and how enabling people to share their stories is such a powerful tool for healing.

Episode 07 – Jason Amos, Northern Health’s Manager of Emergency Management spoke about his experiences as a firefighter, his family’s routine as they deal with a rare form of epilepsy, and how a sweet mobile phone plan prompted a relationship status update.

Episode 08 – Leanne Murphy, a Northern Health Consumer Representative shared her insights on self-advocacy, the lessons learnt on a pilgrimage through Spain and the meaning of life. We also released a bonus ‘Extended Hours’ episode, where Leanne spoke in-depth about her birthing trauma, her healing journey, and how the overall experience added so much depth to her triumphant story.

Episode 09 – Danielle Cook, Northern Health’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner spoke about the importance of compassion in clinical excellence, her love of baking and how the toss of a coin led her on a path she never imagined.

Episode 10 – Adjunct Professor Anthony Gust, Northern Health’s Executive Director of Digital Health shared his insights on the virtual space, his fascination with historical adventure, and how three circles and some thought can lead you to your dream job.

Season Finale – in the final episode, we had the pleasure of hosting a special guest, Siva Sivarajah, Northern Health’s Chief Executive. Siva shared the plans for Northern Health’s expansion over the next few years, to better serve our community.  He also spoke about studying in London, his love of cricket, and how a magnifying glass might just help keep you from going hungry.

On 3 November, ‘Visiting Hours’ was listed on the Great Australian Pods by Chery Gladman.

Northern Health’s content producer and the driving force behind the podcast, Steve Carnell said, “I’m so thrilled that Visiting Hours seems to resonate with so many people, and the best is yet to come.”

As we reflect on the remarkable journey of Season 1, we take this moment to thank our listeners for each and every listen, like and share. It brings us immense joy to share stories that matter, inspiring conversations about health, wellbeing, and all the amazing work happening at Northern Health.

Stay tuned for an exciting lineup of brand new episodes, set to kick off in February 2024!

With contributions from its dedicated patrons, Northern Health Foundation was delighted to re-open the outdoor courtyard of its Palliative Care Unit at Northern Hospital Epping on Thursday, 7 December.

With the sun shining overhead, patrons and their special guests joined with members of Northern Health Foundation Board, management team, staff and patients for a special afternoon tea to officially re-open the gardens after having received an extensive make-over.

Northern Health engineering and maintenance teams worked tirelessly over the past months to complete the project in time for the launch. The project included some structural works, the installation of undercover family entertainment areas, complete with outdoor sofas and dining table.

The entertainment area, which was contributed by patron Josie Minniti OAM and her fundraising network, provides a comfortable space for patients to gather with their loved ones, share meals together, or commemorate special occasions. Josie has been a long-time supporter of Northern Health’s Cancer Services.

In a special corner of the gardens, affectionally named ‘Kilmore Corner’ in recognition of the contribution of patron Bev Carman and her fundraising efforts which center around the Kilmore community, stands a beautiful water feature surrounded by lush plants and decorative wall features. This space provides a tranquil, respite area for patients and family members wanting some quiet, reflective time.

     
The rest of the gardens were funded through a financial grant from Dry July Foundation, after staff gathered to fundraise for the cause in 2022.

Executive Director of Public Affairs and Foundation at Northern Health, Ms Pina Di Donato is thrilled with the outcome.

“It was a privilege to be involved in such a special project alongside Foundation patrons, and Northern Health colleagues. I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in creating this beautiful space for our patients and their families”, said Ms Di Donato.

Bev Carman was overjoyed and emotional seeing her contribution come to life saying, “it’s very rewarding to see the finished result and know that it will bring joy to patients in the Palliative Care Unit.”

Josie Minniti OAM was equally moved when seeing the gardens. “It was important for me to bring my family and supporters to see the difference our fundraising makes to Northern Health. It has been such a worthwhile project to be involved in”, said Mrs. Minniti.

Northern Health Foundation is proud to partner with Northern Health to deliver projects which can significantly enhance patient experience. The Palliative Care Unit gardens at Northern Hospital Epping are the first of many projects to come.

Featured image L-R: Melissa Grenville (Foundation Director), Pina Di Donato (Executive Director of Public Affairs and Foundation), Josie Minniti OAM, Rino Minniti, Peter McWilliams (Board Chair), Kerry McWilliams, Bev Carman (Patron).

As we begin a new year, we asked our senior executives to reflect on the year that was, tell us what made them most proud and what their vision is for 2024.

“2023 was a busy year!” says Wanda Stelmach, Chief Medical Officer. “I am really proud of all of my teams as they stepped up to the challenges of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and of the amalgamation of Kilmore District Health and Northern Health while at the same time ensuring our patients remained safe and staff felt supported.  Even as Pharmacy, Pathology and Radiology services expanded exponentially, the teams did not miss a beat. Library too has starred as it supported 11,389 physical library visits and over 3 million eResource sessions!”

Associate Professor, Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer, says, “2023 was a year of significant change.” What he was most proud of, is how staff were able to progress through this change and “not lose focus on patient safety and excellence in care.”

Finance Director, Basil Ireland, says he was “most proud of the resilience and teamwork shown by the finance directorate in the face of a lot of service growth and change.”

Belinda Scott, Executive Director, Mental Health, spoke with pride of how in the first 12 months of operation, “we were able to increase the number of consumers treated, the time spent with consumers in the community and improve the quality of life for consumers in areas that were meaningful to them.” Overall, she was proud of the Mental Health team, “for their commitment to consumer care in 2023.”

Associate Professor Anthony Gust, Executive Director, Digital Health, was most proud in 2023 of the ‘Northern Health way’. He describes this as, “being innovative, embracing change and looking to the future”. Says Anthony, “This was underpinned by the Year of Together where we continued to look after patients and each other.”

Debra Bourne, Chief Operating Officer, spoke of, “The ongoing commitment and enthusiasm from all staff which continues to be so palpable and evident in times of change.”

Yet it is the patient stories that left the biggest impression on Debra. She spoke of a gentleman she met at our recent memorial service, who told her, that there were very few options left for treatment for his cancer. Yet when he died, he said, he would do so knowing that the doctors and nurse had fought so hard for him and he was so grateful for being able to be part of our new cancer trials.

Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Northern Health Foundation, said how proud she was of the hard work of her teams. She said, “however if I have to single out a few things, they would have to be our new podcast (Visiting Hours), the Foundation’s first gala ball which was held last May, and each and every one of our volunteers who turn up every day with huge smiles and a willingness to help wherever they can.”

So what of the future?

Wanda is looking forward to an exciting 2024.  “Education, Learning Management System (LMS), Library and Research are planning innovative ways to support our Engaged Learners and Inspired Researchers. Pharmacy, Northern Imaging Victoria and Northern Pathology Victoria are focusing on safe delivery of services while supporting multi-disciplinary teamwork to provide effective, well-coordinated healthcare.  Medical Workforce is supporting an increasingly diverse cohort of junior and senior doctors.”

“For all of us the significant changes that Northern Health’s growth has created, promise a future that is full of opportunities! Roll on 2024! “says Wanda.

Jason says, “A key aim for 2024 is to facilitate working together in truly multidisciplinary ways, to ensure patients receive effective, well-coordinated healthcare.”

Basil is keen, “The finance directorate team, continue on their path as trusted advisors to the business and resources for the business.”

Says Belinda, “My vision for 2024 is to deliver services to our consumers and to invest in our staff. She is particularly excited about “the development of the Northern Health Professional Development Unit so that staff have a fulfilling career.”

Anthony foresees, Northern Health continuing to work to change healthcare in three areas, “Models of care, funding and the digital landscape.  This will be underpinned by the Year of being Kind to each other and our patients.”

Says Debra, “Aside from not ever replicating the last four days of eating and drinking (well maybe not until next Christmas) I will continue to support and grow with the whole team here at Northern Health.”

“To find ways to bring joy to the workplace and support our unique ability to innovate and place the patient/consumer at the centre of all that we do.”

Pina says, “We will promote the excellent work of the health service and grow our fundraising income through corporate partnerships so we can continue reinvesting in projects around our campuses.”  In addition, “we will be upgrading the Northern Health website and intranet. And of course, there will be another gala ball to plan!”

Roll on 2024!

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Kerrin Camen, Clinical Nurse Specialist, GOT. Kerrin celebrated an amazing 40 years of dedicated service at Northern Health. Today, we deep dive into her career which spans four decades.

Q: What is your coffee order?

A: I actually don’t drink coffee but l drink weak black tea and will until the cows come home! As l work in the operating theatre l don’t get much of a chance to walk down to the cafe, but if l did l would treat myself to a lovely hot chocolate.

Q: How does it feel to reach 40 years of service?

A: On one hand l feel really quite proud that l have spent 40 years in the same job but on the other hand, it’s a bit embarrassing because it means l am very boring and haven’t been very adventurous with my career. The truth is, l feel l got the right job, right from the start!

When l was offered the position in theatre not long after finishing my training, they wanted me to commit to it for around a year and then l would get back to the wards to nurse. I started a couple of weeks before l got married but now, four decades later, l am a grandmother and have just celebrated my 40^th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, l have no plans to return to the wards!

Q: Tell me about your career progression at Northern Health

A: I have worked in every area of theatre but l predominantly work as an anaesthetic nurse now and as far as career progression goes, l have never entertained any ideas of leadership or management.  I much prefer being part of the team to leading it.

Q: What changes have you seen in healthcare over four decades

A: Of course, working in the same job for 40 years, I have seen too many changes and developments to mention. Surgery and anaesthesia were comparatively simple in the early 80’s, but over time I have borne witness to significant advances in surgical techniques, anaesthesia, medications, patient monitoring, safety standards, sterilisation methods and the development of radiological assisted procedures, ultrasound imaging and proliferation of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. Career structuring and remuneration for the nursing profession has also been significant over this time and as for the IT perspective, I’ve seen the introduction of computers, data collection, scanning and tracking and most recently of course EMR.

From my start in a humble three theatre department at PANCH (Preston & Northcote Community Hospital) my workplace over time has become an extremely busy and dynamic 10 theatre complex here at the Northern Hospital Epping. Regardless of the changes I have described over my career, I have always ‘put myself in the patients’ shoes’ and whether they are having a brief simple procedure or life impacting surgery, I strive to make their operating theatre experience as comfortable and gentle as possible. It might be just another day for me at my work, but it’s their big day when they come to us for surgery and l try to never lose sight of this.

Q: What is something people may not know about you?

A: One thing that most of my current colleagues may not know about me is that I was part of a volunteer surgical team which travelled to the Philippines over 20 years ago now. The experience remains one of the highlights of my career and I felt very privileged to play a part in transforming the faces of 59 children and young adults who were born with and were still living with cleft lips.

We worked so hard in the six days of operating time made available to us, utilising just the one theatre but with two operating tables we undertook two procedures concurrently. The days were long, humid and tiring but the teamwork and comradery was genuine, the patients and their families were immensely grateful and the ‘Helping Children Smile’ mission was a huge success. It certainly gave me a new appreciation for my Australian workplace, privileged working conditions and it reinforced my admiration for our wonderful healthcare system.

Summer has arrived in Victoria, which also means the arrival of bushfire season.

Australia has experienced record-breaking dry conditions and warmer than average temperatures during early spring, with hot and dry conditions expected to persist into the new year for many locations.

Abundant vegetation growth supported by previous La Niña rainfall will continue to dry throughout summer, increasing the flammability of fuel loads.  Rainfall over winter and spring has been significantly lower which means above-average fire potential can be expected in eastern, western and central Victoria.

In western and central Victoria, a very dry winter and spring has led to significant rainfall deficits and very low soil moisture. Much of this is evident in terms of above-average fuel availability in dry forests, woodlands and heathlands which means above average fire potential is expected in these areas through summer.

Jason Amos, Manager, Emergency Management, encourages all staff and their families to download the VicEmergency app and store the VicEmergency phone number – 1800 226 226 – in their phone.

“If you live in a bushfire prone area, make sure you prepare your property for bushfire,” he said.

“If you live next to grassland and a grassfire starts, walk at least two streets back from the fire. If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grassfire starts, stay where you are – grassfires are unlikely to spread into built-up areas.”

To prepare a property for a bushfire, the CFA urges the following steps:

• Mowing lawn and clearing gutters – property maintenance throughout the fire season is key
• Prune back overhanging tree branches and keep shrubs under trees short
• Move wood piles away from the home during the warmer months
• Remove dry grass, leaves or twigs from around the house and garden
• Water lawn to help slow a fire down
• Bring door mats inside the house. Removing dog beds, rubbish and outdoor furniture is also important

It is vital to understand and monitor the Fire Danger Rating – a scale that forecasts how dangerous a fire would be if one stared. They are forecast four days in advance, using Bureau of Meteorology weather data and other environmental conditions such as fuel loads.

Northern Health staff who undertake home visits as part of their duties, must complete the CFA’s Bushfire Safety for Workers eLearning module.

For more information on how to stay safe during bushfire season, please click here.