Today, Northern Health launched a new Strategic Plan for 2025-29, reflecting our shared vision, values and strategic directions for the next five years.

The new plan has refreshed the vision, maintained Northern Health’s values of Safe, Kind, Together, and set the six strategic directions to guide the health service through the coming years.

In a process that began in February 2024, the plan was developed from workshops and consultations with our staff, our partners and the community, with over 1,000 voices sharing ideas and feedback.

“Thanks to everyone who participated in consultations and workshops over the past nine months, particularly Laura Hughes, Ren Cazar and Zahra Ogden who generously shared their skills and expertise with the Planning Team to make the process a success,” said Helena Maher, Manager, Planning.

Northern Health has undergone much change during this time. The State Government’s Health Services Plan was released, outlining a future direction which involved the development of Local Health Service Networks. Siva Sivarajah, former Chief Executive, departed Northern Health to lead Hospitals Victoria, a new agency within the Department of Health. And finally, a new Chief Executive, Debra Bourne was appointed. These developments would have major implications for Northern Health’s future. In response, the six new strategic directions maintain our role as the leading health care provider for our growing region, while engaging with the opportunities to strengthen care for our community.

In setting the new strategy, Debra Bourne, our new Chief Executive, the Board and Executive set a path for growth and innovation while remaining clear that Northern Health’s values would continue to provide the touchstone for everything we do.

“Our values are the foundation for our culture of care, teamwork and collaboration at Northern Health,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, who launched the plan at The Window today.

“Integral to this is our commitment to staff wellbeing – when staff feel valued and supported, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for our community.”

Northern Health’s vision for the next five years is creating a healthier future by working together, innovating and delivering great care.

“Our vision captures the aspirations of staff of becoming leaders in healthcare and innovation for our community, drawing on the amazing culture and collaboration and agility here at Northern Health,” said Helena Maher.

Over the next few weeks, staff will have the opportunity to hear more about the new Strategic Plan, including presentations on results from the 2024 People Matters Survey. Together with the Planning Team, Debra Bourne and Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, will visit sites across Northern Health to talk with staff about the shared vision, values and strategic directions for the coming years.

The schedule of site visits, starting on Tuesday, 4 March, can be found on the Intranet.

For more information, please contact Helena Maher at helena.maher@nh.org.au.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Terri Fiorenza, Director – Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Digital Health.

Q: Terri, could I start with your coffee order please?
A: A small skinny latte is my go-to, however I also have an espresso after dinner as well.

Q: You are the Director of EMR – what does the job entail?
A: I oversee the EMR team who is responsible for maintaining, optimising and enhancing the EMR based on user and organisation requirements, which also includes establishing the future direction for EMR build across the organisation in line with the Northern Health Digital strategy and the organisation’s strategic plan.

Q: If you could describe Northern Health in a sentence, what would it be?
A: Northern Health is an innovative and progressive healthcare organisation committed to achieving exceptional outcomes through patient-centred care, advanced medical practices and continuous improvement.

Q: What has been your greatest achievement in life?
A: My greatest achievement is my family, who inspire me with purpose and direction.

Q: How do you unwind from work?
A: The drive home is time I take to unwind from work, by listening to music and making phone calls to family and friends.

Q: What is something that most people would not know about you?
A: Not much really! My kids find it hard to believe that I have sky dived, bungee jumped and ridden in a hot air balloon.  These activities occurred before children, and needless to say, those thrill-seeking days have definitely slowed down as I’ve gotten older!

Q: What is your favourite holiday destination? 
A: Italy would have to be my favourite holiday destination because of its rich culture, history and vibrant atmosphere. I’m lucky enough to be visiting again this year after 14 years since my last visit, and this time around sharing the experience with my family.

Northern Health Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website. The updated site is designed to make it easier for staff and the northern community to engage with the work of the Foundation, donate, and read inspiring stories about the people and programs that make a difference across our community.

The new site features a user-friendly experience that highlights the purpose of the Foundation, its generous supporters, and upcoming events that will continue supporting the north. It also provides visitors with a seamless way to make online donations, discover impactful stories, and learn about the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare across Northern Health.

“We are thrilled to unveil this refreshed online presence for Northern Health Foundation,” says Melissa Grenville, Foundation Director.

“Our goal is to foster a deeper connection with our staff, donors, and northern community. This website will help us tell the stories that matter, showcase how contributions are making a real difference, and provide an easy platform for our community to give back.”

Staff are encouraged to explore the new site, share stories, and learn how they can support the Foundation’s work through donations or third-party fundraising efforts, which is a great place to start if you are considering hosting your own fundraising event to support the needs of our health service.

Northern Health Foundation relies on the generosity of businesses, community members, academic partners, sponsors and donors to continue supporting the needs of our growing community. The Foundation is thankful for the ongoing contributions as they work to raise funds to support the purchase of life-changing equipment, research and training for our local health service.

Visit the new Northern Health Foundation website today at nhfoundation.org.au and see how your support can help shape the future of healthcare at Northern Health. Whether you’re looking to donate, get involved, or simply read more about the incredible impact being made, the new website is the place to be.

For more information, visit nhfoundation.org.au, call the Foundation team on 8405 2897, or via email at foundation@nh.org.au.

Let’s continue to work together, supporting the communities that make Northern Health the strong, resilient organisation it is today.

The Virtual Sexual Health Collaborative Consult service is addressing a gap in sexual healthcare access for LGBTIQA+ individuals.

The service, which is part of Northern Health’s Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults (VVSC), provides free, virtual video consultations to LGBTIQA+ individuals living in regional areas. A targeted outreach clinic of the VVSC, the sexual health clinic partnered with the Sunraysia Community Health Service Nurse Practitioner candidate offering specialist expertise and mentorship through video collab-consults.

Launching in July 2023 to fill the void left by a departing community GP, the innovative collaboration merges the expert input of a metropolitan-based sexual health physician with the hands-on support of a local healthcare provider. In doing do, specialist care can be provided in a safe and inclusive manner to a marginalised community in a regional setting, without needing to travel to metropolitan Melbourne.

Dr Vinita Rane, Sexual Health and General Medicine Physician, said the barriers of seeking care in a metropolitan centre, including time and travel costs and fear of discrimination, have shown to negatively impact health-seeking behaviour amongst LGBTIQA+ individuals.

“While all LGBTIQA+ people are often challenged by stigma and discrimination, research tells us very clearly that LGBTIQA+ people living in rural or regional areas experience even further disadvantage,” she said.

Dr Joanna Lawrence, VVSC Director, said one of the key strengths of the collab-consult was to support local healthcare providers to build their own capacity and independence whilst ensuring every patient receives expert-informed care.

“Through this model, we are truly providing patient-centred care. The trust and holistic care provided by the community clinician is augmented by the expert input of our specialists. This means patients can receive the very best evidence-informed care across the spectrum of specialities without having to leave their own community, provided by a local healthcare provider they know and trust.”

Dr Rane said the combination of trust and expertise was even more valuable to marginalised communities.

“Without this initiative, these patients would have faced a significant burden to access healthcare, or gone without critical treatment, therefore increasing the risk of further disease transmission amongst the community and poorer healthcare outcomes for the individual,” she said.

Yasmin Birnie, who is now a fully qualified nurse practitioner, has transitioned to practicing independently but can continue to book into Dr Rane’s clinic when she needs expert advice. Meanwhile, Dr Rane will now use the success of this initiative as a blueprint to extend similar services to other regional centres.

“By championing healthcare equity and addressing disparities, many patients have received specialised sexual health services closer to home, underscoring the immediate impact of the initiative and the pressing need for such inclusive care,” says Dr Rane.

The Virtual Sexual Health Collaborative Consults was a finalist in last year’s Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, under the category ‘Excellence in Supporting LGBTIQA+ Victorians’.

VVSC, also a finalist in last year’s Victorian Public Healthcare Awards under the category ‘Care Closer to Home’, offers similar collab-consult services across over 30 different specialties partnering with primary healthcare clinicians across the state to extend timely access to specialist care.

“We believe strongly that this collaboration between hospital and non-hospital specialists helps overcome fragmentation in care and enables more patients to receive expert-informed care, provided by their trusted clinician, closer to home,” said Dr Lawrence.

For more information, please visit: https://vvsc.org.au/

Featured image: Yasmin Birnie.

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, serving as a vital reminder of the impact of this disease on women.

With ovarian cancer often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its vague symptoms, awareness and early detection are crucial in improving survival rates.

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries and can quickly spread to surrounding organs if not detected early. It is the most lethal gynaecological cancer in Australia, with over 1,800 women diagnosed each year. While the majority of cases – over 80 per cent – occur in women over 50, ovarian cancer can affect individuals of any age. Unfortunately, due to the disease’s subtle symptoms, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging.

“At present, it is difficult to detect ovarian cancer early as symptoms tend not to develop until the cancer is quite advanced. Symptoms can be vague and include persistent abdominal pain and bloating. If you experience any persistent new concerns, you should see your doctor in a timely manner,” says Dr Frances Barnett, Director of Medical Oncology, Northern Health.

Whilst research is ongoing, there are currently no screening tests that reliably detect ovarian cancer in its early stage, or simple preventative measures available to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer in most women.

“Ovarian cancer is not as common as many other cancers including breast and bowel cancer. Some people have genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that are associated with a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer when compared to the average person, and these women are usually advised to have their ovaries removed after completing their family to reduce their risk,’ adds Dr Barnett.

“Surgery and chemotherapy are the treatments used for ovarian cancer. Pleasingly, there have been treatment advances in recent years which are helping women with incurable ovarian cancer to live longer.”

Even though the only way to really prevent ovarian cancer is to remove your ovaries, this is not necessary for most women. According to Dr Barnett, “More important is general cancer prevention and that includes a healthy diet, keeping active, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and having recommended screening tests for certain cancers – cervical cancer, breast cancer, bowel cancer, and lung cancer for those who smoke.”

Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed through a combination of tests, including a pelvic exam, scans, blood tests and ultimately, a surgical biopsy.

This February let’s take the time to educate ourselves and others about ovarian cancer. Every conversation can make a difference!

For more information on ovarian cancer, visit the Cancer Council website.

This Wednesday, 26 February, the first WellAhead Open Day will be held at Kilmore District Hospital. It is a half day of activities, from qigong and yoga to card making, Japanese Braiding, a ‘Book Chat’ and a Sound Bath.

The activities have been carefully designed for those living with and beyond cancer. This includes patients, their families, and carers throughout every stage of their cancer journey, from diagnosis to survivorship and beyond.

Activities like yoga and qigong promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve flexibility and strength. Card making and other creative pursuits offer emotional expression and a sense of accomplishment.

Kumihimo Braiding is a traditional Japanese art form of braiding threads into cords for garments or festival decoration. It helps capture your emotions, as well as document your life stories, through braiding.

Northern Health Library will host a relaxed and welcoming Book Chat. Reading plays an important role in overall health and wellbeing, offering relaxation, mental stimulation and a sense of connection.  The Book Chat will encourage conversation and community, highlighting the ways reading can support wellness in everyday life.

The day’s activities end with a sound bath. A sound bath is when healing instruments are played for a group to create a therapeutic atmosphere that helps us rest deeply, rebalance our nervous systems and help us release emotions. The Sound Bath will be conducted by Romy Paltoglou. Romy is an accredited Peter Hess Sound Massage and Sound Bath Facilitator.

Bev Carman and Northern Health Foundation are proud sponsors of the inaugural WellAhead Open Day, presented in partnership with VITA Martial arts, health and wellbeing and Beveridge U3A.

Mike Masilamani, Wellbeing Program Project Officer, says that while bookings are encouraged for the Open Day, they are not essential. “We are really keen the Open Day benefits the wider community-even if they aren’t patients of Northern Health. Please share this with someone you love.”

To learn more about the WellAhead program, visit nh.org.au/wellahead.  You can also email wellahead@nh.org.au  or call 0452476665.

#WeAreNorthern

Today we chat to someone keen to make a positive impact on our consumers lives, however small. Meet Joby Philip, Manager of the Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology team (APT), and Project Manager Alcohol and Other Drugs, (AOD) Mental Health Division.

Q: Firstly, your coffee order please, Joby?

A: I love a medium skinny flat white with no sugar- it’s a must in the morning!

Q: What does your role as Manager APT and Project Manager (AOD) entail?

A: As programme manager of Addiction Psychiatry and Toxicology team (APT), I provide leadership in the operational management of APT to deliver evidenced based quality integrated assessment, treatment and support for individuals presenting with co-occurring mental/ physical health and substance use disorders.

The project management part of the role works in partnership with the Mental Health Executive to develop and lead the implementation of AOD model of care across all mental health division programmes. In practice, this involves partnering with Northern Health leadership and external stakeholders in service development, develop policies, procedures and systems required to safely provide integrated care.

Q: Your role sounds very challenging – what satisfaction does it give you?

A: Substance use disorder is a very common health condition but the stigma and marginalisation our consumers face can make it tough for them to get the support they really need. That’s why, leading a service that not only supports our consumers but also listens to and helps their carers and family members, gives me such a strong sense of purpose.

It’s all about teaming up with colleagues and other services to tackle these issues together. Making a positive impact on someone’s life, however small, is what keeps me going!

Q: What are your plans for 2025?

A: As APT marks one year this month, we are committed to further strengthening our service delivery to enhance care for our consumers. Our focus areas for the year includes:

• Capacity building of our staff in harm reduction approaches
• Actively contributing to policy and procedure reviews to strengthen AOD-integrated care within our services.
• Strengthening partnerships across health services to ensure continuity of care for consumers.
• Promoting our newly launched specialist outpatient clinic to hospital treating teams, mental health services, and other key stakeholders.

By focusing on these key areas, APT aims to build a more responsive, well-integrated service in 2025.

Q: What are the best things about working at Northern Health?

A: I love the collaboration with passionate colleagues who share a commitment to make a real difference to the lives of people. Other rewards include the convenience of working locally, reducing travel time and maintaining a better work-life balance.

Q: How do you unwind after a day’s work?

A: I love spending time outdoors in the garden, taking care of my plants and just enjoying the fresh air. There’s something so relaxing about tending to both my outdoor garden and indoor plants—it’s my little escape!

I also love cycling with the kids whenever we get the chance. It’s such a fun way to stay active and spend quality time together. Nothing beats just unwinding with family, whether it’s a simple meal, a good chat, or just being together. It’s the perfect way to end the day!

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

A: Hiking brings me so much peace—each hike feels like an adventure, and I genuinely enjoy the sense of achievement that comes with it. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by towering trees, breathtaking landscapes, and the crisp, fresh air of the hills.

Featured image shows Joby hiking in The Western Ghats of Kerala, South India.

Since 2012, the Early Careers Mentoring Program at Northern Health has been a cornerstone in nurturing the growth and development of young doctors. Designed to guide interns through their first year of practice, this initiative pairs each intern with an experienced consultant who offers invaluable support, guidance, and mentorship.

This year, the program was launched again by the Northern Doctors Education team lead by Ms Susie Sangas, Medical Education Manager and Dr Carol Chong, Supervisor of Interning Training, whose combined vision led to the program’s creation and who continue to oversee it today.

“The response this year has been really overwhelming. We had 130 consultants volunteer to mentor our 61 interns. The program’s success is a testament to the incredible commitment of these consultants, who willingly devote their time to help shape the careers of the next generation of doctors,” said Dr Chong.

“What truly stands out is the inspiring journey of the mentors themselves. Some of the consultants who volunteered this year, have been mentors for many years assisting us with the program,” Susie said.

Three such consultant mentors are Dr David Crosbie, A/Prof Jaclyn Yoong, and Dr Pip Wills.

“I have been privileged to be a mentor since the outset of the program,” said Dr Crosbie.

“It has been a valuable opportunity to guide junior doctors right from the beginning of their career and hopefully provide some advice on what to both do and not do! I also think that the program exemplifies the culture of Northern Health, in that we look after each other and everyone feels respected and supported whilst being empowered and challenged to develop as excellent clinicians.”

A/Prof Jaclyn Yoong, Palliative Care Physician and Oncologist, said the mentoring program was a great initiative for new interns to be able to connect with a senior doctor in the organisation, as a sounding board and a safe space in their first year as doctors.

“At Northern Health, I think I can proudly say we try to provide a nurturing environment for junior doctors and aim to support and encourage their pursuits and endeavours as best as possible! I will draw the line, however, at being coerced into doing any more 15 km so-called fun runs, as I discovered they are not so fun,” she said.

Dr Pip Wills, Emergency Physician, said, “I hope the mentees get as much out of the program as I do. I love the new perspective each mentee brings – it allows me a glimpse of how they view life at the Northern, and medicine in general today.”

“It’s quite different to the world when I was an intern. Back then, I had never met an emergency specialist, I didn’t know any women specialists who were (still) married, or with kids. There was often no mentoring so some of us took a very long and winding path. I hope I can share some of the lessons learned from that and to show them the possible pathways they may wish to take. Or to just be there to listen when needed.”

Susie said the Early Careers Mentoring Program was much more than just a way for young doctors to navigate the complexities of their first year.

“It’s a community built on mutual support, compassion, and a shared passion for helping the next generation thrive,” she said.

“The enthusiasm and dedication of the consultants volunteering their time ensures that each intern has the tools and confidence they need to embark on a successful career in medicine.”

Featured image: Interns at the Early Careers Mentoring Program