The Northern Health Pain Management Service runs across Bundoora Centre and Broadmeadows Hospital.

It provides diagnosis, management, and review of persistent pain conditions for patients in the north. It is a lifeline for individuals who continue to experience debilitating pain, despite seeking conventional medical and community care. The program works assist clients in managing their pain through an active service model.

Most clients referred to the program will be required to complete a pain questionnaire. This information assists with triaging patients into their initial point of entry into the program and provides baseline information regarding the patient’s status.

The team consists of three part-time Pain Physicians, Grade 3 Physiotherapists, Grade 3 Psychologists, an Occupational Therapist, an Exercise Physiologist, and a Pain Service Coordinator. Supported by a diligent admin team, each member plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality care.

Persistent pain can lead to a reduced level of functioning and quality of life for the clients. Therefore, the service team adopts a multidisciplinary approach to address these challenges:

• Expert Assessment – pain specialists, physiotherapists, and psychologists conduct thorough assessments and provide expert guidance.
• Education – they offer both group and one-on-one education sessions, alongside pre-recorded videos, to equip clients with evidence-based strategies for self-management.
• Holistic Care – they collaborate with other disciplines, such as occupational therapy, exercise physiology, social work, and more, to ensure a holistic and patient-centred approach.

Amid the pandemic, the pain management service faced a significant challenge in initiating patients into the program. Previously, this process involved large group sessions for patient introduction and an educational session. To adapt, they transitioned this content online and introduced the TelePEP (Telehealth Pain Education Program).

“To overcome this challenge, we adapted this content to go online and the idea of the TelePEP was born. We started to use an online version of the initial entry questionnaire and recorded an introduction to the service which we then distributed as a closed YouTube link to a consumer via email,” said Sarah Slater, CTS Pain Service Coordinator.

Now, patients complete an initial entry questionnaire along with an introductory video online. Subsequently, a one-on-one telephone triage interview with a team member guides them forward. The TelePEP has been translated into Arabic and Turkish.

As we step into 2024, the psychology team will lead a quality project that explores the efficacy of brief Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for patients with persistent pain. This innovative approach is backed by increasing evidence, suggesting that it can help clients process emotional stress related to their pain experiences, potentially reducing the intensity of physical pain symptoms.

“This is part of a wider quality project by the Northern Health Psychology Allied Health team in which the feasibility of EMDR therapy with clients within the community rehab services will be explored,” she said.

At Northern Health, our pain management service stands as a testament to our dedication to improving the lives of those living with persistent pain. We thank our exceptional team for their unwavering commitment, and we look forward to continued growth and excellence in 2023 and beyond.

Featured image: Mahwish Chaudry, Psychologist and Anthea Manioudakis, Physiotherapist.

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD), observed annually on 17 September, aims to raise global awareness about patient safety and calls for solidarity and united action by all countries and international partners to reduce patient harm.

The day is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global public health days, and brings together patients, families, carers, communities, health workers and leaders to show their commitment to patient safety.

The theme for this year is ‘engaging patients for patient safety’ with the slogan ‘elevate the voice of patients.’ Through this slogan, the WHO calls on all stakeholders to take necessary action to ensure that patients are involved in policy formulation, are represented in governance structures, are engaged in co-designing safety strategies and are active partners in their own care.

To encourage patients elevating their voice, Northern Health has an escalation process in place for when patients, families and carers are worried about the clinical deterioration of the patient or loved one. This process is known as R.E.A.C.H. (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help is on its way).

R.E.A.C.H. encourages patients, carers and family members to escalate their concerns with staff about worrying changes in a patient’s condition. When implementing R.E.A.C.H., patients and families are advised to follow the following process:

• Step 1: Speak to your nurse. Tell them your concerns.
• Step 2: If you’re still worried, ask your nurse for a “clinical review”. This should occur within 30 minutes.
• Step 3: If a doctor has seen you or your loved one and you’re still worried, call R.E.A.C.H. on:
  • Broadmeadows Hospital: 1800 897 205
  • Bundoora Centre: 1800 892 126
  • Northern Hospital Epping: 1800 897 216

When making the call, it is important to identify:

• The bed number you, or the person you care for, is in.
• Who you are – a patient, family member or carer, or tell them the name of the patient.
• That you need to call R.E.A.C.H.
• The name of the ward.

Elise Sutton, Resuscitation and Clinical Deterioration Coordinator, said patients and family members can become aware of the process from a number of avenues throughout the health service.

“Patients and family members can become aware of the process from the posters around the hospital, the number on most patient journey boards and it is provided to them as part of their welcome pack,” she said.

“Staff should also brief the patient on this as part of their admission when providing them with the welcome pack.”

Feedback reports after using the R.E.A.C.H program include:

“R.E.A.C.H. call provided a very good service, and the response was excellent, with an outcome straight away.”

“R.E.A.C.H. call was very good, made us feel heard and put our mind at rest.”

 “Family was very happy with service and immediate response. It changed care for their mother.”

Staff are encouraged to tune in to ‘The Window’ today at 12 noon today to hear a family’s story, where they may have benefitted from the R.E.A.C.H program.

‘‘You’ll hear about a recent family experience from a colleague of ours, who generously reflects on ‘his voice’ on WPSD’’, says Clare McCarthy, Director, Quality Safety and Patient Experience.

“R.E.A.C.H. is like the surf life-saving scenario – where our families and/or caregivers can ‘put their hands in the air’ to signal – or voice. they need help. This voice is so critical to our patient safety efforts.”

Featured image: Elise Sutton, Resuscitation and Clinical Deterioration Coordinator, Clare McCarthy, Director Quality Safety and Patient Experience and Brendon O’Connor, IT Support.

Today marks the last day of Northern Health’s official EMR go live. The last wards to go live at Northern Hospital Epping were Wards 3, 8, 22, and 23. Dialysis at Epping, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn also went live with the EMR today.

Thanks to the EMR super users and clinical transition team, we had a relatively smooth go live in the past two weeks.

Post go live support will continue during hypercare, meaning the EMR team, help desk and super user will be available 24/7 next week. The team will continue monitoring and deploying resources to areas needing extra help.

As we are now fully live with the EMR, the EMR team might be slower in responding to queries. Please continue using Quick Reference Guides and contact your super users if you have questions.

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Sophie Dodson, Operations Manager, Northern Imaging Victoria.

Q: Firstly, what is your coffee order?

A: Strong skinny latte – one coffee a day, so it needs to do the job.

Q: Tell us about your role at Northern Health.

A: Initially, I came across from radiology to Northern Health as a project manager to work on the Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) project to bring radiology in-house. After our go live in three weeks, I will be the Operations Manager for NIV.

Q: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

A: Currently, as we are still in the project phase, my day consists of a lot of Teams meetings, trying to keep on top of emails and juggling a multitude of competing priorities. We are bringing across over 100 staff from Lumus, introducing an entirely new radiology IT system, both Radiology Information System (RIS) and image storage system (PACS), conducting department expansion at both Northern Health (PET department) and Broadmeadows Hospital (Ultrasound expansion and introduction of MRI) with capital projects, building a NIV website and transitioning services, all with the support of our fantastic NIV project team.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career at Northern Health?

A: I’ve only been a staff member at Northern Health for 18 months, despite working at Northern Health for the majority of the past 25 years in the radiology department, where I’ve worked alongside my Northern Health colleagues. But my highlight of the last 18 months has been getting out the NIV project to three weeks from go live and keeping it on track for a successful go live without delay.

Q: What are your superpowers?

A: Juggling being a mum to my two cheeky boys whilst putting 100 per cent into my project role. My boys are my everything, and I love my job. So, it’s a win-win!

Today, Wards 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 MAC, MITH, NITH, Oncology Medical Day Unit, NOAH, MOAH, Maternity Specialty Clinics in Epping, Broadmeadows, and Craigieburn are going live with the EMR.

We also welcomed our first EMR baby, Noah Kochatt, at 11.45 pm last night. Mother, Reshma Kochatt, is a Mental Health Social Worker at Broadmeadows Hospital.

“I think EMR will be a better system for Northern Health’s mums and bubs moving forward, as our record will be in one place,” said Reshma.

Molly Mathew, Nurse Unit Manager of Ward 12, is thrilled to welcome the EMR.

“It has been a busy day for the ward, however, we are well supported and the transition to the EMR has been running smoothly,” said Ms Matthew.

“This is a very exciting time and I believe having the EMR in place will reduce stress for our fellow midwives as they can spend more at the bedside caring for our bubs.”

Congratulations to Reshma!

On R U OK? Day, and every day, Northern Health is committed to supporting the psychological health and wellbeing of all our staff.

Today is R U OK? Day, a national day of action to remind everyone that every day is the day to ask ‘R U OK?’ and to start a meaningful conversations whenever they spot the signs that someone might be struggling.

The theme of ‘I’m here to hear’ encourages us all to not only ask ‘R U OK?’ but to genuinely listen and to make sure you are giving your mate, colleague, family member or loved one the right environment to open up when times may get tough.

Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director, People and Culture, expressed the importance of being here to hear.

“This year, R U OK? Day is a really special day, especially given the last three to four years we have had, not just here at Northern Health, but across the country, and the world,” she said.

“We are actually here to hear for this R U OK? Day. We are not just going to say the words, we are actually going to hear the response.”

“So take the time to ask the question and sit down with either family, colleagues and alike, to really be here to hear the response.”

Casey O’Brien, Senior Psychologist, People and Culture, said supportive conversations were important in maintaining the wellbeing of the people around us.

“Remember that there are many ways we can support each other. You don’t need to have counselling skills or training to have a powerful impact on someone’s day,” she said.

“Kindness and support can come from a corridor check-in, sitting in silence together after a difficult event, or checking in on a colleague who has been having a hard time at home.”

Here at Northern Health, multiple support systems, programs and initiatives are in place to support our staff and community.

The Northern Health Peer Support Program was established in July 2022. The program is celebrating its first successful year of staff supporting staff with brief, practical and emotional support.

Trained and compassionate Northern Health peer supporters work alongside staff in need of a chat, guidance or support. Our peer supporters have assisted staff with a range of concerns including ongoing stress, career and family concerns and work-life balance.

Staff can also access the Northern Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – a professional, counselling service that offers free and confidential, short-term support for a variety of work-related and personal concerns that may be affecting staff at work or home. The EAP provides access to qualified professionals, including psychologists, social workers and management coaches.

“The Peer Support Program is driven by our values of safe, kind and together,” Casey said.

“Along with our EAP Program, the Peer Support Program provides another avenue of confidential support for staff with work or personal concerns, and connection to resources. Our peer supporters come from diverse backgrounds, are easy to access, and understand what it is like to work at Northern Health. They are here to hear when you need them.”

Beyond the Peer Support Program and EAP, there are many staff who are like-minded and passionate about mental health. This year, we had over 100 staff, including Executives and senior leaders, participate in Mental Health First Aid training.

This accreditation provides staff with more confidence in creating those supportive R U OK? conversations, and providing safe pathways for intervention. These skills also help us to support our friends and family members who are going through difficult times or crises – these are lifelong skills that also help us reflect on our own wellbeing.

If today is a difficult day for you, or you are needing support, we encourage you to reach out to one of our Northern Health Peer Supporters or Northern Health’s free Employee Assistance Program.

To find out more about R U OK? Day and resources available to staff, please visit the Intranet. Click here to watch Northern Health staff talk about the importance of R U OK? Day and being here to hear.

Remember, every day is the day ask, ‘are you OK?’.

Featured image: Kelly Pinto, Spiritual Carer, Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Graham Wilson, OHS Director, Casey O’Brien, Senior Psychologist, People and Culture, Alysha Hooper, People Experience Business Partner, People & Culture and Ravinder Kaur, AGA Student, People and Culture.

Thanks to the generous fundraising efforts of UBC – Uncle Bobs Club, a local north-west Melbourne branch of the Victorian charity, Northern Hospital Epping has been fortunate to receive four Medela Milk Warmers, valued at just over $5,600.

These warmers have proven to be a valuable addition for nursing staff and new parents, providing them with convenient equipment that is easy to use. The Medela Milk Warmers play a crucial role in ensuring that babies in our care receive milk at a consistent temperature, maintaining its integrity.

“The new technology milk warmers help to maintain the optimal integrity of human milk and they provide a safe, hygienic and standardised method for preparing feeds without the use of warm water,” says Molly Mathew, Nurse Unit Manager.

“The milk warmers are also versatile enough to accommodate syringes, making them ideal for feeding babies who require tube feeding.”

In addition to the recent donation of milk warmers, UBC also funded an ice machine for the Children’s Ward in 2020. This ice machine has been a gift that keeps on giving, as it produces large amounts of ice instantly, which is used to minimise discomfort in orthopaedic patients with fractures and reduce swelling on patient’s limbs prior to surgery.

It also serves as a comforting solution for children who are reluctant to take fluids or recovering from surgery, allowing them to suck on ice until they are ready to resume a regular diet. The machine also ensures that chilled water is readily available to all patients and their families.

UBC have also purchased a sleeper chair for our Maternity and Children’s Ward.  Sleeper chairs are designed to act as both a chair and a temporary bed for visitors, providing parents and partners a place to rest while they watch over their loved ones.

UBC exists to benefit the lives of children with medical needs in Victoria. They fund equipment for hospitals and support health organisations in the community through their Local Giving for Local Health initiative. They also support the high quality of Victoria’s healthcare work and education through Scholarships and Fellowships.

“We sincerely thank Uncle Bobs Club for their unwavering support of Northern Health and look forward to seeing how our partnership continues benefiting the lives of children with medical needs, right here in the north,” said Melissa Grenville, Director, Northern Health Foundation.

“We also acknowledge and thank the Foundation who continue facilitating these important items and projects that are changing lives within our health service.”

Featured image: Melissa Grenville, Northern Health Foundation Director, Courtney Lowry, Molly Matthews and Uncle Bob Club’s Steve Bates, Stacey Ramadge and Paul Etherington.

The wait is over – Northern Hospital Epping is finally live with the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) today!

The first wards to go live with the EMR are Wards 2, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, Operating Theatres, Recovery, Cath Lab, Endoscopy, Day Procedure Unit, HITH, and Transit Lounge.

We are expecting to transition more than 100 patients today, via a total of 11 clinical transition teams stationed at Epping. If you see someone in a pink vest, make sure you don’t disturb them, as they require total concentration to transition patients to the EMR.

“The team are well prepared and have done the hard work – go live is their opportunity to shine,” said Tracey Wyllie, Director of Operation – Perioperative Services.

“We have been fortunate to go live in two halves and have been able to transition some lessons from Broadmeadows Hospital to Northern Hospital.”

“It has been a big all-round effort and I know that the perioperative team will do what they do best when presented with a challenge. We’ve got this and I’m really proud of them all!” said Ms Wyllie.

Jake Geertsema, Director of Anaesthesia, said EMR super user presence has been vital.

“We have medical student super users in theatre providing valuable assistance to the team in using the EMR,” said Dr Geertsema.

“Implementing the EMR is the right step for Northern Health and our patients.”

More than 500 questions have been asked in the EMR Super User MS Teams Channel, and more than 100 calls have come through to the EMR Help Desk. Thank you to the team for this fantastic effort in answering questions and resolving issues.

With Northern Hospital Epping and Craigieburn Centre going live this week, we are expecting a significant increase in support required. While we strive to ensure all areas are well supported, please also utilise the Quick Reference Guides as your first point of support.