‘Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a Mother.’

Parneet Kaur is a ward clerk, who joined us only in March this year and has already been working on the frontline at both our Asymptomatic and Fever Clinic. It helps that she often has her mum, Jatinder working alongside her.

Jatinder has been working at Northern Health for three years, first as a Personal Service Assistant (PSA) and now as a ward clerk, who proudly takes credit for Parneet, a final year student of International Business Studies, working at Northern Health.

“Obviously with a mum working in health care I got more insights into the workings of a hospital,” says Parneet. “Now I really love it! I was doing some work in theatre recently and I thought you know what, this is nice!”

When asked how it is to work in the Fever Clinic, both mum and daughter describe it as “rewarding.”

Says Parneet, “I know we are only doing the paper work, but the patients come to us after being triaged and often they are anxious and it is up to us to comfort them.”

“I find it really rewarding to be able to help people especially in the current situation. Patients are appreciative of what we are doing. They understand the challenges of our eight hour shift,” adds Parneet.

“It is also not as daunting as it looks. When everyone is wearing their Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) it looks very intimidating but once you understand the process and how it works, it is not as daunting.”

“The staff are very supportive. The team members are very nice – doctors, nurses and PSA’s helping each other and  happy to give you a hand. The team work and camaraderie is special.”

“If it’s your first time – you will never feel out of place. They welcome you and soon you feel like you have been here for ages!”

“Northern Health is our second home – if this home needs something we need to help them,” says Jatinder.

“According to my religion, we have to help the community. As our gurudwara’s (temples) are closed, I feel like working in the Fever Clinic is like going to the temple – because I’m doing something for the community.”

Adds Jatinder, “I love Australia. This country has given me a lot of opportunities and as an Australian, I’m happy to help. This is the time to stand with the community and I’m proud I get an opportunity to do so.”

Featured image shows Parneet and mum Jatinder

Last year we welcomed graduate nurse, Lauren Parkinson, to Northern Health. Since then, she has been exposed to many opportunities that have helped her transition into a registered nurse. We caught up with her to find out what she loved most about her graduate year and her next career STEPs.

Nursing is something Lauren has always wanted to do from a young age. After being accepted into the graduate nursing program at Northern Health, she was placed on a rotation in the emergency department (ED) and on Ward 4.

Lauren says one of the highlights of her graduate year was working in ED – where we treat more patients than any other emergency department in the state.

“The clinical support team here in ED were awesome – I learnt so much from them,” she said.

“My rotation on the ward was really good as well because I could consolidate things I learnt as an undergraduate student. One of the other highlights was going back to the ward after being in ED as I felt a lot more confident,” she added.

Lauren tells us the clinical support teams made a significant impact on her experience.

“The clinical staff and education teams have influenced my career pathway in a huge way. Especially the emergency clinical staff – they are so supportive and I go to them with questions all the time and they always point me in the right direction and are very encouraging,” she said.

Lauren already aspires to complete her postgraduate qualification next year at Northern Health. In preparation for her further studies, she applied for the Emergency Supported Transition to Excellence in Practice (STEP) program.

“Since my grad year, I came back to emergency and started my STEP program in January, which is a six month program, so I’m about to finish that which I’ve loved,” she said.

“Next year, I plan on completing my postgraduate in emergency services. Hopefully I can even start it at the end of this month by doing a subject early once I finish my STEP program,” she added.

The Emergency STEP program prepares staff for advanced practice in the emergency specialty and is an introduction to a career pathway into postgraduate studies in this field.

It enhances basic competence practice in complex patient assessment, management and holistic health care for emergency patients. Staff undertaking the program benefit from face to face study days, simulations, case study reflection and bedside teaching and assessment.

“The STEP program has been a really good taster as to what you can expect in the postgraduate program, and introduces you to all of the concepts you are going to have to consider. It gives you a bit of a head start and makes you start thinking about things,” Lauren said.

Lauren says the education team were very helpful and supportive during her STEP program, especially as the program was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You also take on a bit of a leadership role with the STEP program – especially when you have new staff come in. Now I have graduates and students so it’s quite a big adjustment but I really enjoy it.”

Lauren doesn’t see herself moving on from Northern Health anytime soon and she encourages aspiring nurses to consider applying for a graduate program here for the family-like environment and opportunities for career development and further studies.

“After I finish my postgrad, I will continue working in ED. I love it here and want to stay. Maybe down the track, I would consider doing a trauma course or maybe some rural nursing but I love the team here and love the education so I can’t see myself leaving!” she said.

“I would also definitely encourage people to do a STEP program if you have the opportunity and if you get a chance to rotate through ED, do it! When you’ve got people supporting you, it’s a lot better. I think because we work together all the time, it’s a bit like a second family here so it’s really nice.”

To find out how Northern Health can support your career in nursing and midwifery, please click here.

Emiliano Zucchi, Director of our Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and Narrun Wilip-giin Aboriginal Support Unit, has co-authored a chapter in a book titled ‘Interpreting in Legal and Healthcare Settings: Perspectives on research and training’.

The book is said to address, ‘issues arising from interpreting in legal and healthcare settings by presenting cutting-edge research findings in interpreting and interpreter education in a number of countries around the world.’

We sat down with Emiliano to talk about his contribution to this book.

Firstly, tell us what the significance of this book is to our current times:

The book seeks to establish language services as a discipline within both the health and legal settings. In our own health context, the book presents fairly compelling evidence about the impact interpreting and translation services – as well as transcultural training and research activities- have on the health outcomes of patients with limited English proficiency.
It is demonstrated that when a professional interpreter or translator is part of a multidisciplinary team looking after the patient, the health outcomes for that patient are considerably better; as a result when we engage interpreters, we improve access to services for all patients regardless of their cultural background or their English proficiency.
In the process we not only safeguard basic rights, but we also contain costs considerably. While I am not an expert on the legal context, I suspect it is the same for court interpreters: justice will be better served when professional interpreters are engaged.

Tell us now of your contribution to this book:

I contributed a chapter together with a colleague at Monash University, and a former TALS employee. The chapter addresses the paucity of interpreter-focused studies in mental health interpreting and looks at use of language, and, in lay terms, at what happens when patients mix English and their mother tongue during their interaction with the clinician.
How do we make sure messages are transferred accurately and in a language patients understand? What type of preparation is required? What type of set up and follow-up? How do we empower the patient to become an active contributor in addressing their health issue? The chapter attempts to answer these questions, while also grappling with more theoretical notions.

What is the significance of interpreting in the context of mental health?

Interpreting in the mental health context is more complex than other contexts. It is essential for interpreters to be briefed prior to the consultation starting, and after. While this is important for all interpreting consultations, in mental health especially there has to be a synergy between clinician and interpreter so that best results may be reached. Ideally the interpreter working in this context already has a good understanding of mental health and the strategies used by clinicians to treat patients.

Given that a number of countries have contributed to this book, what are some of the common issues in interpreter and interpreter education worldwide?

Yes, there are common issues. As the world moves towards a recognition that societies are multicultural rather than mono-cultural, they have to overcome language barriers. In Australia, and in particular in Melbourne, we are at the forefront of language services, other countries have some catching up to do. The main issue in professional contexts such as the health or legal context, is language proficiency, a gap which should be bridged only by engaging professional interpreters. One of the most common mistakes made across the world is thinking that being bilingual makes one an interpreter. I’m afraid not! Professional interpreters have to have advanced language skills, and strictly adhere to a code of ethics which guarantees impartiality and confidentiality are maintained at all times.

Here at Northern Health, we endeavour to provide the same quality of service for all patients and their families regardless of ethnicity and the ability to speak English.  How does the TALS team help in delivering that?

We are very lucky at Northern Health. Our health service has always strongly invested in language services. When I started in 2007, we had four in-house interpreters, we now have over 40 covering the top 15 languages. Almost a quarter of all our appointments have an interpreter, as far as I know there is no other heath service with such a high number of interpreter mediated occasions of service.

Adrian Lee Gacek, a former Northern Hospital patient, found a innovative way to give back to his hospital during the times of a pandemic.

“I was just seeing online how people were helping hospitals, particularly with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Then, I realised I can make something with my 3D printer and donate to medical staff,” he said.

Adrian first started making face shields. After a while, he came across face masks straps and after researching how useful these are to nurses, he started printing them too.

“I purchased three more 3D printers and started producing the straps and donating to different hospitals,” he said.

Even though he was donating to various hospitals, Northern Hospital Epping is the one he has a special connection to.

“I was a patient at Northern about three years ago and spent a number of nights here,” he said.

The appreciation for the treatment and positive patient experience he had here was the main motivation behind his donation.

“I am very appreciative of what Northern Hospital has done for me. I am really happy to be able to give back just a little bit,” he said.

3D printing is just a hobby for Adrian, that he was now able to put to a good cause. He usually uses his 3D printers to print little toys for kids, little animals and similar.

“I never used my 3D printers for really useful things. The straps are very helpful to hospital staff and I am very happy about that,” he added.

Nicholas Romeo, the Head Scientist and Lab Manager of the Respiratory Department at Northern Health said the hospital staff are very thankful for the donation.

“We cannot be more appreciative of Adrian reaching out to us and this is a great example of the community wanting to assist us in a time of need. We were able to work together to ensure a good supply of surgical mask straps after staff feedback of discomfort when wearing surgical masks for extended periods. Adrian continues to supply hundreds of surgical mask straps at no charge to ensure we have enough for all staff,” he said.

After meeting with Adrian on several occasions and also visiting his home, Nicholas has discovered other ways Adrian is willing to assist Northern Health.

“Adrian will be part of What the Hack – Northern Health’s inaugural hack weekend next month. We are very thankful for all Adrian is doing for Northern Health,” he added.

Featured image (left to right): Nicholas Romeo and Adrian Lee Gacek

Northern Health’s six-week 15 Minute Exercise Challenge starts today, and all staff are invited to register here and compete.

Alison O’Sullivan, Wellbeing Coordinator at Northern Health, explained staff can compete by simply finding at least 15 minutes a day to do an exercise of their choice for as many days as possible throughout the six-week challenge and logging their progress online.

“You can join as an individual or form a team of five to eight with your workmates. Once you register, you need to log your progress every day on the platform and the OHS and Wellbeing team has prepared some great prizes for winners, both in the individual and team category,” she said.

Briana Baass, Executive Director Allied Health and Partnerships, is joining the challenge because she feels exercise is such a critical part of our overall wellbeing.

“Especially during busy times, exercise is something we let go and slips out of our day. I find that now, during the COVID-19 restrictions, I lost my discipline to do exercise every day. This is a great opportunity to actually get back into the habit and make sure exercise is a part of my day, and I know I will feel better when I do it,” she said.

Briana enjoys strength exercises, pilates, swimming and keeping active.

“Staff can incorporate exercise in their every day routine by having walking meetings for example, if the weather is good, or they can stop the car at a park or a lake on their way home, or even a shopping centre and have a walk before heading home. I prefer morning exercise and going to the gym,” she said.

Briana adds there is a lot of evidence that connects exercise to increased wellbeing and better mental health.

“We can’t underestimate the power of how critical exercise is to our mental wellbeing and even if it means that you are just moving your body for 15 minutes or going for a walk, that can be really powerful in terms of wellbeing. Exercise also has a huge impact on various chronic diseases. This 15 minute challenge is a great opportunity to get exercise and movement back into our day. Come along for a ride with me and let’s get the exercise back into our daily schedules!” she said.

Please see images below of some of our staff exercising:

Dr Joshua Butt, a gastroenterologist and Head of Endoscopy Service at Northern Health is also a farm owner and the state winner of the prestigious “delicious. Produce Awards”. He has been working at Northern Health for five years, and has been a farmer for only three.

“The land where my small South Gipsland farm is on actually used to belong to my wife’s grandparents. They sold it in 1990 to another family and I just happened to just come across the farm for sale, not knowing it used to be in her family, until she looked at the photos,” he explained.

It was a twist of fate that the first week Joshua ever looked for his farm property that he came across this land. That was a sign some great things are about to happen there.

The forty acre farm now gives new life to dairy cows that have finished their milking days and is home to the prestigious food award. While uncommon in Australia, beef from older cattle, called txuleta beef, is a delicacy and a gourmet products in Basque region of Spain.

“After a lot of research, I came across the information that meat of older cattle is especially popular in Spain, due to the depth of flavour and increased natural fat and I decided to give it a go and introduce new flavours to Victoria,” he explained.

Joshua and his wife Dr Jyoti Blencowe embarked on this adventure together, while still working at their day jobs.

“It was kind of a project of hours and labour of love. We only started selling our meat to the butchers about a year ago and soon after we were invited to submit our produce for the “delicious. produce” award.

They submitted a few steaks for the award and won. Their product “Txuleta 1882 beef” was one of almost 20 Victorian products named state winners in this year’s awards.

“We are actually still learning about farming and about this business. Especially about marketing, as this was a new product on the market. It has been a bit of a learning process of how to process the meat and how to cook the meat. This type of meat is traditionally cooked on charcoal or a wood grill, 3-5 minutes a side. Outside needs to be salty and crispy, with the middle raw. Now we are selling a small amount in Sydney as well,” he said.

Since starting the small farming business, life has been very busy for Joshua and Jyoti.

“We go there every weekend or every second weekend. We have some help from our farm caretaker, but there is a lot of work on the farm. It’s been good to remind me that life is not all about work and the farm helps me balance the work with my personal interests. That has been the biggest benefit – and the extra space we have there to get away from the city life,” he said.

 

The Dietetics team were successful in getting funding from Northern Health to complete a Malnutrition Project for three months, which is currently under way.

Malnutrition can be as high as forty per cent in an acute hospital setting. Patients may be malnourished on admission or develop malnutrition while in hospital.

Nadia Obeid, Senior Dietitian explained,  “Part of this malnutrition project includes undertaking a malnutrition point prevalence study in which we are identifying how many of our patients in the acute beds at Northern Hospital Epping and Broadmeadows Hospital are malnourished”.

Patients can become malnourished from a prolonged poor diet or inability to absorb nutrients. This can often be due to illness or surgery. Malnutrition can slow recovery time and lead to longer length of hospital stay, delay wound healing, increase the risk of infection and lead to muscle wasting.

National Standard 5 outlines actions that are relevant to the prevention and management of malnutrition, including having a process in place to screen for malnutrition risk, implement management plans for patients with malnutrition and undertake quality-improvement strategies to reduce the frequency and harm from malnutrition.

“Timely identification and management of malnutrition is essential to ensure we are providing high quality and safe care for our patients and decreasing the risk of further complications. Nutrition intervention and support can significantly improve patient outcomes including reducing recovery time, improving wellbeing and preventing further complications such as decreasing the risk of falls, delirium and infection,” added Nadia.

The project is auditing the current process for screening inpatients for malnutrition risk, identifying the prevalence of malnutrition amongst acute inpatients and ensuring those identified as malnourished are provided with personalised nutrition management plans.

The project will also collaborate with nursing staff to identify strategies that can be initiated to help support nursing staff to ensure malnutrition risk screening and weighing of patients is completed on every admission and weekly thereafter, and that referrals to the dietetic team are completed in a timely manner when nutrition risk is identified.

Nadia is planning to present the findings at the Northern Health Research week.

Featured image (left to right): Rachael Evans, Associate Director – Dietetics; Nadia Obeid, Senior Dietitian; Dian Sari, Dietitian.

Why is getting involved in Dry July so important?

Since 2008, Dry July has inspired more than 200,000 Aussies to go dry, raising $49 million for people affected by cancer. They have funded over 80 cancer organisations across Australia, including Northern Health, helping to purchase a scalp cooling machine and Blanket Warmer for Craigieburn Centre in 2019.

This year, Northern Health is going Dry in July to raise funds to provide care and comfort for our cancer patients at Northern Hospital Epping and Craigieburn Centre.

Kirsty’s Cancer Journey

Kirsty’s cancer journey started at Northern Health in January this year when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer after a routine colonoscopy.

She had just celebrated her 40^th birthday with a trip to Hawaii and completed her first marathon there!  She was enjoying life and taking on new challenges so when she was diagnosed with cancer she was in total shock and disbelief.

The first step in Kirsty’s fight against cancer began with surgery here at Northern Hospital Epping where she remained an inpatient for eight days.

Kirsty said, “The care I received from the nursing and medical teams during this time was amazing and I can’t thank them enough for the support I received when I needed it the most”.

Kirsty has now been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.  With her surgeon confident he has now removed all the tumors, the next step is a six month cycle of chemotherapy treatment.

Due to COVID-19, Northern Health Cancer Services are able to provide her chemotherapy treatment at home, minimising any further risk to her health and wellbeing.

Kirsty is extremely grateful for the support and care she has received from her family and friends as well as the dedicated team who are caring for her at Northern Health.

So much so, Kirsty wants to give back by joining the Northern Health Dry July Team to help raise funds to support others affected by cancer here in the North.  Together with Kirsty, we want to raise $30,000 to invest in improving the care and comfort of our cancer patients.

Together, we can make a difference!

Click here to donate now or join our team here.

Featured picture shows Northern Health Dry July team members, Andrew Williamson, Executive Director Public Affairs and Foundation and Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director People and Culture

Kirsty and best friend Laura after the marathon in Hawaii, just prior to her cancer diagnosis.

 

Michelle Fenwick, Executive Director People and Culture joins Dry July: