Northern Health recently received a heartwarming donation of toys from the students, staff, and families of Ilim College, Dallas. These generous gifts were delivered to the Children’s Ward and Paediatric Emergency Department at Northern Hospital Epping, bringing smiles and comfort to children receiving care. 

The donation included a variety of toys and games, thoughtfully selected to help ease the anxiety of hospital visits and brighten the days of young patients. Such gestures play a vital role in creating a more welcoming and less intimidating environment for children undergoing treatment.

Kim Berger, Community Engagement Coordinator, Northern Health Foundation, said, “it was fantastic to see the young students come through and personally deliver the toys to the sick children, who had the biggest smiles on their faces as they received the generous donations. It’s moments like these that really count, and I want to say a huge thank you to Ilim college for their support. It really helped brighten a lot of the children’s day!”

The Children’s Unit at Northern Health is a 22-bed ward that provides specialist medical and surgical care for infants through to teenagers, supported by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. The Paediatric Emergency Department, co-located within the Adult Emergency Department, cares for more than 20,000 children annually, offering urgent medical attention in a child-friendly setting. 

Community contributions like Ilim College’s donation are instrumental in enhancing the hospital experience for young patients. They not only provide entertainment and distraction but also convey a message of care and solidarity from the broader community.

Northern Health extends its heartfelt thanks to Ilim College for their generosity and compassion. Their support exemplifies the positive impact that community involvement can have on patient wellbeing.

This week, 6-13 July, is NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At Northern Health, we join this national celebration by recognising the contributions of First Nations leaders and Elders, past and present, and by creating space to learn, reflect and walk together.

This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, invites us to honour the resilience of those who came before us, the strength of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today, and the promise of future generations. It speaks to a future shaped by the courage, creativity and leadership of young people empowered by cultural knowledge and community strength.

“I see the next generation stepping up every day – strong in culture, proud of who they are, and ready to lead. At Northern Health, we have a role to play in making sure they’re supported to thrive, not just survive,” says Natalie Bloomfield (Gunaikurnai), Aboriginal Clinical Nurse Educator, Northern Health.

NAIDOC Week reminds us that our strength as Aboriginal people comes from those who walked before us – and that same strength now lives in our young ones. It’s our responsibility to keep that fire burning,” adds Toni Gabelish Gangulu / Yiman, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Support Unit, Northern Health.

Throughout NAIDOC Week, NAIDOC-themed displays inspired by this year’s theme will be on show across all Northern Health sites, including the Northern Health Library, which also features a curated online collection of resources for staff.

Staff are encouraged to participate in NAIDOC activities, including walking alongside the Narrun Wilip-giin Aboriginal Support Unit in the NAIDOC March on Friday, 11 July, a meaningful opportunity to stand in solidarity and celebrate culture and community.

Today, staff attended the Seymour NAIDOC Celebrations, beginning with a traditional Smoking Ceremony and followed by a vibrant parade through the community to Kings Park.

Tomorrow, Thursday 10 July, a special NAIDOC Grand Round will be held featuring guest speaker Dr Janelle Francis, a respected General Practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience and current GP at an Aboriginal Health Service. Click here to join.

For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, a NAIDOC Staff Quiz will run until 12 July, offering a chance to test your knowledge and win exciting prizes. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 16 July.

This week offers more than a calendar of events. It is a chance to listen, learn, and commit to a stronger, more inclusive future. We encourage all staff to take part in the celebrations, connect with community, and reflect on what it means to support the next generation of First Nations leaders at Northern Health.

“For me, NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect on our legacy, acknowledge the resilience of our Elders, and honour the vision our young people are shaping. We stand on the shoulders of giants – and now we’re lifting the next ones up,” says Andrew Morrison Gunditjmara, Acting Manager, Aboriginal Support Unit, Northern Health.

Pictured in featured image (L-R): Sherrilyn Ballard, Consumer Participation Cordinator, Yue Hu, Director, TALS and ASU, Northern Health and Caroline Dunnet, ACAS at the Seymour NAIDOC Week celebrations.

The Northern Centre for Health Education and Research (NCHER) Partnership, comprising of Northern Health, La Trobe University, and the University of Melbourne, is proud to welcome the newest addition to its Simulation Centre – SimNewB – an advanced neonatal manikin designed to elevate clinical training and education.

Acquired through joint funding by all three partners, SimNewB represents a significant enhancement to neonatal simulation training. With lifelike skin texture and appearance, the ability to speak and cry, and an integrated projector trainer voice system, SimNewB allows facilitators to deliver highly realistic and interactive training sessions. The manikin responds to pre-programmed voice commands, enabling educators to create immersive, scenario-based learning environments that closely mimic real-world neonatal care.

SimNewB will play a key role in simulation activities across the NCHER Partnership, offering multidisciplinary teams the opportunity to practise newborn care and emergency responses in a safe, controlled setting. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building confidence, improving coordination, and enhancing clinical skills.

The NCHER Simulation Centre is excited to integrate SimNewB into its programs, further strengthening NCHER’s commitment to excellence in education, collaboration, and the delivery of safe, high-quality care for our youngest patients.

Staff who have participated in recent SimNewB workshop have shared their positive experiences:

“SimNewB provides nursing and medical staff the opportunity to experience and learn in a realistic and safe environment, to recognise and respond to common scenarios that impact our paediatric patients. Through simulation, we can equip one another to respond effectively in stressful and unexpected situations, ensuring high-quality care for our patients.” — Dr Rami Subhi, Paediatrician, Paediatric Ward and Paeds ED.

“The SimNewB workshop was a great session. It will help us improve the simulations we design and run in the neonatal space, making them more effective and impactful.” — Barsha Shrestha, Neonatal Nurse Educator.

“Thank you, Kayleen and Elise, from Laerdal, for a very useful and productive information session on the new model of SimNewB. It’s an extremely realistic educational tool. The session provided helpful insights into how we can use the model in various simulation-based education activities. I now feel more confident using this model to run regular interdisciplinary neonatal simulation education.” — Dr Wei Ling Lean, Lecturer, University of Melbourne, Neonatal and General Paediatrician, Northern Health.

“The SimNewB training provided an impressive demonstration of the capabilities of the Sim Newborn baby. The training highlighted the potential scope and possible applications for use of the SimNewB in the teaching and training of Paediatric Allied Health staff.” — Christina Lambros, Physiotherapist, Paediatrics.

“The SimNewB is an invaluable resource for our La Trobe nursing students. It helps to bring theory to life and build confidence through hands-on, realistic neonatal care simulations.” —Loren Tong, Lecturer of Nursing, La Trobe University.

These reflections highlight the growing enthusiasm for simulation-based education and the confidence it brings to clinical teams across Northern Health, La Trobe University and University of Melbourne.

The new SimNewB is available for simulation and training sessions Monday to Friday across all four campuses of Northern Health. To book a session, please email: simulation@nh.org.au

Pictured (L-R): Barsha Shrestha, Rami Subhi, Charan Baweja, Kayleen Kral, Wei Ling Lean, Loren Tong, Christina Lambros and Jan Thomas with the new SimNewB neonatal manikin.

June was Aphasia Awareness Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging and understanding aphasia – an often-misunderstood condition that affects thousands of Australians and their families.

At Northern Health, the Speech Pathology department is working to raise awareness and provide support to people living with aphasia across the continuum of care.

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language centres, often from stroke, brain injury, tumours or dementia. It affects how people understand, speak, read and write, but not their intelligence.

Aphasia varies greatly, and while some patients struggle to find words, others may lose almost all spoken language. These communication changes can deeply impact daily life, relationships, work, confidence and mental health. People with aphasia are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety than others recovering from stroke.

At Northern Health, speech pathologists play a vital role in supporting people with aphasia — from acute hospital care, to rehabilitation, and within community therapy services. Their goal is to improve communication success and enhance participation in life.

One of the initiatives during this year’s Aphasia Awareness Month was inspired by the Australian Aphasia Association, which has encouraged people to choose a word or phrase that reflects their experience or understanding of aphasia. For the Speech Pathology team at Northern Health, words like “hidden”, “isolating”, and the phrase “knowing more than I can say” have resonated deeply.

All healthcare staff may encounter patients with aphasia. Knowing how to support better communication can significantly improve patient care. Here are some top tips to help:

• Find a quiet space free of distractions
• Be patient
• Give the person time to understand and respond
• Use yes/no questions
• Check for understanding
• Pay attention to tone, body language, and facial expressions
• Encourage other communication methods — writing, pointing, drawing, or gestures

Emily McLauchlan, Speech Pathologist with the Community Therapy Service at Broadmeadows Hospital, compares communication support to physical access and says, “just as ramps open doors for people who use wheelchairs, communication strategies are vital “ramps” for people with aphasia. When those around them understand their challenges and use the right tools, it allows them to share information, stay connected, be part of their community, and take charge of their healthcare.”

She also outlines what makes a good communication partner, “a great communication partner for someone with aphasia recognises that the person knows more than they can express, understands that all forms of communication are valid and adapts flexibly between them. They focus on the meaning and connection, not on perfect words.”

Meggan Barratt, Speech Pathologist on the Rehabilitation Ward at Broadmeadows Hospital, highlights the collaborative nature of communication.

“I’ve learnt that successful conversations are a two-way street. It isn’t about what we sound like or the way the message is delivered, it is about working together to find what works best for each individual with aphasia.”

By raising awareness and promoting inclusive communication, we can reduce the isolation people with aphasia often feel. The more we understand, the better we can support them, in healthcare and throughout the community

For more information about Aphasia, click here.

Pictured in featured image: The Speech Pathology team at Broadmeadows Hospital. 

Meet Christina Campbell, Director of Nursing/Site Operations Director at Kilmore District Hospital.

Q: What is your coffee order?

Strong, oat, flat white.

Q: Tell me about your role as Director of Nursing/Site Operations Director at Kilmore District Hospital

I am located in the beautiful regional town of Kilmore, working as a Director of Nursing/Site Operations Director.

This is a busy leadership role covering an acute ward, urgent care centre, infusion clinic, two aged care facilities, outpatients, operating theatres, and maternity. This role is pivotal to daily operations, service delivery, and professional nursing issues at Kilmore.

The role works collaboratively with the medical and nursing divisional directors to set the direction and continuously review and improve the operation of services to maximize the operational management of the site to deliver optimum patient care, within the overall strategic direction of Northern Health, and is responsible for the portfolios of access and quality improvement at Kilmore.

There are dual reporting lines to the Divisional Director of Community Hospitals and the Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer (CNMO), to maintain our professional nursing and midwifery standards and to align with the CNMO’s strategic vision. Kilmore is currently working on the roll out of EMR and many other service improvements and transitions.

Q: Tell us about your career journey

From nearing three decades of my early beginnings as a State Enrolled Nurse and then transitioning into a Registered Nurse across my career, I have worked with older adults, surgical, paediatrics and neonates, across many hospitals from Southern Health, Epworth, Royal Children’s, Monash Health, The Royal Melbourne and now the growing Northern Health.

Transitioning from bedside care into management, projects and leadership roles has enabled my understanding of the health care system across services, organisations, and our country to evolve. This development and understanding has been invaluable in my leadership and support of the nursing and midwifery workforce development, our healthcare services improvements, and excellent care access and provision for our communities.

Q: What would your perfect weekend look like?

Enjoying the simple things really, at least a little sleep in at least one morning, a walk with the dogs, catching up with friends or family, and a great food experience for a brunch or dinner.

Q: What has been your favourite travel destination and why?

Oh so many, although one that really sticks with me is Cambodia and experiencing the amazing Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.

Q: What is something people will be surprised to know about you?

I ride an Italian MV Augusta motorbike and love it. Heading out on my motorbike is also something that has to make it into my perfect weekend (when weather permits) as there is nothing like some great wind therapy.

In May 2025, Northern Health was officially designated an international Anticoagulation Center of Excellence by the Anticoagulation Forum, a leading multidisciplinary organisation committed to improving anticoagulation care globally.

This recognition followed a rigorous review process assessing Northern Health’s practices across five key domains of care. 

Anticoagulant medicines play a critical role in venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention and treatment but carry significant risks. With a narrow therapeutic window, both under- and over-anticoagulation can lead to serious complications including bleeding, thrombosis, and even death. Careful prescribing, dosing, monitoring, and coordination across the continuum of care are essential to ensure patient safety. 

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, remains a leading cause of preventable harm in hospitalised patients. In Australia, VTE is estimated to account for seven per cent of all in-hospital deaths and costs the health system approximately $1.72 billion annually. Effective prevention and management of VTE are essential to improving patient outcomes and reducing harm. 

Northern Health has also recently partnered with Safer Care Victoria for a collaborative project on Preventing Venous Thromboembolism and Supporting Anticoagulation Management. This will further strengthen our Anticoagulation Stewardship Program, focusing on reducing VTE events in our perioperative and medical patients, as well as optimising anticoagulant management. 

Key highlights of Northern Health’s Anticoagulation Service include:

• Establishment of a VTE & Anticoagulation Committee providing governance and leadership.

• Implementation of an Anticoagulation Stewardship Program to optimise prescribing and safety.

• Introduction of the VTE Risk Assessment Monitor, with VTE assessment completion rates rising from 30 per cent in October 2023 to 70 per cent by May 2025.

• Launch of a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) Meeting, supported by updated clinical guidelines for high- and intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism management.

• Mechanical thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism, becoming the first Victorian hospital to perform large bore thrombectomy in May 2024 and one of only three centres offering this service in Victoria (Northern, Austin, Barwon).

• Establishment of Victoria’s first Virtual Thrombosis Clinic, as part of a service offering four dedicated thrombosis clinics weekly.

• Development of an Emergency Department DOAC Low-Risk PE Discharge Pathway, allowing selected patients to safely commence treatment and be discharged directly from ED.

• Enhanced telehealth and outpatient follow-up pathways ensuring safe transitions of care for patients on anticoagulation.

• Ensure smooth transition of care in high-risk patients being discharged on anticoagulation 

Northern Health’s participation in this international program reflects an ongoing commitment to delivering safe, evidence-based anticoagulation care and achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Featured image: Top from left to right – Uyen Hua (Chief Pharmacy Informatic Officer), Prof Prahlad Ho (CMO, Divisional Director Cancer Services Diagnostic & Outpatient Services), David Nguyen (Deputy Director of Pharmacy – Quality & Informatics)

Bottom from left to right – A/Prof Hui Yin Lim (Haematology & Thrombosis Lead, Head of Diagnostic Haematology), Simon Huynh (Anticoagulation Stewardship Pharmacy, Medical Team Lead Pharmacy)

Yesterday, Northern Health was proud to launch the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), a major initiative aimed at saving lives through the early detection of lung cancer — the nation’s leading cause of cancer-related death. Starting this month, eligible Australians will have access to free, low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer, even before symptoms appear. This is the first population-based cancer screening program introduced in Australia since 2006 and is expected to save hundreds of lives each year by detecting lung cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

The program targets individuals aged 50 to 70 years with a significant history of smoking and no current symptoms of lung cancer. The screening involves a quick, painless, Medicare-funded scan that takes just 5–10 minutes.

Northern Health officially launched the National Lung Cancer Screening Program by screening the first patient in the program at Northern Hospital Epping. The patient, a 52-year-old woman with a long history of smoking, sought peace of mind through early detection.

“Breast cancer runs in my family, as well as other types of cancers, so as bizarre as this may sound, I know that when I first went and got my mammogram, it gave me peace of mind. I expect this to do the same thing because, as a smoker, I know that I’m at a higher risk, and I’m primarily doing this for peace of mind,” said Jacquie Maher.

Mark Brooke, CEO of Lung Foundation Australia, said, “Today is a milestone for lung health in Australia. Jacquie is one of the first of many Australians who, from today, will have access to a regular screening program to proactively monitor their lung health and have the opportunity to be diagnosed earlier.”

“Lung Foundation Australia has worked for more than five years to reach this day, knowing the benefits that lay ahead with screening now available. We know there’s still a lot of work to be done, but for now, we are humbled by the response to today’s launch of the lung screening program and thank all of our supporters and partners for making this possible.”

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV), the radiology service of Northern Health, is a key provider of low-dose CT scans under the NLCSP. NIV brings deep expertise in lung cancer screening and serves a diverse community, including many culturally and linguistically diverse populations. NIV’s Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, a thoracic radiologist and Clinical Lead for the NLCSP on behalf of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, has played a pivotal role in shaping the radiology framework for the program.

“It has been a privilege to launch the National Lung Cancer Screening Program for Northern Health alongside Jacquie, and to understand the impact this tremendous initiative will have on the lives of Australians. Today is the culmination of an incredible amount of work at the national level, now translated into a living and breathing service at Northern Imaging Victoria. We are proud to stand as ambassadors for the Program,” said Dr Siemienowicz.

Dr Siemienowicz’s report for Jacquie’s scan was the first report to be entered into the National Cancer Screening Register around the nation – an incredible and humbling milestone.

If you think you, or someone you know, may be eligible for lung cancer screening, speak with your doctor. They will assess your history and, if appropriate, provide a referral for a free scan at a participating radiology provider.

For more information, including eligibility criteria and how to get started, visit the official NLCSP website: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp.

Pictured in featured image: Jacquie Maher with Daniel Marriner, Radiographer and CT Supervisor, Northern Health. 

From 1 July 2025, healthcare in Victoria enters a new chapter with the establishment of Local Health Service Networks (LHSNs). These Networks bring together health services within defined regions, working collaboratively to deliver care that is more connected, accessible, and closer to home.

Northern Health is proud to be part of the North Metro and Mitchell Local Health Service Network, alongside our partners: Austin Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, and Seymour Health. Together, we will focus on improving access, equity and patient flow, supporting and growing our workforce, enhancing safety and quality, and streamlining shared services.

Over the next six months, we’ll be working across our Network on clinical service planning to ensure we’re meeting the health needs of our diverse and growing community. While each health service will continue to maintain its own name, leadership and strong community ties, this new model allows us to harness collective expertise and resources to achieve better outcomes for patients and staff alike.

This is an exciting opportunity to build stronger connections, improve how people move through our healthcare system, and provide even more timely, high-quality care. We’re committed to keeping our teams and community informed as this important work progresses.

“Delivering excellent patient care is, and remains, our number one priority. We look forward to working with you over the next six months as we continue to develop our approach and build relationships across our Network,” says Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Northern Health.

Together, we’re shaping a healthier future for the North Metro and Mitchell regions, delivering care that is truly patient-centred and community-driven.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your manager. More information about the Networks can be found on the Department of Health website.