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National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a significant time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It takes place annually from 27 May to 3 June.

The theme for NRW 2024 is ‘Now More Than Ever’. Now more than ever, the work continues — in treaty making, truth-telling, understanding our history, education, and tackling racism. We need connection, respect, action, and change. Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

Northern Health provides essential services within the traditional lands of the Woi Wurrung Wurundjeri people, covering the City of Whittlesea and the City of Hume. Additionally, it extends its care to the Taungurong Country in the Shire of Mitchell. These regions collectively form part of the Kulin nation.

The Narrun Wilip-giin (meaning “Spirit Keepers” in Woi Wurrung language) Aboriginal Support Unit plays a crucial role in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their carers throughout their hospital journey. However, this essential work wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of every staff member involved in patient care.

Recognising the exceptional efforts of these dedicated staff members, the Narrun Wilip-giin Aboriginal Support Unit has established the Spirit Keeper Champion Appreciation Award. This award aims to honour colleagues who exemplify the following core values:

1. Going Above and Beyond: These individuals consistently demonstrate a willingness to go the extra mile, ensuring that the unique needs of Aboriginal patients are met. They exceed expectations and willingly take on additional responsibilities.

2. Supportive and Empathetic: Their interactions with patients and their families are characterised by deep empathy and compassion. During challenging times, they provide comfort and reassurance, fostering a sense of trust.

3. Genuine and Respectful: These staff members engage with Aboriginal patients authentically and respectfully. They build trusting relationships through sincere communication, acknowledging the cultural context and individual experiences.

4. Creating Culturally Safe Environments: They actively contribute to culturally safe spaces within the hospital. Aboriginal patients feel valued, respected, and free from discrimination or judgment.

5. Caring and Compassionate: Above all, their care is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve. Their compassion, kindness, and concern for Aboriginal patients’ well-being shines through.

“Aboriginal health is everyone’s business,” says Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer. “This award came about because Narrun Wilip-giin wanted to acknowledge those staff members who went over and above to provide culturally safe care, often on multiple occasions.”

To date, eight staff members have been nominated across various departments, including EMR, Legal, Nursing, and Cancer Services. They are : Cheryl Murray, Andrew Lang, Awash Prasad, Virginia Grant, Birat Sharma, Jane Delos, Simone Cariss, Angeline Llewellyn and Mia Chatz.

Awash Prasad, Director of Legal Services, was one of the recipients of this award and says “I am deeply humbled to receive the Spirit Keeper Champion Award from the Aboriginal Support Unit. I see this award as more than a reflection of my work; it is an incredible honour to be part of our collective efforts toward compassionate and culturally sensitive care.”

“Working with the Aboriginal Liaison Office (ALO) team and our Aboriginal consumers has been a profoundly enriching experience. I have learned invaluable lessons from their resilience, wisdom, and deep connection to cultural heritage. Most importantly, I have learned to listen with an open heart and mind, to respect cultural practices, and to ensure that Northern Health is positioned as a leader in our efforts toward reconciliation. To me, reconciliation is our shared journey. It is a journey of being authentic, genuine, and fostering mutual respect and collaboration.”

Cheryl Murray, Breast Care Nurse Consultant, was another of the recipients. She says, “To be awarded the Spirit Keeper award was such a lovely surprise. Working alongside Northern Health’s ALO team is always a rewarding experience. They are a hard-working team, passionate and professional to achieve positive outcomes for our Indigenous patients. I find it incredibly thought provoking, to learn about our Indigenous rich history, our shared history and culture. Reconciliation Week is a reminder of the inequities between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander’s and the wider community. It showcases how important it is to keep moving forward to work towards to fixing historical exclusion, end discrimination and strengthen our relationship with the First Nation people.”

Pictured in featured image (from bottom left): Birat Sharma, Simone Cariss with Tya Fry, Joanne Quinn, Aboriginal Health Practitioner with Awash Prasad, Cheryl Murray with Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Andrew Lang, Virginia Grant, Jane Delos

At Northern Health, we are fortunate to have staff members whose dedication goes beyond their professional duties.

One such inspiring individual is Fey Bakar, an EMR Surgery and Anaesthesia Analyst and Registered Nurse. Her passion for helping others led her to spearhead an extraordinary initiative of collecting plastic bread tags at Northern Health to fund wheelchairs for disadvantaged individuals.

Fey’s journey began three years ago, driven by her desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

“I have always found joy and a sense of fulfillment whenever I can lend a helping hand,” Fey shares.

Her role as a nurse has taught her the impact of compassion and empathy, reinforcing her commitment to this cause. As an immigrant, Fey resonates deeply with the less privileged and vulnerable, understanding the importance of community support and unity.

“My journey has highlighted the power of coming together to help those in need,” she explains.

Despite occasional challenges in collecting and storing the tags, Fey remained motivated by the joy and relief her efforts brought to those in need.

“Knowing that there would be smiles on the faces of those who received the wheelchairs was motivating and rewarding. It reinforced my belief that even minor acts of kindness can significantly impact those in need,” she adds.

Fey’s initiative has inspired many colleagues at Northern Health to participate. Together, they have diligently collected thousands of bread tags, culminating in a significant delivery to the collection centre at Bundoora.

The collected bread tags are recycled locally to raise funds for the purchase of wheelchairs for disadvantaged individuals, primarily in South Africa. This initiative, known as “Bread Tags for Wheelchairs,” turns everyday waste into life-changing mobility aids.

Impact by the numbers:

• Wheelchairs Funded: 98
• Total Recycled: 12,832 kgs of bread tags (more than 12 tonnes!)
• Current Recycling Rate: 250 kgs of bread tags per month (approximately 2,700 tags per kg)

This program provides practical assistance to individuals in need while fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the community. It is heartwarming to see how a simple act of collecting bread tags can bring about such positive change.

We encourage everyone to participate and contribute to this noble cause. Together, we can make a significant difference, one bread tag at a time.

For more information on how you can get involved, please visit Bread Tags for Wheelchairs.

Today is LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day – a day dedicated to helping to end violence and abuse within LGBTQ communities by increasing visibility and understanding, and giving hope and courage to victims and survivors.

Held annually on 28 May, the day was first established in 2020 and was the first time in history that an awareness day was formed to highlight domestic, family and intimate partner violence and abuse occurring in LGBTQ communities.

The theme for this year is #SeenAndBelieved, which aims to shine a light on the prevalence of domestic or family violence in the LGBTQ communities, but to also let them know there are people and services out there who will support them.

The health sector is a critical entry point for people affected by family violence which presents as an opportunity to provide medical care, support and pathways to specialist support. Every person affected by family violence, with their unique identities and relationships, has a right to be seen and believed by their health care providers.

At Northern Health, the Rainbow Working Group and the Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV) Program are working together to raise awareness on this important health issue.

Tanya Ellis, Program Manager for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence (SHRFV), says, “Family violence is a prevalent and serious health issue that has a profound impact on the psychological and physical wellbeing of victim survivors. Victim survivors are among our community and frequently present to our health service.”

“It is a human right to live a life free from violence and we all have a part to play in ensuring all victim survivors of violence are identified and supported.”

“Unfortunately, there is still apprehension within the LGBTQIA+ community to disclose family violence or contact mainstream services, which means victim survivors remain largely invisible with low levels of reporting and disclosure.”

“Northern Health aims to play an important role in preventing family violence through providing a respectful, equitable and safe service. We are committed to providing an environment that is safe for all victim survivors of family violence to disclose their experience and receive support and safety.”

Family violence is behaviour by a person towards a family member that is physically or sexually abusive, emotionally or psychologically abusive, economically abusive, threatening, coercive or controlling of that family member and causes them to fear for their safety or wellbeing.

Family violence can impact people of all genders and sexual identities and can occur in all family types including intimate partners, across generations, extended families and carer relationships.

Forms of family violence perpetrated against LGBTQIA+ victims include threatening to ‘out’ a person’s gender, sexual identity or intersex status to family, friends, colleagues or their community, and using this as way to control the victim survivor.

According to the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, more than 60 per cent of LGBTQ people have experienced domestic, family or intimate partner violence and abuse in their lifetime.

Despite this prevalence, LGBTQ people are less likely to identify domestic or family violence in their relationships, less likely to report it to the police or seek support from services and are far less likely to find support services that meet their specific needs.

Northern Health encourages staff to get involved and show their support to the LGBTQIA+ community by wearing something rainbow throughout the week, have a conversation about what makes a healthy relationship, spread the word on social media with #SeenAndBelieved and becoming aware of recourses available to LGBTQIA+ victim survivors.

At a community level, Rainbow Health Victoria has produced a valuable resource known as ‘Pride in Prevention Messaging Guide’ based on local research into family violence in the LGBTQ community. This is an initiative funded by the Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria.

Staff at Northern Health are required to complete mandatory Family Violence Training.

“Please ensure to complete the training and use the Family Violence Screening & Identification Tool when working with a patient who has disclosed family violence (available on PROMPT and EMR). The SHRFV Team is also available to facilitate family violence training in a face-to-face capacity. Please contact the SHRFV Team if you need to consult or organise training in your area (8405 8519),” Tanya said.

Click here for more information on LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

Support services:
• With Respect: Specialist LGBTQI+ Family Violence Service – Ph: 1800 542 847 (Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm)
• Rainbow Door: LGBTQIA+ information, support and referral helpline 0 Ph: 1800 729 367, (10 am – 5 pm, seven days)
• 1800 Respect: 24/7 National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service – Ph: 1800 737 732 (24/7).
• Qlife: LGBTIQ+ peer support, information and referral. Ph: 1800 184 527
• Lifeline: 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Ph: 131 114
• Disclose to your health professional today to access support and safety.

Featured image: Tanya Ellis, Program Manager for Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence , Chamie, Social Worker and Nik Rawat, Social Worker.

Northern Health and RMIT University have partnered to establish a Clinical Translational Research Partnership.

Researchers and clinical staff will work together to speed up the translation of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches from the laboratory bench to real-world applications, ultimately benefiting Northern Health patients and consumers, and beyond.

The Clinical Translational Research Partnership will initially focus on research to help patients with cancer, blood disorders and chronic diseases, leveraging RMIT and Northern Health’s strengths in imaging, spectroscopy, immunology and pharmacology.

It will be home to clinical trials, particularly in cancer and nanoparticle diagnostic research, that aim to contribute to breakthrough discoveries, improved patient outcomes, and collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry to bring new treatments, therapies and diagnostics to patients.

The partnership also provides an avenue for workforce development, nurturing a highly skilled talent pool of students capable of driving healthcare innovation. This will help meet the unique workforce needs in the northern suburbs and target the growing demands in the research and healthcare sectors. Master’s and PhD positions will be offered to support the partnered research and build the next generation of skilled health researchers.

This significant partnership was officially launched on Monday, 27 May 2024, at the Northern Centre for Health Education and Research.

During the event, Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Bundoora Health Precinct, highlighted the importance of training the healthcare practitioners of the future and equipping them to deliver targeted innovative healthcare.

“Our Clinical Translational Research Partnership will connect clinicians, researchers and academic leaders to ideate and solve healthcare priorities for diverse communities in Melbourne’s north.”

“This partnership provides real opportunities to leverage collaboration. We are excited to be enabling immediate translation of evidence-based research in diagnostics, therapeutics and clinical practice focused on cancer, immunology and chronic disease for better patient outcomes.”

Associate Professor Prahlad Ho, Chair, Research Executive Committee at Northern Health, spoke to improving access to quality healthcare for people living north of Melbourne.

“Our Clinical Translational Research Partnership is critical to improve research capabilities across northern Melbourne, including delivery of innovative clinical trial capabilities as well as novel biomarkers in our multicultural population.”

“Northern Health’s partnership with RMIT will allow a pipeline for the rapid and effective translation of key technological advances into clinical use.”

Pictured from left to right: Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of RMIT Bundoora Health Precinct, Siva Sivarajah – Chief Executive, Northern Health, Professor Ian Burnett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM College and Vice-President, RMIT University, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown and A/Prof Prahlad Ho Chair, Research Executive Committee. 

#WeAreNorthern

Meet Lyn Elmer, who is celebrating 20 years of volunteering at Broadmeadows Hospital, Northern Health.

Q. Firstly, your coffee order please?
I have a skinny weak cappuccino, extra hot, no sugar. I’ve been perfecting that order for many, many years.

Q. What motivated you to start volunteering at Northern Health 20 years ago, and what has kept you committed for such a long time?
After retiring, I felt it was time to give back to the community and help people. I’ve been volunteering at Northern Health for 20 years now and have enjoyed every minute of it. Not once did I wake up dreading my volunteer duties, I’m always happy to go.

Q. Can you share a memorable experience during your time here?
One of the most memorable moments was with a young mum who had suffered a stroke. She couldn’t walk or speak properly, but thanks to the amazing physiotherapy department at Broadmeadows, she made a remarkable recovery. She learned to speak, use her hands, and walk again. Sometime later, my husband and I were walking through a shopping centre when this lady waved to me. She proudly shared that she could now sing in a choir. It was a very special moment for me.

Q. What are some challenges you’ve faced while volunteering, and how did you overcome them?
When I first started, I was unsure how to approach patients. However, I quickly learned to read their expressions and respond accordingly. As I gained more experience and worked in several different areas at Broadmeadows, I became more confident in my ability to approach patients and attend to their needs effectively.

Q. How do you balance your volunteer work with your personal life?
Balancing my volunteer work with my personal life has been quite easy. My family and friends always knew which days I volunteered and never asked me to do anything on those days. They would say, ‘Oh, that’s Mum’s volunteer day, we can’t do it.’

Q. Looking back at your 20 years of service, is there anything you wish you had known when you first started volunteering?
Looking back, I wish I had known how many wonderful friends I would make through volunteering and how much I would enjoy making a positive contribution to the patients’ lives. If I could speak to myself 20 years ago, I would say to embrace every moment of it and cherish the positive impact on both the patients and the friendships formed.

Q. If you could have dinner with any historical or celebrity figure, who would it be and why?
I have a bit of a quirky choice—Boy George. I’d love to ask him how he does his makeup because I’ve admired it for years, it’s just so perfect. Another person I admire is Mirka Mora, a Victorian artist. Although she’s passed away, I would have loved to hear stories about her life and her paintings, which always conveyed messages of love and hope. Her work is quite magical.

Q. Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
I have a secret hobby that not many people know about—I love to paint and draw. It’s not something I do every day or even every week, but maybe once or twice every five years. I have a painting on my kitchen wall that is cherished by one of my girlfriends who joked, ‘If you go before me, can I have that picture?’ We had a good laugh about it.

Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, regardless of their specific condition. The goal of palliative care is to empower patients to live as fully as possible during their illness journey.

National Palliative Care Week (NPCW), held from May 19 to May 25, 2024, is Australia’s largest annual initiative to raise awareness about palliative care. It aims to increase understanding of palliative care services and recognise the dedication of the palliative care workforce and volunteers.

At Northern Health, our multidisciplinary palliative care staff collaborates to provide high-quality healthcare and support to those living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Our teams include the Palliative Care Unit and Palliative Care Consult teams.

Research plays a crucial role in improving palliative care. It informs best practices, clinical decision-making, and the development of new treatments and services. Northern Health clinicians are currently involved in two studies funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to enhance end-of-life care for older people.

The first is IMPART (Improving Palliative Care in Residential Aged Care using Telehealth). Dr Penny Harvey, Geriatrician and A/Prof Barbara Hayes, Advance Care Planning Clinical Lead and Palliative Care Consultant, are both investigators on this study, which is a multi-site Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.

The study is led by Prof Kwang Lim, Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and the National Ageing Research Institute and involves 10 aged care facilities within the catchments of RMH, Austin Health, and Northern Health.

The study aims to improve end-of-life care by providing online learning modules for staff, covering various aspects of caring for dying patients, including the use of Residential Aged Care Goals of Care Forms (developed by Northern Health). The primary outcome measure is the use of acute hospital services during the trial period. Consumer and staff feedback is collected via surveys and structured interviews.

The second is CELPI, (Carer End of Life Planning Intervention ). This multi-state randomised controlled trial focuses on people dying with dementia. Associate Professor Barbara Hayes is an Investigator for Victoria, and Ms. Bernadette Sweeney serves as the Intervention Clinician. The study promotes knowledge about palliative care, advance care planning, and carer support resources. The primary outcome measure is acute hospital use during the trial period.

Apart from NHMRC-funded studies, the Northern Health Palliative Care team conducts hospital-based research directly related to our patient cohort. These efforts, led by Associate Professor Jaclyn Yoong, Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician, provide valuable insights applicable to the broader community.

Some examples are, palliative care service delivery e.g. in heart failure and progressive neurological disease, health economic analysis of the Palliative Care Unit relocation, and the impact of visitor restrictions on palliative care inpatients’ wellbeing.

“Congratulations and thank you to everyone for working so hard to improve care at the endof life throughout our community and for exploring how we can meet the needs of a growing and ageing population,” says Dr Alison Giles, Head of Palliative Care.

Information about the Northern Health Palliative Care service, as well as resources for clinicians caring for patients with palliative care needs, is available on the Northern Health intranet.

Main image shows the team at the Palliative Care Ward at Northern Hospital Epping, wearing the orange heart, a symbol of ‘always being there’- values that connect with palliative care. 

Up to four in five people who die could have benefitted from palliative care – or around 300 to 360 people every day in Australia. These numbers are increasing every year as our population ages and health needs become more complex; between 2020 and 2050, demand for palliative care is projected to double. Unfortunately, many people who would benefit from palliative care miss out – especially but not only in rural and regional areas.

National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) 2024, held from Sunday 19 May to Saturday 25 May 2024, is Australia’s largest annual initiative to raise awareness about palliative care, increase understanding of its services, and recognise the skill, dedication and ‘heart’ of the palliative care workforce and volunteers.

“Approximately half of us die in residential aged care facilities, highlighting how important it is that we support our colleagues working in these areas,” says Dr Alison Giles, Head of Palliative Care.

Our multidisciplinary palliative care staff at Northern Health, including the Palliative Care Unit and Palliative Care Consult teams, work together to provide high quality health care and support for people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as their families.

This year the palliative care service is delighted to welcome Dr Lucy Forrest, Music Therapist, to the team. Supported by a grant from the Palliative Care Consortium, Dr Forrest’s work transcends clinical boundaries, weaving melodies into the fabric of care.

Research underscores the profound effects of music on our wellbeing. Physiologically, it can soothe frayed nerves, ease pain, and reduce anxiety. Emotionally, it connects us to memories and provides solace. In the realm of palliative care, music becomes a lifeline — a bridge between the hospital room and the outside world.

Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator says, “When people are in grief, which we often see in palliative care wards, music can offer calmness and serenity more than words can do.”

“I have witnessed the therapeutic benefit of having Lucy’s talent and skill as a music therapist and also her calming presence.”

Dr. Forrest believes that music transforms spaces. Whether a bustling ward or a quiet bedside, her harp strings resonate with healing energy. Familiar tunes evoke memories, offering moments of reflection.

Her presence is a balm for patients and families. Amidst sadness and heartbreak, her therapeutic harmonies bring positivity and peace. For one patient, it’s a personal concert—a gift unexpected, yet deeply moving:

“On a busy evening shift recently, I heard a sound I was drawn to. I was not the only one. There in a corner was Lucy magically making the harp sing! Staff stopped and listened for themselves, however the main thrill was knowing that our patients were listening also.”

“Later that evening, I witnessed Lucy playing for a patient who was laying quietly in her bed. The look on the patient’s face was priceless – her own special concert!” recounts Registered Nurse, Barbara Watson.

It’s not just about calming melodies. “I have had feedback from families who have found Lucy’s music offers them peace, both for themselves, and peace in the knowledge that their loved one who is dying would also find Lucy’s music calming at such a difficult time,” says Reverend Melanie Moore, Anglican and Palliative Care Chaplain.

Dr. Forrest sums it up beautifully: “Music brings beauty, calm, joy, and creativity. Knowing it touches someone’s soul — that’s the heart of my job.”

If you would like to learn more about Palliative Care, you can visit the Palliative Care Australia website. Information about the Northern Health Palliative Care service, as well as resources for clinicians caring for patients with palliative care needs, is available on the Northern Health intranet.

Featured image: Dr. Lucy Forrest, Music Therapist.

Northern Health is excited to launch the CARE with Kindness Campaign 2024.

This campaign is driven by our commitment to enhance respectful patient-centred communication, fundamental hygiene, a clear safe environment and purposeful rounding for our Northern Health community. It builds on a philosophy of improving basic care for all our patients in all areas of Northern Health. Champions in each area are empowered and encouraged to guide staff in enhanced CARE for our patients.

We are improving care for patients by building on four major pillars:

Communication

• We communicate with respect and compassion.
• Each day we ask our patients – “what matters to you today?”
• We acknowledge the vulnerability and inclusivity needs of the patient

Activities of daily living

• We offer assistance with a patient’s daily living activities.
• This includes acts of hygiene, such as assisting patients to wash their bodies, brush their teeth, groom their hair and shave as needed.

Rounding with purpose

• We look at proximity of patient and aids.
• We ensure all equipment used is plugged in and safe.
• We offer personal needs such as hand wash or toileting assistance.
• We ask about pain relief and analgesic and ensure position change of patient to maintain comfort.
• We do this purposefully every hour and document in the EMR.

Environment

• We ensure that the environment is clean, hygienic and clutter free.
• We ensure beds are made and rooms are tidied.
• We ensure the patient can reach personal items.

“At Northern Health, we always endeavour to prioritise open and transparent patient centred communication. Clear communication fosters trust and creates a supportive environment for all and ensures that patients and their families are always informed and involved in decision-making processes,” said Annabel Milonas, Director, Education – Nursing and Midwifery.

“The CARE Campaign will help support and empower staff to build on the exceptional care they already deliver to their patients. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing some positive stories from our patients, highlighting the positive impact of the CARE Campaign at Northern Health.”

Please click here for more information.

Featured image (L-R): Annabel Milonas, Susan Brown, Kate Duggan and Sarah Hulbert Lemmel