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Editor: Fiona Baker, Manager Media and Corporate CommunicationsPhone: 6620 2141Email: [email protected] Northern Exposure is published 8 times a year by the Northern NSW Local Health District. We welcome your contributions, suggestions and feedback.
Despite feeling like we’re stuck in a COVID version of Groundhog Day, it’s incredible how quickly our focus can shift onto the next challenge and our practices can adapt to absorb change.
This year, issues which were never previously on our radar have quickly become part of life, and things we had trouble with are now second nature.
It feels like only yesterday that I was watching videos of science presenter and author, Dr Karl, showing us how to wash our hands properly at the start of the pandemic.
Now we’re all so good at handwashing that we don’t give it a second thought. Even primary school children are experts.
We’re now so used to greeting each other with just words and facial expressions when we meet in person, that we’ve done away with the hopeless elbow tap which briefly existed as an attempt to maintain some sort of normal cordiality.
Standing a good distance behind someone in the checkout line – now standard practice. Politely being interrogated by COVID-safe wardens when you enter a business premises – no big deal.
In the health sphere, things are changing fast, too. Telehealth and virtual meetings are not new ideas, but they’re being embraced with a new vigor, and soon we’ll wonder how we ever did without them.
If only we could apply the same urgency and appetite for change to other issues in society…
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Cover photo - Bushfire emergeny citation recipients Samantha Osborne, Steve Carrigg and Nancy Martin
Back cover - Richmond Valley by Jeremy Billett
SHAKING HANDS IS SO YESTERDAY, FOR NOW
It’s a welcome sight to see the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Victoria reducing significantly after the extended lockdown period.
I am sure that, like me, you know people in Victoria and have heard how challenging the restrictions have been, both personally and professionally over recent months.
I want to specifically acknowledge the incredible efforts of the Victorian health
care workers during these difficult times. To go to work and care for the thousands of people seeking healthcare and then to return home each day and abide by the lockdown restrictions must have been very difficult.
When I look at the information coming out of Europe and the United States as they confront new waves of infection, I realise just how fortunate we have been on the north coast, thanks to a combination of our hard work, excellent health system, and also good fortune.
Whilst we have avoided the waves seen in Victoria and other parts of the world, we need to remain vigilant and continue to physically distance and maintain the other COVID-19 precautions to give us the best chance of being able to enjoy the life we are so lucky to live.
I want to congratulate Katharine Duffy, our District Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Aboriginal Health, on the production
Executive Update
Wayne Jones Chief Executive
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
So said one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century…I’m of course talking about Michael Jordan.
As we come towards the end of the year, and sporting codes wrap up, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the role of “teamwork and intelligence” in our workplace. These qualities have been at the fore as health staff navigate the COVID-19 crisis. And they
will be vital as we begin to redefine health care in a post-COVID world.
NSW Health, including NNSWLHD, adapted quickly to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear that the teamwork and intelligence applied in NSW has been effective, and the envy of the rest of Australia and the world.
COVID-19 has redefined healthcare. And if there is a silver lining, it is the unique opportunity we have to re-think and modernise our health system.
The pandemic has prompted health professionals to take a careful look at the way healthcare is being delivered. We can’t continue to do things we have always done. Healthcare of the future will be very different.
The NNSWLHD Board and Executive have recognised this and recently held a workshop to discuss the learnings from our COVID response and whether we can embed these actions on an ongoing basis.
We all agreed that accelerating new
Brian Pezzutti Board Chair
of the book ‘Our Nursing and Midwifery Stories’. This collection of stories from a broad group of nurses and midwives is absolutely inspiring.
If you have not read a copy, I encourage you to do so. The stories will make you laugh and cry, but above all they reflect why we are proud of our nurses and midwives, they are a remarkable group.
I recently attended an afternoon tea to celebrate the awarding of the Premier’s Bushfire Citations to Samantha Osborne, Steve Carrigg and Nancy Martin. These awards are recognition of the amazing effort all three staff went to in support of their colleagues and communities during the devastating bushfires.
Whilst many of our staff contributed to the response effort in a variety of ways, these three very humble people went the extra mile, and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to acknowledge them for their efforts.
From the Board Chairmodels of care, such as telehealth, will help improve the quality, convenience and efficiency of healthcare for our communities.
Health is complex, and there is no single, easy solution. Among our priorities will be the need to address the backlog of elective surgery and how to deliver quality health outcomes within a defined budget.
Our staff and the community can be assured that the Board, Chief Executive, Executive and our Finance team will apply teamwork and intelligence to the task of getting the resources we need to provide services for our community.
Our response to the pandemic is to be commended, and Australia has achieved much better outcomes than many other countries. However, there is continued uncertainty about the transmission and impact of the virus, and we need to be prepared for many different scenarios going forward.
I’m sure that “teamwork and intelligence” will be a pivotal part of our planning.
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 3
because we are there to serve the public.
“We’re still very much involved in the recovery as it comes up to the first anniversary in some of the affected towns.
Sam Osborne praised the collaboration between various disaster agencies in the region.
“The relationships that are forged with our key partners needs to be acknowledged; with the office of emergency management, Red Cross, the councils, they’ve just been fantastic. It has been a team effort.
“The bushfires were unprecedented and absolutely heartbreaking on so many levels. It has been both humbling and truly a privilege to work with affected communities during the response phase and now in the recovery space. Recovery will look and feel different for each individual, and the RAMHP Co-ordinators will continue to be there, supporting communities and individuals in their journey”.
In recognition of their contributions to their communities during the 2019-20 bushfires, staff from Northern NSW Local Health District have been officially honoured by the NSW government.
Three staff have been given a special Bushfire Emergency Citation from the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, commending them for their work in responding to the devastating ‘black summer’ bushfires.
Rural Adversity in Mental Health Program (RAMHP) coordinators Steve Carrigg and Samantha Obsorne, together with MPS Network Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing Nancy Martin, were honoured among 65,000 volunteers and emergency services personnel who played a significant role in the response effort.
“While there were many staff who were considered for this award, these three people displayed selflessness and commitment to their staff and communities that demanded recognition,” Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Wayne Jones said.
“We recognise that when the bushfires came, as with all disasters that we’ve had, everyone steps up, but some step up even further.
“The mental health work that Steve and Sam have done, and Nancy’s efforts in standing up the MPS response, all while the fires were taking a personal toll as well, was just absolutely amazing.”
At a celebratory afternoon tea, Steve Carrigg noted how fluid the bushfire response was.
“It was quite chaotic at times, very dynamic. We were waking up in the morning and not knowing where we were going to be that day, it just depended on where we were most required,” Steve said.
“We were given a lot of autonomy with the whole bushfire response, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. I wear the badge of a public servant with pride,
Commendations for bushfire responders
Sam Osborne, Steve Carrigg and Nancy Martin receive the NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation, a letter from the Premier of NSW and a Certificate co-signed by the Premier and
Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, and an embroidered Commemorative Cap
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 4
New Disaster Recovery Team appointed
Disaster Recovery Team members from left, Steve Carrigg, Lynne Shailer, Trish Kench, Amanda Forbes and Liz Flack
Now a year on from those tragic events, NNSWLHD is working to ensure our communities have ongoing access to support during tough times such as bushfires or floods.
A new Disaster Recovery Team is now in place, made up of mental-health trained staff who can provide an outreach service to people across all drought and bushfire affected areas of the LHD.
The team includes the two RAMHP coordinators, Steve Carrigg and Sam Osborne, a Rural Community Counsellor Fiona Couch, and Bushfire mental health clinicians Amanda Forbes, Liz Flack, Trish Kench and Lynne Shailer.
“We are now approaching the first anniversary for many communities affected by the bushfires, which can be a stressful time for many,” Steve said.
“Our disaster recovery team are working to provide both assertive outreach and to enhance community capability and connectedness so that in times of adversity the community have a range of strategies to draw on.”
RAMHP, Rural Community Counsellor and the Bushfire Clinicians are attending all of the anniversary and ongoing recovery events and continue to work very closely with the other recovery agencies to provide the best of mental health care to those who require it.
Despite recent rain, the Department of Primary Industries still classifies much of the northern part of the LHD as ‘in drought’ or ‘drought affected’.
On 14 October we celebrated Allied Health Professional Day, acknowledging the great contribution these staff make to patient care.
Allied Health encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Pharmacy and Podiatry to name a few. There are more than 20 professions which come under the Allied Health banner.
Each of these disciplines works as part of a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes and help patients achieve their personal goals.
During COVID-19, our Allied Health Professionals have demonstrated the qualities of innovation, resilience and patient centred care.
They are committed to keeping their patients healthy during the pandemic and responding to the changes in work
practices that came about so quickly, such as telehealth and teleconferencing.
See what our Casino Allied Health colleagues love most about their jobs in this little video!
ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DAY
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=okJurMTVe9A&feature =youtu.be
Grafton Allied health professionals
“The recovery from any natural disaster is a long and tiring process, so we’re here to help people reach the support they need, for as long as they need it.”
For support call Steve on 0477 368 183.
“The La Nina forecast for this summer could potentially bring heavy, welcome rain, but we still need to remain vigilant and prepared for the possibility of flooding,” Steve said.
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 5
Teams from two NSW Health Pathology laboratories in Northern NSW took out top honours at this year’s innaugural NSW Health Pathology awards.
Lismore Core Laboratory - Delivering truly connected care
Delivering truly connected care that is Closing the Gap is an achievement dear to the hearts of five scientific staff from our Lismore Core Laboratory. Congratulations to Karen Kennedy, Steve Alvarez, Trish Law, Lyndall Palmer and Peter Moon for their roles in supporting multidisciplinary diabetes clinics for Aboriginal people in the Richmond Valley.
The Goorie Diabetes Complication Assessment Clinics are for Aboriginal clients aged 15 and over who have Type 2 Diabetes or are at risk of developing it. They comprise a physician, GP, diabetic educator, dietician, ophthalmologist, pharmacist, podiatrist, renal nurse, exercise physiologist, pathology staff and aboriginal health workers.
Pathology staff are part of a mobile ‘lab’ which where patients present to give a urine sample and have their bloods collected for testing on-site and any follow up testing at Lismore. Within 15 to 20 minutes, results are generated and put in a file which patients take with them to the other health workers who provide lifestyle, diet and medication advice.
When the clinics finish, pathology staff join case conferences advising on pathology test options for patients.
The team is building trust with Aboriginal patients and forging connections with the community, clinicians and health workers, as well as making a positive contribution to help close the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes.
Recognising our pioneering spirit - Tweed Heads Laboratory and John Hunter Cytology Laboratory
‘This is bloody brilliant’ are words you don’t hear from radiologists every day. But that’s the verdict on a new digital cytology screening service developed by the Tweed Heads and John Hunter Cytology laboratory teams.
Increased demand for Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) procedures at Tweed Heads led to a need for new ways to support the service. EBUS is a less invasive way to diagnose lung cancer and respiratory disease.
A bronchoscope with a camera and ultrasound that can take on-the-spot biopsies of affected tissue is inserted into patients’ airways.
Radiologists and respiratory clinicians wanted more guidance from cytologists at the time of collection to avoid repeat procedures and to help detect malignancies earlier.
With Skype for Business already being used for haematology review, the team
Northern NSW shines at Pathology awards
added a bedside microscope and camera that could feed live images to Newcastle cytology screener.
After extensive consultation with all parties, new equipment, software, processes and training were introduced and the service went live, to rave reviews. Radiologists are now talking to cytologists during procedures to obtain real-time opinions which in some cases has provided faster diagnoses and treatment for patients with cancer.
Congratulations to Tweed Heads Lab Manager Ruth Rowan and all the team at Tweed!
Top, Tweed Heads lab staff, from left, Ky Hamlin, Wendy Wong, Rosaria Errichiello and Ruth Rowan.
Bottom , Karen Kennedy and Trish Law from the Lismore Core Laboratory
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 6
Building our understanding of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in our region is a key stepping stone to making sure everyone has access to health care.
Across Northern NSW, our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are diverse and spread across a wide area. Unlike some other areas of NSW and Australia, there are no large identifiable groups, and perhaps because of this, there are few services or programs dedicated to serving the CALD community.
But first we need to know a bit more about our CALD communities. Did you know…?
■ 21% of residents in Northern NSW were born overseas
■ 4% of people in Northern NSW speak a language other than English at home
■ 0.4% of people in Northern NSW report they do not speak English well or at all
■ In 2016, the top five growing non-English speaking countries of birth were Brazil, Spain, Vietnam, Korea and India
■ In 2016, the top five growing spoken languages other than English were Hindi, Malayalam, Portuguese, Punjabi and Afriakaans (ABS Census 2016)
■ Among NNSWLHD employees: 5% report being from a racial, ethnic, ethno-religious minority group and 8% speak a language other than English at home.
Are we speaking your language?
In May 2019, the NSW Government released the NSW Plan for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: 2019 – 2023 to ensure people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have equitable access to health care services, and that includes in our LHD.
One way NNSWLHD is providing culturally safe care is through the use of Health Care Interpreters. From 2016 to 2019, the LHD used Interpreters for 45 language groups.
The top five language groups were Japanese, Auslan, Chinese Mandarin, Thai and Chinese Cantonese, which accounted for 73% of Interpreter use. Interpreters were used across NNSWLHD, with 65% in Tweed Byron, 29% in Richmond Valley and 4% in Clarence Valley. Interpreter sessions
were mainly held via telephone (57%) or onsite (42.5%).
Emily Raso is the Northern NSW Local Health District Multicultural Health Project Officer, whose role is to coordinate projects which ensure people from CALD backgrounds can access culturally responsive, safe, high-quality and person-centred health care in our region.
Emily is helping the LHD develop a Multicultural Health Strategy, which will outline future service directions and improvements to better meet the needs of our local CALD communities.
If you are interested in connecting with and serving our local CALD communities, or would like more information about the Health Care Interpreter Service, please contact Emily Raso at [email protected] or (02) 6621 1244.
From left, Hourieh Saberi, Hassan Saberi and Vahideh Hosseini speak Farsi at home
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 7
November marks an exciting milestone for the new Tweed Valley Hospital, with the completion of site preparation works expected later in the month.
Bulk earthworks and piling for the main platforms are now finished ready for the start of construction of the main hospital buildings, with campus wide in-ground services such as communications, water, sewerage and gas now in place.
A series of retaining walls around the ring road network have been completed, with asphalt laid on the roads and the on-grade eastern car park. This provides all weather access to major delivery areas of the site.
Substructure works, which include lift pits and stair core bases, internal building retaining walls, water proofing and back filling works, are well underway and on schedule for completion in November.
The first of the large concrete pours for the lift core bases was completed in mid-
Hospital site readied for construction
August and the first main hospital building internal retaining walls were installed the second week in September.
Bush regeneration weeding was completed earlier this year and ongoing weeding maintenance is taking place until revegetation planting commences next year.
The site preparation works, which commenced July 2019, will be completed on schedule.
The completion of these works marks the transition to main works, which will see the construction and commissioning of the hospital buildings. The hospital is on track to open to patients in 2023.
Tweed Valley Hospital site seen from north western end
Experienced public artists from the Tweed Valley region, or with a connection to the region, are invited to submit an expression of interest for the feature artwork in the main entrance foyer of the new Tweed Valley Hospital.
The artwork should focus on the hospital as a place of healing, reflection and discovery. It should encourage exploration of local themes through visual engagement and storytelling of culturally significant stories, regional landscapes and historical land use.
It is widely acknowledged that Arts in Health programs contribute to a range of positive benefits including reduced length of hospital stays, lower reliance on pain
relief medication and improved emotional wellbeing of patients through creative engagement.
The Primary Artwork opportunity will be located in the Main Foyer of the hospital, and will consist of a permanent sculptural element that would act as a landmark within the hospital building.
All enquiries and submissions should be
sent to [email protected] by COB Friday 13 November 2020. Late submissions will not be accepted.
To find the full artist brief, visit the Tweed Valley Hospital website.
Calling all publicArtists!
https://bit.ly/3oa2HiG
An artist impression of the Hospital main foyer
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 8
People who are at risk of, or who witness, an opioid overdose can now access free Take Home Naloxone from more locations.
The Harm Reduction Services based at all Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) outlets across Northern NSW Local Health District are now distributing the opioid overdose reversal medication, Naloxone.
This Commonwealth pilot program, rolled out locally by NNSWLHD Alcohol and Other Drug Services, aims to reduce the incidence of overdose by providing anyone who may witness an overdose with this lifesaving medication.
18 Opioid Overdose Response and Take Home Naloxone (ORTHN) sites across
NNSWLHD are currently registered to dispense Naloxone by trained, credentialed clinicians including Harm Reduction staff.
They include seven NSP primary sites (Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Nimbin, Lismore, Ballina and Grafton), as well as Lismore Liver Clinic, The Whole Family Team and various Alcohol and Other Drugs services across Northern NSW.
This free medication is available as an intermuscular injecting or as a nasal spray for people who use heroin, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and other opioids, and is also available to their family and friends.
There are also a number of different options to support staff across the health service. For example, if you know a client who may benefit from having this medication, you could:
1. Refer them to your local Harm Reduction Service/NSP,
2. Organise a time for us to come and meet your client at your service and give them the medication, or
3. Have an appropriately trained staff member at your service be credentialed to distribute Naloxone.
Harm Reduction Service staff can meet with you and your team about this trial and discuss opportunities to make this medication easily available to your clients and their community.
For more information, please call 0417 062 265 or contact your local Harm Reduction/Needle Syringe Program.
Harm Reduction Services are funded to reduce the individual and community harms associated with injecting drug use.
Britney McMullen
Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in 6 out of 10 cases, yet patient enrolment into these programs remains a challenge.
The statistics on diabetes are alarming. One in 20 Australians report having diabetes and diabetes is a contributing factor to 1 in 10 deaths in Australia. Randomised control trials have shown that Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) can be prevented or delayed in up to 58% of cases through healthy lifestyle change.
What we’re not so sure about, are the factors that support people with prediabetes to enrol in preventative programs.
Britney McMullen from the Health Promotion team aims to bridge this knowledge gap, and is leading qualitative research into the barriers to uptake of NSW Health’s ‘Get Healthy Coaching Service – Diabetes Prevention’ program.
This research will build local insight into the barriers and enablers of enrolment
into Get Healthy in the Northern Rivers and these insights will be used to shape local enrolment approaches.
Brittney is currently developing a research framework and ethics application as part of the initiation stage of the two year research initiative, and working closely with the NSW Health Get Healthy Coaching Service – Diabetes Stream Lead, who is supportive of the research and eagerly anticipating the results.
“Health Promotion is committed to building local evidence to improve program effectiveness and I am excited to help us better understand how we can lift engagement with Get Healthy for people with prediabetes,” says Britney.
Britney’s research is part of the competitive Rural Research Capacity Building Program (RRCBP), which is one of NSW Health’s key strategies for improving rural research capacity.
RRCBP is a two-year program which is underpinned by a curriculum and a competency-based framework covering major aspects of the research process. The results of this research are expected to be
published in August 2022, contributing to the knowledge base on prevention of diabetes in rural areas.
Britney is the third member of the Health Promotion team to participate in the RRCBP, reflecting Health Promotion’s commitment to the use of applied research for improved program design and delivery.
For more information on ‘Get Healthy Coaching Service - Diabetes Prevention’ visit:
Using local evidence to halt the onset of diabetes
OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION REDUCES HARM
https://www.gethealthynsw.com.au/program/type-2-diabetes-prevention-program/
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 9
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 10
After finishing school at Grafton High, Denis did half a dozen different gigs, from working in the timber mill, to the railways, a baker’s apprenticeship, driving machinery, and then as a wardie at Grafton Base Hospital.
“A fair few of my friends had started nursing in the ‘70s when we finished school, and I wanted to do nursing as well, but I couldn’t see myself settling into a full-time career as a teenager,” Denis says.
But Denis’s life changed forever in 1985, when he was on his way home after visiting a friend.
As Denis was pulling his brand-new motorbike off the Pacific Highway, stationary and ready to turn, a car struck him at 110 kilometers per hour on the straight near Ulmarra.
He lost his right leg below the knee, broke bones in his shoulder, fractured his skull, had major skin tears and fractured three vertebrae, putting him in a wheelchair.
“Even the car that hit me was so damaged it had to be towed away and my motorbike was bent into an ‘s’ shape,” Denis recalls.
“I was in and out of consciousness, but because I worked in the hospital, I knew the ambulance staff and the doctors as they took me into the theatre.
“They couldn’t chopper me to Brisbane because I wouldn’t survive the journey, and they couldn’t transport me to Sydney because I may not have survived that either.
“By the graces of Dr Jim Barnett and Dr Bill Costello I am still here.”
This was not Denis’ first, but his third major accident. He was hit by a drunk driver while cycling in downtown Grafton during the 1972 floods, and in 1977 he was hit head-on by a drunk driver on the wrong side of the road.
“But I think it took the major event to get me going, and it’s funny after so much that has happened to end up doing nursing,” Denis says.
“The doctors said to me I’d never work again, but as a 26-year-old that was like waving a red flag in front of a bull; I wanted to prove them wrong.”
While Denis did prove them all wrong, it wasn’t at all an easy journey.
“It’s hard to know what a disabled person goes through. It’s hard to explain how you go from a happy-go-lucky 26-year-old going up and down the east coast to all the beaches, camping and fishing with all my friends to suddenly being in a wheelchair… with an aerosplint on my right shoulder, not being able to use my dominant hand. I was just frazzled in my mind.
“You go ‘why me?’ and all that sort of business. Not only did I have to learn to use the wheelchair, but I also had to learn to do things with my left hand because I couldn’t really use my right arm either.”
But there was more to learn than maneuvering the chair, in a sense Denis also needed to rejoin society.
“People looked at me like I was an alien. I think people fear people with
disabilities and still don’t know how to approach them or talk to them, or whether they should say anything.
“Unless the stigma can change, nothing will really change.”
“Accessibility has dramatically changed, like having access to the NDIS, it’s really improved people’s lives I think, but how people view disabilities hasn’t really changed.”
After the accident, Denis needed a change of scenery, so still in his wheelchair he packed his bags and headed south to start nursing at the University of Technology Sydney.
“When we took our practical exams at Royal North Shore Hospital there were 20 stations to complete, so when I turned up, by then on crutches without a leg, everyone looked at me thinking ‘how is he going to do this?’”
“I just thought ‘watch me’ – and by then I was so used to being on crutches the exam was a breeze. It was probably a sight for them to see.”
Denis has worked in nursing ever since, mostly in renal services. He has worked in all of Sydney’s major hospitals as well as in rural and remote locations across the country, except in Western Australia and Tasmania.
During a stint in Wagga, Denis met his partner and they now live together in Grafton with their three boys.
In this edition of Northern Exposure, we catch up with Grafton Nurse, Denis Michael Collins who tells of how a near-fatal accident and permanent disability led him to a career in nursing.
Denis Michael Collins
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 11
Launching Our Nursing and Midwifery StoriesIt’s with great pleasure that we can finally hold copies of the book Our Nursing and Midwifery Stories in our hands!
The book was launched recently at several locations around the District, and Director Nursing, Midwifery and Aboriginal Health, Katharine Duffy, reflected on the journey of developing it from an idea into reality.
“It began as a conversation with the Directors of Nursing on how to create opportunities for nurses and midwives to reflect on why they became a nurse or midwife, and the great things about being a nurse or midwife,” Katharine said.
“Nurses and midwives work in a very busy, ever changing and often chaotic environment and it is important to encourage those conversations with each other around the great things we experience as nurses and midwives and the people we come into contact with, be they patients and members of the community, or other staff.
“All nurses and midwives, whether working in front line positions or as an administrator,
manager, leader or other role, need to remember the extraordinary difference that we make to our patients and to the community.”
Our Nursing and Midwifery Stories is filled with personal accounts from individual nurses and midwives who currently work in Northern NSW Local Health District, or who have previously worked in our services.
The stories are written in their own words, and highlights include stories from Chief Executive Wayne Jones, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Aboriginal Health, Katharine Duffy as well as stories
caption caption
The Nursing and Midwifery Service launched a new award program to recognise dedicated nursing and midwifery staff across the District.
The STELLAR Awards encourages staff and members of the public to nominate a staff member or team who has provided exceptional care.
Katharine Duffy, Director Nursing, Midwifery and Aboriginal Health said the awards
were a special way to honour staff for their incredible contributions to their profession.
“The awards are a monthly recognition program which recognises individuals or teams of registered and enrolled nurses, registered midwives or assistants in nursing/midwifery who have made an outstanding contribution to the health service and the care of the local community,” Ms Duffy said.
Nominations will be reviewed each month and the winner chosen on merit. They’ll receive a badge and certificate, and also go into the running for the annual STELLAR award.
Patients and visitors can nominate staff using paper nomination forms available in each health service, or online at:
Who are our Stellar nurses and midwives?
Stellar Award Badge
From left, Clinical Nurse Specialist Chronic Care Emma Young, Enrolled Nurse Mary Hutchins and
Registered Nurse Louise Thurston
https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/our-nursing-midwifery-services-ournams/nnswlhd-nursing-and-midwifery-service-stellar-awards/
from nursing and midwifery clinicians with differing levels of experience and who have worked in a range of specialty areas. One of the book’s contributors has just turned 105! At the recent Ballina book launch Katharine personally acknowledged the book’s contributors.
“I’d like to thank you all for having the courage to put your thoughts down on paper, because it’s not an easy thing to do. I’m absolutely delighted with it.”
Copies of the book will be available for purchase shortly. More details will be provided soon.
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 12
https://manc.communityhealthpathways.org/
The Psoriasis HealthPathway has recently been reviewed by the Mid and North Coast HealthPathways team.
Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form and is colloquially known just as Psoriasis (“vulgaris” means common). Over 1.6 million Australians live with this condition.
The updated page includes a background section to describe the epidemiology and natural history of the disease and outlines the management goals for the patient.
The assessment section describes important factors to elicit from the patient’s history, including psychological impact, associated Psoriatic arthritis, examination findings, and differential diagnoses. It also describes clinical subtypes of Psoriasis, and investigations to consider.
The management section provides information for indicators for urgent referral to dermatology, patient education of diagnosis, management of triggers, skin care and pharmacological options.
The referral section provides information for local specialists to refer to within our region.
For a list of all localised pathways see:Mid and North Coast Health Pathways
■ Username: manchealth
■ Password: conn3ct3d
For further information contact [email protected] in Northern NSW
Psoriasis HealthPathway review
Did you know, there are over 330 nurses who work mainly in Emergency in our Health District?
Wednesday 14 October was World Emergency Nurses Day, a chance to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work done by nurses working in this specialty.
Several hospitals in the LHD support nursing specialty development programs in Emergency to assist in developing the skills of nurses new to Emergency. Additional Nurse Practitioner, Emergency positions have been supported and are in
the process of being fil led in Lismore Base Hospital, Casino and District Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital Emergency Departments.
Like other areas of the health service, COVID-19 has brought some additional challenges to our Emergency Nurses; new ways of working, screening patients, adapting and learning new skills.
This group of outstanding clinicians have met these challenges head on and excelled in delivering exceptional care during really challenging times.
Well done to our Emergency Nurses!
EMERGENCY NURSES DAY
Emergency Nurse Nicole Lee with Super Nurse Barbie cake
Don’t forget to set your alarm clocks, iCal reminders, phone calendars, Outlook reminders, Alexa alarms, or write it in your diary!
The 2020 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards will be live streamed on 26 November at 2.00pm via the NSW Health website and facebook page.
Stay tuned for information about any events which might be happening near you to watch the event with colleagues and friends.
There are two nominations from our LHD – Anna Law is nominated for Nurse of the Year, and Tweed Medical Ward 2 are nominated for Team of the Year.
Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2020
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 13
Worremi man, Daniel Ashton, is combining his interest in Aboriginal health and larger-scale population change in a targeted traineeship.
With a background in teaching and Aboriginal cultural advocacy, Daniel Ashton is finding his new role as the LHD’s Aboriginal Public Health Trainee to be the perfect environment to create positive change in Aboriginal health on a large scale.
This three-year role will see Daniel work in Health Promotion, Aboriginal Health and Public Health, all while completing a Masters of Public Health through the University of Newcastle.
To say he’s got a full plate would be an understatement.
“At the moment I’m working on the Get Healthy Program, the Physical Activity Learning Study (PALS) research project and RRISK (Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge) program which teaches high school students about partying safely and reducing their risky behaviour,” Daniel said.
The traineeship is a NSW Health initiative through the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, which provides Daniel with training in statistics and epidemiology. Before coming to this role, Daniel was working with Health Promotion as part of the Healthy Eating Active Living team.
“I facilitated the teacher training for the Traditional Indigenous Games in 2019, where we had 12 sessions and 423 teachers go through the training,” Daniel said.
“After seeing the impact that had, with the amount of physical activity in kids and everyone really embracing the cultural awareness, I thought I would like to be more involved in really making a change on a larger level’.
In his earlier career, Daniel taught in Charleville, in Western Queensland, for several years, and also became the Regional Sports Coordinator for the area. He moved back to the coast when his two children came along.
“My mum’s family is originally from Worremi near Foster, but I have been privileged to grow up on Bundjalung country in Pottsville,” Daniel says.
“I played soccer, footy and surfing as a young fella, and I love playing tennis as well. The irony is that now I’m so busy I don’t get to go out and play sport as much! I play indoor soccer and surf when I can, and ride my pushbike, too.”
You might also recognise Daniel as a friendly face in the Emergency Department. He spent three months seconded to a Patient Experience Officer role during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.
“It was a great way to meet everybody and get an appreciation for what the nursing
Daniel Ashton – Aboriginal Public Health Trainee
and medical staff do clinically.
With the annual RRISK seminars coming up later in November, Daniel is excited about taking them to a new format, a webinar which will include interactive neuroscience research tasks for the first time.
“As well as the usual keynote speakers on safe driving and drug use, Health Promotion will be presenting a session on distraction, where we hope to test the ability for teenagers to multi-task and how task switching relates to reaction time.”
It’s all part of the learning for Daniel’s bigger picture.
“I’m hoping all these skills I’m developing can be put to good use in advocating for Aboriginal people throughout the District. We have a lot of ideas that I can see potential for.”
You can reach Daniel at the Bugalwena Aboriginal Health Service, The Tweed Hospital on (07) 5506 7778 or [email protected].
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 14
For more information about Mental Health Carer please contact Craig O’Malley, Powerchart Application Specialist (Community Health) at [email protected].
In preparation for the move to the new Tweed Valley Hospital, The Tweed Hospital will run a batch scanning process within the Medical Records Department.
The scanning approach means that once the patient file is sent to the Medical Records Department after discharge, paper records generated during the most recent encounter will be scanned into the electronic medical record for viewing.
Initially, recent records will be scanned and then as the scanning teams get faster they will commence scanning the whole historical patient record for patients who present to The Tweed Hospital.
The Scanning Project Team have identified over 400 paper forms in use at Tweed. There is now a process underway to rationalise these forms with the goal of moving to a standard LHD or NSW-wide form, or using on screen eMR forms.
The scanning go live is planned for early 2021, so stay tuned for communication and training as the go live date gets closer.
More than half of people find it difficult to use typically designed online services, but help is at hand.
Considering health literacy in our communication with patients, the community and each other has never been more important in our digitally-focussed world.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has allowed people to connect with those we love and the services we need during the COVID-19 crisis, but reliance on technology can further disadvantage already at-risk groups. At-risk groups can face inequity in accessing and using technology.
Digital health, or eHealth, includes using health-related websites, mobile apps, wearable devices, telehealth and electronic medical records. eHealth literacy combines many skills. It includes reading and maths skills, computer and science literacy, and being able to critically evaluate information.
How can we help people who may have a low level of eHealth literacy?
■ Refer them to programs that aim to improve their skills e.g. be connected
■ Offer alternative formats to share information or advice if face-to-face or telehealth is not an option. e.g. mail, call home phones, be flexible in scheduling so that clients can get help from a family member to use the technology
■ Make the time to demonstrate the use of the technology and use teach-back to confirm they can use it
■ Help people navigate websites such as My Aged Care if needed
■ When designing digital services use inclusive design principles like plain language, large font and easy to follow instructions
■ Co-design digital interventions with the audience they are for
Tweed Hospital scanning project
Ensuring equity in eHealth
Digital Dose:
A Mental Health Designated Carer is: a person nominated by a mental health consumer to receive information about their care.
A Principal Care Provider is: a person nominated by the treating team, and is primarily responsible for providing support or care to the mental health consumer.
For more information about Person Responsible please contact Julie Hulm, PAS Application Specialist at: [email protected].
There are new ways to record who cares for a patient in the PAS and eMR. The new fields are called “Person Responsible” and “Mental Health Carer” (MH Carer), in line with the NSW Health requirements.
This information is captured in the admission/registration screens and displays in the Contact Details page within eMR. These changes will be visible from Monday 26th October 2020.
A Person Responsible is defined as: someone who is legally able to consent to medical or dental treatments on behalf of a person who lacks the capacity to give their consent.
1. Carer & Person Responsible:https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/4c5598b5-86c7-44b5- b9e6-7571f7e75ead
CHANGES TO HOW WE RECORD WHO CARES FOR A PATIENT
https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/
2. MH Designated Carer: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/eb47443f-5c9d-4f04-b4d4-31533d0eddf5
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 15
The Tweed Hospital MANNED UP during the month of September by raising funds to support research and awareness around Prostate Cancer.
Over the last 12 months, Prostate Cancer Support Nurse, Phil Jones, has been developing a men’s health and prostate cancer service in the Tweed Byron region.
“It’s really important for staff at our facilities to be aware of their own health needs and reinforce the need for all men to become aware of their ‘man gland’,” Phil said.
“To help raise awareness, this year we provided opportunities for clinical and non-clinical staff to discuss risk factors, what to look out for and current treatments available for prostate cancer.”
The Tweed Hospital Emergency Department took ‘Manning Up’ to the next level by donning blue bow ties and attending a fundraising afternoon tea in aid of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Local businesses including Big W and Repco supported the fundraising by donating products for a raffle, which was won by medical oncology nurse Emma Ryding. All up, the team raised $1,570.
“Northern NSW Local Health District has one of the highest incidence of prostate cancer in NSW, so it’s great to be able to provide this crucial support to men in our community, both through raising awareness, and through our work on the ground,” Phil said.
Making a difference in men’s health
Here’s what a recent patient, Kev, had to say:
“Prior to my operation I was contacted by the clinical nurse specialist (Phil). He gave me a run down on what was going to happen and possible effects to my body that the operation may have. After the operation, Phil was in support from day one and was as frequent a visitor as my family, which was a lot.
“Thanks to this support I’m sure it made the trauma of this procedure a lot easier. I consider myself to have a good attitude, but knowing Phil had a lot of knowledge as to what I was going through certainly helped.”
From left, Tweed Hospital ED staff, Nathan Attwood, Andy Murray, Joe Norton, Toby Lyndham
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 16
Let’s Get Physical striding ahead
From a light bulb moment pitched to the Big Ideas in February 2019, Let’s Get Physical has grown to a complete package delivered by a passionate team across Northern NSW mental health services.
The Let’s Get Physical package includes:
■ Let’s Get Physical practical toolkit to guide clinicians in screening and intervening in Metabolic Syndrome
■ Get Healthy and Feel Better patient flyer and patient wallet card
■ Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health poster displayed in mental health service gyms and waiting rooms
■ Two Let’s Get Physical education videos for staff
■ Metabolic Monitoring Clinical Procedure, including easy to follow process flowchart
■ Standardised and formal Metabolic Monitoring audit and audit schedule
■ Let’s Get Physical Special Interest Group of 17 multidisciplinary staff and people with lived experience
■ Quarterly Let’s Get Physical reporting on physical health activities and improvements in Northern NSW mental health services.
The Let’s Get Physical team has grown to include 51 multidisciplinary staff and people with lived experience, plus many more who continue to support the project across the District.
Our patients are singing its praises:
“It’s great you’re looking after our physical health” Tallowwood Inpatient Unit
“Exercise doesn’t feel like a chore” Kurrajong Inpatient comment after Exercise Physiologist showed easy at home exercises and made them more fun with music.
“I’ve noticed myself paying attention to what I eat now” Tallowwood Inpatient Unit
The Let’s Get Physical project has been implemented in 7 out of 8 Northern NSW adult mental health services.
Each service has an enthusiastic team
of ‘champions’ and plans in place to continue towards our goal of 80% of patients screened for Metabolic Syndrome, offered and provided with appropriate interventions and this information shared with GPs on discharge summaries.
Northern NSW Mental Health Services and the Let’s Get Physical team are supporting people as they find solutions towards living well.
Linking physical and mental health… it makes sense!
NEW INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY PRACTICE NETWORK
The Intellectual Disability Practice network will bring together NNSWLHD staff to discuss how we deliver and improve health services for people with intellectual disability in our community. Expressions of interest are now open for people to join the network.
The Intellectual Disability Practice network will:
1. Provide education, practice tools and resources
2. Identify local challenges and look for solutions and opportunities for improvement
3. Build the skills and confidence of staff when working with people with intellectual disability
4. Provide feedback on progress to the Disability Inclusion Action Plan Implementation Committee.
The Intellectual Disability Practice network will meet three times a year, and participants can choose to attend either a morning or late afternoon session.
Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 November. Come to either the 10.30am or 4.30pm session.
Please contact Michelle Gray at [email protected] for more information or to express your interest.
stock image
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 17
Murwillumbah District Hospital is putting safety and quality in the spotlight thanks to a suite of new displays across the site.
In May this year, National Standards boards were introduced facility-wide at Murwillumbah District Hospital, providing a dedicated space to showcase how departments are meeting the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
“Whilst for areas like the Emergency Department, the concept is not new, the boards have given a fresh new look to better showcase the achievements of all our units,” Michelle Havell, Deputy Director of Nursing, said.
“Staff are excited to have a tool that demonstrates the safe and quality care that they deliver.”
National Standards boards are displayed in areas where patients and families, as well as staff, can read them.
Jennifer Richter, Nurse Unit Manager Medical Ward, said because the boards
are big and bright, they capture the attention of everyone.
“It is important for our patients and families to not only be involved, but for us to be transparent in the care and outcomes that we deliver, and these boards give us an opportunity to do that.”
In the most recent independent report on patient experience of healthcare in NSW released by the Bureau of Health Information, Murwillumbah District Hospital recorded the highest result in NSW for respondents who would speak highly of their experience to family and friends (92%).
Eye checks for children at the age of four years are essential for the early identification and treatment of eye and vision problems, and reduce the likelihood of permanent vision loss.
Anyone who has missed out on the free eyesight screening available from StEPS through preschools and long day-care centres can book a catch up clinic at a Community Health Centre.
Murwillumbah ED Registered Nurses Rebecca Affleck and Cathy Roff with the National Standards Board
Safety and quality on show in Murwillumbah
Clinic dates:■ Friday 13 November
Coraki Campbell HealthOne
■ Friday 13 November Grafton Community Health Centre
■ Friday 13 November Pottsville HealthOne
■ Tuesday 17 November Kingscliff Community Health Centre
■ Thursday 19 November Banora Point Community Centre
■ Friday 20 November Casino Child and Family Health
■ Friday 20 November Kyogle Community Health Centre
Catch-up clinics in sight
Four year old, Zac Lennon
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 18
A new focus on reducing employment barriers for people with disability has helped domestic services team member, Cate Heysen become a valued part of Byron Central Hospital.
Having lived with a disability for many years, Cate was finding it tough to secure full time employment. That is until Byron Central Hospital partnered with Disability Employment Service (DES) providers OCTEC and Epic, to find a suitable candidate for a domestic service vacancy.
“I had been out of work with injuries for a couple of years,” Cate said. She signed up with a DES provider to help her to find a job.
Cate was assessed to be a perfect match for the BCH vacancy. The DES provider helped with preparing for interview and BCH took a flexible approach to provide Cate with the best opportunity to represent herself.
Cate has been working at the Hospital since May and is a valued member of her team.
“I really love it here, it’s hard work being on your feet for 10 hours, but I am well supported and it is rewarding,” Kate said.
“It’s changed my life. Every fortnight I get a paycheck and it gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It’s so helpful knowing that I’m actually saving money and I can go out for lunch, or dinner, I can buy presents for people.”
“I’m saving up so I can hopefully go on a holiday in the future.”
Cate and the BCH team - a perfect match
caption caption
From left, Byron Central Hospital EO/DON Kylie Wilmen, Cate Heysen and Lee-Anne Collins
BCH Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing, Kylie Wilmen, said the recruitment experience and the outcome had been fantastic for the hospital.
“We’ve embraced the LHD’s new strategy to increase diversity in the workforce, which benefits those individuals looking for work, and also boosts our organisation,” Kylie said.
“A diverse workforce is more representative of the community it serves, and because of this, it will help us provide higher quality services through greater shared understanding.”
Super nurse Barbie cake
FAREWELL STEPHEN MARTIN After a distinguished career at Grafton Base Hospital Stephen Martin, Maintenance Engineer, is retiring following a period of Long Service Leave.
Stephen started with GBH as a fitter in 1981. He acted as the Maintenance Supervisor from 1996, until he was permanently appointed to that position in 2000.
He has been the Engineer since 2015. Stephen takes with him a wealth of corporate and technical knowledge and a
tremendous understanding of the plant and equipment at GBH.
Stephen plans to enjoy his time in retirement with his family, and numerous hobbies and interests. All the best, Stephen!
ISSUE 7 - 2020NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 19
