Message from the Chief Executive

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

Welcome to the last edition of the Far West In Focus for 2017. It has been an exciting month with the announcement of the new HealthOne

development for Buronga/Dareton and the refurbishment under the same program of work for Tibooburra Health Service. The local health district is in the first stages of setting up a steering committee to oversee both projects. Within Broken Hill, the Crystal Street development is progressing to plan and meeting its milestones towards completion in the second half of 2018. The NSW Government has also just announced the LHD will receive one of nine new specialist palliative care positions under $3 million funding to improve the care and choices for patients across NSW.

Over the last three weeks I have had the pleasure of visiting

each site to speak to our staff and present the results of this year’s People Matter Staff Survey. This presented a good opportunity to hear your views and suggestions to improve our workplace. I look forward to making the staff forums a regular event at each site through the coming year.

There are two dates that are coming up that you may like to attend, on the 12

th

December between 0730 and 0900 the Executive are cooking a Christmas Breakfast in the grounds of Kincumber House for all staff. This is following the unfortunate cancellation of the Christmas Barbecue due to rain on the day. Surely we won’t be rained out twice in three weeks? The other event is the Far West Local Health District’s Annual Public Forum, to be held at 1600 on the 18

th December in the

Boardroom at Kincumber House where we can look at the year in review and engage with our Health Councils and community members.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the local health district

for the care and compassion that you have given to the members of our communities who have had the need to access our services over the last year. On a personal note, I thank you for the very warm welcome I have received from the many staff I have had the pleasure of meeting. I hope that you have a happy and safe festive season with your family and friends and that you make the time to reflect on the past year and the difference that you have made through your work with the Far West Local Health District.

— Stephen Rodwell, Chief Executive

Mr Stephen Rodwell

PAGE 2

The successful move2music program at Dareton Primary Health recently celebrated a very special Christmas session with approximately 20 children from the Mildura South Kindergarten coming along to join in the program which was attended by approximately 60 people.

Staff from Dareton Primary Health have a strong passion for connecting older and younger generations and believe the interactions have a lot of therapeutic benefits for all involved. The older people were very surprised when the children arrived and there were lots of smiles around the room (some staff may have had tears in their eyes). The children had been practising dancing and singing and spent the afternoon integrating with people and walking around the tables to speak with people. Having the children attend most certainly brightened the day and added a special little sparkle to the eye of everyone who attended. The young children and those young at heart enjoyed a visit from Santa who handed out lollies.

Move2music has been running for four years and is a hugely popular therapeutic program that benefits socially isolated people, older people, and people with a disability, however all members of the community are most welcome to attend. People come from as far as Balranald and even Broken Hill to attend, which is very much appreciated by the Dareton Primary Health facilitators. People from most

residential facilities attend and are regular attendees. Approximately 80 people attend each session.

Move2music has four sessions planned for 2018 and could not be run without the ongoing support of the Coomealla Club who provide financial assistance and other health service providers.

People from Balranald enjoying move2music who travel over two

hours to attend and come along to every session. That’s dedication!

Children from Mildura South Kindergarten were a very special surprise for the

older people. They all integrated and interacted beautifully with everyone.

Jim from Regis

Mildura enjoying

the children’s visit,

with community

helper Frances

Brown and Nurse

Lee Clarke.

Everyone having a great time doing the Hokey Pokey. This

was a fantastic time for the children and older people to dance

together. Many smiles and laughs around the room.

Jade from Balranald is a regular at

move2music. He most certainly brings

joy to everyone who attends.

Children bring special cheers to Move2music!

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 3

The newest group of JMOs have come on board and recently completed their orientation and induction to their new working environment, the LHD and the Far

West. They are Dr Tom Wang – Medical RMO, Dr Alina Mahmood – Emergency RMO, Dr Amita Sen – Surgical RMO and Dr Sarah Syed – Paediatrics RMO.

New JMOs New JMOs New JMOs

Our next generation of leaders The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) started The Next

Generation of Leaders and Managers within NSW Health Program earlier this year. The program is designed to facilitate the development of future managers with exceptional leadership and management capability.

Two staff members from Far West LHD were selected to participate in this program. Following a selection process competing with applicants from across the state in April, Umer Qureshi and Emma Clynch (pictured) demonstrated their leadership and management competencies and were invited to join the two-year pilot program.

The Program will facilitate their development to foster cultures of excellence, innovation and collaboration through completion of a Diploma of Leadership and Management, placements across NSW Health and workplace coaching and feedback.

Umer and Emma have nearly completed their first three modules and are ready to embed the operational and strategic application of the acquired knowledge and skills into practice through work placements. Emma has been selected for the HealthRoster Project Lead role as her first placement as part

of the course. Umer is researching for potential opportunities within or outside

the LHD.

Abstracts for the Rich Forum — Rural Innovations Changing Healthcare — to be held on 20 March 2018 will open on 1 December and close on 5 February 2018.

The statewide forum is ‘virtual’ in design, linking 20 satellite hubs via a blend of videoconferencing, live webstreaming and social media for a day showcasing innovative strategies which improve the quality of life and homelike environment for residents who live in residential aged care facilities.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 4

Neville Onley (right) Director ABM, presenting to members of the

Executive and Data representatives across Far West LHD. (from

left) Diana Ferry, Ken Barnett and Data Co-Ordinator, Rebecca

Polak.

ABF Taskforce education and training Members of the NSW Health ABF (Activity Based Funding) Taskforce travelled to Broken Hill in November to provide education and training to the staff on their role in Activity Based Management and face-to-face training in the ABM Portal. Taskforce members: Mr Neville Onley - Director, ABM, Susan Dunn – Manager, Stakeholder Engagement and Clinical Variation, Vanessa Gartrell – Senior Engagement Manager, Activity Based Management, Renee Droguett – Manager, Clinical Cost Data Collection & Standards, Joshua Tatham (Clinical Coat Data Collection & Standards)

and Kylie Hawkins (Clinical Coat Data Collection & Standards). Over the two

days sessions were also held on the SNAP (SYNAPTIX) Data Collection and discussions on the recently submitted District Network Return (DNR) for 2016/17. This data will be available on the ABM Portal by the end of December.

Training will be provided in the ABM Portal at this time. Activity Based Management session presented by Susan Dunn

Tony Hutton (ABM Portal) and Joshua Tatham

(Clinical Cost data Collection & Standards)

demonstrating the ABM Portal to Marissa Zaknich

and Zandra Corey.

Fundraiser The fundraising team

of volunteers, Margaret Tonkin, Eileen Crowhurst and Catherine Hyde are again in the BH Hospital Foyer selling tickets for the Christmas raffle for Maternity Unit. For your chance to take home one of two wonderful Christmas Hampers you just have to purchase a $2 ticket. Good luck everyone.

Margaret Tonkin and Catherine Hyde with the fabulous hampers.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 5

Staying sane

over the holidays Ah Christmas Season, the friends, the family, the food,

the Fluffy Ducks! As we dip our toes into our yearly bout of excess this holiday season here are a few tips, so that when the tinsel comes down and the fairy lights start knotting themselves into clumps ready for next year, you will not be left with holiday remorse.

Don’t blow your budget: Yes Christmas is the season for giving, but sadly it is also the season of debt and the added stress that brings. Remember the thought really does count, a well thought out and personal gift can mean more than just a pile of stuff, and your third cousin twice removed who you see once every decade could probably get by with just a card this year. Try really hard to give your credit card some breathing room; you will thank yourself come January.

Take a little time: The holiday season is pretty hectic, friends, family, parties and preparations. They all take up their own chunk of time. As exciting as it is being able to celebrate with the important people in your life there comes a time when you just can’t face another get-together. There is no shame in calling your prospective host and explaining you are all partied out but would love to catch up with them when things have settled down a bit. On the day itself, whether you have a houseful or just a few guests take a few minutes for yourself, be it a nap after lunch or taking the dog for a stroll, just enjoy the silence.

The key word – Moderation: Now we all know that the most attractive feature of the holidays is the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry. While a glass of red when you are putting together a Barbie Ferrari in the early hours of Xmas day is fine, the urge to open a second bottle should probably be quashed or that Ferrari will be coming off the production line with major problems. Similarly with the delicacies of the season, to sample a bit of everything is always fun but to keep going until you find yourself with the shape and motivation of a sandbag should probably be avoided. Just remember moderation!

Fortunately we can escape this Bacchanal by heading back to work. With everything that went on between mid-November and the dying days of January, if you make it back to work and your clothes still fit, you haven’t shamed yourself at anyone’s work function or found yourself in debtor’s prison. You did OK. Happy Holidays!

Dareton Primary Health have recently hosted a final year social worker student Brittney Carter, on a long stay placement. Her project was an amazing collaboration with a local Elder to put his memories and artwork on paper and the result was a beautiful book, ‘Memories of an Aboriginal Stockman’.

‘Memories of an Aboriginal Stockman’ began with Billy approaching Dareton Primary Health asking for someone to help him with his dream of recording his memories and experiences, to pass down to generations to come.

The book is something that Billy and Brittney are very proud of and they hope that anyone who picks it up – whether it is someone reading one of the publicly displayed copies today, tomorrow, next year, or 10 years down the track or one of Billy’s relatives generations down the track – can pick up the book and find enjoyment in reading this tale of Walter ‘Billy’ Knight.

The book was unveiled and presented to Billy at a morning tea at Dareton Health centre at the end of Brittney’s placement in November. Copies were also presented to a representative of BMEET (where Billy helps teach art and culture to indigenous children), to the HSM and to Primary Health Nurse Carrie Barlow,

who introduced Billy to Brittney.

‘Memories of an Aboriginal Stockman’

Walter “Billy” Knight and social work student Brittney Carter

HSM Patricia Algate, Walter “Billy” Knight, Brittney Carter and Carrie Barlow.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 6

It was Bandana Day this month

and the Emergency Department staff at BH Hospital

joined in to support the fundraiser. All staff on the

morning shift wore their bandana for their entire shift.

For the past two years ICU at BH Hospital have been working with the Agency for Clinical Innovation on upgrading our ICU from level 3 to level 4.

The support of the ACI has been critical (and outstanding). This project is beginning to bear fruit. St George Hospital is close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding, stating they will be offering Broken Hill Health Service their support in clinical care where needed, education and advice. In December, two of our nurses will travel to St George Hospital to attend a course, in the new year we are going to send our (junior) nurses for extended exchanges in order to gain experience with mechanical ventilation and other cares that don’t happen frequently in Broken Hill Health Service.

Once we are fully upgraded to level 4, we expect occupancy rates in ICU to increase by about 20% as we will be keeping more complex cases here. For Broken Hill and its population this will have major advantages as our patients will less frequently be sent to Adelaide and their families won’t have to travel as often. Another positive to come out of the upgrade is we expect increased staff satisfaction and therefore retention.

As part of the level 4 upgrade we received some shiny new toys, a beautiful Maquet mechanical ventilator and 3 F+P Airvo High Flow Nasal Oxygen concentrators, which we have been playing with quite successfully.

All in all, while the process of upgrading to level 4 has not always been easy, (it has basically been an extra accreditation and required quite a bit of self-reflection) the ICU team are very happy with the outcome and will ensure continued excellent care of our patients and their families!

ICU on march to level 4

It was International Pathology Day this month and

Pathology Assistant Sarah Burgess is pictured at

the colourful display in the BH Hospital held to

mark the occasion.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

Update in Pictures

PAGE 7

This will be the side of the

building facing Crystal Lane

This will be the Crystal St entry for the

upstairs office area

Some of the Hutchies crew at the

Toowoomba site

The structure is well underway in

Toowoomba. The modules should

start appearing at the Crystal St

site by February 2018 where they

will be built and fitted out.

This will be the side of the building facing the internal courtyards

PAGE 8

December 2017

Project in Pictures

Current ICT hub

for Broken Hill

Health Service is

in Kincumber

House

ICT hub for Broken

Hill Health Service

will move into

Elleoura Lodge before

Kincumber House is

demolished in late

2018.

Trenching work

has commenced on

the Broken Hill

health Service

campus. The

trench will be used

for cables that will

reconnect campus

services to ICT

infrastructure.

The trenching

work will be done

in 7 stages over the

next few months.

PAGE 9

Quality Board: Caring for Cognitive Impairment Campaign People with cognitive impairment have problems with memory, communication and/or thinking

that can be temporary or long term. Common causes of cognitive impairment for older patients in hospital are dementia and/or delirium.

Patients with dementia and/or delirium are at increased risk of preventable complications and adverse events, such as falls and pressure injuries, and require additional care to prevent harm. However, cognitive impairment is often not identified and/or the risks of harm are often under- recognised or dismissed.

At the end of 2018, Cognitive Impairment will be incorporated into Version 2 - National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (Accreditation). To assist hospitals and staff to recognise cognitive impairment the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) have developed some resources. One resource, Caring for Cognitive Impairment Campaign is about improving our knowledge and care practices, providing better outcomes for patients, hospitals, staff and loved ones and reducing the risk of harm in hospitals.

The campaign is a call for action to unite everyone who cares for people with cognitive impairment. The most important first step for everyone is to learn about delirium, dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment.

All staff can commit to the Caring for Cognitive Impairment Campaign on the following website - www.safetyandquality.gov.au/abetterwaytocare. Everyone will have access to resources, webinars and regular newsletters to improve their knowledge and confidence when caring for patients with cognitive impairment.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

Our newest employees took part in the mandatory Corporate Induction Day this month. The induction day was a great day and all the presenters and attendees enjoyed the program. HR received a lot of positive feedback from the attendees.

Those attending were (left to right) — Front: Amanda Clark, Elizabeth Perrie, Nicole Pittaway, Polly Barendrecht, Regan Chesterfield and Jessica Thomas. Back: Raelene Campbell, Whitney Smith, Bauntai Farquharson, Christopher Heffernan, Rajendra Chinmayananthan, Alain Louvel and Coralie Hall.

The Chronic and Complex Care (CCC) team have been a busy bunch this past month with a number of activities promoting health, chronic disease awareness and prevention, including an audit relating to diabetes.

World COPD day (November 15, 2017) was promoted in the foyer of the Broken Hill Health Service with community interest in knowing all about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). They even got in on the fun of blowing into a spirometry machine with coaching from one of our Exercise Physiology students. This checks breathing and blood sugar. Blood sugar tests were also conducted as part of World Diabetes Day along with education on how to manage high and low blood sugar level.

PAGE 10

Georgina Drewery NM for CCC and Annette Walker NP, were invited to present the activities of the district in Leading Better Value Care together with other NSW hospitals/LHDs at the ACI chronic care forum in Sydney.

The Chronic Care network supports members to collaborate and share their work in chronic care throughout the year. The forum was an interactive day of discussion between teams and partners working together to improve the lives of people living with chronic conditions.

The Chief Executive, Steve Rodwell, welcomed presenters from the ACI, CEC and the Ministry of Health on Leading Better Value Care forum on 21 November at the UDRH.

Attendees were made aware of the initiatives the state is driving for better patient care, including client satisfaction.

Other activities that have taken place are chronic care education and high level foot care, through Benchmarque with staff around the district including Broken Hill participating in these education sessions to improve patient care and collaboration.

Busy time for Chronic Complex Care team

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

New addition to Chronic and Complex Care

Far West LHD would like to welcome Amanda Clark to her new role as Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2 (CNS2).

Amanda has been a registered nurse for 26yrs and a midwife for 23yrs. Amanda has worked in a variety of hospitals and community facilities in both urban and rural settings and in public and private health systems, mainly as a midwife but also worked as Telephone Triage Nurse for a few years.

Amanda moved to Broken Hill in 2009 and initially worked in the Maternity Unit at

Broken Hill Health Service and then started working as the Community Midwife until

2012. Looking for a change, Amanda went to work at the Broken Hill GP Super Clinic,

seeing everyone from the life cycle, working as a practice nurse and became the Clinical

Services Manager in 2014. Her skills and interests developed in Primary Care as well as Chronic Disease

Management, including; health assessments and Care Planning which is a great fit for her new role as CNS2 with the

Chronic & Complex Care team.

The Annual Far West LHD

Innovation and Staff Recognition

Awards

Get Started

Awards

ceremony is

on the 10th

August 2018

You can start submitting your service improvement projects and staff recognition nomination forms from 1 December 2017. Forms and instructions are on our intranet

You will need to have your improvement projects and staff recognition nominations submitted by 29 June 2018.

2018 Workshop — How to and tips for improvement projects

2018 Workshop — Writing a submission for the Health Awards

We’ll let you know about dates for these workshops soon

FWLHD Innovation Awards

2018

PAGE 11

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 12

Volunteer News

It has been a busy and exciting month for our volunteers across the District with a string of highlights to celebrate.

The Broken Hill Kiosk Auxiliary is working with Tracy

Herlihy, Team Leader of Dietetics, looking at reducing the sale of sugary drinks at the Kiosk in line with the Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities Framework. Look out for future updates on this from Executive Sponsor, Pattie Holtz, the Dietetics Team and the Kiosk Auxiliary.

The Broken Hill City Council Volunteer of the Year

Awards night was held on Wednesday 15 November and even a stormy evening did not detract from the celebrations.

Shocked and delighted Far West LHD volunteers Christine Simons, MHIPU and PC Massage volunteer won the Award in the Health and Social Services Category and Sandra Miller, who won the top honour of the evening, being inducted into the Nydia Edes Volunteer Hall of Fame.

A wonderful night recognising the volunteers of Broken Hill and well deserved acknowledgement for our two volunteers.

Both Christine and Sandra (pictured) were extremely surprised with their respective awards, and although too humble and shy to make a speech on the night they were both extremely delighted and honoured to receive their awards.

As December is soon upon us I would like to remind everyone to please stop and thank our volunteers on Tuesday 5 December as its International Volunteers Day.

International Volunteer Day is celebrated worldwide, in recognition of the positive solidarity of volunteers around the world who answer calls in times of crisis, helping save lives today and supporting those wo want to continue living their lives with dignity tomorrow.

Estimates suggest that there are a billion people in the world who volunteer each year. Those numbers always go up when tragedy strikes. Despite their contributions, the vital role of volunteers is not always sufficiently recognised or acknowledged. As clearly stated at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, “Volunteers are a practical example of the solidarity that binds the world together” {Extract Volunteering Australia website}.

Our volunteers do not seek acknowledgement for the services they willing give to us, but please stop and say hello and thank them for their incredible contribution to our organisation.

Exciting news too from REX who again generously sponsored two of Far West LHD representatives with return flights to Sydney to attend the 2017 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award on 8 December. Tim O’Neill, Patient Family Support Staff Volunteer will be at the State Finals after winning the Regional Adult Volunteer of the Year. I will also be representing our fabulous Volunteers and Staff having been short listed, along with two other organisations, in the 2017 NSW Excellence in Volunteer Management.

— Mary Leehane, Volunteer Manager

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 13

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

LEFT: The Monday Team

The Tuesday Team

LEFT: The Thursday Team

Ten Year Service badges were presented to (from left)

Cheryl Meuret, Anne Bennetts and Steven Bennetts.

Charmaine Collins

(left) received her 20

Year Badge from

BHHS GM Ken Barnett

and Kiosk President

Betty Sammut with

everyone in the room

clapping and singing

“for she’s a jolly good

fellow” for such

dedication to the

Hospital Kiosk.

The Friday Team

BELOW: The Wednesday Team

The Saturday Team (other Saturday volunteers

had previous engagements).

The Kiosk also celebrated Christmas a little early this year with the Christmas Party being held at the Musicians Club on Saturday 25 November. The Kiosk Executive and their special guests enjoyed an evening of good company, lots of laughter and games. An enjoyable evening was had by all including recognising those members for milestone years of service.

BH Kiosk celebrate successful year

Long Service

PAGE 14

The BHHS Emergency Department has received a brand new Accu-vein (vein finder) thanks to the fundraising efforts of employees at Consolidated Mining Civil. Initially the Breast Cancer Support Group asked ED if it would like one donated, as several of their members had said that when they had attended ED, the staff had found it difficult to find their veins due to their condition and the fragility of their veins. Ultimately, the staff from CMC paid for it after deciding their recent fundraising efforts would best stay

local. Everyone in ED is very grateful for the donation and the Accu-vein has already been used numerous times since — pictured here with RN Jill Kreft.

For 10 years now, NSW Health has been conducting Domestic Violence Routine Screening in several mandated clinical streams — Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Child and Family Health, Maternity and Women's Health. All women who are 16 years and over, whom present to these services are asked the screening questions, when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Even just the act of asking the screening questions informs our clients that, Health workers are aware that domestic and family violence is a common

and serious issue, should they ever need help.

Staff in these streams should have attended specialist training to do the screening in an empathic manner and have up to date knowledge on how to support and refer women who may disclose.

Until very recently, the Ministry of Health collected data annually in November to monitor the screening rates. It is important to note that now the screening data is extracted from CHOC and reported on quarterly. Data will still be collected from the services not using the CHOC system

as well. This will give a broader and continuous reflection of the DVRS screening program.

The FWLHD is working very hard to increase the DVRS screening rates across our district.

Should you or your team require a training session or an update on Domestic Violence Routine Screening please contact Sherree Ferrall; Manager Integrated Violence Prevention Response Service (Sherree.Ferrall@health.nsw.gov.au)

Cancer patients being treated in the Oncology Unit at BH Hospital can now use a Paxman Cold Capping System thanks to the generosity of the BH Breast Cancer Support Group (members pictured here with CNS Ben Stellini). The $35,000 machine helps patients retain their hair during and after chemotherapy. Previously, patients had to travel to Adelaide to use one. The health service is extremely grateful to the wonderful fundraising work done by the group and its generous donations.

Domestic Violence Routine Screening update

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 15

What is Salary Packaging? Salary Packaging is an Australian Tax Office approved

entitlement to employees. Far West LHD employees are eligible to package $9,009 year or if you are living in a remote area you can package up to $18,018. Salary Packaging money is deducted from your salary – pre tax and you are then taxed on the remainder of your salary, thus you are not paying tax on the salary packaging portion of your salary.

What if I don’t have anything to package?

If you have no expenses at all? Ask the Salary Packaging unit about the Employee Benefits Card – your tax-free $$$ are deposited onto a debit card for you to spend on purchases.

Where does the share of savings go?

The tax savings shared with Far West LHD go directly back to your cost centre, helping to reduce wages costs and provide equipment for your facility.

If I Salary Package won’t I have to repay more HELP (HECS)?

It is true that Salary Packaging, while decreasing your taxable income, actually increases your income for HELP repayment calculations. But the fact is, you’ll have to repay your HELP debt one day, and Salary Packaging gives you the chance to use your tax savings to help pay your HELP debt. You’ll still have the same, or even a little more, cash in hand, and your HELP will be paid off sooner.

See below for an example, or ask the Salary Packaging department for figures based on your current income, to take to your financial adviser.

No Salary Packaging Taxable Income $57,000 HELP repayment $2,288

With Salary Packaging Taxable Income $46,034 Reportable FB amount $17,664 Income for HELP calculation $63,699 HELP repayment $2,860 Tax savings $1,898 Less Extra HELP paid $572 Remaining Tax saving $1,326

By Salary Packaging, you get an extra $1,326 cash, and you have an extra $572 paid off your HELP debt, which means you’ll get it paid off sooner !

If you would like to go through these benefits you can contact Karen on 08 8080 1498 or email

Karen.Winter1@health.nsw.gov.au

ROB is here! The new Recruitment and

Onboarding solution is now live.

Thank you to all staff for a smooth transition to the new system. It has been a pleasure to work with you on deploying such a positive change for our organisation.

Like with all new toys we have had some teething issues; if you experience such problems please email the recruitment unit at FWLHD-Recruit@health.nsw.gov.au. You can also call the Helpdesk on 1300 679 367 (Option 9).

We also have some very attractive mouse pads with some helpful tips for you – come and see the recruitment unit to get your hands on one today!

The Pathology Lab at BH Hospital have two new Hospital Scientists.

Mark Paul (pictured right) was previously based at Queanbeyan and has also worked as a reliever in Cooma, Moruya and also Queanbeyan. He is a graduate from the University of Canberra.

Liam Tegg is a new graduate from James Cook University in Townsville. He was previously worked in Bourke as a Technical Assistant performing blood collections and specimen reception. Liam's position is maternity relief for Joanne Smith. We’re sure both Mark and Liam will enjoy their time in the Far West!

Two new staff in the Laboratory

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

PAGE 16

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

World Aids

Day 2017 It was a fantastic response

to WAD 2017 in Broken Hill held at the Palace Hotel on 1 December.

Over 80 people attended the interactive screening of the cult classic movie the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Patrons were thrilled by Shelita hosting with Dr Frank N Furter and Brad and Janet in this classic. WAD merchandise was available for sale with $300 raised going to ACON .

Special mention and thanks must go to Esther from the Palace in supporting this event and also the local LGBTI Group, Broken Hill Sexual Health staff and Teddy Cook from ACON.

Patrons are looking forward to the 2018 event!

From left: Syl Ayre-Phillips, Aboriginal Sexual Health Practitioner, Shelita Buffet, Hostess, Teddy Cook, ACON Southern and FWLHD, Trudy Stirling, Sexual Health Nurse, Jo Lenton, CNC sexual Health

and BH Mayor, Darriea Turley.

The United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW have advised that the Broken Hill Hospital Auxiliary Kiosk is, for the second year in a row, the winner of the Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO Trophy.

The Trophy is awarded for the most money raised, gross, for a Rural Facility with less than 100 beds.

Kiosk Auxiliary President, Betty Sammut, is proudly pictured with the trophy — which will be displayed alongside the trophy won last year.

Garry Halliday (left) from Y Men’s Club and Ian Hendry from the SC Workingmen’s Club were

pictured with ENT Specialist Dr Sam Boase and the new hi-flo suction pump.

A donation of a hi-flo suction pump for use by doctors in Specialist Clinics at Broken Hill Health Service has been very much welcomed.

The Silver City Workingmen’s Club and Y Men’s Club combined their efforts to buy the new machine for $5,511 for use in the hospital.

The machine is a portable suction unit and mainly used by the visiting ENT Specialist when they visit for two days on a monthly basis. It is used to clear secretions.

The Health Service is very grateful to the efforts of the two organisations in raising the money to buy the machine. It will be a welcome addition to our Specialist Clinics.

The benefit of having our own unit is that we now don’t have to rely on borrowing a unit from another department,” she said.

The unit is also available for other medical staff to use in clinics that are held in Specialist Department.

Welcome donation to Specialists Clinics at BHHS

BH Kiosk Auxiliary awarded top earner

PAGE 17

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

The Life Pak 15 at White Cliffs

has been updated with extra monitoring devices thanks to some great fundraising in the town and a bequeath.

Updating the Life Pak cost $6,000. The funding came from a bequeath of $3,000 from the estate of Mr Leslie Vernon Bryce and the balance from the White Cliffs Hospital Auxiliary.

Pictured with the Life Pak 15 were (from left) Laura Vallee, Transitional Nurse Practitioner and Health Council members Dick Wagner, Vicki White, Jenny Hoskins and Bill Hoskins. The White Cliffs

community has always been a great supporter of the Health Service.

A welcome donation for White Cliffs

The LHD is progressing on the removal of sugary drinks from our facilities to make way for healthier options.

It is in support of NSW Health’s Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities for Staff and Visitors Framework, which means sugary drinks with no nutritional value will be removed as part of the framework.

The policy supports the NSW Government’s Make Healthy Normal campaign and supports staff and visitors by increasing the availability and choice of healthy foods and drinks in NSW Health facilities. Healthy choices will make up at least 75 per cent of the offering.

The message is that we, as a health service, should be providing healthy options for all staff and visitors and that healthier choices are fundamental to good health and healthy food is some of the best medicine we can have.

We hope to be compliant by start of January 2018 at the Broken Hill Hospital and compliancy also extends to our LWS facilities.

In 2018 the Framework extends to include food sales, using four focus areas: product availability, product quality, product size and marketing.

Sugary drinks make way for healthier options

Promoting the healthier options were (from left) Tracy Herlihy, Britt Griffiths, Stacey Evers, Melanie Blair and Work Experience student Sam Greville.

Christmas and Security The Christmas period can be a wonderful time but

also challenging for many, therefore it can present a number of security issues and a solid security measure attempts to prevent rather than react , so this month I’m getting in early. As the build up to the big day starts, many of us will be hitting the shops to stock up on presents, out comes the cash, credit cards, and all the new gifts of small electronics, computers, jewellery, and easily sold valuables.

ATM use

When obtaining money from an ATM pay close attention to your

surroundings. Is someone watching you?

Use ATMs in main business hours when there are more people

around.

Be aware of anyone sitting around in a parked car near an ATM.

Avoid wearing expensive jewellery to ATMs, it can present a double

opportunity.

Avoid counting cash in public, find a secure location.

Shopping

Walk with your head up, shoulders back and scan your

surroundings, making surprise more difficult.

Remain aware of who is around while shopping and remember to

scan the upper balconies from time to time, opportunists sometimes do there surveillance from the high ground.

Consider wearing Carry bags with the strap over one shoulder and

not across over your body so that the strap cannot be used as a convenient “handle” by which to grab and control you with.

The Body language of others and your instincts can play a role in

identifying potential risks.

If you are in a shopping centre and need to walk to a car park, if

you feel unsafe consider asking security if they can escort you to your vehicle.

Home security Somethings an opportunist may look for when choosing a home to steal from.

A home which appears to be empty of people.

Easy access to the back of the building.

Trees and high bushes in the surrounding area, which provide good

cover.

Homes with no visible signs of protection such as alarms or lighting.

Opportunists look for occupancy cues, like outdoor lights burning 24

hours a day, piled up newspapers, or advertising flyers hanging around.

They know to look for the hidden door key near the front entrance.

Avoid hiding spare keys under rocks, in flowerpots, or above door ledges.

After Christmas day, don’t pile up empty gift boxes from your new

presents in the street, it may be an indicator you have expensive gifts inside. Break the boxes down or cut them up to conceal the items better.

Social Media avoid sharing too much information about what you've

got. When posting pictures. Opportunist are increasingly using sites such as Facebook and Twitter to identify potential targets.

By Ben Harris Security/Ward Services Officer, BHHS

PAGE 18

White Cliffs new two bedroom unit The LHD has added a new two bedroom unit at White Cliffs. ‘Blue Opal’ is a new transportable consisting of a modern kitchen, bathroom,

open plan living and two large bedrooms. This unit increases the Staff Accommodation housing for the LWS, which

has been an ongoing project for the District Properties team. Thank you to Darrin Quinn and the BHHS Maintenance team for their

ongoing assistance in improving accommodation facilities in the LHD.

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017

Policy Watch — PDs available on MOH internet The following documents have been published on the NSW Ministry of Health internet site http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies. These documents are official NSW Health policy. Compliance with Policy Directives is mandatory.

PAGE 19

Submissions can be sent to Branko.Licul@health.nsw.gov.au. The newsletter can be found on the Far West LHD website at www.fwlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Title Document Number Date Issued

Growth Assessment in Children and Weight Status Assessment in Adults GL2017_021 17/11/2017

Junior Medical Officer (JMO) - Clinical Year and Term Dates 2018 - 2026 IB2017_046 17/11/2017

Nutrition Care PD2017_041 17/11/2017

Employment Arrangements for Medical Officers in the NSW Public Health Service PD2017_042 20/11/2017

Health Care Facility Lockdown – A framework for developing procedures IB2017_047 23/11/2017

Recruitment and Selection of Staff to the NSW Health Service PD2017_040 13/11/2017

HERO: NSW Health service location registration requirements IB2017_044 07/11/2017

Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as

possible.

Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the

time you spend in the sun.

Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your

face, head, neck and ears.

Seek shade.

Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian

Standards.

Summer Sun Safety

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 11, Vol 7, NOV/DEC 2017