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NO PLACE LIKE HOMEWhy patients are opting for chemotherapy in the home
CLEARER PICTURE Australia’s first 3D diagnostic imaging lab
PATIENTS FIRST New model of care at Casey ED
QUARTERLY
summer 2014
MonashHealth
www.monashhealth.org2
6CoverBryon Kilpatrick is the first Monash Health patient to undergo chemotherapy in the home. See story, page 6.
Photograph Chelsea Arnold
For permission to reprint any part of this magazine, please contact the editor. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Monash Health.
EditorChelsea Arnolde: [email protected]
Contributors
Christine McGinn Shane Butler
Contact UsMonash Health Quarterly is published by the Public Affairs and Communication Department.
Monash Health Locked Bag 29 Clayton South Victoria 3169
03 Casey’s new model of care
04 Making news
05 Pet therapy for patients
06 A cancer patient’s story
08 Elective surgery waiting list cut
09 First-class mental health facility
10 Miracle mum beats the odds
11 New frontiers in diagnostic imaging
12 Inaugural health film festival
We work hard to provide our patients with exceptional care and outstanding outcomes and in this edition of Monash Health Quarterly we tell some of our patient’s heart-felt real-life stories.
In one instance – an extraordinary world-first – one of our patients with school-aged children was clinically dead for 42 minutes before she was brought back to enjoy her life.
Moments such as these make me immensely proud as the Chief Executive of Monash Health, and give our patients the confidence that they are in great hands when they are with us.
In this edition, we also share with you some of the outstanding healthcare initiatives our people are delivering to the community.
Read about Casey Hospital Emergency Department’s new model of care, one man’s involvement in the Chemotherapy in the Home program and the launch of our 3D Diagnostic Imaging laboratory.
All of these initiatives will improve the experiences of our patients.
While we’re not a small service – in the past 12 months alone, we provided more than 2.44 million episodes of care to our community
– we continue to be focused on the needs of our patients to ensure they receive exceptional care and outstanding outcomes every time they come to see us.
I am always honoured to showcase how we work alongside our patients, community and partners to provide more efficient and effective health care and this edition of Monash Health Quarterly is no exception.
Shelly Park Chief Executive
Message from the Chief ExecutiveThank-you for taking the time to read about Monash Health.
Read about our latest breakthroughs. Have each edition of Monash Health Quarterly sent straight to your desktop. Subscribe today.
Inside this issue
6
NO PLACE LIKE HOMEWhy patients are opting for chemotherapy in the home
CLEARER PICTURE Australia’s first 3D diagnostic imaging lab
PATIENTS FIRST New model of care at Casey ED
QUARTERLY
spring 2013
5 10
MONASH HEALTH QUARTERLY Summer 2014 3
All patients are now being seen by a senior clinician within minutes of arrival under Casey Hospital Emergency Department’s new CARE ED model of care.
INSIDE STORY
NEW MODEL OF CARE AT CASEY ED
Emergency Department patients will receive swifter, more efficient treatment under a
new model of care introduced at Casey Hospital.
This new model of care, CARE ED, is innovative and patient-centred, and will help patients receive the care they need quicker when they need it and in the right clinical setting.
Monash Health’s Head of Emergency Medicine Professor George Braitberg said CARE ED had been developed by the Casey Hospital Emergency Department team based on the actual number of patients presenting at the Emergency Department and would ensure swifter assessment and treatment for patients.
“We will be changing the way that care is provided at Casey Hospital Emergency Department,” Prof Braitberg said.
“These changes will improve the experience of people who present to the Emergency Department.
“This model of care will help facilitate patients to return home sooner after receiving the care they need - the aim is for patients to be discharged, admitted to hospital, asked to stay for more tests or transferred within four hours.”
For those needing further care, the changes mean that they should get clearer information about the care they are receiving and they will be admitted quickly to a hospital bed or other appropriate care location.
“One of the biggest changes patients will notice is that all patients will be seen by a senior clinician within minutes of arrival,” Prof Braitberg said.
“To us, as clinicians, a person who is the most unsafe is the person who we haven’t seen. By
bringing them in directly to be assessed, rather than staying in the waiting room, we eliminate any concern that we have.
“Their needs will be quickly assessed by a senior decision-maker, further investigations can be organised and the care they need will begin straight away.
“The patient will be assessed, directed to the most clinically appropriate area for treatment and they will be informed why they are waiting and how long they will be waiting for.
“We will expedite it so they are not waiting any longer than they need to be.”
Under the model, patients with less acute conditions such as broken bones or skin infections will be safely cared for in one of 12 recliner chairs. Using the chairs will free up trolleys for sicker patients, allowing faster treatment for all.
“You can feel quite vulnerable lying down in a bed if you don’t need to be.”
Monash Health has also been preparing an education campaign – Emergency Departments are for Emergencies – to provide information to patients about options to be treated elsewhere if safe and appropriate.
Patients first: Nurse Unit Manager Sue Coles and Director of Nursing Shirlee
Graham are pleased to be able to introduce CARE ED at Casey Hospital.
Let’s keep emergency departments for emergencies only.
For common illnesses or injuries see your regular doctor or another local health service that will better meet your needs.
Planning ahead and knowing your options means that you will be prepared if you need help.
Unwell, unsure, need help or need advice? Contact your own GP or the after hours GP Helpline on 1800 022 222 or Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
fast facts
www.monashhealth.org4
Moorabbin Hospital
2. Triplets are one in 100 million
Monash Children’s
Hospital has welcomed a set of extremely rare identical triplets. The three girls - Eva, Tania, and Isabel - were born on 4 July at Monash Children’s Hospital and have since been cared for at Dandenong Hospital Special Care Nursery.
Identical triplets are so rare that there is no consensus on precisely how rare they are. Estimates range from one-in-one-million to an astonishing one-in-one-hundred-million.
After being told they were having identical twins, a scan at 13 weeks gave Maria and her husband Ricardo a huge surprise.
Director of Monash Women’s, Professor Euan Wallace, said that only a handful of identical triplets had been born in Australia in recent years.
“It requires a fertilised egg to split once, and then one of the two halves to split again, so it is exceedingly rare,” Professor Wallace said.
4. New App to report assaults
A smartphone App has been created enabling victims and witnesses to anonymously report sexual assault and harassment.
The Sexual Assault Reporting Anonymously App was created by Monash Health’s South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA).
The SARA App allows people to make the details of abuse and harassment publicly known without filing a formal report.
SECASA Manager Carolyn Worth said the Alternative Reporting Option is a first for Victoria.
“We are confident that completing a report via an application or website will be less intimidating than going to a police station enabling us to track serial offending, unsafe areas and prevent further assaults,” she said.
SARA anonymously stores the data without collecting personal informa-tion unless given by the individual. The App regularly submits information to the police to identify offending patterns and target areas.
Download the App at www.sara.org.au.
MAKING NEWSThe top five stories from www.monashhealth.org
3. Heart kids treated sooner
MonashHeart’s Paediatric Heart Murmurs Clinic has significantly reduced waiting times for its young patients from up to six
months to only a few weeks.
MonashHeart’s Paediatric Heart Murmurs Clinic is the only clinic dedicated to paediatric heart murmur treatment in Victoria. About 600 children were treated within the past 12 months.
5. New toxicology service
Deliberate self-poisoning, alcohol and substance
misuse and acute mental health complaints comprise a large proportion of the work load undertaken by Monash Health emergency departments.
In response, a new Toxicology/Addiction Medicine Service (ToxAm) began in August. The service will be based at Dandenong Hospital and patients presenting with acute drug or alcohol intoxication, self-poisoning and/or alcohol or substance misuse problems will be assessed and managed collaboratively by specialists in toxicology, addiction medicine and mental health.
Appropriate patients will be admitted to short stay and be treated in consultation with the service. The aims of the service are to stream-line care of this complex patient group, ensure early recognition of addiction medicine problems and timely referral and assessment of underlying mental health problems.
1. Hospital build to start in July
The new Monash Children’s Hospital is one step closer to fruition. A request for tender was sent to three shortlisted bidders last month.
Health Minister David Davis said it would result in the appointment of a managing contractor, which would help finalise the hospital’s design.
“This is an important milestone in our promise to deliver a world-class hospital for the children of the south eastern suburbs,” Mr Davis said.
The successful bidder will be announced in February.
Construction is expected to start in July and the project will deliver 700 construction jobs.
“Planning for the development is progressing well with the schematic design phase completed,” Mr Davis said.
Families are also being given the opportunity to shape their new hospital by taking part in a Consumer Advisory Panel, which meets regularly.
The hospital, based at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, is due to open in December 2016. It will have 96 paediatric beds, 12 children’s cancer day beds, 30 neonatal intensive-care cots and 34 special-care nursery cots. It will also include 28 beds for children and teens with mental health issues.
Mr Davis said it would boost outpatient treatments by 60,000 and there will be four additional neonatal care cots.
MONASH HEALTH QUARTERLY Summer 2014 5
STORIES FROM THE WARDS
Name: Sue Coad Position: Monash Health volunteer
Workplace: Dandenong Hospital
For the past four years, volunteer Sue Coad and her furry four-legged friends have been
leading pet therapy sessions at Monash Health.
“Pet Therapy has an overwhelmingly positive impact on people’s moods,” Mrs Coad said.
“Patients are more often inclined to participate in therapy with the animals as they are brought back to fond memories with their own pets.”
Mrs Coad with her animals; a greyhound, whip-pet and Birman cat, help patients to experience an overwhelming calmness through the interactive sessions.
“The sessions are a good diversional technique for patients as they can help to ease feelings of boredom and aid a speedy recovery,” she said.
Dandenong Hospital patients in West two ward, South West two sub-acute rehabilitation ward and the Amaroo ward are treated to the monthly sessions.
Mrs Coad started volunteering with Monash Health at McCulloch House to use her skills as an accredited pet therapy trainer to assist patients through their recovery.
“McCulloch House was wonderful except there were two cats that distracted the dogs. Dandenong Hospital asked me to continue the program there which was better for the animals,” she said.
Mrs Coad, began pet therapy at the Royal Women’s Hospital in the 1990s and wrote Animal Assisted Therapy Guidelines. She comes highly recommended from Dogs Victoria.
“I am so pleased that Pet Therapy is regarded as a valuable contribution to Monash Health helping patients and hospital staff,” she said.
Mrs Coad, who drives more than 100km from Woodend to facilitate the sessions and give the gift of her time, was nominated for the Minister for Health’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2013. She also received a 10-year medal of service from Monash Health this year.
She said she is thrilled to receive the high praise
for the program but credits the staff and her animals.
“The Dandenong Hospital staff have been absolutely wonderful and the program would not exist without their motivation, enthusiasm and interest. I merely initiate the program but the animals are the ones who do everything and make the program so successful,” she said.
“I would encourage everyone to volunteer their time to brighten the day of an ill person.”
DID YOU KNOW? BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Monash Health has more than 350 volunteers and 90 auxiliary members.
Monash Medical Centre Clayton has almost 100 volunteers.
Bev Piper who is based at Clayton is the longest serving volunteer with 48 years’ experience.
Hospital volunteers perform a range of duties including; assisting in the children’s ward playroom, providing social support, and casual administration.
Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer at any of the Monash Health sites should email [email protected] or phone 9554 6373 to find out more about the rewarding role of a volunteer.
GIVING THE GIFT OF TIME FOR PATIENT WELLBEING
www.monashhealth.org6
A PATIENT’S STORY
No place like home
Every month for four years Bryon Kilpatrick has made the journey from his home in
Cranbourne North to the Moorabbin-based Monash Cancer Centre.
The 67-year-old who was diagnosed in 2009 with multiple myeloma requires monthly intra-venous infusions of a bone-strengthening drug, in addition to daily doses of chemotherapy he takes orally and weekly steroids.
But thanks to a Monash Health medical trial, Bryon can now spend extra time with his family particularly his energetic four-year-old grand-daughter Cara.
The Chemotherapy in the Home program has given Bryon back countless hours he would otherwise spend in hospital or commuting to hospital. He was the first patient to have nurses visit his home to assess him for treatment and administer treatment.
Monash Health is one of the first Victorian health services to also use telemedicine as part of this program, enabling nurses to remotely access medical records and have live video conversations with doctors all from an iPhone while at the patient’s home.
Being able to have the treatment in his own home has delivered more benefits than Bryon initially imagined.
“When I was told I had multiple myeloma, I didn’t even know what that was. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer, like lymphoma and leukaemia. It is incurable but medication
ensures I can control it better so it does not progress,” he said.
“Ordinarily it would take me 30 minutes in the car to get to my appointment, wait when I get there, have the treatment, then an hour to get home in peak-hour traffic. It doesn’t sound like much but it makes a big difference.
“Having the treatment at home is just so con-venient.”
Bryon’s wife, Cheryl, said not only did the home treatment save time but she had noticed changes in her husband’s disposition.
“He’s much more relaxed. The infusion is some-thing that he has to do but it’s not such a chore now. There’s no stress,” Cheryl said.
Bryon said the Chemotherapy in the Home nurses delivered a professional and personal-ised service.
“Monash Health has been absolutely fabulous. One of the things I have noticed is that all the nurses are extremely supportive and their at-titude to the patients is as if they go the extra mile. They will spend time to make sure you are OK. They respond to the person’s needs and nothing seems to be an effort for them. You feel as if you count.”
Chemotherapy Day Unit Nurse Unit Manager Ellen Heywood said the Chemotherapy in the Home program, funded by the Department of Health, aimed to provide an equally effective service in the comfort of the patient’s home
and reduce waiting times that impact on the service provided in the hospital.
“The aim is to improve the patient and family’s journey, and provide a different choice for the delivery of care,” Ms Heywood said.
“We have 37 chairs at the Monash Cancer Centre and Dandenong Hospital combined so by offering the service in the home as well it allows us to treat more patients because the chairs are free.”
Currently, only certain cancer patients are eligible to take part in the program.
“It’s for patients undergoing specific chemo-
Tracey carries out a range of standard health checks on Bryon while he undergoes his chemotherapy treatment.
For one long-term cancer patient, the opportunity to undergo treatment in his own home was too good an offer to refuse.
The treatment takes one hour in the comfort of Bryon’s own home.
Hospital in the Home nurse Tracey Middlebrook with Bryon.
MONASH HEALTH QUARTERLY Summer 2014 7
Quality time: Having treatment at home frees Bryon Kilpatrick up to spend more time with his granddaughter, Cara, and wife, Cheryl.
therapy regimes that require less than an hour of administration time. The patient has to be well and we go through a consent process but ultimately the doctor determines the treatment parameters. At the moment, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and lung cancer patients are eligible,” she said.
“We saw it as a great opportunity for these
patients. It’s just better for the patient as they are in their own homes, they don’t need to wor-ry about travelling, parking costs and they are less anxious, they don’t experience anticipatory nausea and they receive a more personalised approach to their chemotherapy treatment.
“It’s about getting people out of hospitals which really benefits the patients.”
Ms Heywood said the benefit of using telemedi-cine meant that if there was a medical concern, it negated the need for the patient to make an appointment to see a GP, their specialist or attend an emergency department as it could be addressed on the spot.
“If there is an issue on the day the nurse can use telemedicine. To have the doctor contactable on FaceTime is really good for the nurses as they don’t have to troubleshoot on their own,” she said.
As for Bryon, the time he has regained is price-less. He loves nothing more than to take his two dogs to the park with his granddaughter.
“The aim is to improve the patient and family’s journey and provide a different
choice for the delivery of care.”
Bryon feels the Chemotherapy in the Home program brings huge benefits.
Nurse Tracey discusses any other health concerns with Bryon during the home visit.
Telemedicine is used to communicate with Bryon’s doctor at the hospital.
www.monashhealth.org8
A highly successful partnership has resulted in patients being fast-tracked for elective surgery.
Patients waiting for elective surgery at Monash Health had their operations fast-
tracked and performed at Jessie McPherson Private Hospital thanks to a $1.4 million State Government initiative.
A total of 400 patients benefited from an initiative which saw Jessie McPherson Private Hospital treat patients on the Monash Health elective surgery waiting list at Monash Medical Centre, Dandenong Hospital and Casey Hospital.
Of the 400 patients treated, there were 140 laparoscopic cholecycstectomies, 124 inguinal hernia procedures, and 116 other hernia repair procedures carried out.
Jessie McPherson Private Hospital General Manager Frances Forbes said the Department of Health invited submissions from hospitals to share in a total of $44 million in one-off funding for elective surgery in Victoria to make waiting lists more efficient and to treat more patients quickly.
“We put in a submission and in December we were notified we were successful and had been
allocated $1.4 million to treat 400 patients,” Ms Forbes said.
Those who met the patient selection criteria for this initiative were selected from the waiting list along with suitable consultants from Monash Health to perform the surgery at Jessie McPherson Private Hospital in Clayton.
Monash Health’s Surgical Review Nurse Manager Sue Taylor said “there was essentially a two-week lead-in period that required identifying and appointing key personnel from clinical areas and non-clinical areas to enable this initiative to hit the ground running”.
“As hoped, there was no difficulty at all in terms of patient acceptance for surgery under this initiative but this reflected an incredible commitment and investment of clinical time in the identification of patients appropriate for this offer ensuring adherence and respect to the clinical criteria that the Department of Health provided,” Ms Taylor said.
The first surgery was performed at the end of February and the 400th procedure was completed on 21 June.
Ms Taylor said “this wouldn’t have been pos-sible to achieve without the amazing com-mitment to best patient outcomes by clerical staff, nursing staff, surgeons, anaesthetists and the executive from Monash Health and Jessie McPherson Private Hospital”.
“The consensus was certainly that if we could do this over again, we certainly would.”
Ms Forbes said the initiative was highly successful.
“It was a great opportunity for Monash Health to have its waiting list reduced by 400. It was an amazing thing for the patients who had been waiting a long time for their surgery. They were so thankful to have the opportunity to come in early for their operations in a private hospital,” Ms Forbes said.
“This was a project that demonstrates the level of cooperation between Monash Health and Jessie McPherson Private Hospital. It was a great collaboration between the public and private healthcare sector. The winners at the end of the day were the patients and that’s the most important thing.”
PATIENTS BENEFIT AS WAITING LISTS CUT
Joint approach: Jessie McPherson Private Hospital was able to help fast-track surgery for Monash Health patients.
MONASH HEALTH QUARTERLY Summer 2014 9
Leading-edge space opens for
Patients, families and staff at Dandenong Hospital’s Mental Health facility now
have access to a world-class facility based on design concepts featuring a healing space that promotes and reinforces high self-esteem and worthiness for all.
The $58 million Stage 2 redevelopment features 47 beds for the community plus the project has also delivered a 50-bed secure extended care unit, two 25-bed acute inpatient units and a
MENTAL HEALTH20-bed aged care mental health facility.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge officially opened the facility on 26 September.
The redevelopment imbues a sense of peace, promotes wellness and harmony with the natural environment and positive self-esteem.
Spaces can be modified to suit the different needs of people including culture, gender, health and other personal needs.
The design of this facility is unique and incorporates consumer and family feedback and achieved the brief of providing a non-institutional, residential style building that
promotes health and well-being and decreases stigma within a beautiful environment.
The stigma that people with mental health experience was one of the major barriers to providing a contemporary and unique design. The development is not in keeping with traditional integrated mental health design and subsequent service delivery but is a leading edge, contemporary, innovative and patient-centred facility.
Monash Health’s Mental Health program provides a comprehensive service to a primary population of 800,000 people and a regional population of 1.1 million people. Acute inpatient care services are provided across the age spectrum, along with specialist care for drug and alcohol, eating disorders and rehabilitation through a total of 312 beds.
During 2012-13, Monash Health provided inpatient care to 5,845 patients and 120,313 service hours in the community.
Innovative $58 million healing space opens in south eastern suburbs.
www.monashhealth.org10
Australia’s first 3D diagnostic imaging lab is providing patients and specialists with better images faster.
PICTURE OF HEALTH
Diagnostic Imaging at Monash Health is now quicker, more streamlined and returning more accurate results
with the launch of a dedicated 3D laboratory.
The 3D laboratory was switched on in January after two years of extensive research and planning.
This dedicated unit at Monash Medical Centre Clayton is the first of its kind in Australia, specialising in the use of advanced 3D post-processing to generate high-quality diagnostic images using cross-sectional CT, MRI and ultra-sound image data.
Deputy Director of Diagnostic Imaging Associate Professor Ronnie Ptasznik said the laboratory enhances the diagnostic accuracy and value of medical imaging examinations such as CT scans by providing high-quality 3D post-processed images.
“3D images have been used in medical imaging for well over a decade now,” Associate Professor Ptasznik said.
“However, a specialised 3D lab service combines a core group of highly trained staff with advanced equipment to generate 3D images at a higher standard, with greater consistency and in less time than previously possible.”
Initial results from the lab show CT examinations such as CT Angiography, 3D Orthopaedic CT and stroke imaging are now carried out and ready for diagnosis and review in 33% less time than previously possible. This translates to swifter patient management and decreased patient waiting times.
The standard of imaging has seen a substantial improve-ment in quality providing greater value to clinicians.
“These exquisite 3D images are used by radiologists to better evaluate diagnostic imaging examinations. They are also used by treating doctors to better plan patient care particularly in oncology, vascular disease and orthopaedics,” Assoc Prof Ptasznik said.
The Monash Health 3D lab also performs cutting edge clinical applications such as liver analysis and virtual bronchography for enhanced surgical planning.
Chief Executive Shelly Park said the 3D lab was “a stunning example of our clinical leaders turning a vision into reality”.
Health Minister David Davis toured the lab in July and commended Assoc Prof Ptasznik and the Monash Health Diagnostic Imaging team on their efforts.
“Assoc Prof Ptasznik consulted with a number of international clinics with this technology to work out what would be best for Monash and Melbourne – and clearly, his efforts have paid off,” Mr Davis said.
Philips Medical, Toshiba and GE provided the IT and 3D post-processing equipment for the laboratory.
In focus: Radiologist John Troupis and CT supervisor Marcus Crossett in the 3D lab, and (below) an example of the images created in the 3D lab.
MONASH HEALTH QUARTERLY Summer 2014 11
Dr Ahmar and the MonashHeart team were able to save her life thanks to a unique device called the LUCAS 2 External Compression Device.
The device automatically performed CPR on Ms Tanasio for over half an hour - running through two full batteries - keeping blood flowing to her brain while Dr Ahmar worked to unblock her artery.
Without the $15,000 device - purchased thanks to the fundraising partnership between MonashHeart and Victoria Police - Dr Ahmar would not have been able to work nonstop on unblocking her artery.
MUM’S MIRACLEClinically dead for 42 minutes: In an Australian-first, how one vital piece of equipment helped bring this mum back from the dead.
Vanessa Tanasio is recovering well and fortunate to be alive after being clinically
dead for an astonishing 42 minutes.
The 41-year-old Narre Warren mother-of-two was rushed to MonashHeart after a serious heart attack, where she spent 42 minutes classified as ‘clinically dead.’
One of Ms Tanasio’s main coronary arteries had a 100% blockage - she required numerous defibrillator shocks, including one in the ambulance on her way to MonashHeart.
Once on the catheterisation table, Ms Tanasio was in full cardiac arrest and considered clinically dead.
“Her heart rhythm at the time was what is known as a ‘VF Storm’ due to chaotic and uncontrolled surges of electric signals,” said Dr Wally Ahmar, MonashHeart interventional cardiologist.
“It’s a procedure that requires non-stop x-ray technology, and if a person is performing CPR they have to stop in order for the x-rays to take place,” Dr Ahmar said. “Thankfully we could perform the scans while CPR continued due to the device.”
After 42 minutes of clinical death, Ms Tanasio’s artery was completely unblocked, and her heart was able to be shocked back into a normal rhythm.
This is the first time in Australia that a patient successfully used the LUCAS 2 External Com-pression Device for such a length of time.
Victoria Police’s Sergeant Mark Robertson said he was thrilled the machine had helped save a life.
“Any money raised to purchase medical equipment is going to a worthy cause, but to have an outcome like this is incredible,” Sgt Robertson said.
One of Ms Tanasio’s main coronary arteries had a 100% blockage.
Life saved: Vanessa Tanasio is lucky to be alive and no one is happier than her children Ella, 11, and Mark, 9, pictured here with Sergeant Mark Robertson.
www.monashhealth.org12
Film makers show REEL HEALTH STORIESEmerging film festival gives film makers the chance to tell their story about health.
Doherty said. “We want to give a voice to those who are associated with health and have a story to tell.”
“We received a tremendous response from film makers who submitted incredible films from all over the world. Some films will make you laugh, others will make you cry – all films involve telling a personal story of someone’s experience or journey that is health related.”
Finalists were announced at the premiere screening on 14 October in front of a 300-strong audience at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square. The winning film makers shared in
$10,000 in prizes across five film categories; In This Together, Get Well Soon, My Journey, Your Voice, and Behind The Scenes.
Ms Doherty said unlike other methods of communication, film has the power to connect people through their experiences and encourage an open dialogue about health care, medical developments, patient care and the employees.
“Story-telling is an amazing way in which people can share their own experiences, assist in possible recovery and make a deep connection with others in a way that cannot be done through other methods,” she said.
Supporting families supporting patients Joy is brought to many families during the festive season. However, some families have a difficult time as they find themselves in need of care over the holiday period. Family and friends play a vital role in the recovery and wellbeing of our patients. When you consider how to give joy and assistance to those less fortunate at this time of year, we ask you to consider a donation to the Monash Health Foundation Family Comfort Program. The Family Comfort Program supports families and helps us achieve exceptional care and outstanding outcomes. For more information, contact the Monash Health Foundation on 9594 2700 or visit www.monashhealthfoundation.org.au
The curtains opened on the inaugural Reel Health International Health Short Film
Festival last month.
The festival, an initiative of the Monash Health senior leadership team, captured the imagination of film makers worldwide and ignited community conversations about the importance of health in our everyday lives and health awareness and promotion through film.
Reel Health aims to promote a greater awareness of health-related issues affecting individuals and the health industry. Through the power of story-telling, Reel Health Film provides a platform for people whose voices are not often heard to tell their story.
Festival director, Monash Health’s Executive Director of Mental Health Programs, Anne Doherty said the festival fostered greater community health awareness.
“The purpose is to create a new way to experience deeper conversations with others about topics which have meaning and are affecting us in our everyday world,” Ms
