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FEATURE: GRADSTART 2022 INTAKE

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

CONTENTSAbout Us .........................................................................2New graduate registered nurses ....................................3Hillston welcomes new nurse graduates........................4Welcome new interns .....................................................5Finding love in a library ...................................................5Loving living int he bush .................................................6A word from the Chair ....................................................7Vox Pops ..........................................................................8Making the decision to upgrade your qualification .......9New Board appointments announced .........................10From the Chief Executive ..............................................12Builder announced for $250 MIllion GBH ....................14Official opening at Harden ............................................15Tumut Hospital redevelopment continues ...................15Community Care Intake Service turns five ...................16A many pronged approach ...........................................18Major funding boost to support care ..........................20Virtual social work service ............................................22Welcome new facility managers ...................................23Join our team ................................................................23Valerie Carroll, Social Worker .......................................25Goal Keeper of the Germs ............................................26A 'Luckie' ultrasound machine ......................................27First dan martial artist is kicking goals ..........................28Photo Gallery ................................................................30

ABOUT USMurrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) provides a range of public health services to the Riverina and Murray regions of NSW, Australia.

We provide services across a geographic area of about 125,561 square kilometres to a population of more than 240,700 residents. People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage make up four per cent of the population.

As the largest employer in the region, with more than 3,800 healthcare staff working across 33 hospitals and 12 primary health care centres, we are supported by hundreds of volunteers who make an invaluable contribution to enriching the lives of people in our care.

Our services are provided through:

• 1 Rural Referral Hospital• 1 Base Hospital• 8 District Health Services • 5 Community Hospitals • 16 Multipurpose Services • 2 Mercy Care Public Hospitals• 12 Community Health Posts • 1 Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service

PUBLICATIONWe would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land covering MLHD and remind people that we live and work on Aboriginal land.

Welcome to the 18th issue of Murrumbidgee Matters Magazine.

This quarterly publication is developed by MLHD. Information is correct at time of printing.

Publication costs are subsidised by income generated from advertising.

FRONT COVER Graduate registered Nurse Caitlin Smith has commenced at Tumut Hospital

CONTACT USEDITORIALPlease submit your news stories to: E: MLHD-News@health.nsw.gov.au

ADVERTISINGSetchen Brimson Executive Services Manager - Communications T: 02 5943 2010 E: setchen.brimson@health.nsw.gov.au

MURRUMBIDGEE LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICTLevel 1, 193-195 Morgan StreetWagga Wagga NSW 2650E: MLHD-FeedBack@health.nsw.gov.auwww.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

OUR VISIONExceptional rural healthcare

Healthier together Care tailored to people’s needs

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Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has welcomed 54 new graduate Registered Nurses to the District this year.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Ms Julianne Clift said it was encouraging to see the ongoing trend of local graduates choosing to start their career in a rural setting.

“We are proud to provide employment opportunities to so many graduates, some who reside in regional communities, allowing us to keep people within the communities they know and love,” said Ms Clift.

“We are also excited to see that many graduates from metropolitan and overseas are seeking to commence with Murrumbidgee Local Health District, some from as far as Nepal, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Thailand, demonstrating that our wonderful regional communities compete with the bright lights and buzz of larger cities.

“Past graduates are always so positive about the breadth of experiences and learning opportunities that regional facilities across Murrumbidgee Local Health District offers, and the real sense of community provided.”

Ms Clift said the new nurses are supported with a comprehensive education and mentoring program to assist the safe transition from university into the workplace.

“Each nurse and midwife is linked with local nursing and midwifery staff, educators and managers to ensure graduates have access to the support needed during their transition to the workplace”.

Throughout their first year, graduates are provided with opportunities in a variety of clinical settings to ensure they gain a range of experience and consolidate skills and knowledge developed whilst at university.

Graduates are aligned to facility cluster groups and are able to link together via an array of technological applications to share knowledge and experiences. This ensures that all the work that has been done in the current climate to keep residents, patients, staff and communities safe, while promoting physical distancing and maintaining connectivity to ensure access to the educational support.

“2022 has already posed some challenges, and the knowledge and skills these graduate nurses will be able to offer our regional facilities is welcomed,” said Ms Clift.

The graduate nurses and midwives commence their careers across 17 sites including:

Batlow, Corowa, Cootamundra, Culcairn, Deniliquin, Griffith, Gundagai, Harden, Holbrook, Junee, Lockhart, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga, and West Wyalong.

A further 44 new Registered Nurses are also scheduled to start in August. g

NEW GRADUATE REGISTERED NURSES WELCOMED

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

Hillston MultiPurpose Service (MPS) is excited to welcome two new Graduate Nurses, Emily Durham and Pramila Paudel.

“Commencing late last year, our newest recruits will undertake the 12 month Nurse Graduate Program at Hillston MPS involving comprehensive education and mentoring and will be linked with local management and educators, so they have access to clinical or personal support when needed,” Courtenay Fensom, Hillston MPS Facility Manager said.

“MLHD also provide the new graduates with a variety of clinical options to ensure they gain a range of experiences during their first year.”

The program is co-ordinated by the NSW Health Nursing and Midwifery Office. NSW Health Local Health Districts and Speciality Networks (LHD/SN) then recruit to their health facilities through the GradStart process. It is a very competitive recruitment programme with many more people applying then there are positions available.

The supportive and varied nature of the program enables consolidation and expansion of the newly graduated nurse’s clinical skills whilst building

on professional and organisational knowledge in many interesting clinical environments. This support allows the newly graduated nurses the opportunity to provide safe and effective nursing under the guidance of experienced Registered Nurses.

“During their employment at Hillston MPS, the two will be supported and supervised in their clinical duties allowing them to gain the experience, knowledge and confidence to work as the sole Registered Nurse on duty,” said Mrs Fensom.

Emily grew up and lived in Mount Annan which is 62 km southwest of Sydney and a suburb of Camden. Camden was a little country town originally known for its wool. It now has a population of approximately 115,499 people. Emily studied her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Tasmania at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and is enjoying the more relaxed feel in Hillston. Whilst it is a very different lifestyle to her previous life in Sydney, she would not have it any other way. Emily is loving the country lifestyle stating that everyone in the town has been so welcoming. Emily hopes to be an excellent nurse for the Hillston Community over the remaining months of her contract and thanks everyone for having her in their town.

Pramila came to Hillston via a long journey from her birthplace of Nepal. Initially she went to Sydney where she studied nursing for the last four years where she obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree.

Pramila says that she loves the friendly community at Hillston and the wide open spaces which is in sharp contrast to her home town of Pokhara which is a tourist town set in foothills of the Nepalese mountain where she spent her childhood trekking and climbing the mountains.

“All the staff of Hillston MPS are very happy that the graduate nurses have chosen our town to commence their careers and we appreciate the courage they have shown in taking a position of employment in a small rural community. They have shown a great willingness to learn, a wonderful capacity for an empathetic approach to all the patients and residents and to come to work and have these two beautiful graduates on shift who are so keen and enjoy their work is just wonderful,” said Courtenay.

“We wish them all the very best in their remaining time with us and hope one day after their life travels and nursing achievements they may consider a return to our small hospital to which they will always be welcome.” g

HILLSTON MPS WELCOMES NEW NURSE GRADUATES

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WELCOME NEW INTERNS TO MLHDWe recently welcomed thirty-three interns at Wagga Wagga and Griffith Base Hospitals. Twenty-six are based at Wagga, two at Griffith, and five are on rotation from hospitals in other Local Health Districts.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the intern class of 2022, many of whom have already worked either as Assistants in Medicine or student vaccinators as part of the COVID-19 workforce response across NSW. They will continue to play a vital role in our District’s hospitals as we navigate the challenges of this unprecedented, world-wide pandemic.

Interns with NSW Health receive two-year contracts to rotate between metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals to ensure diversity in their experience. During their first twelve months interns complete terms in the specialties of general medicine, surgery and emergency medicine as required by the Medical Board of Australia. The second year focuses on consolidating professional practice and providing experience in different clinical settings. g

Finding love in a libraryWhile we all know 14 February is Valentine’s Day, it is also Library Lovers’ Day, a day to recognise the invaluable role libraries play in the community.

The recent Library Lovers’ Day was a great opportunity to showcase MLHD’s very own library based at the Health Service Hub in Wagga.

Library Manager Jenny Price celebrated the day, spotlighting the role the library plays for staff, interns and students working and studying in our District.

The space is used for staff to drop in, to study in (there is a group study room you can book), to use the technology available, and as a place to access their professional development resources.

With spectacular views and a sense of calm and quiet, the MLHD library is a wonderful place to spend some time.

Extract from "If Librarians Were Honest", a poem by Joseph Mills

If librarians were honest, they wouldn’t smile, or act welcoming. They would say, You need to be careful. Here be monsters. They would say, These rooms house heathens and heretics, murderers and maniacs, the deluded, desperate, and dissolute. They would say, These books contain knowledge of death, desire, and decay, betrayal, blood, and more blood; each is a Pandora’s box, so why would you want to open one.

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

Imogen Domars is the newest nurse graduate at Narrandera Health Service, and for Imogen, seeking a role in a regional area was always on her agenda.

Acting Facility Manager of Narrandera Health Service, Kate Williams is thrilled to have Imogen on board.

“Imogen has been an asset for our team, she has a great personality, has a passion for rural nursing and has her sights set on furthering her career,” she says.

“Imogen’s time at Narrandera will allow her to consolidate her learning in a supported and fast-paced environment where you get to experience and specialise in multiple skills.”

Raised in Cooma and currently residing in Ardlethan, Imogen loves everything about living in the bush.

“I have always been passionate about the services available to regional and remote areas,” Imogen says.

“Qualifying as a nurse and finding a placement within a regional area was a way I could proactively assist to address gaps in regional health care, when so

many people naturally gravitate to the big cities.”

“I have a strong background in customer service and spent a few years in retail prior to commencing my studies. I worked in the trade section at Bunnings selling all manner of things like nuts and bolts, but especially got to talk to people about life, and what they love doing, what they love about the country.

“I really appreciate how genuine people are in regional communities, and Narrandera has such a lovely feel that is quintessential of small towns.

“I have been working now for two weeks at Narrandera Health Service and everyone has been so welcoming. It has been really busy and I am enjoying my work here,” says Imogen.

“You just get to learn so much in facilities that are located regionally. The work is varied and more personal, you get to spend more time with patients, and there is something really special and rewarding about that.”

A self-confessed biology nerd, Imogen is

fascinated with the pathophysiology of the body and how it all works.

“I suppose you could say I am into the nuts and bolts of people too,” Imogen says.

With her sights firmly set on staying in the country with her beloved chooks, Imogen is looking forward to one day furthering her education in health.

“I am interested in perhaps studying to become a nurse practitioner one day, to really be able to offer the people in my community even more assistance when it comes to specialist skills.

But for now, I am happy to be absorbing as much as I can in this wonderfully supportive environment.

“I encourage new nurses to apply in remote or regional areas, they really won’t look back!” g

PHOTOS: Top: Imogen Domars, Ebony Coburn (EEN), Jasmine Morrison (Acting NUM), Cathe-rine Romeo (RN) and Rebecca Sadler (RN)

Inset: Imogen Domars nurse graduate

LOVING LIVING IN THE BUSH

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I would like to start by welcoming Aunty Mary Atkinson and Aunty Cheryl Penrith who joined our Board in January, they will be a valuable addition to the team of Directors. I was particularly happy that the Health Minister Brad Hazzard accepted local advice to appoint these women. I also congratulate John Ireland and Adrian Lindner who have been re-appointed for another term reflecting their solid contribution over the past few years.

The MLHD Board is extremely focused on culture and only this month took the time to conduct a cultural reflection session. We are very committed to achieving a way of thinking and working at all levels within MLHD that respects culture and does not allow the background of any individual to impede the care they receive or their ability to work safely and effectively.

The Board summarised the desired approach by remembering that

OUR CONDUCT SEEKS TO SEE, TO LISTEN, AND TO UNDERSTAND.And through seeking we achieve an organisational essence for staff, patients and our community that says

WE ARE TOGETHER, YOU ARE RECOGNISED, YOU ARE RESPECTED, YOU ARE VALUED.The LHAC virtual conference late last year had ‘Kindness’ as its theme which reflects the attitude of the Board. In truth, kindness is demonstrated throughout our organisation daily and

I am sure most of us will be sensitive to culture, but it is easy to become complacent and I would ask each and everyone of us to take time to regularly reflect on their own actions to ensure we strive to achieve the sentiments I have raised.

COVID continues to trouble us but as I write this note the Government has announced the scale-back of restrictions as we move through March, so it seems we are on the cusp of moving from a pandemic scenario to an endemic scenario. Having said this, it remains important that we are aware of risk and consistently practice safe distancing, masks if in close contact and back matters up by frequent and thorough hand washing. These simple measures will also help us to navigate the possible flu season as we deal with the winter months.

Workforce remains the most substantial issue we face. Our workforce is tired – their magnificent service over the past few years has been incredible – they have endured emotional, physical, and mental stress.

To make things worse there is a shortage of people to fill our workforce gaps and there is vigorous competition from outside MLHD to attract the few people who are available. The Board understands the problem and is deeply concerned.

Our concerns have been conveyed to the highest levels in the State. Our workforce executive is working hard to manage matters, find fresh solutions and support our workforce. To say thank you to everyone seems inadequate but behind that thank you is a recognition of your service, an understanding of how tough

is has been, an apology for the additional demands each of you has had to face, and a determination to follow matters through so we emerge refreshed, restored, and stronger.

I would like to close by making mention of the value the Board places in our Local Health Advisory Committees (LHAC). We seek to engage regularly with them, to inform, to listen, to seek solutions, and to praise success.

LHAC membership can ebb and flow and I ask anyone who reads this column to consider joining their LHAC to help MLHD engage with the community it serves.

Stay safe,

Tom Douch MLHD Board Chair

MLHD Board Chair Dr Thomas Douch

FROM THE CHAIRA WORD

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I am proud to be staying local. I think it’s a good opportunity for me to go home and help my local community people I have grown up with.

I definitely want to stay in Tumut for a long while. All my family is there all my friends are there.

It was quite difficult during COVID – especially placements trying to get those organised and being delayed.

I did eight weeks in Wagga Base and a little bit in Tumut.

It will be a lot different when I start this time – a lot of responsibility now.

I am doing my new grad year in Wagga Wagga.

I have actually been a hairdresser for the past ten years and I started doing hair in the nursing home at Tumut and I fell in love with older people and I wanted to do something one day with vulnerable people and care for them in places like hospital and aged care facilities.

I think we need more people in the industry who are passionate about fixing the problems.

I am starting on the medical ward up here and then after six months I am going to CCU - coronary care, which is something I am really interested in.

I have done three CCU placements before and also worked on the medical ward in Tumut for the last two years.

After studying for three years, it’s my new passion to be nursing.

with our new Nurse Graduates

Sam Halloran (Tumut)

Teisha Freeman (Wagga Wagga)

VOX POPS

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MAKING THE DECISION TO UPGRADE YOUR QUALIFICATIONFrances Brogan loves working in nursing. She was keen to progress her career – and move away from shift work to spend more time with her family. Online study meant she could gain a Master of Nursing to help her achieve her goals.

“I’d been thinking about postgraduate online study for a few years before I began, but I’d never felt really ready. When I started studying, I was working as a clinical nurse specialist in an emergency department, where I had been for 16 years. I had four children (I still have them!)," Frances said.

“I jumped into the course earlier than planned because a role at work was coming up that I really wanted, and I knew postgraduate study would help me do well in it.”

Within six weeks Frances had applied and been accepted to study, applied for scholarships, interviewed for, and started a new job!

“I had done a lot of research about universities in the previous few years. A major factor in my decision to study at Charles Sturt University was that I could do the whole degree online. As a working mum, I couldn’t make a commitment to face-to-face learning, and Charles Sturt had the best platform for online study."

Frances certainly feels that studying a master’s degree has advanced her career – and will do so in the future as well. But that’s far from the only benefit.

“I see the world differently now. It was great with online study as we had students not only from metropolitan areas like me, but also rural areas and from many different countries, so I really felt I was exposed to views and knowledge from across a wide range of experience.

“The role I started at the same time as my postgraduate study was as a nurse educator, a direction I wanted to take my career in. Since then, I’ve moved into a nursing research intern position. That’s a role I would never have thought of looking at before I did my postgraduate degree. I’ve found there are so many more pathways that I am interested in and that I feel I can pursue in my career.

“And the degree has paid so many dividends for my family in that we can spend more time together now my working life is better. It was a challenging three years, but the gains have been so great.

“I really feel that the kids gained from it, by seeing their mum put in the hard work and reap the benefits; particularly for my three girls, so they could see that women can study and work and achieve.”

If you want to advance your career, consider the Master of Nursing at Charles Sturt University. You can start small and ease back into study with new graduate certificates in nursing. Complete your course part-time in just eight to ten months and receive credit when applying for the master’s. Choose from:

• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Aged Care)

• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Clinical Education)

• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Leadership and Management)

• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Rural and Remote Nursing)

For more information, visit study.csu.edu.au/master-nursing g

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MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

Murrumbidgee Local Health District has welcomed two new Board members from the local region.

Board Chair Dr Thomas Douch said he was delighted to announce the appointment of Cheryl Penrith and Mary Atkinson both from Wagga Wagga to the MLHD Board.

The two new appointments recognises the Board’s commitment to orientating the local health district to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the health care they need. Improving Aboriginal people’s engagement through enhanced cultural competency of health professionals and services is an important element of improving health outcomes.

A well respected community leader, Ms Atkinson is a Wiradjuri woman who brings a wealth of experience in the education field and a keen interest in primary health care and mental health. She was the recipient of the Wagga Wagga NAIDOC community person of the year.

Ms Atkinson is a member of the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Advisory Committee, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, Mawang Gaway Wiradjuri Gallery reference group and the Wagga Wagga Pomingalarna Elders women’s consulting group.

Influencer, mentor, connector and coach, Wiradjuri woman Ms Penrith cites her passion for community development and capacity building, cultural empowerment, community health and wellbeing as her motivating force to join the Board. She is looking forward to being involved in decision making and contributing to the revival and reinvigoration of all aspects of cultural practices.

Ms Penrith is a lead member of Mawang Gaway, a consultative committee to the Wagga Wagga City Council, a Member of the Wagga Wagga City Council RAP committee, member of the Pomingalarna Women’s Group, a member of the advisory committee in relation to the new Museum of the Riverina, and member of the Indigenous advisory to Eastern Riverina Arts.

Dr Douch said the new board members were appointed by the NSW Health Minister for their substantial skills in governance and health delivery and their ability to provide a unique perspective and connection to country.

“I’m delighted to welcome two wonderful Wiradjuri women who will bring a strong focus on providing culturally safe and inclusive healthcare. They are both leaders in their local rural communities and have a strong passion to improve the health outcomes of people across the MLHD,” he said.

“Both have extensive experience across a range of sectors, including education and government, together with an understanding of the challenges of living remotely and access to healthcare,” Dr Douch said. g

NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

Board Director Aunty Mary Atkinson

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Local Health District Boards were formed by the NSW Government in 2011 to devolve responsibility and accountability within the health system to improve local decision-making and patient care.

The MLHD Board works to ensure effective clinical and corporate governance frameworks are established to support standards of patient care and services.

MLHD Board members are:

• Dr Thomas Douch, Young (Chair)• Ms Elizabeth Dixon, Carathool• Ms Elke Cleverdon, Young• Mr Geoff Twomey, Cootamundra• Mr John Ireland, Wagga Wagga• Mr Adrian Lindner, Wagga Wagga• Mr Jonathon Green, Albury• Dr Alam Yoosuff, Finley • Ms Cheryl Penrith, Wagga Wagga• Ms Mary Atkinson, Wagga Wagga• Ms Andrea Jordan, Griffith (staff rep)

Board Director Aunty Cheryl Penrith

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

SITE VISITS I am delighted to have been able to resume my site visits to our facilities across the region this year, following a two year hiatus due to COVID.

In February I visited Batlow, Berrigan, Tumbarumba and Tocumwal.

Visiting the hospital sites, speaking with staff, residents, volunteers and members of the community, is one of the best ways for me to hear how services and systems are working on the ground.

I really enjoy the opportunity to hear from our residents and their families about their experiences in the Multipurpose sites. Quite often they are excited to tell me about the activities that keep them occupied, and are always quick to applaud the work of our incredible staff.

Always interesting too are the great discussions I have with LHAC members and Councils around ideas and areas for improvements.

OFFICIAL OPENINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTSIt's been an exciting start to the year with some important milestones to celebrate with the opening of a number of services in our District this year.

It was my privilege to attend the official opening of the Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service on 7 February and unveil the plaque together with Facility Manager Kerry Menz and long serving enrolled nurse Barbara Manwaring, Member for Riverina, Hon Michael McCormack MP, and The Honourable Steph Cooke, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Member Cootamundra.

From the Chief Executive

The Hon. Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health, officially opened two Safe Havens - one at Wagga Wagga and one at Griffith.

Safe Havens have been established as a calm and welcomng space for people experiencing suicidal distress or suicidal thoughts. They are staffed with peer workers with lived experience who understand and can relate to how you are feeling.

Minister Taylor also announced ADCO Constructions were awarded the contract to commence work on the new Clinical Services Building at Griffith Base Hospital.

This is part of a $250 million dollar redevelopment.

WELCOME BOARD DIRECTORSI'd like to warmly welcome our two newest Board Directors, Cheryl Penrith and Mary Atkinson.

Ms Atkinson is a well respected Wiradjuri community leader with a wealth of experience in the education field and a keen interest in primary health care and mental health. Mary was the recipient of the Wagga Wagga NAIDOC community person of the year.

Ms Penrith is a Wiradjuri woman and a lead member of Mawang Gaway, a consultative committee to the Wagga Wagga City Council. Ms Penrith cites her passion for community development and capacity building, cultural empowerment, community health and wellbeing as her motivating force to join the Board.

Jill Ludford Chief Executive, MLHD

PAGE 13

Above and top: I was delighted to catch up with resident Jean (the day before her 100th birthday!) and Facility Manager Margreet Gutker and CSO Peggy Midleton at Berrigan MPS in February.

Above: Adelong-Batlow MPS visit in February meeting with staff and residents in February.

Above - my visit to our beautiful Tumbarumba MPS gave me the opportunity to chat with residents about their new home

My visit to Tocumwal included a tour of the new staff accomodation

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

Residents in the Griffith region are a step closer to benefiting from a new health facility with the principal contractor appointed for the new Clinical Services Building, part of the $250 million Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment.

This month, Minister for Regional Health, The Hon. Bronnie Taylor announced the construction contract has been awarded to ADCO Constructions, with work set to begin in the coming months.

“The redevelopment of Griffith Base Hospital will provide Griffith and surrounding communities with state-of-the art health facilities and enhanced health services closer to home,” Minister Taylor said.

The new Clinical Services Building will include:

• A new emergency department • Increase in aged care and rehabilitation beds• New operating theatres• Surgical, and medical inpatient units including a mental

health short stay unit • Maternity and paediatric services• Medical imaging• Outpatient care to include expanded renal and oncology

services and more specialist clinics.

Substantial early and enabling works have been completed over the past two years to ensure health services will continue without interruption during construction of the new clinical services building.

“We’ve reached a significant and exciting milestone on this project, which will be a real boost for communities, bringing enhanced, essential healthcare services to the region,” Minister Taylor said.

This project will also support hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in the region during construction and many locals will be able to develop industry skills providing a boost to the local economy.”

ADCO has extensive experience in delivering health projects and working in regional areas across NSW.

Construction of the new hospital is expected to be completed in 2025 before the services are transferred over and the new facility is operational.

This will be followed by final works including demolition of old hospital buildings, landscaping and car parking.

BUILDER ANNOUNCED FOR $250 MILLION GRIFFITH BASE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

Check the project website for news and updates on the progress of the Redevelopment: https://www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/GBHRedev

PAGE 15

Community, staff and residents gathered on 7 February 2022 to celebrate the official opening of the Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service.

MLHD CE Jill Ludford, Facility Manager Kerry Menz and long serving enrolled nurse Barbara Manwaring unveiled the plaque with the help of Member for Riverina, Hon Michael McCormack MP, The Honourable Steph Cooke, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Member for Cootamundra.

In her address, Jill Ludford thanked the many people involved in this successful project including Kerry Menz, Jo Garlick, members of the Local Health Advisory Community, United Hospital Auxiliary, volunteers, Health Infrastructure and the project team, Kheely Turner, Aunty Leanne, the community and the wonderful staff, patients and residents.

The 33 bed facility includes an Emergency Department, flexible inpatient beds, residential aged care, staff accommodation and a range of community nursing and allied health services.

There is a beautiful cultural garden established in consultation with the Aboriginal community and a heritage mural inside the facility depicting the history of the Health Service. Kheely Turner's exquisite artwork will hang alongside 20 other pieces from the Art Gallery of NSW as part of a new and innovative Arts in Health Pilot Project initiative.

The main hospital building was completed and operational in August 2020 and works including demolition of the old hospital, landscaping and three new staff accommodation units were completed in 2021.

OFFICIAL OPENING AT HARDEN

Watch a video of the official opening: https://youtu.be/A8JlJ2AVqbo

The NSW Government has invested $50 million in the Tumut Hospital Redevelopment to meet the health needs of the local and surrounding communities now, and into the future.

Construction of the Tumut Hospital is complete and services within the new facility have been operating since November 2021.

As part of the final works for the redevelopment, demolition of the old hospital is currently underway.

Additional works are being completed including construction of a new helipad, landscaping, car parking and building the hospital’s new main entrance via Simpson Street.

Temporary access to the hospital via Lambie St is in place for all patients, visitors, staff, ambulance and other emergency services vehicles until the completion of works.

Final works are expected to be completed this year.

More information: mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/tumut-redev

TUMUT HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT CONTINUES

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

5Murrumbidgee Local Health District is celebrating the fifth birthday of the Community Care Intake Service (CCIS).

CCIS provides telephone-based assessments for people across the Murrumbidgee region to link patients with support and community-based health services.

The CCIS team work closely with local clinicians including GPs, specialists, allied health services, hospitals and service providers to arrange care and support, as close to home as possible. The service also provides information and support to access other services, such as the Federal Government’s My Aged Care and external providers to assist with social and financial issues.

“The service is available to people living in all communities across the Murrumbidgee region,” CCIS Nurse Unit Manager, Nicole Logan said.

“It is a tailored and streamlined approach to more comprehensively understand the patient’s needs and then linking them with appropriate and available

community health services”.

The referrals to CCIS have steadily increased every year, with last year’s total sitting at 25,780.

“People seeking community health services can either call and make a self-referral, or have their local GP or professional health provider send through a referral. We now have a team of 14 specialist staff and are assisting with up to 600 calls a week,” Ms Logan said.

The CCIS team have worked consistently over the past five years with local doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, Local Health Advisory Committees and the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network to improve and grow the service to meet community demand, with over 91,500 referrals in that time.

“We are proud of the huge contribution CCIS make by offering support and linking the community to services,” said Ms Logan.

CCIS assists the community with referrals to services including:

• Community Nurses• Child and Family Nurses• Counselling Services• Occupational Therapist• Dietitian• Physiotherapist• Speech Pathologist• Palliative Care Nurses• Diabetes Educator and Gestational Diabetes Group• Respiratory Care and Respiratory Nurse Practitioner• Integrated Care• Women’s Health• Tuberculosis Services and TB Virtual Care• Metabolic Team

COMMUNITY CARE INTAKE SERVICE TURNS FIVE

CONTACT CCIS

Phone: 1800 654 324 (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm) Email: MLHD-CCIS@health.nsw.gov.au website: www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

PAGE 17

COMMUNITY CARE INTAKE SERVICE

The Community Care Intake Service (CCIS) aims to improve access to community health services by tailoring and streamlining care options available in the local area.

Our team of nurses work with clients and their families to understand their clinical and social needs and align them to the most suitable services close to home.

The CCIS team work closely with local clinicians including GPs, Specialists, Allied Health services, hospitals and service providers to arrange care and support.

The service also provides information and support to access other services, such as the Federal Government’s My Aged Care and external providers to assist with social and financial issues.

The service is available to people living in all communities across the Murrumbidgee region with strong partnerships being built with interstate services.

The Community Care Intake Service can guide you to the service you need.

Services include: • Community Nurses• Child and Family Nurses• Counselling services• Occupational Therapist• Dietitian • Physiotherapist • Speech Pathologist• Palliative Care Nurses• Diabetes Educator• Respiratory Care• Integrated Care• Women’s Health • Tuberculosis Services

Call 1800 654 324 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday

or email:MLHD-CCIS@health.nsw.gov.au

1800 654 324

Information correct at time of printing: Feb 2020

MURRUMBIGDEELOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

With the focus in this edition on recruitment and retention, and as we approach our fifth year of operation, it’s a moment to highlight the role of the Riverina Regional Training Hub (RRTH), part of the University of Notre Dame Australia Rural Clinical School.Early in the RRTH’s development we collaborated with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District to successfully seek commonwealth government funding for two new specialist training pathways – one in Emergency Medicine, the other in Anaesthetics. These two training pathways differed from most of those existing in the region at the time, as they were anchored at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, not in a metropolitan hospital. The ongoing funding of these posts continues to support local trainee doctors. Around Australia one hundred rurally/regionally new training posts were created using a similar model. Such a strategy was developed in many sites and it was great to be one of the early starters…providing clear locally-anchored training.In many ways this flipping of the training model to basing specialist training in regional hospitals, enhanced the rethink

about recruitment and retention of non-GP specialist trainees and is contributing to providing clearer pathways to training within the region.Now well into 2022, we are working with medical students and trainee doctors, their supervisors and mentors, to further recruit or keep as many as possible training regionally and remaining or returning to regional practice. This is a many-pronged approach.In Griffith there is a new group of trainee doctors and a pilot program to build the ultrasound skills of them and their Griffith based colleagues. The online program will be led by the recently appointed Director of Prevocational Training for Griffith Base Hospital, Dr Tony Floyd. If this pilot program is successful, it will be another educational feature that may attract trainee doctors to spend time there.The Temora team are warmly welcoming us for this year’s Rural Generalist Showcase and Workshop at the end of May. This event is aimed at fostering and sustaining the interest of medical students and trainee doctors based in the region in rural general practice and will be powered by two locally trained young doctors Marty Ryan and Grant Elliott. The weekend will include both educational and networking opportunities.

Back in the big smoke of Wagga Wagga the RRTH has played a small part in welcoming our new intake of junior doctors. Useful resources were shared with them that can enrich their own training journeys.

Medical career podcasts from medical students on getting into medicine,

from doctors in training and doctors established in regional and rural careers. https://www.destinationmedicine.com.au/

Information about careers, career planning, community of practice, rural conferences

and scholarships and support https://www.notredame.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/281013/JMO-Almanac-RRTH-2022-20-Jan-2022.pdf

A website to find what non-GP Specialties can be

trained in regionally/rurally and where this training can be undertaken (allows search by interest or location) https://regionalmedicaltraining.com.au

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A MANY PRONGED APPROACH

PAGE 19

Rural Pathways to Post-Graduate Medical TrainingWAGGA WAGGA GRIFFITHRIVERINA

We can: • Give you the information you need about rural medical training pathways • Help navigate a rural medical training pathway for your career • Connect you to career advice from rural specialists

Contact UsPh: 02 8204 4607 Int Ph: 4607Email: RRTHenquiries@nd.edu.au

nd.edu.au/riverina-rural-training-hubRiverina Rural Training Hubtwitter.com/rural_hub

RURAL STUDY RURAL TRAINING RURAL CAREER

An Australian Government Initiative

PHOTOS ABOVE:

The University of Wollongong medical students completing their final year in Griffith. Look out for them as they complete electives around our region which the RRTH supports them to find. Connecting and supporting these groups is all part of the multi-pronged approach to encouraging rural study, training and careers in medicine.

BELOW: Some of the newly arrived Griffith junior doctors enjoying trivia and placing second! A chance also to chat about rural and regional careers.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has recently received funding to support the provision of a range of initiatives in aged care across the Murrumbidgee Region.

The funding is part of the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) CEO Melissa Neal said the funding is aimed at supporting healthy ageing for people whether they are living in the community or in residential aged care facilities.

“Aged care is one of the PHNs seven priority areas of work. This new funding will support an increased focus on developing the capacity of residential aged care facilities including access to after- hours support and utilisation of telehealth to improve access to health care and the delivery of early intervention programs to support the wellbeing of older people to live longer in the community.”

“MPHN is looking forward to continuing to work with and building on our existing relationships to support Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) to deliver quality services in aged care,” Ms Neal said.

Anita McRae, MPHNs Senior Manager System Integration said commissioned services and activities will help address the needs and gaps that have been identified in caring for older people in community and in residential aged care “Through this funding our aim will be to support RACFs across the Murrumbidgee to facilitate access to contemporary telehealth supports and have after-hours GP support so unnecessary hospital presentations can be reduced.” said Ms McRae.

“This funding will also improve early intervention programs so more senior Murrumbidgee residents can live in the community for longer.”

The funding will be delivered over four years with services to commence in the first quarter of 2022. g

Major funding boost to support care for older people in the Murrumbidgee

PAGE 21

Time is running out to maximise your tax saving entitlement for the 2021/22 FBT year.

As a public health worker you’re entitled to receive up to $9,009 of your salary tax free each year for general living expenses like mortgage, rent and credit card payments (and more if you live and work in a remote area). You’re also entitled to another $2,649 to spend on dining out or takeaway meals.

That’s over $11,650 in salary that you could be receiving tax free.

And given most of us pay tax at the 32.5% marginal rate (or higher), plus a 2% Medicare levy, your $11,650 tax free entitlement could save you $4,020 annually (34.5% x $11,650).

That’s extra money straight in your pocket.

Now is the time to act

There are only a few pay periods between now and March 31. At that time your $9,009/$2,649 entitlements will be re-set and you don’t get to roll over any unused amount into the next FBT year.

Your tax savings are gone forever.

So check your salary packaging account now to ensure you’re on track to use your full entitlement this 2021/22 FBT year. This can be done via the MySalPack App, calling 1300 40 25 23, logging into your account at www.salarypackagingplus.com.au/nswhealth, or emailing nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au. If you have anything left to claim we can help you sort it out.

Not salary packaging yet?

There’s still time to take advantage of salary packaging and access some of your tax free entitlement for 2021/22 FBT year. Call SalaryPackagingPLUS to find out how.

After all, why miss out on extra take-home pay?

a LeasePLUS Group company

Have you maximized your entitlements?

The salary packaging year ends March 31!

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

Support is just a call awayA pilot program linking patients in hospitals across the District with a Social Worker has been hailed a resounding success, with Facility Manager’s saying they don’t know how they ever managed without it.

A worthy winner of MLHD’s 2021 Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion, the Virtual Social Work Service has addressed the challenge of providing an important and timely service across a large geographical area.

Within MLHD only four of 30 hospital sites have access to an on-site social worker. The sites without this vital service experienced an increased length of stay for patients, and difficulties in complex discharge planning. To address this deficiency a virtual service was trialled, providing equity of social work service delivery to all sites that do not have an on-site social worker.

Working in partnership with local MLHD facilities, the Virtual Social Work Service has improved complex discharge planning and crisis intervention activities. The service uses centralised prioritisation to allow allocation of resources based on need rather than locality, ensuring resources are used effectively.

Project lead Rachel Crowe, Manager of MLHD’s Social Work team said prolonged hospitalisation can be associated with significant social, economic, physical, health and psychological burdens.

“Effective care planning promoting patient and carer involvement is associated with lower length of stay, better health outcomes, greater satisfaction and reduced risk of adverse incidents and complications,” said Rachel.

“Social Workers are well placed to facilitate complex discharge and support healthcare facilities in an effective and timely way.”

Prior to having access to the Virtual Social Work Service, psychosocial issues relating to a patients’ hospital admission were often unidentified and therefore, left unaddressed.

This contributed to increased length of stay and repeat admissions for patients where psychosocial issues were impacting on their health, rather than their health needs, impacting on the psychosocial aspects of their life.

“Multipurpose Services and District Hospitals across MLHD were approached to promote the pilot Virtual Social Work Service,” said Rachel.

“In-services on the role and capabilities of social work were provided to sites and procedures were put in place for seamless referral to the Virtual Social Work Service.

“Consultations are provided through the My Virtual Care platform and between July 2020 and March 2021, a total of 203 referrals were received from 18 sites across MLHD and 427 patient contacts

took place.”

Social work intervention contributes to effective discharge planning through the social worker’s ability to manage patients’ continuing care needs at hospitals and in community-based health settings without recurring need for acute or emergent care services. Through this pilot it was highlighted that the Virtual Social Worker was frequently used to facilitate a range of statutory functions relevant to local legislative requirements, including: child protection; vulnerable adults; power of attorney and public trustee or guardianship. This service enabled patients who would have of otherwise been medically stable at WWBH or GBH to be discharged earlier.

Consultation with MLHD staff involved in the Virtual Social Work Service was overwhelmingly positive.

Feedback was collected using MLHD Patient Reported Experience Team who were independent of the service. Overall, the patient’s reported access to the social worker enhanced their journey through the healthcare system.

“I saw the social worker, they did it on the computer, it was amazing, talk about technology! I thought it was different but it was excellent. I could talk one on one and saved me worrying about getting to them.”

(continued over)

VIRTUAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE

PAGE 23

Virtual Social Work (Cont)

Site Facility Managers and NUMs were also consulted and feedback received was that the Virtual Social Work Service had become an integral part of their facility and one which they could not continue without. Benefits also included improved use of existing site staff resources, value being added to patient care, and decreased patient time spent in facilities due to enablement of earlier discharge in more complex patient cases.

Gundagai MPS Facility Manager Jane Turner said the Social Work service has provided Gundagai with comprehensive and holistic discharge planning in complex cases.

“Prior to the commencement of this service, clinical staff had to attend to this role,” said Jane.

“More often than not, they were attending to complex and very complicated areas that were outside

of their scope such as Centrelink applications, Guardianship matters & multifaceted family liaison.”

Congratulations to the Social Work Team for this successful pilot program, and we thank you for your continued commitment to providing this vital service for our patients and their families.

At MLHD we’re always on the lookout for great people who value collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment. We strongly believe ‘Our People are our Future.’

If you're passionate about making a difference, committed to exceptional patient care and enjoy working within a supportive team environment, then explore new horizons at MLHD.

Working at MLHD provides you with the ability to navigate your own career. As a large local health district we can provide you with career choice.

You may choose to experience work in a Base Hospital, or you may enjoy working within a smaller Multipurpose Service, or perhaps you'd like to be a part of our Corporate Services support team. Whatever your preference, there are a range of interesting and rewarding employment options to suit all career and lifestyle aspirations.

To see more about Careers in Murrumbidgee visit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5kIQB_7ARkeeCOMzbJyoKnmp1H6JJe9R

JOIN OUR TEAM!

WELCOME FACILITY MANAGERS

Judith McGrath Tumbarumba Health Service

Congratulations to Judith McGrath who is the newly appointed Facility Manager at our Tumbarumba Multipurpose Service.

Judith has hit the ground running in Tumbarumba after acting as Facility Manager at Adelong-Batlow Multipurpose Service.

Parveen Kaur Finley Health Service

Parveen Kaur was appointed as Facility Manager of Finley Hospital in September 2021.

Parveen previously worked as a the Nursing Unit Manager of the acute inpatient unit at Deniliquin District Hospital for five years.

Lucy Dunstan Young Health Service

Lucy comes with a wealth of management experience at Prince of Wales Hospital, recently relocating to the Hilltops LGA. She has worked as a Clinical Nurse Educator, and NUM of a busy Haematology Department in both the outpatient and inpatient setting.

Dianne Reid West Wyalong Health Service

Welcome to Dianne Reid, joining Kylie Holland as Co- Facility Manager of West Wyalong Hospital for the next six months. Dianne has gained extensive clinical experience working as a Registered Nurse across Australia and is undertaking post graduate studies in management.

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

PAGE 25

Seems you would only have to take a brief glance at Valerie Carroll’s resume to know that working in caring professions is in her blood.

And quite a resume it is. Valerie lists primary school teacher, a TAFE teacher, Mental Health Support Worker, Bank Clerk, Employment Consultant, and even waitress (although she says this was many years ago).

As our Opioid Treatment Program Social Worker based in Tumut, a caring role is very much where she has landed now.

Valerie’s study history is also a huge part of her working journey. In fact Valerie says that in her married life of 32 years, there’s only been four of them when she hasn’t been studying. She graduated from her latest round of study, a Masters in Social Work in 2018 and came to work in our District.

“In my life there has been very few periods when I wasn’t actively involved in study. I love learning. I read a lot and like studying,” Valerie says.

Interestingly enough it was when she was working as an employment consultant that has sent Valerie in her current direction.

“When I was working as an employment consultant I worked closely with those people for who finding work was very difficult,” Valerie says.

“This could be because of homelessness, or addiction or other problems. I worked with them on their interview skills and preparation, their resume writing and conflict resolution.

“It made me realise that I like working with people. I like the coalface and I like helping the underdog, seeing the needs people have.

“It was interesting because when I was deciding [on her next course of study] it was a toss-up between social work and psychology.

“I chose social work because it meant that I could do counselling in a more relaxed way.”

One of the biggest challenges Valerie sees is the stigma around drugs and alcohol use.

“It’s a little perverse that we use alcohol for congratulations, the ‘let’s catch up for a drink’ and the first thing you ask people at a barbeque is ‘what can I get you to drink?’ and yet we think of those with alcohol issues as terrible people with no self-control.

“When you look at our society as a whole you can see that anyone can have issues with drugs and alcohol. We see people who have been prescribed particular drugs for a past injury and this has turned into addiction.

“Sometimes we need to remember that alcohol is a drug, paracetamol is a drug and yet we normalise the use of these and accept them.

“We can’t judge and we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

Valerie says COVID didn’t really have an impact on her working life. As an essential worker and in her current role she was still able to see her clients.

“You can’t take a urine sample over the internet. Our counselling is done face to face because we often speak to diagrams they are very interactive sessions. When we did do virtual appointments it was bit harder and I felt I had to keep saying ‘do you understand’.

However Valerie acknowledges that for her clients COVID presented quite a few problems.

“A lot of our people really struggled with the COVID restrictions. Often people with drug and alcohol addiction are not set up with a laptop or phone, or they may have no credit and if you are dosing daily you can’t really go anywhere. If you don’t have a car, or a licence what do you do? It was a difficult time for them.”

Valerie sees a strong need for drug and alcohol services in our District.

“We do see a lack of services and waiting lists in the Drug and Alcohol space. Unfortunately if you need help you need it now. For rehab services these take two to three months and unfortunately we have six month waiting lists.”

Waiting lists aside Valerie has a lot of passion for her role and one of her best moments so far has come very recently.

“I was working with a young person around some issues with alcohol and

we had quite a few ups and downs. We worked together for some time and he met all his goals and finished working with me. A week ago I got a text message from him saying ‘I just thought I would let you know how I am…’

“Most people I work with come to me on their own volition and they may start out aggressive and then they become polite and start interacting and listening.

“I love the conversations, the discussions and meeting people…especially in the supermarket. I love when they discretely share their proud moments…’I am one year sober on Tuesday’.

“Unfortunately some of the worst moments in this role come when you see the judgement and prejudice that may arise in a professional situation.

“It’s important to remember that these are real people and addiction can be such a terrible thing, but these people still love their kids and are still concerned for them.

“I think we need to see the addiction through a separate lens.

“I love my job. It’s rewarding in that there is always the potential for betterment. If someone wants to change and put in the work they are more than capable of making the change in their lives.

“That’s the beauty of drug and alcohol work is that there is always the potential for full recovery and a good life.”

For the record, Valerie’s favourite sushi is tuna rolls and chicken karaage. g

Valerie Carroll, Social Worker

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

No one is as enthusiastic about germs as Mary-Clare Smith. Lucky for us they really don’t bug her at all, because as the District's Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Consultant, she really knows what goes around, well it really does come around.

Mary-Clare really can see the positive in most situations, and no-one seems to be immune to her kindness and passion in supporting staff and patients during their time of need.

Mary-Clare has managed to keep calm and carry on during what she has described as a “baptism of fire”.

“I had been sitting in the role for a little over a year when the COVID-19 Pandemic began. However we used it as an opportunity for our team to actively demonstrate how important infection control measures are, turning what was a crisis type response into something more normal," said Mary-Clare.

“As health care professionals we have always been focused on and aware of infection control, but the content is sometimes received as the poor relative."

“We know the importance of hand hygiene and managing our infection control processes from admission to discharge in facilities, however the topic

is sometimes perceived as less exciting.

“The COVID-19 pandemic really gave us the opportunity to actively give relevance and demonstrate how crucial it is when people were looking to us for practical solutions to help manage the risks associated with the COVID pandemic response,” she said.

Well-equipped to make sure that staff, facilities and patients are getting the support they need to manage infection control; including hand hygiene techniques, donning and doffing PPE and the importance of adequate fitting masks, Mary-Clare and her team have also found opportunities to assist staff and patients who may be more affected than others, such as people with hearing loss and people who are living with anxiety and other mental health conditions.

“We are currently working with a staff member who is deaf, and as you can imagine, we needed to offer other solutions for them in order to communicate clearly and at the same time manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission because that impacted her ability to lip read," said Mary-Clare.

“People with hearing loss have really felt a heightened sense of isolation during mask wearing mandates, so it was really

important to me that we are working closely with her to implement changes that will not only assist her in her role, but also help people within the wider community who may also be affected.”

Mary-Clare has always been interested in helping others, and first completed her degree in Nursing following her HSC back in 1992. She very quickly found herself specialising in Psychiatric Nursing, then branching into child protection, and then ten years of Management within an Aged Care Residential Facility.

“I have always been interested in helping the most vulnerable in the community, which can be challenging and heartbreaking, but also so rewarding. Working within those sectors was a good fit for me.

“As I gained more skills, experience and confidence, and completed a short stint teaching at TAFE, I then found my passion was to help educate others and saw that there really was opportunity to create more impact by passing my knowledge and skills as a clinical nurse educator.”

Now that Mary-Clare has a more district wide role within MLHD she is excited about the opportunities they have as a team to educate so many people on so many levels.

GOAL KEEPER OF THE GERMS

MARY-CLARE SMITH

PAGE 27

“Our group is fortunate to really implement relevant changes, because Infection Control is at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now. We have been able to actively capitalise and utilise the foundations in infection prevention and apply it across a variety of situations, including the MPS Aged Care Facilities,” said Mary-Clare.

Mary-Clare believes training others is an opportunity for nurses to feel valued, giving them opportunity to really increase their skills and knowledge. She feels that meeting and training staff across all our facilities is positive and empowering for all involved and serves to further benefit the facility and wider community.

“We like to think we are the goal keeper of germs, which is funny because I am also a goal keeper in water polo,” said Mary-Clare.

“Our approach is to normalise infectious control behaviours and have a more positive impact on mental health outcomes at the same time. People who feel confident that they are protecting themselves and others at work without having to stress out about it, are generally happier.

“There was a time not long ago that we all would drag ourselves to work even if we felt unwell due to the negative connotations around taking a sick day. We now better acknowledge and are more comfortable with the messaging around staying home when we are sick, because ultimately this is about taking care of ourselves and our co-workers. It is ok to stay home when we are sick, in fact it is expected!”.

Mary-Clare has drawn inspiration from her colleagues and family these past two years and attributes her positive outlook to her parents. Growing up in a family of ten children and being the youngest girl was lovely but also had its fair share of arguments and challenges.

“I tended to be a worrier and mothered my younger brothers possibly a little too much and my dad would say “Run your own race instead of worrying about what everyone else is up to”.

“My father passed away in 2006 and he was a very caring happy person and was able to reframe challenges in life into a positive,” she said.

“My mother has remained an amazing strength for myself and my family and having been a registered nurse herself, this has helped support me since my father passed away in such a challenging but rewarding role.

“My parents have always been able to see the humour in life too which has also helped.

“I always find this empowers me when there are challenges in health and in life, to stay focused and positive even in a pandemic. Having been able to overcome hardships during my childhood, I know that we will also get through this p andemic.” g

Article contributed by Young Witness

Young Hospital Auxiliary President Janice Ward is pleased to let Young and district residents know that there is a new ultrasound machine at Young Hospital.

Mrs Ward said that the purchase of the new machine would not have been possible without the generous bequest of the late Mrs Betty Luckie to the Hospital Auxiliary to purchase equipment for the Young Hospital. Mrs Luckie's much appreciated bequest has enabled the purchase of this very valuable and essential piece of equipment.

Mrs Luckie's bequest (which has been topped-up by funds from MLHD) was thus a very lucky coincidence as it enabled the purchase of a replacement machine.

The new ultrasound has seven probes and can be used for a variety of examinations including abdominal, specialised liver, kidneys, appendix, pelvis (for uterus, ovaries or prostate), leg arteries and veins, arm arteries and veins, carotid (neck) arteries, thyroid, breast, all joints plus nerves, tendons and ligaments and other small parts. It can also perform all pregnancy scans.

Young Hospital Auxiliary members are humbled by Mrs Luckie's bequest, and have gratefully asked that the machine be referred to as the Luckie Ultrasound.

A plaque has been affixed which reads "Luckie Ultrasound" The generous bequest of Mrs Betty Luckie to Young Hospital 2021. g

A 'Luckie' ultrasound machine

MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

FIRST DAN MARTIAL ARTIST KICKING GOALSMichelle Cruse is shy of publicity and thinks that she really is not that interesting - but after five minutes chatting with her, it became obvious that her amazing passion for her work and community is a by-product of the way she lives her very full and busy life.

Michelle’s career as a Nurse began in 1981 at Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney, and spans over 41 jam packed years. Michelle felt from the time she was four years old that she wanted to be a nurse. “I just knew that I wanted to help people all along, and routinely would wrap my teddies and dolls up in bandages and apply first aid”.

Michelle has seen lots of changes in health over the years and is grateful for all the experiences this has afforded her. “When I first enrolled as a Nurse, learning was heavily clinically based, and I was exposed to so many different scenarios. I once cared for a polio patient in an iron lung, which was very sad, but that has stayed with me and left me knowing that my family was never going to not be vaccinated.”

“Today, the level of responsibility and accountability for people studying nursing has shifted, so that it is less about ‘doing as I say’ and more giving opportunities for nurses to critically think about what they do, and how this affects outcomes. Now there is far greater access to education, and this supports clinical practice, which I really appreciate as that has led me on my ongoing quest to keep studying and learning.”

Michelle describes her journey to become a Nurse Practitioner 11 years ago as a happy accident, after being told by one University that she would not be able to work and successfully study a PHD at the same time. “I was incensed by that, because I had already studied to become a nurse, cared for my blended family of six children while working and completing further study to upgrade to a Bachelor of Nursing degree with First Class Honours and a Graduate Certificate in Critical Care,” Michelle said.

Being told no, made Michelle more determined to find a yes, leading to another conversation with a very forward-thinking course administrator of a different university who really drilled down as to her true motivations and dreams. She discovered that learning more was the motivator, but her heart and intention was to always be working with patients in a hospital setting.

The Nurse Practitioner Qualification really was the perfect fit as it combined both clinical settings and patient care with educational opportunities. “I followed my heart and have not looked back since”.

While working, juggling a family of six children, studying and maintaining a household, you would be forgiven for thinking that Michelle’s cup was full, but when asked about her hobbies we really were left thinking she has supernatural powers.

Michelle somehow has also managed to become a fully qualified first dan black belt in martial arts, studying as an adult, when her own children took up Mmrtial arts as a sport. “Their interest waned after a couple of years, but I was hooked, and went on to become a blackbelt and instructor,” Michelle said.

Michelle is an accomplished seamstress, “if you name it, I‘ll sew it”, loves Bluegrass music and is now teaching herself to play the Banjo, because it is way more fun than cooking! Now the kids are grown and there are only the three dogs and her partner, there is so much more time to play with one of her favourite toys, a 1200 Harley Davidson Custom Sportster.

Michelle’s recent move to Deniliquin in 2021, from South Australia was motivated by her ever-present desire to be on the ground doing what she loves best, helping others and filling her life to the fullest.

“I jumped at the opportunity to move to Deniliquin Hospital and support the community here as a Nurse Practitioner. The role initially was only for eight weeks, then another eight weeks, but by then

I loved it so much my partner and I decided to stay.

“I prefer rural or remote areas, and I feel that the country has just as much to offer as the city, with the only difference being the number of people and shops.”

“Deniliquin is a beautiful friendly town with amazing gardens, where you see families out together doing fun things. Kids are riding bikes with their parents, at the pool, really enjoying family time. The lifestyle here suits me and my partner well, as she is a dog trainer and trains assistance dogs, so there is space for all of us to do what we all love best”.

Michelle’s love for her job really is evident by the way she has quickly become a favourite amongst patients and community members. Her professionalism and care often formally acknowledged by her patients, who describe her as a true asset to the Deniliquin Hospital in every way with a rare way of working with people and team members.

“The Deniliquin Hospital is awesome, and in particular the emergency nursing and medical team is amazing, and if I need anything at all I have the support to facilitate that with no dramas. The patients and community are so friendly, and I can see myself staying until I retire.”

Michelle’s heart really is firmly placed in her community, because when I asked her about what she was most excited about, she said getting second full-time nurse practitioner in Deniliquin Hospital was the thing she is looking forward to the most. They are like minded, passionate, both rural at heart, and will bounce off each other with the same level of enthusiasm.

Michelle has made a career out of learning and attributes this to a quote she read when she was about 12 years old in Readers Digest:

“Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid”.

“It has stuck with me all my life, and it is so true.” g

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Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid... "

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MURRUMBIDGEE

MATTERSMAGAZINE

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2022

PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTOS: 54 new Graduate Registered nurses started this February at Murrumbidgee Local Health District. The GradStarts attended a week long orientation before heading out to their various sites acrosss the District.

PAGE 31

Tumbarumba Assistant in Nursing (AIN) Anu Jarvis, Vanessa Groom and Cherrylin Sullano

Tumbarumba's Lyn McPherson Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN)

Tumbarumba's Helen Ireland

Physiotherpist Rachel Moers outreaches to Batlow

Batlow Cody Flew Assistant in Nursing (AIN)

Berrigan's Health Service Manager Margreet Gutker syas resident's love the new bath

MEET TEAM TUMBARUMBA

BATLOW BERRIGAN

Vale Mavis GardinerWe pass on our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Mavis Gardiner, a much loved member of the Culcairn community.

Mavis was actively involved in our Local Health Advisory Committee for many years fulfilling positions of Chair and Vice Chair, only resigning a couple of years ago when her health started to decline.

Mavis was involved with Kiltern House for many years, was president of the Ladies Bowling Club, and a life member of the Culcairn Football Club and Show Society.

Mavis was loved by all, admired by many, but nothing compared to the love Mavis had for her family and friends.

In our thoughts and memories.

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