NSLHD News May 31

NSLHD News May 31

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD

Main story Short blurb P llia ive Care week T is week we celebrated the amazing dedication of all those working and volunteering in palliative care.

Read more on Page x Read more on Page 3

Welcoming Gus to NSLHD Page 11

Thanking our volunteers Page 7

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Message from the Chief Executive Deb Willcox

Our district prides itself on being a leader in so many fields and throughout this pandemic we have proven that through our response. It is no surprise that we are also leading the state in COVID-19 vaccinations, with more than 10,000 AstraZeneca doses administered through our hospital clinics. This is a fantastic achievement and I thank all of our staff working hard to make this happen, as well as our staff and their families coming forward to receive their vaccination. From Monday 31 May, our Royal North Shore Hospital vaccination clinic will be administering Pfizer. This will complement our other hospital vaccination hubs at Hornsby and Mona Vale hospitals which are seeing positive numbers of people receive AstraZeneca. National Sorry Day was held on May 26 which commemorates the Stolen Generations, their families and communities, and marks the anniversary of the tabling in Federal Parliament of the Bringing Them Home Report. This report was the result of a National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. It was a pivotal moment in the healing journey of many Stolen Generations survivors and the first time their stories of removal from their families were acknowledged in such a way. The week that follows is National Reconciliation Week – from 27 May to 3 June – which commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey, the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision. It is not only an important time for all

Australians to reflect on what actions we can take to in the reconciliation, but as healthcare professionals it is a time to reflect on the role we play in improving the lives and health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Earlier this month we celebrated some of the unsung heroes in our hospitals during National Volunteers Week. Restrictions in 2020 meant we could not get together and celebrate, but this year I had the pleasure of attending a ceremony at Royal North Shore Hospital and meeting some of our volunteers in person. We are delighted to welcome volunteers back to our hospitals and I thank them for their understanding and patience as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic. Words cannot express how much we appreciate our volunteers’ dedication and loyalty to their role and our patients. Finally, applications are open for the second round of the Innovation Program for 2021. The program gives staff a chance to receive up to $50,000 in funding for an innovative idea that can transform and improve the way we deliver care to our patients. Over the years we have seen some incredible ideas come forward and I look forward to seeing your entries. Applications for round two close on Monday 31 May. If you would like further information or assistance submitting your application please contact NSLHD-InnovationProgram@ health.nsw.gov.au or visit https://bit. ly/2RKbyw7.

Deb Willcox Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District

NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 10 | 31 MAY 2021

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Staff at Mona Vale enjoyed morning tea for Palliative Care Week

Palliative care takes centre stage in NSLHD It has been a big year for palliative care in Northern Sydney Local Health District. So far in 2021, there has Vale Hospital which has been without a doubt a very welcome addition to existing palliative care services in NSLHD.” The team has also worked

been the opening of a new specialist palliative care unit, the launch of the end of life symbol, as well as a new staff specialist appointment at Hornsby Hospital, Dr Cynthia Parr, and a district nursing award for PalCare Clinical Nurse Consultant Ann-Marie Perry. During the week, staff at Mona Vale hosted the bereavement bag volunteers at the new PalCare unit, while staff also celebrated the success of the new service with morning tea. “We are very proud of the ongoing commitment in NSLHD to ensuring that care at the end of life is considered as important as care at any other time of people’s lives,” Clinical Director of Palliative Care Professor Katy Clark said. “Perhaps one of the most pleasing changes locally has been the opening of the new palliative care unit at Mona

closely with Aboriginal health in developing the culturally appropriate end of life symbol. Incorporating the Angophora tree and flower, the symbol is used by staff to identify patients receiving care at the very end of life. The Angophora has a spiritual significance for Aboriginal Peoples, encompassing birth, life and death, which is why it was chosen for this very important project. Studio Artes’ artists Jaycee and Cara produced the beautiful symbol and were recently thanked at a presentation. As part of the initiative, a staff training and awareness video was also produced which can be viewed at: bit. ly/3m77uB0

Artist Cara from Studio Artes, along with Jaycee (front cover) helped to design the symbol

Professor Katy Clark with the End of Life symbol

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Dr Anastasia Mihailidou (left) and Professor Gemma Figtree (right)

TWO nslhd women join global panel to beat heart disease Two of NSLHD’s leading cardiovascular experts have been appointed to a prestigious world expert panel to reduce rates of themselves for a healthier future. “The Commission will continue to observe trends, evaluate the effect of current

cardiovascular disease in women. Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) interventional cardiologist and Kolling Institute researcher, Professor Gemma Figtree, and RNSH senior hospital scientist and Kolling Institute researcher, Dr Anastasia Mihailidou, have been appointed commissioners of The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission. The pair joins the all-female panel of 17 experts who are calling for urgent action on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women in a report which was released recently. Both Gemma and Anastasia were invited to join the commission, along with 15 other leading female CVD experts to provide recommendations on how to reduce the burden of the disease – which is the leading cause of death among women. “The Commission Report released in The Lancet (publication) is the result of three years of work to collect and collate the different sources of >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

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