COMMUNITY

Winte

r Edit

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20Flu Vaccination

Volunteer Week

COVID-19

Strategic Plan

HIGHLIGHTS

NEWSLETTER

NUMURKAH

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Over the last three months, NCN Health has worked hard to protect the health and safety of staff, volunteers, residents, patients, clients and the community from the spread of Coronavirus across the region.

We wish to thank everyone for staying at home, social distancing and ensuring good hygiene practices. We encourage everyone to continue these great efforts as we head into the winter months.

This has been a difficult time for our community and we want to remind everyone that we are here to help. Our health services are continuing to operate across all areas - urgent care, primary health, residential aged care and acute - to ensure people can access care locally.

I would also like to acknowledge the amazing support that our community has given to heath service staff during this period. We appreciate the tremendous community spirit that has been shown. I also thank staff for their significant efforts in this unprecedented time.

While we are glad to be seeing the gradual (and cautious) easing of restrictions across the State, we are continuing to be alert and prepared. The ongoing safety of the community and our staff is our priority.

Please stay safe and well.

In this edition of the Numurkah Community Newsletter, we talk about our response to Covid-19 as well as the importance of the new Mandatory Flu Vaccination requirements for Residential Aged Care.

Our services across the organisation are continuing and we have a number of initiatives currently underway.

NCN Health is developing a three-year Strategic Plan to guide the future of the health service and enhance local access to care – in close consultation with staff and the community. We encourage you to have your say and help to shape the future of health services.

We have recently celebrated a number of key events including:• International Nurses Day; • Volunteer Week;• National Sorry Day;• National Reconciliation Week; and• Palliative Care Week.

We also wish to congratulate Moira Palliative Care for reaching a milestone 20 years of service to the Moira Shire in May.

Jacque Phillips OAMChief Executive Officer

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

WINTER EDITION 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSENCN Health has undertaken a significant range of activities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last few months to ensure health and safety for everyone.

• We increased cleaning and enhanced use of Personal Protective Equipment in high risk areas in addition to our excellent infection control processes.

• We have been screening staff, patients and visitors prior to entering the health service (checking health, temperature, travel and contact).

• We changed visiting hours and put restrictions in place at our hospitals and residential aged care facilities to protect everyone, especially those most vulnerable.

• Our staff undertook specific training in preparation for COVID-19.

• We have made changes to the layout of furniture in our buildings and made new requirements to ensure social distancing. We have cleared areas and removed items such as books, newspapers etc from shared spaces.

• We have prepared and implemented a pandemic plan and met daily.

• We have been building our workforce in preparedness for months ahead.

• We continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, GV Health, other health services and experts.

• Daily communication has been taking place with staff.

• Important information has been provided to the community, patients, residents and visitors on a regular basis through a range of channels.

• We participated in the State-wise COVID-19 community testing blitz across all campuses.

• We have been undertaking Influenza vaccinations.

As the restrictions start to ease, we are mindful that additional health and safety measures continue to be needed - as the number of Covid-19 cases across the world soar above 5 million.

We wish to thank the community for the support of health service staff during this challenging time and we thank people in the local community for doing their part in social distancing, staying at home, washing hands, and helping to keep the number of COVID-19 cases in our community low.

We are continuing to be alert and prepared. The ongoing safety of the community and staff is paramount.

We encourage everyone to stay safe and well.

COVID-19 community testing blitz.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

NCN Health staff have been rolling up their sleeves to protect residents against the flu this year and are urging the community to get immunised.

No one is allowed on the premises of any residential aged care facility within NCN Health if they do not have an up to date vaccination against influenza (effective 1 May 2020).

NCN Health is committed to protecting the Health and Safety of our residents. These restrictions are in line with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and apply to everyone including staff, health care workers, visitors, health practitioners and volunteers.

All visitors to a Residential Aged Care facility are now being asked to provide proof of vaccination prior to entry. This may be a statement or record from a health practitioner, an immunisation history statement available from Medicare online or from the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

Even if you are not planning on visiting a Residential Aged Care Service, NCN Health is asking the community to be vigilant against the flu this season.

______

CEO Jacque Phillips said:

“In light of the Coronavirus we are expecting to see an increased demand on all areas of our health service.”

“Having your flu vaccination is not just about keeping yourself and your family well, but reducing the impact on our health system at the same time.”

______

Mandatory Flu Vaccination For Residential Aged Care

The annual influenza vaccinations are offered free to aged care residents, employees and volunteers at NCN Health.

Some community members are eligible for bulk billed appointments.

You may be able to receive a free flu vaccine if you:

• Are 6 months to 5 years of age• Are over 65 years of age• Have a chronic condition (diabetes, heart disease or asthma)• Are pregnant• Are an Aboriginal or a Torres Strait islander person aged six months to five years• Are an Aboriginal or a Torres Strait islander aged person over 15 years.

To book your flu vaccination, please contact your local GP.

WINTER EDITION 2020

ARE YOU UNWELL? NCN Health strongly encourages anyone with any symptoms (even very mild) of COVID -19 such as; fevers or chills without a cause, or anyone with an acute respiratory infection characterised by cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of the sense of smell to get a swab for COVID-19.

Community members can call their GP, call their local hospital or attend the GV Health Acute Respiratory Clinic in Shepparton. The opening times are 10.00am to 5.15pm.

Assessment and advice is also available from the Department of Health and Human Services at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or by calling 1800 675 398.

Please stay safe, seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell and in an emergency call 000.

COVIDSAFE APP The COVIDSAFE APP has been developed by the Australian Government and is the only government endorsed tracing app in Australia.

It is supported by the Victorian Government and The Department of Health and Human Services and we are all being encouraged to download the app.

COVIDSAFE is a tracing APP which will help the government perform contact tracing if you were to test positive to COVID-19.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

WINTER EDITION 2020

Feeling unwell? Get tested.

To receive this publication in an accessible format email COVID-19@dhhs.vic.gov.auAuthorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.© State of Victoria, May 2020. (2001628)_v8

For more advice or to find out where to get tested, call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 or visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirusIf you need an interpreter, first call 131 450, then request the coronavirus hotline or ask them to look at the website for you.

Contact your local doctor or use our online self-assessment tool.

Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only

Keep your distance (1.5 metres)

Wash your hands

Stay home if you are feeling unwell

• Fever

• Chills or sweats

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Shortness of breath

• Runny nose

• Loss of sense of smell

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.

Use the QR Code

to find your closest testing site.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

STRATEGIC PLANNCN Health is developing a three-year Strategic Plan to guide the future of the health service and enhance local access to care – in close consultation with staff and the community.

The Strategic Plan is the key strategic document that will set a clear direction for the organisation and will guide us on services, priorities and actions to enable us to meet the needs of the community now and in the future.

We are seeking input from a broad range of people and groups in the community. We are asking people to share their experiences with the health service – as well as needs and opportunities.

We are reaching across the Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah campuses and all of our local communities. We are also engaging our consumer and advisory groups. The community engagement will include a variety of methods such as surveys, focus groups, meetings, interviews, online engagement sessions and workshops to gain valuable feedback from our diverse community and workforce.

The Plan aims to build upon the valued services that are already in place and provide significant opportunities for growth, improvement and enhanced access to local care in our communities.

Our community is highly valued and plays an important role in shaping our organisation. Your feedback is really important and will help to shape the future of our organisation.

NCN Health has engaged Cube Group to develop the plan over the next few months and to undertake extensive engagement.

You can access the Community Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCNCOMMUNITY2020

Or please contact the health service for an email of the link or a hard copy to be sent out, with reply paid envelope.

Nathalia Campus – Kathryn Pryde Kathryn.Pryde@ncnhealth.org.auCobram Campus – Tania Hill Tania.Hill@ncnhealth.org.auNumurkah Campus – Nadene Donnelly Nadene.Donnelly@ncnhealth.org.auOr via phone – (03) 5862 0513

As part of the recent amalgamation of the Numurkah, Cobram and Nathalia Health Services into NCN Health, a research project has been developed to explore options for an effective and locally-relevant model of Intake for the Primary Health Care and Mental Health Care services across all three sites.

The research is being undertaken collaboratively with NCN Health and The University of Melbourne’s Department of Rural Health.

The community is invited to participate in an online electronic survey to provide perspectives, expectations, needs and experiences of Intake services across NCN Health.

Community participation will be extremely valuable in developing recommendations for the ongoing Intake processes of the health service.

Participation in the survey is completely voluntary. All responses will be treated confidentially.

The survey can be accessed online via this link: https://redcap.healthinformatics.unimelb.edu.au/surveys/?s=Y3ADPAA3XX

NCN HEALTH INTAKE PROJECT

WINTER EDITION 2020

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

WINTER EDITION 2020

Celebrating International Nurses Day - 12 May

Thanks to the Karinya residents for celebrating International Nurses Day with us.

We started with a cooked breakfast and a crazy hair day. The residents surprised nurses with a thank you card.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Volunteer Week (May 18 – 24) was a great opportunity to thank our volunteers for their patience and help during the coronavirus pandemic. Quite aptly the theme for volunteer week this year is “Changing Communities, Changing Lives”. Our volunteers have been finding new ways to keep involved at NCN Health while face to face volunteering has been on hold.

It is clear now, more than ever, how much our volunteers mean to patients, residents and staff.This pandemic has highlighted how significant their involvement has been in the day to day operation of our health service.

As restrictions ease, we look forward to welcoming volunteers back into our health service over the coming months. What activities are volunteers currently involved with?

• Reading newspapers and books either in person (where allowed), or online via zoom.

• Playing music online via zoom.

• Ringing a resident or patient for a chat over the phone.

Do you have a suggestion? We can help arrange.

Volunteer Week

Volunteers – have you had your flu shot?

As of 1 May, it is now mandatory for all persons entering aged care facilities (including staff, visitors and volunteers) to provide evidence of their flu vaccination.

This evidence can be:• a statement or record from a health

practitioner,• statutory declaration,• an immunisation history statement from

Medicare online, or• the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

For more information about volunteering at NCN Health, please contact Jacquie Hughes. Email: volunteers@ncnhealth.org.au or phone 5862 0598

WINTER EDITION 2020

Moira Palliative Care celebrated 20 years of service to the Moira Shire in May with an afternoon tea and “virtual get together” over Zoom at NCN Health Numurkah campus. The milestone coincided with Palliative Care Week held from May 25 – 29.

Moira Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Heather Rice, said the service had hoped to host a community event to thank staff and volunteers past and present, but was unable to, due to restrictions around COVID-19.

“We have worked with, cared for and befriended many beautiful people and colleagues over the last 20 years. We had hoped to bring more of them together to celebrate with us.”

Mrs Rice said it was 20 years ago in May 2000, that Moira Palliative Care Service began. “The vision was for a Hume Region Palliative Care, to have 5 sites to outreach to rural areas; Moira, Lower Hume, Benalla, Wangaratta and Wodonga.”

Mrs Rice, who has been with Moira Palliative Care since the beginning, along with colleague and Administration Officer Debra Morland, said the early days were challenging. “We had limited support from visiting Palliative Care Specialists, but we were fortunate to have access to Nurse Consultants Coral Marks and Sue Salau. They were both great pioneers and mentors.”

The much-needed service quickly grew and Moira Palliative Care were soon able support the community five days per week.

Twenty years on, Moira Palliative Care have a dedicated team that includes 3 Clinical Nurse Specialists, a Bereavement Support Worker, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, administration support and volunteers. The service has District Nurses in each town to help support patients and families.

Moira Palliative Care Celebrates 20 YearsMrs Rice said Moira Palliative Care also benefited from the expertise provided by St Vincent’s Palliative Care Physicians and the Palliative Care Consultancy Team, based at GV Health. “Dr Siva, our local Palliative Care Physician and his team of Clinical Nurse Consultants, provide clinics for our clients that have complex needs and require additional care and support.”

Mrs Rice said from very humble beginnings the team was very proud of what Moira Palliative Care Service has achieved. “The highlight of our service is making a difference, no matter how big or small, to our patients and families. We look forward to many more years of providing support and care to our community.

“Thank you to everyone, past and present, who has been part of the Moira Palliative Care Service.”

NCN Health CEO Jacque Phillips congratulated the staff and volunteers on 20 years of achievement. “The previous Numurkah District Health Service, now NCN Health, has a long history in supporting and providing community palliative care in the Moira Shire.

“The palliative care staff, volunteers and local health services are congratulated on your commitment to high standards of palliative care and seeing the service grow and expand to what we see today.”

Moira Palliative Care is based in The Community Health Centre, at NCN Health Numurkah. It is a free service that operates across Nathalia, Numurkah, Cobram and Yarrawonga. The service aims to improve the quality of life for people living with life threatening illnesses.

For more information contact Heather Rice or Debra Morland on (03) 5862 0558.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Chris experienced a stroke in 2009, resulting in weakness and reduced range of movement in his left upper and lower limb. Chris has difficulty controlling and coordinating movements on the left side of his body and wears a knee ankle foot orthosis at all times on his left lower limb.

Chris’ initial contact with Occupational Therapy at NCN Health-Numurkah was in November 2016 as Chris was having difficulty transferring in and out of his living room chair. A trial of electric lift chairs took place and an application was submitted for funding assistance to SWEP (State-Wide Equipment Program). Chris was aware of the wait time for funding through SWEP (approximately 12 months). His electric lift chair was delivered in September 2017.

Chris was referred to Occupational Therapy in November 2018, as he was having difficulty stepping over the shower lip. Occupational Therapist Brooke arranged for joint home visit with the Department of Housing to discuss recommendations for a major bathroom modification.

Bathroom modification was completed in April 2019, which involved removal of shower recess, bath, vanity, wall between bathroom and toilet and removal of linen cupboard to create one big open space.

Chris now has a level entry shower with grab rails, hand held shower hose, shower stool, weighted shower curtain, semi recess hand basin, toilet seat raiser and drop-down rail beside toilet.

Chris transitioned onto NDIS in May 2019. Funding was allocated in Chris’ NDIS plan for Occupational Therapy to assess and trial for an electric wheelchair and trailer that can be used in the community. Chris is limited in his mobility and can only walk short distances with a single point stick.

Chris’ NDIS goals were: - I would like to maintain my independence in the home and to rely less on my carer with personal care and domestic tasks.- I would like to be able to stay longer and go further in the community and not be confined to a bench at the mall.- I would like to be able to get bread or milk from the grocery store independently.- I would like to have appropriate assistive technology to enable more freedom at home and to participate in the community.

In October 2019, Chris contacted Occupational Therapy to proceed with electric wheelchair trials. Electric wheelchair trials were conducted in November 2019 with reps from Scooters and Mobility Shepparton, where a range of wheelchairs were trialled.

The Occupational Therapist then had to write a report, outlining the trial and recommendations of a wheelchair with a quote attached and send to NDIS. This was approved in December and delivered to Chris in January.

The provision of an electric wheelchair has been instrumental in increasing Chris’ independence and quality of life. Chris is able to achieve all of his NDIS goals using his electric wheelchair.

Chloe Occupational TherapistNCN Health - Numurkah

Occupational Therapy NDIS Success Story

WINTER EDITION 2020

Gardening in Winter

A winter crop can be very successful and you can get a head start on your

spring harvest too. You really don’t need a lot ofspace to have a successful vegetable garden.

You can use a range of things to grow your seeds in, even egg

shells – they can be planted straight into the ground when its time.Why not try these plant pot options to get your seedlings started:

Paper rolls, Newspaper, Plastic food containers (withholes in bottom) such as yoghurt tubs or strawberry punnets, even

old shoes and gumboots workswell and look great!

If your thinking of getting the kids involved in the garden –which has many benefits, try these vegetables to begin with asthey grow fast: radishes, lettuce, beans, carrots and spinach.

This will help sustain their interest and then you can progressto others plants that may take a little more patience!

For more tips for gardening with kids visit https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/gardening-with-children.html

Recycle your kitchen waste into food. It's an easy wayto cut down your grocery bill and have a little fun at the

same time. Kids might even start appreciating theirveggies a little more. Visit here to find out how

https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/how-to-grow-food-from-food-scraps/news-

story/3ab859ddf01f06098bc20b312ce188d7

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

The staff at Pioneer Lodge Numurkah were thrilled to receive this feedback recently. Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge our staff. We are very fortunate to work with lovely residents and supportive families.

97.4%

Overall Patient Satisfaction

Overall Staff

Satisfaction

98% Hand Hygiene

90%

Acute Ward Cleaning Standards

95%

Inpatient Falls

0.49%

Medication Errors

0.89%

80%

Complaints

5

0

Work Health & Safety Incidents

14 Patient Discharge

86%

ACUTE WARD || January-March 2020

Staff Fluvax Immunisation

97.5%

Compliments

WINTER EDITION 2020

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

PINARole at NCN Health:

Pina is the Workplace Trainer and Career advisor. She is a busy person who can be found working across all three campuses.

In her role, Pina offers one-on-one training, assistance with mandatory training and provides upskilling and education opportunities to all staff. Favourite part about working with NCN Health:

I enjoy the challenge of helping staff reach their career goals and the variety of working around the three campuses; Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah. How long have you been working with NCN Health:

Only a few months! I started at the end of January. I have learnt a lot since then and the time has flown by.

STAFF PROFILE:

GET UP, GET MOVING AND STAY ACTIVE THIS WINTER

NEWSLETTER FEEDBACKPlease give us your feedback on this newsletter:

NCN Health - NumurkahTel: (03) 5862 0555Email: ncnnumurkah@ncnhealth.org.auP.O. Box 128, Numurkah 3636 VICwww.ncnhealth.org.au

How to provide consumer feedback:

We encourage you to discuss any concern or complaint with the staff caring for you. OR Electronic ‘touchscreen’ Feedback Hubs are located in all departments. You can enter a compliment, suggestion or complaint at any time which is sent immediately to management. You can choose whether or not to leave your name.

Write a letter and mail it to: Director of Clinical Services NCN Health PO Box 128 Numurkah 3636.

Our Director of Clinical Services is available to all residents, patients, their relatives, carers and friends during the hours of 9am—5pm Monday to Friday (03) 5862 0513.

You can enter your feedback any time on the feedback section of our website at: www.ncnhealth.org.au

Patient Opinion is a website that gives patients, carers and families the opportunity to provide feedback, both good and bad, about their experience with our health services. Patient Opinion is safe and you will remain anonymous. www.patientopinion.org.au

CONSUMER FEEDBACK

GET UP, GET MOVING AND STAY ACTIVE THIS WINTER

WINTER EDITION