mount druitt stage 2 expansion underway
TRANSCRIPT
December 20161st edition
www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
Mount Druitt Stage 2 expansion underway
WSLHD supports White Ribbon Day and the end to domestic violence: P9.
Meet our first Aboriginal Chronic Health co-ordinator: P6.
Scurvy is alive and well in western Sydney: P3.
Collecting the soil was part of the celebrations for the start of the second stage of Mount Druitt Hospital’s expansion project. Pictured is Aboriginal Elder Uncle Greg Simms, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, local Elder Auntie Christine Foreshew and Aboriginal family health worker Vickie Thomson. Read more Page 2.
The Pulse | December 2016 2
Mental Health Month
No smoke screen for Mount DruittBuilding work on the second stage of the expansion of Mount Druitt Hospital was marked with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony to celebrate the occasion.
Local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Greg Simms performed the ceremony and gathered earth to create a future art project that will reflect local Aboriginal culture.
Stage 2 works at Mount Druitt Hospital will be completed by mid-2017 and will include:
• Standalone community dialysis centre, with 12 spacious treatment bays for patients and carers, garden views and parking
• New MRI unit for a non-invasive diagnostic service, useful for paediatric patients
• Additional recovery space, including peri-operative support refurbishment and an additional operating room
• Drug health expansion, next to the existing privately-operated facility with consulting, counselling and support areas
• Relocation of the existing pre-admission clinics to a new purpose-built facility
The works are part of the more than $700 million Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital’s expansion project, which has already delivered new facilities at Mount Druitt Hospital for rehabilitation, dental care, emergency, urgent care, and major infrastructure upgrades.
Mount Druitt Hospital general manager Sue-Anne Redmond said the expansion will ensure the hospital would continue to grow and meet the community’s needs.
“The new facilities will provide more services, with enhanced capacity to meet the increasing demand for dialysis, drug health and surgery,” she said.
One of the first projects to be completed in 2017 will be the new dialysis centre. It will have the capacity to provide more than 150 dialysis sessions a week, with each session taking about six hours and most patients attending three times a week.
Renal physician Professor Jeremy Chapman said diabetes, genetic factors and high blood pressure were the top three causes of kidney failure requiring dialysis.
“The new facility will help us better manage the increasing demand for dialysis. Having the service closer to home will help reduce time and costs of travelling to Blacktown or Nepean for treatment three times a week,” he said.
The award-winning Stage 1 arts program will continue in Stage 2 to ensure the facilities are welcoming and reflect local Aboriginal and community culture.
For more information, visit: www.bmdhproject.health.nsw.gov.au
The traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony wards off any bad spirits and cleanses the site.
An artist impression of the new community dialysis centre with a local artist’s stone pot.
Members of the BMDH Redevelopment Project team, Health Infrastructure, hospital executives and contractors with plans for the Stage 2 community dialysis centre.
The Pulse | December 2016 3
Mental Health Month
Accolades for Westmead ED nurseWestmead Hospital emergency department nurse Margaret Murphy has been awarded the prestigious Phillipa Moore Publication Prize for her paper on simulation training.
Margaret and the paper’s co-authors were given the award at the International Conference for Emergency Nurses in Alice Springs in October.
The paper, titled: “What is the impact of multi-disciplinary team simulation training on team performance and efficiency of patient care? An integrative review” was published in the Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal this year. Margaret was also a member of the research team, who produced a winning poster on the emergency nursing assessment framework, at the Global Emergency Nursing and Trauma Conference in Spain in September.
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Congratulations to Westmead Hospital’s emergency department nurse Margaret Murphy.
Surprise scurvy cases suggest nutrient deficiencies, even among the obeseA spate of patients suffering from wounds that refused to heal led a clinician-researcher at Westmead Hospital to the surprising discovery of scurvy in contemporary Australians.
A historical disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and generally associated with old-world sailors on long voyages, it appears scurvy is reappearing due to poor modern dietary habits.
Professor Jenny Gunton, who heads the Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Endocrinology research at The Westmead Institute, said several of her patients at Westmead Hospital with long-running unhealed wounds were cured by a simple course of vitamin C.
“When I asked about their diet, one person was eating little or no fresh fruit and vegetables, but the rest ate fair amounts of vegetables; they were simply over-cooking them, which destroys the vitamin C,” she said.
The irony, she said, is that it is possible for patients to have scurvy, even when they are overweight or obese.
“It highlights a danger that you can consume plenty of calories, yet not receive enough nutrients,” Professor Gunton said.
A research paper by Professor Gunton, just published in the International Journal of Diabetic Medicine, concluded that some diabetes patients should be tested for vitamin C deficiency.
“While diabetes is not traditionally a risk factor for vitamin C deficiency, the research suggests that clinicians should be alert to the potential problem,” said Professor Gunton, “particularly
if their patients present with unhealed ulcers, easy bruising or gum bleeding without obvious cause.”
Her paper reported there was no predominant social pattern to the incidence of scurvy and that patients with poor diets appeared to be from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.
“This result suggests that despite the large amount of dietary advice readily available to the community, there are still plenty of people – from all walks of life – who are not getting the messages,” Professor Gunton said.
“Human bodies cannot synthesise vitamin C, so we must eat foods containing it.”
A lack of vitamin C in the body results in the defective formation of collagen and connective tissues, which can cause bruising, bleeding gums, petechiae (blood spots in the skin), joint pain and impaired wound healing.
Common foods which are high in vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, red and green peppers including capsicums, broccoli, kiwi fruit and grapefruit. Overcooking any food is likely to destroy the vitamin C.
Westmead Hospital’s Professor Jenny Gunton with patient Penelope Jackson.
The Pulse | December 2016 4
Blacktown Hospital’s Sue-Anne Redmond, Paula Pastega, Blacktown Mayoress Anne Bali and Deb Deering.
Mayoress Community Xmas Gift Appeal
News from across WSLHD
Thank you to members of Blacktown City Inner Wheel, who recently donated $1765 to Mount Druitt Hospital’s supportive & palliative care unit. The money was used to buy a fold-out-chair for carers and relatives who stay overnight with patients. The chair will definetly make their stay more confortable! Pictured here is Blacktown City Inner Wheel Inc member Elizaberth Macdonald and Roselyn Smith and nursing unit manager Trish Dalgleish (centre).
Mount Druitt Hospital Rupertswood staff love their new Maxi Mover.
Mount Druitt Hospital’s Rupertswood staff were thrilled to receive a $12,000 Maxi Mover, thanks to the Manual Handling and Risk Mangement Unit.
The mover will prevent manual handling incidents by reducing the need for staff to physically lift patients.
The WSLHD manual handling equipment funding program, run by the Risk Management unit, hand-out $75,000 worth of equipment to service units.
More than 33 applications were received and 19 of these were selected for funding.
While the program has wrapped up for the 2016/2017 financial year, we encourage you to keep an eye out for broadcasts, calling for applicants for the 2017/2018 round of funding.
Lifter an early gift
‘Wheely’ comfy night stay
The Mayoress of Blacktown City, Anne Bali, is calling on local residents and businesses to remember those less fortunate at Christmas by donating a gift to the Mayoress’ Community Christmas Gift Appeal.
The annual appeal asks local businesses, community groups and residents to donate gifts to those less fortunate in our community.
Monetary donations will go to the Blacktown Mount Druitt hospitals’ foundation.
“This year, the gift appeal is focused around giving to two wonderful local charities; Junaya Family Development Services and Kids West and donations of money will go to the Blacktown Mount Druitt hospitals’ foundation,” Mayoress Bali said.
“Junaya Family Development Services is a community-based organisation, offering early intervention services and support for families with children between age 0 to 18,” she said.
“Kids West is a local children’s charity that raises funds for medical research; it also develops and distributes educational programs dealing with accident awareness and raises money for medical equipment for children living in western Sydney.
“The appeal is an opportunity for the people of Blacktown to show their generosity by helping out those doing it tough this Christmas."
Gift suggestions include toys, books, new clothing and non-perishable goods.
Please leave gifts unwrapped or in a gift bag for ease of distribution.
Donate to either organisation by buying a Christmas gift and leaving it under the tree at various places in throughout Blacktown City.
Gifts will be accepted until Thursday, 15 December, 2016.
Doggy doco
The four-legged and two-legged members of the Nepean Therapy Dogs have appeared in their first ABC TV Australia-Wide documentary, which screened over the weekend.
The story focuses on the role of the hounds and their owners and why they dedicate so much of their time to help make people feel better.
To view this amazing story, visit: www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-01/australia-wide-3-december/8083722
The Pulse | December 2016 5
News from across WSLHD
WSLHD staff are encouraged to show their compassion and generosity by giving to underprivileged families through the Christmas Smith Family Toy & Book Appeal.
WSLHD finance business support officer Julie Clarke has supported this campaign for the past three years and is urging staff to again dig deep to put smiles on kids’ faces.
The veteran finance officer wants to help disadvantaged children by collecting 2000 toys.
“I really want to help kids with no parents or families to show that people care and are thinking of them,” Julie said.
Staff to dig deep for Christmas Smith Family Toy Appeal
Julie Clarke’s Westmead finance office last year looked like a Toys”R”Us superstore.
What do you do late on a Friday afternoon when you’re desperate to transfer a special-needs bed from Auburn Hospital to Westmead Hospital to support patient care?
You call in Little Green Trucks! George from Little Green Trucks came to the LHD’s rescue recently and transported the bed early in the evening.
Auburn Hospital management were keen to acknowledge staff from both hospitals, who worked together to assist and support quality care for a patient.
A huge thank you also to the team at Little Green Trucks, who supported our cause when no-one else was available. The Little Green Truck transported the special-needs bed to Auburn Hospital from Westmead Hospital.
“All staff can help by donating new educational toys, books, games, technology and money, but anything you bring will be gratefully received.”
Last year, Julie and her team of “elves” collected more than 1000 gifts for children of all ages and plan to double this amount this year.
“I realise people are busy and their time is precious; if you are unable to find the time to shop, you can give me the money and I will purchase the gift for you,” Julie said.
“Big W at Blacktown supported this campaign last year by reducing the prices even further – enabling more presents for families.”
To donate or contribute money, contact Julie Clarke, Westmead Finance, Level 6B, 9845 9916 or [email protected]
The deadline for dropping gifts to Julie is COB Wednesday, 14 December, 2016.
Unwrapped gifts can be dropped at the following locations:
• Westmead Hospital - Information desk, main entrance.
• Blacktown Hospital - Mail room Level 3, Megan Rodwell
• Mount Druitt Hospital - Admin & booking office level 2, Tanya Daley
• Auburn Hospital – Reception desk, Maged Nessim
Special little delivery via Little Green Trucks
The Pulse | December 2016 6
News from across WSLHD
Welcome our first Registered Aboriginal Chronic Health staffer
WSLHD managers are required to have a documented annual performance review conversation with each staff member (Performance Framework 2016).
Performance reviews assist managers and staff to evaluate employees’ daily workloads and develop their skills.
StaffLink is the data collection source for our district. Currently, we are performing at 42 per cent and our goal is to reach 100 per cent compliance.
Some pockets of WSLHD are around 88 per cent and improving, whereas other areas are below 20 per cent.
Staff can access their StaffLink to check if their dates have been entered.
Employee Journey performance management training is being rolled out across the WSLHD, which explains how to use new forms available in the manager resources tab,
Click on the performance review date function in the Manager Self Service section on the intranet.
Meet WSLHD Integrated and Community Health’s 48-hour follow-up Aboriginal Chronic care co-ordinator Lynette Mieni.
Lynette recently graduated in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Healthcare (practice) from the Aboriginal Health College in Little Bay and is WSLHD’s first registered Aboriginal Health practitioner, specialising in chronic disease. The course delivered knowledge and clinical skills to allow Lynette to provide primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. “My role is to improve the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people living in western Sydney, by improving access to & creating referral pathways to services for people age 15 and over who have, or are at risk of developing, a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart, lung, or renal disease,” she said.
“I phone patients when they are discharged from hospital, carry out an assessment process to co-ordinate their care following hospitalisation, I also participate in health interventions, case planning/case management, networking, providing health outreach education/screening, home visits, and facilitating workshops on how to manage chronic disease to community members.
“All patients really appreciate the follow-up consultations and continuous involvement in their healthcare - they feel that someone cares about their health. “I love what I do!
Performance reviews are for everyone
“I’m passionate about my job and I’m humbled to be the first WSLHD practitioner, specialising in chronic disease.
“It’s rewarding to see patients who have had difficulty comprehending their illness and then see them understand their condition
better; watching them self-manage their healthcare is extremely satisfying,” she said. For enquiries about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 48-hour follow-up service, call 1800 113 644 or email [email protected]
The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD is the former Governor of NSW and former Chancellor of the University, Lynette Mieni and Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council CEO Sandra Bailey.
intranet homepage.
For those managers who have not yet been to the training, you have a choice to try out the new forms, or to use the same Form 1 and 2 as used previously.
Please note that medical staff should continue to use award-related forms. All completed performance documentation is required to be either filed securely in HPRM or manually filed in a secure place locally.
Step-by-step instructions are available in the manager resources tab on the WSLHD Intranet home page: http://wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Employee-Journey
The WSLHD People and Culture directorate aims to assist managers entering performance review dates into StaffLink. Contact the WSLHD performance team at [email protected] or call WSLHD Workforce Effectiveness performance co-ordinator Joyce Ma on 0409 754 262.
The Pulse | December 2016 7
News from across WSLHD
WSLHD partnered with Rowing Australia this week for an indoor rowing event to mark International Day of People with Disability. The event saw 23 participants sweating it out on rowing machines and competing in single events and mixed team relay events. The WSLHD Disability Workforce Plan 2015-2020 was also launched on the day, which is available in accessible format on our intranet - http://wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Human-Resources--Workforce-/Human-Resources-Workforce
The new Clinical Excellence Commission adult sepsis pathway will be launched across WSLHD on 19 January, 2017.
The fundamentals of the sepsis pathway are unchanged - patients still require a potential focus of infection and defined changes to their vital sign parameters to activate the pathway.
What has changed, however, is the response to vital sign activation of the pathway.
Every patient who meets the vital sign parameters of the sepsis pathway needs to have a lactate recorded at the earliest opportunity.
Key changes include:
• All patients with suspected sepsis should have a lactate
• Sepsis + red zone criteria or lactate >4 = immediate antibiotics
• Sepsis + none of above /or suspected infection & lactate >2 = antibiotics in 2 hours
• Enrol all sepsis patients in antimicrobial stewardship
• Revised combined ED & inpatient WSLHD sepsis antibiotic guideline
• All sepsis patients have a paper form completed for the medical record
The new CEC adult sepsis pathway will replace the existing WSLHD ED and inpatient sepsis pathways.
The new WSLHD sepsis antibiotic guideline will be published in conjunction with the roll-out in January.
The new WSLHD antibiotic guideline is for both ED and inpatients and it has been customised for WSLHD and differs from the antibiotic guideline published by the CEC.
To find out more about the WSLHD Sepsis roll-out, visit the WSLHD sepsis intranet page at: http://wslhdintranet.wsahs.nsw.gov.au/Clinical-Governance/Clinical-Quality/SEPSIS-Kills/adult-sepsis-pathway-2016
New sepsis pathway coming soon
Conference addresses CALD women’s concerns
Westmead Hospital's Women's & Newborn Health unit, in conjunction with the Community Migrant Resource Centre, held its annual Perinatal Cultural and Linguistic Diverse (CALD) conference at Westmead Hospital recently. This year's theme was Global Problems, Local Solutions.
More than 300 staff attended and found the guests speakers and topics relevant to their work circumstances. Many staff commented on the quality of presentations and their ability to address specific CALD issues.
For more information about the conference, contact Nelma Galas at [email protected]
Westmead Women’s & Newborn Health unit and stakeholders attend the CALD Perinatal Conference.
Rowers raise a sweat for good cause
The Pulse | December 2016 8
News from across WSLHD
The WSLHD Nursing and Midwifery directorate recently held their first nurse bank network evening, giving nurse bank staff the opportunity to meet members of the nurse bank executive.
The nurse bank is a WSLHD-wide centralised service which is used to utilise or fill temporary positions acreoss Westmead, Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Auburn hospitals.
WSLHD a/executive director nursing and midwifery Joanne Edwards addressed the audience, while nurse manager Jennifer Fitzsimons provided an overview of the current state and future aspirations of the nurse bank.
Clinical nurse educator Jannelle Masa gave a presentations about educational opportunities
Surgical award for top doctor
WSLHD a/executive director nursing and midwifery Joanne Edward addresses nurses.
Westmead Hospital’s head of upper gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary surgery Associate Professor Arthur Richardson has received the prestigious Michael Donnellan medal from his surgical peers.
Assoc Prof Richardson received the award recently at the annual Royal Australasian College of Surgeon’s NSW Regional Committee recognition evening.
The award is handed out every two years to a fellow who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting the art and science of surgery, particularly in surgical leadership.
Dr Richardson has more than 20 years’ experience as hepato-biliary, upper gastro-intestinal and general surgeon, dealing with a broad range of medical and surgical problems.
He specialises in the management of patients with liver and pancreatic tumours, particularly the multi-disciplinary management of colorectal liver metastases.
He treats both benign and malignant tumours of the stomach and oesophagus, as well as the adrenal gland. He also has a special interest in gallbladder surgery, hernia repairs, varicose vein surgery and the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
Westmead stars awarded
Westmead Hospital Centre for Transplant Renal Research Karen Keung, Endocrinology’s Mojgan Nazari with Rheumatology’s Nicola Barrie.
Congratulations to Westmead Hospital’s Karen Keung, from the Centre for Transplant Renal Research, on winning the Jerry Koutts Young Investigator Award!
Karen was awarded for her dedication to renal medicine.
Mojgan Nazari, from endocrinology and Nicola Barrie from rheumatology were named runners- up.
The Jerry Koutts Young Investigator Award is dedicated to the memory of Professor Jerry Koutts, who was a haematologist and innovator in the diagnosis of inherited bleeding disorders, and founder of the Clinical Haematology department at Westmead Hospital.
We received some sad news recently regarding one of our former Auburn Hospital emergency department doctors, Dr Vincent Wong.
Dr Wong was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of December 3 in Lane Cove.
Vincent worked at Auburn as emergency department career medical officer CMO for more than 30 years and only retired two years ago.
He was a very popular and much-loved doctor amongst the staff and he cared for his patients with great kindness.
Our thoughts are with Dr Wong’s wife, three children, former colleagues and friends at this difficult time.
Staff wishing to attend the funeral service for Dr Wong at:1.15pm on Friday 9 December, 2016Palm Chapel, Macquarie Park Cemetery, Corner Delhi and Plassey Roads, North Ryde
If travelling by train, please alight at North Ryde train station.
VALE - Auburn’s Dr Vincent Wong
RIP Former Auburn Hospital’s Dr Vincent Wong.Associate Professor Arthur Richardson.
for the nurse bank staff.
While Elizabeth Ridgway shared her experience in transitioning from an assistant In nursing to registered nurse through the WSLHD Transition to Professional Practice Program.
Viveka Ratnappuli - a newly graduated registered nurse - reminisced on her placements at Westmead and Blacktown hospitals’.
WSLHD Nursing and Midwifery directorate is looking forward to holding further nurse bank evenings in 2017.
For further information about nurse bank, email [email protected] or 9845 9920.
No high rates or risk with this nurse bank
The Pulse | December 2016 9
MO MORE MOS: Our Westmead Moustachios made it to November 30 – and they couldn’t WAIT to say farewell to their horrible, horrible mos. Their overall mogress was pretty impressive – we’ve never seen so many handlebars in one hospital! Great effort boys – the lads also raised $1453 for Movember.
White Ribbon DayWhite ribbons were worn by WSLHD staff on 25 November as part of a global movement to end violence against women to mark the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender violence.
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, from 2015 -2016, Blacktown had the highest number of domestic violence-related assaults in NSW.
The impact of domestic violence on women’s health can include injuries from physical and/or sexual assault, miscarriage in pregnancy, depression and anxiety, as well as alcohol and substance abuse. The health consequences can persist long after the violence has ended.
To raise awareness of the campaign, Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital’s (BMDH) social work department held an information stall in Hospital Street and distributed white ribbons to staff, patients and visitors at Blacktown Hospital.
Legal Aid Early Intervention solicitor Joanne Dodds also attended to provide information and answer any legal enquiries.
BMDH provides the following services for patients who have concerns about domestic and family violence:• crisis support, information and referrals
from the Social Work Department
• on-site legal advice from the Family Law Early Intervention Unit every Tuesday (Blacktown campus)
• injury documentation following an physical or sexual assault by the Domestic Violence Forensic Unit which can be used by the police and courts.
If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic and family violence, you can access emergency assistance 24/7 from the following services:Police – 000 or1800 RESPECT Domestic Violence Line – 1800 65 64 63Rape Crisis Centre – 1800 424 017
News from across WSLHD
Blacktown Hospital Women’s Health Clinic midwives Lana Illich and Roop Rana show their support for White Ribbon Day.
Survey is the first step in your passport to post-holiday fitness
“WSLHD wants to provide opportunities for our staff to be fit and healthy and this is an important step in the right direction,” said WSLHD organisational development consultant Liz Kristensen.
The survey asks for some personal information such as name, email address and current gym membership.
This information is used by Fitness Passport for the purpose of designing the best program for staff.
Fitness Passport will not share or sell your information to any third party.
Staff have until Friday, 30 December, to complete the survey.
More information will be available early 2017.
Fitness Passport has already been implemented successfully in several other health districts.
An extra slice of fruit cake, an extra snag on the barbie, and an extra glass of vino … ah yes, that would be “holiday you”, whooping it up in December and January, then crashing back to earth (and transforming into “steel-willed you”) come February.
Good news – WSLHD is exploring a new “Fitness Passport” for eligible staff, allowing them to access gyms and pools across Sydney at a fraction of the usual cost.
And families can join to.
The first step is finding out exactly which gyms and pools our staff use, how they use them, and their wish-list of facilities.
Staff are being asked to fill out a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wslhd-nsw to gather that information.
A link to the survey can also be found on the WSLHD intranet.
Expression of interest for BreastScreen awareness presentations
BreastScreen Sydney West is taking expressions of interest from interested parties for BreastScreen awareness presentations and BreastScreen booking enquiries.
The presentation covers risk factors and breast cancer awareness, and includes information on the BreastScreen program, and where you can have a mammogram. If you consult with groups of women, over the age of 40, in western Sydney, we urge you to get in touch.
One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. However, finding breast cancer early increases treatment options and improves survival. A screening mammogram can detect cancer before symptoms are recognised. This is why it is important all women over the age of 40 have a mammogram every two years. It’s free and it could save your life!
For more information and to register, contact the marketing team at BreastScreen Sydney West on 9845 9481or [email protected]
The Pulse | December 2016 10
Save the dateBoard End of Year PartyYou’re invited to commemorate the year that was with the WSLHD Board members
Tuesday, 13 December, 2016
3.30pm - 4.30pm
Special Functions Room, Westmead Hospital
All welcome. For catering purposes, RSVP
to email [email protected] by
8 December.
Westmead Women’s and Newborn Health Conference Friday 5 May and Saturday, 6 May, 2017
Westmead Hospital Education and
Conference Centre
Call for abstracts!
Abstract submission deadline 25
November 2016
For further information or to submit your abstract, visit: WSLHD-Women@[email protected]
Westmead Hospital Staff Christmas PartySunday, 11 December, 2016
10.30am - 3.30pm
Wistaria Gardens, Cumberland Hospital
Registrations are essential.
To register, email [email protected]
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals’ Nursing and Midwifery Research SymposiumCall for abstracts open and close on 13 January, 2017.
12 April, 2017
Blacktown Hospital Campus
University of Western Sydney Auditorium
To register or for further information,
contact [email protected].
gov.au or 0422 006 786
ATSA Independent Living Expo10-11 May, 2017
Sydney Olympic Park
To register, visit: www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au au
Feedback & Events
Important work is currently being done to identify ways we can better support our healthcare professionals in their research endeavours. If you’re interested in research and believe in an evidence-based clinical practice approach, please take 15 minutes to complete a short online survey: ‘Evaluation of research capacity among health professionals in WSLHD’. This survey will help us understand your research needs and inform our future planning to support research capacity and related education programs in WSLHD. The study is being conducted by Professor Vicki Flood, conjoint professor of WSLHD and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, and other researchers from the WSLHD including Carolyn Fozzard, Joanne Edwards, Dr Roslyn Crampton, Dr Tony Skapetis, A/Prof Smita Shah, Dr Angela Berry, Kim Hobbs, Andrea Herring, Dr Donna Gillies, A/Prof Pablo Fernandez-Penas and Tracy McDonald. Access to the survey will be available online until 19 December 2016 so don’t miss your chance to participate - your contribution to the study is greatly valued. Your participation is voluntary and your response will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. No personally identifiable information will be associated with your responses to any reports of these data. This study has been approved by WSLHD ethics committee (HREC Ref LNR/16/WMEAD/410; SSA Ref LNR SSA/16/WMEAD/428).
To begin the survey please click on the following link: https://surveys.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=IhB4onMWhZ Any comments or questions can be directed to Prof Vicki Flood via email: [email protected] or phone: 02 9845 9721 or mobile: 0412 118 977.
Help us improve our research
Why do women gain weight after menopause? That’s the question researchers from Blacktown Hospital are currently exploring – but they need help from local women to continue their work.
The research team is on the hunt for healthy, post-menopausal women, aged 50 – 70 years, with normal weight and no history of liver or kidney disease, cancer, diabetes or any other endocrine disorders to participate in the study.
Clinical trials manager Navneeta Ready said the study, led by Dr Vita Birzniece, was exploring the effect of a commonly used medication called Letrozole on the burning of fat in the body.
“When we get older, especially around menopause, it starts to get more difficult to lose weight,” she said. “We think this inability to shed fat relates to changes in hormonal interaction after menopause.
“So, we are using Letrozole to investigate the metabolic consequences of reducing the female hor-mone estrogen; this will give us a better understanding of how estrogen controls growth hormone secretion and the use of fat in the liver.”
Women willing to participate in the research would need to attend the Western Sydney University Research Centre at Blacktown Hospital twice a week over a two-week period.
Interested participants must also attend an initial screening visit. The screening, which lasts an hour, involves a thorough explanation of the trial, along with routine blood work to check a person’s suit-ability. If women are suitable, they will then need to attend the centre for the four sessions. Parking and meal vouchers will be provided. For more information about recruitment, contact Navneeta Reddy on 9851 6152 or email [email protected]
Auburn Hospital has been commended on its culture in the periodic review of National Standards of Safety and Quality.
The staff were commended for their positive culture and their emphasis on quality and safety; the survey team said both traits were verified at every level of the organisation on their visits.
The survey team also commented on the strong sense of fun and humour among the staff, which supported teamwork in achieving outcomes.
Congratulations to the hospital’s leadership team and staff for the outstanding feedback!
Women wanted for hormone study
Auburn staff praised for positive culture