To submit a news story for publication in SWSLHD District News contact the Media Unit on 9828 6848 or email swsmedia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

The District marked National Close the Gap Day on 19 March with the launch of a new phone app that provides health information and advice to Aboriginal families with young children.SWSLHD Director of Aboriginal Health Nathan Jones said the free Deadly Tots phone app was a way to help local Aboriginal families access help and support more conveniently.“Deadly is a word the Aboriginal community use for excellent or amazing, and the Deadly Tots app aims to teach families how to help their baby get an excellent start in life.“The app provides age-specific information, advice and support to parents, reminding

them about immunisations and health checks and letting them know about the developmental milestones their bub should be reaching at each age,” he said.The project was funded by OATSIH and run in partnership with Resourcing Parents and The Families NSW State-wide Parenting project. As part of Close the Gap Day, SWSLHD also launched the Didja Know booklet to help staff improve their knowledge and understanding of the diverse culture, customs and health needs of Aboriginal communities. The booklet answers commonly asked questions and helps staff provide more respectful, responsive and culturally sensitive services to Aboriginal patients and communities.

Open Day App helps to Close the Gap

April2015

SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

Campbelltown Hospital’s new Acute Services Building turned into a one-stop-shop of health information and fun with a Community Day held in the new Acute Services Building.The Open Day featured interactive health information stalls, a visit from the Clown Doctors, Aboriginal dance, a petting zoo and a delicious sausage sizzle.

Liverpool Close the Gap Day. Fairfield Close the Gap Day.

District Director of Aboriginal Health Nathan Jones.

International Women’s Day last month saw a number of our staff recognised for their achievements in health and medical research. Pancreatic Cancer researcher Professor Minoti Apte OAM received the Premier’s Award for Woman of the Year and Liverpool Hospital intern Dr Melissa

Radjenovic received the UWS Young woman of the West Award for her work with Rotaract. Liverpool Hospital and Ingham Institute researcher Grace Micali was also nominated for Harvey Norman’s Young Woman of the Year Award.Congratulations to the nominees and the winners who have helped promote the groundbreaking work being undertaken here in south western Sydney.This month we mark 100 years of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. On ANZAC Day we remember Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations including our staff, many of whom serve as Army Reservists.All hospitals are marking ANZAC Day this year, so check the intranet bulletin board and events calendar for details on

the commemorations being held at your workplace.This month all NSW Health employees are invited to take part in the YourSay survey. The survey is a good opportunity for staff to provide feedback on their experiences working in the District.To ensure that we get a good representation of staff we are aiming for a 50 per cent response rate and the challenge has been set to see which facility or service has the highest response rate. The link to the survey is available on the intranet homepage and facilities will also have paper copies available. The survey is completely confidential and I encourage everyone to have their say.

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Message from the Chief Executive

Staff treated to lunch as new building opens

Amanda Larkin, CE

Campbelltown Hospital Executive donned aprons and caps to serve a special thank you lunch to staff last week. The lunch was held to celebrate the completion of the new Acute Services Building, the centrepiece of the Hospital’s $134 million redevelopment, and to thank staff for their commitment and patience while the Hospital was being refurbished. Acting General Manager Chris Leahy said staff had done a fantastic job of maintaining services while construction was underway and departments relocated.

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Liverpool Hospital is calling on the community to help commemorate the ANZAC centenary this year with a field of hand-knitted red poppies.The Hospital will mark the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli with a service in the ANZAC Courtyard, and hopes to create a field of knitted poppies, spelling out ‘ANZAC 100’. For the knitting pattern visit: http://bit.ly/1BLy16a

Poppy project blooms

Liverpool Hospital General Manager Robynne Cooke helps knit poppies in preparation for ANZAC Day.

The Easter bunny paid an early visit to Liverpool Hospital’s Cancer Therapy Centre thanks to the generosity of students at James Erskine Public School.For the past 25 years, students at the school have been collecting Easter eggs to donate to the community.This year, year five student Joel Haywood encouraged his classmates to donate to the Cancer Therapy Centre, where his grandmother has been receiving treatment since 2010.Professor Geoff Delaney, District Cancer Services Director, said patients and staff at the Centre were grateful for the generosity.“Receiving cancer treatments can sometimes be a long or lonely process, so it was lovely to have Joel come in and cheer patients up on behalf of his school,” Prof Delaney said.

Bundraising bonanza

Bakers Delight stores recently held ‘Bundraisers’ in support of Bowral & District and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospitals.The Bankstown, Revesby and Roselands stores sold hot cross buns in Bankstown Hospital’s foyer for two days, raising more than $4,000 for the Paediatric Ward.Bakers Delight Mittagong donated $1 from each pack of hot cross buns sold on Saturday 14 March to Bowral & District Hospital, raising more than $1,100.

Keep decay at bayWhile no Easter is complete without a chocolate Easter egg hunt, remember to look after your family’s teeth by setting limits on sugary treats and taking advantage of free local oral health services available for children.Dr Ravi Srinivas, Transition Director of Oral Health Services said it was important to strike a balance between enjoying sweet treats and long-term oral health for both adults and children.“The best way to stop sugar from attacking tooth enamel is to limit the frequency of sugary treats, brush twice daily for at least two minutes and floss every day,” he said.Did you know free oral health services for children under 18 are provided at Bankstown, Fairfield, Ingleburn, Liverpool, Narellan, Rosemeadow, Yagoona, Bowral and Tahmoor. For details call 9293 3333, or 1300 559 393 for Bowral/Tahmoor.

Early Easter visit

James Erskine Public School student Joel Haywood (right) visited the Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre to deliver Easter eggs to patients.

SWSLHD offers free oral health services for children aged under 18 years.

Staff from Bankstown Hospital’s Children’s Ward tuck in to some yummy Easter buns to support the Bundraiser drive.

Be sure not to miss out on having YourSay

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More than 60 years after it was formed in 1953, the Campbelltown Hospital Auxiliary has been spurred on by the excitement of fundraising for a newly redeveloped Hospital.Auxiliary Publicity Officer Elaine Griffin said Auxiliary members were excited by what was to come after touring the new clinical building.“We were all very excited about the idea of

fundraising for such a big new building,” Ms Griffin said.“Everything is state of the art, and we want to make sure patients have all they need and are comfortable,” she said.Ms Griffin said people could help the Auxiliary by donating baked goods and crafts, and supporting their monthly stall in the Hospital.

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PCIT training

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Dr Larissa Niec - Master PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy) Trainer from Oklahoma, joined staff and professionals in a Professional Development Day at Karitane Carramar last month. Karitane’s Toddler Clinic uses PCIT to assist families who need help managing their toddler’s behaviours. PCIT places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction to improve outcomes.

Making it happenThere was a sea of purple at Narellan, Rosemeadow, Wollondilly, Ingleburn and Bankstown Community Health Centres on 9 March, in recognition of International Women’s Day.Women’s Health information was distributed to clients on the day and special thanks was given to LHD Women’s Health Nurses Jacqui Soccio, Lorena Scot and Sara Hristov.This year’s theme was Make it Happen.

The YourSay survey is now open for staff to give their feedback on what it’s like to work at SWSLHD.Everyone working for NSW Health has been invited to take part in the 2015 YourSay Workplace Survey which is accessible via a link on the intranet. The 15 minute survey is open until Friday 24 April. The results of the survey are strictly confidential and your honest feedback is encouraged. Visit the intranet to participate.

Exciting challenge ahead

Staff at Campbelltown Hospital promoted the YourSay Survey at the Hospital’s recent Community Open Day. All staff who visited the YourSay stall went into the draw to win a prize.

Dr Niec at the PCIT trianing day.

The Campbelltown Hospital Auxiliary holds a stall every month in the Hospital’s foyer.

Staff at Narellan Community Health Centre wore purple to mark Internationsl Women’s Day.