November 20161st edition

www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Colouring ourselves calm for mental health

Westmead stalwart solves forensic cases: P6.

WSLHD awarded for patient partnership at Health Awards: P4.

WSLHD Mental Health Month celebrated across the district: P3

WSLHD held its inaugural colourthon, where staff took time out to “colour” themselves calm as part of Mental Health Month (October) at Westmead Hospital. To view the photos, visit page 2. Check out the photos from Mental Health Month activities from across the district on Page 3.

The Pulse | November 2016 2

Mental Health Month

Workers grab textas for colourthonWSLHD held its first staff colourthon at Westmead Hospital – and what a great turn-out it was!

Nearly 200 workers took time out of their day to sit down and colour-in, in the name of relaxation.

Staff travelled far and wide, from Cumberland and Auburn hospitals, to attend the two-hour colourthon extravaganza.

The “colourers” worked on two giant colouring-in stencils, while also enjoying food, music and hand massages provided by volunteers from Mount Druitt Hospital’s palliative care service.

The event was organised as part of Mental Health Month (October) as colouring-in is a great way to de-stress!

Once completed, the stencils will be donated to Mount Druitt Hospital children’s ward & The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Thanks to all who attended - there are already calls for another event!

To view the video, visit:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNqZkhr6AoT2ifPdh-eT_w

Sneha Prajapati travelled from Auburn Hospital to leave her mark at the colourthon.

A hand massage was just what the doctor, nurse, orderly and admin officer ordered!Westmead visiting masters student Yuanfei Zhao.

Westmead Hospital’s Brain Injury Unit secretary Shubhangi Jain and social worker Lauren Goodson.

The Pulse | November 2016 3

Mental Health Month

Celebrating health and wellbeingWSLHD celebrated Mental Health Month (October) by hosting an assortment of educational sessions for staff and community members, morning teas and holistic and relaxation sessions across the district.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Month was Learn and Grow.

These photos are a snap shot of the activities held across our facilities.

For more information about WSLHD mental health services, visit: https://goo.gl/azKkC6

If you or someone you know needs help, visit your GP or contact BeyondBlue at 1300 224 636.

Spread the LHD news

The Pulse is published fortnightly! It’s a tool to promote or share your project, celebration, initiative, success or event.

This publication is distributed to more than 10,000 staff in Western Sydney Local Health District and our many stakeholders.

To submit your story for consideration, we require high-resolution photos with captions and at least 150 words describing the story.

For further enquiries, phone 8890 4564 or email wslhd-corporatecomms@health.nsw.gov.au

Publication is at the discretion of the editor and chief executive.

Items may be edited for length, style and quality.

November 2016 first edition

Graphic design and editorial co-ordinator: Jenny Harrison, WSLHD Corporate Communications specialist.

Sub-editor: Emma Spillett, WSLHD Senior Corporate Communications specialist.

Cumberland Hospital nurse Stephen Boyd held a meditation and relaxation class.

Blacktown Hospital’s Melaleuca mental health team Clemuel Custodia with patient Jason McElroy and executive support officer Carol Ovalle.

Mount Druitt Rupertswood nurse Karen Navaratnim with carer Charmaine Clarke.

Westmead Women’s Health Clinic hosted a Learn and Grow workshop.

The Pulse | November 2016 4

Congratulations to the BMDH Project team and WSLHD patient carer experience teams for their win.

WSLHD takes top prizes at health awards

Westmead Hospital professors Clara Chow and Wah Cheung and doctors Aravinda Thiagalingam and Vincent Lee, along with their team from The George Institute for Global Health, have received a $750,000 grant as part of the 2016 Google Global Impact Challenge.

The money will be used to offer their successful TEXTME program to people with chronic disease across Australia and overseas.

The team trialled the TEXTME program for people with heart disease and had great results - the simple SMS contact helped patients greatly improve their health and lifestyle.

A second trial, TEXTMEDS, focuses on medication use and is currently underway.

The team are also about to conduct a third trial, SUPPORTME, which includes people with type 2 diabetes.

You can read more about these studies at http://text-me.net/

TEXTME program wins $750k Google Global grant

News from across WSLHD

Westmead Hospital professor Clara Chow demonstrates the TEXTME technology.

Blacktown Hospital’s carer zones and expansion project have taken out three top NSW Health Awards, recognising their contribution to patient partnerships and collaborative leadership.

The hospital’s innovative carer zones – a first in NSW - took home two prestigious awards: the People’s Choice Award and the Patients as Partners Award.

The zones provide overnight bedside accommodation for carers of adult patients, offering a single sofa/bed, access to the patient’s bathroom and a curtain for privacy.

The hospital’s transition manager Peter Rophail won the Collaborative Leader of the Year Award - the state’s top individual leadership honour - for his outstanding management of the expansion project at Blacktown Hospital and Mount Druitt Hospital.

Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Danny O’Connor said the awards

Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital’s transition manager Peter Rophail receives his award from NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner.

The BMDH Project delivered major new hospital facilities for Mount Druitt Hospital and Blacktown Hospital, including a new clinical services building, which opened in 2016.

At the time, it was the state’s biggest health infrastructure project.

Stage 2 of the project is now underway.

For more information about the project, visit http://www.bmdhproject.health.nsw.gov.au/

put the spotlight firmly on western Sydney as a health innovator and leader.

“The introduction of carer zones, at the suggestion of a carer, prompted a major redesign of patient rooms and has had a significant positive impact on patients and carers,” he said.

“We are absolutely delighted that such an important project has been recognised in the state’s health awards, and by our peers in the People’s Choice category.

“It clearly demonstrates the growing importance of western Sydney as a place for ideas, innovation and excellence.”

Collaborative leader winner Peter Rophail, said he was thrilled with the award.

“It’s been a privilege to work on such a unique project with our dedicated and talented team; I’m truly grateful for the honour,” he said.

The Pulse | November 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’s Westmead finance office last year looked like a Toy’s R Us superstore.

Meet the staff at the Blacktown Clinical School and Research Centre!

The centre, based at the Western Sydney University campus at Blacktown Hospital, is a multi-disciplinary facility for research and teaching.

It is rapidly expanding and is now accommodating a broad range of clinical and laboratory-based reserach activities.

The centre is headed by Blacktown Hospital’s director of ambulatory medicine Prof Mark McLean, with a primary interest in endocrinology and metabolism.

It also have several subdivisions, including the Blacktown Molrcular Laboratory, Metabolic Research Unit, and the Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Group. Say hello to the staff at Blacktown Clinical School and Research Centre at Blacktown 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 Julie.clarke3@health.nsw.gov.au

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

Meet the school of hard knocks and knowledge

The Pulse | November 2016 6

News from across WSLHD

Forensic cases solved by Westmead stalwart

Auburn’s Hevington House celebrated Carers Week by hosting a picnic at Campbell Hill Reserve in Chester Hill for carers and their famililes.

The group spent their time catching-up with fellow carers, strolling and enjoying the scenic landscape.

The day was topped off with a delicious luncheon in the gardens.

Hevington House nurse unit manager Vilma Pacheco thanked the carers for the care, nurture and support they provide to their loved ones.

“Everyone enjoyed the outing with the staff, feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and most importantly, feeling valued,” Vilma said.

If you would like to know more about Hevington House Dementia-Specific Aged Day Service, call 9649 2583.

Referrals can be made through My Aged Care on www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.

A big thank you to Auburn’s Hevington House carers, families and staff.

Many TV shows claim cold cases are solved by a combination of DNA matching, good detective work and evidence from the crime scene but the truth may not be as glamorous.

Westmead Hospital staff specialist Professor Chris Griffiths, chair of the Royal College of Pathologists of the Australian Faculty of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and former Air Commodore and Assistant Surgeon General of Australian Defence Force and Director General of Health Reserves for the past 49 years, has shared some of the highlights of his extensive career as a forensic odontologist and member of a multidisciplinary team in the head and neck clinic in the radiation oncology department.

Forensic odontology is a specialist field of dentistry, focused on assisting with legal and criminal issues.

Work includes identifying individuals after death, bite mark analysis, estimating a deceased person’s age, addressing dental malpractice and undertaking cranio-facial trauma analysis.

“Identification is a team process, involving the forensic pathologist, anthropologists, police and forensic odontologists; the process is known as Disaster Victim Identification,” Prof Griffiths said.

“Interpol standards say there are only three identifiers for a deceased person that can legally stand alone as a single identifier; they are the deceased person’s DNA, their fingerprints and dental evidence.

“Identification of one of these is considered

Carers picnic celebrated at Chester Hill

positive and doesn’t require confirmation by other techniques.

“Dental evidence played a significant role in the Ivan Milat backpacker murders as it identified six of the seven victims in the Belanglo State Forest using dental records; it couldn’t identify the seventh victim as their head was never found.”

Prof Griffiths was also one of the first forensic specialists in Bali after the 2002 bombing of the Sari Club, the Timor massacre in 1999, the Thailand tsunami (where 7000 people were killed), the Sri Lanka tsunami and the Sumatra tsunami.

“Disasters and accidents can be man-made or a freak of nature. Thankfully, we can identify individuals quickly and return them to their loved ones,” Prof Griffiths said.

“I enjoy helping people in the head and neck team in radiation oncology by providing oral health treatment to help patients manage the side effects of oral therapy.”

Prof Griffiths has worked at Westmead Hospital’s Centre for Oral Health and Pathology services for 36 years, and has been matching x-rays and solving cold cases since the ‘80s.

Professor Chris Griffiths is as renowned for his colourful ties, as he is for his forensic work.

The Pulse | November 2016 7

News from across WSLHD

Longtime staffer farewelled General services supervisor Joe Sassine has been farewelled by more than 60 Westmead Hospital colleagues at a woodfire pizza party at his home!

Mr Sassine, who joined Westmead Hospital in 1975, started work as a cleaner. By 1976 he became a team leader.

By 2016, he was supervising from the office, writing daily reports, conducting monthly inspections, rostering and investigating issues.

“I loved dealing with people. I loved helping people the best that I could,” said Mr Sassine. “I will really miss the people and their friendship.” Joe retired due to health reasons, but looks forward to spending more time with his eight grandchildren and doing a bit of gardening!

Thank U to the people who care for tiny babies

Joe at home with his famous woodfire pizza oven.

Westmead Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) and the Miracle Babies Foundation invited families of premature babies to celebrate Thank U NICU and Special Care Nurseries Day at Westmead Hospital.

Westmead Hospital NICU head Dr Melissa Luig said it was important to recognise the multi-disciplinary teams who care for these tiny babies.

“Westmead Hospital welcomes about 5500 babies each year; about 1500 of these newborns require assistance with breathing and feeding so they spend time in our NICU or special care nursery,” she said.

“Not all pregnancies go to plan and some babies are born too early; they can sometimes be just the size of a tub of butter or margarine when they’re born – they are so tiny that they need extra care.”

Westmead Hospital has 23 NICU beds and 20 special care nursery beds and provides intensive care to critically ill newborn babies across metropolitan and regional NSW.

Baulkham Hills residents Frances and Raffaello Pelligrini experienced first-hand the dedication and support Westmead NICU provides to families.

Westmead staff striding for stroke awareness

Westmead Hospital adminstration officer Nicole Malgioglio, nurses Catherine Hardman, Katrina Mastello, patient safety and quality officer Alice Lance and nurse Melissa Bartley.

Westmead Hospital’s Alice Lance, Catherine Hardman, Melissa Bartley and Nicole Malgioglio have set up a Stride4Stroke team, aiming to raise funds to fight strokes.

The team, dubbed the Westmead Stroke-Busters, will be walking and running throughout November, raising funds and awareness of strokes.

Every 10 minutes, an Australian will have a stroke, costing the economy $5 billion a year.

The Westmead group is keen to raise $1000 and has already walked 43km – go team!

To donate, visit https://stride4stroke16.everydayhero.com/au/westmead-stroke-busters

Congratulations to Westmead Hospital clinical nurse educator (endoscopy) Robyn Brown, who received an award for retaining her gastroenterology credentials.

Robyn was first recognised as an Australian-credentialled gastroenterology nurse in 1998 after successfully completing a four-hour exam.

Since then, she has had to re-credential every three years and was this year recognised for her efforts.

Robyn was presented with the special award and certificate by the Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia at a ceremony recently.

“I’m focused on therapeutic endoscopy, which involves treating conditions like bleeding ulcers and lesions via endoscope, saving patients from surgery,” she said.

Westmead stalwart retains vital skills

Westmead clinical nurse educator Robyn Brown.

Staff survey resultsThe 2016 People Matter Survey provided a snapshot of what WSLHD is doing right, what we need to do better and key issues for staff. They revealed:• 94% of staff seek out ways to do their job

more effectively• 85% feel they contribute to meeting our

objective of providing a great health service for the people of western Sydney and beyond

• 83% of staff say their team treats clients with respect

• 75% of staff believe the LHD strives to earn and sustain public trust

• 74% say we provide high-quality services and get a feeling of personal accomplishment from doing their job

We continue to face the challenges of rapid change within our health services and our community and strive to make WSLHD a highly positive place to work and learn. The results of People Matters will feed into ongoing planning for the WSLHD. To view the results, visit: https://goo.gl/c3OTjI

Westmead NICU John Whittaker with ex-patient Orlando and mum Frances.

The Pulse | November 2016 8

Westmead nurses grow moustaches - the mo the merrier for a good cause

Grow your mos - help support Ashley, Michael, Dan and Andrew with their Movember challenge.

These Westmead nurses might look clean-shaven now but by November 30, they’ll be sporting some seedy, hairy mos, all in the name of Movember!

The Westmead Moustachios, aka Ashley, Michael, Dan and Andrew, will spend the next 30 days cultivating their moustaches and raising funds for the Movember Foundation.

This great charity is tackling some of the most significant health issues faced by men.

To support our Westmead Mo bros, visit http://mobro.co/wmdmostachios – happy growing boys!

‘UCRANE Bolt’ lands at Westmead

Vinnies and WSLHD sign and seal the dealFor the first time, WSLHD and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Parramatta Central Council have collaborated to offer community members their own free telephone health coach.

The new partnership, which was launched at the Vinnies Blacktown Mega Centre Shop recently, is part of NSW Health’s Make Healthy Normal campaign.

The six-month program offers staff, volunteers, and customers the opportunity to instantly sign up for free health coaching at 21 Vinnies shops across western Sydney.

Executive officer of St Vincent de Paul Society Parramatta Central Council Susan Goldie said Vinnies were proud to be supporting the Make Healthy Normal Campaign through their in-store promotions.

“People experiencing disadvantage in western Sydney also face significant health challenges, and we want to promote an easy, accessible way to improve wellbeing through eating well and moderate exercise,” she said.

Since 2013, more than 1500 people in western Sydney have signed up for the free Get Healthy telephone coaching service.

Qualified health coaches provide motivation, advice and support on healthy eating and physical activity to participants to help them achieve sustainable lifestyle changes.

Deputy director for WSLHD Centre of Population Health Christine Newman said the innovative partnership with Vinnies demonstrated services working together to improve health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable populations in western Sydney.

“It’s important that we reach all members of our community regarding services available to them that might be of help”, she said.

Make Healthy Normal is an initiative of NSW Health to encourage people to reassess their lifestyle choices and create a new healthy normal. For more information visit: https://www.makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au/

News from across WSLHD

Students from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead School have taken inspiration from one of the world’s greatest athletes, runner Usain Bolt, in naming the first crane to work on the Westmead Redevelopment project - UCrane Bolt.

Workshops held in the primary and high school classrooms delivered a range of options for the crane’s name but UCrane Bolt was a stand-out.

UCrane Bolt, which arrived last weekend, will have its name in lights while it plays an integral role in the construction of the new multi-storey car park at Westmead Hospital.

When finished, the car park will add an extra 1250 car parks for staff and visitors. The Children’s Hospital at Westmead School principal Mercedes Wilkinson said the students were thrilled to be involved in the project.

“We were so excited to have our children involved in naming the Westmead Redevelopment’s first crane,” she said.

Westmead Hospital general manager Andrew Newton said we will use the crane as it is an identifier while it is on site. It is also a light-hearted reminder to the construction team of the thousands of patients that will benefit from their

efforts.

“By this time next year, there will be three cranes across the Westmead Redevelopment; getting patients and their siblings on board as part of the process to name this first one was great fun,” Andrew said.

UCrane Bolt also has its own Twitter account (@UCrane_Bolt), allowing people to follow its activities on the construction site.

Rosslyn Williams was first to sign up to the service

Welcome to Westmead UCrane Bolt who sits 34 metres high.

The Pulse | November 2016 9

Save the dateBoard Christmas 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 wslhd-mail@health.nsw.gov.au 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@Newbornhealth@health.nsw.gov.au

Westmead Hospital Staff Christmas PartySunday, 11 December, 2016

10.30am - 3.30pm

Wistaria Gardens, Cumberland Hospital

Registrations are essential.

To register, email WSLHD-WAGM@health.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown Hospital Research and Education Symposium Friday, 18 November, 2016

From 1pm followed by evening event.

For further information or to RSVP, contact Maria.Belista@health.nsw.gov.au or 8670 5150.

WentWest and PHN Western SydneyThe Patient Centred Medical Home

Showcase

Transforming primary care in western

Sydney

Tuesday 29 November 2016

5.00pm - 5.45pm Exhibition

5.45pm Formal proceedings commence

Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, James Ruse

Drive, Rosehill

Feedback & Events

A WSLHD staffer flying the WSLHD flag at Machu Picchu, Peru (2,430m or 8,000 ft) - a 15th century Inca site built by the Incas in 1450 and abandoned 100 years later when the Spanish invaded. Discovered again in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham and visited in October 2016 by the WSLHD travelling flag.

Flying the WSLHD flag in Peru

Come and celebrate International Day of People with Disability by entering the inaugural Australian Indoor Rowing Champioships on Wednesday, 30 November. Entries close 24 November.

The event is open to everyone, all ages, and abilities. Make a team of four, or enter solo and help raise money for the Robert Connor Daws Foundation.

Events will run all day from 9am at Westmead Hospital gym, and will include:

• Men’s and Women’s Open and Lightweight 500m• Men’s and Women’s Open Lightweight 1000m• Men’s and Women’s Open and Lightweight 2000m• Men’s and Women’s Open and Lightweight 1min rip

To register for a race, visit: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/rowingaus/events

For more information, contact Kate Murdoch, WSLHD disability employment co-ordinator, on 8838 6389.

Are you an Allied Health professional, nurse or midwife working in NSW?The NSW Centre for Genetics Education is undertaking the first Australian study into the perceived genetic and genomic educational needs for allied health professionals, nurses and midwives.

We would like to hear from health professionals from a range of backgrounds and levels of experience.

Do you have 30 - 60 minutes for a face-to-face or phone interview?

Would you like to know more?

Please contact Mona Saleh from Centre for Generics Education NSW on 9462 9595 or mona.saleh@health.nsw.gov.au

Calling all rowing enthusiasts