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PREMIER VISITS DALWOODPAGE 7

SPEAK UP FOR BETTER OUTCOMES

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FAREWELL VICKI

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SPEAK UP FOR BETTER OUTCOMES

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PACH winning at accreditationAccreditation is an important part in making sure we are operating at our best, and our Primary and Community Health (PACH) team have knocked it out of the park for 2017.

Over three days, surveyors met with staff and visited PACH services to see how they are going since the last accrediation review in 2015. Results revealed that significant development had taken place and all of the recommendations from 2015 had been successfully actioned.

Of particular note was the fantasic work done around all aspects of standard two, which is about partnering with consumers. To add to the current successes reviewers recommended implementing “you said/ we did” avenues for the community, outlining what improvements had been made as a result of patient feedback. They also recommended a feedback mechanism for quality improvement intiatives. Well done team.

message from the cE

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE #2 | AUGUST 20172

Dear Friends & Colleagues

I am delighted to have held the role of the Chief Executive - Northern Sydney Local Health District since 2011.

Together we have achieved many successes. I am proud to have had the opportunity to have worked with and lead the talented multidisciplinary teams across and within Northern Sydney Local Health District. There are too many people to thank individually.

We have strived to deliver patient, family and carer focussed quality processes, care and outcomes for our community that have been evidenced based, safe, appropriate and efficient.

We have had our fair share of “ups and downs” but we have always chosen to and demonstrated our ability to deliver and turn challenges into opportunities.

I look forward to my exciting new role within Sydney

Local Health District.

I wish you all health, happiness and success for the future and again my sincere appreciation to you all.

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect” - Stephen Hawking

Regards

Adj. Assoc. Professor Vicki Taylor Chief Executive NSLHD

Read more on the departure of Vicki on page 3, including who is stepping up to the plate as acting CE.

We know our staff do amazing things and we want to hear about it.

Share your news, achievements, events with NSLHD colleagues.

Contact Corporate Communications on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.

Publication is at the discretion of the editor and items may be edited for length, style and quality.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

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We are also pleased to share that Graeme Loy will be Acting Chief Executive NSLHD, effective August 21 2017.

Graeme is currently executive director system management for NSW Health. Graeme has a wealth of experience in the health system, and has held executive leadership positions at state, district and facility level, including a previous role as director operations for SWSLHD.

He brings to NSLHD a strong focus on system performance and will be an excellent leader for the district while recruitment commences to appoint a new Chief Executive.

We know you join us in wishing Vicki all the best for the next stage of her career as she moves to this new and exciting position, and in welcoming Graeme to the acting CE role.

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We are delighted to advise that Adjunct Associate Professor Vicki Taylor has accepted the position of executive director, Sydney Research.

Sydney Research, which is part of the Sydney Local Health District, is one of the largest research hubs in NSW.

Vicki brings to this role an extensive history of working in health, both public and private, across clinical, research and senior administrator roles. Vicki’s knowledge and experience will greatly enhance the SLHD and NSW Health translational research agendas.

Since 2011, Vicki has held the position of Chief Executive for Northern Sydney Local Health District and has a strong record of achievement.

We would both like to take this opportunity to thank Vicki for her immense contribution to the leadership of NSLHD, including the redevelopment of RNSH, Hornsby Hospital Stage 1 redevelopment, Community and Rehabilitation services and the Northern Beaches redevelopment.

As executive director of Sydney Research, Vicki will be working with the researchers and clinicians of SLHD, the University of Sydney and 15 eminent medical research institutes, affiliates and centres of excellence, to foster collaboration through sharing of technical equipment, laboratories, knowledge and capabilities, encouraging innovative research, education and models of care and providing local, national and international leadership in translational research.

Elizabeth Koff Secretary NSW Health

Trevor Danos AM Chair NSLHD Board

Trevor Danos Elizabeth Koff

message from the secretary and NSLHD board chair

MHDA Annual Research ConferenceKeen researchers from across NSLHD were among those who were wowed at the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) annual research conference earlier this month.

Whether they were posters or presentations, attendees were engaged by the diverse range of research projects being undertaken by their colleagues. Prizes were up for grabs and there was some stiff competition. Bev Moss (pictured) took out the poster category for her work ‘Building bridges & pathways: improving service access for young people’.

MHDA’s expert for mental health nursing, Associate Professor Michael Roche - one of the judges and presenters - said he was impressed by the quality within the field. “This was my first MHDA annual research conference and I was impressed by the quality of the work,” he said. “There was a wide range of research, reflecting the diversity of approaches necessary to understand our service and our clinical work.” Professor Roche encouraged staff to get involved as research is a group activity and “if we are to continue embedding it in our practice then we need to approach it as a team.”

4 NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE #2 | AUGUST 2017

It’s not always easy to speak up when you feel something isn’t

right – especially if you’re not really sure what’s wrong.

But having the confidence to air your concerns, even when they come from a gut feeling, can be very important – especially in health.

The RNSH/Ryde maternity service recently collaborated with the Sydney Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre, based in the Kolling Building, to develop a tailor-made version of its “Speak Up” course.

Designed to help clinical staff identify when they should speak up, the course also gives practical tips on how to speak up and how to negotiate differences to achieve ‘win-win’ outcomes.

Simulation centre director Professor Leonie Watterson (pictured) said while health workers were committed to the best outcome for their patients, things didn’t always go to plan.

“Delays in assessing and treating women can occur if obstetric staff are waylaid performing surgery; cognitive bias can cloud judgement when women present with rare and complex conditions; and, while pregnancy is generally a well-woman model, occasionally rapid clinical deterioration can occur,”

Prof Watterson said.

“Problems can occur when there is suboptimal communication and/or problem solving - examples include: failing to convey the seriousness of a situation or to successfully advocate for a patient; delaying in calling for help; and failing to assertively speak up.”

Prof Watterson said people could sometimes be reluctant to speak up if they weren’t sure they were right, or if they were worried about conflict.

Clinical midwifery consultant Kate Pigott said “Speak Up” was very useful.

“The course was an invaluable resource for all maternity clinicians in knowing when and how to say what’s on your mind using unit specific escalation language developed at the session,” she said.

“It also helped us develop strategies for working through concerns so important issues are communicated effectively.”

The course, available through the Northern Beaches Health Service from September, could be tweaked to give staff the right language to use in their clinical setting, she said

If you would like to find out if Speak Up could be adapted to your clinical setting, please email leonie.watterson@health.nsw.gov.au

Join a workshopThe Centre for Education and Talent Development (CETD) runs a similar communication program suitable for all staff.

Being able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people is essential in both personal and professional contexts.

A range of skills including positive conflict resolution are needed to achieve effective communication.

The Up-front communication half-day workshop focuses on the initial stages of the conflict resolution process and managing minor workplace issues before they escalate.

The workshop uses a number of interactive activities to equip staff with practical strategies and tools to address minor workplace conflicts in a positive, respectful and proactive manner.

There are still a number of Up-front communication workshops remaining for this year.

Please enrol via My Health Learning http://hetionline.health.nsw.gov.au

Speak up for better outcomes

Midwife Anne Keely (centre) and Sydney Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre facilitator Kathryn Rieger (right) during the course

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Steptember updateTen NSW Health LHDs have taken up the Steptember challenge.

Collectively, Health has 656 teams, 111 which are from NSLHD.

Steptember hasn’t even started and we are in front on the fundraising leaderboard compared to other districts. NSLHD teams have already raised $5,559.

South Eastern Sydney LHD is hot on our heels having raised $4,456.

Registrations are still open so join us for the Steptember challenge.It’s an opportunity to get fit and raise funds for cause.For more info or to sign up visit www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/Pages/Steptember.aspx

Having come to us from a similar role in a service within Sydney LHD (where she worked in the drug health service) Corina is excited about spreading her wings across an entire LHD.“Don’t wish for it – work for it”.

It’s a simple but powerful mantra held dear by NSLHD’s new patient safety improvement facilitator Corina Yiannoukas, who has joined the district patient safety improvement team in the Clinical Governance Department.

Having come to us from a similar role in a service within Sydney LHD (where she worked in the drug health service) Corina is excited about spreading her wings across an entire LHD.

The patient safety improvement team plays an important role as NSLHD continues to cement its reputation as a leader in transparency and accountability.

Patient safety improvement manager Lucia Luperdi, whose role is to provide guidance and support to the local clinical

governance units throughout the district, said: “In NSLHD, we foster a no-blame culture and this is reflected in the way we manage our clinical incident investigations, which is based on honesty, openness and improvement.”

Lucia understands all too well the importance of open disclosure having been on the receiving end of healthcare when things didn’t go to plan.

“You can never eliminate human error but when mistakes are made it’s important to admit to it, apologise for it and learn from it,” she said.

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Did you know?As of last week NSLHD had a total of 5,926 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases so far this year, compared to 6,409 for the whole of 2016.

Corina Yiannoukas

Lucia Luperdi

NSLHD NEWS | ISSUE #2 | AUGUST 20176

PACH winning at accreditation

RNSH clinic taking on Parkinson’s disease It is one of Australia’s most debilitating diseases and Northern Sydney Local Health District’s finest minds are taking the fight to Parkinson’s disease.

On Wednesday September 13, the movement disorder and neurogenetics clinics based at RNSH will present strategies for the care and treatment of Parkinson’s disease at an information day.

The three -hour session held at the level five auditorium of the Kolling Building will include three presentations organised by Parkinson’s disease nurse Sue Williams.

“This is a great opportunity to meet the staff from the movement disorder and neurogenetics clinics at RNSH and see some of the remarkable work they are doing on Parkinson’s disease,” she said.

“I would encourage professionals from our district to attend and hear from experts

like director of neurogenetics Professor Carolyn Sue and neurologist Dr Paul Silberstein.

Sue said it would be a valuable opportunity for those involved in or with an interest in Parkinson’s disease to discover the latest in device assisted therapies and research.

“More than 2500 people in our LHD suffer from Parkinson’s,” she said.

“While there is no known cure, our information day addresses some of the fantastic new research that may one day make a cure possible as well as current treatment options.”

The session will run from 8.30am to 11.40am.

To reserve your place, email Sue at susan.williams3@health.nsw.gov.au

FLU SEASON HITS RNS AND RYDE HospitalsThis year’s flu season has hit early - we have seen the number of cases reported more than double when compared to the same period last year, and the year before.

Up until the end of July, the district had 3,647 confirmed cases of influenza, compared to 1,640 in the same period last year, and 1,089 in 2015.

Ambulance arrival and ED presentation numbers say it all. Comparing July this year to July last year, ambulance arrivals were up more than 11 per cent; and ED presentations were up by 14 per cent.

While we always plan for the winter flu season, its early and dramatic arrival has been unusual and challenging for all of our staff.

Many thanks for all of the additional rounds and reviews by all medical, nursing and allied health staff to ensure patient flow, and for the quick response in managing patients to prevent the spread of flu.

While you are taking such good care of our patients, please don’t forget to take good care of yourself.

Free flu shots are still available for our staff so take the opportunity to be vaccinated, if you have not done so already. Keep up the great work.

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Premier supports kids in need on the Northern Beaches Premier Gladys Berejiklian swapped Macquarie Street for a sandpit at Seaforth to announce support for the Spilstead Children’s Services at Dalwood on July 28.

Accompanied by the Member for Manly James Griffin, the Premier announced a $5,000 funding commitment to construct a shaded area for children at the preschool.

The announcement follows an approach from the Dalwood Auxiliary which raises more than $100,000 each year for the service.

After meeting a host of pre-schoolers, the Premier addressed

auxiliary members saying it was important to be compassionate and help those who are most vulnerable.

“Our funding commitment is a small but important gesture, demonstrating our support for this valuable childrens’ service,” she said.

Northern Beaches Health Service community lead Heather Gough

welcomed the Premier’s visit and recognition of the internationally acclaimed program for disadvantaged children.

“Spilstead Children’s Services offers a one-stop shop for families struggling with some of life’s challenges. We provide a holistic program for vulnerable children, which focuses on early intervention and prevention.

“Our approach delivers long term positive outcomes for families and we’re pleased the Premier was able to see first-hand the operation of the service, and meet our staff and wonderful auxiliary members,” Heather said.

The Dalwood site has housed services for children since the 1920s.

More than $10 million has been invested in modern, purpose-built facilities for a range of support services, including counselling, therapy services and parent support programs.L-R: Member for Manly James Griffin, Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Barbara Jane from the

Dalwood Auxiliary