Community ConneCt - Northern Health

FEBRUARY 2012 - Edition 14CommunityConnectHonouring a lifetime of care“Northern Health is committed to identifyingand meeting the health care needs of ourpatients as well as meeting the increaseddemand for services.Paul McKenna with Northern Health CEO, Greg Pullen, at the naming ceremony.For staff at Broadmeadows Health Service,Paul McKenna was more than just acolleague.He was instrumental in the development ofBroadmeadows Health Service and managedthe Service and its facilities for more than adecade.His commitment and dedication to theBroadmeadows community was markedrecently with the launch of McKenna House,named in his honour, at BroadmeadowsHealth Service.Northern Health’s Transition Care Program,which supports older people at theconclusion of their acute or sub-acute staywhile their longer term living arrangementsare finalised, received additional funding lastJuly for six bed-based and six communitybasedpackages.The Transition Care Program has increasedits presence at Broadmeadows HealthService and the new beds opened there on17 October, 2011.The Palliative Care Unit at BroadmeadowsHealth Service incorporated the six TransitionCare Program beds into the ward and withthis change in service and care delivery,staff worked together to rename the unit toreflect its new purpose.When the opportunity arose to renamethe area, staff thought it fitting to name itin honour of their inspirational, dedicatedand respected friend and colleague, PaulMcKenna.Alongside Paul, the renamed facility wasrecently launched by Northern Health’s CEO,Greg Pullen.“We come together to celebrate andrecognise two important things: theexpansion of the services we offer to thelocal community and the service given tothis community by Mr Paul McKenna,”said Greg.“As our community continues to change, thedemands on our services change with it.“We are continually looking at existingservices and facilities and seeing how theycan be enhanced or amended to meet theneeds of our patients.“Having the Transition Care Programavailable at Broadmeadows allows a moreflexible and timely service for patients aswell as enhancing access to the TransitionCare Program throughout our community,particularly the Hume region.“The care and support that will continue tobe provided by Palliative Care and TransitionCare, in their new home, McKenna House,reflects the kindness, care and commitmentshown by Paul for many years.”insideFrom the CEONursing her way to the topA healthy weight off the shouldersKeeping it in the family at Northern HealthSupporting Northern Health1

newsFrom the CEONorthern Health understands theneed for our local communityto access quality health careservices now and well into thefuture.That’s why we are taking actionto provide the next generationof doctors, nurses and midwiveswith the skills they will needto serve Melbourne’s northernsuburbs for years to come.A record number of 47 newjunior doctors have startedwork as medical interns at TheNorthern Hospital, a 27 per centincrease from just two years ago.We have also seen 39 graduate nurses and midwives start work tooand in addition to working at the hospital, they will also support healthservices at Bundoora Extended Care Centre and Broadmeadows HealthService.Our new junior doctors, graduate nurses and midwives will work acrossa wide range of health fields, from Aged Care to Mental Health, fromSurgery to Paediatrics and from critical care to our birthing suites.Together, these remarkable, talented and capable recruits will assistNorthern Health each week to treat thousands of patients, deliver 44babies and assisting 48 children in our Child and Adolescent Health Unit.They will also work to assist us help 1300 patients in our EmergencyDepartment, perform around 100 emergency operations and a further120 elective procedures.There was significant demand for places in our programs for medicalinterns, graduate nurses and midwives, highlighting the desires of gifted,young medical practitioners to come and help people who live here in ourcommunity.As the northern suburbs continue to grow, the newest members of ourteam here at Northern Health will support the health care needs of localresidents and their families.It is with pleasure that I welcome them to play their part as we work toprovide a healthier northern community.Greg PullenCEONursing herway to the topNorthern Health’s Julie Considine has beenrecognised for academic health work bybecoming an Associate Professor in Nursing.A/Prof. Considine, who has previouslycompleted a PhD, leads a team ofresearchers in emergency department care.While there are a range of nursing Professorsand academics in universities, A/Prof.Considine is one of a few who still activelyworks directly in clinical care.In addition to her clinical care work,A/Prof. Considine also teaches studentslocally, nationally and internationally.“We know that having highly educatednurses will deliver better care for localpatients,” said A/Prof. Considine.“That’s why it’s exciting to be at NorthernHealth, because we are making real efforts tobuild our research capacity, which will leadto better health outcomes for local residentswho come to our wards or our EmergencyDepartment.“Our nurses work in one of Victoria’s busiestemergency departments at The NorthernHospital, but they are also a dedicated groupof people committed to delivering goodpatient care.“I hope my research will help encourage andmotivate other nurses here to look at postgraduatestudies and research areas that willmake a difference in how we provide healthcare in a new millennium.”Northern Health’s Julie Considine has achieved the academic title of Associate Professor of Nursing.Northern Health’s Chief Nursing Officer,Robynne Cooke, said A/Prof. Considine’sfocus on researching nursing in emergencydepartments has played a great role inquality of care provided to the many localresidents who present to The NorthernHospital’s Emergency Departmenteach week.“Her involvement at Northern Health hashelped us find innovative ways to take careof those who are sick or injured inour community,” Robynne said.“Julie was at the forefront of efforts tointroduce locally an Australian first projectThe Bundoora ExtendedCare Centre has beengetting into the Christmasspirit.that is providing nursing and paramedicexperience to graduates who completeddouble degrees in both disciplines.“She has also helped find new ways toimprove patient care by helping nurses toidentify seriously ill patients quickly anddesigning systems to enable nurses to makeaccurate decisions in complicated areas likeemergency departments.”In recognition of her work, A/Prof. Considinehas been invited to speak at conferences inParis, Thailand and Sydney this year, havingpresented papers in Hong Kong, Perth andAdelaide last year.2 Community CONNECT FEBRUARY 2012

newsA healthy weight offthe shouldersNorthern Health has been promoting the benefits of maintaininga healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle to coincide with Australia’sHealthy Weight Week, which took place from 22-29 January.Nearly half of all Victorian adults are overweight or obese. Achievingand maintaining a healthy weight is important in order to reducethe risk of developing health problems associated with obesity.In addition to the health risks, there is also a financial burden withthe total annual cost of obesity in Australia, including health systemcosts, productivity declines and carers’ costs, estimated to be around$58 billion in 2008.“People who are overweight or obese have an increased riskof chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease,diabetes, sleep apnoea, stroke and even some cancers,” saidNorthern Health Dietitian Tara Breheny.“Healthy Weight Week has provided a great opportunity to remindpeople about the importance of being active and eating good foodsto achieve and maintain a healthy weight.“Losing just a few kilograms can significantly improve your health ifyou are overweight.”To reduce the risk of increased health problems due to weight,men should aim for a waist circumference of less than 94cms andwomen should aim for less than 80cms.“Since the 1970s the average volume of soft drink consumed perperson per year in Australia has increased from 47 litres to 113 litresand the size of a standard packet of chips has nearly doubled,” saidNadia Szwed, also a Northern Health Dietitian.“Rather than taking up the latest, celebrity quick-fix fad diet, wewant to help encourage people to get to a healthy weight in ahealthy, sustainable way.“Low fat cooking methods like grilling, baking, boiling andsteaming, planning meals and snacks ahead of time and a bit ofNorthern Health Dietitians Nadia Szwed and Tara Breheny are getting out themessage about the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.regular exercise can really make a big difference and help people livetheir lives to the fullest.“Decreasing portion sizes, limiting fast food, take away meals andhigh fat snacks, using low fat dairy products and eating lean meatsare also really effective ways to help people reduce weight.”Maintaining a healthy weight is also becoming an increasing healthissue for children and young people in our community, with aroundone in four Victorian children currently overweight or obese. This isup from around one in 20 children in the 1960s.Research shows that helping children lead healthy lives in their earlyyears significantly impacts their odds of living healthy lifestyles asadults.To help tackle this issue, the Craigieburn Health Service runs aLifestyle Education Activity Program (LEAP) clinic that focuses onencouraging healthy eating and lifestyles for children and teenagersaged from two to 18 years of age.The LEAP clinic runs information sessions and group programs twodays a week that includes time with a Dietitian, Exercise Physiologistand Social Worker. Referrals can also be made to the Paediatrician ifrequired.The clinic provides local families with advice on healthy snacks,grocery shopping, label reading, healthy recipes and fun activities.Australia’s Healthy Weight Week is coordinated by the DieititiansAssociation of Australia. Tips for eating and living healthier,including a weight assessment tool, are available on their websitewww.healthyweightweek.com.au.Keeping it in the family at Northern HealthIt was a family affair at The Northern Hospital onNew Years Eve as the Maternity Ward welcomedits first baby for 2012.Kara Rowley was enjoying a family gatheringat her sister’s house on New Years Eve whenshe went into labour and was rushed to TheNorthern Hospital.By chance Kara’s partner’s cousin, ElizabethHewitt, who is a midwife at The NorthernHospital, was on duty that night.“Kara rang me at home just before I left for workon New Years Eve so I expected to see her atsome time during the night,” Elizabeth said.Baby Rhys Kiraly was born into the world at12.44am on New Years Day at 6lb 13oz.“It’s a very special feeling and privilege to havebeen there. I missed her first baby by changeof shift, and her second I was on holidays, so Iwas very happy to be there for this one,” saidElizabeth.“I was just happy to be there and pleased that allwent well. Being New Years Day was an addedbonus.”Baby Rhys’ father Robert works in the DayActivities Centre at Broadmeadows HealthService, and his aunt Eve Clark is the FoodServices Manager, also at Broadmeadows HealthService.Last year 2407 babies were welcomed into theworld at The Northern Hospital and Rhys is thefirst of many healthy babies expected to be bornat the hospital this year.Baby Rhys Kiraly has plenty of familyat Northern Health.Community CONNECT FEBRUARY 2012 3

supporting northern healthScoring an eagle for NorthernHealth cancer servicesBev Carman’s Can Do & More Annual CharityGolf Day is happening again this year onSunday, 12 February.Being held at the Kilmore Golf Club, the4 Person Ambrose competition providesgreat fun and helps raise funds for NorthernHealth’s oncology services.“The funds raised by this year’s Golf Dayare being used to support the purchase ofultrasound equipment for our theatres,” saidNorthern Health CEO, Greg Pullen.“This equipment helps to treat patients withbreast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancerand other conditions.“It would be great to have local residentsparticipating in this event and helping tosupport this great cause.”Bev Carman has been raising local interest inthe event, which is being proudly sponsoredby The House of Golf in Epping andCraigieburn.“Our Golf Day is always full of laughter andeveryone has a great time,” said Bev.“We are hoping to get as many people alongto make the day a great success and supportthe great work that happens at NorthernHealth.”Throughout the day there will be a raffle,a ‘Nearest the Pin’ and a ‘Betting Hole’competition as well as a sausage sizzle.The cost of the day is $30 per person.Bookings and enquiries can be made toBev Carman on 5782 1581 or Kevin Whyleyon 0407 532 948.Day Oncology Unit Nurse Unit Manager MelissaGwynne, Bev Carman and Assistant Nurse UnitManager Kaylene Probst are calling on staff to getinvolved in the Annual Charity Golf Day.Children give to help othersA very special donation has been made to the Children and Adolescent Health Unit (CAHU) at The Northern Hospital by a group of primaryschool children.Grade Prep students from Thomastown Meadows Primary School recently raised $44.20 in a five cent stall which they have donated toCAHU at The Northern Hospital.The money raised will help to purchase a new Wii game for the Children’s Ward.The game will provide a great distraction to little patients and be of benefit to those suffering respiratory problems as the game will getthem moving and therefore help with their breathing.This kind gesture was greatly received in CAHU and staff were touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity of the young school children.Woolworths’ staff Frank and Victoria cooked up a storm to helpraise funds for The Northern Hospital.Subscribe to Community ConnectNorthern Health is always proud and excited to share news and updates with the northern community we serve.You can subscribe to receive Community Connect via e-mail, simply send us an e-mail requesting to subscribe and we’ll keep in touch.For more information e-mail corporatecommunications@nh.org.au or phone 8405 8026.4 Community CONNECT FEBRUARY 2012Snagging support forThe Northern HospitalOn the eve of Australia Day Woolworths indulged in one of thegreat Aussie traditions in support of Northern Health – a goodold fashioned barbeque.In an Australia wide incentive, Woolworth stores across thenation held a series of Australia Day fundraising barbeques.Each store matched dollar-for-dollar whatever funds wereraised at the barbeque, and donated the money to a charity ororganisation of their choice.The Epping Plaza Safeway selected The Northern Hospital astheir chosen charity and held a sausage sizzle on 25 January,selling hot snags and icy cold drinks to eager passers by, whowere hungry and weary from a morning of shopping.