Annual Report 2017-18 | Monash Health

Telehealth pilot program
saves John 14 hour commute
Gippsland-based John Bailey was
delighted with Monash Health’s pilot
adult telehealth service, after he was
invited to participate in the program
in June.
John’s specialist appointments
previously required a time commitment
of more than 14 hours, including travel
to Casey Hospital and back from
Bruthen, a small town 20 minutes’
drive east of Bairnsdale.
In the past, appointments have meant
a 4:30am wakeup and the hassle of car,
train, and bus travel.
“People don’t really understand the
stress and anxiety that causes, because
you don’t know the bus lines, or the
train might be delayed or you end up
on the wrong line. And there’s only so
many magazines you can read!”
Often, John would end up getting back
home to Bruthen after 10pm at night.
During the consultation, John spoke
to his specialist via a phone and web
connection at his local medical clinic,
and was able to be home again in just
90 minutes.
“It was fantastic,” John said. “It felt
like I was sitting in the room, sitting
across the table with the doctor.
You could see his face and speak to
him as if he was there. It was all very
personable and easy.”
John was able to travel to his local
clinic in Bairnsdale, the Macleod
Street Medical Centre.
Practise Manager at the centre, Mr
Wayne Howlett, liaised with Monash
Health to ensure a private consultation
room and the technology required.
“Wayne had everything ready to go,
and the Macleod Street Medical Centre
were really helpful,” John said.
John was ‘virtually’ checked in as a
Monash Health patient at the Casey
Specialist Consulting Clinic. After
a private consultation, including
immediate pathology requests and
blood samples taken locally, John
was able to make the short drive
home again.
“For people in the region, this will save
us hours and hours of travel just to see
a specialist that we otherwise may not
have access to,” John said.
“It was really excellent; a 20 minute
drive that I’m used to, and I even had
time to get my shopping done!”
John’s GP also received a detailed
letter after the appointment for any
follow-up.
Geriatric oncology clinic
now open
Monash Health Department of
Oncology, in collaboration with
Southern Metropolitan Integrated
Cancer Service, announced the opening
of our first Geriatric Oncology Clinic at
Dandenong Hospital in February.
The clinic places the focus on the whole
patient, and includes collaborative
patient management by a geriatrician,
an oncologist, and allied health
professionals.
Every patient undergoes a
comprehensive geriatric assessment,
which identifies otherwise hidden
problems including malnutrition,
cognitive impairment, frailty, and
social vulnerability. The information
allows clinicians, consumers and
families to tailor cancer treatment in a
way that allows elderly consumers to
benefit from modern therapies, while
protecting them from risks.
Establishing key community links to
support function is a vital aspect of
this clinic. The clinic is staffed by Dr
Ranjana Srivastava, an oncologist who
trained at the University of Chicago’s
award-winning geriatric oncology clinic
and Dr Irene Wagner, a geriatrician
with extensive experience in managing
dementia, behavioural issues, and
the broader community needs of the
elderly. They are supported by a range
of hospital-based and community allied
health services.
Monash Children’s Hospital
School officially opened
The Victorian Premier, the Hon Daniel
Andrews MP and Minister for Education
the Hon James Merlino MP officially
opened the Monash Children’s Hospital
School in October.
Welcomed to Monash Children’s
Hospital by school Principal, Colin
Dobson, the Premier and Minister visited
young people as they worked alongside
teaching staff.
The school is run by the Department
of Education, with teachers delivering
classes throughout the hospital,
including at students’ bedsides,
in small activity rooms, and in central
ward areas. There will soon also be four
purpose-designed classrooms and a
specialist art room.
Classrooms feature hot desk areas and
are equipped with cameras and the
latest technology to enable students
to virtually connect with teachers and
classmates at their regular school, and
with their families at home.
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