the far west local health district newsletter edition 7, vol...

Message from the Chief Executive

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 8, August 2018 Th

e L

ivin

g D

es

ert

— b

y C

ary

Ro

ge

rs

A successful Far West LHD Innovation Health Awards held this month was a celebration of the programs and services that have been developed and delivered successfully across the LHD.

Our annual Innovation Awards is a reflection of the importance the LHD holds for our staff and the services they deliver. The awards showcase programs and services that have had outstanding results and some remarkable achievements across the LHD. The awards also importantly bring to our attention the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes around these projects; efforts by individual staff members and teams that otherwise most of us would be unaware.

My congratulations to the winners in each of the categories and also to all the finalists.

In the Ninja category this year (smaller projects) our finalists were:

Tanya Clifton for Destination Unknown, a video helping people to navigate our Mental Health facilities. Tanya is the Consumer and Carer Participation Coordinator for the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol district team.

Lhy Smith for CRAE – Centralised Remote Area Education, a tailored education program using telehealth rather than travelling across the district. Lhy is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Nursing Education in Lower Western Sector sites.

Becky Smith and Tracy Herlihy for Far West Allied Health Recruitment Video, a collage of still shots spliced together to create an effective recruitment tool. Becky is Manager of OT and Physio and Tracy is team leader of Dietetics at Broken Hill health Service.

In the Phoenix category this year (larger projects) our finalists were:

Kellie Hammond for DACC – Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic for Far West LHD, a streamlined approach to ensuring people have timely access to colonoscopy services to prevent delays in diagnosis of bowel cancers. Kellie is the DACC nurse consultant delivering the DACC service in Broken Hill Health Service. She is also the project officer for the development of this service.

Brendan Hedger for Far West NSW Disaster Preparedness and Resilience, a multi-agency coordinated response for LHD disaster readiness. Brendan is the District Disaster Manager and his role includes ensuring collaboration between health and all other disaster responders in the region.

Pat Croft for From little things big things grow: Living well in the MPS Collaborative, a project that transitioned the MPS from a health care environment to a home like environment for the people who live there. Pat was the Health Service Manager at Balranald MPS and co-lead on the Living Better project. Pat has recently left Balranald MPS and we wish her well.

One thing in common with all our project nominees is that they all saw an opportunity to do something differently, and they had a go at making something better. They worked with others to make these changes happen. So if you see something that could be made better, reach out and get some help to start making these changes happen.

Congratulations also to the organising committee for this year’s award and I note that feedback has been sought on ways to improve next year’s event. One of those is renaming the project categories (from Ninja and Phoenix) and I urge everyone to consider a suitable suggestion and contact the organisers with your ideas. If you are also thinking of entering a project for 2019 and are unsure, don’t be shy to seek out help from the organisers. Learning opportunities on project completion and submitting them to the awards will be available in the coming year.

— Stephen Rodwell, Chief Executive

Mr Stephen Rodwell

The Far West Local Health District Newsletter Edition 7, Vol 8, August 2018

Innovation Award winners for 2018

Excellence in Customer Service Awards — Next Page

We celebrated the great work being done across the district with our annual Innovation Awards held on 10 August.

Six finalists presented their projects at the award ceremony with the DACC (Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic FWLHD) project winning the Phoenix (large project) and also winning the ACI Award.

The Ninja (small project) was won by CRAE (Centralised Remote Area Education) and the People’s Choice Award was won by ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow: Living Well in MPS Collaborate”.

(Continued next page)

Phoenix Award and ACI Award winner - Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic Far West LHD (DACC): Kellie Hammond (left) and Melissa Cumming.

People’s Choice winner - From Little Things Big Things Grow: Living Well in the MPS Collaborative”: Pat Croft (left), Health Service

Manager, Balranald MPS and EEN Helen Murphy with Director of Medical Services, Dr Andre Nel.

Ninja Award winner - CRAE ‘Centralised Remote Area Education: Lhy Smith (left) with Acting Chief Executive, Ken Barnett.


Innovation Awards 2018

Staff Excellence Awards

Tracy Herlihy

(From previous page)

The Innovation Awards also saw the presentation of awards to a number of employees in recognition of their

exceptional service to the organisation and community:

Aboriginal Staff Excellence: Corina Kemp (Allied Health).

Early Career Excellence: Stephanie Harman (Administration and Support Staff) and Baily Stubing (Nursing).

Clinical Service Excellence: Mary Ann Stubbings (Nursing).

Customer Service Award: Dallas Seager (Administration and Support Staff).

Leadership Excellence Award: Annette Vartuli (Administration and Support Staff), Nicholas Minns (Nursing) and Tracy Herlihy (Allied Health).

Team Excellence: Redevelopment Team (Melissa Welsh and Anthony Farquhar) (Administration and Support Staff) and Medical Ward (Nursing).

Peer Recognition for Staff Excellence (Staff Rounding): Employee of the Year - Hannah Everuss.

Peer Recognition for Team Excellence (Staff Rounding): Team of the Year - District Properties.

Consumer Recognition for Staff Excellence: Robyn Franklin. Consumer Recognition for Team Excellence: Maternity Unit.

(Note: Not all the winners were able to be present at the awards ceremony). Long Service Awards — Next Page

Stephanie Harman

Hannah Everuss

Robyn Franklin

Dallas Seager

Baily Stubing

Maternity Unit: Chelsea Anderson

Anthony Farquhar and Melissa Welsh

Corinna Kemp

District Properties: Tori McManus, Sherry Davis, Robyn Stewart, Gretchen Buss and A/CE Ken Barnett.

Medical Ward: Sue Pedretti, Baily Stubing and Morgan Walsh with A/CE Ken Barnett.


PAGE 4

30 Year Long Service Award recipients — Jan Martin (Patient Service Assistant) and Wendy

Roberts (Catering).

40 Year Long Service Award recipient —Viv Williams

Innovation Awards 2018

Staff Long Service Awards

Employee

Recognition Awards

for years of dedicated

service were also

presented to a

number of employees

from across the

District. Awards were

presented in the

following groups: Long Service

Awards for 10 years of service: Ashlee Ryan, Cathy Grose, Judith Meehan, Sharon Pittaway, Damien Thomas, Elise Pascoe, Helen Murphy, Amanda Morris, Vicki Armstrong, Branko Licul, Gretchen Buss, Jane Baker, Tanya Clifton, Angela Harvey, Erin O'Grady, Jacqueline Anderson, Kim Edward Hoskins, Madeleine Campisi, Shelley Watt, Michele Hall, Peter Crombie, Loren Andrews, Janice Kelly and Leanne Giansiracusa.

Long Service Awards for 20 years of service: Kelli Morris, Geraldine McGettigan, Darrin Quinn, Amanda Gilbee, Tracey Hansen, John Jackson, Joy Clarke, Karen Winter, Peter Sidaway, Stacey Evers, Pamela Burns, Karen Kennedy and Paul Kaye.

Long Service Awards for 30 years of service: Susan Adams, Janet Daley, Brendan Sheahan, Kerrie Brown, Sheryl Brown, Robert King, Wendy Roberts, Jan Martin, Jennifer Blake, Diane Wilson, Susan Vaughan, Scott Carnie, Giaconda Hucks, Taryn Banks and Penelope Griffin.

Long Service Awards for 40 years of service: Dawn Vivienne Williams.

20 Year Long Service Award recipients

10 Year Long Service Award recipients

Feedback welcomed as improvements being considered for next year’s awards — Next Page


PAGE 5

Balranald MPS had a small informal ceremony to present staff who were unable to attend the awards ceremony, their years of service certificates:

(from left) Janice Kelly (Hotel Services) 10 years, Pat Croft HSM, Jenny Blake (Nursing) 30 years, Amanda Gillbee (Radiology) 20 years and Peter

Sidaway (Dental Officer) 20 years.

Judging the awards were (from left) Denise Hampton, Diana Ferry and Noni Ingliss (sitting in for Stan Dineen on the day).

Thanks from the Health Awards organising committee! The 2018 Innovation and Staff Recognition awards were again a success, thanks to the efforts of our staff in nominating projects and

our colleagues and consumers for nominating staff for awards. We have listened to feedback from this year, and these are some of the things we will be trying to achieve for next year’s awards:

We will try holding the awards ceremony at the new Broken Hill Community Health Centre, which will address some of the issues we have when linking in to videoconference sites. We will also explore if live streaming is an option next year.

The lunch time format is popular, but we have staff unable to attend to collect their awards, so we will explore if a different timeslot can be tried next year.

To help future project nominees, people would like to hear from past nominees and winners, so we will look into how we can do this.

This year we offered help with writing up project nominations which people reported was useful, so we will aim to offer this support again in the lead up to next year’s awards.

We need to do more work with managers to ensure we have staff recognition nominations in all categories, and that staff receiving awards are released from normal duties to attend.

We would also like your help in naming the categories of project awards. At the moment, larger projects are nominated into the “Phoenix category”, and smaller projects are nominated into the “Ninja category”. We would like the category names to mean something to our staff and our district, so we are looking for suggestions for the larger projects category and the smaller projects category. Please email your suggestions to [email protected]. There may be a Freddo frog for the chosen names!

We keep hearing about staff missed off years of service recognition lists. If you believe you are due for a 10 year, 20 year, 30 year, 40 year recognition award, please let us know. We can then check through HR.

Staff have also asked for skills and tools to assist them to complete projects (and submit them to the awards in future). Coming up over the next 12 months will be some learning opportunities to assist this improvement work:

Jumpstart – An introduction to project management workshop will be offered in early 2019. This workshop will be appropriate for people who run projects or plan to do a project. The workshop teaches basic project management tools that can help keep a project on track.

Improvement skills workshop was offered in 2018, and will again be offered in the first half of 2019. This is an introduction to simple improvements skills and tools, and will be relevant for staff who have an improvement project underway.

AIM (Accelerating Implementation Methodology) was offered in 2018, and will again be offered by mid-2019. AIM teaches approaches and tools to assist staff who are implementing a change as part of their improvement projects and work.

Look out for more information about these workshops.

The award finalists (from left) Kellie Hammond, Patricia Croft, Brendan Hedger, Tracy Herlihy, Tanya Clifton and Lhy Smith.

mailto:[email protected]


PAGE 6

Farewell to Balranald HSM Pat Croft The staff, residents, family and visitors all got an opportunity to get

together and farewell Balranald HSM Pat Croft during the last week of her employment here in Balranald.

Pat attended her last Hospital Auxiliary meeting and they kindly presented her with a lovely potted orchard in appreciation for her assistance during her time here at Balranald MPS.

Current and former staff got together on 23 August at the local Golf Club for a farewell to remember. We were lucky enough to engage local artist Jan Lawler to whip something up as a farewell gift for Pat. With only a weeks’ notice, Jan was able to capture a beautiful painting of two of Pat’s own horses — as you can imagine Pat was lost for words.

Pat’s last day as Balranald HSM was on Friday, 24 August and staff and residents were able to celebrate and wish her all the best with afternoon tea.

On behalf of all of here at Balranald MPS and FWLHD we would like to thank Pat for her dedicated service and wish her all the very best in her new working life.

Balranald HSM Pat Croft has been farewelled by staff and residents — she was presented a

beautiful painting featuring two of her beloved horses.

Drought in the Far West Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Coordinator Marie Kelly has got

busier as the dry conditions have exacerbated in the district. Marie has been working closely with partner organisations responding to community

requests for workshops, events, and resources. RAMHP has just put out a new drought resource as part of their ‘let’s talk’ series

called ‘managing stress during drought’. The two sided, one page resource names the signs that we might see if someone, or

ourselves, are experiencing prolonged stress. It provides tips on how to start the conversation with someone we are concerned about, and, how to encourage them to take action. This includes self-care strategies and seeking support from a professional.

Services that assist with emotional, practical and financial matters are listed. Marie has been distributing the flyers with other resources across the district. They

can also be downloaded from the website www.ramhp.com.au


PAGE 7

National Child Protection Week 2-8 September

National Child Protection Week is the 2-8 September and is all about everyone getting involved in building better communities for children and young people.

An important part of this is making sure that the voices of children and young people are heard in our society, including in the media.

National Child Protection Week is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the community to think about how we can work together to keep all children safe.

We want to remind everyone that:

We ALL have a part to play in protecting ALL children

Even small actions can help to improve a child’s future

By building stronger communities, we are creating safer environments for our children

How can I start playing my part to protect children today (and every day!)?

Be a good role model for children

Be kind to children, parents (and yourself!)

Take the time to really listen to children and believe them if they tell you something

Don’t judge other parents and families; remember that we’re all trying our best

Look out for all children, not just your own

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to ask someone if they need help

Far West Local Health Service in partnership with Mission Australia and a number of other Broken Hill services will be hosting a free family event with activities for children on Thursday 6

th September

2018 from 3pm-5pm at Sturt Park, we would love to see you there!

Aboriginal Community JIRT Response

Information Session

Facilitators from Community Services, NSW Health and NSW Police will provide Aboriginal community members with information to help protect a child if a disclosure is made. Workers supporting Aboriginal families also welcome.

This FREE course will cover:

What is child abuse?

What to do if a child tells you about being abused

What does the Joint Investigation Response Team do? Venue is Wilcannia Community Hall, Wilcannia on

Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th September 2018. Time:

9am to 3pm (Please try and attend both days). Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Registration is essential. To register your details by 3 September 2018 email your name and contact phone number to [email protected] or by phoning 0429 978 609 or [email protected] or by phoning 0439152438

If you have any questions about the content of the information session, you can phone either Regan or Sherree


PAGE 8

Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment update This is the plan for the building works that are underway at the moment in the Broken Hill Health Service. The boxes in red give you some reference points so you can figure out where the works are occurring.

THOMAS ST

Medical Day Only area nearing completion — due early September

Offices complete —ready to occupy

Pathology store area commenced

Reception construction commencing very soon

Kincumber House demolition is also part of the works underway at present. The asbestos roof sheets have been removed and all asbestos found within the building has been approved by authorised licenced

contractors. Demolition of the building will be commencing soon.


PAGE 9

Ocsober is a national fundraising initiative by Life Education to reduce drug and alcohol related harm in young people. All donations raised through Ocsober will help to provide the vital education Aussie kids need to make good choices about their health, relationships, alcohol and drugs.

Lose the booze during the month of October and help Life Education, and our iconic mascot Healthy Harold, provide this education to every Aussie kid who really needs it. Because every child deserves the best opportunity to grow up safe and healthy, and reach their full potential.

Go to ocsober.com.au for information and to sign up.

BENEFITS for YOU There are a number of health benefits associated with giving

up alcohol. Participants (or Ocsoberites, as we like to call them)

will give themselves the chance to feel healthier and fitter,

perhaps lose a few kilos, sleep better, improve

their mental health, all while setting a good

example for impressionable young Aussies.

Quality Board Communication – Cancer Care Services

Do you have a recent diagnosis of cancer and need support and information regarding your diagnosis?

Broken Hill Cancer Services are available to assist patients and their families from point of diagnosis to completion of treatment. Broken Hill Cancer Services are part of a multi-disciplinary team who provide a holistic approach to your care including physical and psychological wellbeing.

The Cancer Care Coordinator is available to discuss diagnosis, treatment options travel and accommodation and much more. The Cancer Care Coordinator will liaise with your treating team and GP facilitate appointments and refer to appropriate services.

The Psycho-Oncology Counsellor is an experienced Social Worker with additional training in counselling. The Psycho oncology counsellor can provide patients and their families with practical and psychological support, provide instruction on relaxation and meditation and provide information on local support groups and exercise programs available.

For more information contact Sandra Turley on 08 8080 1197


PAGE 10

Face to face psychiatry services online for all ages

Life can be a roller coaster and getting help during the slumps can be challenging in a small community. Firstly, there may be no one with the right skills nearby or, if there is, it can be confronting to bare your soul to someone you run into regularly as part of your day to day life.

That’s why online therapy is so great for people in rural and remote Australia. You can sit in your kitchen and use a smartphone, tablet or computer to talk to a psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist far away. No one sees you go into a clinic and no one needs to know.

Medicare now funds up to 10 sessions of online therapy services for people in rural areas with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. You just need to live at least 15 km by road from the person providing the service. The main proviso is that one of the first four sessions needs to be face to face. We can’t recommend particular providers, but type ‘online psychologist Australia’ into your search engine and you’ll see plenty of options.

You could also see a psychiatrist online, again these can be bulk billed as long as you have a GP referral. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists website has search engine that helps you find psychiatrists who work online, or you could try a service like Dokotela or GP2U. You can even access a sub-specialty, like a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist this way. You usually don’t have to wait long for an appointment either.

So if you, one of your family or one of your patients needs help, try an online service. It’s effective and confidential.

Biospecimen Collection Grants Calling all researchers: Got an existing or prospective

biospecimen collection? A new NSW Health research fund of up to $700,000 is now available for NSW researchers and closes on 3 September 2018.

The Biospecimen Collection Grants (BSG) will support researchers developing high quality biospecimen collections and associated data. The funding will cover the collection of biospecimens from people in NSW, as well as processing and storage in the NSW Health Statewide Biobank (NSWHSB).

For more information on this inaugural grants, visit the NSW Health website or the NSW Health Statewide Biobank website, and feel free to contact the NSW Health Statewide Biobank on 4920 4140 if you have any questions.

Do you know at Far West we grow our own? This includes providing internal

secondments. What are Internal Secondments? Current

employees are given development opportunities to try a new position for a short period of time.

If you are interested in growing your career please discuss with your manager about secondment opportunities.

Recruitment tip!

https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/psychiatry-explained/seeing-a-psychiatrist-online

https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/psychiatry-explained/seeing-a-psychiatrist-online

https://dokotela.com.au/book-now/patient/

https://gp2u.com.au/

http://www.biobank.health.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.biobank.health.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ohmr/Pages/biospecimen-collection-grants.aspx

http://biobank.health.nsw.gov.au/biospecimen-collection-grants/

http://biobank.health.nsw.gov.au/biospecimen-collection-grants/


PAGE 11

Communication access is communication for all During Speech Pathology Week (19-24

th of August) the Speech Pathology department held their monthly laryngectomee

group. This group allows laryngectomee within the community to overcome barriers to ensure effective communication. It

allows them to interact socially with each other in a friendly and supportive environment.

Communication access is vital to enable everyone to participate fully in social, education, economic and sporting

aspects of life. This was the

theme for Speech Pathology

Week: Communication

access is communication for

all.

Communication is a

basic human right and we

as a community need to do

more to achieve

communication access for

those with a communication

disability. 1.2 million

Australians have a

communication disability.

Building communication

accessibility will ensure that

everyone is treated with

dignity and respect. When

we create communication

accessible communities,

everyone gets the message.

Laryngectomee Group meeting (from left) Noel Tebbutt, Shima Jafari, Vanessa Miegel, Patricia Holtze, Gerald Handberg, Danielle Kennedy and Bob Frazer.

What matters to you? Collecting stories…

Five staff attended a three hour workshop on 24 August to learn how to collect stories from patients and staff on their health care experiences through appreciative enquiry using emotional touch points. The feedback was positive and staff now feel more confident to collect stories with the tools provided.

We evaluate the care that patients receive by compliments, complaints, audits, surveys and incident reports. Collecting stories of patient, family or carer experiences of the care they have received is another way to evaluate the care experience and identify areas for celebration and improvement. The emotional narrative of a patient experience often provides the trigger to inspire change within teams.

Collecting staff stories allow our fellow staff and managers to celebrate things that require celebration or provides the trigger for reflection and change. How can we provide first class health care if our staff are not engaged and empowered to be the best that they can be?

If you are interested to tell your story; have a patient or their family or carer who wish to share their story, or want to learn to collect story’s or just want to know some more, contact Eureka van der Merwe ([email protected]) or Janet Masters ([email protected])

Collecting stories workshop participants and trainers (from left) Belinda Sutherland, Diana Ferry, Lhyriel Smith, Amanda Clark, Eureka

van der Merwe, Janet Masters and Alyce Craker.




PAGE 12

Privacy Audits The Far West LHD conducts

routine audits of patient records, eMR and other systems to monitor staff compliance with privacy and confidentiality obligations.

If we find unusual activity on a patient record that might point to possible inappropriate and unauthorised access to medical records, you may be approached by your manager and/or receive a letter asking you to explain why you accessed a particular patient record.

It is NOT ok to look through patient records, including those of family members or friends, out of curiosity.

Privacy reminder:

Keep confidential all personal information and records, including not discussing or providing information on social media that could identify patients or divulge patient information.

Do not use or release official information or records without proper authority.

Maintain the security of confidential and/or sensitive information,

including that stored on communication devices.

Do not disclose, use or take advantage of information obtained in the course of official duties, including when you cease to work in NSW Health.

Only access patient and employee personal or health information where this is required in the course of your employment and your primary duties.

Health facilities have an audit capacity in our electronic health records and other systems to investigate who has accessed health records.

Disciplinary action may be imposed if staff are found to be in breach of patient privacy, or the personal and health information of any staff member.

Privacy Refresher Training:

Diana Ferry (Privacy Contact Officer) and Marg Hoey (Health Information Manager) are happy to answer any questions and provide a 45 minute privacy refresher for staff to help you understand your privacy obligations.

Further information about Privacy can be found on the NSW Health web site at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/patients/privacy/Pages/default.aspx or you can contact the Far West LHD Privacy Contact Officer (below): Diana Ferry Executive Officer, Chief Executive Unit Far West Local Health District Community Health Centre Broken Hill NSW 2880 Phone (08) 8080 1121 Email: [email protected]

HealthRoster is here! Thank you to everyone involved in the HealthRoster implementation this year.

Many hours have been logged by our managers in learning the system, creating and maintaining rosters.

We have completed a successful first pay in the new rostering system, and will continue to work with managers and staff to understand the complexities of the system and implement best practice and improved processes.

A special thank you to our Local Roster Administrators, who have spent this year learning the new system, processes and business practices, all while handling changes, queries and issues from staff across the LHD.

What’s coming up?

Project implementation tasks have started to wind down, and we will move into our business as usual processes and support. As we review the HealthRoster project, we will discuss with our HealthRoster users lessons learned. Benefits Planning will commence with our teams, and we will set actions and targets to ensure that we continue to improve our rostering processes in Far West.

Do you need help?

If you need assistance with the HealthRoster system, the Local Roster Administrators are available to assist you. Send them an email at [email protected]. If you have a query about your pay, speak to your manager in the first instance.



PAGE 13

Broken Hill Health Service hosted Patricia Evans, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist from Royal North Shore Hospital, to facilitate and deliver a Casting Workshop held on 16-17 August.

It was a pleasure to welcome Patricia’s expertise and training style to Far West LHD. This training was delivered to staff from LWS Facilities, with a mix of Allied Health clinicians.

The training was a great refresher for our Physiotherapists and Allied Health Assistants located in BHHS, while providing new information, training and casting skills for our valuable LWS staff.

It is safe to say that it was a messy but very practical, engaging day and enjoyed by all.

Special thanks to the efforts of District Education and Allied Health in organising this workshop.

Patricia Evans applied a long leg cast to willing patient Lhy Smith, without moving the leg (for application in traumatic

fractures).

Casting workshop

Far West LHD Nursing and Midwifery Directorate was excited to host the NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) Jacqui Cross, who visited Far West LHD 30 July – 3 August 2018.

The role of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer is the professional link between the NSW Minister for Health, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and the public, private and education sectors of the nursing and midwifery professions in NSW.

The position provides advice on professional nursing and midwifery issues and on policy issues, monitor policy implementation, manage State-wide nursing and midwifery initiatives, represent the NSW Ministry of Health on various committees and allocate funding for nursing and midwifery initiatives

Jacqui Cross visited the Lower Western Sector sites of Wentworth Health Service, Dareton Health Service, Balranald Multipurpose Service, Ivanhoe Health, Wilcannia Health Service and Menindee Health Service and Broken Hill Health Service. This visit allowed Jacqui to meet with staff across all sites and gain a deeper understanding of healthcare needs and current challenges within our district.

The Nursing Directorate Team would like to thank the wonderful staff who met Jacqui and provided valuable feedback advocating for their local community and the profession of nursing and midwifery.

CNMO Jaqui Cross (centre) with LHD staff at Balranald

NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer visits Far West LHD facilities

CNMO Jaqui Cross (fourth from left) with Balranald staff


PAGE 14

Clinical leader latest CEC leadership program graduate

Nurse Manager of Policy Practice and Initiatives at Far West LHD, Jacqueline Ballard (pictured) has graduated the Clinical Excellence Commission’s (CEC) Executive Clinical Leadership Program on Thursday, 26 July 2018.

Jacqueline’s project for the program was titled Connecting Kids through Primary Healthcare. Each of the graduates presented a clinical improvement project as part of their final work. The aim of Jacqueline’s project was to have within 12 months 100% of primary and secondary schools in Broken Hill will have a dedicated Primary Health Care Registered Nurse addressing student health needs.

NSW Health Secretary, Elizabeth Koff oversaw the graduation of participants, who are among the clinical leaders who will guide the health system over the next decade.

Participants come to the foundation and executive levels of the program with the support of their local executive and a desire to achieve improvements in how they, and their colleagues, care for patients. So far, more than 3,000 NSW health staff have enrolled in the programs.

As part of the course, each graduate identifies an area where they feel improvements could be achieved and presents a clinical improvement project as part of their final work.

The Clinical Leadership Programs are part of the Clinical Excellence Commission’s Quality Improvement Academy which has been established to design and deliver a range of education programs for staff working in patient safety, improvement and clinical governance.

More info: http://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/quality-improvement/improvement-academy/qi-academy-curriculum/CLP

Corporate Induction

The August 2018 Corporate Induction group (from left) - Standing: Jenelle Bussell (Admin/Nursing), Kara Leonard (Admin/Nursing), Karen Rakete (MHIPU), Angela Turner (Admin/Nursing) and BHHS GM Ken Barnett. Sitting: Dominique De St Croix (MH CMHDA), Amanda Brooks (Domestic Services), Benjamin Bloomfield (Domestic Services), Naire Gaiter (Domestic Services) and Therese Sayers (Domestic Services).

The Community Health Centre admin floor hosted its first Corporate Induction session. It was well received by our newest employees.

http://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/quality-improvement/improvement-academy/qi-academy-curriculum/CLP


PAGE 15

Salary Packaging Promotion throughout month of September Salary Packaging will be having a promotion throughout the month of September. If you sign up for Salary Packaging

during this period you will receive an everyday gift card and then go into a draw at the end of the month to win a dinner voucher. Karen will be visiting your departments throughout September for anyone who would like to go through the benefits available. It will only take 5 minutes to discuss the benefits available to you and enjoy the great savings by paying less tax.

Karen is situated at the Broken Hill Community Centre in Sulphide Street and at Broken Hill Hospital every second Friday after payday. To make an individual appointment please ring 08 8080 1498 or email [email protected]

Did you know you can still do Salary Packaging with a HELP debt It is true that Salary Packaging, while decreasing your taxable income, actually increases your income for HELP

repayment calculations. But the fact is, you’ll have to repay your HELP debt one day, and Salary Packaging gives you the chance to use your tax savings to help pay your HELP debt. You’ll still have the same, or even a little more, cash in hand, and your HELP will be paid off sooner.

See below for an example, or ask the Salary Packaging department for figures based on your current income, to take to your financial adviser. No Salary Packaging Taxable Income $60,000 HELP repayment $2,400 With Salary Packaging Taxable Income $49,047 Reportable FB amount $16,998 Income for HELP calculation $66,045 HELP repayment $2,972 Tax savings $1,889 Less Extra HELP paid $572 Remaining Tax saving $1,317

By Salary Packaging, you get an extra $1,317 cash, and you have an extra $572 paid off your HELP debt, which means

you’ll get it paid off sooner !

Salary Packaging staff are unable to provide advice as to the suitability or otherwise of Salary Packaging for any individual. Far West Local Health District recommends that employees seek independent financial advice before entering into any of the arrangements offered.

Broken Hill Community Health Centre news: Did you know… If you are coming to the Broken Hill Community Health Centre as part of your work, you will need a swipe card to be able to get

around the building. If you are visiting downstairs/ground floor, reception can loan you a swipe card. If you are based upstairs/first floor, Michael Weinert can loan you a swipe card.

If you are coming to the Broken Hill Community Health Centre for a meeting in the upstairs/first floor area, you need to enter via the Crystal St doors, go up the stairs or lift, and call the person you are there to see using the lobby phone. The Sulphide St doors will take you to the clinical ground floor areas, but you won’t be able to get upstairs from there, and you will be directed back outside to walk around to the Crystal St entry doors.

These are the Sulphide St doors (ground floor entrance above), and the doors on the right at the Crystal St doors (first floor entrance, opposite the railway lines).

For more information about the process for getting to the upstairs first floor area of the Broken Hill Community Health Centre, go to our intranet page and click on the First Floor Meeting Invitation Business Rule.


PAGE 16

LEFT: Project Volunteers and those who commenced volunteering after ceasing work — Front: (from left) Deborah Ormsby, Betty Sammut, Margaret Harris, Marilyn Johns, Janice Hoskins. Back: CE Stephen Rodwell, Lianne McMannus, Colleen Pedlar and Barry Powell.

TOP: Long Term and Lifelong Volunteers (from left) CE Stephen Rodwell, Robert Fulton, Noelene McGavisk, Meredith Farquhar, Mary Bevan, Claire McCrae, Marian Halliday and Keith Austen (who accepted the award on behalf of his wife Margaret, who has since passed).

Presentation of Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Awards

The Chief Executive took great pleasure in presenting a number of Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Awards 2018 to volunteers who have and continue to contribute to our health service.

“All of our volunteers work tirelessly to support our health service ensuring we are delivering excellence to all that we care for across the far west,” he told the gathering of volunteers who were able to attend the presentation ceremony.

“We are here to celebrate your achievements (and) you have been given one of the highest honours our state bestows for volunteering as the recipients of the NSW Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Awards.

“On behalf of the Premier, Far West LHD Board, our staff and myself, I thank you for your commitment, energy and dedication,” said Mr Rodwell.

Certificates were presented to volunteers in the categories of Project Volunteers, Volunteers who had taken up volunteering after retirement, and 25 Year and 40 Year Long Service Volunteers.

Congratulations to everyone for being recognised with in this year’s prestigious Premier’s Volunteer Awards.

Submissions can be sent to [email protected]. The newsletter can be found on the Far West LHD website at www.fwlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Policy Watch — PDs available on MOH internet The following documents have been published on the NSW Ministry of Health internet site http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies. These documents are official NSW Health policy. Compliance with Policy Directives is mandatory.


Far West Health Library Mon — Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm Phone: 8080 1210

The Clinical Information Access Portal (CIAP) provides information and resources to support evidence-based practice at the point of care. CIAP is available to all nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health, community health and ancillary staff working in or for NSW public health system including students while on clinical placement in a NSW Health public hospital. CIAP can be accessed from work or from home.

Register for CIAP off-site login today! See the Librarian for details.

Title Document Number Date Issued

Admitted Patient Election Processes for NSW Public Hospitals PD2018_029 09/08/2018

Increased Rates of Pay and Allowances for Staff in the NSW Health Service - HSU and ASMOF Awards IB2018_036 10/08/2018

Adult and Paediatric Hospital in the Home Guideline GL2018_020 09/08/2018

NSW Clinical Guidelines: Treatment of Opioid Dependence GL2018_019 30/07/2018

Multiple Assignments Award Provisions for Various Groups IB2018_034 02/08/2018

Visiting Medical Officers - Rural Doctors' Settlement Package Hospitals Indexation of Fees 1/8/2018 IB2018_033 30/07/2018

Health Records and Medical/Clinical Reports - Rates IB2018_035 08/08/2018

NSW Health Goods and Services Procurement PD2018_030 21/08/2018

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies

http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=PD2018_029

http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=IB2018_036


http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=GL2018_020

http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=GL2018_019





http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=PD2018_030

the far west local health district newsletter edition 7, vol...

Documents