Better oral health care for older people

ConcordConnection

Concord Hospital Commemorations Doctor Welfare Day Concord - designated hospital of the Invictus Games

Spring 2018 The official newsletter of Concord Hospital www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/concord/

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Concord Connection. We have seen a busy start to Spring with many developments and events taking place across the Hospital community.

You will have noticed that preparations are in full swing for Stage 1 of the Concord Hospital Redevelopment, which has been guided by insightful collaboration with key staff and users of the new Hospital. In July, Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti enjoyed a tour of the redevelopment site, and was pleased to see Stage 1 taking shape. The final decanting of buildings to be demolished has taken place, with several departments having been temporarily relocated in preparation for the capital works. Several buildings have been handed over to the builders, who will soon begin demolition works to make way for the new, fit-for-purpose buildings. Looking forward, the enabling works and demolition will continue for the reminder of year, with construction to begin early next year. The understanding of all staff through any temporary disruptions as we transition to a new Hospital is greatly appreciated, as is all the hard work being undertaken by the CRGH Redevelopment Team.

I would also like to thank all staff for their patience during the progression of the Lift Replacement Program. The Program will deliver new lifts throughout the Hospital to assist in efficiently transporting patients, visitors and staff. The second stage is

now complete, with two new lifts in service, and the third stage is due for completion soon. In the meantime, staff are encouraged to use the stairs when possible.

Preparation is underway for accreditation week, which is taking place between 3 – 7 September. The will involve a week long, organisation wide survey conducted by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. This accreditation process allows the hospital to demonstrate our commitment to quality, identify strengths and strive for continuous improvement. A mock survey was undertaken by Sydney Local Health District surveyors, which has assisted us in ensuring that Concord is well prepared. I am confident that with the continuing efforts of all staff, the surveyors will be impressed as our Hospital continues to provide excellent service in alignment with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Moving on to recent commemorative events run by Concord Hospital, Victory in the Pacific Day took place on 15 August. Hundreds of people were welcomed to the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway by its Chairman, Mr John Haines AM, to commemorate the day the Second World War ended in the Pacific. It was a day of reflection and prayers shared by veterans, their families and many from the local community. Attendees were moved as wreaths were laid and the Last Post sounded at the Memorial Walkway.

Continuing with commemorative events, a poignant service took place on 20 August to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day. This year marked the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral – Balmoral, a series of actions fought between the First Australian Task Force and Vietnamese soldiers near Saigon. The event brought together a crowd of people to express their deep appreciation and remember the 521 Australians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, and the 60,000 who served our country in Vietnam.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hospital community for the warm welcome I have received since commencing as Acting General Manager of Concord Hospital. I feel incredibly privileged to have joined Concord, and look forward to continuing working with you all and providing outstanding care to our patients and their families and carers.

Executive messageI am the pride of Concord

We want to hear from you!

Does your ward or department have a story, event or staff achievement that you would like to share with the Hospital community?

Mail peta.macfarlane@health.nsw.gov.au with your story and pictures.

Dr Genevieve Wallace Acting General Manager

Front cover picture: Oral Health Staff were on hand to promote better oral health care for older people at Concord’s Thursday markets.

Photographs by: Audio Visual Services, SLHD

Produced by: Marketing and Community Relations Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital

Design and print by: Anchorage Media

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The Games, created in 2014 by HRH Prince Harry, promotes the importance of sport and physical activity in the rehabilitation journey of wounded, injured and ill service members and veterans.

Concord Hospital, with its long history of caring for veterans and service personnel, is proud to be the designated hospital for the Invictus Games. The hospital has always been identified by returning servicemen and women as “their hospital”, the one medical facility where veterans’ needs are understood, where veterans from all generations can find a comforting presence.

We encourage staff to support the Games. Tickets are now on sale for the Invictus Games on www.invictusgames2018.org

DATE TIME EVENT VENUE CONTACT

Friday 7 September 7pm – 11pm Medical Staff Council Dinner Thomas Walker Estate, Rivendell Alice Kang 9767 8488

Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 October

10am – 3pm Rivendell Flower Show Thomas Walker Estate, Rivendell Alice Kang 9767 8488

Thursday 18 October 8am – 5pm Clinical Day Medical Education Centre Winston Cheung 9767 6221

Friday 26 October 9.30am Veteran Health Day Medical Education Centre Alice Kang 9767 8488

Saturday 3 November 10.30am Kokoda Day Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway Alice Kang 9768 8488

Friday 9 November 10.30am Rememberance Day Service Front Lawn Concord Hospital Alice Kang 9769 8488

Monday 3 December 12 noon Volunteers Appreciation Lunch Conference Rooms 1 and 2 Melva Lindley 9767 5256

Thursday 6 December 9am – 3pm Christmas Markets On the Green Thornton Chan 9767 7560

Wednesday 12 December 12 noon Staff BBQ Conference Rooms 1 and 2 Peta Macfarlane 9767 6038

Concord supports the Invictus Games I am persistent

Calendar of Events 2018

Sydney will soon play host to the Invictus Games. From October 20 – 27, more than 500 competitors from 18 nations will compete in 11 adaptive sports with the majority being held at the ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park.

Thank you to our DonorsConcord Hospital would like to thank the following donors for their support:

• Rotary Club of Breakfast Point who donated $10,000 towards the Hospital’s Aged Care Service.

• Ms Elizabeth Madden and Mr Ba Tuyen Doan who donated $10,000 and $7,000 respectively to the Hospital’s Palliative Care Department.

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Much has been made of the health and wellbeing of medical officers in recent times, and with that in mind, the Concord Resident Medical Officer Association (RMOA) held its

In 2017 56,000 Australians suffered a new or recurrent stroke – more than 80 percent of which could have been prevented simply by managing risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle.

To raise awareness for stroke

prevention National Stroke Week is held from the 3rd – 10th of September.

This year, Concord Hospital encourages Australians to discover how easy it is to fit healthy habits into their day to prevent stroke. On

September 6, a stall on The Green’s Thursday Market Day increased public awareness of Stroke Risk Factors with quizzes and stroke risk tests to explain what some major risk factors are and how they can be managed.

National Stroke Week

Doctor Welfare DayI am passionate

Physician Trainees with some much needed stress relief, with additional assistance from Medical Allocations & Development Unit (MADU) and the Directors of Prevocational Education and Training (DPET), the event was expanded to cater for all medical officers at Concord.

The day started with free coffee and cupcakes, and after a complimentary lunch, therapy dogs visited the RMOA room to provide a dose of unconditional love and happiness. Following the therapy dogs’ visit and afterwards, some mindful plaster painting, the day concluded with after-work board games and drinks.

The RMOA wishes to thank Medical Indemnity Protection Society (MIPS), Lightbox Radiology, our lovely MADU staff and the DPET for their support and assistance in making the day a success and hopes that this is the first of many more events of this nature.

inaugural Doctor Welfare Day on 25 May 2018.

Initially concocted as a way of providing our exam-sitting Basic

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Benjamin Kwan Advanced Trainee in Endocrinology

Dr Avi Suryawanshi Director, Diabetes Service

Management of Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a complex, high risk process that requires a detailed understanding of the patient’s individual behaviours and the influence these behaviours have on clinical outcomes. Despite significant advances in the types of insulin and technology used to manage T1DM, health care providers and affected individuals continue to encounter challenges in achieving optimal glycemic control. Thus, less than 15% of patients with T1DM achieve target glycaemic control levels.

After months of intense planning, the Concord Diabetes Centre will open its first T1DM Multi-Disciplinary Team Clinic on the 3rd of September 2018. This clinic will be a unique service for individuals with T1DM that will concentrate on patient centered care, shared ownership and multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve enhanced clinical outcomes. Endocrinologists, Diabetes Nurse Educators and Dietitians in liaison with general practitioners and other health service providers will offer clinical services from a single location (Level 5, Concord Hospital Medical Centre). It is expected that an exercise physiologist and clinical psychologist will join the team soon after. Patients with T1DM requiring assistance with glycaemic control, those suffering from frequent hypoglycaemic episodes or seeking additional information on insulin pumps or monitoring devices will benefit from the service.

The Dietitian will provide education on nutritional aspects of T1DM, assess a person’s carbohydrate knowledge and calculation application ability, as well as providing insight and support necessary for progression to a flexible insulin dosage approach. Studies have shown ongoing support from a dietitian improves glycaemic control and delays the onset of diabetes complications.

The Diabetes nurse educator wplays an important role in developing an individualised self-management education plan. They provide

support by improving skills on blood glucose monitoring, glucose management on sick days, and advising how to treat diabetes in special situations, e.g. travelling, surgery etc. They educate patients about new technological advances in monitoring and insulin delivery systems.

Patient-centered care is an approach that is consistently recommended for people with diabetes, which encompasses partnership building, interpersonal sensitivity and collaborative goal setting. Shared medical appointments have successfully increased patient and provider satisfaction, improved efficiency, and maximised outcomes in a range of primarily adult patient populations.

Professor Markus Seibel and Dr Avi Suryawanshi appreciate the efforts of all team members including Dr Veronica Wong, So Young Lim, Sylvia Mallo, Sue Barsoom, Karen McDonald, Dr Katrin Kosbab Jackson, Chloe Aoun, Solomon Donald, Marcelle Buxton. We also thank team leaders Nicola Riley, Mollie Anderson and Sharne Hogan for their outstanding help and support.

Concord Diabetes Centre introduces its first Type 1 Diabetes MDT Clinic I am caring

Perryn Carroll Senior Diabetes Dietitian

Professor Markus Seibel Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Naxin Jiang Credentialed Diabetes Educator

Speech Pathology WeekSpeech Pathology Australia week (20–24 August) was celebrated by the Speechies at the Concord Centre for Mental Health (CCMH) by hosting morning/afternoon teas on most of the wards. The theme for SPA week was “Communication Access is Communication for all”

The patients made cookies during cooking classes, by using speech bubble cookie cutters and wrote on them with icing pens during morning tea through to the afternoon. They also participated in communication puzzles and quizzes to facilitate communication during the event.

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The Haematology Clinical Research Unit hosted its first Clinical Research Symposium on the 9th of August, with SLHDCE Dr Teresa Anderson, Director of Operations Dr Tim Sinclair and CRGH Acting General Manager Genevieve Wallace in attendance.

Almost 100 people attended the symposium, comprised of clinical trial patients, Concord staff and the Bloody Great Committee.

The symposium showcased the clinical research activities of haematology’s youngest clinician researchers and the patient initiated research partnerships.

To conclude the morning’s proceedings, Dr Teresa Anderson had the honour of cutting the ribbon for the opening of the new Haematology Clinical Research Unit offices and lab.

Chair of the Bloody Great Committee Ms Marie Piccin said the committee remains steadfast in their goal to continue to raise funds to support

C: SLHD Chief Executive Teresa Anderson cutting the ribbon for the opening of the new Haematology Clinical Research Unit offices and lab

Attendees gather for the inaugural Haematology Clinical Research Unit Symposium

L to R: Prof Trotman with clinical trial patients Garry Starr, David Osborn and Constantine Galatis

Haematology Clinical Research Symposium I am caring

the valuable work the Haematology Clinical Research Unit provides.

“We were delighted to be in the position to be able to hand over a cheque for $10,000 this morning to assist with the development of the My Hodgkin’s MyHealth Smartphone Application,” she said.

Headed by Clinical Trials Research Fellow Dr Janlyn Falconer, The My Hodgkin’s My Health Smartphone

App will help collect long-term, follow-up data after treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma patients.

Ms Piccin said the symposium has bolstered motivation as the committee starts preparing for A Bloody Great Night Out 2019.

“So SAVE THE DATE – Friday 18th October, 2019 promises to be our biggest fundraising event ever!”

Almost a quarter-of-a-million Australians are currently living with hepatitis C and thousands of Australians are still contracting hepatitis C each year. In 2013 alone, 630 people died due to their hepatitis C and these numbers will increase without action to improve the

number of people getting treatment.

Monday July 23rd marked the beginning of NSW Hepatitis Awareness week. HIV and Related Programs (HARP) unit with Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service, in partnership with the Sydney Local Health District, ran a state-wide viral hepatitis campaign to

raise community awareness of hep B and hep C.

A promotional table at Concord Hospital and a BBQ at Canterbury Drug Health was run by Concord Hospital’s Hepatology staff to raise awareness on viral hepatitis and available treatments.

Hepatitis Awareness Week

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Concord Colorectal Unit and Sydney Survivorship Centre staff

The CPOP aims to provide patients with supervised exercise sessions

Concord Gym recently held a 6-week challenge in which all of the participants had phenomenal results – and goes to show that when you set your mind to a goal, anything is possible.

All of the participants undertook a body composition scale. They were also asked to prepare their own reasonable goals to achieve based on strength gain or weight loss focuses.

For the duration of the challenge, the Gym’s personal trainers Jen and Mat, as well as resident exercise

Innovation: Exercise Before Surgery I am persistent

would have recovered as quickly without the program. He did a flight of stairs after surgery which I didn’t think he could do”. There were positive spinoffs for Helen as well. Helen stated that coming to the hospital for the program made her get out and walk more and lose weight. Helen now wants to sustain her new found exercise routine.

“This program has affected my family as a whole in a good way” Helen said.

Concord Hospital’s Colorectal Unit, in collaboration with the Sydney Survivorship Centre are providing a unique tailored exercise program to individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer before surgery. The Colorectal Preoperative Optimisation Program (CPOP) aims to provide participants with supervised exercise sessions with an exercise physiologist for one hour twice per week from the time of their preadmission clinic visit until their surgery. Participants also receive general healthy eating information from a dietitian and nurse-led telephone support. This feasibility study wants to find out if people diagnosed with colorectal cancer booked for surgery are able to complete the two to four week exercise program. This study also aims to see if an exercise and supportive intervention with general nutritional advice might better prepare people for major surgery by improving functional status and quality of life.

Alan, an 86-year-old man recently completed the program and has undergone colorectal surgery. His daughter Helen who brought Alan to the hospital for the program stated, “I thought the program went well. I don’t think he

physiologist Emily, provided nutritional advice and workout programs. After weighing in again to measure results and progress towards their self-set goals, the challenge winner from Concord was chosen. Rachel Marnell won 2 tickets on our Christmas cruise for her effort, enthusiasm and progress in her chosen focus.

Concord gym offers a fully equipped 24/7 gym and a variety of classes such as HIIT, yoga, Pilates, and boxing as well as shower facilities.

Membership comes at $7 per week and

includes social club membership. The social club includes discounted group trips to wineries and the snow, movie tickets, Christmas and NYE cruises and free entry into Taronga and Western Plains Zoos.

For further information on class timetables, contact SLHD-GymInfo@health.nsw.gov.au

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CommemoratingI am consistent

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Hundreds of veterans, school students and members of the community came together for a moving service to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the end of WWII at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway on 15 August.

At this VP Day service, the emphasis was on youth. The VP Day Address this year was delivered by Liam Ferrier, Year 12 Student from Rosebank College. Liam, who was one of the students who walked the Kokoda Track this year as a recipient of the Rusty Priest Scholarship, spoke eloquently of his experiences and emotions walking the Track. He paid tribute to the young men who fought their way across the Owen Stanley Range in 1942, and said he now realised just what a sacrifice had been made in order that today’s generation of young Australians could live in freedom.

7th Division veteran Dick Payten, now aged 97, read a poem “Kokoda Pilgrimage”, written by Major General Gordon Maitland. Guest of honour, The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AO CVO, led the official party in laying wreaths.

A reflective video clip was shown on the screen titled “War at Sea” specially put together for the service featuring those who had served in the Navy and the terrible loss of lives at sea during the war.

I am passionate

Victory in the Pacific

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The Rivendell Flower Show will be held on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October of this year. The inaugural event took place in September 2017 and was the first event of its kind in the beautiful grounds of Thomas Walker Estate in Concord.

Bringing together floral displays and show gardens from community organisations, educational institutions, up and coming floral designers and gardening personalities, the Rivendell Flower Show allows the public to view spectacular displays and evokes an elegant mix of floral artistry, styling and design amidst the beautiful architecture of the Estate grounds.

Celebrating Spring, our Australian lifestyle and the great outdoors, the show offers an extensive array of interactive gardening workshops and presentations.

Rivendell Flower Show – 6 & 7 OctoberI am the pride of Concord

Be entertained with a range of activities including our vintage car show and animal nursery – there’s some fun for the whole family!

Yaralla House residents were fortunate to receive a visit from Kitty the Mini Pony in June as an ongoing part of the Pet Therapy program provided by’ Velma’s Pets as Therapy’.

The Pet Therapy program has been ongoing at Yaralla House for over 4 years, with a scheduled monthly visit usually from therapy dogs Diesel, Bailey & Mia. A visit from these animals has many positive benefits for the Yaralla House residents including assistance with anxiety and depression. Visits are also triggers for happy memories. The inclusive Pet Therapy program sees volunteers visit the Yaralla House residents for approximately one hour monthly, where residents spend time with the pets on a 1:1 and group basis.

Yaralla House, in partnership with Velma’s Pets as Therapy is looking at expanding the variety of animals who visit, and with success – a little bit of ‘Kitty’ surely brightened up our day!

Hello Kitty!

For more information please visit www.rivendellflowershow.com.au

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The 8th annual NPS Be Medicinewise Week was themed “Medicinewise Families” to encourage Australian families to make good decisions about their medicines, medical tests and other health choices.

Concord Hospital, in conjunction with NPS Medicinewise (independent, not-for-profit) is proud to aid people in making the best decisions about medicines and their health to ensure sustainable, safe and effective use of medicines.

“Medicinewise Families” promotes medication safety in Australian families at home through safe use of medicines during pregnancy, in caring for children, in storage and disposal, and where families can find additional trusted sources of information. The 5 simple steps that were recommended are: Ask questions; know it’s a medicine; know the active ingredient; always follow instructions; and keep track of all your medicine.

Whilst this may seem simple to many of us, the consequences of incorrectly used medicine are grave. Research suggests approximately 230,000 medication-related hospital admissions occur in Australia each year costing AU $1.2 billion. Many of these admissions are preventable as in the case of 61% of Australians who do not take their medicine as directed or have stopped taking their medicine without consulting a healthcare professional.

On August 20, the Pharmacy interns held a consumer medication safety stand in the CRGH conference rooms. Staff and members of the public could approach the stand for professional and quality advice regarding their medicines and health. Individuals also had the opportunity to participate in a short, fun and interactive quiz on medication safety, and a “spot the difference” game between medicines and similar-looking confectionaries.

Pharmacist intern Michael Kidd delivered a presentation at Concord

RSL Club Auditorium titled “You and Your Medications” on August 21, where topics of medication safety such as storage, medication aids, brands vs. generics and safe disposal of medicines were discussed.

To further engage the local multicultural community, the same talk was delivered in Cantonese at Rhodes Library by our pharmacist, Jacky Hanh, on Wednesday 22 August.

Finally, August 23 held in store a healthcare professional medication safety stand at the hospital’s Thursday Market Day. The stand, directed at CRGH staff, promoted to our clinicians the importance of medication safety. Interactive challenges were included such as “Pick the Problem on the MAR” where prescribers were asked to identify as many issues as they could find on a pre-filled electronic medication administration record. Our Pharmacy Technicians also held a “Safe Storage on the Ward” competition where a prize was presented to the winning ward in

recognition of their safe medication storage practices.

Be Medicinewise Week tests CRGH engagement with staff and the community regarding health matters such as medication safety.

Overall, Be Medicinewise Week 2018 was a successful week that promoted community and staff engagement and our hospital will look forward to the next NPS Be Medicinewise Week!

For more information and resources, please visit www.nps.org.au

NPS Be Medicinewise Week I am passionate

Hospital pharmacist Jacky Hanh delivering medication safety talk to Chinese community

Medicinewise Week market stall raising awareness for medication safety CO

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Australian involvement in the Vietnam War started more than 50 years ago in 1962, and lasted 10 years until 1972. Millions lost their lives, millions more were made refugees and the disaster that befell Vietnam continues to reverberate today. On August 20, a service was held at the 113th AGH Memorial Chapel to remember the countless individuals who sacrificed or otherwise served our country in the Vietnam War.

Led by the Hospital’s Chaplains Mr Dale Baikie and Fr Graeme Malone, particular recognition was given to the memory of the 25 Australians killed in the battle and the 109 Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and America personnel wounded at

Vietnam Veterans’ DayI am consistent

the Battle of Coral – Balmoral which took place 50 years ago.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Day Address was delivered by Mrs Margaret Green, National President of the War Widow’s Guild Australia who recalled with emotion, her husband a Vietnam Veteran and their life after the war.

Guests were invited to place a Remembrance Candle in honour of the fallen and those who served. Following this was a wreath laying ceremony led by Professor The Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO, former Governor of NSW, and Dr Genevieve Wallace, Acting General Manager, CRGH. Vietnam Veterans played a prominent role at the service with Mr Guest speaker Margaret Green

John Haines reciting the Ode and Mr Terry Corcoran reading a scripture.

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Concord Hospital prides itself in not only its high calibre of patient care, but also its exceptional staff. The Pride of Concord medal is a prestigious award acknowledging the contributions made by staff; this award celebrates the outstanding achievements across a variety of fields.

The Pride of Concord award is about recognising those people in our hospital who have significantly made

a difference to Concord Hospital and its community.

The award consists of:

• The Concord Medal (framed)• An 18K Gold lion badge• Dinner for 2 at a prestigious Sydney

restaurant• 1 year’s worth of coffee (or alternate

hot beverage) from Concord Hospital retail establishments

• The opportunity to liaise with the General Manager for up to $5,000 towards professional development – education/conference attendance.

The winner of the 2018 Pride of Concord Medal will be announced at Concord Clinical Day on October 18. To make a nomination, please visit www.slhd-intranet.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/concord/prideConcord.html

Nominations close 5 October 2018.

As the hospital lifts at our hospital are currently being refurbished, Concord Hospital encourages the able-bodied to take the main stairs. To support kids with cerebral palsy and increase the fitness of staff and patients at the same time, the Steptember Challenge will run between the 4th September and 1st October 2018.

The challenge is to take 10,000 steps a day for 28 days straight.

The average office worker takes only 3,000 steps a day, so Steptember hopes to see funds raised for cerebral palsy alongside increases in steps, and climbing fitness levels – all in time for Summer!

Steptember

Nominations open for the Pride of Concord Medal I am passionate

For further details, contact Michelle Price on 9767 7344.

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Each year the Australian Dental Association hosts a week long oral health promotion event to raise awareness in the community on the importance of oral health. This year the tagline was “Watch Your Mouth”, encouraging people to think about mouth health to include the teeth and the gums. Centre for Education on Research and Ageing (CERA), alongside the SLHD Oral Health Promotion Unit, used Dental Health Week to emphasise how easy it is to maintain one’s oral health in 4 basic steps:

Dental Health WeekI am caring

1. Brush twice daily, with fluoride toothpaste

2. Use floss at least once a day

3. Eat healthily. Reduce sugary drinks and foods

4. Visit the dentist for regular check-ups.

At Concord Hospital an event was held where members of staff and the public were given advice on good oral health practices at home,

how they can improve/screen for oral health changes in their own mouths and in the mouths of their patients; and referral pathways within Sydney Local Health District. Volunteer oral health therapy students from The University of Newcastle and The University of Sydney were enthusiastic assistants in promoting the stall at CRGH. The event was held in conjunction with Market Day on The Green and oral health packs were issued containing a soft bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss/flossette, water, and an apple all housed in a reusable traveller’s pouch.

All our members in CERA are committed to engage our local people and communities to see oral health as part of general health. Thank you to everybody involved in making Dental Health Week 2018 a success.

My Health Record provides a vital source of information for healthcare professionals and their patients enabling continuity of care between the hospital health system and community care.

Concord Hospital, being an important part of New South Wales’ health services through treatment provided to many Australians each year, invited Radhika Singh, Change Lead at eHealth NSW, to introduce the system to staff. Among the topics addressed was privacy and how information

My Health Record

storage and access can ultimately be controlled by the patient.

Concord Hospital’s challenge as a hospital with prominent Aged Care and Psychiatric Departments is to ensure that our patients, including those who are less tech-savvy or with intellectual disabilities, understand the implications of the new eHealth system.

Thank you Radhika for enabling our clinicians to support patients through the implementation of My

Health Record. From here, we can further improve the connectivity of our hospital’s clinical information systems and readiness of eHealth solutions within our hospital.

For more information about the new My Health Record please visit: www.myhealthrecord.gov.au or call the Helpline: 1800 723 471.

SLHD Oral Health Team

The Dental Health stall provided good advice on oral health and free giveaways

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This year, Concord Hospital was named one of two main beneficiaries for the proceeds of the combined Annual Charity Golf Day held by The Rotary Club of Concord and the Rotary Club of Five Dock.

Held on Thursday 15 November 2018 at the magnificent Concord Golf Club, this day is a golden opportunity to experience the newly laid-out Concord Golf Course, while enjoying a Team Ambrose fun day event of novelty plays, prizes, auctions, raffles, and surprise prize draws.

The aim is to ensure players of all grades and golf abilities enjoy both the challenge of the new course and the fun events.

Keeping your teeth healthy is important, as most of the commonly occurring dental diseases are preventable. The simple step of removing the plaque found on your teeth and mouth daily can help in reducing your risk of dental diseases. As we become older, good oral health and a clean mouth have been shown to improve your general health, allow for broader dietary selections, better management of certain chronic diseases, a more active lifestyle, and reduce risk of acquiring aspiration pneumonia and related deaths.

The Centre for Education and Research on Ageing (CERA) is committed to oral health research and community projects for older people; who commonly experience poor oral hygiene, dental decay, gum disease, dry mouth, denture-related conditions, tooth loss, and oral cancer. There are a number of projects CERA members are involved in currently:

Maintaining good oral health in residential aged care facility

The Reach-OHT Oral Health Program’s aim is to demonstrate that the oral health and general health outcomes of frail, elderly adults living in the aged care facilities can be improved by regular access to professionally delivered oral health care. The Program is led by public Oral Health Therapists who provide annual oral health assessments, co-ordinating onsite oral health care to residents and referral pathways outside the facility.

Maintaining good oral health in an acute hospital ward

This program provides support to patients, health professionals from the geriatric wards of Concord Repatriation General Hospital, to ensure that our patient’s oral hygiene and oral cleanliness is maintained during their hospital stay. This collaborative approach to healthcare in the hospital has resulted in improved health

Better Oral Health for Older People I am persistent

outcomes and treatment plans for the patient, to ensure that oral health problems are detected early on so they do not compromise medical management.

The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP)

The most recent wave of this study was the eight year follow-up of the participants, oral health data were collected via comprehensive oral health examinations and questionnaires. The study is analysing the associations between oral health and general health in older men.

Oral health promotion in our local communities

The oral health team at CERA also provide regular oral health education to community groups, health providers, carers and volunteers who work with older people. These education sessions concurrently aim to improve the knowledge, attitudes and oral healthcare of the individual and the people they care for.

If you would like to organise a workplace oral health promotion session for your team or community group, contact Juliette Tran at Juliette.Tran@health.nsw.gov.au.

Attention Golfers

Good oral health can reduce risk of dental disease

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Research NewsI am passionate

A team of Concord Hospital researchers, led by Associate Professor Stephen Reddel and Associate Professor Sean Riminton, has developed a state-of-the-art system for monitoring the side-effects of a new medicine used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is a disease in which a person’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the protective sheath (myelin) that covers the nerve fibres of the brain and spinal cord. Some people have a particular type of MS called relapsing remitting MS where they have flare-ups and old symptoms suddenly become worse or new ones appear. Alemtuzumab, also known as Lemtrada, is a highly effective medicine for treating relapsing remitting MS. It is given as a liquid infusion into the patient’s vein and has a long-lasting clinical benefit, in many cases for years without the need for retreatment.

However, Alemtuzumab can have potentially serious complications which have to be carefully and regularly monitored. One complication is called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) where the number of platelets in the blood drops dramatically. This may result in severe bleeding that could be life threatening if not treated. Due to the side effects it is very important for patients treated with Alemtuzumab to have regular blood tests, including monthly platelet counts, for 48 months after their last infusion. However, some patients forget to have their regular tests. In addition, there may be problems with the delivery of laboratory results and doctors may not respond to laboratory results in a timely manner. Motivated by a long-standing interest in the safety of treatments such as Alemtuzumab, the Concord team joined with IT, neurology and commercial colleagues in Medical Safety Systems Pty Ltd to address this problem.

The team developed an automated system of reminders and alerts using modern methods of electronic communication to patients and

health care professionals. They called it the Alemtuzumab in MS Safety Systems or “AMS3”. AMS3 establishes a monthly schedule of tests required for a patient who has been treated with Alemtuzumab. If the tests are not completed, or the results are abnormal, the patient and their nominated support person receive reminders or alerts via email and SMS to their smartphone. The AMS3 system analyses results and sends alerts to neurologists and the patient’s health care team via email and where required by SMS.

The team tested the new app in 10 patients at Concord Hospital who were receiving Alemtuzumab and compared it with traditional methods

of laboratory testing. The results were highly encouraging. The AMS3 reminder system improved patients’ compliance with monitoring. AMS3 was much faster at analysing results than traditional paper based methods, rapidly and reliably identifying abnormal test results. Final laboratory results were reliably delivered to the healthcare team and allowed prompt treatment of those patients at risk of side effects. The results were recently published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal.

The pilot program for the AMS3 program has now been developed into a related program in the real world across Australia (and a somewhat similar program is being

developed in the USA). This work, conceived, designed and tested by Concord Hospital researchers is making a tangible improvement to the safe treatment and care of people with relapsing remitting MS across the world. The researchers believe programs such as this will change the standard of care for other drugs requiring complex safety monitoring, both in the MS space and beyond.

Associate Professor Sean Riminton, Department of Immunology

Associate Professor Stephen Reddel, Department of Neurology

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Works are underway across the campus as part of our $341million stage one redevelopment.

A new temporary loading dock for the hospital is being constructed behind the Conference Rooms and adjacent to the Chapel. The hospital’s existing loading dock will close in the coming months and become part of the main construction zone.

Work is continuing on the demolition of buildings 60, 61 and 62 and around the medical gases compound to prepare these areas for the main construction.

The last of the detailed design planning sessions involving staff, patients and consumers in the specifics of each area of the new clinical services building design are now complete.

Veteran’s Day Centre

A major refurbishment of the cottage facing Nullawarra Road, near the Gate 4 entrance to the hospital is underway. This cottage (building 83) will become the new home of the Veterans’ Day Centre, to accommodate other relocations

on campus as part of the hospital redevelopment.

The Veterans’ Day Centre offers a therapeutic program supporting the emotional wellbeing and physical needs of veterans and war widows with skill development and leisure activities.

A full refurbishment of the building is underway to ensure the centre meets the needs of the veterans group. This includes a new kitchen, accessible bathroom, added sunroom and covered walkways around the building. To provide access to the cottage a new pick up and drop off zone will be established, with landscaping and new gardens to follow. Work is expected to be completed in September.

Relocations continue

The hospital’s Fire Services team has moved in to building 29 between the Medical Education Centre and Concord Centre for Mental Health. The Fire Services team will continue to provide fire safety training, education and consultation for staff in their new location. Their relocation allows for refurbishment to begin on

Concord Redevelopment Update I am consistent

Strathfield Symphony Orchestra will soon be performing some of the best known movie music of all time in their annual benefit concert for the Survivorship Centre on Saturday 17 November at 7.30 pm. Featuring music from everyone’s favourite movies – Indiana Jones, Thunderbirds, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars, it will be a concert for all ages to enjoy.

Funds raised from this year’s concert will be used to extend the exercise and therapeutic horticulture classes run in the Cottage. The Survivorship Centre is located in Concord Hospital and helps people begin their ongoing recovery after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

The Centre has a clinic with a number of medical and allied health professionals who advise on how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and a Cottage with a whole range of exercise,

For more information contact: slhd-concordsurvivorship@health.nsw.gov.au or to book a ticket please visit: www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/events/CRGH-SSC

Sydney Survivorship Centre Benefit Concert

Mail Centre team in new location

building 69 for the temporary home for Drug Health Services.

The new home of the Medical Records Department in building 86 is coming along as the Medical Records team prepare for their large-scale move. The building will also be home to Coding, Performance Monitoring and Casemix Unit as well as the Ambulatory Care Business Unit and Typing Centre. Additional works will take place in Building 86 for the Cleaning and Portering Service to soon relocate.

Follow all the project updates and news for our redevelopment at concordredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.

lifestyle, art and music therapy classes and workshops that are free for cancer survivors and their carers.

Sydney Survivorship Centre Cottage

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We are the Pharmacy Core Ambassadors and work in different areas of Pharmacy. Diana Bui manages the iPharmacy dispensing application, Katina Bilbilis is a senior technician in Clinical trials and Linh Thai is the Productions and Critical Care team leader. Collectively we have been working at CRGH for over 15 years.

In your own words what is CORE at Concord about?

For the Pharmacy Department CORE at Concord is about encouraging a positive working environment where each staff member feels respected and valued for their contribution to the department and empowered to take on new challenges knowing that the whole team is there to support them.

What is your role as an Ambassador for CORE?

Linh – As CORE ambassador for the main dispensary I led huddles in our weekly Monday morning meetings.

I led discussions on the CORE value topic and organised activities to keep the discussion lively. One example of an activity involved staff member writing Thank You notes to other staff members to show appreciation. Some Thank You notes were shared at the following weeks’ staff meeting and it was lovely to see the smiles for being acknowledged for something well done.

An effective (albeit silly idea) was to post the CORE values behind the bathroom door for a bit of light reading.

From your perspective why is CORE important for Concord Hospital?

Diana – CORE is important to ensure that we maintain a positive workplace culture for both the staff and the patients.

What did you think about CORE when you were first asked to participate and what do you think now?

Diana – I thought it was a great way to reinforce our positive workplace

culture. I still believe it is a great way to remind staff of our values. It is especially important when there is high turnover of staff, as CORE helps to maintain our workplace values.

How has your team responded to CORE?

Diana – Our team has been co-operative in participating in the CORE huddles and activities. We are still maintaining some of the ideas that were suggested by staff during the CORE discussions. It’s important to remember that it’s an ongoing process.

What changes have resulted in your team due to CORE?

Katina – We have become more open in our communication within the department and have improved at listening to each other for new ideas. There has also been an effort to acknowledge good work and great ideas from management.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give someone who is a CORE ambassador?

Katina – Try to maintain momentum and energy during the initial implementation as it is a rewarding program and can create real positive change.

Linh – Dare to be a little silly and personalise the CORE values and activities to your department and see what your colleagues respond to.

Finally, now you have finished rolling out CORE what are you doing?

We have taken on and continued certain activities that were set up during CORE implementation. We have a ‘Fun Ideas’ box for suggestions for team bonding exercises such as our Rainbow day where we dressed in colours of the rainbow and made a lovely mirage that still hangs on our dispensary wall. Our dispensary staff maintain huddles to discuss new ideas to work flow changes, and things that work well (and not so well). We have found huddles a good method to encourage openness and empowerment.

L to R: Diana Bui, Linh Thai, Katina Bilbilis – Pharmacy CORE Ambassadors

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Attn: Senior Management,

My 91 year old mother just spent several weeks in ward 15 immediately before transition into a nursing home. The care she received whilst in the ward was nothing short of outstanding. I cannot thank the nurses, Physios, OT’s, nutritionist, other allied health people and doctors enough for the help given to my Mother. We feel so very lucky she was looked after by such an outstanding team. Special mentions to the team manager, who personally checked on Mum each day, buttered her toast and kept me in the loop. Celeste the social worker was amazing and such a huge help with all the logistics of getting Mum placed. The nurses constantly impressed both Mum and I with their cool professionalism, unflappable

patience and good humour. I can’t remember all their names but Edna, Gina and Alex were representative of the deeply entrenched culture of care shown by the whole nursing team.

Even the catering people and cleaners were great with Mum and can’t be overlooked as part of the outstanding service provided at your hospital.

Thank you, Name withheld

Dear Patient Liaison Officer,

My husband and I would like to thank the staff at Concord Hospital. All the staff from the emergency ward through to the ward were so caring and helpful. My husband received

For those who may not be aware, community participation is the involvement of consumers, carers and the community in the planning delivery and evaluation of services as well as decisions about individual health care. It can include consumers and carers in such activities as health committees, advisory groups, partnership projects, advocacy, health planning, quality and accreditation processes and specific project working groups.

The Consumer and Community Participation network group at Concord Hospital has been effective in bringing local health needs and issues to the attention of hospital staff and management. Our representatives have actively participated in the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of health services, which also includes the hospital’s $341m redevelopment program. They have collaborated with hospital staff to advocate for the community so

hospital services are more responsive to their needs and have helped to promote and improve the health of the local Concord community.

Through active participation and the sharing of views and perspectives, our community members continue to make a valuable contribution to Concord Hospital. This ensures that

Concord continues to build and develop services that meet the needs of our community and help improve health literacy and health promotion.

If you are interested in becoming a consumer representative, please contact Peta Macfarlane on 9767 6038 or email peta.macfarlane@health.nsw.gov.au for further information.

Consumer Representatives Help us to Promote and Improve Hospital Services I am persistent

excellent care and we would like to acknowledge that.

We are thankful that it was a positive outcome and he was treated with respect and is now on the mend.

Kind Regards, Name withheld

Concord’s Compliments Corner

The Concord Consumer group work collaboratively with staff to help improve hospital services

With Compliments

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Rivendell

FL OW ER

ӥ Celebrity presentations ӥ Interactive workshops

ӥ Sensational garden and floral exhibits

ӥ Exciting marketplace ӥ Vintage car show

ӥ Kids space ӥ High tea

ӥ High-end gala dinner

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www.rivendellflowershow.com.au

Highlights:

SHOW : 9767 8488