www.sjog.org.au

Pomegranate JUL | AUG 09

AccolAdes for home nursinghealth choices receives business excellence award.

3 sWiTch lighTs uP enVironmenTsuccessful light replacement program rolls out across the organisation.

6 neW serVices for PerinATAl dePression new raphael centres open in Bendigo and fremantle.

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The St John of God Murdoch Training and Education Centre, known as MURTEC, opened in September firmly establishing the hospital as a pre-eminent provider of medical and clinical training in Western Australia.

A $2.6 million grant from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants was used to construct the impressive training centre and a further $240,000 from Health Workforce Australia has helped to equip it.

Its showpiece is a simulation centre with a family of mannequins that can mimic a wide range of clinical scenarios, including a critical care situation, to which students and caregivers in training must respond as if it were a live setting.

The high-tech learning environment also includes an integrated audio visual system for recording and live streaming to assist with remote education, training and video conferencing.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Chief Executive Officer Peter Mott said the centre would enhance the hospital’s commitment to nursing and medical education, training and facilities.

“The new centre will have benefits not only for our hospital, but provide a huge boost for education and training in our region. We see this as an opportunity to continue to be a positive influence in the health care sector and our local community.

“With the growth of our hospital and strengthening partnerships with teaching providers we believe there will be opportunities for further multidisciplinary teaching programs located in the hospital setting.

“We will be able to increase the number of clinical placements from around 800 students a year to about 1000 students, primarily nursing and some medical.

Continued page 2

Hospitality I Compassion I Respect I Justice I Excellence

Boost for training

SUMMER 2012

Above: MURTEC features a family of mannequins to which students and caregivers must respond as if they were in a live situation. The simulation includes operating theatre and birthing suite scenarios.

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As the end of 2012 draws near and with great prospects for 2013 it is opportune to reflect on the achievements – for which our caregivers and our organisation have been well recognised this quarter – and look forward to continued innovation in the New Year.

It is appropriate that this issue of Pomegranate features many accolades and endorsements for our great organisation, for our commitment to excellence and delivering our service with care and respect.

You can read about the hospitality and compassion being displayed by the caregivers of Health Choices in Warrnambool and the recognition they received with a local business award after only three years in operation.

As an organisation we believe in integrating sustainability in to all that we do and in an acknowledgment of that commitment the group was a finalist in the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards.

GROUP UPDATE

dr michael stanford Group Chief Executive Officer

We are proud to be the first health care organisation to make a complete switch from conventional to light emitting diode (LED) lighting. As this initiative rolls out across our sites we are contributing to the protection of the environment by reducing our energy consumption.

At our Subiaco Hospital efforts to encourage caregivers to use sustainable and active travel modes have been acknowledged with a TravelSmart Award for 2012. In the same week the Subiaco team was a finalist in the WorkSafety Awards WA.

With workforce firmly on the agenda for St John of God Health Care and the wider industry, we congratulate the successful graduates of the inaugural psychology intern placement at Pinelodge Clinic. Innovative nursing and medical education programs also feature on page 8 and are attracting an increasing number of health professionals to work alongside us.

To further cement our commitment to clinical excellence and education, the St John of God Murdoch Training and Education Centre, known as MURTEC, opened in September. The impressive new training centre showcases simulated technology with mannequins that mimic real-life clinical scenarios.

Into 2013 we can look forward to the promise that the developments of new and existing health care facilities and services will deliver and to extend our care to even more people in the communities where we operate.

As this edition of Pomegranate reaches you, two new Raphael Centres are opening their doors in Fremantle, Western Australia and Bendigo, Victoria. There are now eight of our community based centres across the country supporting parents through postnatal depression and other mental health issues that present during the perinatal period.

I hope you find time to reflect on your personal journey this year and to celebrate with dear ones over the Holy Season.

I wish you and your families a blessed and joyful Christmas and look forward to sharing more news with you as we embark on another rewarding year of caring for people and communities.

New high tech training centre at Murdoch

For more information on the redevelopment at Murdoch visit www.sjog.org.au/murdoch/redevelopment.From page 1

“I am very excited about the new centre and on behalf of the hospital and St John of God Health Care, I would like to thank the Commonwealth Government for their assistance,” Peter said.

MURTEC was officially opened by the Hon Sue Ellery MLC Member for the South Metropolitan Region. The guest list included key stakeholders from St John of God Health Care, Silver Thomas Hanley, Project Directors Australia and Challenger Institute of Technology who enjoyed live demonstrations of the simulation equipment.

Health Choices Warrnambool has been recognised for the tremendous contribution it has made to the local community in establishing home nursing and personal care services with a Warrnambool Business Excellence Award 2012.

It won the Award in the category of ‘new business under 5 years’ having only been established in 2009.

In just three years Health Choices Warrnambool has gone from making 2,800 home visits a year, to this year when the service will call on 10,000 people in their homes to deliver nursing and personal care.

When presenting the award the judges said Health Choices had a clear and well defined business model and plans that would ensure sustainability and long term growth. They recognised the excellent facility and management and high levels of care that underpinned the “hospital at home”.

Health Choices Chief Executive Officer Steve Hall credited Nursing Manager Judy Stewart for her drive and motivation.

“Judy has been in constant communication with St John of God Warrnambool Hospital, local doctors and other health and aged care providers in the district since the inception of Health Choices, identifying the specific needs of each referrer and tailoring services to match that need,” he said.

Steve acknowledged the point of difference that Judy and the Warrnambool team had offered to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) community.

He said of the estimated 50 to 60 DVA clients receiving community nursing in the City of Warrnambool, Health Choices now cared for 49.

Steve said in a true display of the St John of God Health Care value of hospitality for those who are in our care and the connection the Warrnambool team had with its community, it hosts an annual Christmas party for clients who are widowed or without any local family.

Local member of parliament, Denis Napthine recognised Health Choices for the Award and sent a letter to the Victorian Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, to support Health Choices’ application to further grow its services in the City of Warrnambool.

Pictured: The award was accepted by (right) Nurse Manager Judy Stewart and Service Development Manager Wayne Massuger.

ACCoMModATiNG RURAL CANCER pATiENTS New motel style accommodation for up to 15 patients has opened in Bunbury to support people who have to travel over 100 kilometres to the regional centre for cancer treatment.

Already patients from as far away as Hopetoun and Katanning have checked into the new accommodation to ease the burden while undergoing therapy.

The Cancer Accommodation and Wellness Centre is four kilometres south of St John of God Bunbury Hospital and is part of a $25.7 million Comprehensive Cancer Centre now under development at the South West Health Campus.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Mark Grime, said regional people had told us they struggled to find local accommodation during a six week, or longer, course of treatment.

“This new accommodation provides a place where someone undergoing treatment can still feel at home, have their own space, be part of a community and have choices similar to residents of Bunbury or Perth.

“People can access excellent cancer services yet are far enough away from the hustle and bustle of a busy health campus to focus on wellness,” Mark said.

Bethanie Group provided the land for the centre and St John of God Bunbury Hospital has developed and will operate it with funding from the Commonwealth Government Health & Hospital Fund.

Pictured: The official opening of the new cancer accommodation by the Special Minister of State, the Hon. Gary Gray AO, MP with Bethanie Group CEO, Stephen Besci and Bunbury Hospital CEO, Mark Grime.

Accolades for home nursing

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St John of God Berwick Hospital has experienced significant growth in its maternity services over the past five years with 1100 babies expected to be delivered in the next year and plans afoot to further improve its facilities.

Chief Executive Officer Lisa Norman said the hospital was fast becoming a major provider of maternity services in the South East corridor of Melbourne and was now the third largest maternity service in the St John of God Health Care group.

According to 2011 Census data, the total number of births in the hospital’s catchment area increased by 16.5 per cent from 2006 to 2011. In the same period, the number of babies delivered at Berwick Hospital increased by 44 per cent.

Lisa explained that Melbourne’s South East was a highly competitive market with three private hospitals offering maternity services within a 30km radius.

“Berwick’s growth has allowed us to consider our model of care for maternity services. We now have three care options which offers families choice,” Lisa said.

“Families can opt to have the traditional hospital based birth or combine a hospital birth with a medi-hotel care option or a Midwives@Home care option for the remaining days of their stay.”

Since starting the Midwives@Chifley medi-hotel service in mid July, 50 families have taken up the care option with extremely positive feedback.

Born at Berwick“Families stay in 4.5 star hotel accommodation with room service and midwives onsite 24 hours a day to provide expert care and advice. There is a community room for education sessions and breast feeding support which allows families to mingle and share their experiences,” Lisa explained.

Meanwhile, the hospital is making additional changes and improvements to ensure it can continue on its current growth trend.

In October, the Department of Health upgraded the special care nursery from a level one to level two which allows the hospital to care for babies from 34 weeks gestation.

Maternity Unit Manager, Joyce Coyle said this had significantly reduced the number of babies transferred out to other facilities.

“What’s important is that families are able to stay together in those precious first days,” Joyce said.

“We have also invested $250,000 in equipment for the nursery and employed a special care nursery team leader.”

The hospital has received Department of Health approval to open a fifth birth suite in early 2013.

Architects have been commissioned to design a comfortable space with modern birthing and ensuite facilities, complete with a separate resuscitation area to optimise neonatal care,” Joyce said.

Pictured: Twins, Lily Grace and Harper Rose born at 35 weeks spend time in the upgraded level 2 special care nursery with parents Lisa and Nigel Boltwin.

FRANkSToN LEAdS THE WAYSt John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital was acknowledged for its commitment to patient communication at a conference hosted by The Advisory Board Company, an international healthcare research, technology, and consulting firm.

Adam Dowell, Clinical Risk and Quality Manager presented patient communication outcomes to an audience of international nurses.

Adam said communication between the patient and clinical staff was seen as a major patient safety issue and when it was done well, patients experienced less anxiety, better clinical outcomes and could return home feeling more supported.

“This is something we take very seriously in our hospital because we fundamentally believe that every patient should be at the centre of our care,” Adam said.

As a result of the conference a number of interested hospitals had begun to explore how to incorporate the learnings into their own setting to improve clinical communication.

Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital’s consumer reference group was also recently acknowledged at a national conference as an example of how to engage with consumers.

The hospital’s consumer reference group which has been in operation for a number of years actively participates in designing and delivering better services and ensuring collaboration with key stakeholders.

Frankston Rehabilitation hospital has been recognised as a leader in the field of rehabilitation by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards following its most recent survey by the quality surveyor. The surveyors commended the hospital’s strong and robust systems and processes.

With the existing public hospital set to close when the St John of God Midland Public hospital opens in 2015, the expertise of local staff is being sought in the final design specs of the new hospital.

Swan District Hospital staff are among the many health experts being canvassed on the final design of the new public hospital in Midland.

While construction began in August, feedback is being sought from 34 groups of hospital users about areas such as emergency, women’s health, paediatrics, critical care, mental health, aged care and rehabilitation.

The consultative meetings are being conducted by St John of God Health Care, along with building partners Brookfield Multiplex and Hassell architects.

Swan District Hospital Clinical Nurse Specialist Janice Power participated in the Emergency Department group and said seeking input from people working “on the floor” was critical.

“It allows the emergency department to be structured in a way that will work best for patients and staff and means we can deal with the acuity and clinical needs of patients,” she said.

Janice was looking forward to expanded services being available locally when the new hospital opens.

“It will be great for more patients, particularly those requiring critical care admissions who come from the local area, to be able to stay in a hospital in their own community, close to family and friends,” she said.

Residents of Midland and surrounding areas can be confident that when their new public hospital opens in late 2015 they will have access to public health care services free of charge.

LoCAL iNpUT oN HoSpiTAL dESiGN

St John of God Ballarat Hospital and the Tongan Ministry of Health celebrated a 20 year partnership in September with reciprocal visits by representatives to the neighbouring countries and health services to mark the milestone.

Since 1992, the Ballarat Hospital has supported the Twinning Program with Vaiola Hospital in Tonga, providing an exchange of staff, practical support, equipment and education to a facility that was poorly equipped and maintained and which struggled to provide rudimentary health care.

Tongan exchange marks 20 yearsTo commemorate the anniversary, nine representatives from the Tongan Ministry of Health were welcomed to Ballarat Hospital by caregivers and past exchange team members.

Dignitaries included Tongan Ministry of Health representatives Viliami Ika, Dr Paula Vivili, Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau and the former Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister Lord Viliami Tangi.

Also in attendance were Dr Geoffrey ‘Afeaki, one of the founding members of the program and Mrs Langiua Kava who was the first staff member from Tonga to go on an exchange to Ballarat.

The Ballarat Hospital executive of Michael Krieg, Maureen Waddington, Lee-Anne

Bellis, as well as International Project Co-ordinator John Macdonald and three of the hospital’s clinical staff then returned the visit for further celebrations at the Vaiola Hospital in Tonga.

John and the clinical staff stayed on at the hospital for two weeks helping out in the areas of operating theatre, wound care, health information and intensive care.

Over the 20 year partnership the Twinning Program has seen more than 80 staff move between Vaiola Hospital and St John of God Health Care in nursing, environment, catering, administration and medicine.

Pictured: Tongan Ministry of Health and St John of God Ballarat Hospital delegations together at Tongan celebration.

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ACCoLAdES FoR SUBiACo Our Subiaco Hospital has been justly rewarded recently, winning a 2012 TravelSmart Award for its Travel Green Plan and as a finalist in the Work Safety Awards WA that recognised its commitment to workplace safety.

The Travel Green Plan was launched in 2010 to encourage staff to use active and sustainable travel modes to get to work and the take-up has been staggering.

More than 330 staff signed up for a green travel allowance of five dollars a day and now leave their car at home, including 120 staff who have foregone parking privileges. The number of staff taking public transport or cycling to work has doubled with new bike lock-up facilities and improved shower amenities.

The Minister for the Environment, The Hon Bill Marmion, presented the hospital’s Director of Workforce Development, Shellee Chapman with the TravelSmart Award.

Shellee and others then attended the Department of Commerce’s Work Safety Awards where St John of God Subiaco Hospital was one of three finalists in a large field of contenders from the WA private sector.

Shellee said the achievement was recognition for hard work and the improvements made in the hospital’s safety management system and performance.

Subiaco Hospital has increased the number and standard of activities that lead to reductions in injuries such as workplace inspections and risk assessments. As a result the hospital has achieved its lowest Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate in the last 10 years.

The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards also recognised the hospital with an outstanding achievement for its safety management systems.

Pictured: WA Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bill Marmion presented Shellee Chapman with the TravelSmart Award 2012.

The replacement of all conventional lights with more energy efficient light emitting diode (LEd) units at St John of God Bendigo Hospital has cut carbon dioxide emissions at that hospital by 322.6 tonnes each year which is the equivalent of planting 47,300 trees to offset the pollutant.

The first results from the hospital pilot site for St John of God Health Care’s Energy Efficient Light Replacement Program have been so impressive the program has been given the go ahead to continue throughout all the health care group’s facilities.

Group Environmental Engineer Dean Farnsworth said the environmental benefit of making the switch at Bendigo was the equivalent of taking 130 average sized cars off the road.

St John of God Bendigo Hospital is the first hospital in Australia to completely replace all of its old lighting fixtures with a more energy efficient system.

Dean said early analysis of the data since the switch was completed in August showed a 12 per cent reduction in overall electricity consumption and the energy used by lighting specifically had reduced by over 53 per cent.

Feedback from staff at Bendigo Hospital was that the new lighting was also brighter and looked better and had solved many lighting issues like poorly lit patient ensuites which were now much brighter and also used 62 per cent less electricity.

Dean said LED lights also operated at a lower temperature than conventional lighting which would reduce the load on the chillers throughout summer.

“The pilot site also found that many old light fittings had ventilation holes that potentially allowed dust and bugs to travel from the ceiling space to the building space and allowed air that was heated or cooled to escape.

“LED lights are sealed which eliminates these risks,” Dean said.

The program has continued its roll out with six more sites to make the switch before the end of the financial year.

St John of God Health Care was recently a finalist in the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards in the large business category and in late 2011 won the Western Australia Environment awards in the ‘corporate business leading by example category’. These achievements recognise the organisation’s strong commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

Pictured: New LED lights recently installed at Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital as the switch continues across the organisation.

Switch lights up the environment

NEW pARTNERSHip To ASSiST SoLdiERSSt John of God Richmond Hospital is partnering with Soldier On to improve psychological services for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with an estimated 2,500 Australian servicemen and women suffering from the condition.

Soldier On is a charitable organisation committed to changing the way the public and soldiers approach mental health.

Soldier On co-founder, John Bale, said the partnership with St John of God Richmond Hospital was a significant aspect of the organisation’s Enhance Program, which looks to sustain and build upon psychological services already offered to returned servicemen and women.

“As leaders in treatment and care for those suffering from PTSD, St John of God Richmond Hospital is a great match. We are looking forward to working with the team to enhance the outcomes for soldiers diagnosed with PTSD,” John said.

Richmond Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Allison Campbell, said her team welcomed the opportunity to improve support for wounded soldiers.

“With 20 years experience in providing specialised treatment programs to Australia’s veterans, our caregivers are highly attuned to the needs of those who have been psychologically wounded by their military experiences,” Allison said.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to share Soldier On’s vision for the future and proud to partner with them in supporting our returned, and currently serving, defence personnel.”

To find out more about Soldier On or to see how you can be involved in helping wounded soldiers, please visit the Soldier On website at www.soldieron.org.au.

Sensory expressionNew sensory equipment installed at ACES Western, a St John of God Accord day service, invites residents to express themselves through light, sound and touch.

Specifically designed for people with physical disabilities the equipment provides a dynamic, all-round sensory experience that ACES West Manager David Zaard said facilitated communication, learning and interaction for the clients.

“It has created a strong sense of belonging and inclusion among our clients and the centre is basking in an environment of smiles and laughter,” David said.

“Whoever would have thought that a ‘vibro-accoustic’ body pillow existed, or a leaf chair for that matter, or that gooey mesh balls could entertain some of the clients so much.”

The area is further enhanced by a new SMART Board and outdoor mobility equipment.

David said the centre had long needed a dedicated area with facilities that were specifically aimed at people with physical disabilities.

The new equipment has been purchased with the assistance of St John of God Health Care and the Charitable Trust Fund.

Pictured: Maryanne Russell, Instructor at ACES West encourages Daniel to test out the newly installed interactive curved music chimes.

SiSTER LEAvES A LEGACY When St John of God Geelong Hospital farewelled Sister Jan Slattery in August, the last of the Sisters to work at the hospital, it recognised the legacy of compassion and caring left by the Sisters of St John of God since 1974.

It was the Sisters who saved what was the Holy Cross Hospital from closing its doors and with great commitment and inspiration continued to serve the community as St John of God Geelong Hospital.

Sr Slattery left Geelong after 33 years of service and as a true testament to her contribution more than 200 well wishers from the community attended a mass in her honour at St Mary’s Basilica.

Pictured: Sr Jan Slattery is the last of the Sisters of St John of God to work at the Geelong Hospital. Photo courtesy Geelong Independent.

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A record number of eager new doctors are about to embark on their medical careers at St John of God Subiaco Hospital in the New Year thanks to several new recruitment strategies taken up by the division in 2012.

Two new, innovative post graduate clinical training courses will provide a training path for prospective physicians and surgeons.

Known as SMART (Surgically Mentored Applied Practice, Research and Training)

Subiaco welcomes trainee doctors

in response to the critical need for skilled nurses as our organisation grows and the population ages, the first Enrolled Nurse Extra Training program kicked off in August to support the maternity and women’s health units in the Eastern Region.

Five Enrolled Nurses from Geelong, Berwick and Ballarat participated in the pilot course with a view to employment in the maternity wards at one of our hospitals.

The course was developed by Geelong Midwifery Clinical Educator Megan Grant,

Enrolled nurse uptakeGroup Manager Clinical Projects Suzie Hooper, and Berwick Midwifery Clinical Educator Allison Merrigan. It was designed to be able to be delivered at any St John of God Health Care hospital with maternity services.

Feedback from the inaugural students was very positive, praising the course’s comprehensive content.

To further facilitate the inclusion of enrolled nurses in the nursing mix, Enrolled Nurse Extra Training Programs in mental health and perioperative care are scheduled to commence in 2013.

St John of God Health Care’s Enrolled Nurse Extra Program is an outcome of a comprehensive workforce planning process undertaken in 2011.

iNAUGURAL pSYCH iNTERNS GRAdUATEThe first psychology interns to participate in training at Pinelodge Clinic are about to graduate equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with the issues facing psychiatric patients and their clinicians today.

Pinelodge Clinic’s General Psychiatric Programs Manager, Susan Cavarra, said one of the impressive features of the program was equipping future psychologists to work with the dual-diagnosis population.

“This is important given that as many as 65 per cent of psychiatric patients also have a drug and alcohol issue,” Susan said.

Over the twelve-month internship, students gain experience working in both the Psychiatric and Drug and Alcohol Units.

“Other benefits of this program include the opportunity to increase our presence in the field of research as well as the huge benefit of being able to offer employment to the very best of these students at the end of their training,” said Drug and Alcohol Programs Manager, Manal Darwish.

The Masters, PhD and Doctoral Psychology students will soon be applying for full registration as Clinical or Counselling Psychologists and then seeking employment.

Admittance into the 2012-2013 Internship Program was competitive and Pinelodge received a strong field of applicants from leading Melbourne Universities. Fifteen applicants were interviewed and the top six were accepted into the program.

Pictured: (L-R back) Manal Darwish, Susan Cavarra. (L-R front) Interns Candice Fieg and Vivienne Champness.

Pictured: (L-R back) Beatrice Domes, Tania Williams, Nicole Clifton and Allison Merrigan. (L-R front) Ali Harrison, Shaye Madill, Charmaine Carroll, Suzi Hooper.

BUiLdiNG STARTS AT GEELoNG Geelong Hospital has appointed Kane Constructions as the builder to undertake the hospital’s $70 million expansion that will include a new private emergency department.

St John of God Geelong Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Roberts said the announcement of the preferred building contractor would see the works commence relatively quickly.

“We have already completed early and enabling works to ensure the builders could hit the ground running,” Stephen said.

Even before the building is complete the hospital has started to expand its service range.

“We are now operating an acute medical admission service in partnership with local physicians and general practitioners while the new emergency department is under construction.

“Stage one of a rehabilitation service for orthopaedic and surgical patients will start in February 2013 in advance of a more comprehensive service being provided when the new hydrotherapy pool and rehabilitation centre open in April 2014.”

Executive Director of Eastern Hospitals Tracey Burton said the redevelopment was a direct response to the growing community need for health care in Geelong and its surrounding regions.

Some of the other facilities now under development on the inner city hospital campus include an additional three operating theatres taking the total to ten, 64 new beds, a chapel, medical centre, an angiography suite and three levels of underground car parking.

Building works are due to be completed in February 2014.

Pictured: (L-R) Director Kane Constructions, Richard Sutterby, St John of God Health Care Executive Director Eastern Hospitals, Tracey Burton, Director Kane Constructions, Tristan Foster and Geelong Hospital CEO, Stephen Roberts.

and VIPER (Vocational Introductory Physician Experience Rotation) these two year, prevocational schemes are tailored to optimally prepare candidates for a career in medicine and surgery.

The programs have a comprehensive educational component, one on one specialist mentoring and provide opportunities to embark upon research.

A successful doctor-in-training recruitment campaign, involving social media and direct marketing strategies, also saw the appointment of 45 junior medical officers to be trained across Subiaco and Murdoch.

New services for perinatal depression and anxietypregnant women and parents with young children who experience depression or anxiety can now access specialised mental health support at new St John of God Raphael Centres in Fremantle, Western Australia and Bendigo, victoria.

Building on 10 years of experience and expertise in community-based perinatal and infant mental health, from when the first Raphael Centre was opened in Subiaco, St John of God Health Care now operates eight Raphael Centres across the group.

One in seven women experience depression during the perinatal period – between conception and 12 months after childbirth – and fathers also experience a higher incidence of mental health issues at this time.

Raphael Centres deliver a range of services to parents and families affected by anxiety, stress, or depression during pregnancy and following childbirth. Based in the community the services are accessible to all at no charge, or at a minimal cost.

The new centres have been established in response to significant gaps in perinatal mental health services in these communities.

The Raphael Centre in Fremantle will be located at Murdoch Community Mental Health’s existing premises in Pakenham Street, and serve the south metropolitan region of Perth. Raphael Centre Bendigo is at Bendigo Community Health Services in Kangaroo Flat.

For further details on the new services, visit www.sjog.org.au/other_services/raphael_centres.aspx

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A recent outstanding achievement recommendation by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards for the palliative care service at St John of God Subiaco Hospital vindicates the service for redefining its model of care in response to the changing patient profile.

The nature of palliative care service delivery has evolved as the demand for complex symptom management has grown, predominantly because of the rise in anti-cancer treatments, which contribute to increasingly complex side effects and disease complications.

Of the 600 referrals made to the Subiaco service this year, most of the patients were complex cases and palliative care was able to provide emotional, spiritual and religious support to the patients, their families and caregivers.

The Subiaco service is a hospital wide consultancy model working with Silver Chain Hospice Care Service and rural community providers to ensure patients have access to seamless care.

The team is represented at state and national forums where it works to have the changing needs of the patient recognised more broadly as well as the issues presented by a growing number of acutely unwell patients choosing to remain in hospital.

They work collaboratively with the broader multidisciplinary teams in the hospital and actively participate in research projects with the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Silver Chain Hospice Care.

Medical and nursing education is a major focus and palliative care provides training and mentorship to students and hospital caregivers.

Pictured: Some members of the Subiaco palliative care team, Dr Derek Eng, Lou Angus, Lesley Leiper.

Responsive palliative care

CoMMUNiTY LEAdERSHip AWARd FoR WoMENParticipants in the 2012 Catherine McAuley Award, a select 12 month community leadership program, graduated in November and welcomed the 2013 participants, including six from St John of God Health Care.

Subiaco Hospital’s Elizabeth Riddell said being part of the 2012 program had given her invaluable tools that would assist with her outlook on leadership in her career and personal life.

“We explored very different concepts and ideas that helped us to learn a lot about ourselves and we explored the responsibilities that come with leadership,” Elizabeth said.

“I gained some insight into how everyone has a story to tell and how each person has something to teach us. It was an incredibly valuable experience that has transformed the way we approach life.”

One of the 2013 participants, Murdoch Hospital’s Katheryn Jones, said she was looking forward to a unique opportunity to develop and explore leadership in a community of other women, in a program grounded in concern for social justice.

The Catherine McAuley Award is a 12 month program where women are given a broad understanding of the concept of leadership and develop confidence in their own abilities and potential. It is conducted through group meetings, seminars and in-residence.

The award has been run by Mercy Care for 15 years with 320 past awardees and is sponsored by St John of God Health Care, Santa Maria College and Mercedes College.

The successful applicants from St John of God Health Care for 2013 are;

Deidre Cleary Nurse Manager Subiaco

Karin Cook Clinical Dietician Murdoch

Katheryn Jones Community Relations Coordinator Murdoch

Michelle Jones Clinical Nurse Hospice Bunbury

Suzanne Kuuse HR Pathology

Laura Polkaposki Finance Pathology

Burwood Hospital paddle for breast cancer

GoLF dAY RAiSES $72,505It was back to back wins for our Murdoch Hospital in the hotly contested St John of God Golf Shield at the 16th Annual St John of God Foundation Corporate Charity Golf Day held at the Melville Glades in October.

The overall winning team from was jeweller Smales of Subiaco followed closely by a team of politicians headed up by the Deputy Premier of Western Australia and Minister for Health, the Hon Dr Kim Hames.

However the biggest winner of all was St John of God Horizon House and its residents who will benefit from the amazing $72,505 raised by the 27 teams competing and the generosity of the event’s sponsors.

Thank you to all our major sponsors and prize sponsors without whom the day would not have been such a glorious success.

Pictured: Dr Graham MacKay-Coghill, Dr Greg Makin, Dr Rod Moore and Dr Richard Sallie.

pRoMoTiNG oUR pEopLE

Donna Walter Director of Nursing, St John of God Geelong Hospital

Donna was appointed Director of Nursing at Geelong in October. Since August 2008 Donna

has held the role of Director of Nursing at our Ballarat Hospital and undertook the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer. Donna has completed a Graduate Certificate in Business Management, a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Leadership and Catholic Culture at Australian Catholic University.

Adam Dowell Group Manager Clinical Quality Systems

After six years Adam Dowell has moved from Clinical Risk and Quality Manager at Frankston Rehabilitation to a group role responsible for

leading and coordinating quality improvement systems across St John of God Health Care. Adam has previously taken on quality leadership roles, including the establishment of the Eastern Divisions Quality Group. His new position will include managing the quality standards and accreditation processes, and providing leadership and support to managers and caregivers in strengthening quality systems across the organisation.

Rita Maguire Group Director Workforce

Rita Maguire joined the organisation in November in the newly created role of Group Director Workforce based at head

office in Perth. Rita has 20 years human resources management experience specific to health care, including 15 years with Ramsay Health Care. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Rita is passionate about positioning human resources strategically where it can partner with those responsible for delivering service.

Twenty female caregivers from all areas of St John of God Burwood Hospital came together to form a dragon boat team and take on 10 hospitals in the dragon Abreast Australia’s annual breast cancer fundraiser in october.

Appropriately named ‘Grantham Girls Go for Bust’, the dragon boat team did their best but just missed out on making the finals. Apparently what they lacked in speed they certainly made up for in enthusiasm and drive with $7,271 raised for the charity by the team and their supporters.

It reportedly created a buzz around the hospital for three months in the lead up to the race and on the day many caregivers and family members were on the sidelines giving their full support.

Team members said that the event had been loads of fun, very rewarding and a tremendous team building opportunity and they were proud to have helped to raise funds that would make a difference to the lives of those living with breast cancer.

The team gave special thanks to all who made donations and supported them.

Dragons Abreast Australia is a registered charity that helps breast cancer patients during their recovery from treatment.

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The 2012 Santos Great Bike Ride for Charity along perth’s Swan River attracted 4,000 participants and raised more than $100,000 for its three charities including St John of God Horizon House.

The long-standing event on Perth’s cycling calendar is hosted by the Rotary Club of Perth and attracts professionals, novices and families in its 106km, 53km and 10km categories.

This year hundreds of volunteers, including St John of God Health Care caregivers, gave of their time and donations made by cyclists and supporters were shared between Horizon House, the Heart Foundation and Hope for Children.

St John of God Health Care’s Group Manager for Youth, Mike Board, said Horizon House had been a partner in the great event since 2004.

“Thank you to everyone who fundraised as it will make a significant difference to Horizon House and help young people who experience homelessness in Western Australia.

“All of the event charities are very grateful to those who have donated, to those who have cycled and the volunteers.”

“This event could not happen without the fantastic support of volunteers giving up their time to work in various roles – once again they have ensured the event is a resounding success,” Mike said.

The Governor of Western Australia, Malcolm McCusker, who is patron of Horizon House in Western Australia, officially started the 53km event and took part in the 10km family ride with his wife Tonya and daughter Mary.

Pictured: Governor of Western Australia, Malcolm McCusker, with wife Tonya and daughter Mary were amongst the St John of God Horizon House supporters.

st John of god health care inc ABn 21 930 207 958 ArBn 051 960 911 (limited liability) incorporated in WA.

st John of god health care is a leading catholic health care provider in Australia and new Zealand, operating 13 hospitals, home nursing, pathology and disability services, as well as social outreach and Advocacy services reaching out to people experiencing disadvantage. editorial submissions or mailing list changes for Pomegranate to michelle.vegter@sjog.org.au

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What a Great Bike Ride

GLoBAL CoRpoRATE CHALLENGESt John of God Health Care is officially Australia’s most active healthcare organisation, after some impressive results were recorded in this year’s Global Corporate Challenge.

The Global Corporate Challenge is the world’s largest corporate health initiative, where participants wear a pedometer every day for 16 weeks with the goal of reaching 10,000 steps per day.

The Challenge is designed to address health issues arising from workers putting in long days, doing sedentary occupations with little or no exercise.

With a daily average step count of 13,270 – or around 8.5 kilometres per day – St John of God Health Care ranked first out of 71 Australian healthcare and medical organisations competing in the Challenge this year.

St John of God Health Care had a record 595 participants in 85 teams across the group with 49 per cent reporting a loss in weight, 78 per cent a positive impact on their relationship with exercise and 90 per cent being more conscious about opportunities in their day to add more steps.

Global Corporate Challenge 2013 begins on May 23.

Pictured: On the move from Pathology Geelong are, from back to front, Claire Eldridge, Sue Halsall, Richelle Gallop, Sue Clark, Carmel Addlem and Faye O’Brien.

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