Redevelopment reaches new heightsCampbelltown Hospital is celebrating a major milestone this week with construction workers having reached the highest point of the new building as part of the $133m redevelopment. To mark the achievement, a traditional ‘topping out ceremony’ was held on the top floor of the new building. Campbelltown Hospital General Manager Lynne Bickerstaff said the ceremony was an old Scandinavian construction tradition, whereby a tree is placed on the roof of a new building, to mark its highest point. “Every week the building changes and grows, it’s been very interesting watching it take shape over the past few months,” she said.To mark the milestone, a tree was lifted onto the roof, approximately 27 metres above ground.The new building and the refurbishment of the existing hospital is on track for completion in late 2015.“Staff, patients and visitors are going

to continue to see big changes at the Hospital and I’d like to thank them in advance for their patience as we move services around,” she said.

SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

February2014

To submit a news story for publication in SWSLHD District News contact the Media Unit on 9828 6848 or email swsmedia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

First ambassador for Wellness CentresAustralian cricket captain and local hero Michael Clarke has been named an ambassador of the South Western Sydney Cancer Wellness Centres, to be built at Liverpool and Camden.The Wellness Centres will support patients, cancer survivors and their families with information, advice, psychological support and tailored programs following cancer diagnosis and treatment. The announcement was made on World Cancer Day (4 February). Story continued on page 2.

A major milestone for the $133 million Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment with a topping out ceremony to mark the highest point of the new building.

For more on the redevelopment visit

www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/ccq/redevelopment

It gives me great pleasure to welcome our new intern doctors and graduate nurses and midwives who have recently started work at facilities across the District. I hope you find your time with us rewarding and enjoyable as you join our strong team of committed staff.It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Peter Reisinger the new Manager for BreastScreen South Western Sydney Local Health District. Peter and the team are located on the Liverpool Hospital Eastern Campus and the service will report through SWSLHD Population Health Service.I would also like to thank Chris Leahy who is acting as General Manager for Liverpool Hospital and Carol Farmer who is acting as Bankstown GM.

I am very grateful to them both for stepping in while we permanently recruit to the Liverpool role.Finally, it gave me great pleasure to join the Minister for Health and our Chairman at the tree topping ceremony of Campbelltown Hospital’s new Clinical Building. The progress on construction of this new building is astonishing. There is a real sense of excitement both among staff and the community and I very much look forward to the completion of the building at the end of this year.

For more information see the redevelopment website: http://www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/ccq/redevelopment/

Amanda Larkin, CE

2 | South Western Sydney Local Health District

February 2014

Message from the Chief Executive

Australia Day honours

Clarke bats for SWSLHD (from page 1)Clarke said he was pleased to be part of the project.“It is a pleasure to come on board as an Ambassador for the South Western Sydney Cancer Wellness Centres based in Liverpool and Camden,” he said.

“Like many Australians, I have family and friends who have been touched by cancer. Facilities such as these are vital in ensuring their cancer journey is as comfortable as possible. “As a Liverpool boy I am also thrilled that

this centre will be added to the health resources of south western Sydney.”

To donate call 9616 4471 or visit www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/cancer/support.html

Congratulations to two staff members who were recognised by Liverpool Council with Australia Day Awards. Professor Geoff Delaney received the Health Research Award for his research at the Ingham Institute and his work as Director of Cancer Services for the District and at Liverpool Hospital’s Cancer Therapy Centre.Associate Professor Stephen Matthey received the Highly Commended Award in the Health Research category. The awards were presented by Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun at a special Australia Day ceremony (pictured).Congratulations also go to Carmen Lazar, Deputy Chairwoman of the Community Participation Network at Fairfield Hospital, who was awarded an Order of Australia for her contribution to the Assyrian community. Bankstown Hospital Consumer and Community Participation representative Uncle Harry Allie was also honoured, being named Bankstown City Citizen of the Year. Centenary Scholarship winner Daniel Bollom (centre) will begin a Bachelor of

Psychology at the University of Wollongong this year.

18 year old Daniel Bollom from Bowral is this year’s recipient of the Bowral and District Hospital Centenary Scholarship. Daniel, who graduated from Oxley College last year has taken out the four year scholarship worth $1,000 a year. Daniel will soon begin studies in a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Wollongong.“Psychology is an area that I find very interesting, one that’s growing and moving forward in new and exciting directions,” Daniel said.“As someone who has been affected by mental illness in the past, I would like to give back to the people who helped me and to the community in general, especially in rural areas such as the Southern Highlands,” he said.

Helping hand for Daniel

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February 2014

Ingham Institute AwardsThe south west’s top researchers were celebrated recently at the Ingham Institute’s first-ever Research Awards night.The night acknowledged the significant efforts of Ingham Institute researchers who have received major national and international awards. Congratulations to the night’s major award winners: • Professor Derrick Silove, Director of the Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, who was awarded the Distinguished Researcher Award for his lifelong contributions to the field of refugee and post-conflict mental health.• Dr Ajesh George from the Centre for Applied Nursing Research, who won the Early Career Researcher Award (sponsored by Liverpool City Council) for outstanding efforts in leading the establishment of Australia’s first Midwifery Initiated Oral Health program.• Dr Slade Jensen, Group Leader of the Antibiotic Resistance and Mobile Elements Group (ARMEG), who won the Excellence in Teaching Award (sponsored by SWSLHD) for leading ARMEG and one of the world’s largest-ever genomic studies to help eradicate Golden Staph.

For photos of the Awards Night visit www.inghaminstitute.org.au/node/309

District Chief Executive Amanda Larkin with Excellence in Teaching award winner Dr Slade Jensen at the awards ceremony.

Many smokers may have heard the health message: ‘every cigarette is doing you damage,’ but health experts are urging smokers to also think of the damage every cigarette is doing to their loved ones.With the rate of smoking in south west Sydney at 19.4 per cent, higher than the state’s average of 17.2 per cent, there’s no better time to put family, friends, health and even finances first by quitting smoking.Research shows that every time a person tries to quit, their chance of

quitting for good increases.All District staff are eligible for eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). To access the NRT, complete the Staff 8-week Nicotine Replacement Therapy form on the intranet. All inpatients who are smokers are also eligible for free NRT for the duration of their hospital stay. Did you know when you quit smoking, the benefits kick in straight away?

After 12 hours your blood carbon monoxide level drops to normal.

After two weeks your risk of heart attack begins to drop, and your lung function begins to improve. After one year your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s. And after 10 years your chance of dying from lung cancer is half that of a smoker’s.

For more information contact your local GP, pharmacist or the Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT).

Now’s your chance to butt out for better health

The District’s Organ and Tissue Donation team will get out and about during DonateLife Week (Sunday 23 February to Sunday 2 March) to encourage people to discover the facts about organ and tissue donation.The team will hold stalls at UWS Macarthur and Wetherill Park TAFE as well as BBQs at Hospitals across the District.Organ and Tissue Donation CNC Michelle Dowd said the aim of the week was to encourage people to register their donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register, and discuss their wishes with their family and friends. “People are being urged to ‘have the chat’ with loved ones about their organ donation wishes. With one organ and tissue donor able to change the lives of 10 or more people, it’s a conversation that could one day save many lives.“In Australia, the family will always be asked to confirm the donation decision of the deceased before donation for transplantation can proceed. Families that have discussed and know each other’s donation decisions are much more likely to support organ and tissue donation proceeding,” she said.

For more information visit www.donatelife.gov.au

Donations save lives

The SWSLHD Organ and Tissue Donation Team will hold information stalls and BBQs during DonateLife Week (23 February to 2 March).

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February 2014

Belinda’s bronze

Bowral nurse Belinda Sidman has done the District proud, winning a bronze medal at the World Disabled Waterski Championships in Italy.The District raised $8,000 last year to help Belinda get to the games in August where she competed in the trick and slalom events, winning bronze for slalom. Belinda spoke at the District’s Annual Public Meeting about her challenges and achievements.“I really love waterskiing because it’s something

I can do with my family and friends and for that small amount of time I’m on the water I don’t feel disabled. “From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the South Western Sydney Local Health District for coming together to raise money that helped me to get to Italy to represent my country in the sport I love,” she said.Belinda’s next challenge is completing a Bachelor of Nursing Degree at Notre Dame University.

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Darts anyone?The 6th annual NSW Health Darts Tournament will be held on Sunday 6 April at the Revesby Workers Club. The Tournament is open to all LHD staff and volunteers. Categories include men, woman and mixed doubles. Winners and runners-up will receive a trophy and voucher. For more information contact Paul Sillato on 9828 5391.

New website for carersCarers can now access resources, information and advice on the new District Carers Service website.The useful and practical website has information on the different roles of carers, using the health system and the support services available to carers. Visit the new Carers website at www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/carers/

YouTube channelDid you know the District has a YouTube channel? The channel features videos on health topics including hepatitis, keeping your healthy new year’s resolutions and healthy lunchboxes. You can also see our events including Close the Gap Day, International Nurses Day and the APM. Visit the page at www.youtube.com/SWSHealth

Falls free

Printed on 100% recycled paper

50 days fall-free was the challenge set to staff in Ward 1A at Fairfield Hospital by Acting NUM Kelwin Green. This month they celebrated 56 days fall-free.To meet the challenge, staff reviewed patient notes to identify patients at risk of falling and located them together in the one room with high-level nursing supervision.Kelwin said there were a number of factors that contributed to patients being unsteady on their feet.“A change in medication and some medical conditions like stroke can lead to a fall. “Patients come to us with different levels of walking ability and sometimes they feel embarrassed asking for help and end up falling.“I’m proud of how everyone worked together to achieve this goal. “Our next goal will be to halve the number of falls for 2014,” he said.Hospital General Manager Arnold Tammekand congratulated 1A.“This is a great example of Communication with Purpose (ComPurS) and hourly rounding. “Well done to Kelwin and the team,” he said.

New interns what the doc ordered

World Disabled Waterski Championship bronze medal winner Belinda Sidman.

Welcome to the 92 new intern doctors starting their medical careers at hospitals across the District. The intern doctors will complete their training, undertaking rotations in medicine, surgery and emergency.