Nursing & Midwifery News – July 2023

From Shane

We have a significant milestone month ahead of us at Western Health.

We are only 1 week away from the EMR Phase 2.1 go-live. It you have yet to undertake your training, I urge you to get this completed this week so that you have access to the new system and the enhanced functionality. The WeLearn package does not need to be completed in the one session, it will be saved as you progress through it and can be returned to at a later time. The WeLearn packages will also continue to be available after the go-live period in case you want to revisit them at any stage.  As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect – so after you have completed your training I encourage you to practice, practice, practice!!   It is expected and normal that the transition to the EMR will temporarily slow you down, however within a few weeks you will be back to your confident, efficient best. You will have the EMR Super-users through the go-live period to support and help you with this transition. The EMR Phase 2.1 Nursing & Midwifery Top 10 has nearly fully counted down to help our nurses and midwives learn more about EMR Phase 2.1 and become familiar with some of the key changes. 

A huge welcome to the 671 staff who joined the Western Health team as we became a designated mental health service on 1 July. Staff from Mid-West Area Mental Health Services, components of the Aged Persons Mental Health Program and Footscray Hospital Emergency Mental Health transitioned across after many months of planning and preparation to become part of our new Mental Health & Wellbeing Services Division. Please join me in giving our new colleagues a very warm reception and support them as they make this transition to join the Western Health team.

We also welcome approximately 80 new staff that have recently joined Western Health to provide primary care within the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. This new team has had an extensive induction and orientation over June, and are now working within this maximum security correctional facility for women to deliver this highly specialised, culturally sensitive primary care and health promotion service. Again, please join me supporting and welcoming our new colleagues and wish them every success.

Please join me in congratulating Adjunct Associate Professor Jo Mapes, who was bestowed this academic title recently by Deakin University in recognition for her significant contribution to the nursing profession. This is such well deserved recognition Jo!

I am constantly amazed by the commitment and dedication of our incredible people, and this month we all have a chance to recognise those that inspire us. The annual Inspire Awards recognise and celebrate those employees and volunteers who undertake great work, foster a positive workplace at Western Health and whose actions inspire others to live our values. Please take some time to nominate a colleague, volunteer or team that you think are just brilliant via the Inspire Award Internet site or you can complete a word version of the form and email it to inspire@wh.org.au.

We all know that we have a significant and somewhat unprecedented agenda on at Western Health, but despite all of this growth, activity and change, it is important to always remember that first and foremost we are an organisation of people that are here to care for people in their greatest time of need. Healthcare is challenging but is it also immensely rewarding. Providing Best Care is what we do, and we do it well! Every day we all make a tangible difference to many lives – there are very few professions and industries that can make that claim. My continuing thanks to you all for hard work, passion and focus on delivering Best Care to our community.

Shane Crowe
Executive Director, Nursing & Midwifery

Ready and Set to Go-Live

The EMR Phase 2.1 Go-Live is now just over 1 week away from commencing at the Williamstown Hospital Emergency Department on Sunday 9 July.

A significant range of pre-Go-Live activities are underway to ensure a smooth transition for our staff and patients.  This includes the testing of new devices, the migration of data into the EMR, ensuring the EMR Super Users are rostered and ready to provide support, and the setup of the 24/7 Go-Live Support Command Centre.

Training and practicing

Training and practicing is one of the most important preparatory activities.  Thank you to those staff who have already completed online WeLearn training or have attended a classroom training session.

EMR Phase 2.1 WeLearn training packages are tailored to different disciplines and areas and can be found in WeLearn’s EMR Training Hub. When you have completed training, please remember to tick the Final Acknowledgement box to ensure your training completion is recorded.

If you are unsure which WeLearn module to complete, please contact – WHS-EMRTrainers@wh.org.au.

A reminder that the WeLearn lessons will remain available throughout the Go-Live period and beyond if you wish to complete the training again or would like to refresh your knowledge at a later date.

Once you’ve completed training, practicing is immensely important to help further increase understanding. To login to the EMR Practice Environment, obtain the role specific username and password from the Super Users in your area and then follow these steps.

If any Super Users have attended training and have not received an EMR Practice Environment login please contact – Barbara.Lennon@wh.org.au

Go-Live period:

EMR Phase 2.1 Go-Live will proceed as follows:

• Sunday 9 July – Williamstown Hospital Emergency Department
• Tuesday 11 July – Footscray Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit
• Wednesday 12 July – Footscray, Sunshine, including Joan Kirner Women’s & Children’s, and Williamstown Hospital Theatres
• Thursday 13 July – Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit
• Monday 17 July – All EMR sites – Specialist Clinics including Community Services, Sunshine Hospital Oncology, Sunbury Day Hospital Theatre, Newborn Services
• Wednesday 19 July – Sunbury Day Hospital Oncology

Areas already using the EMR from Phase 1 will also have access to new EMR functionality from the start of the Go-Live period.

New EMR functionality

As we prepare the EMR for Go-Live, new functionality can be seen by some disciplines in some areas. Staff are reminded not to use new functionality until you have completed your training and until the Go-Live for your area.

As an example, new functionality related to Cancer Services is now available in the EMR. This includes Regimens, PowerPlans and orders related to Cancer Services. Please do not order any of these until the Cancer Services Go-Live on Monday 17 July.

Nursing & Midwifery Top 10

The EMR Phase 2.1 Nursing & Midwifery Top 10 has been designed to help our nurses and midwives to learn more about EMR Phase 2.1 and become familiar with some of the key changes prior to Go-Live.​

Look out for the posters on a wall in your work area, in your inbox or click here to view.

EMR Accounts

All staff who work in the EMR Phase 2.1 key clinical areas will need an EMR account before the Go-Live. If you do not currently have an EMR account please log a job with the DTS Service Desk to have one created.

To do this, log in via the DTS Service Desk Portal, click on Change Network Account, add in your details then tick Yes on the EMR Access box.

Should you require assistance, please contact Digital Technology Services via email servicedesk@wh.org.au or ext. 56777.

Migration of data into the EMR now underway

A number of clinical areas are now entering and migrating clinical data into the EMR to aid a smooth transition at Go-Live.

• Perioperative – staff have commenced booking surgeries in the EMR. Bookings for surgeries scheduled for after the Perioperative Go-Live are now booked in the EMR, while surgeries occurring before the Go-Live are still booked in iPM.
• Specialists Clinics – this migration involves moving all non-admitted scheduling, referrals and waitlists currently completed within the current patient administrative system iPM to the EMR.  This will be completed before the Go-Live.
• Cancer Services – staff are migrating information within the current system to the EMR.  Data to be moved before Go-Live includes clinical patient information and appointments for anti-cancer treatment at the Sunshine and Sunbury Hospitals

EMR Super Users

A huge thank you to the EMR Super Users who have volunteered to support their colleagues in the lead up to and throughout the Go-Live. Their dedication and commitment will be integral to a smooth and successful Go-Live.

During the EMR Go-Live, it’s important that Super Users are easily identifiable by their colleagues.

Supernumerary Super Users will be wearing bright blue polo tops for their supernumerary shifts.

Super Users perform their ‘Super’ duties in addition to their usual role, and will wear a Super User badge during the Go-Live period.

Welcome to our new Mental Health & Wellbeing colleagues

As of 1 July Western Health became a designated mental health service, with the services and staff transitioned over to now be part of Western Health from:

• Mid-West Area Mental Health,
• components of the Aged Persons Mental Health Program (previously part of NorthWestern Mental Health), and
• the Footscray Emergency Mental Health team (previously part of Mercy Mental Health).

A huge welcome to 671 new Western Health colleagues, working across 16 different services!

This is a significant and exciting milestone in the journey to provide more accessible, responsive and well-resourced mental health service delivery for Victorians in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. This disaggregation arose from findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Our Mental Health & Wellbeing leadership team

Mental Health & Wellbeing is a new division at Western Health within the Operations Directorate. Key members of the senior leadership team are:

• Paula Stephenson, General Manager, Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Ryan Dube, Director of Nursing Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Dr Naveen Thomas, Clinical Services Director, Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Jolene Geh, Divisional Director, Mental Health & Wellbeing

Key points for our new Mental Health & Wellbeing colleagues:

Education & training:

• Your mandatory training records are being transferred to our WeLearn portal. You do not need to repeat your mandatory training or complete any additional education
• All staff will receive orientation. Manager orientation will focus on RosterOn, HeWS, RiskMan, PPGs. All staff will receive a welcome pack and particpate in other orientation activities.
• Digital training will be delivered using quick reference guides and facilitated through your facility’s transition champion.

Rostering and pay:

• You will be given a new employee number when you transition to Western Health.
• Your RosterOn access will commence once your employment has commenced at Western Health – and this depends on your current pay run. For the N run this will commence from 3rd July 2023, for H run employees this will commence 10th July 2023. Please continue to enter any prospective changes into RosterOn whilst your Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) RosterOn access is active – this data will then be migrated across to your Western Health RosterOn record.
• Your accrued annual leave, personal leave and other accruals will be recognised by Western Health and will transfer with you.
• Your Maxxia account will be transferred to Western Health and this will include car leases.

Systems and processes:

• A new name badge will be issued to all staff as part of their welcome pack.
• You will have a new Western Health email address, which ends in @wh.org.au, you are encouraged to use this now and you will need to use this to access Western Health systems.
• There will be a period where previous emails can be accessed, and any emails sent to your old email account will be directly forwarded on your new Western Health account. 
• If you have any IT or technology issues, Western Health IT will be able to assist you. Contact them either via email: servicedesk@wh.org.au, phone: 8345 6777 or the Help Desk portal.
• From midnight 1 July 2023, all incidents that occur in mental health and wellbeing services will need to be entered on the Western Health Riskman system that can be accessed here WesternHealth – Sign In (wh.org.au). Access to Riskman for all staff is via your new Western Health email address. For further information regarding accessing Riskman, please refer to ‘Accessing Riskman System’. For further information regarding the MH location set-up in Riskman, please see ‘Mental Health Wellbeing Locations’
• For more information on clinical governance please also refer to the Live Best Care site.

Please click here for more information and QRGs. We are confident that you will be made to feel very welcome and are supported to successfully become part of the Western Health team.

Welcome to our new Custodial Health colleagues

On 1 July the delivery of primary healthcare at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC) transitioned to Western Health. A huge welcome to nearly 80 new colleagues that will be providing services at DPFC! This new team joined Western Health in June and has been undertaking extensive induction and orientation.

Western Health’s delivery of primary healthcare at DPFC includes a 24-hour nursing service, on-call medical service, extensive allied health services, alcohol and drug services, aboriginal health and integrated care planning. There is also a focus on health promotion and population health.

Our dedicated project and transition team has been working hard over the past months to develop comprehensive care models for this service and has been working closely with custodial staff and the Department of Justice and Community Safety to facilitate the transition whilst maintaining continuity of care provision for the consumers at DPFC.

Our Custodial Health leadership team

Custodial Health is part of the Chronic & Complex Care division at Western Health. Key members of the senior leadership team are:

• Brad Roburg – Director, Custodial Health
• Lena Pejcinovski – Director of Nursing Custodial Health
• Samantha Lanteri – Nurse Unit Manager, Custodial Health
• Eugenia Pedagogos – Head of Unit, Custodial Health

Mock Accreditation Survey outcome

In anticipation of the impending National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHSS) Short Notice Assessment in late-2023, a mock assessment of selected actions across the standards was completed over four days from 5- 8 June 2023. A schedule was developed to visit clinical operational areas sampled from Williamstown Hospital, Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Bacchus Marsh Hospital and Melton.

The mock assessment must not be seen as a comprehensive review of our position, rather an opportunity to identify areas where we would benefit from additional effort and focus over the coming weeks and months.

The mock-surveyor commented that the communication about a mock assessment was very successful and the workforce was very interested and engaged. Many of the site participants had not been involved in an accreditation assessment before.

Despite our significant growth and change program, the mock-surveyor stated that there is much to be proud of. Staff spoke of the positive Western Health culture some travelling long distances to be part of this team. The team at both Bacchus Marsh and Melton have faced substantial change in recent years and are committed to the integration with Western Health. They should be congratulated for their ongoing commitment.

The mock-surveyor also noted good improvements in patient outcomes, including the reduction in serious perineal tears and postpartum haemorrhage.

We always knew that there would be areas requiring focus, which is why we did the mock-survey. The good news is that all the areas identified as requiring improvement are not complex and we already have improvement plans in place. These include:

• Some of the areas had excessive clutter – planned focus in coming months.
• Some areas had unnecessary posters and information on walls providing a general appearance of untidiness.
• Training and performance management to meet our targets – already underway, make sure you are up-to-date.
• Safe environment – update of body protection and evacuation plans – planned.
• Shared development of patient goals and preferences – use of the ‘About Me form’.
• Improvements to medication storage and disposal – planned implementation of new bins. 
• Screening and assessment processes to minimise patient harm across all sites – underway, with new forms planned for Bacchus Marsh Hospital.
• Recognition and response systems at Bacchus Marsh and Melton – will be addressed with the planned changes on 3 July.
• We should try and stay true to our ‘End PJ Paralysis’ ethos of supporting patients not to wear pyjamas, particularly longer stay patients

Surveyors will attend patient handover and rounds, and we will need to have a significant focus on Communicating for Safety, handovers, and patient identification, as practice varied from department to department. This will include:

• We need to be consistent in practice and use of WH (not localised) tools for handover
• We need to be consistent in checking of points of patient ID for practices such as handover
• KHWD Boards are a good tool, but there is opportunity to improve the way they are being used
• Privacy issues should be considered with, for example the use of WOWs, care team discussions in corridors and where hard copy notes about patient care may be left.
• The WhatsApp tool shouldn’t be used for communication of sensitive patient information

The mock-surveyor stated that given the considerable interest in this mock assessment, there should be every expectation of a positive outcome, but continuing leadership and commitment will be required across all sites.

The Directors of Nursing & Midwifery are visiting the departments that participated to given them more specific feedback. Thanks to everyone who participated.

To learn from the experience gained by undertaking the Mock Survey we are asking you to complete this short 5 minute survey on your experiences, perceptions, and suggestions from the mock survey process.

2222 coming to Bacchus Marsh and Melton

From 9am Monday, 3 July 2023, the internal number for emergencies at Bacchus Marsh Hospital and the Melton sites will change to 2222.

This important change in standardisation of in-hospital emergency numbers to 2222 which is being implemented both nationally and internationally.

A key component in transitioning the clinical services at Bacchus Marsh and Melton is to align the Rapid Response Systems for the deteriorating patient with Western Health processes to ensure patient and staff safety.

Staff at both Bacchus Marsh Hospital and Melton have undertaken clinical code training sessions titled “New Codes on the Block” to provide the details required for the new emergency number and clinical codes rollout.

OVA International Conference 2023

Western Health is hosting our inaugural Occupational Violence and Aggression International Conference 2023 on Tuesday 11 July 2023 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.

Join Western Health and industry leaders for a full day conference uncovering effective interventions to break the cycle of occupational violence and aggression in healthcare.

It’s never been more critical to protect healthcare workers and maintain a productive health workforce – it’s fundamental for resilient health services and the provision of Best Care.

The conference will share insights into Western Health’s multi-award-winning staff safety program ‘Predict, Prevent, Priority: Safety’.

You’ll learn more about the tools, training, awareness campaign and leadership advocacy that has changed the culture of OVA at Western Health and continues to reduce physical and psychological injuries in staff.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the change as we work towards breaking the cycle of occupational violence and aggression in the workplace.

Why attend?

By the end of the conference, delegates will have:

• Evidence-based approaches to OVA in healthcare settings
• Insight into organisational responses that empower staff
• Broader understanding of risk-assessment tools that work
• Improved awareness of entrenched beliefs that prevent change
• Exposure to emerging areas of research

The conference aims to:

• Deliver an exceptional program targeting topics based on sector needs
• Update delegates with current, relevant knowledge and practical skills that underpin best practice
• Give delegates access to high quality, sought-after presenters who are recognised in their fields of expertise
• Offer delegates the opportunity to build connections and renew relationships with colleagues and peers

Speakers

• Dr Norman Swan, physician and ABC broadcaster
• Alex Hagan, futurist and author
• AC Luke Cornelius, Victoria Police’s Assistant Commissioner
• Adjunct Professor Russell Harrison, Chief Executive, Western Health
• Dr Ainslie Senz, Director, Footscray Hospital Emergency Department
• Elisa Ilarda, Operations Manager, Occupational Violence Prevention, Western Health
• James Kolozsi, Director Safety, Risk and Emergency Management, People, Culture and Communication, Western Health

Registration is now open at bit.ly/wh-ova. We look forward to seeing you there.

Does someone Inspire you?

Is there someone or a team at Western Health who has inspired you?

The Inspire Awards recognise and celebrate those employees and volunteers who foster a positive workplace at Western Health and whose actions inspire others to live our values. They enable us to recognise and promote some of the great work being done by employees and volunteers at Western Health.

Anyone can nominate:

You can nominate online via the Inspire Award Internet site or you can complete a word version of the form and email it to inspire@wh.org.au

Completing your nomination:

Please ensure that you take the time to explain what the individual or team that you are nominating did which has made a difference to your experience or the experience of others.

Provide examples in as much detail as you can of how they fostered a Positive Workplace at Western Health and demonstrated Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety in their work.

A minimum of 3 of the values must be addressed in your nomination.

Please note that we may share what you say in your nomination as part of the Award Presentation process.

Nominations close on July 31 2023.

If you have any questions regarding Inspire Awards please email: inspire@wh.org.au

Trial of increasing the shift allowance for Sunday nights

A trial is being undertaken to test the premise that increasing the Sunday night shift allowance for permanent full and part time employees (including fixed term) will decrease the use of casual and agency staff.

The trial increase to the Sunday Night Duty penalty will commence from 1 July 2023, and alters the Sunday night shift allowance payable on night under both the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020 -2024 and the Victorian Public Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024.

The details are as follows:

• Old shift allowance rate for Sunday night: $89.90
• New shift allowance rate for Sunday night: $154.63

The rates of casual employees are unchanged.

This allowance change will occur automatically. The parties to the Enterprise Agreements will be looking at the rate of roster vacancies and absences on Sunday night shifts pre and post this change to determine whether the allowance changes achieve the intended positive impact to inform if the new allowance rates are extended beyond the trial.

Joy Turner Memorial Scholarship recipients

Joy Turner was a Director of Nursing & Midwifery at Western Health from 2014 until 2020, and sadly passed away in March 2023. During her time at Western Health she made long-lasting impacts through her significant leadership to the nursing workforce. She was a strong advocate for our patients and staff, and mentored many people to support their development.

Western Health offers the Joy Turner Memorial Scholarship Program on an annual basis to support frontline nurses/midwives who are involved in local quality improvement initiatives, to attend a health-related conference.

2023 Recipients:

We are pleased to announce that the following recipients have received the scholarships for 2023:

• Ashvin Nursing – CNC, Diabetes Education
• Ilyana Hussain – RM, Maternity
• Jessica Hughes – Lactation Consultant
• Lisa Shaw – RN, Palliative Care

Congratulations to these nurses and midwives! Thank you for your commitment to Best Care and continuing improvement, and we hope that you enjoy your professional development at your chosen health-related conference.

Getting ready for Accreditation

Then any time between 1 July 2023 and 31 December 2023, a short-notice assessments will be undertaken for all of Western Health with 24 hours notice. We will be notified on a Thursday that a week long survey will commence on the next Monday.

We will have a team of approximately 11 accreditation surveyors visiting all of our campuses and over a week. The surveyors will spend up to 75% of survey time in clinical wards and departments.

Transitioned mental health services will be included in our survey. We have worked with Justice Health and the Department of Health and our new service at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre will align with the new Primary & Community Health Accreditation Scheme that has a scheduled, separate accreditation survey.

What can I do to be ready?

• Ensure your area and department is clean, safe, organised and free of clutter.
• Dispose of old and broken pieces of equipment and get them taken off the asset register if they are of that value.
• Think about things we give our consumers – information leaflets, education materials and ensure they are up-to-date and reflect best practice.
• Make sure that any local procedures or guidelines are up to date.
• Make sure you have all undertaken your mandatory education and training.
• Make sure you are working with your manager to ensure you’ve had an annual performance and development review.

The Live Best Care site is a great resource for all of our staff. There are new resources going on that almost daily. There are checklists, Q&As, and information on all of the standards and requirements, aimed at different roles. You are encouraged to check the site regularly and just make sure you’ve done everything to feel informed.

National NAIDOC Week 2023

National NAIDOC Week is being held between 2-9 July 2023, and the theme for this year is For Our Elders.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.

The Wilim Berrbang team invites staff and volunteers to attend two special events NAIDOC Week events at Sunshine and Williamstown hospitals.

Sunshine Hospital:

Monday July 3 between 10am-3pm – Pop-up information stall (outside the retail pharmacy)

You can broaden your knowledge by chatting to members of the Aboriginal Health Unit about the purpose of NAIDOC week and what it means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You can also collect a limited edition Aboriginal designed notebook.

Williamstown Hospital:

Tuesday July 4 at 9:30am – flag raising ceremony.

If you can’t attend these events, here are some other ways to show your support for NAIDOC Week:

• Attend a NAIDOC week event. You can find an event in your local area by checking out the NAIDOC Event Calendar.
• Have a yarn with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person in your community about what NAIDOC means to them.
• Watch a television show or movie made by a First Nations filmmaker.

Western Health will also have a delegation attend the NAIDOC Ball.

Learn more about providing culturally safe care:

NAIDOC week is an excellent time to undertake Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training via WeLearn. Complete the package today!

Have your say on the consultation regulation impact statement for registered nurse prescribing

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has developed a consultation regulation impact statement (C-RIS) that considers a number of options for the proposed model of designated RN prescribing to support the proposed Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines − designated registered nurse prescriber (the proposed registration standard) and invites your feedback.

The proposed Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines − designated registered nurse prescriber (registration standard) and associated guidelines have already been widely consulted on and were broadly supported. Therefore, in this consultation the NMBA is not consulting on the content of the registration standard or the associated guidelines.

What is the proposed model of prescribing?

The proposed designated RN prescribing model will enable RNs with an endorsement for scheduled medicines to prescribe within their level of competence and scope of practice in partnership with an authorised prescriber (NP or medical practitioner). The designated RN prescriber will have an authorisation to prescribe medicines that is determined by legislation, will meet the requirements of the NMBA related to the endorsement and the policies of the jurisdiction, employer or health service.

What is a consultation regulation impact statement (C-RIS)?

Regulatory impact analysis is generally undertaken before a new regulation is introduced. It can assist with determining potential impacts of a new regulation in order to assess whether the regulation is likely to achieve the desired objectives. The process involves extensive analysis of the underlying policy problem, the presentation and impact analysis of at least three viable solutions, and comprehensive stakeholder consultation. Policy proposals must also quantify the regulatory burden on individuals, businesses, and community organisations under the viable options.

As the proposed Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines − designated registered nurse prescriber (registration standard) and associated guidelines have a regulatory impact, the NMBA is required the Office of Impact Analysis within the Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to undertake further consultation in the form of a consultation regulation impact statement, to understand the costs, benefits and impacts of the options and how the regulatory proposal will work in practice.

Making a submission

The NMBA seeks your feedback on the consultation regulation impact statement. A background document is also available for additional information. Copies of both documents can also be accessed via the NMBA website here.

You can participate by:

• completing the online survey or
• emailing your responses in a word document to nmbafeedback@ahpra.gov.au by close of business on 28 July 2023

Still not Flu Vax'd?

A reminder that the annual Flu Vax is now mandatory for all Category A & B staff, which includes the vast majority of our nurses and midwives. We encourage Category C staff to receive the influenza vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The free Western Health Staff Influenza Prevention program finished up on 30 June 2023, so flu vaccines are no longer available at Western Health. Over 90% of our nurses and midwives are now fully vaccinated and protected against seasonal flu.

For the remaining 10%, any unvaccinated staff are now responsible for getting the vaccine via their General Practitioner or local Pharmacy at their own expense prior to 15 August 2023.

All staff who receive the vaccine elsewhere outside of Western Health must complete a Redcap survey Influenza Immunisation Survey and attach their vaccination certificate available through your Medicare webpage.

Category A and B staff may be able to get an exemption from having the influenza vaccine if there is a valid medical reason.  If you have a medical exemption for the influenza vaccine you must complete a Redcap survey Influenza Immunisation Survey.

Managers are requested to please follow up with their individual staff on their cost centres to ensure non-vaccinated staff meet their mandatory requirements using the MAP report. Please ensure staff are aware of their obligations and follow up accordingly.

Western Health midwives at the ICM Triennial Congress

A team of delegates from Western Health recently attended the International Confederation of Midwives’ 33rd Triennial Congress in Bali, Indonesia. The theme of this Congress was “Together Again: From Evidence to Reality” which speaks to the ground-breaking work that  midwives have done as a global community and their commitment to translating evidence into tangible action that improves the lives of women, gender diverse people, newborns, and families.

It was six years since the ICM’s last in-person global gathering, so it was great to have Western Health midwives attending this global event. Our delegation included Prof Linda Sweet, Ilyana Mohamed Hussein and Lucy Gladwell (pictured right) next to a Western Health poster presentation on ‘A survey of Australian women’s usage of digital media in pregnancy and birth’.

Have you got an interest in Health Informatics?

Applications are now open for the Digital Health and Informatics training program for established front-line clinicians (medical, allied health, nursing), commencing January 2024.

Designed for practicing healthcare professionals currently employed in the primary or tertiary care setting, the Learning Health System (LHS) Academy Fellowship program will equip clinicians with the skills to work with data and digital health technologies to improve patient outcomes and foster change.

Key information:

• The program runs from February to December in 2024
• The Academy is open to all AHPRA-accredited health care professionals. Prior research experience desirable
• Partial scholarships are available to support Academy attendance
• The program comprises of 2 days per week, 3 months coursework and 8 months project-based learning
• Projects will be co-designed with, prioritised by and agreed by participating organisations

Eligibility:

The LHS Academy is open to all fully qualified practicing clinicians in medicine, allied health and nursing employed at MACH-affiliated organisations, who want to gain experience in collaborative research, the digital transformation of health and become future change leaders in digital health. Future Fellows need to commit two days per week (partial scholarships available, remainder backfill from org), have identified an important problem in their health service that could be addressed with a digital solution, and gained support from their health service manager.

Application:

Selection will be undertaken through an online application and interview process led by the Director of the Center for Digital Transformation of Health, Professor Wendy Chapman.

Applications close 31 July 2023 and must include:

• Full CV, including brief description of any research projects undertaken
• Completed application outlining practical problem of interest pertinent to the health service and how it may be addressed by a digital health solution
• Brief letter of support from DONM/Divisional/Operational Manager responsible confirming the applicant is well placed to become a future leader in digital health and health informatics and has in principle support to release from clinical duties for 0.2EFT and that the identified problem is important to address.

What is the Learning Health System Academy? 

The LHS Academy is a non-credentialled professional development program open to fully qualified clinicians (Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health professionals) currently employed in the primary or tertiary healthcare setting.

This program aims to build core competencies required by participants to become transformation agents in a Learning Health System who can who design, implement and evaluate innovative data-driven change and continuous improvement in health systems. By completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• work with, analyse and interpret routinely collected healthcare data
• design digital health innovations and tools that support clinical practice change
• test and measure the clinical benefits of digital health innovations
• understand how to design digital health innovations that can be implemented and are more likely to be adopted widely in the healthcare system.
• understand and apply principles of change management and adaptive leadership to lead the transformation of healthcare

Only 10 places are appointed to the Academy each year, plus one General Practitioner. Successful participants attend the Academy both onsite and virtual two days per week between February and December. Fellows undertake targeted active learning coursework to build the competencies required to contribute to Learning Health Systems and project-based learning to provide hands on experience in using health data to inform clinical practice and in digital health-enabled models of care.

Partial scholarships (up to $15, 000) are available through the Centre for Digital Transformation of Health to support clinical backfill. Participants are released from duties by their organisation, without detriment to salary, to undertake the program.

Additional Information:

Please click here to see more information and to submit your application.

New Melton Hospital one step closer

Two consortia have been shortlisted to vie for the contract to deliver the new Melton Hospital.

The shortlisted consortia are Exemplar Health, comprising Capella Capital, Lendlease, Honeywell and Compass Group and Wilam Marrga, comprising Tetris Capital, John Holland, ISS and Cushman & Wakefield.

With construction set to begin next year the shortlisted consortia have begun preparing detailed proposals to deliver the new hospital in 2029.

The new $900 million Melton Hospital will be Victoria’s first fully electric hospital, providing 24-hour emergency, at least 274 beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services and outpatient care.

The hospital will be designed in a way to allow for future expansion to ensure it can grow with the community. Once completed, the new hospital will have capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year and see almost 60,000 patients in the emergency department.

Community feedback will help shape the development of the new hospital, with more than 1,000 pieces of feedback captured through workshops with the community consultative committee, as well as input from online surveys, information sessions and targeted workshops.

Benchmarking Best Care

The latest benchmark reports from the Health Roundtable that go up to December 2022 show how our delivery of Best Care compares to other health services across Australasia.

Let’s look at how we perform in the area of delirium.

Delirium

The rates of delirium at Western Health is in the green when compared to our peers and keeping consistently low and dropping. This is a fantastic result.

Well done to all of our nurses on this remarkable result.

About Delirium

Delirium is an acute organic disturbance of higher cerebral function associated with an impaired thinking and ability to attend to the environment. Dementia is a general term used to describe a form of cognitive impairment that is chronic, progressive and occurs over a period of months to years. Depression is a multifaceted syndrome, comprising of a constellation of affective, cognitive, somatic and physiological manifestations in varying degrees from mild to severe. A range of symptoms and behaviours are associated with different types of cognitive impairment. Some symptoms are similar across delirium, dementia and depression, and an accurate diagnosis is important.  ​​​

​Five facts everyone should know about delirium:

1. Impaired cognition is not a ‘normal’ part of ageing and may be due to delirium, dementia or depression.
2. Delirium is a common and serious problem in older hospitalised people, which is frequently overlooked, misdiagnosed and poorly managed.
3. Delirium is usually caused by an underlying acute health condition, which requires investigation and treatment.
4. Many cases of delirium can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors and incorporating environmental and clinical practice strategies into the care of older people.
5. It is important to involve family members and carers in the process of diagnosing delirium. They will often notice subtle changes in an older person’s cognition and behaviour, which could be an indication of delirium.

Gynaecological cancers: management, supportive care and survivorship issues for nurses symposium

Hosted by VCCC Alliance, this one-day symposium specifically tailored for nurses will provide an overview of ovarian, endometrial and cervical gynaecological cancers, including epidemiology and advances in treatment such as surgical techniques, chemotherapy and targeted therapies.

An exceptional panel of speakers has been convened to impart the most up-to-date knowledge, featuring consumers with lived experience, clinical nurse consultants, senior cancer nurses, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, palliative care experts, clinical trial experts, and allied health professionals.

Topics covered will include supportive care, including the integration of distress tools in nursing management. Common survivorship issues and corresponding nursing interventions to support will also be discussed.

Find out more and register here. 

Educational Opportunities

Resuscitation Mandatory Competencies:
Sessions have recommenced. In the first instance, you can arrange an assessment with your local instructor or educator. Resus educators are contacting managers to arrange local sessions for individual teams. Dedicated sessions for Bank and Pool Staff along with sessions for Nursing and Medical staff are available on WeLearn. You can locate sessions by clicking on this link: Course: Basic Life Support (BLS) (wh.org.au)

Invasive Lines & Cannulation:
Dates for Bank-Pool Nursing staff, Ward Nursing staff, Radiology, and Medical staff available soon.

Adult Deteriorating Patient (non-obstetric):
Learning how to recognise and escalate patient deterioration is now here at Western Health. The Education and Learning Department have developed a new and improved WeLearn course, designed to guide and support early recognition and escalation for a patient deteriorating within Western Health.

Fisher and Paykel Respiratory Support training:
RSVP to: education.australia@fphcare.com.au

• Adult Respiratory Support: Friday 14 July 2023 – WCHRE Auditorium:  9.00am to 3.00pm
• Infant Respiratory Support: Friday 1 September 2023 – WCHRE Auditorium: 9.00am to 3.00pm
• Adult & Paediatric Respiratory Support: Wednesday 4 October 2023 – WCHRE Lecture Theatre: 9.00am to 1.00pm

Education and Learning upcoming events:

• 14/07/2023:   Adult Respiratory Support (External enrolment)
• 05/09/2023:  Cognitive Study Day
• 21/09/2023:   Infection Prevention Study Day
• 27/10/2023:   Mental Health First Aid
• 03/11/2023:   Mental Health First Aid

More courses click here: Courses and Inservices (westernhealth.org.au)

Course Enrolment/Inquiries:

• WeLearn Helpdesk Email: welearn@wh.org.au
• WeLearn Enrolment link: welearn@wh.org.au

Emerging Evidence

The Western Health Library Service is a great source for locating the latest nursing and midwifery related evidence-based practice and research.

Latest articles of interest:

• Community-based models of health care for women, trans and nonbinary people released from prisons: An international scoping review with implications for Canada. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2023: July. Full Text
• Missed nursing care in emergency departments: a scoping review. International Emergency Nursing. 2023: June. Full Text
• Collaborative practice among general ward staff on escalating care in clinical deterioration: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2023: May. Full Text
• Low-value wound care: Are nurses and physicians choosing wisely? A mixed methods study. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 2023: June. Full Text
• Instruments for measuring empowering patient education competence of nurses: Systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2023: July. Full Text
• Relationships are the key to a successful publicly funded homebirth program, a qualitative study. Women and Birth. 2023: July. Full Text Western Health author

New eBooks on Correctional Health

The library has expanded our collection of correctional health books with services commencing July 1 at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.

• Correctional assessment, casework, and counseling. 6^th ed. Springer 2020.
• Correctional health care delivery: unimpeded access to care. Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd, 2020.
• Correctional health care services: mental health, infectious disease, dental care, addiction treatment. Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd, 2019.
• Correctional nursing: scope and standards of practice. 3^rd ed. American Nurses Association, 2021.
• Essentials of correctional nursing. Springer, 2013.
• Handbook of mental health assessment and treatment in jails. Oxford University Press, 2023.
• The practice of correctional psychology. Springer, 2018.

Accessing the Library at Work:

All eligible staff can access electronic library resources from any networked PC or device connected to
Wi-Fi network without the need to login.

Accessing the Library Remotely (offsite access):

• When accessing electronic resources through the library website from offsite you will automatically be asked to enter your library membership number and surname.
• Library Membership is free and can be completed online. Please email the library if you experience issues when registering (e.g. error messages).

For more information please contact the Western Health library team.