Nursing & Midwifery News – December 2023 Special Edition

From Shane

On 14 December 2023 a packed audience in the Sunshine Hospital Auditorium and many people on livestream joined us to bestow our Nursing & Midwifery Excellence Awards for 2023.

I can think of no better way to end the year than to celebrate the magnificent contributions that our nurses and midwives have made providing care to our community throughout 2023. Your commitment and hard work ensures that the delivery of Best Care continues to improve the health and well-being of the people living in Melbourne’s West.

We have well over 5,000 nurses and midwives, and every single one has played an important and tangible role in providing Best Care. The Nursing & Midwifery Excellence Awards are a way for us to celebrate all of our nurses and midwives, with a focus on those that have been nominated to be recognised by their peers.

The number and caliber of the nominations received this year has been nothing short of inspirational, and it was a pleasure to be part of this event to showcase some of the incredible achievements and contributions of our nurses and midwives. We were only able to showcase the finalists during the ceremony due to the large number of nominations received – so to be chosen as a finalist or a recipient is truly special.

My congratulations to all of our nominees, finalists and recipients. I am so proud to have you all as part of the Western Health nursing and midwifery team.

A very happy and safe festive season to you all and I am looking forward to working with you all in 2024.

Shane Crowe
Executive Director, Nursing & Midwifery

Nurse or Midwife of the Year 2023

The Nurse or Midwife of the Year Award recognises clinical excellence in nursing and/or midwifery practice, effective communication, and putting patients/women first when making decisions. A team player, with a commitment to looking for ways to do things better, contributing to the development of others and actively contributing to a culture of safety.

We had lots of nominations for this award, and the judges had a tough job getting the list down to 4 amazing finalists and 2 recipients:

Finalists:

• Eric Mihelcic – Sunshine Emergency Department
• Katelyn Mannix – Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• Louise Aiton – Infection Prevention CNC
• Ma Luisa Magboo – Sunshine 2A

Recipient:

• Katelyn Mannix – Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
• Louise Aiton – Infection Prevention CNC

Katelyn Mannix was employed in a project role for the Custodial Health primary healthcare transition and has been a huge asset to the team utilising her nursing knowledge, experience and clinical skills to support planning, clinical process and procedures. Katelyn has worked as a nurse in a clinical capacity, as part of the leadership and project team and has demonstrated a commitment to supporting coordinated Best Care delivery and the ongoing success of the health service transition. Katelyn has fulfilled the role of the senior clinical nurse at DPFC often acting as the defacto unit manager, providing leadership and direction in a chaotic and stressful environment. Her attention and dedication to instilling the Western Health ethos of “Best Care” is demonstrated in every interaction she has with our staff, the women she cares for and the custodial staff she works with. Without Katelyn’s leadership and drive the transition to providing the primary healthcare service at DPFC would have been more problematic. Feedback from the custodial staff “Katelyn is amazing and instils a feeling of safety and control whenever she is on duty, we trust her skills, knowledge and leadership in all situations”.  Katelyn’s ongoing focus is on identifying and implementing initiatives for quality improvement to enhance all elements of patient care specific to the women within DPFC. She demonstrates patient centred and trauma informed care by communicating with respect, kindness and understanding of the complex nature of patient presentations within the custodial setting. Katelyn is empathetic and consistent in her approach to communication with all consumers, patients, healthcare staff and custodial staff. She engages consumers proactively in quality improvement projects, health promotion and prevention and involvement in their healthcare planning to support their health when released from the custodial environment. Katelyn, consistently promotes a culture of compassion – treating all patients with respect and empathy.

Louise Aiton is a Clinical Nurse Consultant specialising in Infection Prevention. She was instrumental in detecting the enormity of Biofilm and has supported best care through her work in halting the transmission of pathogens from our clinical hand basins to our patients by mitigating risks with a plethora of measures implemented to combat the problem. Her advocacy for safety led to the CFD modelling evidence which drove the removal of bottle traps, instillation removable grate strainers, reprograming of water flow and change changeover of tap aerator fittings to laminar flow, introduction of water management practices and sink use, new cleaning regimes and auditing to ensure actions protect our patients and staff. Louise is always happy and cheerful receiving many complements noting her compassion, caring nature and respect.
Louise strives for excellence in all things she does and is generously sharing her knowledge both locally and more broadly through her presentation at national and international Conferences.

The award was presented to Katelyn and Louise by Lena Pejcinovski (DONM), Douglas Mill (DONM) and Monique Sammut (DONM).

Congratulations on all nominees, finalists and our award recipient.

Nursing or Midwifery Team of the Year 2023

The Nursing or Midwifery Team of the Year Award recognises a team that is committed to delivering excellent care to our patients/women, through effective communication, and demonstrated patient-centred care. A team that demonstrates they are constantly looking for ways to do things better; contributing to the development of all members of the team and has an active focus on Best Care and patient safety.

Again, this was a hotly contested award and caused lots of discussion and debate with our judges. Ultimately there were 5 finalists and 2 recipients:

Finalists:

• Bacchus Marsh Theatre
• Diabetes Education Services
• Midwifery Group Practice
• Nursing & Midwifery Workforce Unit
• Sunshine Emergency Department

Recipients:

• Bacchus Marsh Theatres
• Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department

The team at Bacchus Marsh Theatre supports the Best Care vision through their multidisciplinary approach to patient care that starts in the Preadmission phase. Patients are carefully screened for campus suitability and assessed for any care needs that may be required before their day of surgery. Preadmission nurse’s work with the anaesthetists and surgeons to ensure the planned patient care is safe and appropriate to their needs. On the day of surgery the dedicated team of professionals work tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the care that they require in a safe and effective environment and also that the patients’ and their families have the information and resources they require upon discharge home. In theatre there are multiple points in care where handover and effective communication is required. The team have used their ABC audit results to assist in identifying gaps in communication and have seen positive results. The team work across disciplines to strengthen the sign out process which results in a more robust handover from the scrub nurse to the PACU nurse and strengthens the specimen collection and patient follow up processes. The theatre team involve the patient in discharge planning from their initial booking when the Preadmission nurses discuss their social situations and foreseeable care requirements, to their admission and discharge from the day procedure unit. As a department they work closely with both the medical surgical ward and maternity teams to facilitate continuity of care for those patients staying overnight and involve patients in this bedside handover process. Throughout the amalgamation to Western Health staff have pulled together to achieve the changes necessary to align with the other campuses. Despite the many changes to systems and processes, the team have seen this as an opportunity to improve and develop. As a close team that have undergone a considerable amount of change though the amalgamation, they have maintained their positive relationships and continually strived to provide an effective health service. We celebrate moments along the way, from staff obtaining further qualifications, to the reintroduction of ENT as a practicing speciality at Bacchus Marsh.

The Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department (SHED) nurses work in one of the busiest emergency departments in the state. They see over 300 patients per day from all walks of life. The team sees patients and their families at the most vulnerable times in their life, always striving to deliver safe, timely, effective care that is patient centred. The nurses in Sunshine are highly skilled experts in the area of emergency nursing, providing care every minute of every day to patients who are often acutely unwell. The team work and camaraderie of the ED nurses is demonstrated in all that they do for our patients and the community, never knowing what each day will bring and who will come through the doors. The resilience and work ethic of the Sunshine Hospital emergency nurses is second to none. The team are steadfast, focused and committed to every patient every day. The SHED nurses engage with key stakeholders and broader teams within the organisation multiple times throughout the day to discuss care delivery, ensuring patients are in the right place at the right time and triaged appropriately as they enter our doors. The team has ED specific huddles with the broader multidisciplinary teams to ensure that any issues pertaining to the patients are raised and addressed in a timely manner. The huddles also identify patients who are high risk of falling and behaviour of concerns. This enables the nurses to quickly identify risks for our patients and implement timely interventions to keep our patients safe. Sunshine ED nurses have been actively involved in multiple initiatives within the organisation to improve access for service provision of our patients. The multiple projects looking at improving ambulance offload, improved access to the short stay unit via defined patient pathways, and time to treat, has resulted in the best results in 18 months with AV offload at 60&, SSU NEAT 70%, and an uptick in our admitted NEAT and decreased 24 lengths of stay for our patients in the ED. SHED have the largest nursing workforce at WH with over 300 head count. The team support a large number of nurses currently undertaking post graduate studies in the ED, graduate nurses, Grad+, Mental Health transition nurses, and ED specific programs. There is a keen focus of up skilling nurses to promote career pathways of either academic, clinical or management. SHED also have a sound nurse practitioner program to recognise the high level of expertise that exists amongst the nursing staff at SHED. The team is keen to promote succession planning and creating opportunities for our nurses of tomorrow. The SHED nursing team work in a fast paced, busy, high turnover, stressful environment. The team is focussed on supporting each other which is done via a weekly recognition and acknowledgement peer support program where staff are recognised by their colleagues for their contribution and all nominees are thanked/recognised. The nurses of SHED are true ambassadors for emergency nursing at Western Health, which is demonstrated by their outstanding contribution and care to our patients and the broader community.

The award was presented to Louise Cook (NUM) and team on behalf of SHED and Amanda Crooks (NUM) and team on behalf of Bacchus Marsh Theatres by Tanya Farrell (Deputy EDONM), Wendy Giddings (DONM) and Lisa Gatzonis (DONM).

Congratulations on all nominees, finalists and our award recipient.

Nursing & Midwifery Leadership Award 2023

The Nursing or Midwifery Leadership Award recognises a leader that demonstrates an innovative approach that contributes to the improvement delivery of quality care, a commitment to the professional development of self and others, utilises leadership, influence and research to enhance patient care, influences a positive culture within their work environment and identifies areas requiring improvement and has actively lead and facilitated change.

Leadership is integral and reviewing the nominations it was inspiring to see the caliber of nursing and midwifery leadership we have here at Western Health. Some of our nominees were even nominated several times!

Finalists: 

• Deni Conraide – NUM,  Bacchus Marsh Urgent Care
• Jessica Roberson – NUM, Sunshine 1B
• Louise Cooke – NUM, Sunshine Emergency Department
• Karen Garratt – Sunshine 2A (Recently commenced as NUM Footscray 3B)

Recipient:

• Jessica Roberson – NUM Ward 1B

As the Unit Manager of 1B, Jess Roberson consistently strives to ensure her team achieves the highest standards of care and best outcomes for all patients. She demonstrates proactive leadership and engages her team through effective role modelling, having fun and joy at work and supporting them through challenges and confronting events. She had led several improvement innovations and has contributed to significant improvements in achievements of the team relating to education, mandatory training and developing capability and competence. Jess herself, continues to undertake education and actively promotes this in others both informally and through informal sessions, programs and courses. Jess’s commitment leads to high numbers of applications for vacancies in her ward and grads who have rotated to 1B asking to come back to be permanent members of the team. This could also be attributed to the events she runs and her impressive Halloween dress ups! Jess inspires her team to always do their best and achieve the highest standards of care for patients. She works with the multidisciplinary team and particularly engages medical staff to ensure a team approach to care.
She negotiates and influences expertly to navigate systems and teams as an advocate for the patients and families/carers in her area and those needing to be admitted into her unit. She follows up concerns proactively and commits to improving patient experiences.
Jess has actively achieved significant clinical improvements in patient outcomes and nurse led indicators performance. She willingly shares these innovative approaches with her colleagues and is a “go to” leader in the POCC Division and more broadly as an exemplar of great leadership practices.

The award was presented to Jessica Roberson by Jo Mapes (Deputy EDONM), Douglas Mill (DONM) and Ryan Dube (DONM).

Congratulations on all nominees, finalists and our award recipient.

Nursing / Midwifery Legend Award 2023

The Nursing or Midwifery Legend Award recognises a staff member nearing retirement or recently retired whose career has significantly enhanced the nursing or midwifery professions, has led changes that improved care delivery and considered by their peers as a nursing/midwifery clinical leader focused on improving the consumer experience.

This is a special award, recognising a lifetime of work that has had immeasurable impact on those that they have care for, and those lucky enough to have worked with these incredible people. They truly are legends! We have 2 worthy recipients:

Recipients:

• Douglas Mill (DONM)
• Professor Bodil Rasmussen (Chair of Nursing)

Professor Bodil Rasmussen has made a remarkable and long-term positive impact on nursing at Western Health. 7 years ago she was the inaugural Chair of the Western Health-Deakin University Partnership, and her leadership, passion and approach has meant that a significant proportion of our nurses now think differently and in a more evolved way about nursing. Bodil has recently announced that she is stepping down from the Chair of Nursing position, and she will finish up at the end of December. She will be truly missed and all that have worked closely with her have considered it a privilege. Bodil is leaving an enduring legacy and has incredibly big shoes to fill. Bodil has enhanced our nurses’ critical thinking and helped them to become curious and interested in research. Her achievements at Western Health are truly amazing, with our nurses now publishing on a monthly basis, presenting at conferences, compiling posters and undertaking projects in a robust way. Recently she has led and contributed to prestigious MRFF submissions that have been successful and attracted substantial grant funding to support nursing research at Western Health. Bodil demonstrates the CARES values in everything that she does and is a strong and respected member of the nursing and midwifery executive team. Her expertise, insights, advice and counsel has always added value and resulted in better, more well-informed decisions. Bodil’s expertise and leadership has been also sought out by our medical and allied health colleagues, and she has always been willing to support others despite already having a huge workload. Bodil has also connected our people up with academic colleagues from across the State, nation and the world, making for excellent opportunities to learn and collaborate. None of this would have been possible without Bodil’s leadership and her commitment to excellence.

Throughout his long and distinguished career at Western Health, Doug Mill has shown commendable leadership through very challenging times, and has been instrumental in the implementation of countless initiatives to further nursing and midwifery professionally, as well as supporting his operational colleagues. Doug is very strong in his professional leadership, and his insights and strategic approach informs initiatives, programs and responses to ensure excellent results. He is also incredibly strong at the financial and business management and processes and have been used as a coach, mentor and resource for numerous staff across the Directorate and by his peers. Doug has willingly and humbly shared his knowledge and developed the capability of others through support and exposure, with excellent effect. Doug has continued to be a key lead in the development and implementation of innovative workflows and models of care, and his leadership continues to display energy and commitment.
Doug has continued to provide strong professional leadership via his role, the Nursing & Midwifery team and the organisation more broadly. He has taken on extremely challenging demands, which has enhanced his standing as an independent health leader that collaborates and works well with others. Doug’s expertise, strategic approach, can-do attitude and collaborate, helpful managerial style is highly respected. Doug is always looking for ways to improve systems and processes, and likes to support our staff on their journey. He has always remained very patient-centred in his approach, and has the experience and outcomes of our consumers informing his actions and decisions. Doug’s advice and guidance is respected and valued.

The award was presented to Doug and Bodil by Wewndy Watson (Deputy EDONM), Nicole Davies (DONM) and Val Dibella (DONM).

Congratulations on all nominees and our award recipients.

Mavis Mitchell Award

The Mavis Mitchell Memorial Scholarship honours the memory of Mavis J Mitchell who was the first Matron of Western Hospital. The intent of this fund, which commenced in 1990, is aimed at supporting early researchers and service improvements by nurses or midwives across Western Health.

It is a $5,000 award or scholarship granted to Registered Nurses and/or Midwives, who are employed within Western Health.

Recipient:

• Kate Law – Newborn Services

Kate Law is a registered nurse and midwife with a post-graduate qualification in neonatal intensive care. Kate’s well developed communication skills that led to her becoming involved in a Quality Initiative in New Born Services Improving Communication, Handover and Teamwork (iCHAT). This project focussed on a collaborative multi-disciplinary communication at handover via the use of a structured tool. Kate joined the multidisciplinary iCHAT team, and assisted with the creation of tool drafts and then with the education, roll-out and ongoing use and evaluation of the iCHAT tool.

The iCHAT team have nominated Kate to share these findings at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand’s Annual Congress in Christchurch New Zealand 2024. The Mavis Mitchell scholarship will fund Kate’s attendance at this conference to present this innovative work on behalf of Western Health.

The award was presented to Kate by Robyn Peel (Director of Education & Learning) and Shane Crowe (EDONM).