NSW Premier Mike Baird, Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Member for Lismore Thomas George joined Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan to officially open Stage 3A of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment on 18 November.

We’re committed to improving health care and Lismore Base Hospital now offers the most contemporary health services in the region,” Mr Baird said.

“Our huge hospital building boom continues. We have committed $180 million to the next stage of the redevelopment.”

Mrs Skinner said: “Lismore Base Hospital patients now have a modern Renal Unit, improved access to parking, as well as spacious treatment areas and light-filled rooms throughout.”

“The new emergency department is a beacon for health care across the Northern Rivers and is more than three-times the size of the previous one.”

This stage also included enabling works for new pathology, and temporary maternity, and mortuary services. Additionally, it included expanded medical imaging capacity, a new front entry and associated services. A new, $9 million 270-space multi-storey car park has also been completed.

The redevelopment was jointly funded by the NSW Government ($20 million) and the Commonwealth ($60.25 million).

The NSW Government has committed $180 million to Stage 3B, which will deliver new operating theatres, a birthing unit and nursery, medical imaging services and wards.

Mr George said: “Our community has watched the hospital rise to great heights and the 12-storey south tower, which has a helipad, is now the tallest structure in Lismore.”

Working in partnership with key medical stakeholder organisations, NSW Health recently launched the Statement of Agreed Principles on a Respectful Culture in Medicine.

It sets out the endorsing organisations’ commitment to building a respectful, safe and inclusive environment for our young doctors in training and, by extension, all staff and patients.

To read the full statement, together with the list of endorsing organisations, click here.

The new $88 million Byron Central Hospital (BCH) opened its doors to patients on 7 June 2016, with the first patient being transferred across from Mullumbimby District Hospital.

Executive Director of the Tweed Byron Health Services Group, Bernadette Loughnane, said eight patients in total were moved across from Byron District and Mullumbimby District Hospitals on move day.

Ms Loughnane said the establishment of the Move Day Command Centre by BCH staff at 7.30am enabled the staff to remain patient-focused.

“Since handover from the builders in late February the staff have diligently and conscientiously commissioned the building in preparation to receive our first patient today,” Ms Loughnane said on the day.

“Consequently, the move ran incredibly smoothly. The Emergency Department (ED) received its first patient, a young child, at 8.38am with four patients received to ED by 9.30am.”

Staff of Bangalow, Mullumbimby, and Byron Community Health services moved across to BCH the following day.

Shirley Walker and Fran Hofstee from The Tweed Hospital (TTH) were recently celebrated at the graduation ceremony of the Centre for Healthcare Redesign Diploma Program run by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI).

Their project, Emergency Surgery: Why the Wait? was implemented this year at TTH with the aim of streamlining and improving the surgical journey of emergency surgery patients.

The project focused on education for clinical staff and patients around the different emergency surgery categories, as well as implementing new care pathways for patients requiring emergency surgery.

Graduates of the program are awarded an accredited Diploma of Project Management through a partnership with the University of Tasmania.

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner presented the graduates with their diplomas and praised their commitment to supporting innovation.

“The dedication and passion these staff members have for improving patient care in their facilities is an outstanding example of the committed people we have working across NSW Health, and I commend them on their successes,” Minister Skinner said.

The North Coast Public Health Unit has been notified of a case of measles in a resident of Tweed Heads and anticipates that other cases may emerge over coming days.

Mr Paul Corben, Public Health Director, said that measles is highly infectious among people who are not fully immunised.

Anyone in the Tweed Heads-Coolangatta area who is not protected against measles should be alert for symptoms, particularly those who were at South Tweed Bowling Club on Sunday 4th December 2016, the Gold Coast After-hours Doctor, Palm Beach on Monday 5th or Tuesday 6th December or The Tweed Hospital Emergency Department on Friday 9th December. 

“Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red blotchy rash appears. Complications range from an ear infection and diarrhoea, through to pneumonia and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)” Mr Corben said.

“Vaccination with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only way to prevent infection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children, with the first at 12 months and the second at 18 months of age” Mr Corben said.

People born during or since 1966 who do not have two documented doses of MMR vaccine should contact their local health provider for vaccination advice. People born before 1966 are usually immune because they had measles during childhood. The MMR vaccine is free to people born during or after 1966.

“The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically 8 to 18 days. People are infectious for 24 hours before symptoms appear and for the 4-5 days before the onset of rash and remain infectious until 4-5 days after appearance of the rash. Anyone who contracts measles should stay away from work, preschool, school and other public places until at least 4 days after the onset of the rash when they are no longer infectious” Mr Corben said.

Anyone with symptoms of measles should phone their General Practitioner in advance before arriving for assessment to ensure they can be isolated from other patients” Mr Corben said.

Antibiotic Awareness Week was celebrated at The Tweed Hospital from 14–20 November to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic Awareness Week is endorsed by the World Health Organization and acknowledges the global importance of this growing public health issue.

Staff at The Tweed Hospital combined their efforts to help address the issue of antibiotic resistance through a static display in the foyer and interactive information sessions regarding antibiotics and resistance.

Lydia Che AMS Pharmacist and Dr Alison Winning, ID Physician, visited the wards with a mobile interactive and educational display, providing quiz questions and competitions in order to win giant plush microbes.

The key messages delivered during Antibiotic Awareness Week were:

• Antibiotics are a precious resource that could be lost.

 

• Antibiotic resistance is happening now – it is a worldwide problem that affects human and animal health.

• Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria stops an antibiotic from working effectively – meaning some infections may be impossible to treat.

• Few new antibiotics are being developed to help solve this problem.

• Misuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.

• Whenever antibiotics must be used, they must be used with care.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter today was given the green light to commence flying into the Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) new roof-top Helicopter Landing Site (HLS).

The HLS has been constructed as part of the $80.25 million Stage 3A redevelopment of the LBH, with the new Emergency Department and Renal Unit officially opened by NSW Premier Mike Baird, NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner, and Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley last Friday, 18 November, 2016.

“The new 12-storey south tower of LBH, which includes the new HLS on top, is now the highest structure in Lismore,” Lynne Weir, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Executive Director Richmond Clarence Health Services Group, said.

“The HLS has undergone extensive testing, including complete patient arrival simulations conducted to ensure once the HLS is operational, every possible scenario has been explored and managed.”

Ms Weir said the new HLS was 25 metres in diameter and had undergone significant planning and design to ensure strict aviation authority standards were achieved in the final construction.

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service General Manager Kris Beavis said the HLS would commenced operations at 8am this morning (Wednesday 23 November 2016) noting this development was consistent with the continuing evolution of aeromedical infrastructure in Northern NSW.

“Our operations staff have been actively involved in testing and are ready to utilise the Lismore Base Hospital helipad as part of their mission profile,” Mr Beavis said.

So you think you’re a master chef? Well prove it! The Northern NSW Local Health District Health Promotion unit is holding a Healthy Local Food Cooking Challenge for Northern Rivers residents.

$100 prize vouchers will be awarded for the most appealing, healthy and creative meals. Use only fresh ingredients from the local farmers markets, farm gate, or food you’ve grown yourself. Get a friend or family member to film you preparing or cooking a meal using these ingredients.

Health Promotion: Healthy Local Food Cooking Challenge

Cooking Challenge Flyer

• The meal could be simple, such as a new take on a sandwich; a homemade hummus dip & vegetable sticks; or a more complex meal that you’d see in a restaurant.
• Full details of the competition are on the website.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) this week participated in a two-day workshop, titled Facilitating the Disclosure, aimed at engaging Aboriginal workers and the community on issues relating to child sexual assault.

The workshop, hosted by the Joint Investigation Response Team (JIRT), is a collaboration of NSW Police Force, NNSWLHD, Family and Community Services (FaCS), the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV), and local Aboriginal Community members.

JIRT comprises detectives from the NSW Police Force Child Abuse Squad, child protection caseworkers from Family and Community Services, and health clinicians from NSW Health. It is tasked with investigating allegations of sexual abuse and serious physical abuse of children in NSW.

“The Northern Rivers JIRT office responds to approximately 300 reports of child abuse each year, with JIRT working with children and families to investigate allegations, initiate criminal proceedings, ensure safety and wellbeing of victims, and manage any health and medical needs,” Tamahra Manson, Violence, Abuse and Neglect Manager, Richmond Clarence Health Services Group, said.

“JIRT recognises that sexual abuse of children in Aboriginal communities is still under-reported, with the focus of this two-day Facilitating the Disclosure workshop being how we can target service providers and members of the Aboriginal community in the NNSWLHD.”

The workshop aimed to improve the skills of members of the Aboriginal community in identifying the signs of child sexual abuse, knowing how to respond to disclosures of sexual abuse from children, and understanding the JIRT investigation process.

“Our hope is that this workshop results in increased reporting of child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities in and around the Northern Rivers,” Ms Manson said.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Board and Executive have pledged to become a champion of change in the area of domestic and family violence (DFV), pledging to be part of the solution to the issue across the Health District both within the workplace and in the community more broadly.

Northern NSW Local Health District Board Chair Dr Brian Pezzutti states the Board acknowledge DFV is an issue affecting everyone.

“Domestic and Family Violence is a concern for all, beyond the women and children most commonly the targets of such violence,” Dr Pezzutti said.

 “Every Australian can act to reduce the prevalence and impact of DFV at an individual level.  However, to support individual efforts, key community leaders need to take a strong stance on the issue.

“In recognition of this, the NNSWLHD Board and Executive are formally taking a public stance against DFV. The Board recognises and commits to addressing DFV, whether inside or outside of the workplace.”

Dr Pezzutti said the Board would take the lead in addressing DFV by putting in place strategies to address the issue, with the strategies overseen by NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones who will report back to the Board on a regular basis.

The NNSWLHD Board and Executive undertook training on identifying DFV, the role of the Health Service in ensuring people affected by DFV have their needs met, the issue of DFV as a workplace issue, and ways to respond to DFV in the workplace.

“During the training we also learnt about the power of the bystander in DFV situations and the extent to which we should consider other people’s harmful behaviour our business, even when it doesn’t directly affect us,” Dr Pezzutti said.

The NNSWLHD will now develop a Family Violence Action Plan to guide the organisation in addressing domestic and family violence. Further, banners stating “Everyone has a right to live a life free from violence. The Health Service Says No to Domestic and Family Violence” will be placed at the entrance of all hospitals across the NNSWLHD.

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) will throw open the doors of Lismore Base Hospital’s (LBH) new state-of-the-art Emergency Department (ED) and Renal Unit during a Community Open Day this Saturday 30 July, 2016.

The new ED and Renal Unit, which are scheduled to open late August, are the first sections completed of LBH’s $260 million redevelopment.

The ED and Renal Units comprise part of the Stage 3A redevelopment jointly funded by the NSW Government’s $20 million, and the Commonwealth Government’s $60.25 million provided under the Health and Hospitals Fund.

The NSW Government has provided an additional $180 million for Stage 3B of the redevelopment which will include new medical and surgical wards, a new Women’s Care Unit (maternity), new operating theatres and central sterilising unit, and a new paediatric ward.

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said the Community Open Day would provide residents, staff, and their families with a first-hand inspection of the new 51-bay ED and 18-bay Renal Unit.

“The operational commissioning of the completed 51 bay state-of-the-art ED is currently underway, and we are very excited to be showcasing this remarkable facility which has been described as being among the best in the State,” Mr Jones said.

The Community Open Day will be held on Saturday 30 July from 11am to 2pm. No bookings are required and free parking will be available in the new Uralba Street multi-storey carpark from 11am to 2pm. No food or drink will be permitted to be taken on the tour.

Byron Shire is renowned for its fine food experiences and at the new Byron Central Hospital (BCH) the story remains the same.

The Blessed Bean café opened for business this week with staff, patients and visitors discovering the healthy food choices and carefully crafted coffee on offer in the café.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Wayne Jones said cafés were an important element in modern hospitals as they provided respite as well as refreshments to staff and patients.

“The café has become the meeting place for staff during their breaks to get away from the often stressful and emotional work they do each day,” Mr Jones said.

“Similarly, the café also provides a place of respite for those visiting loved ones during difficult times.”

 The Blessed Bean staff believe that coffee has the power to change the world, and focusses on sourcing the finest coffee and produce to provide the best possible experience for their customers, with specialty grade coffee and locally grown fresh produce.

The Blessed Bean café is located in the main reception area of BCH and is open currently from 6.30am Monday to Friday.

Atwo-day Aged Care Symposium being held in Ballina on July 21st and 22nd will feature an impressive line-up of guest presenters focusing on the broad symposium theme: The Forgotten Issues of Dementia – Emerging Insights and Developments.

There are more than 353,800 people in Australia currently living with dementia, with about 1.2 million people involved in the care of someone with dementia.

Of those people diagnosed with dementia, about 60 per cent are women, about 75 per cent are aged 75 years or older, and about 70 per cent live in the community (as opposed to aged care facilities).

Symposium coordinator and Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Nurse Practitioner Psychogeriatrics, Anne Moehead, said the guest speaker line-up was impressive and would provide a broad understanding of the challenges faced by people living with dementia.

“There are more than a dozen guest presenters over the two days covering a broad range of topics from caring for someone with a cognitive impairment to the introduction of social robots for people with dementia to the delicate topic of sexuality and dementia,” Ms Moehead said.

“We will also be holding two concurrent workshops looking at the experience of dementia as well as how to build memory bridges and how to establish care competency goals with dementia.”

The symposium is collaboration between the NNSWLHD and the Primary Health Network. It will be held at the Ballina RSL Club.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has made a commitment to a more diverse workforce by embracing NSW Health’s Stepping Up campaign.

Stepping Up is a NSW Health website that helps Aboriginal people find jobs in the health sector. Since Stepping Up was launched in May 2015 it has received an average of 7785 visits per month and its Facebook site has reached 494,622 people, with females generating 82 per cent of the clicks.

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said Stepping Up assisted employers in finding Aboriginal candidates for positions across the health sector.

“Stepping Up provides information and tools to help managers find the best person for each position,” Mr Jones said.

“It’s important we place people in jobs that match their skills, experience and aspirations so they’re more likely to stay in the health workforce and carve a meaningful and successful career.

“NNSWLHD is committed to increasing Aboriginal representation in our health workforce and it’s very encouraging to see such a high number of hits on the Stepping Up website.”

The website highlights a range of employment opportunities including medical and primary care practitioners, nurses, midwives, service and program managers, Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal Mental Health Workers, administrators and leadership positions.

The Stepping Up website provides guidelines on employing and supporting Aboriginal staff, as well as:

Information on cadetships and scholarships Help with searching for a job Information about available positions Job application tips

Mr Jones said the website aimed to boost the number of Aboriginal employees in the NSW Health workforce to help close the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

“Employing more Aboriginal health workers to provide culturally appropriate and accessible care in our communities will help improve health outcomes and close the gap, which is our ultimate goal,” Mr Jones said.

The Stepping Up website can be viewed at: http://www.steppingup.health.nsw.gov.au/

• Information about submitting a job application
• Details on screening and checks.

The much anticipated multi-storey car park opposite the Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) in Uralba Street will open on Monday, 4 July at 5am.

An additional 270 car parking spaces will be made available in the hospital precinct as part of the $9.27 million project, delivered by Health Infrastructure.

The car park construction was primarily delivered under the NSW Treasury supported Car Parking Portfolio Model, where car parks are self-funded, supported with user charges and managed by a professional car park operator.

In accordance with NSW Health policy for health campuses which are subject to car park redevelopment, there will be the introduction of time-based fees (including concessional rates for eligible users such as pensioners) for car parking at the new LBH multistorey carpark.

A random ballot was held for LBH staff who wished to apply for car parking permits on the LBH campus in a bid to find an equitable solution to the demand for parking from LBH’s staff.

Full-time staff successful in the ballot will pay $12 a week for parking, while part-time staff working up to and including 24 hours a week will pay $6 a week.

Public parking fees will range from $3 an hour to a maximum of $8 per day. The first 15 minutes of parking at the multistorey carpark will be free. Concession parking is free for the first three hours up to a maximum of $3 per day.

The car park will be managed by Care Park on behalf of the Northern NSW Local Health District.

Extensive community, staff and stakeholder consultation was undertaken in the past 12 months to prepare for the introduction of parking fees.

Eyes will turn to the skies above Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) on Tuesday 21st June as the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service conducts day and night test landings on the new roof-top Helicopter Landing Site (HLS).

The HLS has been constructed as part of the $80.25 million Stage 3A redevelopment of the LBH, with the new Emergency Department and Renal Unit currently in the commissioning phase ahead of an anticipated opening in August 2016.

“The new 12-storey south tower of LBH, which includes the new HLS on top, is now the highest structure in Lismore,” Lynne Weir, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Executive Director Richmond Clarence Health Services Group, said.

“The HLS will become operational when the new ED opens, so Tuesday’s testing is a vital milestone in its completion.”

Ms Weir said the new HLS, being 25 metres in diameter, had undergone significant planning and design to ensure strict aviation authority standards were achieved in the final construction, with Tuesday’s test landings only one of many tests that would occur before the HLS was given final clearance to go into operation.

 The HLS testing will be held throughout the day on Tuesday, with the helicopter crew landing and taking off during the day and again after dark to determine all systems are operational for the new HLS.

It has been a part of the Lismore skyscape for the past 21 months, but this Friday 17 June from 7am Steely Steelo – the 70-metre tall crane towering over the Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) redevelopment site – will be dismantled.

“Steely Steelo” was named in October 2014 by then eight-year-old Josie Bligh-Jones of Lismore Heights Public School who won the school-run naming competition.

The crane has now completed its task of constructing the exterior of the 12-storey first tower of the Stage 3a redevelopment at LBH.

Northern NSW Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Annette Symes said dismantling the crane enabled the finishing touches to occur on the entrance to the new LBH Emergency Department (ED).

“The removal of the crane is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of LBH,” Ms Symes said.

“The operational commissioning of the completed 51 bay state-of-the-art ED is currently underway, with the removal of the crane enabling completion of the public entrance into the new ED.

“The crane has been a striking visual element of the Lismore sky for the past almost two years, so I’m sure its removal will attract quite a crowd.”

Uralba Road between Hunter and Dibbs Street will be closed all day on Friday to enable the crane dismantling and removal. Access to Uralba Street ED, and LBH Main Entrance will be provided during the closure from the Hunter Street side of the hospital.

The new $88 million Byron Central Hospital opened its doors to patients this morning, with Ocean Shores resident Victor Retallick being the first patient transferred across from Mullumbimby District Hospital.

Mr Retallick was full of praise for the new hospital which is built on the six hectare greenfield site at Ewingsdale.

“The hospital is just beautiful, and the staff are wonderful,” Mr Retallick said.

Executive Director of the Tweed Byron Health Services Group, Bernadette Loughnane said eight patients in total were moved across from Byron District and Mullumbimby District Hospitals this morning, with the first patient arriving at 8.30am.

Ms Loughnane said the establishment of the Move Day Command Centre by Byron Central Hospital staff at 7.30am enabled the staff to remain patient-focused.

“Since handover from the builders in late February the staff have diligently and conscientiously commissioned the building in preparation to receive our first patient today,” Ms Loughnane said.

 

“Consequently, this morning’s move ran incredibly smoothly. The Emergency Department (ED) received its first patient, a young child, at 8.38am with four patients received to ED by 9.30am.

“Our next major milestone will be the birth of our first baby at Byron Central Hospital, with no mother yet in labour, and the performance of our first CT scan.”

Ms Loughnane praised the professionalism and teamwork of all staff during today’s move and said she was looking forward to the Bangalow Community Health Centre move tomorrow.

The new $88 million Byron Central Hospital (BCH) at Ewingsdale is scheduled to open its doors to patients on Tuesday 7 June, 2016 at 8am.

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has completed its scenario testing and made the final adjustments to the newly completed BCH, with staff ready to commence services.

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said the commissioning phase of the new hospital was now completed with the removalist to begin moving across to the new BCH on Tuesday 7 June.

“All things going to plan, the new BCH will receive patients into the new Emergency Department from 8am on Tuesday 7 with all inpatients then transferred by hospital transport from the current Mullumbimby and Byron District Hospital, which will close their doors to patients,” Mr Jones said.

“Visitors will be welcomed to visit patients from 2pm on Tuesday 7 June.

“On Thursday 9 June, the existing Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Byron Community Health services will open at the new BCH.”

Mr Jones said there were specific strategies in place for the Mullumbimby Birthing Service, with any woman in labour at Mullumbimby District Hospital prior to the 7 June 8am move to remain at the hospital until post-delivery. Any mother in labour after 8am on Tuesday 7 June is to present to the new BCH.

The Byron Central Hospital will open in Go Live!

In a new TV campaign for BreastScreen NSW, breast cancer survivor Kerri Welsh shares her story of the life-saving potential of two yearly mammograms.

https://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/kerris-story/

Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Minister for Mental Health Pru Goward officially opened the $88 million Byron Central Hospital and mental health unit on Monday 9 May 2016.

They were joined by NSW Parliamentary colleagues, Northern NSW Local Health District Executives, Board members and staff, and local community members.

Mrs Skinner said Byron Central Hospital will transform health care in the Byron Shire.

“Hospital and ambulatory care patients will both be able to access expanded clinical and integrated services under one roof. The emergency department is now offering a higher level of emergency care than previously available in the district,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I thank the project team and Byron’s dedicated health professionals for delivering this long-awaited hospital to the community.”

Byron Central Hospital’s services include 24-hour emergency care in a state-of-the-art 14-bay emergency department, low-risk maternity services, enhanced x-ray and medical imaging, increased cancer care and an on-site pharmacy. New modern and spacious rooms allow for future capacity for up to 43 beds in the inpatient ward.

The purpose-built facility will also provide expanded integrated services for ambulatory care clients, with community and allied health services including a dental service with four chairs, physiotherapy and a rehabilitation gym.

Ms Goward said the new 20-bed sub-acute mental health facility was a first for the Byron Shire.

“The district now has a dedicated space to treat mental health inpatients and community mental health services are also available on-site. The Byron Shire has unique mental health needs and I’m pleased priority was given to these services as part of the redevelopment,” Ms Goward said.

Construction on the project finished at the beginning of March with the first patients anticipated in the new facility before the end of May. The new hospital replaces the older, smaller hospitals in Byron Bay and Mullumbimby and community health centres in Bangalow, Brunswick Heads and Ocean Shores.

More than 700 visitors came to Byron Central Hospital’s community open day on Saturday 9 April, enjoying the opportunity to see the new $88 million hospital before it opens next month.

The day commenced with a Welcome to Country by Arakwal Traditional Custodian Delta Kay, and short speeches by senior Northern NSW Local Health District executives.

Members of the community were then guided on half-hour tours of the new facility.

The Byron Central Hospital project was funded by the NSW Government, and overseen by Health Infrastructure NSW. Leading contractor Brookfield Multiplex built the hospital on the 6ha Ewingsdale site, delivering an important piece of social infrastructure to the Byron Shire community and the many visitors to the area.

The project was managed by Savills Australia, and designed by architect Nettleton Tribe. The 9400 square metre complex features overnight inpatient beds, 24/7 Emergency Department, non-acute inpatient mental health unit and ambulatory care (allied and community health) consult rooms and clinic spaces.

NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive Annette Symes said it was rewarding to see so many community members take the time to attend the open day.

“We are delighted with the level of support from the Byron Shire community in viewing their wonderful new hospital,” Ms Symes said.

“Visitors were excited to see the Suzanne Jamieson maternity unit with large birthing baths in the three suites, and the top-end imaging equipment, including the $1m CT scanner. The superbly equipped emergency department also attracted close interest.”

Ms Symes said the NNSWLHD was currently in the middle of the commissioning phase of the new BCH, with an anticipated opening to patients in mid-May.

The current mental health structural resources and associated opportunities for the Clarence Valley is set to be examined to develop an ‘all of community’ strategy to address the critical incidents during the past year, and the resulting emotional toll on families, friends and the community.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Director of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol, Dr Richard Buss, said the Clarence Valley community had been deeply affected by recent tragic losses, with a number of agencies across the Clarence Valley coming together  to discuss this complex issue and consider what could be done to avoid these tragedies.

“I would like to acknowledge the work done by Ms Giane Smajstr, Community Development Officer for Clarence Valley Council, who began coordinating a number of meetings aimed at considering ways of supporting vulnerable individuals and their families by promoting a greater sense of social connectedness within the community,” Dr Buss said.

“The initial meetings attracted a range of local agencies from the health, Aboriginal and welfare sectors, and became a platform to invite input from other larger agencies including representatives from the NNSWLHD, Primary Health Network (PHN), Aboriginal Medical Services and the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH).

Dr Buss said a forum of local agencies held last week welcomed guest Professor David Perkins Director CRRMH, based in Orange NSW.

“The commitment of agencies to work together to find sustainable solutions was evident with highly motivated and committed representatives attending the meeting,” Dr Buss said.

“Professor Perkins provided his knowledge and insights into strategies for improving protective factors against individual social isolation and promoting community resilience and support.”

The forum became a very open and robust discussion covering a range of issues with some emerging themes:

 

• That  evidenced based,  preventative strategies have been shown to have significant positive impact of social connectedness in rural and regional communities across Australia; and
• That there were many structures, bodies and groups within the community who are not traditionally aligned with health promotion activities, who are likely willing participants and have a role to play in an all of community strategy.

Dr Buss said the forum felt strongly that the momentum needed to continue, with Professor Perkins recommending the services of Robyn Considine,  an Associate of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health and Conjoint Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Newcastle.

Ms Considine has extensive project management experience and has undertaken consultancies on a local, state and national level. She has extensive experience in combining service delivery and research to improve evidence based service delivery within mental health.

Ms Considine will next week commence community consultations to determine the level of structural resources and associated opportunities within the Clarence Valley, and then develop a Report to be reviewed and discussed at a facilitated community workshop to build a localised and planned strategy for mental health services within the Clarence Valley.

“It was an honour to be invited along to facilitate this important and emerging forum and I am confident that, with the assistance of research and consultation, the Clarence Valley community has the motivation and ability to make a significant difference to the emotional well-being and resilience of communities within the Clarence Valley,” Dr Buss said.

Dr Buss said Ms Considine will be based in Grafton for several weeks. Community groups and individuals who wish to contribute to the consultation are invited to contact NNSWLHD Mental Health Services on (02) 6620 2623 to register their interest to meet with Ms Considine.

These appointments will be held in various locations across the Clarence Valley. Ms Considine will also make contact with community groups over the next few weeks.

Everyone is invited to the new Byron Central Hospital Community Open Day on Saturday 9 April 2016, 10am-2pm

Free guided tours of around 30 minutes will give groups of 15 visitors a preview of the new facility.

The tours of the new $88M complex, funded by the NSW Government, will visit key areas of the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Medical Imaging (x ray, ultrasound and state of the art CT scanner), Inpatients Unit, Mental Health and Birthing Unit.

To ensure the smooth scheduling of tours, visitors are asked to register their preferred time at www.bchopenday.eventbrite.com.au

Bookings can be made online from Monday 14 March – Wednesday 6 April 2016 at www.bchopenday.eventbrite.com.au or, by calling 0409 984 488 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

Please wear flat shoes and arrive 10 minutes before tour time.

When the hospital opens, all acute and ambulatory care, and birthing services, offered at Byron Bay and Mullumbimby Hospitals, and Bangalow Community Health will be moving to the new location.

Byron Central Hospital is located on Ewingsdale Road (6km from Byron Bay, 600m from M1 Pacific Motorway), enter from either direction via the roundabout at main entrance. On-site parking will be available.

Saturday 9 April 2016 – 10am-2pm

Lismore has five new Mental Health nurses following the recent graduation of participants in the Transition to Mental Health Nursing Program (TMHNP).

The Network Manager for the Northern NSW Local Health District’s (NNSWLHD) Richmond/Clarence Mental Health Services, Warren Shaw, said the TMHNP had been running in Lismore since 2012.

“During this period, 17 Registered Nurses have taken part in the 12-month program which aims to introduce nursing staff to the specific skill set required to work within Mental Health,” Mr Shaw said.

“In Lismore, the TMHNP employs two first year Registered Nurses (RNs) and three second year RNs each year. These five staff shared clinical rotations in the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit (CAIPU), the Acute Care Service (ACS), and the Lismore Adult Mental Health Unit (LAMHU).

“Participants also attended four-hour fortnightly education session that incorporated senior clinicians across the Network presenting a wide variety of topics, including subjects such as evidence-based practice and research, psychoanalytic theories, and Mental State Exams to assess current functioning.”

The 12-month rotation also requires participants to complete a range of academic studies including oral projects, online learning commitments, and three major written assignments that critically examine aspects of Mental Health Nursing including: risk assessment, models of care, legislation, and contemporary mental health care. It is expected that these assignments are produced at a Post-Graduate level.

“Mental Health nursing is an incredibly rewarding career pathway and we welcome the five new TMHNP participants to the Lismore Mental Health Campus,” Mr Shaw said.

Mr Shaw acknowledged that the success of the TMHNP program each year was largely due to the hard work and enthusiasm of the coordinating Nurse Educators Ryan Rooney and Shane Scofield and their ability to elicit support and input from senior clinicians across the Mental Health Campus.

The TMHNP program currently runs both in the Tweed Hospital and Lismore Mental Health Campuses. In 2016 the program has been expanded to include participation from Grafton Mental Health Services with plans to include in Byron Bay Services in the future.

The Member for Lismore Thomas George and Acting Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Narelle Gleeson provided a warm welcome to the 23 Nursing and Midwifery graduates on 4 February, 2016, who have commenced working across the Richmond Network of the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).

A total of 75 First Year new graduate nurses and midwives have commenced working within the NNSWLHD, with Ms Gleeson stating that the 23 in Richmond Network will rotate across the entire network from Ballina to Urbenville, and including Lismore, Casino and Kyogle Hospitals.

In welcoming the new graduates, Annette Symes, Acting Chief Executive, said it was always pleasing to see new graduate nurses and midwives choose to take a rural placement and work in Northern Rivers’ hospitals.

“Nurses and midwives are an indispensable part of the health system and are central to the care of our patients in both the hospital and community setting,” Ms Symes said.

“Our Clinical Nurse Educators play an essential role in orientating the new graduate nurses and midwives to the hospital environment, especially the acute care areas such as the operating theatre, acute surgical and medical wards and Mental Health Units.”

Mr George congratulated the new graduates and stated they were entering the workforce on the cusp of an exciting time for Health in Lismore.

“It is a very exciting time for Health in Lismore with the Stage 3B redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital taking place and the much anticipated car-park soon to be finished,” Mr George said.

“I wish every one of you all the best on your future career paths.”

Ballina District Hospital has become a much brighter place to be thanks to the creative efforts of Ballina Shire’s artistic preschool children.

The Executive Officer/Director of Nursing of Ballina Hospital, Peter Jeffree said stage three of the Art Gallery Space at the Ballina Hospital/Rehabilitation Unit was officially opened on Friday 5 February 2016, with representatives of the Shire’s local preschools, including some of the young artists themselves, in attendance.

Ballina Shire Mayor Cr David Wright and NNSWLHD Board Member Dr Sue Page officiated the opening ceremony, with Cr Wright handing out certificates of appreciation to the participating preschools.

“The stage three exhibition comprises artwork from nine pre-schools and kindergartens in the Ballina Shire,” Mr Jeffree said.

“The hospital already has stage one and two incorporating canvases painted by our local Primary and Secondary Schools. All the canvases have been kindly donated by the Ballina Hospital Axillary.”

Mr Jeffree said the theme for Ballina’s creative young artists was ‘Our local area’ with many of the pieces capturing the beautiful blues and whites of Ballina’s many beaches.

“The children’s artwork supports the therapeutic benefits that visual art has in health care facilities for patients, staff and visitors alike,” Diversional Therapist Tracey Beck, of Ballina Hospital’s Transitional Care Unit/General Ward, said.

“The brightly coloured canvases created by the pre-school and kindergarten students are an extension of the existing artwork which has bought warmth and life to an area which previously a long bare space.”