Infocus - Department of Health and Human Services

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Infocus
The newsletter of the Royal Hobart Hospital
SUMMER - FEBRUARY 2012 (EDITION No. 42)
Cardiac
Patients
Improving
Their Health
and Fitness
Cardiac patients are benefiting from
the new RHH Cardiac Rehabilitation
Program which is providing exercise
classes and information sessions to help
patients maintain, or improve, their
capacity for exercise and to provide
support and information on how best
to make positive lifestyle changes.
David Fleming and Neil Hill working hard!
Following a review of the cardiac rehabilitation service in 2011 our cardiac
rehabilitation nurses have wholeheartedly supported and led a dynamic and
proactive cardiac rehabilitation program. The team provide both in and outpatient education, conduct assessments, deliver education sessions and work
with patients during their exercise program.
The rehabilitation program consists of a medically supervised exercise
program and education sessions to assist patients suffering from cardiovascular
disease to improve their health and wellbeing.
lifestyle, and benefits of exercise. After completing the program patients are
again assessed, including another 6MWT.
A senior RHH physiotherapist was involved in the development of the
exercise program which is led by the Co-Managers of the Staff Health and
Fitness Centre under the supervision of a cardiac rehabilitation nurse. Patients
are encouraged to work within their limitations with the aim of incorporating
regular exercise into their daily activities to improve their quality of life with the
added benefit of better health and fitness.
Prior to commencing the program all patients have a pre-program
assessment, which includes a six minute walk test (6MWT), to determine
their current level of fitness and to develop an appropriate exercise plan.
Primarily targeting younger patients, especially those who have had an Acute
Coronary Syndromes diagnosis, there are also some older patients, normally
very active, who are benefitting from the gym experience.
The six week program conducts weekly sessions, with a different education
session each week which includes one conducted by social workers specifically
for carers. The education sessions address heart disease and risk factors,
healthy eating, psychological issues, medications, returning to a healthy active
Contents
Better Patient Experiences
2.
Stronger People
4.
RHH Redevelopment
6.
Efficient Systems & Processes
8.
Effective Engagement 9.
Southern Tasmania Area Health Service 11.
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Department of Health and Human Services
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Infocus
Better Patient Experiences
Patients can use a treadmill and/or bike plus do a selection of resistance
exercises, rotating through a circuit. Older patients who do not feel comfortable
or able to attend the fitness centre are scheduled for the afternoon group
where specific supervised ‘chair-based’ exercises are practiced.
Ex patient David Fleming said the rehabilitation program was excellent and
was helping him with his recovery from a heart attack last November. The
staff in the gym are very good and so encouraging,” David said. “They have
helped me to become aware of the importance of exercising and keeping
my fitness going at home.” Neil Hill, who was exercising alongside David
said the program had benefited him greatly in his recovery.
Sue Sanderson, Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator, said “Patients are
enjoying all aspects of the program including the interaction with other
patients and staff and the opportunity to exercise in a safe environment,
gaining confidence in their ability to return to an active, healthy lifestyle.
Many have successfully given up smoking and others are more active than
they have been for many months.”
Student nurses from the Tasmanian School of Nursing rotate through the
program, observing and assisting with pre- and post-program assessments,
and attending the surgery pre-assessment clinic. Exercise physiologists
seeking cardio respiratory and metabolic accreditation, are also attending
the program as well as collaborating with cardiology staff to experience
echocardiography, exercise stress testing and respiratory function testing.
The program has excellent support from Cardiologist Dr Paul MacIntyre
and this has seen an increase in the number of medical patients referred
to the program.
Congratulations to all staff involved in developing this important program.
The Seven Dwarfs
Return to Work
Staff may have noticed the absence of the Seven
Dwarfs in the Liverpool Street foyer. After
spending the last couple of years greeting children
on their entry to the hospital they were a bit dusty
and in need of some rest, recreation and a bath!
The dwarfs
back on the
job greeting
visitors.
After a trip to the hospital’s laundry they were given a head to toe dry clean
and Dopey, Sneezy, Doc, Happy, Grumpy, Bashful and Sleepy are back at
work looking smarter than ever.
The dwarfs have proved to be very popular with out youngest patients and
visitors and they provide an element of fun in a busy, clinical setting.
Dialysis with a
Celebration
When Stephen Brown arrived at Nephrology
South and saw his regular dialysis chair decorated
with balloons and streamers he thought his 90th
birthday may be one to remember; and it was!
After being hooked up to a kidney dialysis machine for his regular session
Stephen was surrounded by staff singing Happy Birthday and bearing a
celebratory cake.
Stephen said that he was surprised, but delighted, that the staff celebrated
his birthday. “I am overwhelmed by the treatment I receive here,” Stephen
said. “It is so gratifying to see such a dedicated group of people – they give
me the care of a king and I feel among angels every day. The nurses are,
without exception, fantastic. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Stephen was diagnosed with Polycystic kidney disease in 1980 which led
to kidney failure and dialysis. He began peritoneal dialysis in 1997 and
haemodialysis in 1999.
For persons with “normal” kidney function, their kidneys filter toxins and
waste products from the blood as well as excess fluid. In people who have
chronic kidney disease (CKD) their kidneys cannot efficiently filter their
blood of impurities that can harm the rest of their body and they need
help to remove waste; ie dialysis. A dialysis machine takes the place of the
failing kidneys and filters blood. The machine removes blood from patients,
takes out toxins, replaces important electrolytes and then returns the blood
to the patient. Patients need to be dialysed three times per week and can
spend between four and six hours hooked up to the machine.
Stephen surrounded by his friends at Nephrology South.
Patients suffering from CKD will need to be dialysed for the rest of their lives
unless they can find a suitable donor for kidney transplantation. However,
dialysis improves the quality of life for patients, and people can continue to
live a full and exciting life with dialysis treatment.
Stephen, who has been retired for 25 years, said he has enjoyed a long and
varied life. Especially during WW2 when he was an Air Force pilot based
in Benghazi. After training, during which he crashed two times but walked
away uninjured, he flew shipping reconnaissance deep into enemy territory
over the Agean and Mediterranean seas. When asked why he joined
the Air Force Stephen said “I was bored sitting in a barrack. I wanted
more glamour.”
Stephen leads a quieter since retiring! He now enjoys listening to classical
music and keeping his mind active by doing crosswords. “I have been lucky
all my life and I am lucky that I still have all my marbles,” he said. “You have
to accept your lot in life.”
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Better Patient Experiences
The Transformation
of a Multidisciplinary
Room
A multidisciplinary room in 4C has been
transformed into a paediatric waiting lounge and
is now a welcoming area for children waiting for
surgery thanks to the efforts of staff and a beautiful
mural designed by Dominee Rieper.
Changes to the Peri operative Services Unit at the end of October last
year meant more children would be admitted through main theatre
admissions rather than DPU. Staff felt it important to create a fun,
friendly space for our young patients and their families to wait in and
began discussions to develop a designated paediatric waiting lounge.
Jim Wyper, Preoperative Coordinator, together with his manager
Madeline Izzard, implemented an action plan to convert an existing
multidisciplinary room into a paediatric waiting lounge.
Jim liaised with hospital staff and everyone worked as a team to get the
room up and running as soon as possible. ”Our Facilities and Engineering
Department were brilliant,” Jim said. “They responded quickly to our
requests and the majority of work was completed in two months.”
Domonee with Jim in the ‘Rainbow Room’.
When the room was ready for occupancy Domonee Rieper, daughter
of staff member Beth Rieper, volunteered to design and paint a wall
mural, which features a brightly coloured rainbow. Domonee was
assisted by her fiancé and Beth who painted the mural after hours, so as
to avoid any disruption to services.
The result of their efforts is a fantastic child friendly, bright, colourful and
welcoming waiting room. Domonee’s artistic talent created a mural
which provides interest, interactivity and colour for children waiting
for procedures.
The ‘Rainbow Room’ is in frequent use and children and their parents/
carers have given very positive feedback to staff.
Beautiful Quilts
Provide Comfort
to Patients
Patient rooms in the Whittle Palliative Care Unit
have been transformed by the addition of beautiful
handmade quilts thanks to the generosity, creativity
and goodwill of quilters from all over Australia.
Members of quilting groups gathered together recently in friendship to
meet with staff at an afternoon tea organised to thank them for their
efforts. The colourful quilts were displayed in the lounge area and one
could be forgiven for thinking that it was the venue for a quilt show!
Professor Michael Ashby, Director of Palliative Care RHH, welcomed
the quilters and thanked them for their creative efforts to benefit patients
in the unit. “This is a deeply moving and amazing afternoon surrounded
by beautiful objects of art,” Michael said. “The quilts were made with a
generosity of heart and spirit. They are comfort for the difficult journey
ahead for our patients and they thank you.”
Christine Batten, Marie Goodall, Professor Ashby, Pauline Lees,
Juki Spurr and Elly Lubbersen at the afternoon tea.
from all over Tasmania and beyond. Fabric was donated from Western
Australia and wadding from South Australia.
Christine Batten, Specialist Palliative Care Social Worker said the unit
has approximately 60 quilts which allows them to select a special quilt
for each patient, taking into consideration their personality and colour
preferences. “We had one patient whose favourite colour was pink,”
Christine said. “We had a beautiful pink quilt which gave the room a
sense of homeliness, comfort and peace for the patient and her family.
Colour is a powerful thing.”
The story of the quilts began approximately 18 months ago. Staff
member Michelle Kelly, RN, had previously worked in palliative care
units interstate which had handmade quilts on patient beds to enhance
the somewhat sterile hospital environment. Michelle, a keen quilter
herself, used her contacts and put out a call for quilts.
Marie Goodall, Southern Representative of the Tasmanian Quilters
Guild said “We appreciate the work done by doctors and nurses at the
Whittle Unit so when we received the flyer from Michelle asking for
donations we distributed it amongst our members and the rest is history
as you can see.” The quilts on view were beautiful with a broad range
of designs and colours and Professor Ashby commented that the display
was better than the Royal Hobart Show!
The quilting community were enthusiastic to help our patients and
their response was overwhelmingly generous. Quilting groups willingly
donated their time and resources and before long quilts began arriving
The art of quilting bought community quilting groups together for a great
cause and we thank them sincerely for bringing pleasure to Whittle
Palliative Care Unit patients and their families.
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Infocus
Better Patient Experiences
If you’re a leapling,
when do you celebrate
your birthday?
A ‘leapling’ or ‘leaper’ refers to someone born on
29 February, a date that only occurs every four
years. 2012 is a leap year and on Wednesday, 29
February Tara Magee and her partner Hayden
welcomed their son at 2:55 am at a healthy 3.5
kilograms.
101.7 HOFM Radio Host, Candy visited the RHH Maternity Unit with
armfuls of flowers for those mothers who had their own little leapling, and
to have a quick chat with Tara and Hayden about their new son.
At the time of writing there was still some discussion as to what to name
their baby boy. With Tara advising that ‘Tarquin’ was slowly winning out
over ‘Nismo’. Tara and Hayden had talked about when to celebrate their
son’s birthday and from now on they’ve decided that he will celebrate his
birth on the 28th of February each year.
Tara, Hayden and Candy with a very special, yet to be named, baby!
Tara has a 10 year old son, and had been advised that she was unlikely to
be able to have another baby, so the new arrival is especially precious to
her and Hayden.
Stronger People
5,025 Years of
Excellent Service
Thousands of years of dedicated service and
support provided by staff to the Royal Hobart
Hospital (RHH) and the Tasmanian Government
were celebrated and recognised at the annual
service awards late last year.
RHH Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larraine Millar, congratulated all
award recipients and thanked them for their outstanding contribution,
commitment and loyalty over the years.
“Collectively, these 302 RHH staff have played an important part in the
health care of thousands of Tasmanians,” Larraine said. “The service
tally equates to 5,025 years of continuous service to the State’s health
system including the RHH and represents medical, nursing, allied health
and corporate and support areas who all play a vital role in the care of
our patients.”
Amazingly, sixteen staff had clocked up an incredible 35 years of service
each! Caroline Cryer who works on Nephrology South was amongst
these. Caroline, who began her career on the Orthopaedic Unit, said she
had enjoyed many years in surgical areas and a highlight of these years
was seeing procedures change and improve, leading to a reduction in
Caroline Cryer receiving her 35 year award from Larraine Millar.
length of stay for patients. “I have really enjoyed my years of service at
the RHH, Caroline said. “I have been here so long that I remember the
buckets of sand provided to patients to butt out their cigarettes!”
The RHH is a small community within the broader community and the
close working relationships formed amongst staff, from all divisions of the
RHH, over many years is testimony of the commitment of everyone to
provide professional services of the highest standard to our patients.
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Stronger People
Donation to
Neurosurgical Unit
Medtronic staff recently flew into Hobart from
Sydney and Melbourne to present an educational
grant to the Tasmanian Neurosurgical Unit.
Kevin Wee and Paul Mullert presented Neurosurgeons Asim Mujic and
Arvind Dubey, and Staff Specialist Bob Linacre with a cheque for $3,000.
“We are delighted to visit today and donate this money to the Neurosurgical
Unit to help staff further their education in the neurosurgical field,” Kevin said.
“Our young Registrars are our future neurosurgeons and this donation
will be of great benefit to them and the RHH,” Dr Mujic said.
Medtronic is a world wide company which develops and manufactures
surgical devices. The company supports many community, patient support
Kevin and Paul with Drs Dubey, Linacre and Mujic.
and medical research organisations, including the Australian Red Cross,
Children’s Cancer Institute Australia and the Royal Flying Doctors Service
We thank Medtronic for this generous donation.
David Collins
Leukaemia Foundation
Late last year staff members Nicole Wright,
Senior Scientist Stem Cell Transplant Laboratory
and Claire Gourley, Registered Nurse Outpatients
Oncology/Haematology, were awarded a
professional development grant by the David Collins
Leukaemia Foundation of Tasmanian to further their
knowledge and skills in caring for patients affected
by leukaemia.
Nicole was awarded the Judy Slevin award which she used to attend the
Haematololgy Society of Australia & New Zealand annual Joint Scientific
Meeting, held in conjunction with other Asia Pacific societies (APBMT
Asian-Pacific Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation Group, and the ISCTA
International Society for Cellular Therapy: Australia), late last year.
Nicole transferring patient cells to cryostorage in liquid nitrogen.
Nicole is a senior scientist responsible for the day to day running of the Stem
Cell Transplant (SCT) Laboratory and is involved in the use of bone marrow
transplants. “Attending the conference, one of the largest haematology
conferences ever held in Australia, provided an invaluable opportunity
to interact with fellow scientists working in the area of Bone Marrow
Transplantation,” Nicole said.
Claire, who works on 1B Oncology Outpatients, was awarded the David
Balon Award and has enrolled in the online Graduate Certificate in Nursing
Science (Apheresis Nursing) course at the University of Adelaide. Claire,
who worked in oncology for six years in Melbourne, said that she was
thrilled to receive the grant which will enable her to further her education
in oncology nursing. “I want to get a better understanding of treatment and
transplant processes so that I can give patients better education and support,”
Claire said.
Congratulations to Nicole and Claire on receiving these awards which will
further their professional development to assist our patients.
Claire at work on 1B Oncology Outpatients.
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Infocus
Redevelopment RHH
Masterplan Unveiled
This existing program of works were never intended to completely rebuild
the RHH but the current funding of $589M will deliver all the benefits
promised to both the Australian Government and our community.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity has been
realised with the recent release of the Royal
Hobart Hospital Redevelopment Masterplan,
outlining Tasmania’s biggest health infrastructure
development.
Design plans for the new inpatient and women’s & children’s precincts,
which will eventually front Campbell Street, at the end of the current
stage of works were also on show. These new inpatient precincts will
expand the hospital's bed capacity to serve the people of Tasmania into
the foreseeable future. Specifically, the women’s and children’s precinct
will deliver integrated services including a first for a Tasmanian hospital –
a dedicated adolescent unit, with flexible design to allow for appropriate
inclusion of adolescent mental health patients.
Jointly announcing the masterplan with Australian Government Minister
for Health, Tanya Plibersek and the State Premier, the Minister for Health,
Michelle O’Byrne said the launch of the site masterplan provided the
community with certainty around the design of the new inpatient precincts,
as well as a vision for the future.
The inpatient precinct, incorporating all inpatient and complementary
services, is expected to be completed in early 2016 and include:
“We have shown the RHH can be redeveloped in stages over the next
decade and beyond, and deliver the equivalent of the scope of the previous
“greenfields” proposal but in a more affordable way, when additional funding
is secured, Ms O’Byrne said.
Following significant consultation with staff and other stakeholders,
the masterplan provides a framework to deliver not only the major
redevelopment urgently needed to modernise the hospital but also support
additional stages to complete the transformation into a modern facility as
further investment becomes available.
• Additional capacity for operating theatres and procedure rooms including
increased endoscopy rooms.
• Additional bed capacity across inpatient wards including more flexible
utilisation of beds and an increased number of single bed rooms.
• Improved surgical intervention and diagnostic facilities, including a 23
hour unit.
• Co-location of functional services, such as outpatient clinics and associated
support services to provide improved patient flow.
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Redevelopment RHH
Getting Closer to
Improving Care for
Oncology Patients
The new $31.1M Cancer Centre to be established on the North-Eastern
corner of the campus (Liverpool and Campbell Streets) has reached
another milestone with the linear accelerator bunker taking shape. Cancer
incidence in Tasmania is expected to increase by 4.7% over the next
decade and the new Centre will increase the hospital’s capacity to meet
current and future demand for cancer services, improve the coordination
of care and access to multi-disciplinary care for oncology patients and
deliver increased access to patient support services.
Jointly funded by the State and Australian Governments, the new Centre
will have expanded space for a new multi-disciplinary outpatient clinics,
a new day oncology ward with increased chair capacity, a new linear
accelerator bunker and associated control and planning rooms, a new
inpatient oncology ward including a multi-disciplinary meeting area with
state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities and a patient support centre.
The patient support centre will provide dedicated space for psycho-social
support, improved accommodation to deliver training and education to
staff and patients (including video conferencing), capacity for preventative
workshops and complementary health care services.
To date, significant enabling works have been undertaken to prepare
A Block to accommodate the new centre and the internal relocation of
current wards and services. These include:
• The construction site “village” located over the driveway entrance to the
Emergency Department, off Liverpool Street;
• A large construction hoist connected to the side of A Block to provide for
removal of construction debris;
• Infrastructure works which include upgrading of fire sprinklers to inpatient
areas and improved fire compartmentilisation of lift lobbies;
• The temporary closure of Campbell Street entrance to allow construction
of the new bunker, to house the hospital’s third linear accelerator for our
radiation oncology patients.
Wellington Centre
Air-Bridge
In coming years, it will be part of the city
streetscape, but the implementation of the latest
element of the RHH Redevelopment is likely to
gather its share of spectators as construction of an
air-bridge across Argyle Street commences.
The recent appointment of Hutchinson Builders signals the start of
construction of the air-bridge, a key component of the Wellington Centre
project. The air-bridge will cross Argyle Street and link up with the main
RHH campus, providing ease of access to the range of outpatient clinics and
services which will relocate later this year.
The leased space within the Wellington Centre will provide unique
proximity to the RHH, enabling access for clinicians working across sites
and for patients referred to and from other services on the RHH campus.
Outpatient services such as satellite pharmacy, pathology and x-ray will
also be located in the Wellington Centre to provide much easier access
for patients while also reducing volume of traffic on the main RHH campus,
particularly during the redevelopment which will continue until early 2016.
Fabrication of the air-bridge structure will take place off-site and is expected
to be lifted into place across Argyle Street later this Winter.
Outpatient clinic services to be relocated in the latter part of 2012 include:
Ear Nose Throat; Eye; Orthopaedics; Audiology; Medical and Surgical;
Hand Physiotherapy; Cardio Respiratory; Special Dental; Plaster and Oral
Maxillo-Facial.
Contract negotiations for the fit out of the leased floors within the Wellington
Centre are continuing, and a contract is expected to be signed soon.
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Infocus
Stronger People
Recognising
Outstanding Medical
Performance
The outstanding performance of junior medical
staff was celebrated recently when medical staff
gathered together to recognise the exemplary
performance of an Intern, Registrar and
Consultant during 2011.
Carla, Frank and Kylie at the award ceremony.
Dr Lynn Hemmings, Medical Education Advisor, said the awards recognise
the achievements of young doctors at the beginning of their careers.
Dr Hemmings said 2011 interns were an outstanding group with
good clinical knowledge, communication skills, team spirit and time
management skills.
Dr Carla Morley was voted Intern of the Year by her fellow interns,
registrars, consultants, NUMs and allied health staff in recognition and
appreciation of her performance and contribution to the team in many
areas. Carla, a UTAS graduate, is now working in Melbourne to further
her ambition of becoming a physician.
Our interns showed their appreciation of the outstanding support and
guidance given to them during their Intern year by voting Dr Kylie
Butcherine, Registrar of the Year. Kylie said that it was an unexpected
honour to receive the award and she was thrilled to receive this
recognition from Interns.
Consultant of the Year was awarded to Dr Frank Redwig who said he
felt flattered and honoured to have received the award. “It was a total
surprise to me as Urology is a small specialty and the number of junior
doctors that rotate through the unit is relatively small,” Frank said. “I would
like to say a big thank you to all the junior doctors especially for the great
work they are doing on a daily basis which I, as consultant, heavily rely on
and could not do without.”
Our congratulations are extended to Carla, Kylie, Frank and last years interns
as they begin their resident rotations at the RHH and other hospitals
throughout Australia.
We welcome our 34 new interns (29 of whom are University of Tasmania
graduates) who have completed orientation and begun 12 months of
continuing medical education and vocational training. As they begin what
will be a busy, diverse and challenging year they will make a valuable
contribution to our hospital.
Efficient Systems & Processes
Saving a precious
resource while
improving safety
These measures have been very
successful.
Although patient
admissions have increased, our
blood product usage remains
stable, compliance with standards
is high overall, and wastage has
been reduced reflecting improved
transfusion practices across the
hospital.
Blood is a precious resource freely given by
Australian donors. Blood wastage can occur
in many ways such as incorrect use of blood
transfusion, damage due to incorrect transport or
storage in the hospital and expiry past the use by
date. Some wastage is unavoidable and inevitable
but a multipronged approach in STAHS has
reduced this significantly.
A carefully developed safe system
for inter-hospital transfer of
blood products across the state
has reduced wastage of blood
products thereby saving an
estimated $280,000 per annum.
Our multidisciplinary transfusion team and transfusion laboratory have
implemented sustainable strategies to reduce blood wastage by developing
a Patient Blood Management Plan, mandatory and targeted education
sessions and active incident reporting and feedback to reduce wastage due
to inappropriate transfusion or poor handling of blood products.
In addition, a recent change in the rules for the use of thawed plasma which
now allows thawed plasma to be stored and used for patients other than
the patient it was initially thawed for, will have a two fold benefit in that it
will reduce the amount of discarded plasma and allow for thawed plasma
to be available immediately when required urgently for massively bleeding
patients.
Katherine Marsden, Director Pathology Services said that the work of the
multidisciplinary transfusion team has put STAHS at the forefront of ensuring
improved and safer blood transfusion along with the added benefit of
significant savings.
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Infocus
Helen Atkinson, Transfusion
Nurse Consultant with Gina
Aitken, Senior Transfusion
Scientist at work
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Effective Engagement
Knitting for Pleasure
and Purpose
donate wool. Amazingly, Elsie,
the coordinator of the group,
admits that she is not a knitter
herself, preferring to organise
fundraising activities and keep
the books.
The RHH has many loyal knitters who willingly
devote countless hours of their time to knit
beautiful items to donate to our oldest and
youngest patients.
Elsie Rayner, Leonie Leaman and Maybene Mann, representing the
Canhope Cancer Support Group, arrived at the RHH with bags filled
to overflowing with their fourth donation of knee rugs for patients in
the Repatriation Centre, teddies for wards and tiny booties and hats
for babies in the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The members are united in
their desire to help others
and knitting is just one of their
activities. They are staunch
supporters of the Cancer
Council Tasmania fundraising
Leonie, Elsie and Maybene with
days and sell Daffodil Day and
some of their donated items.
Pink Ribbon Day merchandise,
as well as helping out the New Norfolk Lions Club. Elsie said that
the ladies are all “good country cooks” and their biggest fundraiser is
a morning tea held in the New Norfolk RSL Club.
The 15 group members, many of whom are in their 80s and 90s,
all live in and around the Derwent Valley. They are assisted by
other keen knitters scattered all over the state that either knit or
Elsie said “It pays to keep busy.” It certainly does ladies and we are
delighted to be the recipients of such beautiful items which stem
from your wish to give to the community and your love of knitting.
Art Donations Brighten Our Hospital
The walls and corridors of the RHH will be more
welcoming and visually attractive to our patients, staff
and visitors thanks to the generosity of artist Julian
Halls and former art gallery owner Terry Kelly who
donated three Peter Chesney artworks.
Peter’s artworks Barn Door – Tiechurst Brewery, Frosty Roots Reflected –
Derwent Valley and The Headland at Cabarita Beach and Julian’s artwork The
Boy and Silver will bring much pleasure and diversion to our patients, and their
families, who can spend a large amount of time in hospital as they undergo
treatment. Research has shown that art in the hospital environment can help
patients deal with their illnesses more effectively, provide comfort; evoke
positive emotions and can help promote healing.
Peter was creative director of an advertising agency in Tasmania before
establishing his own graphic design business. His design work has won many
awards, both in Australia and overseas. He was the winner of the inaugural
Salamanca Art Prize and his work hangs in collections in Australia, the UK and
Melbourne Storm
Players Cheer Up
Our Patients
When Melbourne Storm players Cooper Cronk
and Matt Duffey visited the Paediatric Unit there
were some very excited children waiting to see
them and some equally excited parents and staff!
The team was in town for their last pre season game against the Brisbane
Broncos. Whilst here the players also participated in the club’s community
program, Storm Support. Community activities included coaching clinics
for school children to develop and promote the game, visiting schools and
fundraising for local rugby league teams.
the USA. Peter also taught painting
at Adult Education for over 30 years
and since retiring continues to paint
and teach.
Julian, who grew up influenced by
art (both his parents were artists),
graduated from the University
of Tasmania with an Associate
Diploma of Art Craft and Design
and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1989
has held many solo and group
exhibitions. His other talents include
writing for television, stage and radio
and he is also a published author.
Louise Stokell unpacking the
artworks.
The artworks, with wonderful colour combinations and imagery, donated are
valuable additions to our art collection and will be enjoyed for many years to
come. We thank Terry and Julian for their generosity.
Although some children were
initially a little shy they soon began
chatting and enjoyed the visit. 6
year old Maddi giggled; Natalie
gave high fives; Lillian showed off
her broken arm; and George had
an impromptu game of basketball
in the adolescent sitting room.
It turned out that Cooper and
Matt play rugby much better than
basketball because George won!
Matt and Cooper both said it
was a pleasure to be able to visit.
“Seeing the smile on the children’s
Cooper (left) and Matt cheer
faces is fantastic,” said Matt. “It’s
up Lillian.
good to be able to make a difference
to their day. I can see that some of the children are having a hard time.”
We thank Cooper, Matt and Melbourne Storm for including us in their
Storm Support program and look forward to a future visit.
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Infocus
Effective Engagement
The Sting of Sunburn
It’s a rare person who has never felt the sting of
sunburn. We’ve all heard the warnings, and yet
every year thousands of Tasmanians are caught
out by the unexpected strength of the sun’s rays,
resulting in damage to their skin through sunburn.
Our Statewide Tasmanian Burns Unit took the opportunity during Summer
to remind Tasmanians of the ways in which they could arm themselves
against the sun and its damaging rays.
Rebecca Schrale, Clinical Nurse Consultant at the Burns Unit noted that
people tend to think of the Burns Unit in terms of treatment for scalds and
injuries through fire or accidents, and do not often consider sunburn as skin
damage requiring treatment.
“Sunburn is one of the most common ways in which skin damage can occur.
It can be a painful condition that people can so easily avoid,” said Ms Schrale.
Even though Summer has now passed, we need to remember that the
message is to continue to take care, and prevent sunburns by doing the
Outside 5.
1. Slip on protective clothing
2. Slop on SPF 30 + Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
An extension of the Cool for 20
campaign, the Outside 5 is part of
an ongoing education program by
the Burns Unit which encourages
parents and guardians to discuss
sun protection, first aid for burns
and burn prevention strategies,
with their children, friends and
family members.
As part of this initiative, the
Tasmanian Burns Unit issued 4,300
packages to the statewide Launch
into Learning program, run by
the Department of Education,
which targets parents with children
from birth to 4 years of age. The
package includes information
burns prevention tips, a Cool for
20 magnet, and a Cancer Council
poster on sunburn prevention.
Ms Schrale emphasised the importance of protecting children from the
effects of sunburn.
“Children’s skin is thinner and therefore they burn more easily and deeper,
resulting in more significant burns”.
3. Slap on a sun protective hat
If sunburn does occur, cool the affected area for 20 minutes, apply a
non-perfumed moisturising cream such a sorbolene 4 times a day, and
seek medical attention through your GP if concerned.
4. Seek shade
5. Slide on some sunglasses
New acute older
persons unit at the RHH
This may mean a diagnosis of
dementia for some patients or
end of life planning for others.
Tasmanians living with age related conditions like
dementia and Parkinson’s disease now have access
to a new acute medical unit which offers dedicated
and specialised treatment for older people. The
Acute Older Persons Precinct (AOPP) opened
earlier this month dedicated to the treatment of
acute medical conditions in older patients.
Overseen by the Director of Aged Care, Dr Jane Tolman, patients will be
supported by a team of medical, nursing and allied health professionals.
Patients who might fit into the admission category include older people
suffering from multiple and serious health complaints, who have suffered
from a particularly bad fall, or have dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
Dr Tolman spoke to Infocus about the importance of this new unit.
“We realise that older members in our society need specialised and
dedicated treatment, care and therapy. Not only do they need acute
medical care, but they also require access to other experts like social
workers, occupational therapists and dieticians.
“Importantly, the focus will be on early assessment and planning.
The AOPP will also actively
encourage
family
member
involvement in patient care and
decision making, giving them
confidence in caring for their loved
one when they return home. Family
members of elderly patients need
education and support because they
often feel isolated and at a loss about
how to help their loved ones.
“GPs as primary care givers will
also be invited to take part in family
meetings so they are integrated into
the patient’s acute medical treatment
as much as possible,” Dr Tolman
said.
Mrs Dulcie Taylor with Sue
Curlewis, AIN and Max
Patients may be admitted from other
(Dr Tolman’s dog).
acute wards at the RHH as well as
aged care facilities, transition care
programs, dedicated centres like the Roy Fagan Centre or from home.
The creation of the AOPP has also provided an opportunity to review the
model of care for older patients, resulting in a more patient focussed pathway
from acute inpatient admission through to discharge, utlising relevant outpatient,
rehabilitation and day therapy services along the way.
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Infocus
Rebecca with a sample of a
suitable moisturising cream.
Page 10
Effective Engagement
Tasmanian Firies Help Children
Suffering Burns
Shaun Skelly from the Tasmania Fire Service made
an unexpected visit to the Tasmanian Burns Unit
recently to present a cheque for $1,500 raised by
Tasmania Fire Service Golf Clubs to help children
undergoing treatment for burns.
Shaun explained that the money was raised by Tasmanian Fire Service golf
teams who enjoy getting together with their workmates regularly to keep
fit, have fun and at the same time raise money for charity. The teams do
take their golf seriously though and Shaun was part of a six man Tasmanian
team who competed in the 35th Annual Australasian Fire Brigades Golf
Championships hosted by Northern Territory Firefighters Club in Alice
Springs late last year. Shaun said the team enjoyed the opportunity to
travel interstate to catch up with colleagues from fire services from
Australia and New Zealand. “We had a lot of fun but unfortunately we
came last,” Shaun said. “This year we want to do better!”
The donation will be put toward the purchase of a ditto™ games
console. The ditto™ uses a range of interactive and animated entertaining
stories, games and educational procedural preparation to help provide
a distraction to reduce anxiety and anxiety-related pain in children
undergoing treatment for burns.
Our young patients can interact and play, using the touch screen and
colourful marker keys and at the same time learn about their procedures.
Shaun with Yvonne Echaburu, RN on the Burns Unit.
One of the major benefits of the hand held console is that it is portable,
easy to use and can be used in the bath or shower thus providing
distraction during painful treatments.
Unfortunately burns, especially scalds from hot water and liquids, are one
of the most common childhood accidents. Our thanks go to Tasmanian
Firies for helping us to purchase the ditto™ which will benefit many
children from all over Tasmania who come to the burns unit for treatment.
Southern Tasmania Area Health Service
Clarence Integrated
Care Centre On Track
The construction of the second stage of the
$18.5m Clarence ICC is progressing well and on
track for completion next month. Residents of the
Clarence municipality will have seen the ICC being
constructed over the last year + with the first stage
(GP Super Clinic) completed middle of last year.
The local community will benefit from the additional services to be located
in the new Centre including Centrepath Pathology, ambulatory care centre,
Eastern District Adult Mental Health Services, podiatry, needle and syringe
program and youth health services.
The residents of Clarence and surrounding region will have easier access,
less travel and shorter waiting times for clinic appointments once the ICC
is fully operational. As the name suggests, the ICC is not just about services
operating under one roof. It is about ensuring these services work together to
provide the best client care. This will mean clients will only tell their story once
and will be assisted to navigate through the system.
Jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, the ICC will
provide more accessible health care with an emphasis on prevention with
a focus on hospital avoidance by better supporting patients manage and
monitor chronic health conditions.
A key role in training health care professionals and conducting research, the
ICC will make a significant contribution to training health care professionals
for the future through collaboration with the University of Tasmania and GP
Training Tasmania.
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Page 11
Infocus
Southern Tasmania Area Health Service
Photograph courtesy Roger Lovell, Front Page Photography, North Hobart.
Leonie Hill, Brett Mitchell, Mrs Underwood, the Hon Peter Underwood AC,
Helen Courtney-Pratt, Leonie Sidebottom and Louise Nicholson
(who accepted the award for Jenny Kerrison).
Following in Florence
Nightingale’s Footsteps
In a magnificent reception
room overlooking the beautiful
gardens at Government
House His Excellency, the
Honourable Peter Underwood
AC, Governor of Tasmania,
presented STAHS staff Helen
Courtney-Pratt, Tracey
Hemmings, Jenny Kerrison and
Brett Mitchell with Florence
Nightingale Grants and Awards
which will enable them to
undertake post graduate studies.
Helen Courtney-Pratt, a research nurse in the
Practice and Development Unit at the RHH
was awarded the Aged Care Research Grant
(Returned Sisters). Helen will use the grant
to conduct a research project, Best practice
and support for older people with dementia and
carers in the emergency department: Translating
evidence into practice. The aim of this research
is to improve care provision to people with
dementia, and their carers, attending the
emergency department.
Helen received a previous grant to assist her
to complete her PhD and since then has been
responsible for driving several nursing research
projects to improve patient outcomes.
Tracey Hemmings, Nurse Unit Manager
at the Huonville/Cygnet Community
Health Centres was awarded the Leonie
Sidebottom Grant. Tracey will undertake a
Graduate Diploma of Health Specialisation –
eHealth/Health Informatics which focuses
on the collection, management and the
use of health related data, information
and research. The tools learnt can assist in
the planning and the delivery of more
efficient, effective and more patient orientated
health care.
Jenny Kerrison, a registered midwife
employed within the division of Women’s
and Children’s at the RHH received the Nell
Espie Grant. Jenny is in her first year of a full
time Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) degree
at the RMIT University of Melbourne and the
grant will support her research project Barrier
and enablers of childbearing teenagers’ health
seeking behaviours: Implications for midwifery
practice in southern Tasmania.
The research aims to identify the barriers
and enablers associated with childbearing
teenager’s health seeking behaviours during the
antenatal and six weeks postpartum periods.
In addition, this research will also examine
the views of midwives in relation to the care
of the childbearing teenagers with the aim of
developing a model of midwifery practice that is
user-friendly for childbearing teenagers.
The Florence Nightingale Grants Committee
was established in the 1950s to provide
Tasmanian registered nurses with the
financial opportunity through Study Grants
to undertake post graduate studies. The
Committee, which consists of Tasmanian
nurses, promotes nursing education, nursing
research and advances knowledge and
understanding of nursing practice by grants
to support Tasmanian nurses in achieving
their goals in nursing education and research.
In excess of $500,000 has been awarded to
Tasmanian nurses.
Congratulations to all of the recipients. Your
ongoing professional development studies will
increase your knowledge and allow you to gain
additional specialised qualifications and skills to
complement and diversify your current skills
and at the same time benefit your workplace.
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Infocus
Page 12
Every month the Southern
Tasmania Area Health Service
receives many messages of
support and thanks from
patients and their families.
While most of our community
is aware of the group of
talented, professional, caring
staff we have, we thought we
would reprint some of the
messages to remind ourselves
of the positive feedback
received every day.
Suzanne recently had a total knee
replacement. She wrote to thank her surgeon,
his team, physiotherapists and the nurses on
the Surgical Precinct. “They were absolutely
marvellous. All of them.” We hope you are
recovering well Suzanne.
Dulcie passed on her thanks to everyone
involved in her care after an unexpected
admission to the RHH. “I was given, at all
times, in every aspect of care, medical and
surgical procedures, very professional and
reassuring attention which was responsible
for my speedy recovery.” Thanks for your
positive feedback Dulcie.
Newsletter
Contributions
Please email your
newsletter contributions to:
rhh@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Tel ext. 8846
Autumn deadline 30 April 2012.
Many thanks to the staff who contributed
to this issue. Infocus is produced by
the Community Relations Unit
Royal Hobart Hospital.
ISSN 1833-2234
2630