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One Focus
Enhancing health service delivery in the south metropolitan area
Autumn 2015
ƒƒ Mental Health services
in the South
ƒƒ Care closer to home
for cancer patients
ƒƒ New hand service
southmetropolitan.health.wa.gov.au
Contents
New procedures saving lives
3
Supporting vulnerable young mums
4
Care closer for cancer patients
5
Day Admissions Centre takes
front position
6
Moss Street steps towards
Alma Street address
6
A firm grip on hand services
7
Happenings at Fremantle
7
Continuity of midwifery care 8
Helping migrant women
9
Mental health services at our hospitals 10
Culturally appropriate mental
health care
12
Working with business to stop
the smoke
12
Historic moment for new
hyperbaric service
13
Patient centred care recognised
14
Patient focus for nurses
15
Peel breast service
15
Contact details
For all editorial queries contact the
One Focus editor:
Communications
South Metropolitan Health Service
16 Ogilvie Road
MOUNT PLEASANT WA 6153
T: 08 9318 7500
E: [email protected]
W: www.southmetropolitan.health.wa.gov.au
This document can be made available
in alternative formats on request.
© State of Western Australia,
Department of Health 2015
One Focus
From the desks
After meticulously planning one of
the most significant patient, service
and staff moves in WA Health history,
the transition of services in the south
metropolitan area is complete and
Fiona Stanley Hospital is open.
Within six months two hospital sites – Shenton
Park Campus and Kaleeya Hospital – closed
along with Fremantle Hospital’s Emergency
Department. With great care we have moved
a total of 230 patients – with many being some
of our sickest patients. In addition, more than
40,000 outpatients in 25 speciality areas were
relocated throughout clinics.
Adjunct Associate
Professor Robyn
Collins
Royal Perth Hospital transitioned to a
450-bed tertiary hospital and Fremantle Hospital
became a 300-bed specialist hospital.
These are significant achievements and never
before has something of this type occurred in
Professor Frank Daly
Australia or the world. Whilst it hasn’t been
without difficulties, what has been achieved is
worth recognising and celebrating, particularly the dedication of staff
who went through the change and continued to provide excellent care
to patients.
The journey, however, hasn’t ended and we are not resting on our
achievements.
Over coming months we will consolidate and refine our services across all
our hospitals so we can achieve the return on the huge investment made in
WA Health.
Our focus remains on providing high quality care to our patients and the
community so they can be comfortable with being treated in any of our
hospitals and by any one of our clinical teams.
This edition showcases a small sample of some of the ways we continue to
put the patient first and foremost in everything we do.
Adjunct Associate
Professor Robyn Collins
Chair, SMHS Governing
Council
Professor Frank Daly
A/Chief Executive, SMHS
Front page: Hand Service Lead Orthopaedic Surgeon Paul Jarrett
with Occupational Therapist Jude Feldman and Clinical Nurse
Coordinator Nicola Mawson.
New procedure saving lives
The leading cause of death in trauma
patients within the first 24-hours is the risk of
haemorrhaging and a team of Royal Perth Hospital
trauma doctors are at the forefront of saving
patients who are minutes from death.
The Royal Perth Hospital State Adult
Major Trauma Unit is the first team
in Australasia to perform the new
procedure that stops uncontrolled
internal bleeding.
“The REBOA procedure is
less invasive, helping to
reduce the impact on the
patient and shorten their
recovery time.”
Dr Dieter Weber, who has
performed the lifesaving procedure,
said Resuscitative Endovascular
Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta, or
REBOA as is commonly known, is
a last chance for patients who are
haemorrhaging.
REBOA involves inserting
a tube into the artery at
the groin and feeding it
up into the aorta in the
heart.
“REBOA is performed in the
Emergency Department on patients
who often have no pulse and who,
without this procedure, wouldn’t
make it from the Emergency
Department to the operating theatre
in time,” Dr Weber said.
An x-ray is taken to
ensure the tube is in place before
inflating a small balloon to stop
blood from flowing out of the heart
and leaking out of the damaged
organs.
“Preventing blood-loss buys the
time needed to take the patient to
Dr Dieter Weber
surgery and repair their damaged
organs,” Dr Weber said.
REBOA has been used at Royal
Perth Hospital in place of a
resuscitative thoracotomy, a
procedure where the chest is cut
open and the rib cage broken in
order to directly access a patient’s
aorta and insert a clamp.
Royal Perth Hospital State Adult
Major Trauma Unit is the second
largest trauma unit in the country
and is constantly working to
improve treatment methods so
patients have a fighting chance.
“REBOA is performed on
patients who often have
no pulse and without this
procedure, wouldn’t make
it to the operating theatre
in time.”
│ 3
Supporting vulnerable
young mums
Armadale Health Service’s Supporting Those at Risk (STAR) clinic is assisting vulnerable
women with complex social and health issues.
Armadale Health Service
Clinical Midwife and STAR Clinic
Coordinator Belle Sexton said
the specialist service focuses on
providing a one-stop antenatal
clinic for young women with
substance or alcohol abuse,
living with a mental illness or are
mothers aged below 17 years.
professionals and obstetricians
to break down the barriers for
vulnerable women accessing care
and bring about better outcomes for
mothers and their babies.
Samantha Gauci, who was referred
to the STAR clinic due to medical
complications she experienced in
her previous pregnancy, said she
felt supported by this specialised
service.
“Our focus is on providing
antenatal education and care that
is individualised to each mother’s
circumstance whilst covering the
fundamentals of childbirth and
parenting,” Ms Sexton said
“We seek to build trusting
relationships with vulnerable
women in a caring, nonjudgemental environment to
ensure they receive continuity of
care throughout their antenatal
period and to provide advocacy on
their behalf where necessary.”
STAR midwives have specialist
Samantha Gauci with
Armadale Health Service STAR
Clinic Midwife Kristy Zani.
“Being able to see the same
midwife at every appointment
instead of a different person each
time, makes it more comfortable
for me to talk about problems and
issues that may arise,” Ms Gauci
said.
knowledge in the field of substance
use and mental health disorders
and their impact on maternity
care. They work collaboratively
with social workers, mental health
The clinic also provides support
to women who are experiencing
family and domestic violence or are
being assisted by the Department
for Child Protection and Family
Support.
Quick facts
ƒƒ Service supports vulnerable pregnant women
who are:
ƒƒ involved in substance or alcohol use
ƒƒ living with mental illness
ƒƒ experiencing family and domestic violence
ƒƒ being assisted by Department for Child
Protection and Family Support
ƒƒ mothers aged below 17 years.
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ƒƒ S
ervice provided by midwives trained in
managing complex and social issues.
ƒƒ Women will be supported through a personalised
care plan based on their circumstances.
ƒƒ Women will have access to support provided by
mental health liaison, social work and a specialist
obstetrician.
For more information call 08 9391 2901.
Patient Peter Willars with Acting Clinical Nurse Julie MacLeod and Clinical Nurse Specialist
Maxine Reynolds.
Care closer for cancer patients
The number of patients receiving chemotherapy services at Rockingham General
Hospital has increased and so too the service to meet growing demand.
Geraldine Carlton Executive Director said the
expanding chemotherapy service gives many patients
from Rockingham, Kwinana and surrounding areas
the option to have their treatment closer to home and
importantly, near to their support networks.
Maxine Reynolds has been Clinical Nurse Specialist
in the unit since its opening, as have most of the
four-strong nursing team, and has seen the expansion
in the service and the need to develop closer ties to
community networks.
“With a 48 per cent increase in admissions to the
same-day clinic in the past 12 months, this is an
important service for Rockingham General Hospital to
provide to patients in the area,” Geraldine said.
Maxine said the team are only too aware of the
importance of support programs for patients which is
why the team has been proactive in developing our
own links with local organisations.
“While it may still be necessary for some patients to
travel to the tertiary sites for specialist care, many
are now able to receive their treatment and followup appointments at Rockingham General Hospital.
The benefit of being closer to a patient’s support
networks, and the difference this makes, can’t be
underestimated.”
“We regularly host ‘Look good…Feel better’ workshops
for patients, which boosts their confidence as the
sessions give information and tips on managing the
appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment,”
Maxine said.
The growth has been accompanied by the introduction
of oncology and more recently haematology outpatient
clinics at Rockingham General Hospital.
While the majority of patients attending the unit receive
anti-cancer drugs, a number receive immunotherapy
and transfusions to treat a range of other illnesses.
The unit has a combination of treatment beds and
chairs, spread across two light, bright areas, allowing
for the treatment of up to 10 patients at any one time.
There is also an isolation procedure room within the
unit.
│ 5
Day Admissions Centre
takes front position
Behind the locked doors of the former Fremantle Hospital Emergency Department,
work has started on creating the new 50-bed Day Admissions Centre.
Instead of treating people needing emergency care, the unit will be used to admit and discharge patients requiring
admission for any surgery or procedure at Fremantle Hospital, no matter their length of stay.
Clinical Nurse Manager Leesa Kerr, who will head the unit when it opens in June, said the centre would streamline
the hospital’s admission and discharge process for patients and staff.
“All patient admissions will come through the one central entrance, which will greatly simplify the often daunting
task of finding your way through a busy public hospital with multiple entrances,” Leesa said.
Construction of the centre is one of the major changes at Fremantle Hospital as it starts its new life a 300-bed
specialist service.
It is part of the Bigger Picture in Health and the $19m allocated to Fremantle Hospital for its upgrades.
Moss Street steps towards Alma Street address
The hub for rehabilitative care at Fremantle Hospital and Health Service will soon have a
new address and more opportunity to expand its service.
For the past 14 years, East
Fremantle’s Moss Street Centre
has provided a comprehensive
off-site rehabilitation service and is
now preparing to continue its care
provision in the former Fremantle
Hospital Children’s Ward.
physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, dietitians, speech
pathologists, social workers, therapy
assistants and a clinical psychologist.
While the location is changing, the
service will continue to focus on
providing multidisciplinary care for
people aged over 18.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Janice Guy
said bringing the services and the
associated staff on-site highlighted
the important role rehabilitative care
had to play in the configuration of
Fremantle Hospital as a specialist
service.
Their robust rehabilitative care
program includes a Parkinson’s
clinic, general geriatric medical clinic,
memory evaluation clinic, balance and
mobility clinic, and continence clinic.
“The benefit of the move into the
bigger, brighter environment means
staff will be able to further develop
services as there will be more space
available.”
The collaborative nature of each
clinic means that clients can benefit
from the skills and knowledge of
consultant geriatricians, nurses,
One Focus
Moss Street Centre
Occupational Therapist
Paula McGinley with
patient Caroline Rutz.
Did you know? About 1,900 occasions of services are
registered at the Moss Street Centre each year.
Happenings
at Fremantle
Fremantle Hospital is
undergoing several
structural and service
‘facelifts’.
Hand Service Lead Orthopaedic Surgeon Paul Jarrett with Occupational
Therapist Jude Feldman, Clinical Nurse Coordinator Nicola Mawson and
Physiotherapist Lauren Ford.
A firm grip on hand services
Fremantle Hospital is the leading specialist provider of hand
surgery and treatment within the south metropolitan area.
In early April, the hand service opened as a key area of care that Fremantle
Hospital is providing in its capacity as a 300-bed specialist service.
The comprehensive service is structured to enable Emergency Departments
at Armadale Health Service, Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital and
Rockingham General Hospital to refer outpatients with hand and finger injuries
to Fremantle for surgery and treatment.
This means patients within the SMHS catchment area, not just those living
near Fremantle Hospital, will be able to access the specialist team and
services.
Hand Service Lead Orthopaedic Surgeon Paul Jarrett said patients would
benefit from the concentrated service, with care provided by orthopaedic and
plastic surgeons, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Fremantle is embracing its
new role and has already
begun making a positive
difference to the health and
wellbeing of many West
Australians.
Additional services moving
onto the Fremantle Hospital
site over the next three
months include:
ƒƒ ophthalmology service
coming online in April/
May
ƒƒ Marmion Street Older
Adult Mental Health Unit
moving to the hospital in
late May
ƒƒ 50-bed Day Admission
Centre (DAC) due for
completion in
mid-June.
ƒƒ Moss Street Clinic
moving into the old
paediatric ward towards
the end June 2015.
“The specialist team will provide holistic care for patients in a timely manner,”
Mr Jarrett said.
“Patients will also benefit from research done by the team at Fremantle
Hospital.”
The configuration of the service and its links to other hospitals will allow
patients to have surgery on the day of their first consultation at Fremantle
Hospital, if necessary.
Typical injuries that will be treated include tendon injuries, nerve damage,
fractures, lacerations and finger amputations that don’t require reattachment.
│ 7
Continuity of midwifery care
Expectant women in Armadale and the surrounding areas have a new public midwifery
service offering them great continuity of care.
Midwifery Group Practice, run off-site in the
community by the Armadale Health Service,
provides women with a dedicated midwife who will
care for them from the moment they are booked
into the hospital for antenatal care through to
labour, birth and postnatal stage.
Clinical Midwifery Manager Sarah Weightman
said having a single point of care for women
throughout their pregnancy and beyond had many
benefits for mothers and babies.
“The continuity of midwifery care helps to build
a strong bond of trust between the mother and
midwife,” Sarah said.
“It allows the midwife to gain extensive knowledge
of the mother’s health needs and any associated
risks which will lead to safer a birth and a shorter
stay in hospital.
“Expectant women will not have to repeat their
concerns to a different midwife at each antenatal
appointment and this leads to better outcomes for
a mother and her baby.”
Inga Butefisch, who is 34 weeks into her
pregnancy, said she was encouraged that the
person caring for her understood her health needs
and would also get to know her personally.
“Preparing to give birth is such a personal and
intimate experience so it is important to me that I
am not dealing with strangers every week,” Inga
said.
Midwifery Group Practice is the first of its kind in
the south metropolitan area and helps to meet the
increasing demand for maternity services while
providing greater choice for women.
Similar programs have run in country areas and at
King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Inga Butefisch with her Midwifery Group Practice
midwife Susan Cudlipp.
Fact File
ƒƒ Armadale Health Service delivered 2,432 babies
in 2013/14.
ƒƒ Midwifery Group Practice complements
mainstream hospital maternity services.
ƒƒ Continuity of midwifery care benefits mothers
and babies including:
ƒƒ greater birth satisfaction for mothers
ƒƒ safer birth outcomes for babies
ƒƒ better breastfeeding outcomes
ƒƒ reduced likelihood of birth interventions
ƒƒ shorter length of stay in hospital following
birth
ƒƒ reduced likelihood of postnatal depression
and improved access to support for
mothers if necessary.
For more information, visit
www.ahs.health.wa.gov.au
One Focus
Helping migrant women
A partnership between South Metropolitan Health Service, Mental Health Access Service
and Fremantle Multicultural Centre has helped pave the way for better quality mental
health care for migrant women.
For some the trauma of migration,
a change in language, culture,
religious beliefs and understanding
western way of living can be
overwhelming, which is why a
holistic approach to mental health
care delivery has been developed.
SMHS Executive Director, Mental
Health Strategic Leadership
Unit Dr Elizabeth Moore said the
partnership allowed the delivery
of tailored services that better met
the needs of migrant women.
“Adapting to a new culture, dealing
with grief, loss and the continuing
anxiety over family and friends left
behind can have a huge impact on
a person’s mental health,”
Dr Moore said.
“Processing traumatic experiences
before and after settlement and
the isolation makes transitioning
hard for people and it was evident
that a more culturally sensitive and
responsive services were needed.”
The services support between 200
and 300 clients at any given time
frame.
“We assist these new arrivals
in navigating the mental health
system as needed and to provide
support and advocacy,” Dr Moore
said.
“Case workers are assigned to
individuals to ensure personalised
care and service is offered to
clients.”
Through this partnership, women
migrants have continuous and
seamless access to mental health
services without needing to know
where to go to get the services
required – government or nongovernment.
There is also frequent evaluation
to value add and fill gaps in the
services needed.
The partnership has raised interest
in the international community
with Dr Moore invited to present
key findings at the Sixth World
Congress on Women’s Mental
Health in Tokyo, as the service
model can be transferred other
countries to help them successfully
support women through mental
health and migration issues.
South Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health Access Service and the Fremantle
Multicultural Centre team working together to help migrant women.
│ 9
Mental health services
at our hospitals
Working with hospital specialities including medical, nursing, psychology and social
work, our mental health teams use a multidisciplinary approach to provide the best
possible care to consumers. South Metropolitan Health Service mental health staff
are a specialised team who use best practice models of care to get consumers on the
pathway to recovery.
At a glance…
Armadale Mental Health Service
The Armadale Mental Health Service provides a
comprehensive range of mental health programs
for adults and older adults predominantly from the
Armadale, Gosnells and Serpentine-Jarrahdale local
government areas.
The comprehensive range of service includes:
ƒƒ consultation, assessment and treatment for
moderate to server mental health problems
ƒƒ individual, group and family therapy
ƒƒ education on mental health conditions and
the medication prescribed
ƒƒ mental health recovery programs and life
skills development.
Bentley Mental Health Service
Bentley Mental Health Service provides a
comprehensive range of specialist mental health
services for adults and older adults including acute
inpatient mental health services, rehabilitation
services and community mental health services.
Also on offer is community-based care and a
hospital-based day therapy service for consumers
aged 65 and older.
The comprehensive range of service includes:
ƒƒ acute inpatient mental health services
ƒƒ rehabilitation services
ƒƒ community mental health services.
One Focus
Fremantle Mental Health Service
The Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Service’s
Alma Street Centre has been providing a
comprehensive mental health service for the past
21 years.
Continuing to provide people living in Fremantle and
its surrounds with inpatient, outpatient and community
services for adults and older adults is one of the
keystones of Fremantle Hospital’s new role as a
specialist service.
The comprehensive range of services includes:
ƒƒ acute inpatient, community treatment and
continuing care programs
ƒƒ 48-bed acute adult inpatient unit
ƒƒ 16-bed older acute inpatient unit, both of
which provide short term inpatient treatment
to people during the acute phase of mental
illness.
Fiona Stanley
Mental Health Service
Rockingham Mental
Health Service
The Fiona Stanley Hospital Mental
Health Service is a key addition to
existing mental health services offered in
Perth’s south metropolitan area.
The Rockingham Peel Group
Mental Health Service provides
specialist inpatient, outpatient and
community services for adults
(aged 18–65 years) and older
adult (over 65 years).
Fiona Stanley Hospital offers a range of
age-appropriate mental health services
across the life span (from young adults)
and includes mental health liaison teams
and the delivery of drug and alcohol
services.
Services are provided throughout the
hospital, with a strong presence in the
Emergency Department, rehabilitation,
and maternity service areas.
The comprehensive range of services
includes:
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
an emergency department
mother and baby unit
psychiatric intensive care unit
consultation services.
The service provides care and
treatment for patients in the
communities and surrounding
areas from Rockingham and
Kwinana through to Mandurah,
Pinjarra and Waroona.
Community services are based in Rockingham and Mandurah,
while the inpatient unit at Rockingham General Hospital provides
care for those suffering from acute and serious mental illness.
The comprehensive range of services includes:
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
ƒƒ
an emergency department
30-bed acute adult inpatient unit
consultation services
intensive day therapy.
│ 11
Culturally appropriate mental health care
The South Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health Managing Cultural Diversity
training program, a first in Western Australia, has become nationally and internationally
recognised in the 10 years since it commenced.
The intensive one-day training course was developed
after two SMHS staff members noted an increase in
cultural diversity in WA; however, they found there
were no suitable training programs available.
The training program has now trained more than 1000
participants from 13 WA organisations.
Executive Director, Mental Health Strategy and
Leadership Unit, Dr Elizabeth Moore said the growth of
the program indicated there was a continuing need for
cultural training in order to deliver world-class patient
care.
“On a daily basis mental health staff must deliver
services to culturally diverse communities and it is
essential they have the skills to tailor their messages to
patients of all backgrounds,” Dr Moore said.
“This is yet another example of how we are prioritising
patient needs and adapting to meet a changing
population.”
Dr Moore also complimented the training staff on their
resource sharing, with information now being made
available throughout Australia and internationally.
SMHS is leading the way in the area of cultural
training by presenting findings at the past three Royal
Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
conferences and at the 2013 World Association of
Social Psychiatry Conference in Portugal.
Working with business to stop the smoke
Shoppers at Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre have traditionally had to walk through
clouds of smoke every time they entered the centre, but smokers are now being asked to
butt-out in the friendliest of ways.
South Metropolitan Population Health
Unit Health Promotion Officer Lisa Rooke
said her team had worked with Carousel
management and the City of Canning to
create this new culture because smoking
outside the entrances was such a
problem for shoppers.
“Most smokers want to do the right thing
and they try to smoke where they won’t
affect other people – but without clear
direction and guidelines, it is hard for
them to know where to smoke,” Lisa said.
“We have painted lines so people know
the boundaries outside the entrances,
One Focus
and they can move away in confidence,
knowing they are doing the right thing.”
There are colourful new “no smoking”
signs around the shopping centre
entrances, green lines painted on the
ground so people can easily see the
boundaries of the smoke-free zones and,
importantly, security guards have been
trained to speak to smokers in a nonconfrontational ways.
The Tobacco Products Control Act 2006
states smoking is prohibited in enclosed
public spaces, outdoor eating areas, in
and around children’s playgrounds, and in
cars with children under 17 years of age.
Historic moment for new
hyperbaric service
Fiona Stanley Hospital treated its first diver with decompression sickness, or ‘the
bends’, almost 100 years after the first recorded use of a hyperbaric chamber in
Australia
In February 1915 a Broome
Japanese pearl diver was treated
for paralysis in an experimental
re-compression chamber and 100
years later Rockingham local, Mark
Richardson, presented to Fiona
Stanley Hospital after completing
two dives at 35 and 28 metres.
The reason behind the
decompression sickness remains a
mystery for the experienced diver
who was treated in the hospital’s
new $4.6 million, 56 tonne
hyperbaric chamber.
Mark said he realised that
something wasn’t right when the
pain in his shoulder, arm and elbow
was still present the next night after
his diveand called Healthdirect.
“I do like to push the limits with
my diving and it was deep for a
recreational diver, but I followed
my computer exactly so I am still
puzzled as to why I ended up with
the bends,” Mark said.
Mark had four sessions in total in
the chamber and was grateful for
the very knowledgeable staff that
treated him.
Dr Fiona Sharp, a part of Mr
Richardson’s treatment team,
said the new chamber provided
an increase in care we hadn’t
previously been able to provide in
the smaller chambers.
Rachel Byrne and Dr Fiona Sharp assist patient Mark Richardson.
“The larger chambers mean
patients such as Mr Richards can
lie down, if required, and enable the
team to provide the best medical
care and assessment by being
present in the chamber,” Dr Sharp
said.
“We will see an average of 35 dive
patients a year in Western Australia
but the majority of our patients are
treated for radiation damage, late
radiation injury, wound healing,
gas poisoning and necrotising
infections”.
Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Hyperbaric
Medicine Unit opened in November
2014.
The chamber that treated the pearl
diver 100 years ago is on now on
display at the Broome Museum.
“The new chamber provided
an increase in care we
hadn’t previously been able
to provide in the smaller
chambers.”
│ 13
Patient centred care
recognised
Patient centred care and consumer engagement are the hallmarks of Bentley Health
Service according to assessors from the National Safety and Quality Health Service.
Committed to patient-centred care: BHS staff with their official certificate of accreditation.
The EQuIPNational program was
developed by the ACHS to assess
health services and their facilities
against the ten National Safety and
Quality Health Service (NSQHS)
Standards.
Bentley Health Service Acting
General Manager Maree Thomter
said the feedback from the ACHS
assessors highlighted Bentley’s
commitment to patient-centred
care.
“We strive to provide the best
possible health care outcomes
and the accreditation results are a
testament to our efforts to create an
ideal environment for our patients,”
Maree said.
“We received great feedback,
with the assessors noting the
cohesiveness of the multidisciplinary teams and the
integration of general and mental
health.”
Accreditation against the 10
NSQHS Standards ensures
One Focus
hospitals provide patients with high
quality care in a safe environment.
our dedication to the continuous
improvement of all our services.”
The standards take into
consideration areas such as
infection control, medication
safety, governance for safety and
quality, and patient identification
procedures.
Bentley Health Service met the
requirements of all 10 NSQHS
Standards emphasising their
commitment to providing high
quality care for their patients.
Bentley Health Service’s strong
relationship with the Consumer
Advisory Council was also
highlighted by the assessors.
“The Consumer Advisory Council
plays an important role at BHS,
offering a patient perspective and
an understanding of the consumer
experience,” Maree said.
“By advising on strategies to
improve consumer, carer and
community participation, they help
us provide care and services that
meet the needs of our patients.
“The surveyors were very
impressed by our collaboration
with our consumer members, and
Quick facts
ƒƒ All hospitals in Australia
undergo mandatory assessment
against the 10 National Safety
and Quality Health Service
(NSQHS) Standards
(www.safetyandquality.gov.au).
ƒƒ The standards drive the
implementation of safety and
quality systems to improve the
quality of care for patients in
Australia.
ƒƒ Bentley Health Service achieved
accreditation, with assessors
highlighting the exceptional
focus on patient-centred care
and consumer consultation.
Patient focus for nurses
This year’s 11 graduate nurses at Peel Health Campus have completed the 12 month
Graduate Registered Nurse Program with exceptional results.
As part of the program designed to support the
graduates during their first year as a registered
nurse, each nurse is required to complete a quality
improvement project, based on one of the National
Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Di Barr Director of Clinical Services said graduates’
projects were outstanding, detailing solutions to
enhance the patient experience at Peel.
“With passionate junior nurses of this high calibre
entering our profession, I am very confident that the
future of patient care is in great hands,” Di said.
The nurses’ projects identified clinical risks and
enhancements to the provision of clinical care and
patient outcomes across a range of topics from pain
assessment to monitoring of intravenous cannula
sites and identifying which patients are most at risk
from falling.
Graduates from the registered nurse program at
Peel Health Campus.
Acknowledgement for Peel breast service
Peel Health Campus’s on site McGrath breast care nurse and support for women in
the Peel region has been rewarded by being invited to attend the Pink Test and Jane
McGrath Day in Sydney.
Donna Cook, along with
a patient she supported
for several years, was
selected to attend this
special occasion, which
was about inspiring,
educating and raising
funds for the McGrath
Foundation.
Donna Cook with Prime
Dr Margaret Sturdy Peel
Minister Tony Abbott
Health Campus Chief
on Pink Test and Jane
Executive Officer said
McGrath Day.
the entire campus was
very proud and privileged to have Donna as part of the
hospital’s team.
“We are extremely proud of Donna and what she has
achieved, since she joined us last year to provide Peel
Health Campus with a dedicated breast care nurse,”
Margaret said.
“Donna provides physical, psychological and emotional
support from the time of diagnosis and throughout
treatment, and her passion and dedication to the
McGrath Foundation along with the work she is doing
here in the Peel community is outstanding”
Donna said being part of the McGrath day in Sydney
was an amazing opportunity to give something back
to the McGrath Foundation after working for them for
seven years and it is fantastic that the hospital is able
to provide the service.
“I’m extremely happy to be working at Peel Health
Campus as it is a truly unique environment and one
that is focused on extending services to those living in
the Peel region,” Donna said.
│ 15
Flu can be deadly serious, even if you’re fit and healthy. The flu vaccine is your best
protection against severe symptoms.
It’s FREE for pregnant women, people aged 65 years and older, people with a chronic
medical condition, children aged 6 months to 5 years, and Aboriginal people aged
15 years and older.
healthywa.wa.gov.au
© State of Western Australia, Department of Health 2015
The flu.
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