Results from the third and final YourSay workplace survey have been released.More than 5,000 or 56 per cent of staff from across the District completed the survey, up from 21 per cent in 2013.South Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Amanda Larkin said she was pleased with the results.“We set a goal of a 50 per cent response rate and the hospital and service YourSay Champions took on the challenge and worked hard over the four week period to reach that target,” Ms Larkin said.“I’d like to thank the Champions and managers who drove the survey as well as everyone who completed it.“Across the District results showed an improvement in the working environment, morale and the demonstration of the CORE values. “The survey was valuable in telling us what has been

working well and also what areas still need more work. “Over the coming weeks managers will be further distributing results and consulting with staff on key strategies to continue to improve their workplace and staff engagement,” she said. State-wide results are available on the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au

Your say on our workplaceOctober2015

SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

To submit a story contact the Media Unit on 9828 6848 or swsmedia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Hospital and service Champions, managers and Directors promoted and encouraged staff to complete the survey.

Results at a glance:Engagement Index: 70 per cent, up five per cent from 2013.Workplace Culture Index: 56 per cent, up four per cent from 2013

It is a pleasure to contribute this column while Professor Harris is on sabbatical. Last month the District Board met at the Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service and I’d like to thank Tharawal CEO Darryl Wright for hosting the meeting and giving us a tour of the new medical clinic. We heard how our partnership with the Medical Service is helping improve health

outcomes for Aboriginal people living in our District.I’m inspired by the dedication of staff across the District. Your commitment to providing safe, quality health care should be celebrated and last month I had the honour of presenting the 2015 Quality Award winners with their certificates.I’d also like to congratulate Liverpool Hospital nurses Craig Wainwright and Ronnie Hatava and Bowral Hospital nurse Belinda Sidman, all nominated for NSW Health Nursing Awards.Health research is critical to our goal of a healthier population in south western Sydney. The District Research Strategy identified the need to develop multidisciplinary Academic Units. Three Academic Units, have now been established and will

be officially launched next month. The Units acknowledge services with a track record of nationally recognised research, which translates into cutting-edge clinical practice.The District is seeking expressions of interest for the establishment of two additional new Academic Units and is also contributing funding to enhance two clinical services so they can reach the standard of an Academic Unit.More information is available on the intranet bulletin board and expressions can be emailed to research.support@sswahs.nsw.gov.au before 16 October.October is Mental Health Month and we were again involved in the filming of the Changing Minds documentary at Campbelltown Hospital. The series will air on the ABC on 6-8 October and I hope you are looking forward to seeing it.

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Message from the District Board

The District raised awareness about patient and carer rights and responsibilities during Multicultural Health Week.All patients, including those from multicultural backgrounds have the right to:• Request an interpreter and receive information in their language• Ask questions about their treatment before giving consent• Comment on their health care and ask questions• Be fully informed about services.Translated health information is available at www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au.

Carolyn Burlew, Acting Board Chair

Fairfield Hospital celebrated Multicultural Health Week with a cultural lunch for staff and visitors.

Celebrating diversity

Junior Medical Officers present projectsBankstown-Lidcombe Hospital hosted the 2015 Junior Medical Officer (JMO) Quality Awards Showcase, celebrating quality improvement projects and presentations from international thought leaders including HETI Medical Director, Dr Anthony Llewellyn.Dr Elanor Stephens received best oral presentation for F.R.I.D.A.Y.S Checklist – Improving Patient Safety Over The Weekend and Dr Maryam Cassim and Dr Dharshan Girithan received best poster presentation for Benzodiazepine prescribing, a quality improvement project aimed at decreasing the inappropriate prescription of benzodiazinpines for inpatients over the age of 65. The event was well attended by JMOs across networks and included the “Quality 101” workshop, a collaboration between the Agency for Clinical Innovation and Clinical Excellence Commission.

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The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and SWSLHD will host the 10th Annual Research and Teaching Showcase on Friday 27 November 2015 at Liverpool Hospital. This year’s Showcase celebrates a decade of research excellence in south western Sydney.Headlining with the theme 25 Years of MET, this year’s showcase will celebrate 25 years of the Medical Emergency Team (MET), pioneered by Professor Ken Hillman, Director of the Simpson Centre and Liverpool Hospital Intensivist. The event is a platform for staff and students to Showcase their research efforts by presenting current research studies, key findings and techniques and developments in basic science, medicine, health care, population and community health. In addition, the event will celebrate the efforts of the research community in the south west.The Showcase will also feature Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Chief Medical Officer, as a special guest speaker and the Three Minute Thesis Competition, a skills development activity that challenges Research Higher Degree students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. Following on from the Research & Teaching Showcase, celebrations will continue that night at the Ingham Institute’s 3rd Annual Awards Dinner which will be held at the Liverpool Catholic Club. Visit www.inghaminstitute.org.au for more information.

Research showcased

Following the critical acclaim of series one, Changing Minds will air on the ABC during Mental Health Week. The series which follows the journey of patients with mental illness on their road to recovery, was filmed at Campbelltown

Hospital’s mental health units and focuses on younger patients aged 18 and over. The series will also be available on ABC iView after broadcast.

Follow the conversation: @camphosp #mentalas #changingminds

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Pscychiatrists’ (RANZCP) NSW Branch Committee will award Fellow Dr Mark Cross the 2015 Meritorious Serice Award at a ceremony this month.RANZCP NSW Branch Chair, Dr Gary Galambos said the Changing Minds series was a great moment for mental health care in NSW.“Dr Cross was a powerful advocate for psychiatry in the development of the series and in demonstrating the role of a psychiatrist in leading the mental health care of people in a public hospital,” he said.Dr Cross was also acknowledged for his clinic work in South Africa, the UK and Australia in supporting people with HIV.

Service awarded

During Stroke Week (14 – 20 September) Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital partnered with the National Stroke Foundation to encourage people to be healthy, get regular health checks and be aware of stroke symptoms.In treating stroke, quick diagnosis and treatment can save lives and reduce the impact of stroke, physically and emotionally.Bankstown-Lidcombe, Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals are accredited as specialist 24/7 Acute Stroke Thrombolysis Centres with Fairfield and Bowral patients having access to these services if required.

Act FAST for stroke

For more information visit www.strokefoundation.com.au

Strongest man in town

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Printed on 100% recycled paper

Love Talk Sing Read PlayThe Love Talk Sing Read Play Flipchart is now a phone app! It contains information in a personalised format that engages parents. The app is available from itunes and Google Play, in English and Bengali with more languages being planned. For more information visit www.lovetalksingreadplay.com.au or contact admin@resourcingparents.nsw.gov.au

Sustainability surveyThe Sustainability Action Group for the Environment (SAGE) is a group of staff members undertaking projects to promote a culture of sustainability across the District. SAGE conducted a survey to discover

what staff thought about sustainability, and what we currently do to practice it. Read the results here: http://bit.ly/1NW2OHQ

Pink Sari ProjectThe Pink Sari Project is a community initiative led by Multicultural Health Communication Service in partnership with Breastscreen NSW and Refugee Health Service.It aims to increase awareness of low breast screening rates among Indian and Sri Lankan women. Since the project’s launch last year, there has been an increase in screening for women 50-79 who speak Tamil or Hindi.

More food optionsThe District has worked with HealthShare NSW to improve patient menus, providing a wider range of meals that meet mandatory state-wide nutrition standards and improve each patient’s hospital experience.The new menu is backed-up by improved food service technology. The improved menus offer patients a variety of tasty meals, nutritious soups and desserts along with fresh salads and sandwiches.

Last month 28 Liverpool Hospital Maternity Unit staff put their best foot forward taking 10,000 steps a day for 30 days as part of Go step for Gynae, a project which aims to improve health and raise funds for gynaecological cancer.

A step ahead

Multicultural Health Award winners

Darren Lang balances two careers that are worlds apart.

He is a Liverpool Hospital ward orderly and also Australia’s Strongest Man (under 90kg).

The 34-year-old will be the first Aussie in his category to compete in the World’s Strongest Man competition in Norway this year.

To help get him there, The Hospital helped raise $8000 through a fundraiser which saw Darren compete against the Hospital Executive and staff in a push up challenge.

The NSW Health Refugee Service was presented with two Multicultural Health Communications Awards by NSW Minister for Health Jillian Skinner. The award-winning projects included

a Translated Appointment Tool which allows health services to translate appointment letters into 26 languages. The Service also received an award for an Oral Health Factsheet.