South West Hospital and Health Service PULSE...facilitate better integration and better co-ordination of the health services, with our commitment to person centred care being the guiding

PULSESouth West Hospital and Health Service

SEPTEMBER 2019 EDITIONLindsay Godfrey, Mayor Paroo Shire Council and Dr Chester Wilson, Cunnamulla Hospital.

We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the lands across the South West. We would also like to pay our respects to the current and future Elders who will inherit the responsibility of keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture alive, and creating a better life for the generations to follow. We believe the future happiness and wellbeing of all Australians and their future generations will be enhanced by valuing and taking pride in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – the oldest living culture of humanity.

South West Queensland Traditional Owners:

Augathella – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Bollon – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Charleville – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Cunnamulla – Kunya (Koun-yah) with other interests

Dirranbandi – Kooma (Coo-ma)

Injune – Kongabula (Kong-ga-bull-a)

Mitchell – Gungurri (Gon-gari)

Morven – Bidjara (Bid-jara)

Mungindi – Kamilaroi (Car-milla-roy)

Quilpie – Bunthamarra (Bun-tha-mar-ra) and Wangkumara (Wong-ka-mara)

Roma – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

St George – Kooma (Coo-ma) with Kamilaroi, Mandandanji, Bigambul and Gungarri interests

Surat – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

Thargomindah – Kullila (Coo-lee-lar)

Wallumbilla – Mandandanji (Mand-an-dand-gee)

This newsletter is produced by the South West Hospital and Health Service (South West HHS). All feedback and contributions are welcome to [email protected]. All published material has been approved by the Health Chief Executive.

Our Values

QUALITY COMPASSION ACCOUNTABILITY ENGAGEMENT ADAPTABILITY

Contents4 Board

6 Board out and about

7 The power of engagement

8 Health Service Chief Executive

Our Communities

10 Aspire to health program 2019 - inspiring our local students

12 School-based youth health nurses celebrate 20 years

13 R U OK Day

14 Balonne takes the step to be a healthier community

16 An incredible year culminates in outstanding student performance

17 Staff attend annual national practice management conference

Our Teams

18 New learning and development team look unveiled

19 Mitchell CAN chair Sheryn Hanna committed to ever improving health care in the bush

Our services

20 Opportunities to improve surgical outcomes through theatre emergency simulation training

21 Building the skills of our staff through anaesthesia education- perianaesthesia crisis management

22 EMET - Roma hospital

23 #SWspirit

Our resources

24 Roma hospital redevelopment making great progress

FROM THE BOARD CHAIRJ IM McGOWAN, AMLaura Wilson, Lisa Hamlyn and Dr John Scott, Board Member

4 South West Hospital and Health Service

This time next year, the medical, nursing, allied health and support staff will be working (hopefully) from the new Roma Hospital. Having had the opportunity to view the new hospital on a number of occasions during its construction, I know that it will be a facility of which not only the Roma community will be proud, but it will also be a wonderful facility which will benefit all of the people of the South West. It is beautifully designed with open spaces and, with all of the services being co-located as well as having state of the art health equipment.

However, it is not the building which makes for a great health service but the dedicated, well-trained and professional people who staff it. The new Roma Hospital will provide the opportunity to do things differently, consistent with the South West Hospital and Health Service’s vision of being a national leader in the delivery of health services to rural and remote communities. It should facilitate better integration and better co-ordination of the health services, with our commitment to person centred care being the guiding principle in any re-design of work.

There is much to do in commissioning the new hospital. It will come with its challenges. Linda and her team understand that it is not just about a new building, but it is the people who will make the difference. Induction, familiarisation and training activities will be critical. There will be tears along the way but remember to keep a focus on the opportunities which the new facility will provide. You will have ideas about future patient care innovations. You need to speak up. You will also have legitimate concerns during the commissioning. It is important that we need to hear them as well.

In my Pulse article last month, I acknowledged the concerns with the S4/HANA implementation. I understand your continuing frustration. I thank those involved with trying to overcome the problems with this system.

I am also looking forward to the annual staff awards night on Monday 28 October and the annual Community Advisory Network (CAN) forum the next day. I know that Linda and Donna are planning something special this year. While I know that distance is an enduring problem in the South West, I would encourage people to attend if it at all possible.

A couple of quotes to contemplate

“It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” Charles Darwin (1809-1882); English Naturalist and author of “On the Origins of Species”.

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford (1863-1947) American Industrialist who developed the techniques for the mass production of cars.

Jim McGowan AM

The Pulse August 2019 5

FROM THE BOARD CHAIROUT AND ABOUT

Jim McGowan Board Chair with Jan Chambers Board Member, Suzette Beresford CAN Member, Trish McKenzie, Cunnamulla CAN Chair, Karen Tully Deputy Board Chair, Samantha Edmonds Executive Director Finance, Infrastructure and Corporate Services, Emil Moule CEO Paroo Shire and

Lindsay Godfrey Mayor Paroo Shire

Geraldine Tuite and Catherin Barlow, Operational Services Officers and Rachel Johnson, Primary Health

Jim McGowan, Board Chair and Lisa Hamlyn, Quilpie CAN Chair Jocelyn Wallace, CWAATSICH with Michelle Donohue, Health Promotions Officer Quilpie Shire Council and Linda Patat, HSCE

Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health - Back - Pam Walker, Raeleigh Deen, Kerry Crumblin CEO, Front, Denise Turnbull, Dorothy

(Cindy) Anderson and Francis Benefield

Cunnamulla

Quilpie


Tammy Warner A/CEO Bulloo Shire Council, Linda Patat, HSCE and Karen Tully, Deputy Board Chair

Jim McGowan, Board Chair and Linda Patat, HSCE meet with Julie Stewart, Thargomindah CAN Chair, Bulloo Shire Council representatives and Alan Thompson, Director of Nursing Thargomindah Community Clinic

Tammy Warner and Linda Patat

The September South West Hospital and Health Board was held in Cunnamulla. New Director of Nursing, Ursula O’Brien welcomed the Board and hosted a community barbecue which was attended by many of our key stakeholders, representatives from the Paroo Shire Council, Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health, Community Advisory Network, community members and staff. The Board immensely values these opportunities to share time with locals in their own places and listen to what is important to them. This was followed by a visit to Thargomindah, Quilpie and Morven where again a huge welcome was provided. The Board regularly travels throughout the large South West expanse and enjoys and admires the uniqueness of each place and the passion of the people and thanks all stakeholders for their honesty, their commitment and their dedication.

Engagement is a key priority and is one of the core values of the South West Hospital and Health Service. We recognise how essential it is to build a strong rapport and positive relationships with our communities because we are all in it together to build a strong health service where the needs of our

communities are met and our communities are healthier and happier places. It is through the strong engagement mechanism that has been established and continues to grow that we are able to work collaboratively with our staff, our patients and communities to deliver and enhance health outcomes. We respect the right for all our community members to be informed, consulted, involved and empowered and for them to identify issues that affect their wellbeing. This environment builds and enhances trust which is critical for long-term, sustainable engagement and effective governance. The result when everyone is working respectfully and collaboratively together will be greater than the sum of the parts.

Effective engagement is a powerful tool for working together to shape better health outcomes and influence systems. Through strong partnerships with our communities and local Community Advisory Networks we are on an upward trajectory to bring about behavioural changes to improve the health of our communities through the Healthy Communities Initiative and that is something to be truly proud about.

THE POWER OF ENGAGEMENT

Thargomindah


FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

LINDA PATATI feel like I say this every month, but the year is certainly flying by! I’ve had a great month out in the business this month, spending time in Charleville, Cunamulla, St George, Dirranbandi, Mungindi, Morven, and Surat.

I’m hearing of the impact of multiple new IT systems and will progress a body of work to fully understand the impacts, and how we may be able to better absorb them moving forward. Whilst you have shared the issues, you have also shared how you can see the positive benefits of some of these systems, such as Smart Referrals.

I am committed to ensuring we redesign what we need to do to make the right thing the easy thing to do, and I’ll keep you posted with our progress.

As Jim has shared, moving into the new Roma Hospital is gaining momentum, and to have the outside building relatively complete, and now able to walk through and see how the inside will function has been a great help to staff.

I look forward to continuing to progress our plans for the move, and work with you all to ensure we deliver a centre of excellence for both rural and remote staff training and integrated, person-driven care.

This month we have had many conversations about staff safety - both physically in our work environment, but also psychologically in our workplace teams.

Several work places have taken up the ‘GBUNK’ challenge - a pledge and a system to remove ‘Gossip; Backstabbing; Undermining; Negative and Not Necessary discussions in the workplace, and always ensure they are Kind.

This commitment is far easier said than done,

but when a team values themselves in ways that respect their right to come to work and feel included, listened to, respected, and safe; amazing things can happen.

If you would like to know more about this initiative, or see some ideas to implement it in your workplace, please contact my Office.

Next month we look forward to sharing some big moments - our Annual Staff Awards Night; our Annual Community Advisory Network Meeting; and some enhancements in our approach to consumer partnership and engagement.

Importantly, I would like to acknowledge Rodney Landers’ inclusion as part of our Executive Team, and confirm our organisation’s intent to progressively strengthen both our workforce and our service’s commitment to cultural safety and appropriateness.

Thank you for the work you do every day in our health service. We are about to launch a revitalised recruitment and branding campaign to target our vacancies.

We know that the way you speak about our service, and your team, and the way you welcome and include new people, has a huge impact on our reputation and in turn our successful recruitment .

Please join together to be a part of the targeted efforts we are making to make our workforce as strong and reliable as it can be - because fully staffed teams help everyone’s work day feel better!

Yours in service L


Where was Linda in August 2019?

Linda was spotted last month flying into St George.

Guess where Linda was in September 2019?

Send your guesses to [email protected]

O U R C H I E F E X EC U T I V E O F F I C E R ’ S TA K E O N T H E A N N U A L R E P O RT 2 01 8 - 1 9It’s a real wow moment when I look through the pages of the Annual Report 2018-19. South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) is a truly amazing place with incredibly gifted and talented people who come to work every day to serve their communities with compassion, empathy, kindness, dedication and commitment.

As I reflect and am reminded of the great work you do every day, some of which is chronicled in the pages of the Annual Report, I am most humbled and honoured to be part of something so exceptional and great. What we have achieved together is a direct result of your unswerving commitment to the SWHHS values - Quality, Compassion, Accountability, Engagement, Adaptability.

Some remarkable achievements were made that have laid a solid foundation to transform the health and well being of our communities and further enhanced the delivery of high-quality services to our communities. These achievements included developing our strategic partnerships with other key health providers to deliver a more integrated and seamless health service, launch of the Healthy Communities Initiative, improving primary care, development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy 2018-22, launch of the compassionate care bundle, development of the People Strategy 2018-2022 and the construction of contemporary staff accommodation at numerous locations to name but a few. We are well on track to achieve the vision “to be a national leader in the delivery of health services to rural and remote communities”.

Our business is all about people, our patients, our staff, our communities and this is echoed throughout the pages of the Annual Report where there are some incredible stories about our people, our services, our communities and our resources. Not only are there words on a page, there is an amazing photographic selection that paint the pictures of our remarkable achievements and provides a sense of connection.

We have some exciting initiatives planned for 2019-20 that will build on 2018-19. There will be a focus on preparing for transitioning to the new Roma Hospital, closing the gap on health outcomes for our Indigenous communities, enhancing our skills and empowering our people and communities to be healthier.

I am extremely proud to be part of the SWHHS and all that has been achieved. It is truly amazing to see the range of services provided and the emphasis on compassionate care at every touch point with our patients which will increase the confidence our communities have in us and what our organisation stands for. Thank you sincerely for your outstanding contribution, your tireless efforts, dedication and commitment and for making 2018-19 the great success it was.

I strongly encourage you to take a look at the Annual Report and as you do feel a sense of pride of what you have been part of.

WHERE’S LINDABEEN?


ASPIRE TO HEALTH PROGRAM 2019 - INSPIRING OUR LOCAL STUDENTSMore than 25 students from Roma, St George, Charleville & Wallumbilla participated in the 2019 Aspire to Health program hosted by South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) in collaboration with DDSW Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, University of Queensland Rural Clinical School, Griffith University and the University of Southern Queensland.

Aspire to Health is a widely informative and highly interactive program enabling school students the opportunity to connect and engage with Health care professionals locally including but limited to, Life Flight, Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS), Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Speech Pathologist, Mental Health professional, Midwives, Nurses, Nurse Educators, Doctors, Optometrist, Podiatrist and more.

By offering the program to year 10 students it provides them insight into what working in Health Care looks like before embarking on their senior years and subjects.

During the day the students participated in a hospital tour, ambulance familiarisation, clinical skills that specialised in plastering, Suturing, Allied Health and Basic Life Support compressions with the assistance of our health care professionals.

Life Flight, QAS and SWHHS Nurse Educators and Medical officers joined services to demonstrate a simulated emergency scenario for the students to gain

Aspire to Health Program 2019

More than 25 students from Roma, St George, Charleville & Wallumbilla participated in the 2019 Aspire to Health program hosted by South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) in collaboration with DDSW Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, University of Queensland Rural Clinical School, Griffith University and the University of Southern Queensland.

Aspire to Health is a widely informative and highly interactive program enabling school students the opportunity to connect and engage with Health care professionals locally including but limited to, Life Flight, Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS), Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Speech Pathologist, Mental Health professional, Midwives, Nurses, Nurse Educators, Doctors, Optometrist, Podiatrist and more.

By offering the program to year 10 students it provides them insight into what working in Health Care looks like before embarking on their senior years and subjects.

During the day the students participated in a hospital tour, ambulance familiarisation, clinical skills that specialised in plastering, Suturing, Allied Health and Basic Life Support compressions with the assistance of our health care professionals.

Life Flight, QAS and SWHHS Nurse Educators and Medical officers joined services to demonstrate a simulated emergency scenario for the students to gain understanding of how services work together in a mock real-life emergency situation. Students provided feedback of the day with meeting the professionals and the simulation scenario being the highlight of the day.

"One student told us it was great to get individual advice from real students and working professionals.”

At the conclusion of the day student were asked to complete a brief survey regarding the day, below table indicates the Career Path Interest of the students.

The Learning & Development Team would like to thank all health care professionals for your time and commitment to make the program possible.


The Learning and Development Team have chosen Mitchell to be the Sepsis winner from the Sepsis Awareness competition in September. Congratulations Mitchell!!!!

understanding of how services work together in a mock real-life emergency situation. Students provided feedback of the day with meeting the professionals and the simulation scenario being the highlight of the day.

“One student told us it was great to get individual advice from real students and working professionals.”

At the conclusion of the day student were asked to complete a brief survey regarding the day, below table indicates the Career Path Interest of the students.

The Learning & Development Team would like to thank all health care professionals for your time and commitment to make the program possible.


Queensland’s 160-strong team of school-based youth health nurses are this week celebrating 20 years of helping young people live healthier and learn better.

The Queensland Labor Government established the school-based youth health nurse service with 100 nurses in 1998 as a two-year trial to help address growing health issues faced by young people and to support healthy lifestyle choices.

Twenty years later, there are now 160 clinical nurses in state secondary schools across Queensland.

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the program, delivered in partnership with Education Queensland, was vital for improving the health and wellbeing of young people.

“We know that healthy young people are better equipped to learn, and adolescence is a time of great vulnerability and change,” Mr Miles said.

“Not only do young people have to navigate their way through physical changes, but also emotional changes that can impact how they think and respond to certain situations.

“Having access to school-based youth health nurses who can provide free one-on-one health consultations, assessments, health information and referrals within

their educational environment is a great support.”

School-based youth health nurses provide confidential advice on contemporary health issues such as healthy eating, growth and development, physical activity, mental and sexual health, smoking, alcohol and drugs, and personal and family problems.

Mr Miles said a significant benefit of the service was that it allowed young people to conveniently access healthcare within the safe and familiar setting of their school.

“Young people can face a range of barriers to healthcare such as having a limited knowledge of what services are available, confidentiality concerns, affordability, transport issues, or less experience in recognising health risks,” he said.

“By working alongside education staff, school-based youth health nurses are helping to create an environment and school culture that promotes health and prevents illness.

“Over the past 20 years, school-based youth health nurses have helped thousands of young people and we thank them for the difference they have made, and continue to make, to the health and wellbeing of young people and their families across Queensland.

“It is another example of our commitment to ensuring the delivery of vital health services to Queenslanders in their local communities.

“I am proud a Labor government established such a vital service that continues to evolve and grow each day, and sincerely thank our school-based youth health nurses for the important work they do.”

The 20th anniversary of the School-based Youth Health Nurse Service will be celebrated at the service’s

SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH HEALTH NURSES CELEBRATE 20 YEARS


R U OK? DAYR U OK?’s vision is a world where we’re all connected and are protected from suicide. This year R U OK? Day was celebrated on Thursday 12 September and across the South West people came together to ask R U OK?

The mission behind R U OK? Day is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

It is a wonderful day that is celebrated to help boost people’s confidence to meaningfully connect and ask about life’s ups and downs.


The South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) will host a step competition in the Balonne Shire as part of the roll-out of its Healthy Communities initiative in the region.

Healthy Communities Balonne Project Officer Rachel Sanders said the initiative already had been rolled out in the Maranoa Shire and was now in the early stages of being rolled out in the Balonne Shire.

Ms Sanders said that Healthy Communities initiative is designed to help South West residents eat well, be more active and create environments that support and encourage heathy lifestyle behaviours, especially these days when a significant proportion of people lead a more sedentary lifestyle and are not active every day.

We want to help our residents consider how risk factors such as a sedentary and inactive lifestyle, unhealthy weight, unhealthy eating, smoking and alcohol consumption are impacting on their health and lifestyle.

Unhealthy and risky behaviours can and do lead to potentially preventable hospitalisations and premature deaths. In the Balonne Shire for instance, around 62.7 per cent of adults and 38.8 per cent of children are classified as obese and our goal is to start turning this around and encouraging our community to eat more fruit and vegetables and find ways to be more active in their daily life. These are two simple things that can improve overall health and reduce the risk factors that are known to lead to ill health.

Ms Sanders said the Healthy Communities initiative was a key priority of the SWHHS 2018–2022 Strategic Plan and what we want to achieve is to keep people healthy and avoid them having to come to hospital in the first place.

As part of our strategic plan over the next four years, we will be focussing on a range of ‘healthy communities’ initiatives designed to reduce the burden of chronic disease in our region and the rate of avoidable hospital admissions.

As part of the roll-out of Healthy Communities in the Balonne Shire, a health and wellbeing survey already had been distributed throughout the region. This will help us to gain an understanding of what our communities experience when looking after their own health and wellbeing and how, as a community, we can support them to make healthy lifestyle changes.

It is hoped to start the conversation in the Balonne Shire around health and wellbeing while empowering individuals to take care of their own health and wellbeing.

We also intend to support community initiatives and build and maintain local partnerships and the support of our communities on identifying their needs and providing feedback on our activities was important. Ms Sanders said the step competition being held during October involved government organisations including the health service, police, ambulance, the local council and others.

The aim is to create some friendly competition between the major government bodies within the shire, while also modelling good health behaviours and creating team morale and healthy lifestyle leadership. It’s important to get out and get active. This doesn’t have to be strenuous. It can be as simple as going for a light stroll with the family, taking the dog for

BALONNE TAKES THE STEP TO BE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY



AN INCREDIBLE YEAR CULMINATES IN OUTSTANDING STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Thanks to funding secured by the innovative HOPE program, Charleville State High School (SHS) students had the opportunity to work alongside internationally-trained and highly acclaimed Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre teaching-artists.

HOPE – which stands for Harmony, Opportunity, Pride and Empowerment – is a South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) youth focused initiative which has been operating since 2015.

With support from Arts Queensland’s Artist in Residency Program, Zen Zen Zo, a leading Brisbane-based theatre company, was able to deliver four one-week programs designed to build physical and emotional awareness, build resilience and encourage creativity and mindfulness.

Zen Zen Zo’s was greatly honoured to have been involved in the HOPE program with Charleville SHS students who work with such generosity, humility and

ferocity. Incoming Artistic Director Nicole Reilly said. They looked forward to the continued relationship with staff, students and community in Charleville.

In addition to the programs presented, Zen Zen Zo invited the staff and students of Charleville SHS to visit them in Brisbane, gave students VIP tickets to the award-winning production of THE TEMPEST and invited them on a guided backstage tour with the director of the show.

Director of Zen Zen Zo New Zealand, Alys Hill said the program had been an incredibly moving experience getting to know such extraordinarily hardworking students. Having worked all over the world from Asia to Europe, he said that Charleville students were exceptional. Throughout the program, students were guided through the process of creating, developing, rehearsing and directing their own theatrical work. Through pre and post evaluations, even the students themselves have noticed a remarkable difference in their confidence, developing their own voice and aesthetic in storytelling.

The final performance for the year has been filmed and will be presented to the community at the school’s awards night.


A number of staff from the South West recently attended the annual Australian Association of Practice Management five-day Conference at the end of September in Brisbane.

Acting Executive Director Primary and Community Care Julie McNeill said it was the first time it was held in Queensland for a number of years.

Julie said four staff from the South West joined with delegates from all over Australia for the Conference.

“We were represented by Shelly Reynolds (MBS Program Manager), Pauline Kehl (Service Director - Primary Care, Leonie Whitfield (General Practice manager – East) and Paula Tyler-Hartley (General Practice Manager – West),” Julie said.

“The Conference covered a wide range of topics for General Practice including IT software, Industry expert presentations, the latest models of care and updates in General Practice across Australia and internationally; and fantastic opportunities to network with other sectors and industries.”

She said it was an invaluable opportunity for the whole Primary Care management team to attend, to learn from others and to bring back ideas and resources to the SWHHS General Practice service.

STAFF ATTEND ANNUAL NATIONAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE


NEW LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM LOOK UNVEILEDAs part of the South West Hospital and Health Service’s vision of giving everyone the opportunity to understand, take ownership of, be inspired by and affect the future of healthcare in the region, a new Learning and Development Team has been unveiled.

Previously known as the Workforce Development Unit (WDU), Chief Executive Linda Patat launched the re-branding of the WDU on 16 September to be the Learning and Development Team.

Nurse Education Director Leanne Raatz said the rebranding was about introducing the team and what they do. Ms Raatz said that what was even more important than showcasing who the team are and what they do was to take a stand and show that the team are not a stand-alone team but rather a group that is part of the wider South West team working with everyone to achieve common goals..

Ms Raatz said that while the SWHHS sets the benchmark for improving health outcomes in rural and remote areas, through a new vision the Learning and development Team we can help ensure staff are continually learning and developing to deliver high standards in healthcare across the region. Our purpose is to provide visibility through the launch of our new polo shirts that tell our story to inspire and enthuse the learners – our staff – across the South West.

Ms Raatz said her team were committed to supporting a learning culture using the South West’s values through best teaching practices and innovative approaches to benefit all our staff. Our goal is to

ensure every staff member develops and grows using memories, experiences, skills and new knowledge to meet individual growth. No one can move forward by standing still. That is why we are evolving healthcare to deliver better health outcomes for everyone.

New contact details:Email: [email protected]: 4624 2649Learning and Development Team


Wanting and delivering the best health services possible for the Mitchell community is what motivates the town’s Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) Chair Sheryn Hanna.

Sheryn, who has always lived in Mitchell, worked as an enrolled nurse prior to having her three children, and she believes this is what gave her the insight

into understanding the importance of rural and remote healthcare.

“Understanding and having a genuine interest in the bush and our people really helps in being able to maintain and build on our healthcare needs,” Sheryn said.

After finishing home-schooling her three children, Sheryn was elected to the Booringa Shire Council in 2004.

“In 2008 the new regional Council of Maranoa was formed and during this time an opportunity on the local CAN came up.

“During my time on the CAN we conducted a feasibility study on Mitchell becoming a Multipurpose Health

Facility. This was successful and I have been Chair of this group since its inception.

“It is something I love being a part of. I love the community spirit of the Mitchell people and surrounding areas and I love that I can play a part in helping them.”

Sheryn said she loved being a part of the CAN and knowing that if there were any concerns with healthcare in the region that she could be a part of helping fix that.

“We have the support of the South West Hospital and Health Service and Board and they always listen to us. Our priorities are ensuring we have a viable space for our ageing population and we are very proactive in our doctor recruitment to the area.

Sheryn said “We have been able to facilitate changes to the Bus Queensland timetable to ensure our community members needing to travel to Roma for specialist appointments can do so in a day. This is just one of the many changes our CAN have been able to help our community with.”

Sheryn said the Mitchell CAN is driven by the community. We, as a committee, are looking forward to continuing this strong relationship and ever-improving the healthcare options and facilities for our community.

MITCHELL CAN CHAIR SHERYN HANNA COMMITTED TO EVER IMPROVING HEALTH CARE IN THE BUSH


The State-wide Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care Clinical Networks (SWAPNet) Rural Perioperative Team Training Program (RPTTP) was held in the South West in

September. This program was sponsored by Clinical Excellence Queensland and is designed for Level 3 facilities in regional and rural areas.

The program promotes teamwork, communication and system design, with the aim to improve surgical outcomes for patients in rural areas. This scenario-based education intends to enhance both technical and non-technical skills. The two-day program incorporated six scenarios, using a lifelike manikin in Roma and Charleville’s theatre environment. Audio-visual equipment live streamed the simulation from the operating theatre, to let participants engage in the debriefing sessions. This allowed for interaction and communication amongst staff, giving them the opportunity to investigate areas for improvement.

The staff involved were able to practice their skills in their own work environment. The simulations included: - Can’t Intubate Can’t Oxygenate (CICO) Anaphylaxis, Obstetric Haemorrhage, Sedation of a Child, Cardiac Arrest and a Major Trauma. Staff came from all backgrounds across the South West, and included

medical staff (anaesthetics, surgical and obstetric), perioperative nurses, midwives, ED staff, wardsperson, pharmacists and pathology.

The SWAPNet faculty consisted of an anaesthetist, surgeon, perioperative nurse educator and SWAPNet coordinator who all volunteered their time to deliver the training. This opportunity has given the staff of the South West confidence in their ability to continue to work and communicate effectively as a team.

Thank you to the SWAPNet team for providing this training to the SWHHS.

For more information on the SWAPNet RPTTP please visit:- https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/improvement-exchange/rural-perioperative-team-training-program

Sharon Edwards and Annette Jensen, Perioperative Nurse Educators.

Theatre Emergency Simulation Training in the South West The State-wide Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care Clinical Networks (SWAPNet) Rural Perioperative Team Training Program (RPTTP) was held in the South West in September. This program has been sponsored by Clinical Excellence Queensland and is designed for Level 3 facilities in regional and rural areas.


The staff involved were able to practice their skills in their own work environment. The simulations included: - Can’t Intubate Can’t Oxygenate (CICO) Anaphylaxis, Obstetric Haemorrhage, Sedation of a Child, Cardiac Arrest and a Major Trauma. Staff came from all backgrounds across the South West, and included Medical staff (Anaesthetics, Surgical and Obstetric), Perioperative Nurses, Midwives, E.D staff, Wardsperson, Pharmacists and Pathology.

The SWAPNet faculty consisted of an Anaesthetist, Surgeon, Perioperative Nurse Educator and SWAPNet coordinator who all volunteered their time to deliver the training. This opportunity has given the staff of the South West confidence in their ability to continue to work and communicate effectively as a team.



Sharon Edwards and Annette Jensen, Perioperative Nurse Educator’s.















OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE SURGICAL OUTCOMES THROUGH THEATRE EMERGENCY SIMULATION TRAINING


The South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS) hosted the inaugural OMNI course on the 31 August 2019 at Roma Explorers Inn. OMNI Anaesthesia Education is a new training organisation who have a specialist anaesthetist and nursing faculty with

over 60 years combined expertise in anaesthesia training across the world. The workshop was designed specifically for nurses and medical officers working within the perioperative environment who undertake anaesthetic assistant and anaesthetic roles.

The participants from St George, Toowoomba and Roma gained skills in managing difficult airways, principles of crisis resource management, knowledge and confidence when preparing for and responding to perianaesthesia emergencies. Topics included cardiac events, critical bleeding with massive transfusion, malignant hyperthermia and local anaesthetic toxicity.

Interactive difficult airways equipment skills stations were a big part of the day, with representatives from Karl Storz and Cook Medical, demonstrating the most up to date equipment

available in this field. These included CMAC blades and monitors, bronchoscope’s as well as the Melker Airway and Cook exchange catheters.

Following the success of this first workshop, it is hoped that this will be repeated in 2020.

Many thanks to Dr Vera Meeusen, Fiona Newman, Prof Andre Van Zundert and the representatives from Cook and Storz for making the trip to Roma and enjoying some of Roma’s best tourist spots.

For further information please contact: - www.omnianaesthesia.com

BUILDING THE SKILLS OF OUR STAFF THROUGH ANAESTHESIA EDUCATION- PERIANAESTHESIA CRISIS MANAGEMENT

OMNI Anaesthesia Education- Perianaesthesia Crisis management

The SWHHS hosted the inaugural OMNI course on the 31st August 2019 at the Roma Explorers Inn. OMNI Anaesthesia Education is a new training organisation who have Specialist Anaesthetist and Nursing faculty with over 60 years combined expertise in anaesthesia training across the world. The workshop was designed specifically for Nurses and Medical Officers working within the perioperative environment who undertake anaesthetic assistant and anaesthetic roles.

The participants from St George, Toowoomba and Roma gained difficult airway skills, principles of crisis resource management, knowledge and confidence when preparing for and responding to perianaesthesia emergencies. Topics included cardiac events, critical bleeding with massive transfusion, malignant hyperthermia, and local anaesthetic toxicity.

Interactive difficult airways equipment skills stations were a big part of the day, with representatives from Karl Storz and Cook Medical, demonstrating the most up to date equipment available in this field. These included CMAC blades and monitors, bronchoscope’s as well as the Melker Airway and Cook exchange catheters.

Following the success of this first work shop, it is hoped that this will be repeated in 2020.



Sharon Edwards and Annette Jensen Perioperative Nurse Educator’s.


























EMET – ROMA HOSPITALCLINICIANS ENHANCE THEIR EMERGENCY MEDICINE SKILLSClinical staff from Roma Hospital took part in the first Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) on Monday 16 September 2019 at the Roma Hospital.

Roma Precinct Director of Medical Services, Dr Alan Richardson said the South West had received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and support from the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine to implement the EMET Program.

Dr Richardson said this was the first time an ongoing program like this had been facilitated at the Roma Hospital.

“South West Hospital and Health Service sets the benchmark for improving health outcomes in rural and remote areas,” Dr Richardson said.

By connecting healthcare professionals, research groups, Queensland Health, government bodies and local communities at a human level, the South West is enabling the creation of a shared vision that gives everyone the opportunity to understand, take ownership of, be inspired by and affect the future of healthcare in the region.

He said it was fantastic to have Emergency Staff Specialist, Dr Neale Thornton who travelled from the Mackay Base Hospital to the Roma Hospital to facilitate the emergency medicine training.

Dr Richardson said that the program provides a unique opportunity for clinical staff of all disciplines to enhance their emergency medicine skills. While on site Dr Thornton conducted case-based discussions, simulation scenarios as well as skill sessions.

Dr Thornton is passionate about providing the best training possible and is programmed to visit for one week per month for the next eighteen months. Dr Richardson believes the South West staff are passionate about evolving healthcare to deliver better health outcomes for everyone. He said that we can’t move forward standing still and when healthcare professionals come together as a community, the best help is always at hand.

The next EMET will be held the week starting Monday 11 November. For information please call Amy Cavanough, Executive Support Officer to Director Medical Services, Roma Health Precinct on 4624 2843.


#SWSPIRIT RECIPIENTMAREE MITCHELL

Rebecca Sullivan is the South West Hospital and Health Service’s #SWspirit recipient for the month of September.

#SWspirit is a regular initiative to recognise staff who exemplify the organisation’s spirit through living our values in the way they work every day.

When a health facility has people like Rebecca Sullivan working there, you can be sure it has a strong and healthy community surrounding it.

For 25 years Rebecca has worked at the Charleville Hospital and in one of her colleague’s own words ‘she just keeps the place ticking’ and it is through this commitment that Rebecca is September’s #SWspirit recipient.

“For me, having worked at the Charleville Hospital for more than 25 years, it is like coming home and my colleagues are like my family.”

Rebecca consistently displays all the South West’s values of quality, compassion, accountability, engagement and adaptability in her role as Enrolled Nurse Advanced Skills.

She works across a few teams including the general ward, theatre and central sterilising and is also the site co-ordinator for the newborn healthy hearing program.

“For me, having worked at the Charleville Hospital for more than 25 years, it is like coming home and my colleagues are like my family,” Rebecca said.

“We are a team at the Charleville Hospital and we take pride in the care we give to our community and I’m so proud to be a part of this team for so long.”

Described by her peers as ‘the person you go to when you need something done’, Rebecca is always busy whether she is in theatre, emergency or anywhere in the hospital.

She is never one to ask for credit, but always happy to plug away behind the scenes and help whoever, whenever they need it.

Rebecca certainly exudes all things true to the South West spirit given her strive for excellence in all she does while delivering excellent person-centred care.

She treats everyone that comes into her path with the same kindness, respect and dignity as she would her own family while always being reliable and accountable in all she does.

Rebecca also works effectively and inclusively with others while also embracing adaptability by being able to learn, change and grow.

Rebecca is a very worth recipient of the #SWspirit nomination for September. Congratulations Rebecca.


ROMA HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT MAKING GREAT PROGRESSConstruction work on the new Roma Hospital continues to progress well. The focus during September was on:

• Internal services and fit out works• Works to plant rooms and cladding• Rough in works continuing to all available areas• Sheeting of walls and ceilings • Floor finishes commencing.

With the construction now well progressed there is emphasis on the commissioning to ensure the move to the new hospital occurs smoothly and from opening our teams are performing to a very high standard to provide the best health services to the people of the South West.

During the month of September, the SWHHS welcomed new members to the commissioning team. Kirsty Dykes, Daniela Ortega and Scott Lisle are now working with Sue Leggate to ensure that all commissioning activities are completed and that the hospital and community staff are well prepared for the move into the new hospital.

The focus of commissioning activities in September has been the commencement of Move Readiness

Plans for all functional areas. These plans provide the information from each department on their move requirements and any service impacts that may arise during the actual move period. This work will continue through October.

The SWHHS has also now finalised the procurement of Revitzo, a 3D software application that enables staff to take a virtual walk through of the internal areas of the hospital. This has proved invaluable with positive feedback received from staff. Revitzo is also planned to be used for the hospital orientation program.

Eastern Site Boundary View


A workshop was held with administrative officers in late August to discuss the administration functional locations and arrangements for the new hospital. The use of Revitzo through the workshops helped the administrative staff visualise the locations where administrative functions will be completed in the new hospital. These early workshops will help to inform the new administration services structure to be implemented.

September also saw the commencement of regular site tours for staff. As internal works rapidly progress arrangements had been made to take groups of staff through the hospital so that they could see the flow of departments and visualise the size of the various rooms. Initial groups included the hospital department leads and the hospital’s medical officers

Hospital staff tour of the new hospital

As construction of the new hospital progresses the Building, Engineering and Maintenance Services

(BEMS) team is working on a number of activities to prepare for management, monitoring and maintenance of building services and assets in the new hospital.

Management and monitoring of the building services - such as fire protection, CCTV, the water treatment plants and air conditioning - will transition from predominantly manual processes to an automated building management control system. The system will increase management efficiency and provide useful data on the daily operation of key building services and plant.

Regular site visits enable the BEMS team to familiarise themselves with the infrastructure of the new hospital. Appropriate training will be provided prior occupation of the hospital.

Hospital staff tour of the new hospital

Left to right: Shaun Roydhouse, Anne Knayer, Keith Mawn


Documents

South West Hospital and Health Service PULSE...facilitate better integration and better co-ordination of the health services, with our commitment to person centred care being the guiding