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Sydney Local Health District

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24.01.2022 It’s a big day at RPA today with news that a $750 million redevelopment is being fast-tracked, with early works expected to start within six months. The redevelopment should be finished by the end of 2025 and will deliver an expanded and enhanced emergency department, intensive care units, medical imaging services, operating theatres, maternity, birthing and neonatal services, and adult inpatient beds. Innovation will also be the cornerstone of the redevelopment, incorporatin...g new models of care including an expansion of rpavirtual, which opened earlier this year. Rpavirtual - Australia’s first virtual hospital - has redefined the way acute care is delivered in the community by treating more than 4000 patients at home and in the Special Health Accommodation this year. RPA’s redevelopment will also complement the NSW Government’s creation of Tech Central, one of the largest innovation communities in the southern hemisphere. And the project will create thousands of much-needed jobs, so everyone wins. A huge thanks to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard for visiting today to announce this exciting news. See more

24.01.2022 Great work from our team at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, a collaboration between us and the University of Sydney.

24.01.2022 We have a temporary COVID-19 testing clinic set up in Lakemba so, if you have any symptoms, please head along and see our crew.

24.01.2022 Last year, RPA emergency department registrar Rachel Ronthal was working and studying for exams. This year, thanks to COVID-19, she's worked harder, studied longer - and added in mask fit testing and showering at work after each shift to prevent spreading the virus. When this is over It’s been a very stressful year and I’m looking forward to having a change of pace and stepping away. I was supposed to take six months off this year to go backpacking around South America. I n...ever took a gap year and I was really looking forward to it, but once COVID-19 hit, I cancelled my leave to be as helpful as possible. I sat my primary exam two weeks ago. It was supposed to be in May, but was postponed due to the pandemic. I was so upset when it was postponed. I had planned to spend 12 months studying but, instead, I spent 18 months focused on the one exam. I’m looking forward to making connections with patients without wearing a mask - especially kids. Part of working with kids is making them feel comfortable in a foreign space but this year I’ve learnt to convey expressions with my eyes and communicate with my hands. And, I can’t wait to get back to my normal scrubs with more pockets. I don’t have a desk so my desk is in my pockets. With our green ED scrubs, we can fill up the pockets with pens - and snacks! - but now, I’m forever losing pens. See more

23.01.2022 Damian Robinson is RPA’s environmental services manager. He usually oversees 200 staff across the cleaning, waste and supply departments. As part of our COVID-19 response this year, his team has grown to more than 250, and has been the backbone of our fight against the pandemic. When this is over I want to take my kids Anika and Jack on a coastal camping adventure, mucking around at the beach, swimming in the ocean, camping in the wilderness and having fun together. We man...aged to get away on a holiday in January, but I can’t wait for a proper break with the kids again, where we can just relax and hang out. I also want to go on a solo driving holiday to visit friends in Melbourne and Queensland. I love driving and have been doing a few weekend driving trips around NSW this year. But, I really want to be able to drive across state borders again with ease. And, I want to hang out with friends and loved ones without the concerns of physical distancing. I just want to have a games night, go to a restaurant and go to a pub. See more

23.01.2022 Merela Ghazal is our executive research manager. She usually oversees about 1000 ethics and research governance applications from staff each year. This year, applications have boomed with the team receiving about 950 already, with more than 10 per cent for COVID-19 specific research. In response, they've developed new ways of expediting COVID-19 research and have reduced the average ethics review time down to 12 days to ensure we continue to be world leaders in patient care. ...When this is over. I would love to go back to Paris. I was there four years ago and have been dreaming of returning ever since. I would stay in Montmartre and make my way to my favourite little restaurant which serves this most delicious peach and passionfruit drink. And I would wander through the streets and visit every art gallery and museum I stumbled across. Mostly, I really just want to experience the energy of the city again. I also want to see some plays and live music. Last year, I saw some fantastic Australian plays at the Opera House and Roslyn Packer Theatre. We have amazing creative talent in Australia and I would love to be able to continue to support this. And thirdly, I would like to be able to switch off my phone and sleep for a week. See more

22.01.2022 Yes, we know it’s children’s day every, but we still like making International Children’s Day that little bit more special. Our paediatric teams at RPA and Canterbury got into fancy dress in celebration of our small patients yesterday, and they looked fantastic. For children and families in our hospital at this time, Children’s Day allows us to honour and celebrate their individuality, brightness and special role in our lives, says RPA nursing unit manager Diane Kirkwood. Well done, everyone.

22.01.2022 RPA melanoma expert Professor Richard Scolyer has been awarded the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia's highest honour, the 2020 Distinguished Fellow Award in recognition of his position as one of Australia’s most distinguished medical researchers. His outstanding scientific contributions, academic leadership, clinical excellence, and mentoring of young colleagues were noted by the judges. Congratulations, Professor Scolyer. Keep leading the way.

21.01.2022 About a century ago, the world was gripped by an influenza pandemic, known as the Spanish Flu. Highly contagious, it killed more than 6000 people in NSW. You can catch the State Library of NSW exhibition called PANDEMIC until January to see memorabilia from that time.

20.01.2022 Kristina Zarkos’ new job has a very bright future. With 23 years of experience as a nurse and manager at RPA, she’s now overseeing the hospital’s $750 million redevelopment. In her new role, she’ll work closely with our executive, NSW Health Infrastructure, and hospital and community stakeholders to ensure everyone is engaged, consulted and informed as we move through the different phases of the redevelopment over the next few years. We’ve already established a Working Party... and, in consultation with our clinicians, we’ve developed a Clinical Services Plan, she says. It sets out how best to deliver expanded, enhanced and integrated services, and contemporary, multidisciplinary models of care, in the decades ahead. Now, we’re evaluating the next steps, Kristina says. Staff, patients, families, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to participate in the design process. We want to ensure every RPA patient’s experience is the best experience, she says. Kristina joined RPA as a graduate nurse in 1997, rising to become the Director of Nursing and Midwifery. I am proud to work here. I love what I do. I’ve been fortunate to have been offered many career opportunities here. This is my next challenge to help plan the future of health care at RPA. See more

19.01.2022 We have more than 1000 Allied Health staff across the District and today we are celebrating them. They are the amazing people who help our patients and their families improve their quality of life; rebuild strength; refocus and return to life after illness or trauma. And they're a diverse bunch, including art therapists, audiologists, counsellors, diversional therapists, diagnostic imaging medical physicists, exercise physiologists, genetic counsellors, music therapists, nutr...ition and dietetics, occupational therapists, radiation therapists, orthoptics, orthotics and prosthetics, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers and sonographers, sexual assault counsellors, social work, speech pathologists and welfare officers. So, today, on Allied Health Professionals day, thank you. We are very proud of the strength and resilience you have shown in finding innovative ways to care for our patients and families during this challenging year. See more

18.01.2022 The Pikes are royalty at Sydney Local Health District. At one point, we had 12 of these superstars all over the place. Currently, we have six. They’ve clocked up about 230 years of service between them and their loyalty even earned them a story in the local paper. Shane has been here for 34 years. This year, his workload as a leading hand in Engineering Services tripled as he ran hither and thither looking after our usual services, plus the Special Health Accommodation, our p...op-up testing clinics, and our Sydney Airport operations. But, as usual with the Pikes, nothing is ever too much trouble. When this is over I’ve never been overseas and I just want to start travelling. The wife and I were going to Thailand this year, but it had to be cancelled. I've heard Thailand is good value for money and the food is amazing. We paid the house off a couple of years ago, so we'll head away for three months with our six kids. But I'll definitely be leaving my phone at home. It’s been on constantly since the start of the pandemic. I’m also going to have a big party. Our Christmas is usually 80 close family and friends. Everyone cooks a dish and brings it along. People start arriving at 10am. By 5pm, I’m exhausted, but it’s so good catching up with my brothers and sisters and their families. And I really can’t wait to watch my kids play sport again. My son plays basketball, rugby league and Australian rules but, due to COVID-19, a lot of the comps were cancelled. We weren’t even allowed into the basketball stadium when he was playing. We spend so much time taking him to training and games, so it’s hard not watching him play.

16.01.2022 Clinical Nurse Educator Rhea Lequin calls herself The Butterfly of Concord. This year, she’s flitted between Concord’s COVID-19 ward and our Bressington Park drive-through clinic, helping out wherever needed. She educates our staff on infection control, personal protective equipment procedures and troubleshoots any problems. And, being a butterfly, she just makes our lives better. When this is over Earlier this year, my dad was very unwell. He’s doing OK now, but it was a r...eally difficult time. I always kept my physical distance as I’m considered a high risk contact due to working on a COVID-19 ward. But every time I see him, there is a tear because he survived and I just want to give him a big hug. He hasn’t said anything but I can see it he wants a hug. And it’s all I want to do, but I can’t risk it yet. I got married earlier this year in a small COVID-safe wedding. It was beautiful, but my dad couldn’t walk me down the aisle because he was so sick. So, as soon as I can I’ll have a huge celebration, with dancing, singing, hugging and crying. And this time he’ll be beside me. My family has become closer this year than I ever thought possible. And, finally, I want to celebrate with a barbecue in my backyard with all the colleagues who have been by my side throughout COVID-19. I want to hug them and say thank you. They all helped with a smooth transition into the unknown and they deserve the acknowledgement. See more

15.01.2022 RPA and the University of Sydney have joined forces in a world-first study treating highly contagious COVID-19 patients with cardiac issues without moving them out of intensive care to an operating theatre. A 3D ultrasound probe is threaded through the vessels to the heart and can pump up to four litres of blood a minute - with no need for x-rays or open surgery.

15.01.2022 We’ve peaked. Concord Hospital’s eight-storey, 214-bed clinical services building has reached its highest point of construction. And today, we celebrated with an official topping out ceremony with Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti. The NSW Government’s $341 million commitment to Concord Hospital will not only deliver an extra 111 beds, but will house the nation’s first dedicated veterans’ health service, a comprehensive cancer centre and an ag...ed care centre, Mr Hazzard said. It’s a modern, state-of-the-art facility with over two-thirds of the new inpatient beds in single rooms, as well as day beds for carers staying for extended periods. When this redevelopment is finished in about a year, we’ll then start on a new $32.4 million multi-storey car park. Thanks to everyone involved in this amazing project. We are very much looking forward to the day when we can open the doors of this world-class facility to the public. See more

14.01.2022 Gabrielle Madden was flying high as Qantas cabin crew and planning a trip to America to see family when COVID-19 started. She’s one of more than 300 Qantas staff we’ve now employed to help them through these dire times. And in return, Gabrielle is now based at Canterbury Hospital helping us recruit nurses across the District. We’re hoping she might also introduce a drinks cart with free snacks, but we don’t think it’s going to happen. When this is over The first thing I woul...d to do is visit my family in the United States. My husband is American, so we have lots of people to visit. We would visit our kids and three grandkids in North Carolina and Boston, and my father-in-law in Oklahoma. We’ve been Zooming with them, but it’s hard when the grandkids are so little. We were able to see our youngest grandchild, Lorelai, just after she was born but she’s now 15 months, so I just can’t wait to give her a huge hug. Also, I can’t wait to get back to nature. My husband, David, and I are big hikers, and we want to tackle the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain, Yosemite National Park and some Tassie hikes. For me, going to new places and experiencing that side makes me feel more local. I just love it - the exercise, the atmosphere and the beauty you experience while hiking. I would also love the freedom to cross state borders with ease. My sister, Catherine, and her family are in Canberra. She’s a paediatric nurse and I would have visited, but it's important to not move around too much to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. See more

13.01.2022 We’ve seen a significant drop in COVID-19 testing numbers across Sydney Local Health District and that worries us. Borders may be re-opening, but the pandemic is far from over. And if we get complacent, we might find ourselves winding back the clock a few months to much tighter restrictions. Please come forward for testing if you have any flu-like symptoms. And stay home from work or school while you await your results so you don’t infect others. If you pop along for a swa...b, you can meet real life superheroes like these ones at our Summer Hill drive-through clinic. You can find a list of our clinics here: https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au//COVID-19-Coronavirus-Clinics. See more

13.01.2022 As if 2020 hasn’t been cruel enough, now a massive locust plague is devastating crops and livestock in the Afar region of Ethiopia, home to the Barbara May Foundation. Our staff already generously donate about $10,000 a month to Barbara May’s maternity hospital in Mille as part of our Workplace Giving Program. In the past 10 years, our contributions have helped them reduce the maternal death rate from one in 12 to almost zero. Now, we are now making an emergency donation thi...s week of $25,000 to help the starving community import food. A huge thanks to all staff who donate to this program. If you would like more information, or are on staff and would like to join, please go to http://slhd-intranet.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/WGP/ and click Sign up now. For more information on the Barbara May Foundation, go to: https://barbaramayfoundation.com/ See more

13.01.2022 This month, ACON launched a special Thank You video series recognising all the amazing work being done in the community by LGBTQ people in response to the pandemic. We were very excited when they asked to feature our rpavirtual dynamic duo Owen Hutchings and Cass Dearing, who have both knocked it out of the park this year by treating thousands of COVID-19 positive patients in the community and our Special Health Accommodation.

12.01.2022 In her three decades at RPA, executive assistant Carol Yeung proofed various medical journals, mastered daunting computer programs, organised forensic medicine conferences, reminded colleagues about daylight savings - and made the office fun and happy. She’s now bowing out to spend more time exercising, studying bible courses, playing piano at church and walking her dog. But she’ll be fondly remembered by the Department of Medical Genomics for always thinking the best of othe...rs and going out of her way to help. Working at RPA is special, and it also means you get to meet and work with special people, says Head of Department Ron Trent. Carol was one of those extraordinary people and her numerous contributions over the 30 years have had an impact on many. We thank Carol for being Carol. For scientist and laboratory manager Stuart Cole, Carol’s welcoming smile and warm personality will always be endearing. If there was some way Carol could lessen someone’s workload, she would be there, ready to smile, laugh and help in any way she could. And for registrar Anthony Cheong, her kindness stood out. Carol is one of the kindest people I have met. It has been an honour to have worked with her and her contribution to the department is invaluable. We wish you all the best in retirement, Carol. Thank you for making RPA such a very special place for staff, patients and visitors. See more

11.01.2022 RPA’s Dr Paul Stalley has been awarded the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s highest honour for his work in sarcoma surgery. The L.O. Betts memorial medal is awarded for an outstanding contribution to the science and practice of orthopaedics, but it is not automatically awarded each year. The only other RPA recipient was Dr Stalley’s mentor Harry Tyer (awarded in 1986), with whom he pioneered Australia's first Bone Bank using living donors undergoing elective orthopaedic p...rocedures. I’m very surprised, grateful and flattered, says Dr Stalley. And it is particularly nice to follow in the footsteps of Harry. Congratulations. Another great example of our people leading the way. See more

10.01.2022 Bettina Holmes, 86, has always loved singing, but only ever had the confidence to do it at home. That was until she joined the With One Voice Redfern Choir, supported by Sydney Local Health District. Singing is really important to me, she says. I honestly live to go to singing and, since joining the choir, people say I have really come out of my shell. With One Voice Redfern was developed to bring together diverse members of the community and alleviate social isolation.... Prior to COVID-19, about 60 members met every Monday night for lessons and rehearsals. Monday rehearsals are still very much in full swing but now participants Zoom in with their conductor to learn new techniques and songs, and plan for monthly virtual performances. The choir has also employed someone to make weekly wellness calls to members during COVID-19 to ensure they still have a social connection. Our Healthy Living program manager Shane Brown was pivotal in the implementation of the choir. It’s a fantastic way to look at wellness outside of the traditional clinical idea," he says. "Singing is a perfect way to work towards both mental and physical wellness and we want a mix of people from varied cultural backgrounds, life experiences and ages to join the group. For more information, please contact Shane on 0408 257 986 or Robin Miles on 0415 644 714. See more

10.01.2022 Tim Wand is a mental health nurse practitioner in RPA’s emergency department. He was looking forward to integrating the nurse-led ED mental health team model into hospitals across NSW, but once COVID-19 broke, he was faced with higher than usual levels of anxiety among patients, teaching his University of Sydney nursing students over Zoom - and wearing scrubs at work (which, in his eyes, dampens his street cred quite a lot). When this is over I want to jump on a plane and g...o to South East Asia. I would visit Malaysia, Borneo and Thailand. I feel so relaxed when I am there. It’s almost like in a past life I was part of the culture. I love everything about it - the smell, the food and the people. I also can’t wait to experience the electricity of a live concert again. I love live concerts - the energy of the performers, the room full of people. There is really nothing like it. Recently, I’ve been loving hip hop and I had tickets to see Stormzy with my two kids in November, but that has been postponed. I’m so sad to see how COVID-19 has devastated the music industry. Most importantly, I can’t wait to spend more time with my parents. They are both 82 and have been too scared to come to Sydney since COVID-19 started. I’ve visited them in Wollongong, but whenever I’d tried to give my dad a hug he’s held up his hands and declined. He worked in the mines and is high risk with lung issues, so when COVID-19 is over, that hug is definitely at the top of my list. See more

08.01.2022 Paula Williams is the Nurse Unit Manager of RPA’s COVID-19 clinic. It was the first of its kind in NSW and so far, the team has swabbed more than 38,000 noses and throats - all while picking up sticks and moving locations three times. When this is over. I can’t wait to spend time with my five nieces and nephews. They are all at that great age where you can take them to the park, or on an adventure to see the boats or just hang out and play. I miss being able drop by and s...ee them on a whim. One of my favourite hobbies is amateur theatre. I love acting and being part of a play and I can’t wait to get back to performing. Hopefully, I can get a role in one of my three dream plays which are Macbeth, August: Osage County or The Crucible. And, last but not least, I want to travel. I don’t have anywhere specific in mind but I do know I want it to be tropical where I can sit on a beach and do absolutely nothing. See more

08.01.2022 So, things were looking good for a while there, but today we have recorded eight new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 in NSW. Testing rates jumped yesterday - which is fantastic - but we need to keep on this. Please come and see us if you have even the slightest sore throat, fever or runny nose. We have nine testing clinics and seven of them are open seven days a week. At four of them, you don't even need to leave your car. And our people are lovely, so let's test, test..., test. https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au//COVID-19-Coronavirus-Clinics. See more

08.01.2022 Natalie Shiel usually oversees policies and clinical governance for nurses, but this year she’s been a team leader in our flying squad of COVID-19 swab nurses. They call themselves The Squids and between them they have swabbed most of Sydney and beyond; learnt how to set up pop clinics in the blink of an eye; and spent more time at the airport than a Border Force sniffer dog. When this is over My cousin Geoff is like a sibling to me. I’d already bought my outfit for his wedd...ing when the Public Health Order ruled that only five people could be at a ceremony. So, I dressed up on the top of my body (make up and everything), put tracksuit pants on and we watched it on Facebook live with a glass of champagne. Most of my family lives in Perth and I want us in the same state at the same time to have a proper party for Geoff. I also want to hug my nan. She’s 91 and lives independently in Orange - she even drives. I talk to her on the phone, but I’ve been so scared of giving her COVID-19 that I haven’t visited. Once, I asked my aunty if I could and she said no, thanks, you keep your Sydney germs down there. I definitely want to go camping with my partner Ryan and hang with our mates. With no phone reception. But, mostly, I want to party at The Alfred Hotel with all the Squids. There is a very long list of people who have been a Squid at some point and we really need to have beers together and forget all about COVID-19. See more

07.01.2022 Farhad Babul is deaf, non-verbal and uses AUSLAN to communicate, but thanks to his new job at Balmain Hospital, he's feeling respected and able to provide for himself. Farhad is the first employee recruited under a new partnership between us and employment service provider WISE Employment to enhance job opportunities for people with a disability. It’s changed my life, says Farhad, who is on the Environmental Services team. I feel like I’m respected. I would like to stay h...ere as long as I can. I want to improve in this life. I want to be independent and be able to provide for myself by working. Under the partnership, we’ll consider candidates, who have skills and abilities that match roles in our hospitals, services and support teams. Once placed in a position, they'll be offered job coaching, mentoring and training as needed, while workplace support will also be provided to their colleagues and managers. We’ll also work with WISE Employment to build the knowledge and confidence of existing staff in relation to disability and cultural awareness. Farhad’s co-workers have nothing but praise for him. He’s very dedicated, says his manager Suman Karki. He is a hard worker and has high standards. He’s always positive and has a smile on his face. He’s taught us the sign language for hello, goodbye and thank you, he says. Farhad hopes his job is the beginning of a lengthy career at the District. I feel like there is absolute opportunity to grow and the training is helping me gain confidence to move into other roles. Let’s see where this job takes me." For more information, please email [email protected] See more

07.01.2022 If you've ever inherited a medical condition, been concerned about inheriting one or passing it on, you'll know how valuable these people are. They're our genetic counsellors and they play a crucial role across our hospitals in many settings, including cancer, prenatal, cardiology, neurology, infertility, paediatric and adult medicine. We can provide support and guidance on whether genetic testing may or may not be right for you and help you make informed choices about your healthcare, says RPA genetic counsellor and Chair of the Australian Society of Genetic Counsellors Laura Yeates (pictured middle with Jodie Ingles and Charlotte Burns pre-COVID-19). Today is Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day and the ideal time to learn more about these essential people. Click here for more: https://www.genetics.edu.au/

06.01.2022 Hospitals can be resource intensive places, but we work hard to be as sustainable as possible where we can. Three years ago, relocation manager Rob Pike teamed up with our engineering staff to re-purpose old furniture and other items to save taxpayers’ money and landfill. They set up what is affectionately known as Pikea, a transfer station where any furniture due to be thrown out can be assessed for re-purposing, or broken down and recycled. So far, they’ve reupholstered ...and re-painted hundreds of chairs, and used bits and bobs to custom-make anything from desks to shelving or cupboards for staff across the District. This week, they’ve installed beautiful re-purposed chairs in the waiting area of RPA Women and Babies, just perfect for family members catching up away from the wards. Well done, team. Thanks for going above and beyond yet again to make life better for our staff, patients, visitors and the planet. See more

06.01.2022 White Island volcano victim John Cozad returns to Concord Hospital to thank the staff who saved his life in this Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes.

06.01.2022 Time is running out to win $5000 for your school in our Healthy Connections competition. Tell us how your school has adapted to COVID-19 or developed innovative ways to stay healthy and safe this year. Entries close Friday at 5pm so get cracking. Click here for more information and entry forms: https://bit.ly/2T9llsW

05.01.2022 Need to take a quiet moment to feel more balanced? Drop by the foyer in the Professor Marie Bashir Centre at RPA to check out the finalists in our Living Well photography competition, held as part of Mental Health Month. This year's theme is Serenity in Uncertainty, and our judges will decide on the winners tomorrow, but it’s going to tough because quality is high. If you can’t stop by, have a look at some of the entries here. Winners will be announced next Friday, October 1...6. Good luck, everyone. See more

03.01.2022 We are very proud to announce that RPA has been named in Newsweek’s list of the world’s best specialised hospitals for 2021 in the areas of cardiology, endocrinology and oncology. Take a bow, everyone, and thank you for continuing to provide world class care to our patients and their families.

03.01.2022 It’s October and that means it’s time to get the puppies checked. If you’re aged between 50 and 74, you can book a free mammogram through BreastScreen NSW - NSW GOV by calling 13 20 50. We have plenty of screening locations across the inner west and the test only takes about 20 minutes. Early detection means more treatment options and a better chance of survival.

02.01.2022 It's Remembrance Day today so please join us for our service at Concord Hospital. It starts at 10.45am and the link is below.

01.01.2022 It certainly has been an extraordinary year, with plenty of challenges that we could never have envisioned. Next week, we are holding our first virtual AGM where we will celebrate the efforts of our staff who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic; and discuss where we are heading next. Please join us on Thursday, November 5 from 5pm. Information on how to join is here: www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/agm