Annual Report - Northern Health

Our Achievements cont’dThe outstanding work of Northern Health’s Aboriginal LiaisonOfficer, Karen Bryant was recognised in the SACS Awards forfurthering understanding of the healthcare needs of Aboriginalpatients and their families within Northern Health. Her forwardthinking and creative approach has led to significant increasesin attendances by Aboriginal people at Northern Health,which over time, will help to close the health gap forAboriginal people.The Northern Health Aboriginal Advisory Committee continuesto provide the Aboriginal community with mainstream andprofessional support, input and direction to the AboriginalSupport Unit. It has indigenous community and mainstreammembers and senior Northern Health managementrepresentation.Growing community engagementSince the introduction of a new Community Engagementframework in early 2011-12, Northern Health’s HealthCommunity Development and Consumer Participation Unithas established The Northern Health Consumer Network,comprising consumers and community members with aninterest in health care issues. The Network provides a poolof consumers who can be consulted on various healthcareissues and who are available to provide a consumer/communityperspective on a range of issues. For example, the ConsumerReview group, which is a ‘virtual committee’, provides aconsumer base for staff to consult with in regard to thedevelopment of consumer information materials. Communitymembers have participated in many other projects resultingin the provision of significant advice and insight to NorthernHealth. These include; a cold plating food trial, a way findingand signage project, the redevelopment of the special carenursery, the cardiology redesigning care project and the reviewof many brochures and information sheets.Developed by the Northern Health Advanced Care Planningprogram, Northern Health’s approach uses ‘ACP in 3-steps’:(A) Appoint an Agent;(C) Chat and Communicate; and(P) Put it on Paper.To progress Advanced Care Planning, the team haveprovided staff and community education, developed systemsand processes to support advanced care planning andimplementation and provided direct advance assistance to staff,patients and the community.More Advisory Committee achievementsThe Northern Health Population Health Advisory Committeeis a formal sub-committee of the Northern Health Board withrepresentation from all major primary health care providersin the North, including local government, Medicare Local,RDNS, Women’s Health in the North, Mental Health Services,Department of Health, Community Health and Primary CarePartnerships. This year the Committee focused on diabetesand mental health services and the development andcommencement of the Northern Melbourne Medicare Local andsupported Northern Health’s successful application to becomea World Health Organisation Health Promoting Hospital.The Northern Health Cultural and Staff Diversity Committeecomprises external stakeholders and consumer organisationsincluding amongst others ADEC, the Cancer Council, CEH,Diabetes Australia, City of Whittlesea, Spectrum MRC, MonashUniversity, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, FoundationHouse, Women’s Health in the North, and RDNS) continuesto oversee the successful implementation of the NorthernHealth Cultural Responsiveness Plan, and the Northern HealthDisability Action Plan.Progressing Northern Health’s AdvancedCare PlanningNorthern Health’s Advanced Care Planning program is designedto offer inclusive and accessible advance care planning to theNorthern community. Advanced Care Planning is a processof thinking about, talking about and writing down future healthcare decisions. The plan comes into effect if and whena person is unable to make decisions for themselves, andit can help family, friends and the treating clinicians determinewhat medical treatment the person would have wanted in thatsituation.11/12 Northern Health annual report 27