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JUNE 2012 - Edition 18A hairy fundraiserCommunityConnectJason and his luscious locks before the bigshave, with CAHU NUM Vanessa Long.Jason Brook is a man with a big heart.Jason has worked as a Patient ServicesAttendant in Northern Health’s Childrenand Adolescent Health Unit (CAHU) for thepast 14 years.He hasn’t cut his hair for three years, andlast week, Jason shaved his head in thefront foyer of The Northern Hospital for agreat cause.Jason is passionately raising money for thefamilies of two very sick little children inthe Northern Hospital’s CAHU.Jason has become close to the families ofJamie and Tayler, and wants to give themsomething to ease the pain a little duringthis devastating time in their lives.“I have developed a great rapport andbond with these kids and their families,and I wanted to do something for them inthis difficult time.”Sadly, Tayler, one of these children, passedaway peacefully last week.“I knew that even though Tayler couldn’tbe here in person, she was with me inspirit,” said Jason.Over 200 staff and community memberscame to watch Jason take on the clippers,including Jamie.“It was great to have Jamie watch me getmy head shaved. Me and the little guy areclose, and it made it all the more special,”said Jason.“I’d like to thank everyone who hassupported me in raising money forthese kids. I have been overwhelmed bypeople’s support and generosity, and thankeveryone from the bottom of my heart.”So far, almost $7000 has been raised, andJason is hoping to still raise much more.Northern Health CEO, Greg Pullen, hascommended Jason on his efforts.“Jason is a great example of whatNorthern Health stands for, and isrepresentative of the exceptional care thatall staff provide to a northern community,”Mr Pullen said.“Northern Health believes that providingexceptional Palliative Care requires us tonot only meet the needs of the patient,Rino shaving away the tressesJason after the shave with his own littlemiracle, Montanabut also provide care and support for theircarers and families of these patients.”“Jason’s position as a Patient ServicesAttendant does not allow him to providetreatment in a clinical sense. However, hehas found a way that he can personallycontribute to the care of these familiesduring a highly distressing time in theirlives,” said Mr Pullen.“I encourage the northern community toget behind Jason on his selfless mission toraise funds for these families.”To donate, please visit the followingweb page: http://nhfoundation.org.au/shavemyhead/insideFrom the CEOThe Bug Stops Here!Celebrating northern Nurses and MidwivesNorthern Hospital radiographer is a true storytellerWelcoming a diverse communitySupporting Northern Health1

newsFrom the CEOMelbourne’s north is home to awonderfully diverse multiculturalcommunity, and during June,Northern Health will celebrateInternational Refugee Week andInternational Refugee Day.Northern Health would like toacknowledge the members of ourcommunity who help to make it sorich and vibrant in culture, religionand language.The theme for Refugee Day this yearis, “One refugee without hope is toomany.”Every day, millions of refugees around the world face horrible injustices,and the United Nations Refugee Agency believe even one person sufferingis one too many.Northern Health is doing its part to ensure that all members of a northerncommunity are treated with kindness, respect and understanding, andprovided with exceptional patient care.Patient health and safety is a priority and we believe that no one shouldfear their health concerns could be misunderstood due to languagebarriers between patient and practitioner.To assist bridging language differences, Northern Health’s Transculturaland Language Services are available free of charge, and are an essentialconduit for non-English patients and their families to share and receiveconfidential medical information.In addition to providing resources for patients and their families, NorthernHealth also invests in providing cultural awareness training for all staff.Each year, dozens of transcultural training sessions are delivered toNorthern Health staff by Transcultural and Language Services to ensurethat all care provided to patients is culturally sensitive and respectful.Having staff aware of cultural sensitivities reduces any risk that can arisewhen shared respect, meaning and knowledge are not present.Many of our staff and volunteers have come from a former refugeestatus, and we welcome the skills and knowledge that they bring to ourorganisation.Northern Health is committed to offering our diverse communityexcellence in healthcare and ensuring that all patients, regardless ofbackground, have the ability to actively participate in decisions regardingtheir treatment and care.Greg PullenCEOThe Bug Stops Here!Northern Health is working hard to promote excellent hand hygienethroughout the community.The World Health Organisation hand hygiene day was celebrated atThe Northern Hospital on Wednesday May 8.The purpose of the day was to raise awareness about the benefit ofimproved hand hygiene.The message being promoted was ‘SAVE LIVES – Clean yourhands’.Effective hand hygiene is the single most important strategy inpreventing healthcare associated infections. Hand hygiene is creditedwith saving more lives than most medical breakthroughs.Clean hands and appropriate hand hygiene is fundamental inensuring quality and safety in our hospitals.Hand hygiene encompasses both hand washing and the applicationof an alcoholic hand rub. Alcoholic hand rub is the most effectiveway to kill transient organisms on hands that are not soiled. Handsthat are visibly soiled need to be mechanically hand washed withsoap and water.Tracey Mall from 3M, the suppliers of Avagard, joined the HandHygiene Project Officer Raelene Robinson and the InfectionPrevention team on Hand Hygiene Day to spread the message aboutthe Five Moments of Hand Hygiene pictured below.The team roved around the Northern Hospital rewarding all staffmembers who were seen to perform correct hand hygiene with achocolate treat which proved to be a great success. Staff memberswere also assisted byTracey Mall in performinga self assessment of theapplication of theAvagard hand hygienesolution using the wellknow glitter bug.Northern Health achieved77% hand hygieneFive Momentscompliance in the latestof Hand Hygiene2012 audit, a result abovethe national compliance target of 70%.Coughing and sneezing are the most common ways of transferringgerms to others, and hand hygiene is a simple preventative measure.Hand hygiene protects both the patient and healthcare workeragainst harmful germs carried on hands and it is important to keepthis in mind for the upcoming flu season.The team make their way around wards at The Northern HospitalPromoting excellent Hand Hygiene in the front foyer of TheNorthern Hospital.2 Community CONNECT JUNE 2012

supporting northern healthVolunteers aremaking a differenceat Northern HealthYour Heart, Our HandsDuring May we celebrated National Volunteers Week, andNorthern Health is thanking its volunteers for their dedicationand hard work.Northern Health feels privileged to have the dedication andassistance of over 300 volunteers across the organisation.Northern Health CEO, Greg Pullen, commended NorthernHealth volunteers on the exceptional service they provide toa northern community.“Our team of devoted volunteers hail from a range of agegroups, cultural and religious backgrounds and locations.Anyone can be a volunteer. Retired, unemployed or working,all you need is some energy, enthusiasm and some freetime,” Mr Pullen said.“Northern Health volunteers offer a wonderful range ofservices, from providing companionship and driving patientsto and from appointments, to knitting clothes for babies andhanding out cups of tea in our busy Outpatient’s Department.”“Although our volunteers do not provide healthcare in a clinicalsense, they play a vital role in the recovery of our patients.They offer a friendly smile, a kind word, a cup of hot tea and,most importantly, their time,” said Mr Pullen.“I would like to personally thank all Northern Healthvolunteers for their compassion, selflessness andenthusiasm. Their help is invaluable as we fulfil our visionof a healthier northern community”.Some of the wonderfulwork doneby volunteers…...Working in The Northern Hospital kioskServing tea and coffee in OutpatientsFundraising Dinner 2012Date: Saturday July 21, 2012Time: 7.00 pm arrival for 7.30 pm startPlace: Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention CentreFerres Boulevard, South MorangCost: $120 per person ($1200 for a table of ten)Join Northern Health for a night of dinner, dancing and fun!The event includes a three course dinner and drinks, raffle, auctions,prizes and entertainment from the band Flashback.Funds raised will be used to support our Cardiology Services.The Cardiology Department is currently undergoing an expansionwhich includes the provision of two additional Cardiac CatheterLaboratories and eight recovery beds.Funds raised will be used to purchase equipment in line with theexpansion, and will enable us to improve the quality of service we canprovide to our patients.For further details contact Helen Walsh 03 8405 8042 or via email atHelen.Walsh@nh.org.auNorthern Health to dancethe night awayDate: Saturday July 7, 2012Time: 6.30 pmPlace: Greenville Receptions13-15 Green Street, ThomastownCost: $50 adult, $25 Under 12Josie Miniti’s Fun Group Dinner Dance and Auction is once againfast approaching.The event, which will raise funds for cancer services at TheNorthern Hospital promises to be a festive and fun filled eveningof food, drink, music, raffles, auctions, and of course, dancing!So get ready to dust off those dancing shoes and open up yourwallets to a great cause!For more information or ticket enquiries, contact Josie and RinoMiniti on 9401 4199 or 9465 2923.Spending time in CAHU4 Community CONNECT JUNE 2012Taking food andmagazines topatientsSubscribe to Community ConnectNorthern Health is always proud and excited to share news and updateswith the northern community we serve.You can subscribe to receive Community Connect via e-mail, simply sendus an e-mail requesting to subscribe and we’ll keep in touch.For more information e-mail: corporatecommunications@nh.org.auor phone 8405 8026.