We acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Peoples of the Kulin Nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land and waters where Cabrini Health is situated, and pay our respect to elders –past and present.
2023-24 HIGHLIGHTS
25,649 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS
97,201 CONTACTS WITH ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES
199,594 PHARMACY SCRIPTS FILLED 92,056 EPISODES OF INPATIENT CARE
54,203 SURGERIES PERFORMED
1177 ACCREDITED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS
1911 NUMBER OF BABIES DELIVERED
136,497 MEDICAL IMAGING PROCEDURES
4347 EMPLOYEES
511
ASYLUM SEEKER CLIENTS ASSISTED
4063 FREE MEDICATIONS RECEIVED THROUGH PHARMACY WAIVER PROGRAM
86 ACTIVE CLINICAL TRIALS
1852
CONSULTATIONS BY CABRINI OUTREACH MENTAL HEALTH CLINICANS
276
ACTIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
22,766 H OURS OF HOSPITALITY AND COMPANIONSHIP PROVIDED BY 166 VOLUNTEERS
22,997 CABRINI AT HOME CONTACTS
23,374
PATIENT TREATMENTS IN DAY ONCOLOGY/ INFUSION CENTRES
YEAR IN REVIEW
BOARD CHAIR’S MESSAGE
Each year I have the pleasure of sharing with you the progress made by the many teams across Cabrini Australia. When I reflect on 23-24, I see the spirit of Mother Cabrini in the way our people dedicate themselves to serving others.
Much like Mother Cabrini, we’ve been persistent in navigating hurdles in the delivery of our mission this year. We continued to make headway against our strategic goals, to ensure the continued delivery of patient centred care and ground-breaking medical research. We also worked closely with our catholic health colleagues across the sector to advocate for the sustainability of our not-forprofit healthcare services.
Delivering on key goals in our 5-year strategic plan, we made major in-roads in the preparation for the redevelopment of the Malvern hospital, secured significant growth in our Cabrini At Home services and celebrated major milestones for our Lisa Thurin Women’s Mental Health service. By relocating Cabrini Outreach to a larger facility, I’m proud to say we also expanded our primary care capacity for refugees and asylum seekers.
None of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers who live our values every day; acting with the courage, integrity, respect and compassion. These same values are at the heart of Mother Cabrini’s expectations of herself and her Missionary Sisters.
With the need for healthcare in our community increasing, demand for our services is predicted to double in the coming decade. Growth at Cabrini is required to meet this need. Initial planning for the Malvern redevelopment has been completed and $36.8m worth of works to deliver new operating theatres and a cardiac catheter laboratory will commence in the new financial year. Work on this first stage of our major redevelopment will be completed by the end of 2025. We are now focusing on the planning for a new specialist inpatient precinct on the Malvern site. This new development will ensure we can continue to offer outstanding care to our community while attracting and retaining the best doctors, nurses and staff to deliver this care.
Unlike public hospitals, Cabrini does not receive government funding for major projects. The generous and ongoing support from donors is key to allowing us to grow and invest in the best people, equipment, research and infrastructure. The $155m redevelopment of the Malvern Campus will be the biggest capital works project in our history. I extend my sincere thanks to those who have already contributed so generously to the Next Era Capital Campaign.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers who continue to move forward with courage under the leadership of Chief Executive, Sue Williams.
Thank you also to the board and the various committees for their ongoing commitment to Cabrini and its Mission
I look forward to the year ahead, where Cabrini Australia will continue to serve our community in times of need.
Sylvia Falzon, Cabrini Australia Board Chair
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE
The 2023-24 financial year saw significant pressure across Australia’s private health sector. Despite this, we continued to provide superior care to large numbers of patients, expand our Cabrini at Home services and drive growth across our cardiac and cancer research programs.
Though post-pandemic pressures lingered, we remained focused on meeting the increasing demand for acute hospital services and growing out-of-hospital services for the community, including:
• Stage one of the Malvern redevelopment including the opening of two new operating theatres and refurbishment of our hybrid theatre at Malvern
• The renovation of wards to deliver greater access to single-bed rooms
• Remodelling of the dialysis suite at Malvern’s day oncology ward
Looking forward, this work will continue, seeing our focus shift to the delivery of four new state-of-the-art operating theatres, bringing our total to 29, and the addition of a third cardiac catheter lab. This phase will also see the refurbishment of our emergency department. Meanwhile, we remain dedicated to the planning of and fundraising for our new stage two inpatient building.
We successfully had land adjacent to the existing hospital rezoned for hospital use during 2023-24. Our intention is to construct a four-storey hospital tower, built as part of our ongoing commitment to serving greater numbers in our community, while also providing the comfort of singlebed rooms. With major project milestones met during the 2023-24 fiscal year, we are on track to break ground on this land in early 2026.
We continue to see recognition from within the industry and across the media for the unique care provided at our women’s mental health centre. As Australia’s first women’s-only mental health facility, we have now admitted more than 1000 patients from across the country and overseas.
Our focus on acute hospital services has better aligned our operations to the strategic plan. In August 2023, we completed the transfer of our inpatient rehabilitative services to Cabrini Brighton, to build a more centralised service. Not only has this ensured patients have greater access to multidisciplinary supports and brand new gym facilities, but it has freed up space to further expand our capability and capacity at our Malvern hospital. Meanwhile,
we are now treating 20 per cent of our acute, rehabilitation and palliative care patients in the comfort of their own home, through our Cabrini at Home program allowing us to provide more tailored care while expanding our capacity to service our community.
Cabrini Technology Group continued to grow, with the opening of their fifth New Zealand location in Christchurch, off the back of the acquisition of Capes Medical Supplies in the previous year. This strengthens business operations in New Zealand and deepens synergies with AxisHealth in Australia.
This year, I have had the privilege of leading some 4400 employees, 1700 visiting medical officers and 200 volunteers. I would like to personally thank everyone for their dedication and commitment over the past 12 months. Because of them we have maintained a strong market position and have entered FY24-25 fully prepared to navigate the emerging healthcare climate.
I acknowledge and thank the generous donors who continue to support our mission. Every gift we receive makes an impact on our patients and our ability to care for them, and for that I am incredibly grateful. Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing leadership and guidance of the Cabrini Board and Chair, Sylvia Falzon, and the Missionary Sisters of Cabrini, who play a fundamental role in helping Cabrini achieve its vision and strategic objectives.
As we prepare to embark on the Malvern redevelopment, our largest expansion to date, we continue to be inspired by the mission of the Cabrini Sisters, in providing high quality, compassionate care to our community.
Sue Williams, Chief Executive Cabrini
Australia
ABOUT US
Cabrini Australia Group
The Cabrini Australia Group is a private, Catholic healthcare and health services provider, delivering support to communities across Australia and New Zealand.
As part of a global network spanning 17 countries, we continue to uphold the vision and values of our founders and sponsors, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (the Cabrini Sisters). Operating independently of government or Church funding, we reinvest all surplus funds into enhancing our facilities and services, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation in healthcare delivery. At the core of our mission lies the provision of highquality, compassionate care to every individual we serve.
Alongside Cabrini Health, our other key pillars Cabrini Research, Cabrini Technology Group, Cabrini Outreach and Cabrini Foundation work in synergy to create a holistic healthcare ecosystem.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CARE
Patients remain at the centre of everything we do. Our model of care ensures patients are provided with safe, effective and compassionate service delivered in an inclusive and respectful way. We put the individual first at every stage of their healthcare journey.
At Cabrini we don’t just care for people, we care about them.
OUR LOCATIONS
HOSPITALS
Cabrini Malvern 181-183 Wattletree Road, Malvern
Cabrini Brighton 243 New Street, Brighton
Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre 2-6 Hopetoun Street, Elsternwick
SPECIALIST CENTRES
Cabrini Specialist Centre — Hawthorn East Level 2, 141 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East
Cabrini Specialist Centre — Elsternwick Specialist Centre and Ambulatory Care Level 1, 494 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Patricia Peck Education and Research Precinct 154 Wattletree Road, Malvern
Cabrini Technology Group (CTG) Head office – Building 99, 45 Gilby Road, Mount Waverley
HEALTH FACILITIES
Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub 140 Westbourne Grove, Northcote (In July 2023, the facility moved from Brunswick to the above Northcote location)
Cabrini strategic plan
In 2021, we launched the five-year strategy for the Cabrini Australia Group.
This strategy sets out the overall direction for Cabrini towards our vision – to be the leading private hospital in Melbourne’s south-east corridor and an innovative hospital and community care provider of mental health services. Plans to achieve the vision include the growth of cancer research and the redevelopment of the Malvern hospital.
During 2023–24, we took steps towards achieving our plans for Cabrini Health, Cabrini Research, Cabrini Technology Group and Cabrini Outreach.
Cabrini
Australia Group
Some of these achievements are detailed further in this report, with a summary provided below:
• Opening of two new, state-of-the-art operating theatres, refurbishment of Ward 1 North and the hybrid theatre, as well as opening of a remodelled dialysis suite at Cabrini Malvern and rehabilitation gyms at Cabrini Brighton
• Secured a $10m grant for the establishment of a precision medicine service for Cancer patients
• The move to a larger and better equipped facility for Cabrini Outreach Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub
• Expansion of Cabrini at Home program across acute, palliative and rehabilitative care
• More than 1000 patients treated at Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre
• Continued expansion of Cabrini Technology Group locations and offerings across Oceania
The next era – Malvern redevelopment
Following the opening of the Gandel Wing and the completion of the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, our focus is now on the redevelopment of Cabrini Malvern to increase clinical capacity and ensure the provision of quality healthcare into the future.
With the ageing population, the need for cancer, cardiac and orthopaedic services will increase. Demand for our services is forecast to grow by 60 per cent over the next 15 years.
State-of-the-art equipment and technology, along with modern and comfortable facilities are required for highquality patient care now and into the future. It supports the long-term strategy to deliver care in a modern, fit-forpurpose environment to deliver more services to meet growing demand.
It also helps us attract and retain leading specialists and staff, ensuring Cabrini remains a leading provider of healthcare.
Investments in new theatres will demonstrate Cabrini’s commitment to grow its operations at Malvern which will, in turn, attract medical and nursing staff.
Acknowledging that 20 per cent of patients are now cared for in four-bed rooms, with inefficient staff work areas, plans to renew Cabrini Malvern have begun.
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
Following the completion of two new operating theatres, the Cabrini Board has now approved stage one of the Malvern redevelopment, a $36.8 million investment that will ensure Cabrini’s growth and longterm sustainability through the provision of state-of-the-art facilities.
The ambitious project includes the construction of four new operating theatres, a third cardiac catheter lab, emergency department refurbishment, and town planning for a second stage that would see the construction of a new, four-storey tower, offering greater access to private rooms.
A crucial milestone was reached with the approval of rezoning plans by the Victorian State Government, paving the way for our major re-development. This approval marks an exciting step forward in the redevelopment process.
Enhancements across the site began to bear fruit this year with the opening of the June and Neville Smith Hybrid Theatre. Equipped with a new state-of-the-art image guided therapy system, the theatre commenced first procedures in FY24, including angiograms and iliac arterial stents, demonstrating Cabrini’s commitment to providing exceptional care with cutting-edge technology.
As part of our committment to upgrade existing facilities, we completed the refurbishment of one of our surgical wards. After seven weeks of intensive work, the ward now features spacious single-bed rooms filled with natural light, designed with patient experience as the primary focus. The redesign ensures a more practical and aesthetically pleasing environment for patients and their families.
The brand new, state-of-the-art theatres at Cabrini Malvern have also received high praise from medical professionals. Earlier in the year, Professor Mark Frydenberg, Academic Director of Urology at Cabrini, commended the spaciousness, impressive lighting, and streamlined flow of the new facilities. He noted that the ability to conduct major surgeries in all operating rooms on both ground and second floor theatre complexes represents a significant leap in Cabrini’s services.
As work progresses, Cabrini continues to demonstrate its dedication to enhancing healthcare services. The Cabrini Foundation is actively raising funds for stage two of the redevelopment, while plans are underway to relocate from the Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick site to a more modern facility. With construction of the new operating theatres and cardiac catheter lab scheduled to begin in early 2025, Cabrini is poised to enter its next era of healthcare excellence, ensuring top-quality care for the community for years to come.
FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW
Financial report for 2023-24
The Cabrini Australia Group reported revenue of more than $600m in the 2023-24 financial year.
Cabrini continues to develop our services and facilities to provide the best possible care for patients and families, as well as continue to support and operate programs for disadvantaged people in our community.
Cabrini investment in property and equipment was $28m in the 2023-24 year.
In October 2023, Cabrini reached an agreement to sell its palliative care site in Prahran, and now provides palliative care services in the Malvern facility.
REVENUE
2023-24 $638m
2022-23 $633m
2021-22 $634m
2020-21 $634m
2019-20 $579m
Environmental report
While we focus our efforts to shore up the next era of healthcare by improving access to services and facilities for our local communities, Cabrini is also conscious of its impact on the future of our local, and global, environment.
With healthcare contributing seven per cent of carbon emissions globally, there is significant work to do to ensure we are caring for people as well as the earth.
Cabrini continues to drive a comprehensive recycling program and investigate broader opportunities to become more sustainable. In 2023-24, more than 300 tonnes of waste was diverted away from landfill and recycled into useful materials and equipment.
With an increasing number of green champions across our sites, we continue to focus on reducing waste, implementing more recycling initiatives and improving recycling practices through participation, education and improved infrastructure.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH Caring for you and our common home
A commitment to safe, effective and efficient care has always underpinned our approach to patients.
With this in mind, the default solution has been to rely heavily on a high number of single use often plastic medical devices, such as tourniquets, hover mats and blood pressure cuffs. However, when an opportunity arose to investigate a more sustainable approach to the provision of hygienic and appropriate care, Cabrini were keen to investigate.
Through a pilot partnership with medical device remanufacturer, Medsalv, Cabrini evaluated opportunities across reusable and remanufactured tourniquets to identify the best approach to maintaining the balance between safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Settling on the remanufacturing of used tourniquets to reduce waste and carbon emissions, Cabrini was able to save 3500 tourniquets from landfill and deliver a net reduction in Scope 3 emissions in just three months.
Project lead, and Perioperative Clinical Product Advisor, Jenny Dennis said the project has been a great way to ensure Cabrini cares for the planet and its patients.
“Healthcare shouldn’t harm the planet. It’s suggested reusable and remanufactured devices present an opportunity to reduce medical waste by over 90 per cent. Whatever role we can play in that, is one we should pursue,” she said.
Group Director of Identity and Mission, Margaret Stewart, agrees, saying that delivering on our mission requires us to reduce our environmental impact.
“If our mission is one of healing, then we must also look to heal the earth.
Pollution contributes to increasingly poor healthcare outcomes globally.
Healthcare waste not only poses direct threats to personal health, but also contributes to a broader problem of pollution-driven illness,” she said.
Continuing the pursuit of carbon-conscious healthcare, Cabrini ICU, surgical wards and theatres have since implemented a device waste capture program, funneling over 10,000 units of a wide range of devices back to Medsalv for remanufacturing, ensuring even more patients can be treated without needless waste.
CABRINI HEALTH
Cabrini Health provides a range of high-quality acute, sub-acute, diagnostic and community-based health services across south-east Melbourne. We also offer allied health, chronic disease and rehabilitation services onsite or in a patients’ home.
Operational performance
While the healthcare environment was challenging coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw strong activity in several areas. The below highlights performance for FY24.
Inpatient care
Across the Malvern, Brighton and Elsternwick hospitals there were 92,032 patient episodes over 220,438 bed days in FY24. Growth in our home care services as well as improvements in surgical and rehabilitative offerings contributed to supporting more cases and returning patients to the comfort of their homes, sooner.
Emergency department
The Alan, Ada and Eva Selwyn Emergency Department (ED) at Cabrini experienced a busy year in 2023-24, with 25,649 patient presentations. In keeping with our plans for redevelopment, it is intended we will be able to support growth in ED presentations while providing a more welcoming environment that contributes to an even greater standard of patient experience.
Surgical procedures
Our surgical teams at Cabrini’s Malvern and Brighton facilities undertook a total of 51,145 operations in 202324. The addition of two new theatres and the upgrade of the hybrid operating theatre at Malvern has driven this
number of cases, which is set to increase with the opening of a further four theatres as part of the next phase of the Malvern redevelopment.
Medical imaging services
Our medical imaging department conducted 142,322 procedures to support interventional and diagnostic procedures, contributing heavily to the depth and quality of our offering across our core services.
Day oncology/infusion treatments
The Day Oncology and Infusion Centres at Brighton and Malvern delivered 23,374 outpatient treatments, ensuring our ability to deliver consistent quality of care for a vulnerable patient group.
Palliative care patients
In 2023-24, Cabrini provided specialised palliative care to 545 patients in the newly refurbished unit within the Malvern Hospital, providing enhanced comfort for patients with terminal or life-limiting illness, and their families.
Cabrini Women’s Mental Health Service
The Cabrini Women’s Mental Health Service at Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre is Australia’s first private, women’s-only mental health hospital. Our centre addresses the unique mental health challenges faced by women in a supportive and compassionate environment utilising an innovative short-stay model of care.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Reached more than 1000 women admitted from across Australia and overseas
• Public-private partnership with Eastern Health
• Completion of the sensory garden, with the generous support of donors
• Expansion of the community day program to included a variety of new and innovative therapies
• Successful grant for a Neurodiverse Assessment Centre to provide tailored assessments and support for neurodiverse individuals, commencing February 2025
• Partnership with the Australian Defence Force, providing dedicated mental health support for women in the service
Milestone achievements in women’s mental health
Just shy of its third anniversary, Cabrini Women’s Mental Health service marked its 1000th patient admission. Since its inception in September 2021 as the country’s first private, women’s-only mental health facility, the service has empowered women through tailored care in a safe, purposebuilt environment.
Sarah, a 28-year-old who sought help after leaving an abusive relationship, illustrates the centre’s impact. “The fact that it was an all-women’s centre made me feel much safer,” she explains. During her eight-day stay, Sarah gained valuable skills for managing her mental health, and reflects “It made me feel like I have more control of my life”.
The service’s approach emphasises validation and empowerment, offering a refreshing perspective for women conditioned to view their emotions negatively. Sarah found the experience validating:
“Being able to have a safe space to talk about my feelings and have people say, ‘It’s okay to feel like that’ was so important.”
Sharon Sherwood, Cabrini’s Chief of Mental Health and Outreach, highlights the centre’s success: “We provide specialised, forward-thinking support that drives exceptional outcomes.” The statistics speak volumes, with approximately 88 per cent of clients not requiring re-admission.
As the service enters its next era, it builds upon its foundation of excellence in care. The focus remains on innovation, service expansion and continued advocacy for genderspecific mental health care. By leveraging its expertise, the service aims to reach more women, develop cutting-edge treatment and refine its holistic approach to mental wellness.
Chief Executive, Sue Williams, Chief of Mental Health, Sharon Sherwood, Founding Medical Director, Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Director, Gandel Foundation, Lisa Thurin and Cabrini Australia Chair, Sylvia Falzon outside the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre
Patient experience at Cabrini
Cabrini prides itself on providing the highest quality care, to ensure that each patient feels respected, safe, heard and empowered to make decisions.
In the 2023-24 financial year, we continued to prioritise patient feedback through our refined patient experience survey. Our analysis of this feedback drives targeted quality improvement initiatives.
Our Net Promoter Score of 74 is excellent, indicating strong overall patient satisfaction and loyalty. This score suggests that a significant majority of our patients would recommend Cabrini to their friends and family. In August 2023, we aligned our survey with the Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question Set, and of the 8100 surveys received, an impressive 95 per cent of respondents felt their concerns were addressed and their care met or exceeded expectations.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Consumer working groups and feedback on:
- Patient consent form
- Rehabilitation in the Home brochure
- User acceptance testing of the patient portal for online admissions (launched September 2024)
- Opioid analgesic stewardship
- Blood management
• Launch of Cabrini TV, a consumer co-designed digital tv channel for the bedside. Currently featuring a curated slide set of patient information, with scope to expand content and communications capability
• Launch of Consumer Connect Initiative, aimed at strengthening consumer/ Cabrini relations
• Launch of the co-designed surgical services webpage on cabrini.com.au, to support consumer expectation setting and comfort ahead of a surgical admission
• Continued observance and emphasis of culturally significant dates and activities in line with our Reconciliation Action Plan
95% of patients felt their care met or exceeded expectations across 23-24
Allied health, rehabilitation and out of hospital care
Cabrini provides extensive allied health and rehabilitation services to inpatients and outpatients as well as a range of Cabrini at Home services (Hospital in the Home, Chemo in the Home, palliative homecare and Rehabilitation in the Home).
Inpatient services
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Serviced 24,326 referrals and 72,794 contacts across physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, social work, podiatry, art therapy and music therapy (acute inpatient care)
• Cabrini Malvern was listed as the top performing healthcare network1 across A/NZ for quality indicator 5A: proportion of patients with hip fracture who are mobilised on day one post hip fracture surgery. We outpaced the Australian average by 46 percentage points1
• Consolidation of our two rehabilitation services at Cabrini Brighton and the construction of a state-of-the-art gym and OT kitchen
1 According to the Australian hospital quality indicators for hip fracture management, as listed in the ANZHFR Report 2024)
Outpatient services
Our outpatient services operate out of both Cabrini Specialist Centre–Elsternwick and Cabrini Cancer Exercise and Wellness Centre in Malvern. Our services include outpatient rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and the provision of private allied health services.
37% growth in attendance at the Cabrini Cancer Exercise and Wellness Centre
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN CANCER SERVICES IN 2023-24
• 14 per cent year-on-year growth ‒ 3417 referrals and 26,520 patient attendances
• 10,674 surveys were completed by Cabrini cancer patients as part of our Cancer Supportive Care Screening program
• 633 phone calls made by our Wellness Coordinator (and team) to cancer patients with high-risk scores, linking them with appropriate services and information
94%
the rate at which Cabrini Malvern mobilised hip fracture patients on day one after surgery, earning the title of Top Performing Healthcare Network - A/NZ
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN AT HOME SERVICES IN 2023-24
• Rehabilitation in the Home delivered 6571 home visits, an increase of 16 per cent on the prior year
• Palliative homecare delivered 7402 home visits, an increase of 9.5 per cent on the prior year
• Hospital in the Home and Chemotherapy in the Home had 6989 contacts with patients (majority in their homes)
73% growth of Chemotherapy in the Home across 2023-24
“ Hospital in the Home can be for everyone. As technology develops and funding models become more adaptive, we are able to care for higher acuity patients than was previously possible. With the right investment and government support, it’s possible to reduce hospital dependency by more than 1.2 bed days nationally and see nearly a third of patients receiving care in the comfort of their home, every year. ’’
Dr James Pollard Clinical Director Community Care, Cabrini Health and President of the
Hospital In The Home Society Australasia
Kevin and Denise Bartlett
Unique to our growing Cabrini at Home offering is Neuro-oncology at Home. The service stands as the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only a few such initiatives globally. It’s revolutionising the way brain cancer patients receive treatment and support for primary malignant brain tumours.
DENISE’S STORY
When Denise Bartlett was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, it looked like she might need to be moved to a care facility rather than spend her remaining time at home surrounded by her loved ones.
But thanks to the capability and compassion of the staff who run our Neuro-oncology at Home program, her home was quickly transformed into her own personal care facility, complete with a hospital bed, ramps, and the specialised equipment she needed to realise her wish.
While home-based services continue to gain traction across Australia, this program evolves the model and brings chronic disease management and specialised neuro-oncology care directly to patients’ homes. This unique approach not only enhances the quality of life for patients but also represents a significant leap forward in personalised healthcare delivery.
Denise’s husband Kevin recounts: “Cabrini’s support in setting up in-home hospital equipment, including guidance around care, allowed us another two years together. It wouldn’t have happened if Cabrini hadn’t facilitated everything.”
A key component of this groundbreaking service is Cabrini’s equipment bank, made possible by the generosity of Cabrini Foundation donors. This resource allows patients to borrow specialised equipment, enabling them to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes, without the burden of equipment costs.
The program goes beyond just medical care. It includes weekly allied health
sessions, (physiotherapy and occupational therapy), which gave Denise the persistent encouragement and tailored exercises she needed to regain mobility and enjoy activities she loved, such as attending AFL games and travelling with her family. This holistic approach ensures that patients can live life to the fullest, despite their diagnosis.
“We were able to visit family, attend Tigers games, grand finals, concerts, and even go on a holiday to Queensland.
“All made possible by the nursing team, doctors and physiotherapist. The Cabrini team also attended Denise’s memorial service,” said Kevin.
At the heart of this pioneering initiative are Emma Daly, Neuro-oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, and Neurologist Dr Ronnie Freilich, whose dedication and vision have been instrumental in developing and implementing this world-leading program. Their work, along with the wider Cabrini neurology, oncology and allied health teams, is setting new standards in patient care and demonstrating the profound impact of innovative, compassionate healthcare.
Kevin and Denise’s story and heartfelt gratitude highlight how the team’s dedication allowed her to live fully despite her illness, surrounded by her family.
Clinical governance
In 2023-24, Cabrini implemented new systems and procedures to ensure continual improvement of delivery of quality care.
While Cabrini already benchmarks and exceeds industry performance across a variety of quality and safety metrics, we are pleased to see marked progress across a range of areas.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Improved reporting on quality and safety metrics to the peak quality committee; Board Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee
• Enhanced consumer partnerships with consumer representation on key National Standards Committees
• Improved workflows relating to blood management and safety
• Medical record forms governance: development of forms governance committee
• Initiated quality system improvements: adoption of RiskMan® for quality improvement activities
• Consent improvement work: procedural consent and consent for blood and blood products forms introduced with a significant improvement in compliance and reduction in clinical incidents
• Iron extravasation quality improvement: adoption of point of care checklist for safe administration of iron infusions
CABRINI RESEARCH
Through the collaborative effort of our clinician researchers and scientists, Cabrini has continued to enhance its reputation in the area of clinical research. In 2024, we participated in more than 80 clinical trials. Our focus on research has resonated with our donors, without whom we would not have been able to expand.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• A $10m commitment from PMF Foundation to establish a precision oncology program, in partnership with Monash Partners and Omico
• Associate Professor Mohammad AsghariJafarabadi ranked within the top two percent of clinical medicine scientists for the fourth year
• Landmark results from our PREFERABLE EFFECT trial published in Nature Medicine demonstrating the efficacy of exercise as supportive therapy for metastatic breast cancer patients
• Major advances in the personalised management of colorectal cancer, identifying enhanced clinical protocols
• Recognition of excellence in urology research with Professor Mark Frydenberg AM awarded the USANZ Medal for service in the field
• Dr Yen Lim presented with the Marshall Prize in Surgical Training by Monash Health
• The AURIC Innovation Grant secured by Associate Professor Weranja Ranasinghe will expand patient eligibility for targeted radiotherapies in prostate cancer
• Breakthrough cardiovascular techniques published in JAMA Cardiology and JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology advancing the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• Improvement in the management of hospital acquired infections via enhanced cleaning protocols discovered by the CLEEN study team and published in Lancet Infectious Diseases
• Establishment of the Department of Critical Care and Anaesthesia Research following expanded research activities from the former Intensive Care Research Unit
• Continued global leadership in patient airways management research with Professor David Brewster national lead for the international STARGATE study involving more than 200 hospitals
• Key contributions made to reducing suicide amongst cancer patients through Meaning and Purpose (MaP) therapy
BUILDING FOR THE BETTER Interventional cardiology beyond 2024
As we move through 2024, the field of interventional cardiology is undergoing a transformation, and we’re excited to be part of this change at Cabrini.
With the upcoming expansion of our cardiac catheterisation labs (cath labs), we’re not just increasing the volume of procedures we can perform—we’re enhancing the quality of care for every patient. Our goal is simple: to improve outcomes, reduce complications, and offer the most precise treatment available.
A major part of this transformation is the expansion of our use of intravascular imaging. Currently, only about 3-6 per cent of procedures in Australia use intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence
tomography (OCT)—technology that allows us to see inside the arteries in stunning detail. In the US, however, IVUS and OCT are used in up to 50-90 per cent of coronary procedures, so there’s a clear opportunity for us to close this gap and significantly improve patient care.
While we already use IVUS, the new lab will allow us to introduce OCT, a more advanced imaging tool that offers even greater resolution and clarity. By having access to both IVUS and OCT, we’ll be able to plan our stent procedures with unprecedented accuracy. These tools allow us to assess the exact condition of the arteries, which means we can personalise treatments for each patient and ensure optimal stent placement. This not only improves outcomes but also speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of complications.
With the addition of new Cardiac Catheter Labs like this one, Cabrini will increase its capability and capacity to provide even greater cardiac care for our community.
The new Cath Lab will expand our capacity to perform these advanced imaging-guided procedures, giving us more flexibility and the ability to treat patients more effectively. It’s not just about treating more patients— it’s about providing better care for every individual who comes through our doors.
With the new lab and the addition of OCT, we’re taking our heart care to the next level.
By investing in these advancements, we’re ensuring that our hospital remains at the forefront of cardiology, providing our patients with the best possible care.
Dr Mark Freilich
Interventional Cardiologist and Strategic LeadCardiology at Cabrini Health
CABRINI OUTREACH
Following seven years supporting the community from our Brunswick Hub, Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub relocated and expanded in Northcote.
This strategic move has doubled our capacity to serve vulnerable populations, marking a new chapter in our commitment to compassionate care. The service now boasts five consulting rooms, a meeting room and administrative space in which to offer improved services and facilities for our clients.
Partnerships and support
Our success is built on strong collaborations with:
• Government and healthcare: Victorian Department of Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Northwest Melbourne Primary Health Network
• Community and NGOs: Whittlesea Community Connections, Australian College of Optometry, and various asylum seeker support organisations
Individual contributors including Dr Patricia Ann Gray and the Barr Family Foundation as well as other anonymous donors.
Special thanks to Cabrini staff for their fundraising efforts and workplace giving program contributions.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the pro bono doctors and allied health staff who generously donated their time throughout the year.
As we enter the next fiscal year, Cabrini Outreach aims to:
• Increase client services by 50 per cent in the first quarter at the new facility
• Introduce specialised services for emerging needs in the asylum seeker and refugee community
• Strengthen partnerships to enhance our service offerings
The expansion of our Health Hub represents a significant advancement in our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care to asylum seekers and refugees. We thank all our stakeholders for their unwavering support and look forward to another year of impactful service to our community.
Attendees celebrating the opening of the new Outreach facility. Left to right: Cabrini Board Member, Bob Santamaria, Chief, Cabrini Outreach, Sharon Sherwood, The Most Reverend Anthony Ireland, Kat Theophanous MP, General Manager, Asylum Seeker Health Services, Cabrini Outreach, Tracey Cabrie, Chief Executive, Cabrini Health, Sue Williams and Professor Suresh Sundram
CABRINI TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Cabrini Technology Group (CTG) made substantial progress this fiscal year, broadening our reach and enhancing our technological offerings across Oceania.
Leveraging nearly five decades of expertise, it continues to deliver crucial equipment and specialised technical services that support medical, elderly care, and disability service providers.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Launched operations in Christchurch, marking our fifth New Zealand location
• Extended our services to emerging healthcare markets in Pacific Island nations
• Established new experience centres to better serve NDIS clients
• Consulted on multiple key new hospital infrastructure projects in NSW and Victoria
18
Australian hubs
Expanding presence in Pacific Island territories
5
New Zealand hubs
CABRINI FOUNDATION
The Cabrini Foundation creates ways for patients, their families, and our community to connect and show gratitude, enabling Cabrini to continue providing exceptional care for patients now and into the future.
While the Foundation’s 2023-24 impact report will provide greater detail with respect to donor contribution to patient experience and outcome, we’re pleased to say that in 2023, Cabrini Foundation donors invested $8.7m in Cabrini.
Gifts in gratitude via the Foundation led to improving our four pillars of equipment, research, nurse education and world class facilities, to help you deliver the best patient care.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023-24
• Nearly $4m secured for state-of-the-art equipment including:
- Upgrade to the hybrid theatre at Malvern
- Gym equipment for Elsternwick
• $2.5m invested in critical research projects including:
- Bowel, breast, ovarian and prostate cancers
$8.7m invested by donors in 2024
- Cardiovascular disease
- Exercise and wellness
- Reduction of hospital-acquired infections
• More than $320k delivered to Nurse Education and Training:
- Scholarships for post graduate training
- Leadership training for Nurse Unit Managers and Assistant Nurse Unit Managers
- Conference attendance for staff
- Nearly $900k patient care experience programs directed towards quality programs
- John Graham and Kevin O’Neill Music and Art Therapy Program
- Breast Care Nurse
- Exercise and Wellness Centre
- Margie Hunsicker Dementia Nurse Educator
- Wig Room
- Recruitment incentives for new nurses
• More than $1m dedicated to refurbishments and capital projects:
- Ward refurbishment for cardiac and palliative care wards
- New sensory garden at Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre
OUR PEOPLE
Our staff
Our people are the heartbeat of our success.
We’re committed to nurturing and empowering our 4000+ strong team, helping staff unlock their potential to deliver exceptional care. Our values aren’t just words on a wall – they’re the DNA of our interactions, both with each other and those we serve.
We don’t just work together – we grow together. Our supportive culture is evident in the incredible loyalty of our staff. Each year, we pause to honour the dedication of our team members, celebrating their milestone anniversaries.
In 2023-24, we were thrilled to recognise an amazing 464 individuals who reached significant service milestones.
464 staff reached service milestones
MOTHER CABRINI AWARDS
The annual Mother Cabrini Awards provide a platform to recognise people who have made outstanding contributions through their work at Cabrini during the year. These awards acknowledge and celebrate those who we recognise as walking consistently and humbly in Mother Cabrini’s footsteps through our values of compassion, integrity, courage and respect.
THE MOTHER CABRINI INDIVIDUAL AWARD
Recognises an individual who is consistently responsive and warm
2023 WINNER | LISA KERSWELL
Lisa was recognised for her dedication as an ICU nurse, particularly in improving care for long-term and endof-life patients. Lisa’s notable contribution was the design and implementation of three themed palliative care resource boxes, which supported patients, families, and carers throughout the end-of-life journey. Her quiet passion and innovative thinking significantly elevated the quality of care provided by the ICU team.
MOTHER CABRINI LEADER AWARD
Recognising a leader who inspires their team and the broader Cabrini community
2023 WINNER | JOANNE HERBERT
Joanne was recognised for her exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to Cabrini. She was commended for building strong, positive relationships and making a significant impact on both her team and the organisation. Joanne’s commitment was evident in her willingness to mentor colleagues, often in her personal time, and to take on additional responsibilities when resources were challenged. Joanne’s genuine, empathetic and compassionate approach extended beyond her immediate team, positively influencing the broader organisation.
MOTHER CABRINI TEAM AWARD
Recognises a team who are consistently responsive and warm
WINNER |CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM, MALVERN
The Malvern Call Centre/Reception/Concierge team was recognised for its exceptional commitment to its roles and the diverse group of people it serves. Under the leadership of manager Lucie Pepeyan, the team developed a strong cohesion, leveraging individual strengths to enhance overall performance. As the first point of contact for many, it was commended for embodying Cabrini’s welcoming nature and exemplary customer focus.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Throughout 2023-24, Cabrini welcomed new volunteers who underwent comprehensive induction training, covering topics such as Cabrini’s founding story, service offerings, behaviours that matter, and compliance.
A new initiative encouraged volunteers to share their personal stories, fostering deeper connections and reinforcing Cabrini’s charism and identity.
Volunteers were invited to various educational updates throughout the year, including:
• Introduction to the Lisa Thurin Women’s Mental Health Centre services
Two significant events celebrated the volunteers’ contributions:
International Volunteers Day (December 2023)
Themed “If Everyone Did...”, this event recognised the invaluable support provided by volunteers despite recent challenges.
National Volunteer Week (May 2024)
With the theme “Something for Everyone”, this event highlighted the diverse roles undertaken by volunteers across Cabrini, including patient social visits, spiritual care, palliative care support, asylum seeker assistance, wig room fitting and various other essential services.
A special ceremony held during National Volunteer Week in the Malvern Chapel honoured volunteers for their years of service, ranging from two to 30 years.
166 volunteers supported patients across Cabrini
Cabrini Volunteer Services participated in the inaugural Stonnington Volunteer Expo in March 2024, generating new interest in volunteering opportunities.
Cabrini looks forward to another year of dedicated volunteer contribution, support and engagement.
OUR BOARD
Our Board brings a broad range of experience to its governance role. It is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring appropriate governance structures are in place.
Sylvia Falzon
Appointed March 2010.
Chairman since November 2018. Sylvia also chairs the Cabrini Foundation Board and is a member of the Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee and the Capital Campaign Committee.
Professor David Copolov AO
Appointed October 2020.
Resigned effective 30 May 2024. David was Chair of the Cabrini Research Committee.
Associate Professor Caroline Brand
Appointed May 2020.
Caroline is Chair of the Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee and a member of the Cabrini Research Committee.
Father Joe Caddy
Appointed 2018.
Fr Joe is a member of the People and Remuneration Committee.
Professor Terry O’Brien
Professor O’Brien is the current Chair of the Cabrini Research Committee.
Simeon Goldenberg
Appointed April 2019.
Simeon is Chair of the Major Construction Projects Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Lisa Harker
Appointed March 2018.
Lisa is Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and a member of the People and Remuneration Committee.
Paul Holyoake
Appointed April 2019.
Paul is Chair of the IT Committee and a member of the Cabrini Technology Group Committee and (for part of the year) the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Appointed November 2021.
Nicholas is a member of the Major Construction Projects Committee and the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Appointed November 2016.
Anthony is Chair of the Cabrini Technology Group Committee and is a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Francesca Lee
Appointed May 2020.
Francesca is Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Cabrini Technology Group Committee and Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee.
Appointed November 2020.
Bob is Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee and a member of the Major Construction Projects Committee and the Cabrini Research Committee.
Full details of current board members, including their current roles and previous experience can be found on our website at www.cabrini.com.au/about-cabrini/board-of-directors/
Nicholas Pane KC
Anthony Rice
Bob Santamaria
Cabrini Board Committees
The Cabrini Board was supported by nine Board Committees during 2023-24. These Committees are appointed by the Board to assist it in fulfilling its governance responsibilities in relation to the areas noted below.
Audit and Risk Management Committee
Chair: Lisa Harker
Financial management of Cabrini, Cabrini’s framework and system of risk management and internal controls, and internal/external audit functions.
Cabrini Foundation Board
Chair: Sylvia Falzon
Oversees and guides all fundraising activities.
Capital Campaign Committee
Chair: Bob Santamaria
Oversees the campaign to raise funds to contribute to the fundraising campaign for the Malvern campus redevelopment.
To be reconstituted in due course.
Information Technology Committee
Chair: Paul Holyoake
Oversees Cabrini IT strategy, programs, operations and remediation exercises. Replaced with a management committee in the 2023-24 year.
Cabrini Technology Group Committee
Chair: Anthony Rice
CTG operates businesses that support the provision of healthcare and also generate a surplus which is redeployed to support Cabrini’s broader purposes.
Major Construction Projects Committee
Chair: Simeon Goldenberg
Planning, design and construction of major building projects on behalf of the Cabrini group.
Cabrini Mission, People and Remuneration Committee
Chair: Francesca Lee
Cabrini operates in a manner consistent with and in fulfilment of the mission and values of the Cabrini Sisters. Strategies to attract, develop, retain and optimise Cabrini’s people and remuneration policy.
Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee
Chair: Caroline Brand
Governance systems in place that maintain and improve the reliability and quality of patient care, as well as improve patient outcomes.
Cabrini Research Committee
Chair: Professor Terry O’Brien
Facilitates research and strategies and oversight responsibilities in relation to clinical research.
Our executive
The Executive Committee supports the Chief Executive in performing her duties, including leadership of our mission and implementation of our corporate and strategic plans. The below shows the Executive Team as at 30 June 2024.
Sue Williams Chief Executive
Louise Alexander Executive Director Malvern
Jason Aquilina Chief Financial Officer
Megan Mills Group Director, Nursing and Clinical Education
Margaret Stewart Group Director, Mission and Identity
Derek Price Chief Information Officer
Full details of the current executive, including their roles and previous experience can be found on our website at www.cabrini.com.au/about-cabrini/management-team/
Professor Gary Richardson OAM, Group Director, Cabrini Research
Cathryn Ryan Group Director, Health Funding and Patient Services
Professor Matt Sabin Group Director, Medical Services and Clinical Governance
Sharon Sherwood Chief of Mental Health and Cabrini Outreach
Tim Staker Chief of Cabrini Technology
Tom Stocky Group Director, People and Culture
Paul Vine Group Director, Legal and Corporate Affairs
OUR SUPPORTERS
Thank you for your generous support of Cabrini and Cabrini Research.
Your leadership in philanthropy ensures we continue to provide our community with compassionate care and the best facilities, and paves the way for research into the future.
COMPANIONS PARTNERS
The Alter Family
AMP Foundation
Mr Don Argus AC and Mrs Pat Argus
Arnold Bloch Leibler
Aventis Pharma Pty Ltd
Bamford Family Foundation
In Memory of Beverley Barlow
The Bertalli Family Foundation
George and Freda Castan and Family Collie Foundation
Maureen Coomber
Coryule Foundation
Marc and Karyn Fookes
The Fox Family Foundation Pty Ltd Gandel Foundation
Mr John Gandel AC and Mrs Pauline Gandel AC
Mr Ian and Mrs Linda Gandel
Michelle Gandel
Mr Tony and Mrs Helen Gandel
Mr Michael and Mrs Helen Gannon
Mr John Graham
Heartbeat Cabrini
Highland Foundation
The Holckner Family - In memory of Lily Holckner
Yumna Holyoake
Mr Alan Jackson AO and Mrs Esme
Jackson
Lee and Brian Johnstone, Auric Innovation Fund
The Johnstone Family Foundation
John Knowles OAM and Coral Knowles
Mr John Laidlaw OAM and Mrs Betty Laidlaw
Mr Angus Mackay
Mr Louis Mangan AO and Cecile Mangan
McGrath Foundation Limited
Peter Meese Cancer Nursing Fund
Dr Bryan Mendelson and Mrs Debra-Sue Mendelson
Merrin Foundation
The Meydan Family Charitable Trust
Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ
Richard and Dorothea Nossbaum
The Orloff Family Foundation
Nigel Peck AM and Patricia Peck
Pratt Foundation
Myron and Jennie Rogers
Mr Richard Rogers AM, Mrs Roslyn Rogers OAM, and Family
The Moniek Sambor Family Memorial Research Fund ‒ The Sambor Family
Perry Sambor
Alan, Ada and Eva Selwyn Family
Mrs Sam Sharman OAM and family
The Simonds Family
Neville and June F. M. Smith
Rodney and Ann Smorgon Family
The Stewardson Charitable Trust
Mr George and Mrs Mira Szalmuk
Szalmuk Family Department of Medical Oncology
Mrs Anne Wollach-Szalmuk
Mr Geoff Szalmuk
Ms Simone Szalmuk-Singer
Dr David Thurin AM and Mrs Lisa Thurin
Wee Family
Mr Joseph and Mrs Helena Frohlich West
Werner and Gerda Westphal
Joe White Bequest
Windemere Foundation Ltd
Rita Andre
The Pierce Armstrong Foundation
Associated Retailers Limited
Mr Nick and Miss Angela Baldi
Barr Family Foundation
Anthony and May Barry
Percy Baxter Charitable Trust
The Michael and Andrew Buxton Foundation
The Andrew and Geraldine Buxton Foundation
Cabrini Medical Staff
Charity Drive Days Inc
Collier Charitable Trust
Lady Patricia Connelly
The Phyllis Connor Memorial Trust
Construction Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd
Sally and David Curtain
Cybec Foundation
Brian M Davis Charitable Foundation
The de Winter Family
The Alfred and Jean Dickson Foundation
Dorman Family Foundation
O’Connor Duffy Foundation
Sylvia Falzon and Geoff Tomlinson
Brian H Gillies Palliative Nursing Travel Scholarship
