Balance E-Newsletter - Vol 7 Summer Edition

BALANCE

North West Hospital and Health Service VOL 7 | DECEMBER 2023 SUMMER EDITION

Acknowledgement of traditional custodians The North West Hospital and Health Service respectfully acknowledges the Elders past and present and the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waterways which we service and declare the North West Hospital and Health Service’s commitment to reducing inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes in line with the National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap).

Acknowledgement of Australian South Sea Islanders North West Hospital and Health Service formally recognises the Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group within our geographical boundaries. The Northwest Hospital and Health Service is committed to fulfilling the Queensland Government Recognition Statement for Australian South Sea Islander Community to ensure that present and future generations of Australian South Sea Islanders have equality of opportunity to participate in and contribute to the economic, social, political and cultural life of the State

Vision, Purpose, Values Our Vision To lead the delivery of safe, sustainable healthcare in our unique region with our diverse partners and communities.

Our Purpose Partner with our communities to improve health outcomes by delivering valued, high-quality and sustainable health services that are close to home.

Our Values Our values will guide our decision making and actions as we commit to respecting, protecting, and promoting human rights in our decision making and actions. These values include Innovation, Respect, Engagement, Accountability, Caring, and Honesty.

This newsletter is produced by the North West Hospital and Health Service.

All feedback and contributions are welcome to NWHHS_Communication@health.qld.gov.au.

All published material has been approved by the Health Service Chief Executive.

Contents From the Board Chair From the Health Service Chief Executive

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Community Share the Dignity vending machine installed Cancer Care Unit receive cosy donation

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World Aids Day at Mount Isa Hospital Feeling the festive spirit thanks to Auxiliary

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Staff A cool Christmas with competition launch Christmas Carols Surgical Ward crowned winners of competition Staff recognised after another great year Meet Anthony Rudloff Spotlight on Renal Team

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Consumers Consumer Spotlight North West HHS Consumer Engagement Quality and Safety Quarterly Report Outreach Services From the Consumer Liaison Officer

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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Spotlight on Indigenous Workforce Coordinator Health Equity Implementation Plan Meet our Indigenous Liaison Officers

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Wellbeing Reduce your alcohol intake during the holidays Keeping healthy in the heat Support is available

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NWHHS Balance

From the Board Chair Cheryl Vardon AO Dear North West, As another year comes to a close, I want to thank everyone for your effort in making sure that our patients and their families experience the joy of the festive season this holiday period. The stability and care that you provide to all who need us is at the centre of our delivery of healthcare.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the North West HHS Christmas Decoration Competition, sponsored by the Mount Isa Hospital Auxiliary. Such effort went into each design!

Also, well done to our roving Christmas Carolers. This annual performance has become a special tradition to look forward to. Our seasonal and annual rituals contribute to strong collegiality and stability across the region.

Congratulations to the 2023 North West HHS Values Awards nominees and winners. It was wonderful to see staff celebrating their welldeserved achievements. Thank you to Board Members Linda Ford and Jane McMillan for attending and representing the Board.

I spent time with the Board Chair Excellence Award winner, Anthony Rudloff, while in Mount Isa congratulating him in person. Tony is a Theatre Assistant who received 27 nominations from his co-workers and peers across all categories. Tony consistently exemplifies the NWHHS values and always goes above and beyond to assist our patients, staff and colleagues. Well done, Tony!

Board Members have been busy these past months continuing to build relationships with staff and stakeholders across the North West in formal and informal ways, participating in meetings of: The Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC) Committee The Queensland Clinical Senate The Hospital and Health Board Chairs Forum The Western Queensland Primary Health Network The Mount Isa Lead Health Management Committee Consumer Groups and individual consumers I thank all staff for your continued passion and dedication to supporting our communities and look forward to continuing to see you at our North West health centres and listening to your experiences first-hand.

The North West Hospital and Health Board wish you and your families a safe and joyous festive season.

Kind regards, Cheryl

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NWHHS Balance

From the Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan I am pleased to share the Summer edition and our seventh edition of the Balance magazine with you.

Throughout this publication, our staff and community achievements are highlighted, and reflect the wonderful year we have had at North West Hospital and Health Service throughout 2023.

A key highlight during the last quarter was holding the annual Staff Awards Night where the Executive Team had the opportunity to thank many of our award nominees and winners for their excellent work over the last year. Our staff were recognised across a number of award categories that reflect the North West HHS values, and with more than 100 nominations across categories, it is evident our staff embody our values every day when it comes to serving our communities and patients.

In November, our Hospital and Health Service participated in the accreditation process, where a team of independent assessors travelled to Mount Isa and surrounds to experience our unique communities and to meet the community members and staff who make the North West an incredible place to live and work. The feedback provided validated our dedication to meeting and exceeding rigorous standards in some of our work in patient care, safety, and operational excellence. Some recommendations were also provided, which we look forward to implementing to ensure that we are delivering the highest quality care possible.

In this edition of Balance, you will find a Quality and Safety Report from July to September 2023 that outlines a number of measures. Our core quality principle is the continuous improvement of all processes and services supporting the care of patients. The quality management systems implemented across our hospital group allows us to deliver consistent and comprehensive care to patients. You will find data covering a number of measures including medication safety, monitoring incidents and near misses, unexpected return to theatre, infection prevention and the consumer experience. We look forward to sharing these quarterly reports going forward.

As we close 2023, I would like to thank our staff, consumers, healthcare partners and communities for another great year. Together we have achieved so much, and together we can go much further. I am looking forward to working closely together in 2024 and continuing to deliver safe, high quality healthcare in our wonderful region. I wish you and your families a safe and joyful festive season.

Sean

NWHHS Balance

Community

Share the Dignity vending machine installed North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is pleased to share the installation of the first Share the Dignity vending machine at Mount Isa Sexual Health, providing a range of sanitary items and personal hygiene products.

The initiative aims to provide essential hygiene products to those in Mount Isa facing challenges in accessing them.

Nurse Unit Manager Sexual Health Kelly Wainwright said having access to hygiene products was essential for the health and wellbeing of those in the community.

“We are committed to supporting women in the community to access essential hygiene products and hope this discrete solution helps women who may be experiencing hardship,” Ms. Wainwright said.

“The vending machine is stocked with a variety of products, including sanitary pads, tampons and personal care items.

“The installation underscores our commitment to supporting women in our community and ensuring their basic hygiene needs are met with dignity and respect.”

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NWHHS Balance

Cancer Care Unit receive cosy donation The Cancer Care Unit at the Mount Isa Hospital recently received a warm and cozy heartfelt donation from a former staff member.

Ann is a former member of the Mount Isa Hospital operational team and she has spent the past 12 months creating beautiful handmade crocheted blankets to bring comfort to the patients of the Cancer Care unit.

Cancer has unfortunately affected Ann, who has seen friends battle with the

disease and has also lost her father to cancer, and she wanted to provide some comfort to others receiving treatment.

“It just feels good to help others, and it’s something I could do for them.”

Ann is no stranger to contributing to the community, volunteering her time to help the local animal charity with their baking fundraisers and we feel incredibly lucky to be the recipient of her generosity.

Thank you Ann, we really appreciate you!

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NWHHS Balance

World Aids Day at Mount Isa Hospital Did you know, that modern medicines mean that most people in Australia who contract HIV will never develop AIDS, and can go on to live a very normal life? Or that there’s medication that can protect people from contracting HIV in the first place?

On World AIDS Day, our Sexual Health team held events in the Mount Isa community and at the Mount Isa Hospital sharing information, conducting screenings and also giving away cookies, cupcakes and other goodies!

The Mount Isa Sexual Health team are encouraging the community to make the time for a routine check-up.

Offering free, confidential consultations to everyone in the region and easy accessibility with a walk-in service, visiting the Mount Isa Sexual Health team has never been easier.

The Mount Isa Sexual Health clinic can be contacted on 4764 0200 and is located on Barkly Highway opposite Splashez Aquatic Centre.

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NWHHS Balance

Feeling the festive spirit thanks to Auxiliary The Mount Isa Hospital Auxiliary generously sponsored this year’s Christmas Decoration Competition.

The annual tradition brings together hospital staff from various departments to transform hospital spaces into creative Christmas displays.

North West HHS Chief Executive Sean Birgan said it was wonderful to have the support of the Auxiliary.

“We are grateful for the support from the Mount Isa Hospital Auxiliary for this event that staff look forward to each year,” Mr. Birgan said.

“While no one wants to be in hospital during the holidays, our staff put in a lot of effort to brighten up the hallways and departments for our patients and visitors who may be with us over the Christmas period.”

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NWHHS Balance

Staff

A cool Christmas with competition launch North West Hospital and Health Service celebrated the launch of the annual Christmas Decoration Competition, with the Executive Team making snow cones for the staff and visitors of Mount Isa Hospital.

Hospital staff will put their creativity into action, hoping to win one of four major categories or ultimately be crowned the grand champion of the competition.

The categories include:

Classic Christmas Award (recognises the best use of traditional décor) Lights, Camera, Action Award (recognises the best Christmas movie theme) Gingerbread Award (recognises the best use of recycled/handmade decorations) North West Christmas (recognises the best representation of Christmas in the North West) Grand Champion (recognises the best overall display)

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The Christmas spirit is alive across Mount Isa Hospital, with traditional Christmas carols echoing through the hallways and wards.

The Executive Leadership Team and hospital staff recently dusted off their Christmas hats and treated staff, patients and visitors to a performance.

It's the most wonderful time of the year and we are grateful to be able to bring a smile to the faces around us!

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NWHHS Balance

Surgical Ward crowned winners of competition This year’s annual Christmas Decoration Competition saw 24 entrants from across North West HHS. The time, effort and creativity that went into embracing the Christmas spirit was evident with some very impressive displays.

This year, the grand champion winner was voted for by staff. Surgical Ward were announced as the winners and transformed their department into a complete Candy Land, fit with fairy floss, lollipops and everything sweet you could dream of. This competition would not be

possible without the generous sponsorship from the Mount Isa Hospital Auxiliary. The other major category winners were: Best use of recycled/handmade Cancer Care Best use of traditional decor Outpatients Department Mornington Island Hospital Best Christmas movie theme Cloncurry Aged Care Best representation of Christmas in the North West Allied Health

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NWHHS Balance

Staff

Staff recognised after another great year Our annual staff recognition awards were recently held in Mount Isa where the Executive Team had the opportunity to thank some of our award nominees and winners for their excellent work throughout 2023.

Staff are recognised across a number of award categories that reflect the North West HHS values. We are grateful to have staff who embody our values every day when it comes to serving our communities and patients and thoroughly enjoyed recognising them.

Well done to all of our nominees and a huge congratulations to all of our winners!

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Winners Board Chair Excellence Award Anthony Rudloff (Theatre Assistant, Mount Isa Hospital) Innovation Winner: Michelle Hughes (Business Process Improvement Officer, Outpatients) Runner up: Jessica Suley (Senior Renal Dietitian) Respect Winner: Ade George (HiTH Nurse Leader) Runner up: Cardiac Outreach Team Engagement Winner: Public Relations Team Runner Up: Natasha Dew (Consumer Liaison Officer) Accountability Winner: Sandra Bettles (Director of Nursing, Burketown) Runner Up: Josephine Barfield (Director Corporate and Support Services) Caring Winner: Dr Chris Wesner (Senior Medical Officer, Paediatrics) Runner Up: Margaret Brezac (Administration Bookings Officer, Outpatients) Honesty Winner: Debbie Smith Supervisor, Cloncurry) Runner Up: Medical Ward

(Administration

First Nations Winner: Shannon McConachy (Indigenous Workforce Officer) Runner Up: Dr Bevan Kindt (Senior Medical Officer, Doomadgee) Volunteer Winner: Kylie Camp (CAG Member, Burketown) Runner Up: Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart Crew

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NWHHS Balance

Staff Spotlight Meet Anthony Rudloff Board Chair Excellence Winner Anthony Rudloff was the deserving winner of this year’s Board Chair Excellence Award.

Anthony works as a Theatre Assistant at the Mount Isa Hospital and is great at what he does, affirmed by his colleagues.

Anthony received 27 nominations from his co-workers and peers. These nominations ranged from being referred to as hardworking, professional, proactive in planning and preparing for patient needs, willing to assist in any way he can, frequently doing on-call shifts, willing to

learn, being a patient safety champion, amongst other references.

His nomination stood out with the call from his peers and colleagues, exemplifying the North West HHS values.

When Anthony was announced as the 2023 Board Chair Excellence Award Winner, there was not a dry eye in the room.

It was a great moment to see and a very deserving award for a wonderful staff member. Congratulations, Tony!

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NWHHS Balance

Spotlight on Renal Team Finalists in the Rural Health Pro National Rural and Remote Health Award North West HHS’s Renal Team were nominated as finalists in the Rural Health Pro National Rural and Remote Health Award in the category of Multidisciplinary collaboration, held in Canberra in November.

For almost a decade, the collaborative efforts of the North West Renal Unit Team have made a remarkable difference in the lives of residents of this Queensland region.

Using a multidisciplinary team model, the team coordinates care for both inpatient and outpatient at the Mount Isa, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, and Cloncurry dialysis centres in Queensland.

The team's commitment to cultural competence, expertise, efficient coordination, and a patient-centred approach ensures patients receive the highest standard of care.

All haemodialysis patients receive three monthly comprehensive reviews, during which plans for renal transplantation are made. The team also conducts Chronic Kidney Disease clinics to facilitate early disease identification, implement preventive measures, and educate patients trending towards dialysis.

These individuals and teams make a tremendous difference to the lives of many patients within our region.

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World Children’s Day

World Aids Day

The Mount Isa Sexual Health Clinic set up a stall in celebration of World Aids Day with cupcakes, information and giveaways

Our Paediatric Ward celebrating World Children’s Day with face paint, cupcake decorating and a photo booth

Operational Staff

White Ribbon Day

Trauma Counsellor Rhylee Hinze spoke at the Zonta White Ribbon Breakfast

Our operational staff hit a significant milestone serving more than 5100 meals in one month

NWHHS Balance

Consumers

Consumer Spotlight North West Hospital and Health Service Value Awards – Volunteer Winner At this year’s Health Service Value Awards we were delighted to see our Burketown Community Advisory Group Chair Kylie Camp awarded as the winner in the volunteer category.

Kylie wears many hats, often at the same time. One of these hats is that Kylie is Chairperson of the Burketown Community Advisory Group (CAG), and prior to being Chairperson, Kylie has been a member of the CAG for several years, all in a volunteer capacity. When Kylie is not participating in the consumer group, her and her husband Ernie own and run Floraville Station, a 94,000 hectare property on the banks of the Leichhardt River, in the Queensland Gulf.

Kylie is also known to the Mount Isa Branch of the Air; Isolated Children’s Parents Association; Country Women’s Association and living on Floraville Station, if anyone has firsthand experience of agricultural life, you will know that Kylie would also be involved in all sorts of station tasks. Anything and everything to keep the cogs turning, whilst others are out there doing the stock work.

Our Hospital and Health Service is very fortunate and thankful to have Kylie as a valued consumer stakeholder and for her time to chair the Burketown CAG. There are many examples of the sorts of things Kylie and the CAG put their advocacy skills towards including their work during the devastating floods earlier this year.

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When Burketown experienced catastrophic flooding wiping out road and airstrip access due to the inundation of water, one such practical challenge of evacuating residents was the absence of a lift to assist wheelchair or impaired residents to get into the aircraft and the indignity residents faced with this situation. Since this flooding event, Kylie has been active in lobbying for an aircraft lift, which has now been secured for Burketown and training of the lift underway within community for people to operate it.

This will no doubt have broader benefits to the community having this as a permanent fixture now at the airport. We thank Kylie as the winner of this category for her resilience and also how she holds us all to account with her wonderful chairing of the Burketown consumer meetings that is also tempered with her ability to have a laugh and her endless support to our Burketown staff. We are very thankful to her volunteer contribution to health.

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North West HHS Consumer Engagement Well that’s a wrap for consumer engagement for North West Hospital and Health Service HHS) in 2023.

It has been a very productive year for developing relationships between the health service and our communities. These partnerships have allowed us to finalise many projects following a successful collaboration between our consumers and our staff, including the North West Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025, Local Area Needs Assessment (LANA), and the North West Maternity Services Review.

We also held 16 Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) and Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) meetings across the region this year, with current groups including Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Normanton, Karumba, and Burketown, and Health Councils in Doomadgee and on Mornington Island. These meetings give all of our community representatives the opportunity to speak with North West HHS executive members and senior staff about current health issues, services and priorities in each community and work together to ensure the most appropriate services are provided, as close to home as possible for all of our consumers.

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Jasmine Barber Manager Public Relations

We are incredibly grateful for all of the health consumers that engage with us to help shape the future of health delivery in our region.

Your contributions to your community and our health service are incredibly important and we couldn’t do our job without you!

For more information about becoming a registered health consumer in the North West, please visit:

https://www.northwest.health.qld. gov.au/opportunities/join-aconsumer-advisory-group/

Or send an email to:

nwhhs.engagement@health.qld.gov.au

NWHHS Balance

Quality and Safety Quarterly Report July - September 2023 North West HHS measures quality in many areas, by analysing and reporting on outcome and process measures alongside patient satisfaction.

Our core quality principle is the continuous improvement of all processes and services supporting the care of patients. The quality management systems implemented across our hospital group allows us to deliver consistent and comprehensive care to patients.

North West HHS monitors and reports on many quality measures including patient satisfaction surveys and patients’ experience, infection prevention and control including hand hygiene compliance rates, patient incidents, medication safety and return to theatre percentiles. The policies, processes, and procedures associated with these areas are embedded in all hospital operations and workflow. Quality management focuses on continuous quality improvement as measured by consumer and patient satisfaction.

Medication Safety Medication errors can have an impact on patient outcomes and can cause harm. North West HHS’s medication safety systems are in place to prevent the occurrence of medical-related incidents. Staff are trained in the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Medication risks are described as errors in: Prescribing Administering and/or Dispensing medication

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NWHHS Balance Monitoring incidents and near misses Safety reporting systems are a very important aspect of ensuring patient safety at North West HHS. Detecting near misses and incidents enables us to improve practice and prevent any future adverse events. A near miss is an adverse event that has been intercepted and has not resulted in harm for example: Slip or falls not resulting in injury Pressure injuries resulting in no harm

Unexpected return to theatre Surgical complication requiring the unplanned return to theatre within one month of a patient’s most recent discharge from hospital is classified as an Unexpected Return to Theatre. The return subjects the patient to repeated anaesthesia risks, which can be highly distressing and impact the patient and their family. Returning to the theatre generally occurs because the patient experiences one of the following: Haemorrhage / bleeding Wound reopening

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NWHHS Balance

Infection Prevention At North West HHS we implement the highest standards in infection prevention and control including: Hand hygiene Use of Personal Protective equipment Safe use of disposal consumable equipment Reprocessing of medical equipment Routine Cleaning Our systematic approach to preventing, controlling and responding to infections creates a safe environment for visitors and staff at our facility.

Consumer Experience Patient feedback provides valuable information and not only ensures that patients’ voices are heard, but by examining patients’ feedback it gives direct insight into our quality of care and patient satisfaction. This aids in maintaining and improving the standard of care offered at North West HHS. Patients are encouraged to provide feedback using the feedback forms provided or by visiting our website.

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Outreach Services Interested to know when outreach services will be visiting your community? Visit the dedicated Outreach Service page on the North West HHS website to stay up to date.

VIEW THE CALENDAR

From the Consumer Liaison Officer We continue to welcome feedback from patients, their families and staff who have visited facilities across the North West. Visit the North West HHS website to leave your feedback.

Consumer Compliment "Outstanding emergency service from the Normanton Hospital, RFDS and ED/ICU staff at Mount Isa Hospital.

Could not have asked for a more thorough assessment by the teams involved. Without a doubt some of the most professional, understanding health staff I have had the good fortune to be cared for in confusing circumstances.

Thanks for the outstanding service by all of you."

Leave your feedback by scanning the QR code

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Natasha Dew

NWHHS Balance

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Spotlight on Indigenous Workforce Coordinator Congratulations to Shannon McConachy for winning the First Nations award at the annual Staff Awards Night.

Shannon was recognised for her contributions to the First Nations Health portfolio, specifically around her work with supporting students through the Deadly Start Program. The Deadly Start Program is offered to high school students to participate in a school-based traineeship, where they complete a Certificate II in Health Support Services and Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.

Shannon’s commitment to the program and students has been imperative to its success and strongly aligns with many of North West HHS’s strategic intents.

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Shannon has firsthand experience of doing a school-based traineeship at North West HHS when she was a student at Mount Isa High School (now Spinifex Senior College). She completed a Certificate IV in Business Administration and has been employed with North West HHS ever since! That was 19 years ago.

Shannon now supports the cohorts of students from Mount Isa and the surrounding areas, liaising with students directly, their families, the schools and the registered training organisation.

We would like to extend congratulations to Shannon on remarkable achievement!

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Goals of the First Nations Health Equity reform agenda include:

Actively eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism

Have you viewed the Health Equity Implementation Plan 2022-2025?

The plan is available to read on the North West Hospital and Health Service website.

Visit the website and familiarise yourself with the plan today.

CLICK TO VIEW THE PLAN

Increasing access to healthcare services

Influencing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health

Delivering sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare service

Work with First Nations people, communities and organisations to design, deliver, monitor and review health services

Meet our Indigenous Liaision Officers The North West HHS Indigenous Hospital Liaison Service aims to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and carers understand the reason for their hospitalisation and the importance of their treatment.

The Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officers (IHLO) assist clients across a range of issues through support and advocacy within the hospital environment and when patients, their families and carers return home. IHLO’s play a valuable role in helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel comfortable and safe when being treated in hospital.

Support includes, but is not limited to:

Assistance to prevent and reduce risks of Discharge Against Medical Advice Bedside visits to explain hospital system Liaison between patients and clinical staff regarding treatment Organise family meetings Personal and family support Inter-hospital transfer assistance Assist with language barriers Help patients talk with their Doctors and Nurses if required Help with patient discharge Assist patient to link in with other departments or services that may be required on discharge

NWHHS Balance

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Tips

Reduce your alcohol intake during the holidays Are you hosting Christmas celebrations this year?

We get it — there's a lot to think about.

But when it comes to alcohol, it's key to make sure everyone has an enjoyable time without feeling like they have to drink too much. Consider these tips: Make it day time Schedule your event to happen during the day, rather than evening, so your guests are less likely to drink more.

Entertainment Plan activities like karaoke, sports or trivia to give guests something to focus on that isn’t drinking.

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Non-alcoholic options Make drinks like water, soda water or low strength drinks available to your guests

If you’re heading to a party and want to keep your drinking low, consider: Swapping to a low-mid strength drink and drink slowly Setting yourself a drink limit and stick to it Having a glass of water between your drinks Delaying your first drink.

You are not alone.

Support is available.

If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health professional. Speak to your GP about what support you need and how you can access it.

Lifeline's 13 11 14 crisis support service is available 24/7. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night.

North West Hospital and Health Service

BALANCE

Do you have a story that needs to be shared?

Contact North West HHS Public Relations 07 4744 4871 NWHHS_Communication@health.qld.gov.au