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
From the Board Chair
From the Health Service Chief Executive
Community
International Legends of League Tackles RHD
Orange Sky Becomes Permanent in Mount Isa
Good Shepherd and Spinifex Senior Career Night
Care and Carnival: Celebrating Health in Our Community
Mornington Island Unveils Lifesaving Renal Unit
QAS x DASC x NWHHS Partners in Health
A New Era of Parenthood
Clinical Trials Unit Officially Named in Honour of Terri Grosser
Art Contest Shines Light on Mindfulness
‘The Club’ Garage Sale
Camooweal and Dajarra Staff Accommodation
Upgrade
Best Dressed Premise for Rodeo Week
Staff
International Nurses and Midwives Day
Dr Uli Orda and Sabine Orda AMA Awards
Helen Bailey Paints June Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
NWHHS Kicks Off Exciting New Language Badge Program
Stephen Ernst Flexes for Mental Health
New Deadly Start Students Join the Team
Welcome New Board Members
Staff Spotlight - MGP Team
Consumers
North West HHS Consumer Engagement
Quality and Safety Quarterly Report
Outreach Services
From the Consumer Liaison Officer
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Commitment to First Nations Health and Reconciliation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Plan Spotlight on Julia Creek
NWHHS Balance
From the Board Chair
Cheryl Vardon AO
Dear North West,
As the cooler months arrive, our region’s social calendars are filling up with activities I encourage everyone to engage with our vibrant communities and enjoy the unique events taking place
It’s encouraging to see people making the most of their time ‘out west’ and creating lasting memories
I am pleased to welcome new board members Tanya Arnold and Tonya Murray Their local knowledge and community connections will be invaluable to our board At the same time, we bid farewell to departing member Cath Brokenborough We will miss her insights and leadership, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours
Over the past few months, board members have been actively building relationships with staff and stakeholders across the North West Some highlights include:
Visiting Camooweal to spend time with the dedicated staff at the nurse-led Primary Health Care Clinic and observe the facility upgrades underway
Traveling to Dajarra to see the staff accommodation project, learn about the Queensland Ambulance Service’s important work, and participate in a Yarning Circle with community members
Touring various departments across Mount Isa Hospital
Participating in several key meetings and events, including:
Queensland Health Awards for Excellence ceremony and dinner
Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week celebrations
Queensland Clinical Senate meeting
North West Rural Health 30th anniversary function
Rural and Remote Advisory for Community, Strategy and Operations Network Meeting
Queensland Women on Boards Event
Director-General-hosted Joint First Nations Forum
Royal Flying Doctors/Lifeflight Complex sod turning
LifeFlight community engagement event
It’s been great to see the progress at "The Club" site on Isa Street as we prepare for its demolition Acquired for its strategic proximity to the Mount Isa Hospital Campus, this property holds significant potential for future redevelopment, particularly in expanding mental health services in the region, addressing an urgent need in our community. Thank you to all who chipped in and assisted with the unique garage sale and BBQ. It was heartening to see the community come together and support the HHS, with all proceeds going toward enhancing facilities for our dedicated staff
I would like to extend my gratitude to all staff for their continued passion and dedication to supporting our communities I look forward to our ongoing collaboration to advance the North West Hospital and Health Service
Kind regards,
Cheryl
NWHHS Balance
From the Health Service
Chief Executive Sean Birgan
I am pleased to share the Winter edition and our ninth 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 so far at North West Hospital and Health Service for 2024
A key highlight during the first half of the year was the North West HHS purchase of ‘The Club’ in Mount Isa where the team coordinated a garage sale to sell the old memorabilia from the venue It was a great turnout with hundreds of community members turning out to share their stories and memories of ‘the club’ days and many walked away with a piece of memorabilia
I have witnessed many achievements among the team including the first ever surrogacy birth at Mount Isa Hospital This is a huge achievement, and I would like to thank the Midwifery Special Care Nursery, and Obstetrics team for their outstanding efforts and continued excellence in helping to grow our community I would also like to recognise the Building, Engineering and Maintenance team for their continued efforts in servicing and expanding our health facilities and staff quarters Without their skills and expertise, we would not be able to upgrade our services and provide the best care possible to the community, so thank you BEMS team
In this edition of Balance, you will find a Quality and Safety Report from January to March 2024 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.
We are over halfway through our 2024 journey, I would like to thank our staff, consumers, healthcare partners and communities for making the North West region the best place to live and work We have already accomplished so much for our community and Healthcare services, and together we can go much further I am looking forward to working towards our future goals and continuing to deliver safe, high-quality healthcare in our wonderful region. I wish you and your families a safe and wonderful year second half of the year
Sean
Strategic Plan 2024-2028
Community
International Legends of
League Tackles RHD
The Skin Health team, banded together with legends and all-stars to stop RHD
In a competitive display of community spirit, the beginning of May saw International Legends of League (ILOL) visit Mount Isa for a spirited game of rugby.
Throughout the week, players visited schools alongside the RHD team from North West HHS to educate young kids about RHD and this was a huge success,
highlighting the importance of raising awareness about this preventable condition among the younger members of our community.
The reaction from the community was of delight and gratitude, as they got to meet their rugby heroes, take plenty of photos, get an autograph, and witness a great game including local faces making up the Mount Isa all stars team.
North West HHS will continue to look for opportunities to engage the younger community members and provide support for a range of health issues.
Orange Sky Becomes
Permanent in Mount Isa
Not-for-profit Orange Sky Australia has been visiting the North West consistently for several months, and now it is official, they will operate permanently in Mount Isa city.
The charity offers free washing and dryer services to improve health outcomes. The recent inquest into rheumatic heart disease (RHD) underscored the need for a service but it wasn't an affordable option for all residents.
Now if locals can't afford laundry facilities for their own place, they can still go and get that service which has been great for
community morale.
Following a commitment to ending RHD by 2031, clean skin is an important part of preventing Strep A infections which lead to Acute Rheumatic fever which can lead to RHD.
We appreciate the dedication and success of the Orange Sky team in helping to keep our community healthy, their continued support is invaluable. NWHHS is passionate about this collaboration as we continue to strive towards tackling RHD once and for all.
Good Shepherd & Spinifex
Senior Careers Night
The North West HHS Professional Practice Support Unit participated in Good Shephard Catholic College’s year 10 career information night on the 4th June, along with representatives from Allied Health
The event provided a valuable platform for the North West HHS team to showcase the nursing sector, highlighting various career opportunities available within North West HHS Additionally, they promoted the benefits of high school work experience programs and the specialised career pathways designed for First Nations
students This engagement was aimed at inspiring and informing students about the diverse and rewarding career options in healthcare, particularly within the North West HHS framework. Similarly July 22nd saw four staff from different disciplines attend Spinifex Senior campus for a careers night. This was a perfect opportunity to promote the different opportunities available in the healthcare workforce and encourage students to explore our school-based traineeships and placement opportunities.
Care & Carnival: Celebrating
Health in Our Community
The Noth West HHS Cloncurry team had a fantastic time at the Cloncurry show engaging with the community to become approachable familiar faces, while showcasing all services Cloncurry Health Service provides and the available outreach programs that visit community health
The community health staff engaged with over 350 persons across the two-day event and there was plenty of positive feedback about the promotions and activities
The Mount Isa show was another successful community event for the month of June While the turnout was a little smaller than previous years, the Mount Isa Hospital team had very successful engagement There was plenty of positive feedback on the variety of information available, and shoutout to the diabetes team who made plenty of people reconsider their sugar intake with their ‘sugar quantity per food item’ poster Loads of parents appreciated using the poster to educate their children about healthy eating choices
Mornington Island Unveils
Lifesaving Renal Unit
The community of Mornington Island is now better equipped to treat dialysis patients closer to home with the opening of the new renal dialysis unit at Mornington Island Hospital. The first patients were officially moved into the unit on Friday 28 June.
The unit features six chairs catering to patients who independently dialyse and those requiring clinical support from specialist dialysis nurses, ensuring all patients regardless of their level of independence, receive the necessary care and attention during their treatment.
The response from patients and staff has
been very encouraging as we have always strived to provide the best, most culturally sensitive healthcare services to our community, and the new renal dialysis unit is a significant step in that direction. The new more permanent renal dialysis unit allows us to deliver healthcare services more efficiently and effectively, providing better continuity of care and enhancing overall patient experience. North West Hospital and Health Service endeavours to deliver services on country where possible, ensuring our rural and remote communities receive the best possible care on country.
QAS x DASC x NWHHS
Partners in Health
June 20, we welcomed six Doomadgee community members to participate in a credentialled training course for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) in partnership with North West HHS and the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council (DASC).
During the course, members learnt proper techniques for administering CPR as well as how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), plus recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke.
This training initiative was implemented in response to the 2023 recommendations from the coronial inquiry into RHD.
Ongoing yarning sessions with community will also be facilitated by local Doomadgee QAS staff.
The intent is to increase the knowledge around CPR and heart health in community, now and into the future.
The initiative reflects the North West HHS commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering resilience within the Doomadgee community in partnership with QAS and the DASC.
Earlier this year, the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) at Mount Isa Hospital celebrated a heartwarming milestone with the birth of baby Miley, the first child delivered via altruistic surrogacy under their care.
Miley was born 19 January 2024 to loving fathers Mitchell and Matthew Croese via surrogate and Mitchell’s stepsister, Rebecca Greaves.
Altruistic surrogacy requires an obstetric report for the surrogate and both the surrogate, egg donor, and the recipient parents go through an independent psychological assessment.
Once the insemination was complete in Brisbane, we had to do plenty of internal preparations as we knew this wouldn’t be a standard procedure.
A New Era of Parenthood
Fathers Mitchell and Matthew are incredibly grateful to the MGP team and encourage anyone planning to have a baby to discuss their options with the team.
“The MGP were fantastic, caring, thoughtful, and simply unfaultable. We were so grateful to midwives Jenna and Jasmine, and if we could do it all over again with the same midwives we would,” said Mr Croese.
While surrogacy births are not common, they are increasing across Australia as same-sex couples or couples that have difficulties conceiving learn more about the process, and the MGP team is here to help if anyone has questions.
Clinical Trials Unit Officially
Named In memory of Terri Grosser
In memory of Terri Grosser the North West HHS clinical trials unit has been named in her honour.
Terri was widely known for her positive outlook, her bright and witty character that took to laughter easily, her passion for cancer awareness, and her ferocious love of her community.
The North West HHS is one of only 5 places around Queensland with the advanced technology to detect melanoma, and it is because of Terri's hard work raising awareness and advocating for early detection.
The Mount Isa Hospital is the main referral centre within the North West HHS
and connects patients with a Dermatologist via Telehealth. If you would like to book an appointment with the clinical trials team to utilise the melanoma detection technology, email clinicaltrials-nwhhs@health.qld.gov.au.
A GP can perform a skin check and examine any lesions of concern. They are familiar with your history, can talk to you about risk factors and family history, and treat some skin cancers. They may also refer you to a skin specialist if needed.
If you’re not satisfied with your GP’s response, please seek a second opinion. Furthermore, you can request a biopsy or a referral to see a skin specialist if you are concerned.
Art Contest Shines Light on
Mindfulness
North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) is delighted to announce the winners of the Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) Art Competition 2024. The winners of the competition are Harper-Jaye Beetham in first place with the artwork Mindfulness, Emily Wilson in second place with Harmonious Track, and Jasmine Kingston in third place with Crushing. Special mentions were awarded to Lily Cooney and Brianna Hatherall for their outstanding contributions.
The CYMHS Art Competition 2024 focused on promoting mental health service awareness and well-being among young people. School students aged 12 to 18 years from North West Queensland were invited to design an original art piece to be featured on CYMHS shirts and other promotional products.
The competition aimed to raise awareness about youth mental health, encourage help-seeking, create an accepting environment, and reduce stigma to increase understanding and access to mental health services.
The use of these artworks in mental health and health service promotions will ensure that the messages of hope, resilience, and understanding reach a broader audience.
‘The Club’ Garage Sale
A huge thank you to all who attended the Mount Isa Hospital garage sale. It was a huge success with locals showing up in droves to share their stories and memories about the club, with many walking away with their own piece of memorabilia. Overall, the garage sale raised $7,000 towards staff accommodation with the most popular items being the original bar tops, the stage lights, drinks fridges, and barware. And thank you to the 15+ staff who volunteered their time to coordinate and attend the event to make it a success. As we move forward with the rebuild, we are committed to keeping everyone informed and involved in this exciting journey as we transform the space into a brand-new mental health facility.
Camooweal and Dajarra
staff accommodation upgrade
North West HHS is pleased to announce the construction of Dajarra and Camooweal staff accommodation has officially commenced on Friday 19 July 2024.
These rural healthcare staff amenities are the heart of the health facilities, with locals relying on our extremely capable teams to provide high-quality care through every stage of life.
The construction of Mount Isa, Dajarra, and Camooweal staff accomodation comes under the $115 million staff accomodation investment within the $1b
Building Rural and Remote Healthcare Program and is designed for both permanent nursing staff, as well as rotational student nursing placements.
The existing facilities have served the staff well, but to continue to grow and recruit our workforce especially in remote locations, it’s time for an upgrade.
With several generational public healthcare projects including Mount Isa Hospital staff accommodation, Camooweal Health Centre, Doomadgee Hospital, and Normanton Hospital, the upgrades to facilities and services will support the broader region for decades to come.
Best Dressed Premise for
Rodeo Week
North West HHS participated in the ‘Elders Best Dressed Premise’ competition for the first time in known history.
Though no prize was won, the team did a fantastic job of decorating the Outpatients entrance with a huge mine entrance complete with cart tracks and pots of gold and copper. There was plenty of competition from local businesses big and small There were entrants from community hubs, schools, kindergartens, and businesses There was plenty of community spirit in the lead up to Rodeo week, and NWHHS looks forward to participating in this competition again next year.
Want your story told?
The North West Public Relations team is always looking for new stories of our outstanding staff and community.
If you know someone that deserves to be recognised, give us a call - 4744 4871
Staff
International Nurses and
Midwives Day
May 8 North West HHS recognised the collective dedication of nurses and midwives and also spotlighted exceptional individuals who exemplify extraordinary care and commitment.
Midwifery Unit Manager, Julie Hurst, emerged as the distinguished Midwife of the Year, for her dedication to a multidisciplinary team approach for the best and safest healthcare for women and her commitment to staff and community needs.
Stephanie O’Brien, Director of Nursing at our Karumba facility, claimed Nurse of the Year title for her willingness to help guide
and support staff, and her exceptional attention to education for staff and patients to provide the very best in holistic care.
North West HHS remains grateful for all the nurses and midwives for their dedication, compassion, and resilience, particularly in rural and remote healthcare settings. Their tireless efforts continue to shape and enrich the healthcare landscape, embodying the essence of excellence in care.
Nurses and midwives play an indispensable role within North West HHS constituting almost 50 percent of the workforce.
Special recognition goes to the nursing and midwifery team whose enthusiasm and coordination were instrumental in organising this event.
Staff
Dr Uli Orda and Sabine
Orda
AMA Awards
We're proud to announce that Dr Uli Orda received the Rural Health Medal and Mrs Sabine Orda the Excellence in Health Care Medal at AMA Queensland’s Dinner for the Profession on Friday, 24 May
Sabine Orda has been the Principal Medical Education Officer at Mount Isa Hospital since 2010. She has played a critical role in making the hospital a leading rural training and education facility for medical students, interns, prevocational doctors, and rural generalist registrars.
Dr. Uli Orda, Director of Emergency and Director of Clinical Teaching at Mount Isa
Hospital, has served the communities of Doomadgee, Normanton, and Mornington Island. He is also a tireless campaigner for better working conditions for rural doctors
"Having had a very supportive EDMS, Uli and I started in 2010 to transform the hospital into a Level 4 teaching hospital with a focus on Rural Generalist training By 2014, we had achieved accreditation for doctors to train in Mount Isa as a Rural Generalist from Internship to Fellowship.
"We also achieved ACEM training accreditation for 24 months in ED and I was involved in the accreditation for Registrar training in Medicine for Basic Physician Training and in Paediatrics for basic and advanced trainees By 2020, Mount Isa Base Hospital was known in QLD and beyond as a place with excellence in medical training "
Helen Bailey Paints June Pink
for Breast Cancer Awareness
Our Director of Nursing Relief Coordinator Remote Facilities, Helen Bailey participated in June’s pledge to GO PINK!
After a close family member was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, it became Helen's goal to increase awareness of breast cancer and the importance of getting regular health checks.
For the month of June, Helen pledged to wear pink every day to increase awareness and raise money for breast cancer research. This was a huge success as she managed to raise over $2000 for beast cancer awareness and research. This is a massive effort and thank you to all who donated their time and money to helping Helen achieve her goal.
NWHHS kicks off exciting new
Language Badge Program
North West HHS has introduced a language badge program to assist nonEnglish speakers who attend the Hospitals and Health clinics across the region.
The Language Badge Program aims to provide an opportunity to staff and volunteers who speak languages in addition to English to use their skills to contribute towards a culturally responsive environment. North West HHS staff and volunteers who fluently speak languages in addition to English can choose to wear a language badge at work to provide cultural and basic language support to
patients and their families coming from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Anu, Nurse Manager Workforce Unit, speaks to the importance of this program after her mother had to go into urgent care at the hospital but was unable to understand English and Anu couldn’t be available 24/7.
“It can be very confronting presenting to a hospital, but your anxiety would skyrocket if you can’t even tell the doctor what is wrong. With this program, someone in the hospital who shares their language can be by their side translating and helping them through the treatment process.” said Anu.
Stephen Ernst flexes for
Mental Health
Mental Health unit clinical nurse, Stephen Ernst, raised money for a good cause this June, to raise awareness for better mental health and suicide prevention.
Originally a first responder in the South Australian Police Force before moving into the healthcare environment in a Mental Health capacity, Mr Ernst is deeply connected to suicide prevention as he has seen firsthand just how damaging it can be to the families and communities of suicide victims.
Over 24 days, participants complete 3,249 push-ups, the number reflecting the 3,249 lives lost to suicide in Australia 2022
That’s around 8 suicides per day. “Suicide is something that doesn’t discriminate anyone can be impacted by suicidal thoughts, but unfortunately rural and remote populations are two times more likely to take their life by suicide,” Mr Ernst said.
Stephen has raised over $2000 towards suicide prevention funding.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44, with 75% of those who take their own life being male.
Stephen visited iconic Mount Isa landmarks to set the scene for his daily push-ups.
A big thank you to everyone who donated and supported Stephen on his journey.
New Deadly Start
Students Join The Team
The North West HHS has welcomed 5 year 11 students from Spinifex Senior College to the Deadly Start Program, which provides a springboard to advance a career in health for students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Deadly start experienced a 70% success rate in 2023, and all students are guaranteed a position in the North West HHS once they complete their traineeship.
This partnership with Connect ‘n’ Grow is a great way for the students to be exposed to interesting areas of the
hospital such as nursing, allied health, and different medical wards.
It is also a great opportunity for our staff to inspire the next generation of healthcare workers through this program, and we are committed to growing employment, training, and career development opportunities for First Nations people which will result in more culturally accessible healthcare.
The North West HHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce strategy is focused on improving employment opportunities, connecting communities, and supporting future leaders and achieving an inclusive culture.
Staff
Welcome New Board Members
North West HHS Board welcomes two new members, Tanya Arnold, and Tonya Murray. Each new board member has strong connections to the North West with skills and experience to benefit the whole community, the North West HHS and the board.
Tanya Arnold has a wealth of knowledge regarding the unique challenges and opportunities of the region, having lived in remote Queensland and Northern Territory for thirty years.
Tanya’s recent tenure managing a significant pastoral property outside of Normanton for eleven years involved navigating rural healthcare systems to ensure optimal care for her staff.
Tanya brings a deep commitment to advancing healthcare delivery across the North West and will utilise her practical understanding of healthcare access issues in remote areas to enhance service delivery and address the evolving needs of the community.
Tonya Murray, a Gangalidda woman from Burketown and Mount Isa, has a commitment to First Nation’s health with experience in leadership and engagement.
Tonya has over two decades of community leadership and engagement and has served sixteen years as an elected member of the Burke Shire Council, including four years as Deputy Mayor.
She has a deep understanding of the Gulf and North West’s unique challenges and insights into the complex health needs of remote and Indigenous communities.
Staff Spotlight | MGP team
Meet the Midwifery Group Practice team
The MGP team has been outstanding since the beginning. This year as they’ve grown in numbers, they have continued to support mothers through the entirety of their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal experience MGP midwives work closely with the Mount Isa Hospital obstetricians and other health care professionals, allowing the team to care for pregnant women regardless of their pregnancy risk or the complexity of their care
I’m so grateful & so thankful for the experience I had & whom my midwife was. My midwife listened & supported every single decision I made. I felt heard, I felt so comfortable & at every appointment I had there was always useful information from my midwife. I was so blessed to have the midwife I did & I hope that the MGP programme will continue in the future.
- Elizabeth Afeaki
The Cloncurry Hospital team had great success at the Cloncurry show, engaging with the community and discussing important health issues.
Ronald McDonald House Charity volunteers dedicated to bringing joy to patients and their families on the children’s ward.
Our Renal Pharmacists prescribe smiles and support to our renal patients every day.
Our Physiotherapists continue to support patients and have even extended their hours!
Cloncurry Show
RMHC Volunteers
Renal pharmacists
Physiotherapists
North West HHS
Consumer Engagement
Consumer engagement and community communications throughout 2023-2024
In 2023-2024, North West Hospital and Health Service has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to consumer engagement and community communication, marked by significant achievements across various channels and initiatives.
Our social media presence has seen impressive growth. LinkedIn audience numbers increased by 22 per cent, On Facebook, follower numbers surged by 21 per cent from 2021 and 47 per cent from 2020, reflecting an average year-onyear growth of 23.5 per cent.
This Balance Magazine, our first consumer-focused e-magazine now in its third year, continues to engage both community members and health staff with quarterly issues dedicated to health promotion.
Our community outreach efforts included a successful presence at the Mount Isa Show and Cloncurry Show, where we interacted with attendees offering service information and advice.
Additionally, our various teams supported more than 70 health promotion events and campaigns during the year, and supported a wide range of consumer engagement activities, encompassing document design and review partnerships, consumer meetings, and information dissemination.
The functionality of our Consumer Advisory Networks (CANs) and Consumer Advisory Groups (CAGs) has been significantly enhanced through the assignment of executive sponsors and the implementation of a new Board Stakeholder Committee.
This committee ensures that action registers are consistently reported to the Board, Partnering with Consumer Committee, and Clinical Governance Committee, fostering greater accountability and alignment with organisational goals. The refreshed Terms of Reference for each CAN and CAG further clarify roles and responsibilities, supporting their effectiveness.
Jasmine Barber Manager Public Relations
Our engagement strategies also include informal approaches such as consumer representatives assisting with recruitment, reviewing health literature, conducting surveys, and participating in community events. These efforts help capture feedback from a wide range of community members.
Overall, our consumer and community engagement tools have expanded to include diverse social media channels, media releases, radio broadcasts, consumer emails, community events, surveys, and face-to-face interactions, reflecting our ongoing dedication to effective communication and collaboration with our communities. Or
nwhhs.engagement@health.qld.gov.au
Quality and Safety Quarterly Report
January - March 2024
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:
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.
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.
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
“Fantastic support from all the staff, made me feel welcome and nothing was too much.
I would like to thank everyone who looked after and cared for me, Doctors, Nurses, Wards people, Cleaner, Kitchen.
The time I have been here I have met and been cared for by most of the nursing staff and all were great, the whole ward I can't thank enough.”
Leave your feedback by scanning the QR code
Jacqui Goodall
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
July 7th-14th North West Hospital and Health Service proudly participated in local community events to support NAIDOC Week celebrations
Mount Isa Hospital saw the healing tree flooded with community members celebrating NAIDOC Week with a fantastic BBQ on Tuesday 9th July It was heartwarming to see so many people from all walks of life join in the fun celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
On Friday 12th Mount Isa held the annual NAIDOC March from Outback at Isa to the Civic Centre. It was a day filled with vibrant dances and incredible performances that showcased the rich culture and heritage
of our First Nations peoples Our staff were thrilled to engage with the community at our booth, where we provided valuable health information and shared some fantastic merchandise. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate and recognise the significance of NAIDOC Week
Also during the week, our talented kitchen crew at Mount Isa Hospital drew inspiration from the community NAIDOC celebrations to create special meals of Kangaroo Curry and cabbage stew for our patients
Over 40 patients opted for the NAIDOC meals, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Commitment to First Nations
Health and Reconciliation
North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples throughout the North West by renewing the Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation, originally published in 2019.
The Statement of Commitment was signed on 28 May at the Mount Isa Hospital by Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan, Board Chair Cheryl Vardon AO, and Assistant Commissioner Queensland Ambulance Service for the Northern Region Matthew Green.
We are steadfast in our commitment to Closing the Gap and ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all.
Our renewed Statement of Commitment underscores our dedication to fostering culturally inclusive relationships and rejecting racism in all forms.
The signing took place during North West HHS’s Reconciliation Week event, hosted by Executive Director First Nations Health Christine Mann and included North West HHS Board members, community Elders, staff and community.
Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
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.
Goals of the First Nations Health Equity reform agenda include:
Actively eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism
Visit the website and familiarise yourself with the plan today
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
Spotlight on Julia Creek
McKinlay Shire, with a population of around 800 people, lies in the heart of North Outback Queensland on the land of the Wunumara Aboriginal people. Within the Shire, Julia Creek has a population of 511 with 4.8 per cent identifying as Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The town’s main industries are farming and mining, which is mainly centred on the South 32 mine at nearby Cannington. There are two additional mining companies with a presence in the Shire. A general hospital was established in 1972 and was transformed into the Julia Creek Multipurpose Health Service, also known as Julia Creek Hospital. A new hospital has just been built with work completed 30
June 2019.
Julia Creek Multipurpose Health Service is a Level 2 facility under the Rural and Remote Clinical Services Capability Framework comprising outpatients, 6 flexible beds (4 residential aged care and 2 for inpatients/palliative care), Xray, Physiotherapy and visiting services.
The facility provides low-risk ambulatory care clinical services predominantly delivered by registered nurses and health workers. Patients requiring a higher level of care can be managed for short periods before transfer to a higher level service. The facility coordinates visiting specialist services including aged care, dental, mental health, optometry, allied health, women’s health and diabetes education.
McKinlay Shire is the gateway to the Gulf of Carpentaria. The shire spans some 41,000 square kilometres and embraces the townships of Julia Creek and Nelia on the Flinders Highway, and McKinlay and Kynuna on the Matilda Highway. Julia Creek is the main town, and is located approximately 650 kilometres west of Townsville and 225 kilometres east of Mount Isa.
A rural and regional shire, McKinlay is home to a productive and innovative pastoral industry, as well as the world’s richest single mine producer of silver, lead and zinc at Cannington, and a copper mine in Eloise. The world’s largest natural aquifer, the Great Artesian Basin, underpins and supports our community and the diversity of rich grazing lands and unique animal life the shire has to offer.
Our goal is to spread the Julia Creek Multipurpose Health Service umbrella to assist with primary health initiatives including health promotion and monitoring of chronic disease. In partnership with McKinlay Shire we will continue to pursue opportunities to grow our aged care inpatient and outpatient services to further support ongoing community needs.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Tips
Keep Learning and Try Something New
Your ability to reason and make good decisions depends on how well your brain interprets and processes information. Doing regular mental challenges trains these mental pathways, improving their effectiveness and refreshing old or unhelpful thought patterns.
Research is showing that lifelong learning may improve brain function and prevent or delay the symptoms of dementia.
Keeping your mind engaged with new ideas and experiences is an important
part of your mental wellbeing. This could be as easy as doing a daily Sudoku, learning a new skill through an online tutorial or listening to an informative podcast.
Brain Exercises
Meditation Puzzles
Play an instrument
Reading
Listen to music
Learn a language
Cooking
NWHHS Balance
Wellbeing
NWHHS Allied Health Dieticians share a healthy, quick and easy weeknight meal to warm up for winter.
Dietitians Corner Chicken Curry
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ginger, grated
1 onion
500g chicken thighs
3 tbsp curry powder
1 can low fat coconut milk
1 1/2 cups low salt chicken stock
2 carrots, chopped into 0.5cm cubes
3/4 cup of frozen peas
1 bunch coriander
1 1/2 cups cooked basmati or brown rice
Dice onion and carrot, grate or mince garlic and ginger.
Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces
Heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat Add onion, garlic and ginger to pan and cook 2-3 minutes, until onion turns translucent.
Add chicken to pan and cook until it turns from pink to white on each side
Add curry powder and carrot to pan and cook for 2 minutes
Add coconut milk and chicken stock to the pan and stir Reduce heat slightly, and cook for 10-15 minutes, simmering until sauce thickens
meanwhile cook rice as per instructions on the packet.
Add peas to the curry and cook for a further 2 minutes Garnish with coriander
NOTE* Feel free to add extra veggies to make it even more delicious, ie. mushrooms.
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