Link to watch: bit.ly/2022-Wrap-up
Prof Yates, Head of Orthopaedics, accepted the award at the Hospital’s Doctors’ Christmas Celebration on 8 December.
Described by colleagues as the “ultimate professional, who is laser sighted on patient outcomes,” Prof Yates is highly respected by St John of God Murdoch Hospital and the wider medical community for his leadership in orthopaedics research, implant and instrument design and for his generous contribution to the education of the next wave of orthopaedic surgeons.
In announcing the award, St John of God Murdoch Hospital CEO, Ben Edwards commended Prof Yates for his leadership of the Hospital’s Orthopaedics unit and shared remarks from Hospital colleagues.
“Piers has a great capacity to learn and continually strives to improve, never putting things in the ‘too hard basket’. He is the problem solver. The one who gets people out of tricky situations. He has great courage, but is not reckless – and dares to push the boundaries.”
“He is devoted, committed, loyal, caring and a perfectionist.”
Away from the Operating Theatre, Prof Yates is an awardwinning artist. His sculptures, made using surgical instruments, adorn multiple walls in the Hospital.
Prof Yates gifted an ‘orthopaedic tree’ to St Francis ward made of scissors collected on the ward. A crucifix, made using discarded theatre instruments and equipment, hangs proudly outside the Hospital’s Chapel.
As another year comes to a close and we celebrate the Superheroes of Christmas in our decorating competition let us reflect on the Christian story at the heart of Christmas.
As you would be aware, there are an obvious list of superhero possibilities. Our story begins with a messenger Angel who brings good news to young Mary. The super power of Angels is that they deliver God’s messages and provide a quiet whisper of wisdom or challenge. Some people chose to pray to angels, whilst others just like to know they are around - protecting and guiding us. Whatever our beliefs, the Superhero Angel in the nativity story has a busy time sharing God’s plans with the other Superheroes.
As Mary is about to discover, her superpower of growing, nurturing and bringing into being the baby Jesus is one of responsibility and extreme privilege. As the Angel reminds her, this baby is going to be a King who will transform the world with love, hope, peace and joy. So with a careful and prayerful attitude Mary considers her future and prepares her heart.
But Mary is not the only Superhero parent in this story. Joseph might not get the flashy suit and cape, but his part is central and no less important. His mission, should he accept (which we know he does) is to return to Bethlehem for the census and look after Mary until their baby is born. But that’s not going to happen unless another Superhero enters the story and makes room for the Holy family to be together. Thankfully Superhero Inn Keeper, sees the need and transforms the feed shed into a cosy birth suite.
And just in time, as the Superhero King is born amongst the cattle and sheep. But the Superhero story does not end here…
The Shepherds who were out in their fields tending their flocks, saw a blazing star, and
encouraged by the Superhero Angel thought it might be good to follow it. And just like Superheroes of old they trusted their instincts, (and the signs) and found what they were looking for.
The Superhero King.
Meanwhile on the other side of the country, there were some Wise Men who heard there was a Superhero party to end all Superhero parties, and they didn’t want to miss out, so they gathered their gifts and their outfits and set off in search of the new Superhero King.
As the nativity story unfolds we find God, perhaps the Ultimate Superhero choosing a moment in history to remind us of God’s presence with us. The story of Christmas is full of Superheroes who all play their part in the fulfilment of Gods mission. A mission that all of us – Healthcare Superheroes – participate in as we live the values of Compassion, Hospitality, Respect, Excellence and Justice, and restore healing, hope and dignity to all those in our care.
Congratulations to our 2022 Doctor of the Year, Prof Piers Yates.
Our twelve caregivers of the months as well as two sneaky stand ins!
Happy Christmas Murdoch Superheroes.
Jenni Ashton
We welcomed the new year with some new Covid restrictions and it was time to qualify some caregivers to Fit Test and get our Covid supply room slick and stocked.
Registered Music Therapist Giuseppe Reina joined the Murdoch family and we had a baby born on 2.2.22 at 2.22pm – Baby Bodhi!
Caregiver Mel Mott became our 2021 Caregiver of the Year.
You all enjoyed the first coffee van treat of the year and we celebrated a Covidy Easter.
We celebrated International Nurses and Midwives Day and we officially unveiled our beloved sky sign #visiblefromthemoon
We celebrated our first ever ‘Every Caregiver Counts’ Day
Murdoch NPS for NOVEMBER
Hospital Score 78.8
Ward St Gabriel's 100.0 Cancer Centre 93.3
Surgicentre 90.2
St Michael's 86.8
Intensive Care Unit 83.9
St Roses 82.5
St Elizabeth's 82.2
Endoscopy 81.6 Day Procedure Unit 81.2
St Joseph's 77.3 St Catherine's 74.7
Thomas Furlong 73.7
St Francis 72.6
Bridget Clancy 72.1 St Emilie 70.3 Sleep Studies 66.7 St Luke's 63.6 St Mary's 54.0 Emergency Department 53.5 ED - Observation 50.0
Cardio Cath Lab NA
Comment 1: ST ELIZABETH’S WARD
Care given to me as a patient was amazing, the whole experience with Murdoch Hospital was great from my admittance to leaving. Thank you.
Comment 2: ST CATHERINE’S WARD
The best hospital experience I have ever had. The nurses in Catherine's ward were really excellent and caring.
Comment 3: ST EMILIE’S WARD
The staff are amazing. Thank you so much for caring for me and treating me with kindness and compassion. It meant a lot to me, and I would never go anywhere else if unwell in the future.
As a token of thanks for our contributions to Djaalinj Waakinj this year, a lovely thank you event was held, with caregivers from across the Hospital attending.
We also had some special guests including CEO of Cockburn Integrated Health Clory Carrello, Leon from Telethon Kids Institute and mums Stacey and Bridget whose children have had their grommet surgery done here at Murdoch.
It was a very moving afternoon, with speeches from family members about their experience with Djaalinj Waakinj and our Hospital.
We raised over $21,000 for the Charity this year and Dr George Sim has completed 17 surgeries this year alone.
progress through their hospital journey.
Q: Something many of us may not know about you?
A: I’m pretty boring – a great day is a day at home pottering in the garden and talking to my dogs (and kids)!! I love getting out of the city
Q: Netflix or novel – which do you prefer? Any recommendations?
to show warm, positive feelings of thanks.
Q: If you weren’t a nurse, you would be…?
Rebecca English joins us as Nurse Manager of St Rose, having most recently been manager of third floor rehabilitation at Mount Lawley SJOG.
Q: What do you love most about nursing?
A: I love the diversity of the role, and the fact that no two days are the same.
I enjoy interacting with my patients, and seeing them
A: A bit of both. If I get enthralled by a novel or Netflix program, I can’t be stopped and will finish it in no time. I like all sorts of genres, crime, romance, Australiana, comedy, dystopian… not horror. I’m looking for recommendations.
Q: Emoji that best represents you?
A: The smiling face with open hands – I use this a lot – mostly
On 9 December, SarahJayne attended the IPAA WA awards at the Perth Convention Centre on behalf of St John
The Awards recognise individual and organisational excellence in Public Service and Cockburn Integrated Health, in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute, Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation, Telethon Speech and Hearing, Child & Adolescent
Community Health, Dr George Sim, Dr Francis Lannigan, SJGMH and Rockingham Hospital were nominated for the Department of Health Award for ‘Best Practice in Health & Wellbeing Award’.
Against some amazing competition, we won!
This ongoing partnership through Djaalinj Waakinj stays close to our hearts.
A: I don’t know – I think I was always going to be a nurse. I was forever looking after littler kids when I was a kid, and have a compassionate soul. If not a nurse – I would like to be pottering around a few acres with some chooks and some more dogs!
Q: Greatest piece of advice for nursing colleagues?
A: Look after each other, your colleagues will be the ones that see you through some great highs and lows at work, and become like a second family.
of God Murdoch and Dr George Sim.For the very first time, we kicked off our Christmas events by the lake with our Length of Service celebration. Congratulations to all of our wonderful caregivers who are celebrating a milestone this year, we are so lucky to have you as part of our Murdoch family.
The clinical documentation team are working on ensuring we capture COVID 19 data accurately. If your patient has a history of COVID 19, please document this in your admission note. There is a quiz on the CDS Board outside the dining room with prizes up for grabs! Complete your quiz and leave it in the box before the 21st of December to be in to win!”
Following on from a number caregiver enquiries regarding the TGA advice on Proshield N95 and Surgical Masks, please see below for some clarification.
Both the Proshield Surgical Masks and N95s are still appropriate to wear in the hospital unless you are:
1. Caring for a patient on precautions.
2. Present during aerosol generating procedures.
3. At risk of blood or body fluid exposure.
In these situations, a face shield must also be worn. Alternatively you can use a different brand of mask or N95 together with required eye protection.
If you need to be re-fit-tested, please visit https://murdochfittesting.10to8.com or scan the QR code below to book a session.
Please feel free to contact the OHS Department or Infection Control Team should you have questions.
Another successful Christmas season done and dusted at Murdoch! With over a week of celebrations, we hope you all had the best time.
Corpus Christi Choir
St John of God Community Choir
St John of God Health Care caregivers do everything possible to ensure patients and their families are fully supported when accessing our Palliative Care services, but even when a patient and their family have access to exceptional Palliative Care, it can still be a time of overwhelming emotion and stress.
Especially at Christmas, a time of great meaning to us, and many of our patients and their loved ones.
This year, St John of God Foundation’s Christmas Wish Appeal will raise funds to help caregivers to go above and beyond for patients in Palliative Care.
Funds raised will help to fulfil patients’ final wishes, and create cherished, lasting memories for them and their loved ones.
“Hospital resources can cover the essential clinical and psychological needs of patients and their families, but there is always more we can do to help bring them comfort while they are in our care,” says Dr Scott Lee, Director and Head of Hospice & Palliative Care Services at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.
“Palliative Care must be holistic, comprehensive, compassionate and collaborative, to ensure that
our patients and their families receive the best care possible. By providing care that looks after the whole person, we are able to support all of their physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs.”
Dr Lee and his team walk alongside patients with lifelimiting illness and their families, and are welcomed into their lives at a pivotal time.
This also means that they have been able to bring real joy and comfort to families during an immensely difficult time.
“Our team has organised wedding ceremonies on site for our patients and their families, who otherwise would not have been able to do so because of their illness or financial constraints. We have helped patients who were too unwell to leave our care to celebrate
special anniversaries,” says Dr Lee.
“We were also privileged to help a patient fulfil her final wish to feel the sea breeze on her face, together with all of her family members, before she passed away in our care.”
This Christmas, St John of God Foundation is raising funds to help bring joy and comfort to patients and their families, when they need it most.
With the support of our community, we can fulfil the final wishes of patients and help families facing life-limiting illnesses to create memories they will treasure forever.
To find out more about the Christmas Wish Appeal, please visit:
www.sjogfoundation.org.au/ Christmas2022
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