December 2025 Murdoch Monthly

MURDOCH Monthly

December 2025

CAREGIVER NEWS FROM ST JOHN OF GOD MURDOCH HOSPITAL

t s a o c e h t y b s a m t s i r h C e t a r b e l e c s Caregiver 3 1 2 1 s e pag

A/PROF RAJ MOHAN WINS 2025 DOCTOR OF THE YEAR

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT IN ENDO

page 7 Murdoch moments at your fingertips

MUSIC THERAPY LIFTS SPIRITS ACROSS MURDOCH

page 18 facebook.com/ stjohnofgodmurdoch

page 22 @sjogmurdoch

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

A message from the CEO, Ben Irish I also want to extend my sincere thanks to all those working over the Christmas and New Year period. Your dedication and commitment during this time does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.

To those who are able to take some leave, I hope you enjoy a well-earned break, with moments of rest, relaxation and quality time with family and loved ones.

Welcome to the December Murdoch Monthly.

As we close out the year, I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas events across the hospital and that they brought some muchneeded cheer during a busy time.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part and helped to create such a positive, festive atmosphere for our community.

On behalf of the Executive team, I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas.

Thank you for everything you have contributed this year, and here’s to what I’m sure will be an exciting year ahead.

See you in the New Year,

Ben

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Reflection Strangers kneeling because they sensed that something holy was happening in the middle of the mess.

Sometimes it is good to be reminded that most miracles arrive looking suspiciously like life. Nothing tidy. Nothing polished. Just a collection of imperfect moments stitched together with love and courage and the stubborn belief that hope can be born anywhere.

Christmas is a time of miracle stories. Angels appear whispering messages. A star refuses to mind its own business. And a baby is born to an unmarried virgin.

These stories are somewhat out of this world, but they are also deeply human. They carry the texture of real life: exhaustion, travel delays, overcrowded rooms, unexpected surprises and the pressure of expectations no one asked for.

The miracle of Christmas is not only found in the spectacular heaven splitting open, choirs of angels, kings following sky-signs - it is found in the quiet, simple unremarkable moments. Small, ordinary moments that matter because they are the ones God chose.

A tired mother’s breath in a stable.

A father trying his best with very limited instructions.

The warmth of animals who simply stayed close.

As I write, I have been reflecting on our St John of God Health Care aspiration statement that ‘Every Moment Matters’ and wondering what that means for us this Christmas - not that every moment must be amazing, but that every moment is capable of holding something sacred.

The quiet cup of tea made by a colleague. The grateful smile from the challenging patient. The swapped shift. The encouraging email. The gentle reminder that we are seen and heard. Maybe it’s the hesitant phone call to someone we miss. The flash of memory that brings both tears and gratitude. The empty chair that teaches us to feel love and loss at the same time. The recognition that we matter.

These are not grand gestures—no star in the east, no angelic choir— but they are honest. And honest moments are fertile ground for grace.

In the Christmas story, God does not wait for perfect conditions or perfect people. God arrives in the middle of the night, in an inconvenient place, to people who are just coping. Which means that maybe our unfinished, too-busy, slightly frayed lives are exactly the right size for a miracle.

So, this Christmas, may we notice the small things.

The gentle things.

The fleeting, easily missed things.

The moments that shimmer with meaning, not because we arranged them that way, but because love has a habit of making ordinary life holy.

Every moment matters.

Not because we must make it matter.

But because God already has.

Christmas blessings of love and light to you and your families and thank you for all the different ways you make moments matter for our patients.

(My appreciation to Kate C Bowler for her words that always inspire my own)

Jenni

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Patient Experience Matters Murdoch NPS for NOVEMBER

Murdoch patients are saying:

Hospital Score

81

Ward

NPS

St Mary

94.0

Cancer Centre

93.0

Surgicentre

88.0

St Rose

85.0

St Luke

85.0

Day Procedure Unit

82.0

Endoscopy

81.0

St Joseph

81.0

St Catherine

78.0

St Francis

78.0

Intensive Care Unit

77.0

St Michael

75.0

St Emilie

Comment 3: North Wing Second Floor

74.0

North Wing Second Floor

73.0

Sleep Studies

67.0

Emergency Department

59.0

Staff was efficient, kind, and attentive. Alll requirements were attended to promptly. When the unexpected happened, they were prompt in their response. Thank you!

Thomas Furlong

50.0

Cardio Cath Lab

NA

ED - Observation

NA

St Gabriel

NA

Sing it to the world!

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Comment 1: Endoscopy I couldn’t have asked for better service or care!

The staff were beautiful and so friendly, which makes one feel relaxed. There is not enough of it in the world today.

Comment 2: St Francis ward

Professional, great nursing care, excellent Doctors, great services! I would and will recommend St John of God Hospital Murdoch to everyone!

Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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JMO of the Month The Junior Medical Officer (JMO) of the month award recognises an outstanding intern or resident who exemplifies excellence in clinical care, teamwork, professionalism, and a commitment to learning. Nominated by their peers and supervisors, this award celebrates those who go above and beyond in supporting their colleagues and delivering compassionate, high-quality care to patients.

October: Dr Thiyaga Ginimalage This month, we are very pleased to announce Dr Thiyaga Ginimalage as JMO of the Month for November 2025.

Thiyaga has been a superstar registrar, recognised for exceeding expectations in her high-quality care to all. Her kindness and compassion shines through everything she does. With an approachable and friendly manner, Thiyaga is regarded as a valuable and knowledgeable team player, who is always willing to lend a helping hand. Her attentiveness and support make all the difference. Thiyaga is an inspiration to all!

Congratulations, Thiyaga. This award is well deserved!

We appreciate and thank you for your contributions to St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

NPS Rewards This month we celebrated some of the teams who scored over 80 in their NPS recently.

Congratulations and thank you for all that you do for our patients!

Surgicentre

North Wing Second Floor

St Catherine ward

St Rose ward

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

St Michael ward receives the Heart of Murdoch: Team Excellence Award

This month, Finance presented St Michael ward with the Heart of Murdoch: Team Excellence award.

from the caregivers. Whilst it may seem easier when it’s something you do regularly, I’m sure it isn’t.

"This is perhaps not always the busiest ward – their activity goes from feast to famine and back again pretty swiftly – sometimes on the same day even. They close regularly, pretty much every week. They could be dealing with heaps of day cases, only to close by the end of the day.

First and foremost of course, they give first class, warm and compassionate care.

I couldn’t resist running some numbers once we’d made the choice. I reckon they’ve closed 42 times this calendar year. And somehow they’ve opened 43 times. Puzzling at first, but of course it’s because they were closed on New Year’s Day.

And Christmas is coming, so what more appropriate time to give it to the kiddies!

Opening and Closing so often requires great organisation skills by the manager and flexibility

This ward deals beautifully with our charity of the year patients, and like every school holiday, a rush is about to hit them once schools out.

The thoroughly deserving winners of the Heart of Murdoch this month is St Michaels ward," they said.

Congratulations to the St Michael ward!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Associate Professor Raj Mohan wins Murdoch 2025 Doctor of the Year Gynaecology Oncologist, Associate Professor Raj Mohan named St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s Doctor of the Year for 2025.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital is delighted to announce that Associate Professor Raj Mohan, Gynaecologist and Gynaecologic Oncologist, has been named the 2025 Doctor of the Year.

Admired for his kind and gentle nature, humility and dedication, Associate Professor Mohan is actively involved in gynaecological cancer research and clinical trials, and is committed to supporting the next generation of specialists through his teaching roles at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle and the University of Western Australia.

The award was presented by St John of God Murdoch Hospital CEO Ben Irish on Friday night, surrounded by Associate Professor Mohan’s family and colleagues.

Mr Irish thanked him for his outstanding dedication to patient care and his unwavering commitment to the values of St John of God Health Care.

“Associate Professor Raj Mohan truly embodies the values of St John of God Health Care,” he said. “He is a kind and deeply compassionate clinician who consistently places patient care first and is known for his unwavering support of his friends, colleagues and anyone in need.

“A gentleman in every sense, we are incredibly proud to recognise him as our 2025 Doctor of the Year.”

Associate Professor Mohan began his career in London, completing his obstetrics and gynaecology

training in 2003 and earning Membership of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He worked as a specialist for six years before moving to Australia, where he gained his Fellowship in 2010 and later subspecialist certification in gynaecologic oncology.

His commitment to continual learning includes completing a Master of Clinical Trials and Research at the University of Sydney, and his international training and academic achievements now underpin his leadership in gynaecological cancer care across Western Australia.

Colleagues describe him as kind, gentle and devoted to his patients, continually expanding his skills and knowledge to ensure they receive the highest standard of care.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Raj Mohan, the St John of God Murdoch Hospital 2025 Doctor of the Year.

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Christmas 2025 Christmas season swept through Murdoch this year with the magic of the Amalfi Coast. We hope you had la dolce Christmas and enjoyed yourselves!

Christmas choirs

Practice staff breakfast On Tuesday 9 December, we welcomed some of the practice staff from the Medical Clinic and Wexford Centre for a Christmas breakfast. Thank you for those who popped by to celebrate!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Doctors' Christmas celebration Our wonderful doctors gathered for their Christmas soiree on Friday 5 December, where Associate Professor Raj Mohan was awarded the prestigious Doctor of the Year award (read more on page 7!)

Thank you to our doctors for all that you do!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Night staff breakfast On Wednesday 17 December, our wonderful night staff gathered in the caregiver courtyard to share in a delicious Christmas breakfast! Thank you to everyone who stayed after their shift to celebrate with us!

Christmas decoration judging Murdoch’s annual Christmas decoration competition was in full swing this year with wards and departments decking the halls in the theme of Christmas in the sun!

This year, DPU/DOSA/Angio took out the trophy, with honourable mentions to Cancer Centre, St Mary ward, St Francis ward, and St Rose ward. Congratulations to all for bringing the joy of Christmas to Murdoch!

DPU/DOSA/Angio

Cancer Centre

St Mary

St Francis

St Rose

St Emilie

Endoscopy

ICU/CCU

Hospice

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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On Sunday 7 December, Murdoch hosted the annual Light up the Lake with Love memorial event in recognition of the challenges faced at Christmas while grieving.

A reflective ceremony took place to both recognise the impact of loss and allow people to acknowledge their loved ones.

On arrival, attendees were invited to add the name of their loved one to the memory tree. The moving ceremony, which included prayers, readings, and the symbolic lighting of memorial candles was complete with reflective music played by string quartet Aquila.

As we gathered around the lake to watch it light up, attendees lit their own keepsake memorial candles and torch candles purchased, with proceeds being donated to Murdoch to support end of life care for patients and their families.

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Caregiver and vollie Christmas party We were transported to la dolce Christmas for our Christmas party on Wednesday 10 December. The event included delicious coastal flavours, lively music, and a warm festive atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone who joined in the celebrations! We hope you had fun!

Check out more photos here: https://bit.ly/caregiver-vollie-christmas-2025 Password: Caring (password is case sensitive)

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Length of Service awards On Monday 8 December, caregivers, managers, and Executive gathered on the marquee by the lake to celebrate caregivers who achieve their milestone Length of Service.

25 years

20 years

15 years

10 years

5 years

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30 years

Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Sunny and her helpers deliver treats!

Throughout the festive season, Sunny and her helpers surprised caregivers with visits and sweet treats!

Our 2025 Christmas gift!

This year, Caregivers and volunteers received their end of year gift from our Hosptial Executive - a cool cooler bag!

Watch the video: https://bit.ly/2025-christmas-gift Hospitality | Compassion | Respect | Justice | Excellence

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Pilgrimage reflection by Director Organisation Development & Improvement, Cate Thomas

In November, our Hospital Management Committee Operations team had the privilege of participating in the Perth Pilgrimage — a journey that allowed us to walk in the footsteps of the Sisters of St John of God, and reconnect with the origins of our Mission.

This experience was more than a historical recount; it was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the story of courageous women who laid the foundations of St John of God Health Care in Australia.

Responding to a call from Bishop Matthew Gibney, the Sisters left Ireland and arrived in Perth on 25 November 1895. From a modest townhouse, they began

nursing care and soon extended their service to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, meeting the urgent health needs of gold miners in harsh and unfamiliar conditions.

It is hard to imagine the contrast they faced — trading the green fields of Ireland for the heat and isolation of Western Australia, contending with snakes, limited infrastructure, and the immense challenge of providing compassionate care in a rugged frontier.

Yet, despite these obstacles, their resilience and unwavering commitment created an organisation that has endured for 130 years, continuing to deliver exceptional care across Australia.

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What resonated most with me was the Sisters’ ability to adapt and respond to the needs of the moment. They were pioneers of flexibility and courage — women who combined skill, faith, and determination to serve with compassion in the face of adversity.

Walking in their footsteps was a profound honour It reminded me that,as caregivers today, we are part of a living legacy — one built on courage, adaptability, and a deep commitment to those we serve.

I feel privileged to continue this Mission, carrying forward the spirit of the Sisters in everything we do.

Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Small change, big impact: Shrinking pot size to save our planet A simple switch is making a big difference at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

Our Endoscopy team, led by Head of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Dr Oliver Waters, and Clinical Nurse Carla Hazelgrave, has taken a huge step towards environmental sustainability by moving from 70mL histopathology pots to smaller 25mL pots for samples.

It might sound like a small change, but the impact is enormous. With approximately 41,000 pots used each year, using the smaller pot saves an estimated 26 kilograms of plastic and over 700 litres of formalin from being incinerated each year, just at Murdoch.

“These pots are used in huge numbers — and every single one eventually gets incinerated,” said Dr Waters.

“By reducing their size, we’re cutting down on waste, lowering our exposure to formalin, and proving that sustainability and high-quality care can go hand in hand.”

The smaller pots are already being adopted by several pathology providers across WA. To support Murdoch’s implementation, Jenny Barham from GI Pathology generously donated six metal racks designed to stabilise the new containers.

Thanks to this collaboration, Murdoch is proudly leading the way in showing how achievable environmental sustainability can be in health care.

“Nurses and doctors have both been fantastic,” Dr Waters said.

“They’ve adapted to using the

smaller pots quickly, and once they understood why we were making the change, they were 100 per cent on board.

“It’s great to see everyone pulling together to make a difference because there is so much work to be done in the space of environmental sustainability.

“I’m hoping this is just the start of a number of initiatives in endoscopy that we can implement to make a difference - including reusable scope buttons and reducing sterile bottled water usage.”

The benefits extend beyond Murdoch, with interest in the histopathology pot initiative spreading to other hospitals including Peel and Midland.

Dr Waters is hopeful that the change will soon be rolled out across the St John of God network,

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and even nationally.

“The quote that resonates with me is 'There’s no such thing as ‘away’.

When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere' [Annie Leonard, executive of Greenpeace, USA],” Dr Waters said.

“I encourage all clinicians and caregivers to look around their work environments and consider what changes we could make to reduce waste and improve care.

“If we can reduce what ends up in the environment, even by something as small as a pot, we should.”

A small pot, a big step, and a proud example of how St John of God Murdoch Hospital caregivers and doctors are helping to protect both people and the planet.

Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Celebrating Volunteer David Hughes: National Eight Ball Champion We are delighted to celebrate one of our very own volunteers, David Hughes, who has achieved an incredible sporting milestone — winning the Australian Eight Ball Federation (AEBF) National Title with his Masters team.

The 2025 AEBF Nationals were held in Rockhampton, Queensland, drawing more than 450 competitors from every state and from New Zealand’s North and South Islands.

Western Australia was proudly represented across several divisions, including the Masters team featuring David and teammates he has been playing alongside since the 1980s.

After recently reuniting with his long-time friends and teammates, David says the “old farts” proved they’ve still got what it takes. Their Masters side played a huge number of fiercely contested games throughout the tournament, dropping only two matches in the round robin—against Tasmania and Queensland.

In a remarkable finish, the team met Tasmania again in both the semi-final and the grand final, defeating them twice to claim the coveted National Title.

David describes the experience as “very pleasing,” and we couldn’t be prouder of his dedication, skill and team spirit.

Please join us in congratulating David on this outstanding achievement!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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International Volunteer Day In honour of International Volunteer Day on Friday 5 December, we rolled out the red carpet for our volunteers for a pancake breakfast on Tuesday 2 December.

We are so grateful for the dedication, compassion, and care that our volunteers bring to our lives and the lives of our patients every day.

We appreciate you and all that you do!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Music Therapy lifts spirits across Murdoch A recent research study into the effects of the Murdoch Music Therapy service has revealed overwhelmingly positive benefits for both caregivers and patients.

Feedback from caregivers highlights music therapy as a powerful contributor to wellbeing, connection, and the overall healing environment.

Caregivers consistently noted that the presence of live music transforms the atmosphere of the wards. Many described an immediate sense of calm, uplifted spirits, and a noticeable shift in energy when Giuseppe is present.

•

It a great service for both the patients and staff.

•

I instantly relax and feel happier when I hear music therapy. A unique service focusing on quality of life.

•

Music is wonderful therapy for everyone. The patients, their families, and workers all enjoy it.

Across the study, one theme was clear: music therapy enhances quality of life. Caregivers witnessed changes in patients’ facial expressions, reduced anxiety, and moments of genuine joy.

It was also noted that patients often become more relaxed, open, and willing to engage in conversation after a session, with some describing significant emotional and spiritual uplift.

Upon hearing music during demanding shifts, caregivers say that it provides a positive distraction, improves mood, and supports their own mental health.

Several commented that creative therapies are extremely valued for their profound ability to support holistic healing.

Here are some comments that stood out from the feedback: •

We love having live music in the unit. The patients enjoy it, too.

•

We love Guiseppe! Besides being talented he is very kind and very aware of staff workload in what is a busy environment and more than happy to work in patient needs.

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In high-stress environments such as ICU and CCU, where constant noise can overwhelm, music therapy provided a calming and therapeutic contrast.

The report highlights that music therapy is far more than a complementary service: it is a vital, compassionate tool that enriches the experiences of everyone within the hospital environment.

Thank you, Giusseppe, for bringing joy and music into the hearts and lives of everyone at Murdoch!

Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

World Diabetes Day World Diabetes Day was Friday 14 November. Our wonderful Diabetes Educators Shona and Fran marked the occasion by encouraging caregivers to learn more about diabetes, its management, and how we can work together to reduce the stigma and support those affected.

Caregivers were invited to: •

Participate in a quiz, with the opportunity of winning a $25 coffee voucher (congratulations to winner Fiona Yang!)

•

Receive a free diabetes risk screening using the AUSDRISK tool

•

Trial a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

World Kindness Day Thursday 13 November was World Kindness Day. Our St Francis ward created a beautiful display, which included an interactive piece where caregivers, patients, and visitors could add ways to be kind to themselves and others the wall.

Well done, St Francis ward!

Thank you for sharing this important message!

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

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PIVC: Improving safe care for patients On Monday 24 November, caregivers were invited to a presentation by Group Manager Infection Control Lucille Ridley regarding a new Peripheral Intravenous Cannula (PIVC) strategy.

PIVCs are widely used across our hospitals, yet many inserted, particularly in emergency settings, are not used.

Unnecessary insertion and inconsistent management can increase the risk of complications, including bloodstream infections.

Project LIVE – Leading PIVC Excellence is our system-wide commitment to improving safety, quality and consistency in PIVC care.

Australian Clinical Care Standard, incorporating the DRIP criteria and 3Rs model to strengthen clinical decision making. The focus is simple: insert PIVCs only when clinically indicated, manage them consistently, and remove them promptly to reduce patient harm.

Standardised insertion practices, forearm-first site selection and improved shift-by-shift review will ensure safer, evidence-based care.

Patients will also be empowered with accessible information and opportunities to ask questions about their PIVC.

The Patient Experience and Clinical Excellence (PEaCE) team has introduced a new best-practice framework aligned with the

Caregivers are supported by updated eLearning, refreshed CORA content, quick reference guides.

Every cannula, every shift—Project LIVE is our shared commitment to safer care and better outcomes for every patient.

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

CDS corner This year, the Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDS) crowned our inaugural super documenter of the year Consultants.

The 2025 Medical Super documenter is Dr Liz Wong.

Dr Wong is an asset to Murdoch, she is an excellent Doctor and her documentation is always clear, informative and detailed. We love working with Dr Wong.

The 2025 Surgical Super Documenter is Professor Mo Ballal. Professor Ballal is not only a wonderful human being, but a brilliant doctor and excellent documenter!

His operation records are clear and detailed and he's a joy to work with.

The 2025 Anaesthetic Super Documenter is Dr Ray Sinnadurai. Dr Sinnadurai is a CDS's dream! His anaesthetic records are detailed and easy to read. He also always utilises the coding checklist on the back of the anaesthetic record, ensuring that any complexities can be captured in Clinical Coding.

They each received a special gift from CDS for their hard work.

Dr Liz Wong

Prof Ballal was very happy with his personalised scrubs!

(He's a mad Liverpool fan!)

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

CDS corner

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DEC 25 SUPER DOC-U-MENTER Hayley Why did you want to become a doctor?

I loved biology & being a doctor was the only profession i knew when i was 18!

What is your favourite meal?

Homemade dumplings by my grandma Fun fact? i love walks by the south perth foreshore with my fluffy dog

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Murdoch Monthly - December 2025

Foundation: Christmas Wish Appeal Your kindness holds families through their hardest moments St John of God Foundation’s 2025 Christmas Wish Appeal is helping to bring warmth, comfort and precious moments of connection to people in palliative care and the families who love them.

Murdoch Pastoral Practitioner, Mary, shares her gratitude for this community effort.

“It means so much to me that Palliative Care has been chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s Christmas Wish Appeal.

Every day, I am reminded of the shared mission that guides everyone who works in Palliative Care: to make each moment as comfortable, dignified and manageable as possible for patients and their loved ones. Because of this, I often hear families say they feel truly listened to, truly cared for, and that their needs are swiftly met with compassion and thoughtfulness.

As a Pastoral Practitioner, I walk alongside patients and their loved ones during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. We provide emotional and spiritual support 24/7, especially in those final days when distress, fear or unanswered questions can feel overwhelming.

One moment that I will continue to remember is sitting with a young teenage boy in the family playground,

watching the sun rise as he quietly shared what life would look like now that his dad had died. In that stillness, surrounded by the bushland that cradles the Hospice, he found the space to speak, to grieve, and to begin imagining the path ahead.

I hope donors see just how much their support means for Palliative Care and the Hospice. Every gift to the Christmas Wish Appeal helps us to continue offering extra comfort, dignity and presence when it matters most. Thank you to every supporter for making that possible.”

A gift this Christmas can help to provide the simple but powerful comforts that mean so much when time is precious, such as:

•

Special equipment to allow patients freedom to move out of their bed to share meaningful moments with family and friends.

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Support and conversation through a palliative care companion, so no patient feels alone.

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Gentle care items such as soothing lotions to ease dry and fragile skin.

Every little bit of support, in any form, helps us to bring comfort to those who need it most.

Shared stories are the best stories!

If you see or know of anything that you’d love to share with the Murdoch community, let us know!

Reach out to Murdoch.Marketing@sjog.org.au with any stories or photos.

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