Murdoch Monthly April 2023

MURDOCH Monthly

April 2023

APRIL NO FALLS DAY! page 6

EASTER BUNNIES AT MURDOCH

page 8

$1000 IN UNDER AN HOUR FOR DJAALINJ WAAKINJ

page 9

CAREGIVER NEWS FROM ST JOHN OF GOD MURDOCH HOSPITAL

A message from the CEO Acting

A Farewell Message from Ben Edwards - ‘Not goodbye, see you later!’

that role on a permanent basis.

This has been a very tough decision for me to make. My six years at Murdoch have been by far the happiest of my career. The hospital is a very special place, and that is because of you.

Dear Murdoch Caregivers,

As you may know, over the past few months, I have been acting in the role of Chief Operating Officer, looking after St John of God Hospitals across the country. Last week, I officially accepted

I will fondly remember the Annual Murdoch Balls and events we have celebrated together, including the 80's parties, Every Caregiver Counts Day, Nursing and Midwives Days, and our epic Christmas Carnivals. Lots of very happy memories.

You are a fantastic team; more like a big family actually.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for what you do for our patients each day. I am immensely proud and grateful to have worked with such a dedicated, competent, and compassionate group of people. Thank you for making my time at Murdoch so special.

So, this is not goodbye, it's see you later. I'll be taking every opportunity to come out, see you all and catch up. In the words of my good friends, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes - I've Had the Time of my Life.

Take care and see you soon, Ben

Our twelve caregivers of the months as well as two sneaky stand ins!

Reflection

was palpable and clear. The motto for the games was ‘Celebrating the Gift of Life’ and as I read this on the banner across the stands at Optus Stadium, I saw it in the laughter and jubilant cheers of the athletes as they passed by. I was reminded yet again of the privilege this life is for each of us.

Last weekend I attended the Opening Ceremony of the World Transplant Games, at Optus Stadium. It was an uplifting and extremely joyful experience. As the athletes entered the stadium grouped in their respective countries, their smiles said it all. Each of the athletes, only alive and able to travel to compete in the Games through the generosity of strangers who in the midst of their tragic loss recognised the opportunity to gift life to others. Their gratitude and appreciation for this gift

The upcoming month of May is a busy month for us at Murdoch and in our communities as we celebrate, amongst other things – Mother’s Day, Palliative Care Week, International Nurses and Midwives day, National Volunteers week, Every Caregiver Counts and Reconciliation week. Each of these, and many other events, remind us of the generosity of others that enables or enhances life.

Whilst Mother’s Day can be a difficult day for many – it is an opportunity to be grateful for the beginning of our own lives. Saying thank you to our mothers reminds us of their life and that of others we love and cherish.

In the world of healthcare, the Palliative Care movement has

for many years worked hard to change society’s attitudes to death and dying, creating a conversation that is more about affirming life in its totality than focussing on death. Perhaps a timely reminder that good end of life care involves a recognition of all that each life has held as sacred and meaningful. An appropriate segue into recognising the amazing and transformative work of our nurses and midwives who help bring to birth and maintain life, and those who shepherd others through the last moments of life – again celebrating the gift of life in all they do.

Our Volunteers too, in every smile, every greeting, every task bring others to life by their respect and compassion.

Thank you to every caregiver, every volunteer, every person who lives our values and makes a difference in ways too numerous to mention.

Perhaps May might be renamed, ‘Celebrating the Gift of Life’ Month for us at Murdoch…

Jenni Ashton

Group Chief Executive Officer announced as Bryan Pyne

The St John of God Health Care Group Chief Executive Officer has been announced as Bryan Pyne.

Bryan has worked with the organisation for over 20 years, and has an extensive experience and commitment within the organisation.

We are excited to have him on board and look forward to thriving under his leadership.

Patient Experience Matters

Murdoch patients are saying:

Comment 1: ST JOSEPH WARD

Was very impressed with the love, care, and compassion the nurses and doctors gave me. Loved the entertainment that was provided.

Comment 2: ST LUKE WARD

Very efficient highly trained and very approachable made my hospital stay much better than expected.

Comment 3: BRIDGET CLANCY WARD

The love, compassion, respect that was poured to me was so touching. Loved everyone. Thank you.

heros

On the 26th of April, Housekeeping celebrated their Feast Day of St Zita. St Zita is the patron saint of domestic workers, housekeepers, waitresses, and household chores, and attended to her tasks diligently – a fitting saint for our Housekeeping department!

Caregiver of the Month

Hannah Matthews: February 2023

Nominated by a patient on St Catherine Ward

I've worked for over 20 years in the health care and disability sector in high care medical services and have never seen nurses more professional, caring and ready to help, with a smile and compassion. Every nurse I had was impressive. The team work and communication was impressive. But there was a standout nurse called Hannah. She was compassionate and adaptable and I find it hard to find more words of gratitude and appreciation. Describing Hannah’s dedication, support and skills leaves me speechless.

Values awards

Marlene Slattery for an Excellence Award

Nominated by a patient on St Emilie Ward

Marlene is incredibly efficient at her work. Unfailingly enthusiastic, positive, cheerful and optimistic. She raises the spirits of her patients and leaves them in better cheer. A fine representative of your organisation and brilliant ambassador for your hospital. Also a very nice person.

OHS - Make your steps count with MOVE!

We are encouraging all caregivers to download our free caregiver wellbeing app, Converge International and take part in our organisationwide MOVE challenge

MOVE is a virtual, physical wellbeing initiative where participants from across St John of God Health Care are encouraged to do any activity which equates to 10,000 steps a day, as part of a team. To ensure a fair playing field, teams are randomly assigned.

You can walk, run, cycle, wheel or participate in any physical activity to reach your goal!

All participants will be in the running (or walking) for minichallenge prizes within the six week period, as well as prizes for members of the overall winning team.

Our wellbeing app is hosted by Converge International, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. The app is now live and can connect with your existing mobile devices and fitness trackers to provide personalised tools to assist in keeping you at your best, physically and mentally, such as:

• One-step EAP booking

• Personalised health dashboard

• Personalised wellbeing tips and articles, backed by science

• Mood check-in

• Sleep tracker

• Activity tacker

Self-care is important and regular exercise plays a vital role in maintaining good health – from keeping ourselves physically fit to helping us manage stress and promoting restful sleep, so sign up to Converge and get MOVE-ing!

April No Falls Day!

This month, we celebrated ‘April No Falls’ Day from the 1st to the 3rd of April to educate and raise awareness of falls prevention and help those at risk of falling to stay on their feet.

Our wards got involved by putting together their own creative displays and an educational poster on falls prevention, which was judged by Deputy Director of Nursing Wendy Singleton.

Congratulations to St Elizabeth’s ward who won the display competition for their ‘Falls Risk Factor Bingo’, and to Angela on St Emilie’s ward for winning the poster competition!

Fantastic work by everyone!

St Elizabeth Ward winner

Angela from St Emilie Ward winner

St Elizabeth Ward winner

St Joseph Ward

Bridget Clancy

St Catherine Ward

St Rose Ward St Francis Ward

St Luke Ward

My Experience at the Red Cross Soup Patrol by Ben Edwards

Last week I had the pleasure of accompanying SarahJayne and Dilwyn on the Red Cross Soup Patrol.

After stocking up the van with food (including many tasty contributions from Murdoch caregivers), we set off to Fremantle. Dilwyn was driving, so I suspect there are a few speeding fines in the post.

It was a chilly evening by the time we arrived at the Fremantle docks, and I was surprised to see so many people eagerly awaiting the van’s arrival. Everyone we met was very polite and very appreciative. It was fantastic to feed people, but then quite sad to see them disappearing

New NPS rewards

While pizzas, doughnuts, and fruit platters have served us well, from this month onwards, we have introduced a fresh, new menu of rewards to celebrate outstanding Net Promoter Score results across the Hospital.

Wards and departments that produce a monthly NPS of 80 or above will be able to collectively choose how they would like to be rewarded.

off into the darkness, presumably to sleep on the streets.

After that, we visited a short-term accommodation facility, for people trying to get their lives back on track, and a refuge for abused women. At the refuge, we were told that many of the women who attend are at risk of physical harm and are usually only able to stay a night or two because demand outstrips bed availability. We were informed that, as it’s approaching winter time, the women really appreciate any old, warm clothes. So if you have any

winter clothing you’re going to throw away, please donate via SJ.

Overall, I found the experience very rewarding, but also a stark reminder of the thin line between ‘us’ and those who are less fortunate than ‘us’. That line is thinner than we like to acknowledge.

Patient Experience Team Rewards

When you achieve NPS score >80, your team can now choose how to celebrate by selecting one of the options below!

One Day Rewards:

Pizza & Doughnuts

Cheese & Fruit Platters

Team Serenade - 2hrs of live music

Massages for the team

Every Caregiver Rewards:

Coffee & Cookies for the team

Wellbeing Lucky Dip for everyone

Dining Room Vouchers for everyone

Team Raffle of 4 x $75 vouchers

Pay It Forward:

$400 donation to Djaalinj Waakinj

Gift your reward to another Murdoch team

The Easter Bunny's Trip To Murdoch

Happiness spread across the Hospital on 6 April as our caregivers enjoyed warm hot cross buns and a surprise Easter bunny chocolate delivery by our very own Easter Bunnies - Acting CEO Michael Salter and Director of Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell.

We hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter, and thank you to all the caregivers who worked over the Easter period.

$1000 in Under an Hour for Djaalinj Waakinj

Last month, our Health Information staff and CDS team hosted a Marvellous March Morning Tea with great success.

In a record-breaking 45 minutes, they raised a massive $1000 for Djaalinj Waakinj.

Everyone pitched in to bake for the event, including Emilee and Jess Donald, the owners of ‘Jaffelato’ on the Rockingham Foreshore, who kindly donated delicious cakes and slices for them to sell.

The ladies said, if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, pop in and

say hello. You can find them at 3a/1 Rockingham Beach Road or www.jaffelato.com.

Well done to our Health Information staff and CDS team for the amazing effort to support such a worthy cause.

Reconciliation Week

This year’s theme of Reconciliation Week is Be a Voice for Generations, urging all Australians to use their power, their words, and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.

National Reconciliation Week will commence at Murdoch on Monday 29 May with an incredible guest talk about Aboriginal Health in Focus from Dr Corey Dalton in the Auditorium at 12:30pm, and will go until approximately 2pm. Please let your manager or Holly Edwards know if you’d like to attend. All are welcome!

Dr Corey Dalton is an Arrernte man from western desert Northern Territory. Corey spent time as a child both living in Perth with his mother and siblings and spending summer holidays back on country with his mob, learning his culture. Corey has worn many hats in his life and has lived experience growing up in two worlds, marred by racism. Corey is very accomplished, and is now an inspirational doctor working with the Aboriginal Medical Service. Join us to hear him share his story, his views on Indigenous healthcare and our journey in reconciliation.

Aboriginal Health in Focus

WITH DR COREY DALTON

All caregivers are invited to join us to hear Dr Corey Dalton share his lived experiences working in the Aboriginal Medical Service and how we might journey with Aboriginal people towards real reconciliation.

Date: Monday 29 May

Time: 12.30pm - 2pm

Location: Auditorium (MURTEC)

RSVP: Holly.Edwards@sjog.org.au

About Corey:

Corey is an Arrernte man from western desert Northern Territory. Corey spent time as a child both living in Perth with his mother and siblings and spending summer holidays back on country with his mob, learning his culture. Corey has worn many hats in his life and has lived experience growing up in two worlds, marred by racism. Corey is very accomplished, and is now an inspirational doctor working with the Aboriginal Medical Service.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital stands on Noongar country. We share these grounds with an abundance of native plants and animals, and are grateful for the calming, healing influence that our natural setting has on caregivers, our patients and their loved ones. We thank the traditional custodians of this land, the Whadjuk people and we pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

DaVinci expert tri come together to perform WA first

Dr Raj Mohan, Dr Abe Jacob, Dr Alarick Piccardo and the team performed a first in WA on the weekend with the first robotic total pelvic exenteration procedure. It was fantastic to observe 3 expert da Vinci surgeons supported by an excellent team collaborate for the best possible outcome for the patient. Dr Mohan said that the patient is doing well.

A pelvic exenteration is surgery to treat cancer of the reproductive organs. During the procedure, healthcare providers remove the vagina, cervix, ovaries and uterus. They may also remove the bladder, anus, and part of the intestine. Healthcare providers may recommend this surgery if the patient has cancer that returns or doesn’t go away after other cancer treatments.

A Flower for a Posy

Our beloved Kelsie Judge from Floral Posies gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Florence Lilly Judge, or ‘Flo’, , here at St John of God Murdoch Hospital. Flo weighted in at 3.2 kg and loved the attention from the staff.

“All the staff in the North Suite and St Mary’s were amazing, and we appreciated their help and all their knowledge that they passed onto us,” Kelsie said. “Flo has lit up our lives, and Nathan and I love her so much.”

Congratulations, Kelsie and Nathan!

New Travel Green Allowance Hybrid Model

Murdoch’s Travel Green Allowance Program provides caregivers with an allowance of $6 per day, or up to $60 a fortnight to utilise alternative transport to work instead of parking on-site.

Caregivers arriving at work between the hours of 1:30pm and 6:59am on weekdays, and all day on Saturday and Sundays, can access on-site parking and still maintain their full Travel Green Allowance.

For more information, search ‘Murdoch Parking’ on CORA, where you will find the application form you will need to submit to the Security Department either via email Murdoch.Security@sjog.org.au or in-person between 2pm and 4pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Flu Vaccinations – Fighting the Flu Starts With You!

With the flu season upon us, you can now get your free flu vaccination from Infection Control on the Lower Ground Floor between 7.30am and 3.00pm. Clinics will also be held in the caregiver

dining room from 11:30am to 1:30pm, a couple of days during the week.

To save time, you can fill out your online request form on CORA before you attend the clinic. Just scan the QR code or follow the

link to complete the form.

Caregivers who work night shift can request an out-of-hours appointment by contacting the Infection Control team.

Remember, fighting the flu starts with you!

FIGHTING THE FLU STARTS WITH YOU!

7.30am - 3.00pm (Monday to Friday)

Infection Control Office - Lower Ground Floor

Flu vaccination appointments can be requested out of hours by emailing InfectionControl.Murdoch@sjog.org.au

Clinics will also be held in the Dining Room during lunch time on select days.

every counts

May 15th is our Every Caregiver Counts Celebration. It is a day to say thank you and celebrate our wonderful caregivers across the Hospital. From Engineering to Patient Administration, Catering to PCAs, Housekeeping to CSSD and everyone in between, we want to celebrate all that you do and all that you contribute to our Hospital.

It Pays to be Green

From 1 May, bring your own cup to continue to receive $1 off your hot beverage at our Hospital cafés!

Please remove the lid, ensure your cup is clean, and check your name is visibly written on the cup to ensure safe handling.

Quality & Safety Spirit Awards

Submissions are now open for the Spirit of Quality and Safety Awards. These amazing awards acknowledge achievements in excellence and innovation in clinical care, organisation-wide practice, and service delivery.

The award provides teams with an opportunity to share patient-centred innovations and communicate their quality improvement achievements with other departments.

Submissions must demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Innovation and demonstrated quality improvement in the delivery of safe, effective patient care

• Improvement and innovation that significantly improve the patient experience

• Improvement and innovation to the delivery of services (clinical and non-clinical)

• Improvement and innovation in workplace practices and / or initiatives that improve the departments effectiveness or efficiencies

To learn more about the awards or to make a submission, please complete using a report template available through the Quality and Risk Department or on P: Drive.

Submissions are due by the 16th of June via