Doctor Newsletter Autumn 2022

South East Melbourne

Doctor News Autumn 2022

St John of God Berwick Hospital St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital St John of God Pinelodge Clinic St John of God Langmore Centre (opening mid 2022)

Welcome: Director of Medical Services

Welcome to our first Doctor Newsletter for 2022. I think we can all agree that this year has started off in a similar vein to the past couple — with changes coming at us in rapid fashion. Despite the chaos that continues to dominate world news, I am happy to acknowledge that we are starting to emerge from the tight restrictions that have impacted the medical community since the pandemic began.

Around our hospitals, elective surgery has returned to 100 per cent, visitors have been welcomed back and QR requirements are no longer. The past two years have been challenging but St John of God South East Melbourne hospitals continued to adapt to recurring changes while still forging ahead with planning and establishing new services to meet growing demand.

This month Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital launched its new palliative care service which addressed the severe lack of end-of-life care available in Melbourne’s south east and Mornington Peninsula region. Given SJGHC already provides inpatient palliative care at its Berwick campus, the idea to dedicate 10 of Frankston’s 60-bed rehabilitation facility seemed like an obvious choice when it came to meeting this fundamental community need. You can read more about this service on page six.

In addition to expanding the palliative care services, our SEM hospitals are also focused on improving

the current cardiac care offerings. Set to open in coming months, Berwick Hospital is adding a cardiac investigation unit to its already established Cath Lab. It’s an exciting new service that will provide patients with a bulk billed diagnostic service closer to home. We look forward to bringing you more information soon and launching the new service in mid 2022.

In other equally exciting news, the redevelopment of the former Berwick hospital location is forging ahead and is expected to open on time in August this year. A great deal of thought and attention to detail goes into the construction of a mental health facility and the Langmore Centre is no exception. From ensuring antiligature measures have been implemented across the entire hospital to asking caregivers to trial and provide feedback on seating options for comfort and style, safety and the needs of patients and those caring for them has remained at the forefront of design.

We have a variety of programs and services that will be on offer, treating many types of mental health conditions. Turn to page 14 to get up-to-date on how the Langmore Centre aims to improve access to mental health services for people in our growing south east region.

I look forward to bringing more news and information about our hospitals to you in our next edition. Until then, take care.

Dr John Monagle Director of Medical Services

Upgrades to hospital equipment

Berwick

Complex spinal surgery made possible through generous donation A generous community donation has made it possible for Berwick Hospital to invest approximately $1m in state-of-the-art technology that will enable surgeons to undertake complex spinal surgery.

• • • •

Dr David Oehme, neurosurgeon and spine surgeon at St John of God Berwick Hospital, was a huge advocate for the introduction of the Brainlab equipment which essentially allows spinal surgeons to navigate within the spine and very accurately place pedicle screws into spinal bones or vertebra. “Previously patients requiring complex instrumented spinal fusion surgery were transferred to other large metropolitan private hospitals to have their surgery,” explains David. “Now with the new equipment, these complex procedures can be performed locally.”

Brainlab Spine Navigation assists in the safe placement of implants, especially in anatomically critical areas.

Real time visualisation of instruments leads to greater accuracy of implant placement while sparing X-Ray exposure to both patient and caregivers.

The Brainlab equipment also allows surgeons to check the position of the screws prior to waking the patient up by using CT quality 3-D scans. David also notes, “This technology allows for greater safety of instrumentation of the spine. Our first surgery was like a dream. The screws were flawless. The patient coped very well and overall the equipment worked perfectly.”

The Brainlab machine will also be able to be used for cranial neurosurgery down the track as capabilities at St John of God Berwick Hospital are expanded.

placement of C1 - C2 screws complex deformity correction tumor surgery, and surgical planning

The combination of pre-planning and quick registration of adjacent levels allows for the support of complex procedures like deformity correction. The improved orientation of navigation and enhanced information from planning is especially valuable with deformed anatomy, resulting in less soft tissue trauma and greater efficiency.

Faulty positioning of spine and pelvic instrumentation can lead to injury to neural structures, the chest and the abdominal region, and poses an increased risk of instability. It also can result in re-operation to reposition incorrectly placed implants. Accuracy in positioning the screws is therefore of the upmost importance and is drastically improved with the aid of intraoperative navigation.

More about Brainlab Brainlab Spine and Trauma Navigation combines stateof-the-art touch screen based image control with best-in-class registration methods for image guided surgery. As an open navigation platform, Brainlab Spine Navigation enables accurate pedicle and trauma screw placement as well as drastic reduction of X-Ray exposure to both the surgical team and the patient.

Navigation of implants and instruments is possible in 2D images, 3D fluoroscopy scans, MR or CT datasets at all stages of surgery—from incision planning to implant placement.

Mr David Oehme Neurosurgeon

The indication range covers: • pedicle screw placement in any area of the spine • trauma surgery, such as sacroiliac - joint screws

Consults:

P: W:

St John of God Berwick Hospital, Ground Floor Consulting Suites, 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick 1800 367 746 wwww.doneurosurgery.com

WELCOME: New doctors Dr Mugdha Kulkarni Gynaecologist/ Urogynaecologist

Dr Barveen Aisha Abu Baker Cardiologist

Dr Mugdha Kulkarni specialises in gynaecology, urogynaecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery. She works alongside Dr Natharnia Young. at the Australian Pelvic Floor Institute.

Referrals accepted for: -General gynaecology -Incontinence -Urodynamics -Urogynaecology Languages spoken: Hindi, Marathi

Dr Abu Baker specialises in atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular ectopics, ventricular tachycardia and devices troubleshooting.

Referrals accepted for: -Arrhythmias -Implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices including pacemakers and defibrillators.

Languages spoken: Malay, Tamil, Indonesian

Australian Pelvic Floor Institute, 62 Clyde Road, Berwick P: 7067 8217 F: 1300 273 411

GenesisCare Cardiology Unit 2/11 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick P: 9794 2200 F: 8794 2210

Dr Satish Ramkumar Cardiologist

Dr Saj Rathnayake Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist

Dr Ramkumar is passionate about improving cardiovascular health outcomes in the community.

Referrals accepted for: - General cardiology - Coronary artery disease - Valvular heart disease - Heart failure and cardiomyopathies - Cardiovascular risk assessment - Cardio-oncology - Atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm conditions - Hypertension and lipid management

Dr Saj Rathnayake has established private practice in Berwick after relocating with his family for his children’s education, sadly leaving SJG Geelong after 8 years of busy and rewarding practice..

Referrals accepted for: -Obstetrics -Gynaecology -Robotic surgery Languages spoken: Sinhalese

St John of God Berwick Hospital Consulting Suites, Ground Floor, 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick P: 9791 3911: F: 9791 4262

St John of God Specialist Centre, Suite 1, Level 1, 55 Kangan Drive, Berwick P: 8560 2227 F: 8560 2229

Dr Manuja Premaratne Cardiologist

Dr Haider Najjar Gynaecologist

Manuja is one of Australia’s most well trained and highly qualified noninterventional cardiologists,.

Referrals accepted for: -Cardiac imaging -Echocardiography -Cardiac investigations -Chest pain in women and non-English speaking patients -Cardiac oncology -Inflammatory, autoimmune and infiltrative conditions of the heart

Bayside Cardiology Group Suite 13, Peninsula Private Hospital, Frankston P: 9789 2080 F: 9785 6355

Dr Najjar has worked in the Monash Health service for over 20 years and been a consultant for the last 13 years.

Referrals accepted for: -Gynaecology -Laparascopic surgery -PCOS Languages spoken: German and Arabic

St John of God Berwick Hospital Consulting Suites, Ground Floor, 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick P: 9887 7772 F: 9887 7773

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

Dr Sugandha Kumar Obstetrician/Gynaecologist

Welcome to Melbourne Palliative Doctors

Dr Sugandha Kumar is committed to providing comprehensive women’s health care in the south-eastern suburbs.

Referrals accepted for: -Preconception health optimisation and counselling -Individualised pregnancy care including for high-risk pregnancies -Office gynaecology (colposcopy, IUD insertion) -Minimally invasive gynaecological surgery -Menstrual disorders, fibroids, ovarian cysts -Menopause and perimenopausal transition

Languages spoken: Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu

Dr Scott King Palliative Medicine Physician

St John of God Berwick Hospital Consulting Suites, Ground Floor, 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick P: 9873 6767 F: 9923 6636

GP support and education

Dr Indra Jayasinghe Palliative & General Physician

Our dedicated GP Liaison Officer, Merran Mackie is available to offer a variety of support services and education to GPs.

Dr Andrew Ng Palliative Medicine Physician

Please contact Merran if you’d like to: - receive the doctor newsletter by email - receive upcoming GP education events by email - arrange a VMO visit to your practice

P: E:

0438 168 903 merran.mackie@sjog.org.au

Dr Umbreen Qazi Palliative Medicine Physician

Dr Scott Reeves Palliative Physician & Geriatrician

P: 1300 677 035 F: 9088 9439 Consulting: South Eastern Oncology, 313 Princess Hwy, Noble Park, Vic 3174

DOCTOR NEWSLETTER- AUTUMN 2022

5

Palliative Care launches at Frankston St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital has identified the need to establish a palliative care service to meet the community need for specialised end-of-life care.

“Palliative care relates to the care we provide people in their final year of life. It is important that we work with the person to understand their choices and support them to a comfortable and peaceful end. As humans we all know that our time on this Earth is limited, and our role is to assist and guide people during this challenging period,” explains Lisa Norman, CEO for St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals. “We have worked with palliative care specialist doctors to develop a model of care and adapt our environment to ensure we can deliver best practice care for our patients and their loved ones.”

Given that St John of God Health Care (SJGHC) already provides inpatient palliative care at its Berwick campus, the idea to dedicate 10 of Frankston’s 60-bed rehabilitation facility seemed like an obvious choice when it came to addressing a fundamental community need.

“SJGHC has always maintained a holistic approach to health care and it prides itself on offering services for each stage of a patient’s life, from birth and beyond,” says Lisa. “This new service has been developed in conjunction with a team of highly respected and experienced palliative care physicians and palliative care community organisations with every effort made

to renovate and redecorate with the comfort of our patients and their families at the forefront of design.”

Under the leadership of Acting Director of Clinical Services, Karen Ward, the new palliative care unit opened in March. The unit features a sensory garden and patient lounge, along with state of the art palliative care equipment and access to services such as pastoral care, art and music therapy as well as other unique care options.

“Through generous donations we have also been able to secure a Cuddle Bed for our unit which enables family members to safely lie with their loved ones during their final moments of life,” explains Karen. SJGHC also provides an array of additional support services such as Delta Dogs which provide social, emotional and physiological benefits, VR goggles which aim to take patients on virtual journeys away from their hospital beds and the Dream A Little Dream program which provides patients the opportunity to have a wish granted. It’s another of SJGHC’s programs that is made possible through our community donating services or money that allow us to bring the dream to life.

Enquiries and referrals Complete referral form which can be found here: www.sjog.org.au/frankstonreferrals Phone: (03) 9788 3380 Fax: (03) 9788 3304 Email: FN-admissions@sjog.org.au

Our Palliative Care Doctors

Dr Indra Jayasinghe Palliative & General Physician

Dr Scott King Palliative Medicine Physician

Dr Andrew Ng Palliative Medicine Physician

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

Dr Umbreen Qazi Palliative Medicine Physician

Dr Scott Reeves Palliative Physician & Geriatrician

South East Melbourne Hospitals Your pull-out guide to specialists and important numbers Autumn 2022

St John of God Berwick Hospital 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick VIC 3806

To arrange admission under one of our consultants (cardiac, medical, orthopaedic, respiratory, urology and general surgical) call: Admissions Hotline:

Hospital Consulting Suites: Hospital Reception:

T: 8784 5085

T: 8784 5600

T: 8784 5000

St John of God Pinelodge Clinic 1480 Heatherton Road, Dandenong VIC 3175 Referrals for Inpatient Admissions:

T: 8793 9478 F: 8793 9335 E: triage.pinelodge@sjog.org.au

Referrals for Outpatient Appointments: T: 8793 9333 F: 8793 9330 E: referrals.pinelodge@sjog.org.au Hospital Reception:

T: 8793 9444

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital 255-265 Cranbourne Road, Frankston VIC 3199 Inpatient Referrals and Enquiries:

T: 9788 3380 F: 9788 3304 E: FN-admissions@sjog.org.au

Outpatient Appointment Referrals:

T: 9788 3350 F: 9788 3280 E: fnmedicalreception@sjog.org.au

Hospital Reception:

T: 9788 3333

For GP visits, queries, GP education and assistance: Merran Mackie, GP Liaison Officer

T: 0438 168 903

E: merran.mackie@sjog.org.au

St John of God Berwick Hospital I Doctor Directory Surgeons Bariatric Surgery

Gynaecology- Oncology

Mr Paul Ah-Tye

9793 9043

Dr Sheryn Cheah (F)

9760 2777

Mr Zeev Duieb

8784 5600

Hepatobiliary

Mr Chris Hensman (robotic)

9760 2777

Mr Travis Ackermann

Mr Ray McHenry (robotic)

9760 2777

Mr Mithra Sritharan

Mr Ara Saravanamuttu (robotic)

9760 2777

Breast Clinic

9707 3664

Breast Surgery Mr Chilton Chong

9575 5100

Mr Justin James

9769 8206

Mr Jeremy Khoo

9793 9043

Mr Foong Loh

9707 3664

Miss Corinne Ooi

9575 5100

Miss Katrina Read

9340 5844

Mr Cyril Tsan

9793 9043

Cardiothoracic Surgery Mr Andrew Cochrane

8784 5600

Mr Sergei Mitnovetski

9515 0656

Colorectal Surgery

Dr Jane McNeilage (F)

9417 1331

Mr Jason Harvey (hand/wrist/elbow)

9038 5200

Mr Justin Hunt (spine/hip/knee/shoulder)

9421 6199

Mr Gayan Padmasekara (upper limb)

8849 9998

Mr Rohan Price (knee/shoulder)

9038 5200

9707 0685

Mr Rez Rahim (spine/hip/knee)

9796 2992

9707 3664

Mr Eden Raleigh (shoulder/knee)

9421 1900

Mr Robert Steele (hip/knee)

9038 5200

Mr Rabi Solaiman (hip/knee)

9803 8066

Neurosurgery Mr David Oehme

1800 367 746

Mr Andrew Tang (hip/knee)

9429 9944

Dr Caroline Tan (F)

9342 2446

Prof Ton Tran (M) (shoulder/hip/knee/foot)

9769 8523

Mr Craig Timms

9427 1104

Mr Otis Wang (foot/ankle)

9928 6969

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery

Dr Poonam Arora (F)

9769 3223

Mr Charles Baillieu

9792 6655

Dr Kiran Atmuri (M)

9070 0966

Mr Tim Brown (cosmetic)

8768 5000

Dr Sasmira Bhatt (F)

9769 3223

Dr Yvonne Chow (F)

9792 6655

Dr Mei Cheah (F)

9796 1988

A/Prof Bruce Johnston (M)

9340 5858

Dr Dinesh Epitawela (M)

9886 7788

Mr Nelson Low

9792 6655

Dr Jodi Keane (F)

9887 9808

Mr Namal Munasinghe

8784 5600

Dr Jorg Kemper (M)

9796 2699

Mr Jeremy Richardson (cosmetic)

9486 6721

Dr Mugdha Kulkarni (F)

7067 8217

Dr Rebecca Wyten (F) (cosmetic)

8849 1400

Mr Hanu Chouhan (robotic)

9707 0685

(gynaecology & urogynaecology)

Mr Zeev Duieb

8784 5600

Dr Sugandha Kumar

9873 6767

Thoracics

Mr Eric Ee

9707 3664

Dr Jacques Lam (M)

9769 7611

Mr Cliff Choong

8784 5600

Mr Phillip Harris

9707 3664

Dr Haider Najjar (M) (gynaecology)

9873 6767

Mr Andrew Cochrane

8784 5600

Mr Brian Hodgkins

9707 0685

Dr Payam Nikpoor (M)

Mr Sergei Mitnovetski

9515 0656

Mr James Lim

9793 2687

(gynaecology & urogynaecology)

1300 510 130

Mr TC Nguyen (robotic)

9793 2687

Dr Saj Rathnayake (M)

8560 2227

Thyroid Surgery

Mr Kwang Tay

9793 2687

Dr Naz Syed-Noh (M)

1300 121 000

Mr Chilton Chong

9575 5100

Dr Mark Tarrant (M)

9796 1988

Mr Justin James

9769 8206

9700 1188

Dr Debby Utama (F)

9873 6767

Mr Suren Jayaweera

9707 3664

9769 3930

Dr Peter Yong (M)

9769 8745

Mr Jeremy Khoo

9793 9043

Mr Cyril Tsan

9793 9043

ENT Mr Guy Boag Mr Adnan Safdar

Dr Natharnia Young (F) General Surgery Mr Travis Ackermann Mr Paul Ah-Tye

(gynaecology & urogynaecology)

1300 273 400

Joy Maternity Clinic

8784 5300

Uro Gynaecology

9707 0685 9793 9043

Mr Hanu Chouhan (robotic)

9707 0685

Mr Zeev Duieb

8784 5600

Ophthalmology

Mr Eric Ee

9707 3664

Mr John Gioulekas

Mr Mikhail Fisher

9707 3664

Mr Philip Harris

9707 3664

Mr Chris Hensman (robotic)

9760 2777

Mr Warren Crossley

9707 0685

Dr Krati Garg (F)

Mr Neil Jayasuriya Mr Suren Jayaweera Mr Foong Loh Mr Ray McHenry

7067 8217

Dr Payam Nikpoor (M)

1300 510 130

Dr Natharnia Young (F)

1300 273 400

9768 9711 Urology

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Mr Brian Hodgkins

Dr Mugdha Kulkarni (F)

A/Prof Sree Appu (M) (robotic)

9563 7899

9088 2228

Dr Sarah Azer (F) (robotic)

9769 4805

9088 2228

Mr Tony de Sousa (robotic)

1300 702 811

9769 5824

Mr Joseph Gunn

9654 4400

Mr Scott Donnellan (robotic)

9769 4805

9707 3664

Mr Christopher Poon

9561 2811

Mr Dennis King (robotic)

9500 9577

9707 3664

Mr Michael Schenberg

9706 7990

Mr Paul Manohar

9769 4805

9760 2777

Mr Kevin Spencer

9347 3788

A/Prof Philip McCahy (M)

1300 307 876

Mr David Pan

9563 7899

Mr TC Nguyen (robotic)

9793 2687

Mr Niruben Rajasagaram

8548 0318

Orthopaedic Surgery

Mr Trung Pham

9792 6795

Miss Katrina Read

9340 5844

Mr Kosta Calligeros (hip/knee)

9789 7584

Mr Niero Rajarubendra (robotic)

9070 8890

Dr Sherry Salter (F)

9707 3664

Mr Harry Clitherow (upper limb)

9592 3388

Mr Shekib Shahbaz (robotic)

1300 702 811

Mr Ara Saravanamuttu (robotic)

9760 2777

Mr Vikram David (upper limb)

9769 8206

Mr Mithra Sritharan

9707 3664

Mr Andries de Villiers (hip/knee/shoulder)

5174 7299

Vascular Surgery

Mr PY Tan

9886 7788

Mr Will Edwards (foot/ankle)

9510 0100

Mr Yew-Ming Kuan (endovascular)

9793 3337

9793 2687

Mr Cam Fary (hip/knee) 8417 1023

Mr Lachlan Maddock

8060 4271

Mr Daniel Goldbloom (foot/ankle)

Mr Alan Saunder

9793 3337

Mr Ming Yii (endovascular)

8784 5600

Mr Kwang Tay Mr Cyril Tsan

9793 9043

9928 6188

Autumn 2022 Physicians Cardiology

Gastroenterology

Dr Barveen Aisha Abu Baker (F)

Dr Ashley Bloom (M)

9709 2777

Dr Alam Alamageer (M)

5970 5360

Dr Michael Braude (M)

9709 2777

Dr Mahesh Iddawela (M)

9548 5776

Dr Luke Crantock (M)

9709 2777

Dr Shaefat Jamil (M)

8784 5600

Dr Jacqui Dobson (F)

8791 8788

Dr Sem Liew (M)

8726 0628

9709 2777

Dr Esther Lin (F)

9575 5100

9709 2777

Dr Cam McLaren (M)

9707 3664

9791 8788

Dr Sanjeev Sewak (M)

9548 5776

Dr Andrew Strickland (M)

9548 5776

(electrophysiology)

8794 2200

Dr David Adam (M) (electrophysiology)

9592 2177

Dr Mohammad (Peyman) Alasti (M) (electrophysiology)

9789 6011

Dr Jeffrey Alison (M) (electrophysiology)

Dr Geetha Gopalsamy (F) Dr Darcy Holt (M) Dr Shara Ket (F)

9592 2177

Dr Joseph Amin (M)

Oncology

Dr Barry Lipschitz (M)(paediatric) 9576 2730 Dr Puneet Mahindra (M)

9709 2777

Dr Anton Rajadurai (M)

7023 0230

Paediatrics

Dr David Rubinstein (M)

9791 8788

Dr Lakshimi Etta (F)

8784 5600

Dr Ferry Rusli (M)

9709 2777

Dr Peter Forrest (M)

9791 1855

Dr Manjeet Sandhu (M)

9709 2777

Dr Datta Joshi (M)

9791 1855

Dr Catherine Sorell (F)

9709 2777

Dr Paul Machet (M)

9886 7788

Dr Adam Brown (M)

Dr Melanie Pillay (F)

8784 5600

(interventional)

9791 3811

General Physicians

Dr Antoine Pinto (M)

8572 1222

Dr John Counsell (M)

9791 3811

Dr Mohammed Al-Souffi (M)

8784 5600

Dr Khaing Wai (F)

5292 2299

Dr Mirza Baig (M)

8784 5600

Dr Minz Cheah (M)

9886 7788

Dr Eugene The (M)

8784 5600

(interventional)

Dr Deepu Balakrishnan (M) (interventional)

8794 2200 9789 6011

Dr Logan Bittinger (M) (electrophysiology)

1300 643 278

Dr Mark Freilich (M) (interventional)

9509 5009

A/Prof Robert Gooley (M) (interventional)

9791 3811

Dr Emily Kotschet (F) (electrophysiology)

9592 2177

Dr Michael Leung (M) (interventional)

9592 2177

Dr Colin Machado (M) (electrophysiology)

9791 3811

Dr Yuvi Malaipan (M) (interventional)

8784 5600

Dr Kiran Minnur (M) (interventional)

1800 302 111

Dr Nitesh Nerlekar (M) (electrophysiology)

9791 3811

Dr Manuja Premaratne (M) (interventional)

9789 2080

Dr Satish Ramkumar (M) (Cardiac Imaging Specialist)

9791 3811

Dr Ali Safaa (M) (interventional)

8794 2200

Dr James Sapontis (M) (interventional)

Dr Wai-ee Thai (F)

8784 5600

Dr Ramy Ghaly (M)

8784 5600

Dr Kim Tew (M)

8784 5600

Haematology Dr Pasquale Fedele (M)

9544 6448

Dr Gareth Gregory (M)

9544 6448

Dr Michael Low (M)

9544 6448

Dr Shreerang Sirdesai (M)

9793 9491

Dr Gaurav Srivastava (M)

0422 014 506

Dr Shahla Vilcassim (F)

9544 6448

8784 5617

Dr Gloria Seah (F)

9739 8353

Palliative Medicine Dr Indra Jayaasinghe (M)

1300 677 035

Dr Scott King (M)

1300 677 035

Dr Andrew Ng (M)

1300 677 035

Dr Umbreen Qazi (F)

1300 677 035

Dr Scott Reeves (M)

1300 677 035

Raphael Centre Perinatal Mental Health

1800 292 292

Rehabilitation Physicians

Infectious Disease Dr Babak Rad (M)

9739 8353

Dr John Monagle (M)

8784 5600

Interventional Radiology Dr Yen Chieng (M)

9709 6500

Joy Maternity Clinic

8784 5300

Dr Chris Baguley* (M)

8784 5468

Dr Nilu Rathnayake* (F)

8784 5468

Dr Bruce Shirazi* (M)

8784 5468

Dr Sook Fan Wong* (F)

8784 5468

* Berwick & Frankston

Respiratory Medicine

8794 2200

Dr Camelia Borta (F)

9769 8206

8794 2200

A/Prof Michael Farmer (M)

9791 3355

Dr Eric Kuo (M)

9791 3335

Dr Alex Voskobinik (electrophysiology)

9509 5009

Dr Bryan Wai

8794 2200

Dermatology Dr Rose Mak (F)

Dr Saad Ahmed (M)

Dr Sarah Donovan (F)

1300 227 341

Dr Matthew Swale (M) (electrophysiology)

Gerontology

Pain Management

MS Clinic Dr Deepa Rajandran (F)(neurologist)8784 5600

Sleep Medicine

Nephrology Dr Anuksha Gujadhur (F)

9773 2752

Dr Dan Seneviratne-Epa (M)

9707 3664

8535 4798 Neurology

Endocrinology

Dr Mahi Jasinarachchi (F) (EMG) 8784 5600

Dr Indra Jayasuriya (M)

9790 6000

Dr David Moses (M) (EMG)

8784 5600

Dr Chin Tan (M)

8393 1688

Dr Deepa Rajendran (F)

8784 5600

Dr Mor Aik Wee (M)

8393 1688

Dr Jayanthe Rupasinghe (M)

8784 5600

Epilepsy & Seizure Clinic A/Prof Udaya Seneviratne (M) 8784 5600

A/Prof Udaya Seneviratne (M) 8784 5600

Dr Camelia Borta (F)

9769 8206

Dr Chris Daley (M)

9591 0066

Dr Eric Kuo (M)

9791 3335

Dr Peter Solin (M)

9591 0066

Sleep studies enquiries

8784 5600

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital Cardiac, multi trauma, neurological, orthopaedic and surgical, oncology, respiratory and complex rehabilitation, and chronic disease management

Rehabilitation Physicians

Psychologists and Neuropsychologists

Dr Bruce Shirazi* (M) Director of Medical Services

9788 3350

Chronic pain/orthopaedic Dr Christopher Baguley* (M) 9788 3350 Cardiac/oncology/orthopaedic Dr Mohit Dhir (M) 9788 3350

Dr David Tierney (M) Psychologist

9788 3367

Chronic pain/general psychology

Dr Heidi Newitt (F) Neuropsychologist

0491 601 139

General rehabilitation

Neuropsychological assessment/education and treatment following

Dr Su Yi Lee* (F) 9788 3350

neurological trauma/management of challenging behaviours/decision

General rehabilitation

making capacity evaluations

Dr Michelle Loh (F)

9788 3350

Chronic pain/general rehabilitation Dr Nilu Rathnayake* (F) 9788 3350

Palliative Medicine

Parkinson’s disease/movement disorders/neuro-rehabilitation/

Dr Indra Jayasinghe* (M)

Palliative Medicine

1300 677 035

orthopaedic

Dr Scott King* (M)

Palliative Medicine

1300 677 035

Dr Andrew Ng* (M)

Palliative Medicine

1300 677 035

Dr Umbreen Qazi* (F)

Palliative Medicine

1300 677 035

Dr Scott Reeves* (M)

Palliative Medicine

1300 677 035

Dr Sook Fan Wong* (F) 9788 3350 General rehabilitation * Frankston and Berwick

Geriatricians and Neurologists Dr Ganga Ganesvaran (M) Neurologist & Geriatrician

9788 3350

* Frankston and Berwick

Parkinson’s disease/movement disorders Dr Sie Wuong (Stephen) Loi (M) Geriatrician

9005 1246

Geriatric and memory assessment/falls and balance assessment/ polypharmacy management Dr Rajesh Singh (M) Geriatrician 9005 1246 Movement disorder/fall/pain/incontinence

St John of God Pinelodge Clinic

Dr Yogendra Agrawal (M) Dr Farazdak Al Wahab (M) Dr Neeraj Gupta (M) Dr Geoffrey Hogan (M) Dr Gurvinder Kalra (M) Dr Brij Kishore (M) Dr Vineet Kumar (M) Dr Kanishka Muruththettuwegama (M) Dr Melvin Pinto (M) Dr Sangeeta Raghav (F) Dr Muhammad Usman Riaz (M) Dr Kavitha Shankar (F) Dr Igor Shvetsov (M) Dr Ravi Talluri (M) Dr Mina Tolat (F) Dr Jayani Wickrematunga (F) Dr Sam Jasinarachchi (M) - Physician

Off-site Psychiatrists Dr Sadaf Khattak (F)

T: 9975 7447

Dr Colin McIver (M)

T: 8743 9910

Dr Jane Nguyen (F)

T: 9501 7240

Dr Rajiv Siotia (M)

T: 5947 7862

Complex medical care and chronic pain. Acute and perioperative medicine

Youth Psychiatry

WorkCover, TAC, DVA

Women’s Mental Health

Trauma/PTSD

TMS

Psychotic Disorders

Personality Disorders

Perinatal Mental Health

Pain Management

Old Age Psychiatry

OCD

Mood Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Adult ADHD

Outpatient Appointment Referrals: T: 8793 9333 F: 8793 9330 E: referrals.pinelodge@sjog.org.au

Addiction Medicine

Mental health and addictions

Berwick: Maternity update Welcome: new obstetricians Dr Saj Rathnayake

Dr Suganda Kumar

We are thrilled to welcome Dr Saj Rathnayake to St John of God Berwick Hospital. As a well-respected and established obstetrician and gynaecologist, Saj has relocated with his family to Melbourne and comes to us from St John of God Geelong, where he has practised since 2013. His warm and caring manner, professional integrity and open communication is appreciated by his Geelong patients and colleagues within the maternity team.

Dr Sugnadha Kumar is new to the St John of God Berwick Hospital team and we are so pleased to have her on board! She will be delivering babies and providing comprehensive gynaecological services and individualised pregnancy care including for high-risk pregnancies. Dr Kumar has a strong focus on improving outcomes for her patients by offering up-to-date and evidence-based treatment options.

Referrals

P: F: E: W:

Referrals:

P: E: W:

Obstetrician/gynaecologist

St John of God Specialist Centre, 55 Kangan Drive, Berwick 3806 03 8560 2227 03 8560 2229 reception@drsaj.com.au www.drsaj.com.au

Obstetrician/gynaecologist

St John of God Berwick Hospital Consulting Suites, Ground Floor, 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick 3806 03 9873 6767 infokumar@create-health.com.au www.drskumar.com.au

Supporting our patients: new maternity app Your patients will now be further supported by a brand new app called Eve when you refer them to St John of God Berwick Hospital’s JOY program or one of our obstetricians for their maternity care.

The Eve app will offer patients a suite of educational videos, blogs, countdowns, timers and tools, as well as a library of midwife-moderated forums where they can ask questions and have them answered by both a midwife and the maternity community.

Eve will educate patients and give them a valuable tool at their fingertips to stay well, healthy and informed during their pregnancy.

Oh, JOY! Private maternity care for only $990* out of pocket.

*T&Cs apply. Please visit www.sjog.org.au/berwickmaternity to learn more

HOW YOU CAN FIND A SPECIALIST Did you know how easy it is to find a St John of God specialist? Not only do we include a pull-out guide in this newsletter with a complete list of our specialists across south east Melbourne, you can also direct your patients to our easy online search tool.

www.sjog.org.au/find-a-specialist

Search by SPECIALITY Search by SPECIALIST NAME Search by POSTCODE

Search by HOSPITAL

Contact details including address, phone, fax, email and map

Specialist bio Print profile

ONCOLOGY REHABILITATION Oncology Rehabilitation is a specialised form of rehabilitation which aims to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients. It can help patients to live their best quality of life, assisting them in feeling better, having more energy and maintaining their strength during cancer treatment. Our program incorporates exercise, education, tai chi/mindfulness and symptom support.

The program is run by a multidisciplinary health team who are specially trained to assist your patients on their cancer journey.

BERWICK referrals

E: BW.OutpatientRehab@sjog.org.au

FRANKSTON referrals

E: Frankston.OutpatientsPlanning@sjog.org.au

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

P: (03) 9788 3351 P: (03) 9788 3304

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY: COVID-19 vaccination clinic St John of God Berwick Hospital has proudly partnered with Monash Health over the past twelve months with a joint mission to vaccinate both healthcare workers and the broader community against COVID-19.

Here’s a snapshot of what our dedicated team achieved.

Clinic opened 9 March, 2021 and closed 26 March, 2022

A total of 47,668 vaccinations were administered

It offered amazing access for the community – with multiple adult vaccines, vaccinations for kids aged 5-11, out of hours access and more!

The clinic was run by a pool of 76 nurses - a mixture of Accredited Nurse Immunisers, RN vaccinators and EENs.

Busiest month: September 2021 with 10,717 vaccinations administered Busiest Day: Sunday 19/9 with 539 vaccinations administered

Twice weekly sessions over a 5-6 week program Private health insurance required or self-funded Available at Berwick and Frankston

DOCTOR NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2022

13

Berwick news

Keeping up with the Kempers How many Kempers does it take to deliver a baby … or five of them in one morning? Two officially — but when the whole Kemper family is full of doctors you could probably rely on any one of them in a pinch.

Meet Jörg, Irene, James and Jessica — they make up the Kemper family. The same family that has been gracing the halls of Berwick Hospital (although not always as doctors) since 1991.

While these days you can witness the father and son team delivering babies together at St John of God Berwick Hospital (SJGBH), James jokes that both him and his sister Jessica’s careers at Berwick Hospital started long before they ever stepped foot inside med school. “I have been affiliated with SJGBH (or the prior Berwick Hospital) since I was a baby — Dad used to take Jess and me into work with him when he was called in,” notes James, who can fondly recall the midwives and theatre personnel spoiling them with juices and biscuits.

Jörg, who is a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, always wanted to do be a doctor despite the fact that he came from a family of mostly miners. In contrast, Irene who is a consultant geriatrician (also attending to SJGBH patients and who goes by her maiden name of Wagner), grew up with a cardiologist father which meant medicine ultimately

coursed through her veins from an early age.

For James, the path forward was also very clear, “I never had a Plan B,” admits James. “I knew I wanted to study undergraduate medicine at Monash University. I knew I wanted to intern at Monash Health. And I knew I wanted to pursue speciality training in obstetrics and gynaecology,” he states matter-of-factly. Since 2020, James has been surgically assisting his dad and more recently operating out of SJGBH as part of Monash Health’s shift of public patients to private hospitals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, James has completed more than 170 procedures at Berwick Hospital.

Unlike James and her parents however, Jessica was not quite so confident that a career in human health care was for her.

Instead she had a number of vocations she was considering pursuing — becoming a vet was one of them. Luckily for Jessica their family cat would (not so luckily) need the help of a veterinarian to treat recurring abscesses when Jessica was in Year 9. After visiting three different clinics and the subsequent sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes Jessica

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

would experience, indicated that she had a significant allergy to animals. Despite undergoing a desensitisation program, Jessica later learnt that most vets develop allergies as their careers progress, prompting Irene to suggest that following a career in medicine rather than vet science would likely be the more suitable option, adding that “patients of doctors tend to scratch and bite less than those of a vet!”

Fast forward to 2022 and Jessica has indeed followed in her parents’ footsteps, most recently finishing her internship, and soon registering for surgical assisting — with her sights set on orthopaedics at the present time.

It’s been 30 years since Jörg and Irene began their relationship with Berwick Hospital which would later come under the umbrella of St John of God Health Care. During that time the impressive duo have embedded themselves in the fabric of the local community with Jörg attending to the mums and bubs and Irene caring for their elderly loved ones.

“All the family frequently come home with tales of meeting the women whose babies I have delivered or the babies themselves who have now grown into adults, along with the elderly folk who have been helped by Irene,” says Jörg.

“Increasingly though, the flow is going in the other direction with various staff commenting to us about having worked with our children.”

Fondly referred to as the ‘Hatch & Dispatch’ team, Jörg and Irene’s specialties meant routine family time was at the mercy of their conflicting rosters. “Throughout our married life, Jörg and I have always eaten breakfast together. At times this would be the only meal we may have together for several days, because of our conflicting on call rosters,” explains Irene. “When the children arrived they too always had breakfast with us, so that if either parent was late home for whatever reason, we still saw them each day.”

Jörg’s commitment to his job and his patients meant that family time away had to be scheduled nine months in advance, with any kind of staycation completely out of the question. “Jörg felt unable to stay at home and not be on call during the holidays, which is why we always travelled,” shares Irene, who also notes that the week prior to going away was always an exhausting one with many patients desperate to deliver their babies before Jörg left. “However, having booked and paid for all holiday expenses in advance, we never cancelled, no matter how busy the last week was or how tempted we were to just stay home.”

While Jörg questions why this lifestyle and the irregular hours he worked didn’t dissuade his children from following suit, James offers up the fact that working together actually enables them to see each other more, particularly through the challenges of COVID over the past two years. “During COVID, I couldn’t visit mum and dad, but I could meet them for coffee within the hospital, and I could operate with Dad; as such, the only time we saw each other for those lockdown months was at SJGBH.” Perhaps growing up in an environment where get-togethers

occur at short notice or on the understanding that no one can guarantee attendance, paved the way for the Kemper kids to follow their parents into the medical profession, after all as James puts it, “The non-traditional working hours make family catch ups difficult. If we include our extended family, it is almost impossible for all of us to come together at the same time,” explains James. “But none of us have ever been particularly beholden to the actual day of celebration, eg. birthdays or Christmas, instead we use the occasion as the reason to celebrate — even if it has to be on a different day to fit our schedules.”

On the rare occasion the Kemper calendars do align, you could be forgiven for thinking that medicine is the last thing the family of doctors would want to discuss. But as Jörg puts it, “Sadly medicine dominates, but we all like books, current affairs and the state of the world as well.” When asked if they ever seek out far less heavy material to watch or discuss such as reality television, Jörg replied with a firm no.

“We don’t understand who has the time for such drivel when there is real living to do.”

It’s a quote befitting of a man responsible for bringing more than 10,000 babies into this world, and a particularly important one when you consider that one of those babies will go on to deliver many thousands more in the Kemper name. “It is a wonderful privilege to work so closely with your father,” says James. “Dad is widely respected and loved by the SJOG community. It is fantastic to see him deliver babies, see the skill with which he operates, and the joy he is able to share with his patients.”

Dr Jorg Kemper Obstetrician/Gynaecologist Consults: 50 Clyde Rd, Berwick P: 03 9796 2699 E: drskemwag@aol.com

DOCTOR NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2022

15

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

coming soon to Berwick

Berwick’s St John of God Langmore Centre is set to open in Spring 2022 and will provide both private inpatient and outpatient mental health services to the south east Melbourne community.

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH Our adult mental health unit will cater to people aged 18+ years. These patients may be facing a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, a mood disorder or PTSD. Our multi-disciplinary team are specialists in providing compassionate care backed up by strong clinical outcomes.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS People sometimes have a picture in mind around what addicition looks like — scary and dangerous. In reality, everyday people can become addicted to a variety of substances and require assistance in removing them from their lives. Living with a physical ailment may lead someone to become addicted to their pain medication, a glass a day after work may become a bottle a day or a bit of fun starts to become a big problem.

PARENT INFANT MENTAL HEALTH Having a baby is a life-changing event. While it is usually a happy one, sometimes the change in life can be difficult for new parents. Perinatal mental health issues can present in new parents either during pregnancy or after the birth of the baby. Our custom designed and secure unit will offer spacious rooms for new parents and their baby to seek the care they need, allowing them to bond and learn new skills and coping techniques, all under the guidance of our clinical team.

DAY PROGRAMS Our suite of day programs will cover a broad range of concerns and themes and are available to both inpatients and outpatients. They will allow patients to spend a half or full day in a group environment, focussed on a specific goal and engaging with clinicians to learn coping strategies, skills and management tools.

rTMS Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a specialist treatment which can be offered to both inpatients and outpatients in our custom designed suite.

The non-invasive treatment uses magnetic stimulation to treat major depressive disorders when other treatments have been exhausted. The patient is completely alert during the treatment, which is quick, safe, painless and has a low risk of side-effects.

ECT Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be offered to patients who have not responded to other treatment for their depression or bipolar disorder. It uses brief electrical stimulation and is administered under a general anaesthetic. ECT can trigger changes in brain chemistry which can reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

CONSULTING Our consulting suites will be a busy hub for our team of psychiatrists to offer treatment by appointment. GP referral is required.

St John of God Langmore Centre will be a 60-bed mental health hospital located at Gibb Street, Berwick and is expected to open in August 2022.

DOCTOR NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2022

St John of God Health Care South East Melbourne Hospitals