IN THE LOOP April 2022

LOOP

IN THE

APRIL 2022

SJOG.ORG.AU/SEM

PALLIATIVE CARE expands to Frankston

ST JOHN OF GOD DAY Annual paella party returns

DONATIONS Creating hope, healing and hugs for our patients

LISA NORMAN

CEO, South East Melbourne Hospitals

Welcome Last month we celebrated St John of God Day around our hospitals. It’s a day where we come together to celebrate the foundation of which our hospitals are built upon. It’s the one day in the calendar each year where we take the time to reflect on the life and legacy of John Cidade as well as acknowledge the kindness, compassion and respect John showed to the most vulnerable people in his community. St John of God Day is held on March 8 each year — the day John died in 1550 and the day that the Catholic Church celebrates him with a feast as a symbol of his hospitality and service to others. John was known for going house to house soliciting medical supplies and encouraging people to help. As he walked the streets he would be heard calling out: “Brothers and sisters do yourself some good by doing some good for others.”

Like him, we care for patients and clients with compassion and seek to respond to the needs of our local communities.

Similarly, we also appeal to the generosity of those people and businesses around us that can help us to commence new services or respond to a need where there is no funding available. Examples of this are our Wig Library at Berwick where we provide a wig to people in our community who have experienced cancer related hair loss, or our Dream a Little Dream program which offers our palliative care patients access to fulfil a dream to enhance their life in their final days. Both of these programs have been made possible by the generous donations of money and services from people in our community. On average SEM hospitals receive around $100,000 a year in donations, not including bequests or SJG Foundation fundraising activities. This money enables us to invest in important programs, services and equipment, or patient education opportunities for caregivers to enhance the care we provide our patients. It helps us to remain true to our promise to “continue the mission” of John and the Sisters and Brothers he inspired.

We recently benefited from donations that allowed us to purchase cuddle beds that arrived in Berwick and Frankston last month. Each bed costs $30,000 and allows family and loved one to lie alongside, support and embrace their loved one as their life comes to a peaceful end. It’s these kinds of extras that enable us to provide deeply compassionate care to our patients and the people who love them. Our ability to provide these special elements means the final moments are more comfortable and the people left behind can feel reassured that we provided the best opportunities to express love, kindness and care despite the grief they feel.

The new palliative care unit at our Frankston campus is a great example of how the generosity of donations can impact the services we can provide. In addition to the cuddle beds and the Dream a Little Dream program, we have been fortunate enough to have the Rotary Frankston Sunrise Club on deck to update the existing garden built by them in 2008. The club members have donated their time and helped to procure materials to give the garden a refresh which will enable people of varying mobility to have their senses exposed to the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors. It is not unusual for a patient to request an outdoor experience in their final days. This garden will also allow our rehabilitation patients to test their mobility in a realistic community outdoor setting before they are discharged.

Our Berwick hospital has also been the lucky recipient of a $1 million donation that enabled us to purchase complex spinal surgery equipment. This equipment means our patients can have more complex surgery onsite and offers our surgeons enhanced visibility during surgery to ensure we can deliver a high standard of patient outcomes.

These gestures (although not the only ones) are synonymous with the mission of St John of God Health Care and indeed the work of John himself. St John of God day this year was a great opportunity to finally come together for our usual paella and churros feast to reflect on all the good that occurs within our hospital walls. We even treated our builders to a St John of God feast to show them that building a St John of God hospital carries great responsibility and along with it — great benefits.

There are many challenges about at the moment but we work for a great organisation and have a great team to lean on for support. If you have any ideas about how we can better support our patients, our communities or our caregivers then please do not hesitate to share your ideas. Recently a board member asked me — What am I most proud of and I said — My team because our caregivers deliver exceptional care to our patients and go above and beyond for others.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to feel proud.

Lisa Norman

What is St John of God Day? To understand what St John of God Day is, we must first take the time to stop and reflect on the life and story of the man, Saint John of God, whose actions inspired our founding Sisters, and continue to inspire us today.

John Cidade was born in Portugal on March 8, 1495. After being removed from his family at the mere age of eight, John was transported across the border to Spain where he lived with a large estate owner who trained him to be a Shepherd. When he reached adulthood he left to join the Spanish army in the war against France.

In his forties, John decided to settle in Granada where he opened a book stall near the Elvira Gate. Known as the Patron Saint of Librarians because of his strong connections to books, John was one of the first to hear that the celebrated theologian, John of Avila was coming to preach outside the city.

Delivering a sermon on the blessedness of the poor, the hungry and the sorrowful (a foreign concept at the time), John of Avila’s words forced John to break down and he began punishing himself by rolling on the ground and asking people to humiliate him—which they did for three days. After tearing most of his clothes off and leaving himself wearing only a shirt and a pair of trousers, John was taken by two men to the Royal Hospital for the mentally unwell.

John was subjected to regular whippings and drenchings in cold water — a common therapy for the warders at the time.

Upon hearing of the effect his sermon had on John, John of Avila sent one of his followers to inform him to use his time to prepare himself for his return to the world.

Soon after John left the hospital and began work among the poor. He established a house where he wisely tended to the needs of the sick poor. He went beyond the practises of the day to improve the health and wellbeing of those in his care. He washed his hands between patients. Changed linen between patients.

He treated those who were sick or vulnerable with compassion.

Instead of standing with a begging bowl, John went from house to house soliciting medical supplies and encouraging people to help. As he walked the streets he would be heard calling out: “Brothers and sisters do yourself some good by doing some good for others.”

By day John attended to the needs of his patients and the hospital. John identified with the people he served — he saw himself as one of them. John worked from a position of simplicity, rather than strength.

The resources he had to draw on were care, respect, kindness and faith. John cared for those he could, and called on the people of Granada with greater resources to help those that he couldn’t. John helped others to be compassionate too. John treated everyone he met with dignity and respect, and he enjoyed what he did. John’s humour and laughter were as familiar to the people of Granada as his acts of compassion and kindness.

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

How do we celebrate it?

Each year on March 8 (the day John was born and also the day he died) we take the time to reflect on the life and legacy of John of God. Like him, we care for patients and clients with compassion and seek to respond to the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the community. Just as John did, we honour the dignity of the people we serve and treat them with respect as we welcome them into places of safety and care.

The 2022 theme for St John of God Day was respect. Each year on (or around) March 8 we share in a paella lunch together and celebrate the caregivers who go above and beyond in living the St John of God Health Care value of respect while contributing to the wellbeing and care of patients, visitors and fellow caregivers alike.

This year Carolyn Chapman from Pinelodge, Tony Huisintveld from Berwick and Natalie Angelopoulos from Frankston all received the 2022 St John of God Day Award. Congratulations to all.

Carolyn Chapman

Tony Huisintveld

Natalie Angelopoulos

Carolyn Chapman from Pinelodge was recognised for always being approachable, empathetic and respectful to all our patients, their support people and fellow caregivers. She was particularly noted for developing a new mediation module designed to help patients who were restricted from seeing their loved ones through Covid.

Tony Huisintveld was nominated for demonstrating the value of respect consistently when caring for his patients and interacting with their families at Berwick Hospital.

Tony always puts others first by respecting their wishes, rights and feelings.

Natalie Angelopoulos was nominated for demonstrating the value of respect in her approach to both patients and her co-workers.

As an extremely hard worker, Natalie was recognised for consistently going above and beyond in her efforts as ward clerk for both the Wexford and Granada wards at Frankston Hospital.

IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022

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REFLECTION

As part of this year’s St John of God Day celebrations, Director of Nursing, Allison Merrigan was asked to ponder the following question ...

How do we communicate the message of hope in the work we engage in and where does hope shine brightest in our world?

Hospitals can be a place where hope can be a hard concept to grab and hold on to. When patients come to us they can fear loss of control, a loss of normality, increased levels of anxiety. They are met with new surroundings, sounds, smells, people, diagnoses, treatments and potentially a new way of life.

What is powerful in St John of God’s story is that it offers us an understanding that during times of change and complexity we each have access to a super power.

What is the super power? It is that we have each other.

We all have a need for human interaction, a kind word, an encouraging word, a gentle touch, a simple smile.

We need to see ourselves in others, to understand these fears, trepidation, the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘if onlys’. We need to stand with them and almost more importantly stand for them.

I believe that at SJG Berwick we provide a place for people to feel loved and importantly, safe. You see, I see hope everywhere. In our caregivers: • In providing compassionate care • Understanding the fragility of life • Welcoming new life • Supporting loved ones through a loss • In supporting each other Even during a challenging two years, they have been present, committed, giving of themselves sometimes to the detriment of their own needs.

to uphold but it is especially during difficult times that we must hold on to the belief that something we want, something we need, something we believe in, will happen. It can make a tough situation more bearable, we can envision a better future and importantly take steps to make it happen: • • • •

I hope I’m better soon I hope I will be a good parent I hope my limited time on this earth will be free of pain I hope I will be ok

These hopes will often be unspoken but they will sit with someone, in their heart and their gut. It reminds me of when I was working in maternity and first time parents were preparing for discharge. We had held their hands for the past few days, taught them how to care for their wee baby and now they were heading home, full of excitement but some anxiety — they would be thinking ‘ I hope we will be ok’. I would reassure them, tell them that they had this, they were amazing parents, and that they would be just fine. They should just go home, pop their new precious baby in the cot and, as those who know me well will appreciate, put the kettle on and have a cup of tea. Do something routine and ‘normal’.

Having hope is important to the very art of being human. As Dr Judith Rich wrote: ‘Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.’

My hope is that we continue to be the match that lights the way for the sick, the vulnerable, the scared, and that we can follow St John of God in being instruments of healing and hope.

And I think as we see a light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic, my hope is also that we can live with this virus and that ultimately we will control it rather than it having control over us.

And finally, I came across these lovely words from a NZ artist, Froyle Davies: Hope is the life we live, the attitude we carry, the gift we give others. Hope is the energy, the courage and the strength to keep believing in the goodness of life, God and the people around us.

I see hope in our patients: • By choosing us to care for them • In having faith that we will do everything we can to make their time with us as comfortable as possible • For some, it is the strength to contemplate and reconcile a poor prognosis • To be brave when facing painful procedures and hard conversations • To learn a new way of being — being new parents or a change in functionality.

During challenging times hope can be a difficult belief

ALLISON MERRIGAN Director of Nursing Berwick

Wellbeing SEM

Wellbeing groups have been formalised in all South Eastern Melbourne Hospitals; they are steered by discussion and ideas from the within the group. Each department has been approached and asked to nominate a caregiver to join this group; taking initiatives and drive ideas back to each work area.

A number of meetings have now taken place and we are developing an exciting calendar of activities to take place throughout the year. If any caregivers have any suggestions of what you would like to see in this space, please approach your representative on the wellbeing group.

Frankston Wexford – Care of Elf on his patient journey from admission to discharge

Pinelodge Elf on a Shelf, December.

Berwick Bulldog Wellbeing — first ever inaugural award was given to midwifery for the care of Elf with his antenatal care and the safe delivery of his chupa chup.

The Frankston wellbeing fund.

St Patricks Day – Surgical Unit 3 East

LANGMORE CENTRE

Builders lining up out the front of Stephenson House for paella and churros.

The Emergency Management Committee reviewing procedures for Langmore.

The catering team contemplating over the tray size, layout, and optimum table size for the main dining room.

Pinelodge senior caregivers reviewing the furniture selections at Pinelodge.

Pinelodge team during workflow sessions.

Large window being removed from the Norfolk Unit.

Every consideration was made. The inclusion of a new Perinatal service at Langmore meant the furniture needed to be suitable for breastfeeding mothers and families. These scenarios were also tested for accurate feedback.

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

Construction UPDATE With the 8th of March being St John of God Day and paella being served at our SEM Hospitals throughout the week we thought it was also a good opportunity to give back to our builders at Langmore. On Friday the 11th of March our Paella caterers set up just outside Stephenson House in preparation to feed the builders and Stephenson House tenants and by 12pm the line for lunch had extended onto Gibb Street. The whole event was well received with all the paella and churros snapped up by the 90-odd in attendance. Kane Constructions were very much appreciative of the hospitality offered by St John of God. Langmore planning continues with great enthusiasm from both the SEM and Pinelodge team. Catering will see some change with what they currently do at Pinelodge and what the setup will be at Langmore with the kitchen on the lower ground level. The tray size was an important consideration, as any change to this would likely change how food was displayed, transported, and handled once at a patient’s table. Once the tray size could be confirmed, the table size could then be established in what allowed enough room and comfort but also ensuring flexibility and capacity in the main dining room.

Members of the Pinelodge Emergency Committee also held a workshop to review all emergency procedures for Langmore and investigate how technology would assist in calling through codes as well as personal emergency tags with pinpoint location accuracy. The team reviewed every type of emergency and where any changes were required as well as reviewing the hospital’s business continuity plans.

The Langmore redevelopment is currently in the process of selecting furniture for the patient areas. After going to the market and following a selection process, the furniture manufacturer HFA (Healthcare Furniture Australia) was selected. HFA reviewed our specifications and offered a number of shortlisted products which may suit for areas such as lounges, bedrooms, waiting areas, dining rooms, and the chapel. An extensive caregiver review was conducted to establish the optimum furniture within budget and design for each area. As well as this, all furniture was passed by infection control and OH&S for endorsement before any procurement could occur. Lastly, and most importantly, the patients at Pinelodge were given an opportunity to provide feedback with some very positive and constructive comments and discucussion witnessed. Overall it was a very exciting and rewarding process which will hopefully lead to the right furniture being selected in terms of style, comfort, and function.

Some stain glass windows are also making the trip in our move to Langmore as a reference to our history and past services. These windows will form part of the new chapel at Langmore and will make a great addition to this therapeutic space. The builder along with SJOG put in every effort by recruiting specialist stain glass experts to ensure these windows were removed safely to prevent any chance of breakage.

A huge effort from the Pinelodge team is also going into mapping all of our workflows for the new hospital. Some guiding principles included what was best for patient experience, and not just the easy way for the caregivers.

The admission process for patients has been seen as an area that needs improvement with plans for a pilot to be trailed at Pinelodge to consider if this new method may prove to be both better from a patient’s perspective but also safe from the caregiver’s side. These sessions have been assisted by Sara Simmons from St Kilda Rd who has many years of experience in workflows, hospital redevelopments, and complex clinical moves.

These workflow sessions have been a chance to review every process at Pinelodge and look at ways for improvement. This is also being conducted for Corporate Services such as Catering, Supply, Environmental Services and the removal of waste.

I’d like to thank the Pinelodge and SEM teams for all their hard work and efforts in working through these important steps and giving up time out of their day to challenge the norms and look at ways of improving our service. The discussions which have emerged from these sessions have left me very proud in the team’s effort for improvement and greater patient experience.

E VA N R U N D E L L Clinical Redevelopment Manager

IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022

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Inaugural Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship awarded on International Women’s Day The Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship for the Empowerment of Women through Education was, for the first time, awarded to 36 caregivers across St John of God Health Care. A significantly higher number of recipients were selected than originally anticipated, but according to CEO, Shane Kelly, the increase in the number of selected individuals is a direct reflection on the exceptional calibre of caregiver applications that were received.

On a local level, four of our own caregivers across two of our SEM hospital sites were lucky enough to be chosen recipients of the scholarship. Candidates went through a careful selection process, demonstrating their commitment and dedication to both their studies

and their ongoing strong contribution to St John of God Health Care. The scholarship program is designed to support the career development and professional growth of our caregivers, and each scholarship recipient receives financial support to help them with the cost of their studies, as well as access to mentors and ongoing cohort communication.

Announced on International Women’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate women, their value and their achievements, this scholarship was made possible through the generosity of the Sisters of St John of God. The Sisters strongly support, and are committed to, maintaining the development of our female caregivers as an ongoing priority.

And the winners are ...

Beth Lewis, RN, Pinelodge

1. What are you studying?

Masters in Mental Health Nursing.

2. What do you hope to learn from your studies?

I hope to further enhance my current knowledge and skills when caring for patients with mental health conditions to ensure that I am able to provide them with the best possible nursing care.

3. How will this help SJGHC and the work you do?

I currently work in a mental health facility therefore, this scholarship will allow me to further enhance my current knowledge and skills when caring for patients with mental health conditions while also helping me to become a mentor for future nurses.

4. How do you feel about being singled out for this scholarship?

I feel extremely honoured and grateful to be chosen to receive the Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship and very appreciative that they chose me amongst so many other well deserving applicants.

5. Have you ever experienced gender bias yourself?

I am very fortunate to have not received or have witnessed any form of bias within my current workplace.

6. Why do you think gender inequality still exists?

I think gender inequality still exists as there is still a significant pay gap, along with women being less likely to be promoted for higher roles than men in their current workplace. Women are also still experiencing a significantly higher rate of racism and sexual harassment both within and outside of their workplace which is something I hope we, as a society, will continue to improve on in the future.

7. What are some of the greatest assumptions made about women in your field of work?

The greatest assumption I have heard would be “you’re just a nurse” — no, I am not just a nurse, I am a qualified university graduate that has studied and worked hard for three long years in order to obtain my registration to look after your loved ones when they are in need of care and support.

8. How can men improve equality for women?

Men can improve equality by having an open mind and being able to accept and understand that there is still an ongoing issue of gender inequality within our current society.

9. What does International Women’s Day mean to you, why is it important?

International Women’s Day allows for women across the world to be able to join and unite together as one voice in order to spread the message of equal rights amongst our society as “Women’s rights are Human Rights”.

This day is so important as it allows us to celebrate all women from across the world regardless of their race, religion, sexual identity or disability.

Lorenie Marquez, ANUM, Pinelodge

1. What are you studying?

I have completed Bachelors of Science in Nursing Specialty (mental health and psychiatric nursing) and have applied for this scholarship to continue to a masters.

2. What prompted you to apply for the scholarship?

I applied because I want to complete my masters to be qualified for a new unit that is being built in the hospital that Pinelodge clinic will move into.

3. What do you hope to learn from your studies?

To have an advance knowledge in my nursing practice.

4. How will this help SJGHC and the work you do?

This will boost my confidence as I am just a junior ANUM in Pinelodge Clinic and this will help SJGHC because I’d be more well-informed regarding various mental health disorder of our clients.

5. How do you feel about being singled out for this scholarship?

I feel honoured and pressured at the same time. I know everyone is hoping to win this scholarship, now I feel like I’ve won a championship game and I didn’t even think I would be chosen.

6. Have you ever experienced gender bias yourself?

Yes. I was not promoted because I’m of that “childbearing age” and got asked to move to night shift so they can offer the in-charge position that I had been doing. I resigned from that job and moved to SJGHC instead.

7. Why do you think gender inequality still exists?

I do not want to give an answer to this because there is no excuse why this issue still exists. If a job does not give us what we deserve just because of our gender, we should move to where we feel empowered.

8. What are some of the greatest assumptions made about women in your field of work?

That women are not leader material and that we are easily targeted because we are weak.

9. How can men improve equality for women?

Men should be supportive of women’s achievements and evaluate performance fairly.

10. What does International Women’s Day mean to you, why is it important?

It’s to celebrate the women’s achievements and it’s very important because this has been helping our world gradually accept that women are capable as much as men, sometimes more than.

Janelle Ward, EN, Berwick

1. What are you studying?

Bachelor of Nursing.

2. What prompted you to apply for the scholarhsip?

My NUM made me aware of it and I thought that being helped with some of my fees would be a great help due to being a single mum.

4. What do you hope to learn from your studies?

I’m hoping my studies will broaden my knowledge that I already have as an enrolled nurse of 12 years and allow me to look into management roles.

5. How do you feel about being singled out for this scholarship?

I feel extremely grateful for being acknowledged for this position. It is something I’m very proud of.

6. Have you ever experienced gender bias yourself?

I have not experienced biased behaviour in my career as a nurse fortunately.

7. Why do you think gender inequality still exists?

Of course gender inequality remains in our society socially, in the workforce etc. Women are still not recognised with equal wages or rights. It comes down to learnt patterns and behaviours. There has been small progress but we still have a long way to go.

8. What are some of the greatest assumptions made about women in your field of work?

That it is a woman’s job.

9. How can men improve equality for women?

Men can help improve equality by listening to women’s perspectives, reflecting on their own power and privilege and crediting and advocating for women in the workplace.

10. What does International Women’s Day mean to you,why is it important?

International Women’s Day means paving a better future for fellow women and my daughers by living in a world where bias is broken — where we become free of discrimination, become equally diverse and inclusive and celebrate female achievements. We can do this by giving empowerment to women in every aspect of personal and professional life.

Lissy Mathew, Critical Care Nurse, Berwick was the fourth SEM Hospitals recipient of the inaugural Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship. Congratulations Lissy.

Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital to offer end-of-life care

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital has identified a need to establish a palliative care service to meet the community demand 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 last month and 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.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of our local communities through donations and volunteer work,” says Karen. “Our amazing sensory garden was originally designed and will be revitalised by Rotary Frankston Sunrise Club, and 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.”

Karen also notes that SJGHC 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 currently it’s looking to expand the St John of God Berwick Hospital’s Dream a Little Dream program which provides people the opportunity to have a wish of theirs granted. It’s another of SJCHC’s programs that is made possible through our community donating services or money that allow us to bring the dream to life.

Karen believes that, “Palliative Care is a vital health care service and we know that the patient and their loved ones need support and an experienced team to help them. We focus on ensuring it is done well because we recognise it is our last opportunity to deliver great care. It’s interesting as we get to know the patient and the people around them, our focus initially is all about the patient and as their care needs change and they become less aware of their surroundings, our focus turns to the people they love and support during this challenging time. Our service aims to offer comprehensive care by seeking to meet the medical, spiritual and emotional needs of our patients. It’s all about providing the best and most suitable care to each individual person.”

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

Cuddle beds embraced by donations “The peace that comes with knowing you and your family will be well cared for, helps our patients die with the support they need and assists their families through the grieving process that follows,” says Karen Ward, Acting Director of Clinical Services at St John of God Health Care’s (SJGHC) Frankston Hospital. “It’s this sort of comfort that is invaluable to patients in their final stages of life and it’s a service that I’m very proud that we now offer.”

Despite being widely believed to be a service purely for the dying, palliative care at SJGHC challenges that idea with its range of care options available that focus on living well — but with a life-limiting illness.

“It’s all in the details,” offers Karen. “It’s the little things we do and the unique services we can offer that enable us to go the extra mile and focus on improving our patients’ quality of life throughout the time they have left with us on Earth.”

One way this is done is through the holistic approach to care that SJGHC prides itself on. “We understand that end-of-life and palliative care is centred around the person and their physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and social needs. In our palliative care units this could come in the form of practical help with managing symptoms or it could come from meeting with our pastoral care practitioners for comfort, counselling, support and guidance,” explains Karen. “At the end of the day our goal is to improve the quality of life of our patients, along with their families, friends and carers.”

Palliative care is based on what a patient’s needs are and not their diagnosis. “Many of our patients who are deemed to be palliative are not, in fact, at risk of dying imminently. They may be admitted for a condition that is making them ill but may only need care for a couple of weeks,” explains Karen.

It is for this reason that SJGHC invests in providing ancillary services such as music and art therapy, Delta Dogs, VR goggles, spiritual care and guidance, a wishgranting program called Dream A Little Dream, along with patient lounges and sensory gardens that are designed with a patient and their loved ones in mind.

As a not-for-profit private health care operation, SJGHC relies heavily on the generosity of its donors to develop services and provide unique care that contributes to improving the comfort and quality of life of its patients.

Most recently that generosity resulted in SJGHC’s South East Melbourne hospitals being able to purchase Cuddle Beds to add to its growing list of additional palliative care services and programs. These large patient beds have been set up at both Frankston and Berwick hospitals and are designed to offer a compassionate approach to end-of-life care.

This family-centred model of care enables loved ones to provide physical touch and comfort from close quarters during a patient’s final stages of life. “We know that the sense of touch can demonstrate compassion, empathy and kindness,” says Karen. “Once a person is admitted to end-of-life care, you often see loved ones spending a great deal of time holding a patient’s hand to feel closer to them and to provide care. It’s not uncommon to see loved ones sleeping in chairs, roll-out beds or even on the floor in order to remain as near as possible to the person who is dying.”

These oversized beds are large enough to fit whole families who want to be close to or wrap their arms around their loved ones while they die. “We are often told that a person’s hearing is the last of the senses to go before death and Cuddle Beds make it possible for people to say their goodbyes while embracing their loved one,” offers Karen.

At a cost of almost $30,000 each, these beds don’t come cheap,” states Karen. “And that’s why we are so fortunate to have the support of our community who make it possible for us to invest in these amazing advancements in the administration of palliative care.”

Karen continues, “Despite that fact that end-of-life care can signify the point where hopes and dreams of recovery give way to the stark reality of death, these beds can still manage to bring about some joy, along with a sense of peace and comfort during what is a very sad and difficult time for so many families.”

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in the spotlight 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 his 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

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

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 surgical 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 would endure, 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 and 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.”

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 gettogethers 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.”

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

IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022

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In The Loop

SCOOP A walk in the park for caregivers Lisa Norman and Karen Ward hit the trail to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease.

The team joined forces for a beautiful stroll in the autumn sun.

After a two year hiatus the annual A Walk in the Park event aimed to raise awareness and funds for services and research into Parkinson’s Disease finally kicked off on Sunday March 27. Many of our Frankston caregivers and their families rose to the challenge walking between 2-4km and adding to the $168,152 raised from this year’s event.

nationwide. On location was our very own leader and CEO, Lisa Norman, who shared her thoughts on why SJGHC supports this walk each year. “Why are we here?

Well we run a great Parkinson’s rehabilitation program and we really want to improve the quality of life for people living with this disease.”

With a goal of reaching $100,000, fundraising expectations were smashed for the more than 27,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Victoria and over 100,000

Currently there is no cure or way to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s so these funds and this awareness is vital in the fight to realise better outcomes for people affected by this life-changing illness.

FLU

Vaccine Blitz

26 - 29th

APRIL

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

immunisation provides an umbrella of protection

Dorothy Platt Scholarship Fund opens to applications The scholarship, named after family matriarch, Dorothy — a much-loved patient of Berwick Hospital’s Day Oncology Unit until she passed away from her battle with cancer in 2019 — provides not only educational support, but it enhances SJGHC’s overall commitment to broaden its caregivers’ skills, knowledge, expertise and competence for the betterment of its cancer patients.

Even caregivers transitioning into the specialty of oncology care can apply.

Are you aware that SJGHC has a scholarship fund that supports continued learning of its caregivers who provide cancer care to our patients? Whether you are a cancer or palliative care nurse, pastoral care practitioner or allied health worker involved in oncology rehabilitation etc., SJGHC in partnership with the Platt family, offers financial support to eligible caregivers of up to $5000 for personal and professional development in the field of cancer care.

Rhonda O’Connor, Director of Mission Integration across SEM explains, “the scholarship reflects the intent of the Mission, Vision and Values of St John of God Health Care and is aligned in its purpose to the previous and discontinued—Sisters of St John of God Staff Fellowship Fund established in 2002. “We’ve been very fortunate to have the support of the Platt family,” says Rhonda, adding gratefully that, “since its inception, they’ve donated a total of $75,000 to the fund.”

NPS SCORE

79.6

Funding is generally approved to cover 50 per cent of the total cost of each scholarship awarded, but will not exceed $5000 overall and cannot be accessed by caregivers more than once a year. To be eligible to apply, caregivers must be permanent full-time or part-time employees for a minimum of 12 months prior to applying.

Applicants must also have completed 100 per cent of their mandatory training at the time of submission.

Scholarship funding will be considered for tertiary, short course and online study, conference/educational/ academic event attendance, R&D participation and inhouse professional development training. Recipients of the award can also count hours of study or professional development towards the NMBA and CPD requirements.

Interested caregivers can get further information and apply through Lisa Marchetti, Berwick Hospi-tal’s Day Oncology NUM. Details of the scholarship can also be found on Cora. Applications are then considered and approved by the HMC with consideration given to a higher percentage of funding for cases of financial hardship. Lisa can be contacted on 8784 5568 or via email at lisa.marchetti@sjog.org.au.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE Feb 1, 2022 to Mar 31, 2022

82.4

52.4

Frankston Feedback:

Berwick Feedback:

Pinelodge Feedback:

I have received good care and have felt comfortable with all of the nurses and physiotherapists.

Meals have been tasty and my bed comfortable. My doctor has been attentive and answered questions readily. What more could I need?

The midwives and nurses were absolutely amazing. They care about who they’re looking after. It’s such a shame they are put under so much pressure with staff shortages.

My midwife Malley was just amazing.

She helped me make some really empowering decisions when it came to giving birth and breastfeeding.

The staff are lovely, always make sure patients are looked after. Also the food is always great, can never go hungry.

IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022

17

Caregiver profile CHRIS OKAMURA Hotel and Supply Services Manager Meet Chris — one of SEM Hospital’s newest recruits.

Local to Berwick, Chris recently took on the position of Hotel and Supply Services Manager after working as the Environmental Services Manager at Peninusla and Beleura private hospitals. Chris has always felt at ease in medical settings with both parents working in hospitals for most of his life, and when he isn’t working Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids and a “problematic dog.”

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Judge, lawyer, police officer.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE GOOD AT? Yes well…still trying to figure that one out.

WHAT TAKES UP MOST OF YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK? The house and the kids.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO ON A WEEKEND? I love going to the beach with my family.

DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? IF NOT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN TO PLAY? I play the guitar, but I’d really like to learn to play the drums…and not big band drums either, more like…Animal... from the Muppets.

HAVE YOU EVER MET ANYONE FAMOUS? I almost got run over by Alec Baldwin in Hawaii. My friend and I were walking through a car park at a mall on Oahu and this black suburban almost ran me over. The vehicle stopped, the window rolled down, and I was about to say something like, “Hi sir you really should improve your driving skills,” or something similar. My friend and I recognised immediately who it was. I pointed at him and was about to say, “hey you’re Alec Baldwin!”, but he sped off before I could say anything. True story.

WHAT SHOW ARE YOU CURRENTLY BINGE-WATCHING? Ain’t got time for that.

WHAT SKILL DO YOU THINK YOU COULD IMPROVE ON? Keeping my mouth shut when the topic of politics comes up.

ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? Depends on who’s around.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE REALLY BAD AT? Running and jumping, too much fat.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS? Spiders, snakes, etc. Won’t be doing any camping out here thank you. In my house I don’t catch and release, I search and destroy.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would have met my wife sooner.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY? Holiday…what is that?

IF YOU COULD PICK ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD TO GO, WHERE WOULD IT BE? I’d love to go to Hawaii…every six months…let’s see what my manager says…

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO? My late grandfather. He was a great man.

ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? As I get older I find myself waking up earlier but taking naps in the afternoon...at least on the weekends.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PAYING JOB? Mobile car detailing.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON? Spring — it reminds me the sun does exist and things start growing again.

St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals

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IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022

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IN THE LOOP - APRIL 2022 St John of God Health Care South East Melbourne Hospitals