Under Construction- Issue 5

ISSUE 5 - JUNE 2022

LANGMORE CENTRE OPENING

COUNTDOWN IS ON!

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OPENING

AUGUST

LANGMORE CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION U P D AT E The construction phase of the Langmore Centre redevelopment is now coming to its conclusion with the building recently being handed back to St John of God Health Care (SJGHC). The building structure is finished, the remaining work includes repairs to parts of the external facade and works in the garden and internal courtyards.

Over the recent weeks, the consultant team made up of our architect and engineers, has had the arduous task of reviewing every area of the building to ensure it has been built in accordance with the plans. It has also been responsible for identifying any defects to be rectified. For SJGHC, various members of the redevelopment team and support services have visited the site to ensure all the services work as planned. Our hardworking facilities team are responsible for the smooth functional operation of our hospitals, are being trained in all the building systems to ensure they are familiar with how everything works. All of these tasks are part of our final checks and balances to ensure everything is operating correctly.

exceptional patient care. A lot of work has already been undertaken by the team in mapping out each part of the patient journey to ensure all areas have been documented, assessed and any issues identified.

With only a few weeks until opening, it’s starting to become very exciting, and we have one last push to get everything done on time. The end is now in sight and while there is still much work to be done, our caregivers are enthusiastic about moving to their new environment and have been offering great assistance to the redevelopment team as needed. In our next update, we will be able to share the major commissioning tasks required to get the building operational.

The process of commissioning the building, which basically means that the building is ready to accept patients, will take just under two months. This includes making sure everyone is trained, storerooms and medications are stocked, the kitchen is operational and licenced, and the phones and computers work. To put it simply, it is to make sure everyone is in the right place, doing the right job, with everything they need to provide

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

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE: Langmore Centre handover from the builders

Phase to complete building fit-out (FF&E)

End of May

Training & orientation

Patients & caregivers move

August 3

June and July

CONSTRUCTION

COMMISSIONING

COUNTDOWN IS ON! Page 2

Caregiver, community & opening events

TRANSITION

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OPENING

AUGUST UNDER CONSTRUCTION | JUNE 2022

LINDA ALLEN: CEO, Pinelodge & Langmore Centre “We are very fortunate to have such a truly dedicated team of skilled professionals focused on bringing this project to life.”

Linda Allen spent her teenage years connected to the local community having grown up in Beaconsfield and attended St Margaret’s School (which coincidentally is located opposite the new Langmore Centre which she has been entrusted to repurpose). For these reasons alone, Linda has a greater connection to this project than any other she has worked on throughout her career.

“This is a once in a lifetime chance to redevelop a much loved community asset that will allow us to expand the mental health services in the area while simultaneously giving it a legacy into the future. It is not only something I feel very proud to be a part of, but something that is vitally needed for the residents of this municipality.”

Joining St John of God Health Care in 2019, Linda became the CEO of Pinelodge Clinic in mid-2020. This role came with special meaning for Linda, who, as part of her job, would oversee the revitalisation of the former St John of God Berwick Hospital — Linda’s first place of professional employment as a nurse. “I started working at the Gibb Street hospital when I was fresh out of university and although I only worked at the hospital for a short time, it was a great platform to gain the much needed experience required to enhance my skills.

With the horrifying statistics that one in five people experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, there is every chance we all know someone at work, in our family or neighbourhood that needs a service just like Langmore Centre. It is important these people are treated with compassion, empathy and patience. Mental health conditions can affect any one of us, at any time.

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For Linda, her past three years working at St John of God Health Care has been both rewarding and challenging. “Being tasked with completing an $18.2 million remodelling of the former hospital site has been a complex process, especially as much of the work has been via Webex rather than in person because of the pandemic restrictions,” states Linda. “However the team has worked very hard and covered so many aspects from factoring safety and comfort into design, selecting furniture, reviewing workflows for patient admissions, meals and linen to name a few, to the current tasks of recruitment and orientation of caregivers — the list goes on.”

While there are many more people involved in the project than there is space left in this newsletter to name, a great deal of the intricate planning has laid with Linda’s team — all of whom still continue to carry out the duties of their regular jobs. “We are very fortunate to have such a truly dedicated team of skilled professionals focused on bringing this project to life and whom will continue in their leadership roles at Langmore,” explains Linda. “We are lucky to have such dedicated people ready to provide care to those with mental health needs in this community.”

Turn over the page to read more about Linda’s team.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION | JUNE 2022

Usman Riaz gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Pakistan and then went on to complete a Masters of Public Health from Monash University, along with a Masters of Psychiatry from the University of Melbourne.

Usman has also obtained his fellowship from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, where he further specialised in addiction psychiatry.

Appointed as Director of Medical Services, Usman has more than 11 years of experience working in mental health, and for the past two years has been leading the team at Pinelodge Clinic in preparation for its move to Berwick. “There is a growing need for mental health services in the Casey-Cardinia region and I’m very proud to be involved in establishing the Langmore Centre to meet the local demand.”

DR MUHAMMAD USMAN RIAZ Director of Medical Services

“The best part of my job is when I see my patients getting better and regaining their confidence to continue their recovery journey.”

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Usman was drawn to the field of psychiatry with an avid interest in advocating for better mental health provisions for community members. Given Usman also resides in the Casey-Cardinia area, the role of director sits comfortably within his professional pursuit to make mental health services more accessible. “I am very excited to be part of a service that will improve access and provide evidence-based treatments for a variety of mental health conditions. In particular, the addition of perinatal mental health services is a great step forward to ensure access to a specialised service for our community.” Usman also notes that, “There is an opportunity to establish public-private partnerships in order to adequately address the mental health needs of our growing community.”

Usman is delighted over the amenities of the new facility and the extra services it will offer. “It is full of natural light and it’s a state of the art facility. I am excited about the sensory garden and I’m looking forward to having a cup of tea and enjoying it along with my patients. Best part of my job is when I see my patients improving and regaining their confidence to continue their recovery journey,” explains Usman. “I have learned that no matter how disabling a mental health disorder can be, every individual has some strengths and interests. Once you get to know that interest, engaging them in meaningful therapy and achieving positive outcomes is not only possible, but very, very rewarding.”

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SHELLEY COOPER: Director of Clinical Services Mental Health “I truly love the variety of the work I do and the role I get in supporting people to improve their quality of life.”

Shelley Cooper began her career as a mental health nurse in the UK before moving to Australia in 2005 to work in a variety of private mental health facilities over the ensuing decade. Such roles included program coordinator, nurse unit manager (NUM) and associate director of nursing (ADON) before joining SJGHC as a NUM, then director of nursing (DON) and now the Director of Clinical Services. Shelley also holds an MBA in health from Australian Catholic University.

With over 20 years’ experience in mental health and more than five years with SJGHC, Shelley has been privy to the transformation of services that has been underway since the decision was made to redevelop the former Gibb St hospital site into a modern, purposebuilt mental health care facility. Acknowledging that mental health is a service that needs more resources in the Casey-Cardinia region, Shelley is proud to be part of the solution to provide expanded care and access to the residents of this community. “It’s important to provide ease of access to mental health treatment and support. And with the Langmore Centre set to offer acute and outpatient care, along with health education and promotion opportunities, SJGHC is committed to providing a holistic approach to treating an array of mental health conditions.”

According to Shelley, the opening of the new facility will improve access to the region in a timely manner, and will reflect the quality of care currently on offer at SJGHC’s Pinelodge Clinic. “One of the things I am looking forward to most with the move is being able to deliver Page 5

care in an environment that adequately reflects the quality of the clinical services we have always provided.

We have a skilled team of caregivers who not only love what they do but who are really good at doing it,” states Shelley, adding that it’s her hope that the beautiful new facility will assist in reducing the stigma associated with mental health that prevents people from accessing services when they need to. “Through community engagement and education, we hope to break down the misconceptions around mental health, so that more and more people seek out the help and care that they, or their loved ones, deserve.”

When asked what Shelley enjoys the most about her job she doesn’t hesitate to credit the people she works with — both the patients and the caregivers alike. “At the end of the day we are all the same. A decline in mental health can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate and affects most families at some point,” she explains.

“I am very fortunate to work with a team of talented and very dedicated people. It’s a privilege to not only work alongside them, but work with them to provide our patients with the opportunity to live their best lives. I’m also very appreciative of the people who entrust us with their care and allow us to join them on their journey to recovery. Their wins, are our wins. Seeing them achieve their goals and regain their mental health is beyond rewarding to witness.”

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Jessica Laurito worked as a casual nurse with SJGHC before taking a position as clinical nurse specialist and later associate nurse unit manager at Pinelodge Clinic 15 years ago. In 2016 she was elevated to nurse unit manager (NUM), and while she has enjoyed her time and the experience she has gained at Pinelodge she is eager to begin a new chapter of mental health care at the soonto-be-opened Langmore Centre in Berwick.

“This new centre will provide patients with newer, more improved facilities and resources that will enable us to continue providing the great service we are known for. It will also enable us to reach out to a new range of patients and continue developing and improving on the services we deliver,” says Jessica, delighted at the additional amenities that the new clinic can offer as part of SJGHC’s overall commitment to providing holistic care to its patients. “I love the exercise studios, the art therapy rooms, the new medication rooms, the increased patient privacy with private rooms and ensuites, along with the additional space, both indoor and outdoor, that the new facility will bring.”

JESSICA LAURITO: Nurse Unit Manager “I enjoyed my mental health placements the most during my studies and felt that my skills were best suited to being able to engage therapeutically with patients by actively listening to them, talking with them and navigating the mental health system with them.”

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Jessica, who has a Bachelor of Nursing with a post graduate degree in mental health nursing, believes that she found her calling when she did her practical learning in mental health facilities as part of her university education. “I enjoyed my mental health placements the most during my studies and felt that my skills were best suited to being able to engage therapeutically with patients by actively listening to them, talking with them and navigating the mental health system with them.”

It’s a common theme among our team of caregivers at Pinelodge and the Langmore Centre, many of whom feel a pull toward caring for people experiencing the negative impact of their individual mental health needs. “For me, I have learnt that the most important thing about working in the field of mental health is to remain non-judgemental — none of us have ever walked in the same pair of shoes as another and therefore it isn’t our place to judge,” explains Jessica. “The resilience shown by those trying every day to work at their recovery and/or to manage their addiction or mental health condition is admirable and I love supporting people through their individual journeys.”

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M E G E VA N S : Nurse Unit Manager

“I’ve loved this field of work from the very first mental health placement I ever had.”

Meg Evans has spent the past 15 years dedicating her career to the field of mental health. As a nurse unit manager and endorsed nurse practitioner, with a masters in mental health and advanced nursing practice, Meg is excited about the upcoming move to the Langmore Centre in Berwick. “I’m looking forward to having a purpose built and designed location that is able to cater to all our patient’s needs and in an environment that is conducive to recovery,” explains Meg. With five and a half years working for SJGHC, Meg has a great appreciation for how the new Langmore Centre will provide better access to mental health services and a wider variety of treatments to a larger number of people in the Casey-Cardinia area. “I’m looking forward to developing new programs and adopting new caregiver roles in order to increase therapy options and obtain a wider patient reach,” admits Meg. “I’m noticing a lot of excitement amid the Berwick community with regard to having a mental health facility accessible so close to home and I’m looking forward to welcoming local residents in for a tour when we hold our open day in the next few months. The building is really coming along nicely and has a uniform appeal but I like how each unit

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maintains its own individual style. I think community members will be proud of the building and new services we can bring to the area.”

When asked what it was that she enjoyed most about working in mental health, Meg responded, “I enjoy the fact that every hour can be different which keeps me on my toes. But overall, I’ve loved this field of work from the very first mental health placement I ever had.

The autonomy and ability to problem solve and provide individual care for such a large range of mental health issues and the people they affect is very rewarding.”

UNDER CONSTRUCTION | JUNE 2022

SHEPTON UNIT — BEDROOM Each bedroom has exactly the same joinery features with accents of the unit colours within the bedhead, acoustic panelling behind the desk and a graphic print located behind the TV. Patient bedrooms consist of a wardrobe, bedside unit with lockable storage, and a desk. Some of the existing natural timber elements around the window areas were retained as a nod to the building’s origins.

PAT I E N T B E D R O O M

WEXFORD UNIT — RECEPTION Each unit has an open reception area with the clinical workroom located behind it. This design provides an inviting area for patients and visitors and is in close proximity to the unit entry. All reception areas will have feature paint to the panelled walls behind.

P E R I N ATA L M E N TA L H E A LT H U N I T

BRIGHTON UNIT — LOUNGE Each unit has a general lounge area for patients to come and rest or socialise with other patients around a TV area, read a book or make a coffee. With comfortable seating options, patient lounges exude an informal café-style feel. Each area has a beverage bay, including tea and coffee making facilities. All lounge areas are in close proximity to outdoor courtyard space.

M E N TA L H E A LT H U N I T

For more information on the Langmore Centre redevelopment: sjog.org.au/our-locations/st-john-of-god-langmore-centre info.langmore@sjog.org.au

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - JUNE 2022

@StJohnofGodLangmoreCentre