SPRING 2017
ST ANDREW’S NEWS We’ve topped out: Let the final stage begin!
ISSUE
#37
INSIDE
03 04 05 07 08 09 11 12 16 From the CEO
Executive Update
New ECD procedure rooms
Fertility Program
Mundulla cancer support
ECD Update
What matters to you? day
Foundation Retirements
As the Adelaide spring weather emerges, so does our beautiful new building! We are so excited about the soonto-be completed Eastern Clinical Development (ECD) that has gone up before our eyes. April 2016—when we commenced this project with the digging of a very big hole—doesn’t seem that long ago; yet here we are, 18 months later, with the project nearly finished and staff preparing to move in early in the new year. The ECD is a complex building project (see page 5 and 9), and I believe— through the wonderful efforts of our staff and the project team— we’ve managed it extremely well.
It is with great pleasure I welcome our new chair of the St Andrew’s Hospital Board of Governors, Mr David Whitbread (see page 4). David’s experience will prove most beneficial to providing strong governance for St Andrew’s into the future, and I know he is excited and proud to step into the role. On that note, I would also like to acknowledge David’s predecessor, Mr Ken Williams, who led our Board for the past four and a half years, and guided us through a period of considerable growth.
At the time of writing, the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, recently announced the anticipated health insurance reform package developed through the Private Health Ministerial Advisory Committee. These reforms include: the proposed introduction of Gold/ Silver/Bronze health insurance categories; measures to improve the provision of information about medical out-of-pocket costs; discounts for 18-to-29-year-olds; and a reduction in prostheses costs. The private hospital sector welcomes the reforms mentioned above and is generally in favour of the majority of others. Speaking for St Andrew’s, we are hopeful these reforms will address the declining private health insurance market. It’s very important that private health insurance represents value for money for the community, and that the balance between our private and public hospital systems is maintained.
It is with sadness that we farewell two long-serving, dedicated and universally liked orthopaedic surgeons, Professor Rob Fraser and Mr Malcolm Wicks (see pages 16 and 17). Their commitment to St Andrew’s has been outstanding, with both of their careers spanning three decades here, and both contributing to many of our committees. With long-serving specialists the calibre of Rob and Malcolm retiring and our hospital continuing to grow, it is imperative we introduce new, high-quality surgeons. So it is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr James McLean to St Andrew’s (see page 6). James has had a long association with us, and in his early days had a very different role to that he has now. I’m delighted James has returned to the St Andrew’s family. Of special note is our partnership with Fertility SA and the development of a Fertility Preservation Assistance Programme (FPAP). This wonderful
ST A N D REW’S N EWS | SP RI N G 2017
FROM THE CEO programme (see page 7) is designed to provide subsidised effective fertility preservation treatment for young people diagnosed with cancer. It’s another example of our social responsibility and commitment to the South Australian community. A vibrant and innovative organisational culture is one of the most important building blocks of an extraordinary, and highly successful workplace. The most important thing about culture is that it’s the only sustainable point of difference for an organisation. Anyone can copy a company’s strategy, but nobody can copy their culture. I believe the culture at St Andrew’s is what sets us apart, and I’m particularly proud of how our staff and specialists embrace change and work together as a team. So it’s very pleasing to see this newsletter acknowledge recent awards received by our staff, volunteers and specialists, as well as celebrating our other successes, acknowledging special visitors, and giving our wonderful people a voice. As always, I hope you enjoy your reading. Until next time, stay happy and healthy.
Stephen Walker Chief Executive Officer
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EXECUTIVE UPDATE
NEW CHAIR, MR DAVID WHITBREAD
As an independent organisation, the St Andrew’s Hospital Board of Governors plays a pivotal role in the hospital’s governance and strategic direction. Following a term of four and a half years, Mr Ken Williams recently retired as chair, and after a lengthy recruitment process the board appointed Mr David Whitbread to the role. A Chartered Accountant, David holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide, is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and was the first South Australia state chair of the AICD on its inception. David has an impressive professional background and considerable experience in board governance. He is a director of a number of family businesses, including Harcourts International Ltd (NZ-based), and chairs 10 Harcourts subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Mitolo Agricultural and Wine Groups. He is also a former partner and board member of Deloitte Australia. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ken for his excellent contribution to St Andrew’s, and warmly welcome David. I look forward to working closely with him and the board. Stephen Walker Chief Executive Officer
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The new Eastern Clinical Development (ECD) will house a state-of-the-art procedure room suite on the first floor, co-located with a stepped recovery suite and discharge lounge, making day procedures a smooth process. Embracing the best technology can offer, the suite will include three procedure rooms, with one being a hybrid space that can also function as a theatre. Designed with close reference to the “wellness model“, the suite is larger than the current procedural areas in the main hospital, and will have the capacity to accommodate more procedures and theatre cases to meet the demand of increased patient numbers. The wellness model is a widely regarded concept that focuses on holistic healthcare, including the importance of one’s surroundings and overall wellbeing. To this end, great attention has been paid to the design of the area. Patients will walk through light-filled corridors and take in breathtaking views of the adjacent parklands. Upon arrival, patients will be admitted and shown to a single change room, where the surgeon and anaesthetist can have a completely private discussion with them if required. Once ready, the patient will be shown to a waiting area where they can rest and watch television or enjoy the panoramic views of the Adelaide Parklands and heritage-listed Waverley House. Endoscopies, colonoscopies, bronchoscopies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) procedures will all be carried out in the new suite, with the larger and more versatile hybrid space also accommodating theatre cases, including IVF.
Functionality and the latest technology will combine and result in self-contained procedure rooms. Each procedure room has nursing and surgeon’s benches, allowing for access to patient notes, films and reports, and direct access to the hospital’s patient records system. Proceduralists can use a laptop connected to the hospital’s Endobase reporting system to provide real-time information. The reporting software will facilitate surgeons printing reports, including pictures, and explanatory discharge information. Nurses will access the procedure list via flush-mounted computers, enabling them to set up the theatre in the appropriate manner before each case. They will also use the technology to prepare a discharge letter for the patient on the day. Mr Jim Sweeney, a colorectal surgeon and director on the St Andrew’s Hospital Board of Governors, was a member of the working party on the design and fit-out of the area. “The current endoscopic facility at St Andrew’s is renowned for the efficiency of its staff in facilitating busy procedure lists,” he says. “So it was important to ensure the new facility maintained this, while improving and making more efficient the overall patient journey. It’s often the things that aren’t seen by the patient that are most important.
The rear of the suite includes a scope reprocessing (cleaning) area, accessible via a two-way hatch, enabling the deposit of used scopes from the procedure room side and collection via the corresponding hatch on the other side (the reprocessing area). The scopes are cleaned in one of five Soluscopes and tested to meet infection control standards. They are then placed into a two-way automated state-of-theart HEPA filtered drying and storage cabinet, which records the details of each scope and allows access to the clean, reprocessed scopes from the procedure room—without the need for staff in these rooms to enter the reprocessing room. Following the patient’s procedure or surgery, they will be transferred on a barouche (trolley) through a stepped recovery unit. During Stage 1, which is the highest care, patients will remain on the barouche. Then when they’ve adequately recovered from their sedation they will be transferred to Stage 2, and rest under observation in a recliner chair with access to televisions. They will also be given a light refreshment and cup of tea or coffee. Following this, they will be escorted to the discharge lounge, ready for their relatives or friends to collect them. The ECD is due for completion in December 2017.
“The reprocessing of equipment is an area on which we spent a lot of effort to ensure flow patterns would produce efficient and safe work practice, while complying with National Standards for reprocessing and infection control. We’re confident that medical and nursing staff, and patients will enjoy the new facility.” 3D render of the procedure room, Eastern Clinical Development.
ST A N D REW’S N EWS | SP RI N G 2017
NEW ECD PROCEDURE ROOMS
DR JAMES MCLEAN NEW UPPER-LIMB ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON “I saw firsthand how a stand-out private hospital worked and how different disciplines complemented one another and built a strong and lasting positive culture of high-quality service. Testament to that positive culture is that some of the staff I worked with remain committed to St Andrew’s 15 years later!”
When new staff begin working at St Andrew’s, our existing team members often joke: “Once you start, you’ll never leave!” This line could not be truer for Dr James McLean. An orthopaedic surgeon specialising in shoulder and upper-limb surgery, Dr McLean began operating at St Andrew’s in 2015, but his first experience with us happened many years earlier, in 2002. He first became part of the “St Andrew’s family” as an orderly in Emergency and a casual ward clerk on the third and fourth floors, while studying his medical degree at the University of Adelaide. Dr McLean is not alone in working at our hospital before becoming a specialist. He recalls other medical students working at St Andrew’s while completing their undergraduate degrees; including Dr Jonathan Fraser (Intensive Care Unit), Dr Pouria Rezaian, now a radiologist and Dr Mike Smith (Orthopaedic Surgeon). “I had very positive experiences at St Andrew’s, early in my medical training while at University,” says Dr McLean.
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Dr McLean identifies the high standard of care provided at St Andrew’s as being a strong motivator for setting up his upperlimb practice at the hospital. “The culture at St Andrew’s is very positive, and the quality of staff and practitioners that work here is outstanding.” To this end, Dr McLean now operates regularly at St Andrew’s and is looking forward to expanding his commitment once the new theatres are completed. “The St Andrew’s team provide high-quality care across the board,” he says. “The equipment, clinical staff and service provision is of the highest quality; and as an independent hospital, St Andrew’s is batting well above its weight in terms of quality.” Dr McLean has trained locally and internationally, including undertaking clinical fellowships at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and the University of British Columbia (Canada). An important part of his practice is the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods, as well as research into improving patient outcomes following surgery. “St Andrew’s is committed to quality control and provides opportunities for me to engage in clinical research. The work the hospital carries out to maintain this standard is important and integral to my personal practice. It is testament to a culture of embracing new technology and incorporating it into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.”
We are delighted Dr McLean recalls his early experiences with us so fondly, and are equally pleased he’s chosen to continue his association with St Andrew’s as an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in upper-limb surgery. Another very well regarded orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Malcolm Wicks, will be retiring in December 2017, and his patients will be cared for by Dr McLean. “I’m delighted to be looking after Malcolm’s patients,” says Dr McLean. “They can be sure of receiving continued high-quality care at St Andrew’s.” Not surprisingly, Dr Wicks has total confidence in Dr McLean: “James is a highly capable surgeon, and I’ve no doubt my patients will continue to be looked after very well under his care.”
Dr McLean specialises in shoulder and upperlimb surgery, with a particular interest in joint replacement and minimally-invasive, arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. He manages patient conditions associated with arthritis, trauma and sports injuries; and has a special interest in shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff disease. Dr McLean is associated with Orthopaedics SA and can be contacted on 8267 8292. Fax: 8351 4501.
FERTILITY PRESERVATION PROGRAM At St Andrew’s Hospital we embrace opportunities to demonstrate social responsibility and have a desire to develop strategic partnerships which enhance healthcare outcomes for our patients. As such, we are delighted to partner with Fertility SA— driven by prominent specialists and long recognised as a leading provider of fertility treatment in South Australia—to develop a Fertility Preservation Assistance Programme (FPAP). Infertility (or premature gonadal failure) as a result of cancer treatment, is a serious adverse effect for a young survivor. Being one of the largest cancer centres in South Australia, this is a concern that resonates strongly for our teams of healthcare professionals. Our hospital’s close association with Fertility SA— which has had its laboratories at St Andrew’s for many years— makes this even more relevant. For patients approved for the FPAP, Fertility SA, the Anaesthetic groups involved in the care of these fertility patients and St Andrew’s Hospital, will jointly subsidise a set number of IVF cycles, based on compassionate grounds. This encompasses ovarian stimulation, the anaesthetic, gamete collection and storage. The hospital will waive admission and theatre fees, and Fertility SA specialists and anaesthetists will also bulk-bill these patients. St Andrew’s and Fertility SA also both support and contribute to the Australasian Oncofertility Registry (AOFR). The AOFR is an online registry launched by the Future Fertility Research team to capture and report data from paediatric and adult cancer and
fertility centres around Australia and New Zealand. Information collected includes referrals to, and uptake of, fertility preservation in children, adolescents, young adults and adults (up to 44 years of age), as well as data on the fertility potential of cancer patients after diagnosis. The registry aims to identify and employ strategies to improve fertility outcomes for cancer patients by bringing together cancer and fertility specialists.^ Timely, effective fertility preservation treatment can protect against future fertility issues for young people diagnosed with cancer. It is hoped that this joint initiative will reduce the burden of the disease, increase awareness of its impact, and help improve our patients’ long-term quality of life. We are very proud to be offering this programme and thank Fertility SA and the several anaesthetic groups involved.
FERTILITY SA SPECIALISTS Dr Alex Hubczenko A/Professor Louise Hull Dr Vicki Nisenblat Professor Robert Norman AO Dr Bruno Radesic Dr Sally Reid Dr Jodie Semmler Dr Michelle Wellman ANAESTHETIC GROUPS Wakefield Anaesthetics Adelaide Anaesthetics Pulse Anaesthetics
www.futurefertility.com.au/registry
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FABBA COMES TO MUNDULLA TO SUPPORT CANCER In reliably fabba-tastic fashion, locals and visitors of the country town Mundulla gathered at the Mundulla Oval during April for a fundraising concert in support of St Andrew’s Hospital, Royal Flying Doctors and the Leukaemia Foundation. In what has become an eagerly anticipated tradition, over 400 people took advantage of the many food stalls and bars, and danced for hours to popular ABBA tribute band FABBA. Organiser Geoff Guy and the Mundulla Concert Committee worked tirelessly to arrange the event, reflecting their passion for raising funds for breast care services and the da Vinci Surgical Robot at St Andrew’s. A number of committee members have firsthand experience of cancer treatment, and several have undergone robotic surgery. Mundulla Concert Committee members Greg Ryan, Terri Grosser, Faye Young, Geoffrey Guy (President), Merridy Thorpe (Treasurer), Margaret Clarke, Jan Thorpe and Alan Thorpe, in front of the main stage.
St Andrew’s has one of the most comprehensive breast cancer facilities in South Australia, providing care from initial consultation and diagnosis through to treatment (including chemotherapy) and post-surgical care. Similarly, our robotic surgery program supports an increasing number of specialties, including urology, gynaecology, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and orthopaedic surgery. Ongoing philanthropic support for these services will allow the St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation to continue supporting the hospital and its medical staff in providing this high level of care.
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WE’VE TOPPED OUT: LET THE FINAL STAGE BEGIN! “Topping out” is the term used to represent a building’s crowning glory—quite literally. During the construction phase, when the highest point of the build is reached and the roof is about to go on, the pre-Dark Ages Scandinavian tradition of affixing an evergreen tree to the highest point can be celebrated. We like tradition at St Andrew’s, and so a Christmas tree was recently tied to the top of the Eastern Clinical Development (ECD) to mark the occasion. As for the next stage, St Andrew’s Director of Engineering and Building Services Peter Cooper says it’s about to get “really exciting”. There are several working groups and committees meeting, planning, testing, trialling, scheduling, reviewing and implementing around the clock. Our executive team are consulting closely with clinical and non-clinical staff about the transition to our new development, including the construction of a mock-up patient room which will allow for last-minute fine-tuning and orientation for staff. Interestingly, this process was also undertaken during development of the current hospital’s Theatre 8 and Theatre 9, with a mock-up room set up in the Waverley House boardroom. The provision of services, including catering, stock delivery, patient flow, orientation and training, are all being fine-tuned. The sight of cranes towering over the development has been a constant during the build, but recently a massive 400 tonne crane was used to lift the new 22 tonne tri-generator plant into place. A major acquisition for St Andrew’s, the tri-generator plant is part of a 10-year Engineering Services Masterplan. “This is a major milestone, and something we’ve all been looking forward to,” said Peter. “The crane was one thing, but in order to ensure we didn’t crack the road with the enormity of the downwards weight distribution, we had to carry out a geotechnics survey to locate pipework and other underground services.”
Although most work carried out so far has been on-site, a major component is the bespoke prefabricated work currently being produced by various contractors across Adelaide. A great deal of joinery, glass, partitions and medical-grade electrical panels are being made ready for installation away from the building site. The identification of the location and correct production of the medical-grade electric panels alone is a major project, with medical gases, power points, data and other services tailored to each area and room, based on the specific needs of each specialty. In the surgical areas, our engineers are working to specify two different zones: the BF (body floating), and CF (cardiac floating) zones. BF zones are those areas within the building in which non-invasive surgical procedures will be performed, while CF zones are areas where invasive surgical procedures (involving surgical devices, such as catheters, being inserted into the patient’s body) are undertaken. CF zones include theatres, and recovery and procedure rooms. Both these zones have entirely different electrical requirements. CF zones require testing of all fittings and equipment to an immensely high Australian Standard. Carpet flooring, for example, must not generate static shock, as for a cardiac patient this could have catastrophic effects.
In the surgical zones, anything metal is tested as a conductor and earthed to a compliance standard by our biomedical engineers. This is then tested annually to precise Australian Standards. Medical gasses are also tested to the highest degree, with gas integrity, flow rate and purity of critical importance. Our biomedical engineers are involved in this process, as is an anaesthetist, who will test all the outlets during the final commissioning process. Residual medical gasses are required to be removed from the site, which in itself requires complex engineering. Theatre exhaust gases, for example, must be tested to ensure they are safe to put back into the atmosphere. This is done by pushing them through a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) filter, which purifies the expelled air. In sterile zones (mainly theatres), Laminar airflow technology is employed to ensure a downwards and sideways flow of air over the operating table that’s as pure as possible, and the air in the room is refreshed 13 to 16 times per hour. Equipment to allow for temperature and humidity checks must also be installed. As excitement and anticipation builds around the hospital, our clinical and non-clinical staff are working tirelessly to bring this stateof-the-art facility to completion. We are looking forward to seeing the building reach its final stages of construction, and eagerly await its opening in December.
FAST FACTS - OVERALL SITE – 3,515SQM, BUILDING HEIGHT – 15.8M, CARPARK SPACES – 197.
ECD UPDATE
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THANKS FROM PATIENT WITH SPECIAL COMPANION Making a patient feel as comfortable as possible requires individual and specific nursing care. An important part of this, our nurses recognise, is the role played by family, friends and visitors, particularly in the recovery process; and a recent patient’s experience illustrates this perfectly. My e-mail is to inform you of my experience as a patient at St Andrew’s Hospital. I ask you to please convey my appreciation in particular to the administration staff, nursing staff and medical specialists who provided high level professional care to me. St Andrew’s Hospital acknowledged my needs as a War Veteran to have my “Operation K9 Assistance Dog” Sophie with me in my private room. This was greatly appreciated.
Mr Trevor Shinnick, who underwent an operation at St Andrew’s this winter, was accompanied in hospital by Sophie, his Golden Retriever and Operation K9 assistance dog. Operation K9 is a joint venture between the RSL and the Royal Society for the Blind to provide highly trained assistance dogs for war veterans in specific need. Following his discharge, Mr Shinnick wrote to us to convey the depth of his appreciation…
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On admission early on Monday 26th June 2017 I was welcomed at the admission hospital entrance and then looked after by experienced friendly admission staff. I was then chaperoned to my room 19, Ward 2A, and given a complete explanation of the pre-operation hospital procedure. This put me at ease. The orderly staff who conveyed me to theatre were also courteous and friendly.
The post operation recovery staff likewise were very good and helpful. My time in Ward 2A in Room 19 was complete when all Nursing Staff of Ward 2A, along with kitchen staff and meals delivery staff, and cleaning staff, all demonstrated a high level of care to me. The on duty male nurse who arranged my ward and hospital discharge on Wednesday 28th June; was able to answer most competently the questions I asked about my medication and aspects of things I need to do to at home so as to gain full recovery. As a Vietnam War Veteran being able to have my Assistance Dog “Sophie” with me, enhanced my hospital experience. Thank you St Andrew’s Hospital staff. Trevor Shinnick Vietnam War Veteran
The theatre nursing staff, along with Dr Tony Russell Anaesthetist and Dr John Bolt who performed surgery on me; made me feel at ease as they all carried out there timely tasks.
Reproduced with permission from Mr Shinnick.
WHAT MATTERS TO YOU? DAY
Responses indicated the two areas of greatest importance to St Andrew’s patients were:
St Andrew’s Hospital celebrated “What matters to you?” day on Tuesday 6th June, 2017. Launched in Scotland last year, “What matters to you?” day has grown into an international movement designed to inspire health and social care providers to listen deeply to the needs of those they care for. On the day, we invited patients across the hospital to write on handmade leaves—generously made by children at the Halifax Street Children’s Centre and Preschool—what matters to them about their healthcare. The leaves were then gathered by our staff and volunteers and displayed on a tree in the main reception area for a week.
“What matters to you?” day also provided us with an opportunity to celebrate all that our teams do every day to ensure our patients receive care tailored to their needs.
•s taff (i.e. caring, empathetic, professional, friendly) – 46.4% •c are (i.e. individual, prompt, competent, safe) – 23.2%.
The information we received has been collated and reviewed as part of our commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients, and the leaves provided to our clinical managers for sharing with their teams. We have received valuable feedback and have enjoyed seeing our patients and staff interact in this meaningful way. “What matters to you?” day feedback leaves were distributed to 200 patients in all inpatient areas. Of these, 99 were returned and displayed on the feedback tree.
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FOUNDATION FRIENDS ENJOY WINTER WONDERLAND HIGH TEA Nearly 100 people were transported into a winter wonderland for our Christmas in July High Tea. The Friends of St Andrew’s Hospital enjoyed a delicious high tea, proudly supported by major sponsor Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre. The group has grown in membership over the last year, and we’re delighted to be able to offer exclusive benefits to our members. If you would like to join, please visit: www.stand.org.au/friends-of-standrew-s
VOLUNTEERS HONOURED AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE We were delighted that our volunteers were duly recognised at a Government House reception during May. The Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, and his wife, Mrs Le, were generous and welcoming hosts, and gave high praise to the group, acknowledging their considerable contribution to St Andrew’s Hospital.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS GRADUATE
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WAITINGLOUNGE REFURBISHED
As part of our ongoing commitment to support the professional development of our clinical and non-clinical staff, the St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation awarded four scholarships for the University of South Australia Leadership and Development Program. A morning tea was held at the hospital to celebrate their graduation and acknowledge their hard work and highly commendable grades.
The foundation is delighted to have been able to support the Intensive Care Unit by recently refurbishing its waiting lounge. The stunning photographs that help make the space a restful place to sit have been taken with Director of Emergency Steve Schueler, and feature landscapes around Encounter Bay and Petrel Cove.
Three of our longest serving volunteers also received a Premier’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. They have each volunteered for over 20 years at St Andrew’s. We know you will all agree our volunteers are an important part of the fabric of our hospital and we value their talents immensely!
FRIENDS OF ST ANDREW’S HOSPITAL MEMBERSHIP
To become a Friend of St Andrew’s, please call 8408 2005 or visit the hospital website to complete an online membership form.
Supporting St Andrew’s Hospital Since 2000
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SA HEALTH NURSING AND MIDWIFERY AWARDS FINALISTS
MEDIBANK CEO VISITS ST ANDREW’S
CONGRATULATIONS
Medibank CEO Craig Drummond recently visited St Andrew’s to tour the hospital and hear from our executive team about our operations and Eastern Clinical Development. We were delighted to have the opportunity to share with Craig some of the wonderful work we do here at St Andrew’s.
We would like to offer our congratulations to urologist Dr Peter Sutherland, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his service to medicine. Dr Sutherland operates at St Andrew’s Hospital, and is widely known for his work in robotic surgery utilising the da Vinci Xi surgical robot.
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA In what has become something of a tradition, the St Andrew’s Chemotherapy Suite (SACS) and 4th-floor teams both held delicious morning teas in support of the Cancer Council. Clinpath proudly supported the SACS morning tea, while some of the hospital’s “best bakers” produced a scrumptious spread on the 4th floor! Thank you to everyone who supported the initiatives.
SPECIAL VISITORS FROM CHINA During June, we welcomed a small delegation from China for a tour of the hospital. The group was from Delta Biotechnology in Nanjing, the capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province.
CROWS MEET-AND-GREET
We’re a competitive bunch at St Andrew’s, especially when it comes to AFL. During football season, some of our more dedicated football supporters can be spotted wearing their team’s tie or scarf—but usually only when they’re winning! Earlier in the season, we were fortunate to welcome a few Adelaide Crows players to St Andrew’s for a meet-andgreet with staff. The day is eagerly anticipated each year!
Dr Peter Sutherland OAM
Dr Daniel Cehic and Professor Stephen Worthley Congratulations to Dr Daniel Cehic, who has accepted a new role as Chief Medical Officer for Genesis HeartCare. Dr Cehic consults at St Andrew’s Medical Centre and sits on the St Andrew’s Hospital Board of Governors and the St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation Medical Education and Research Fund Committee. Professor Stephen Worthley has also recently accepted a new role with Genesis HeartCare, taking up the role of Executive Manager. Professor Worthley will be overseeing the entire HeartCare group, and as a result will no longer be working in private practice. We offer Professor Worthley our heartfelt congratulations and wish him the very best in his new role.
The St Andrew’s Breast Care nursing team and stomal therapy nurse Susan Saies were among a small number of 2017 SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Awards finalists recognised for their achievements in producing positive patient health outcomes.
ST A N D REW’S N EWS | SP RI N G 2017
COMMUNITY & EVENTS
The awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday 12th May. Thirty-one St Andrew’s staff attended to cheer on Jill Borthwick, Jodie Bowering (both breast care nurses) and Susan Saies as they were called up on stage by MC Jane Doyle. St Andrew’s CEO Stephen Walker and Director Human Resources Rebecca Wyness joined nursing executives Adrian Saunders, Kay McDonald and Edel Silke at the dinner to congratulate and support the finalists. Certificates of achievement were presented to the finalists by Health Minister Mr Jack Snelling and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation President and Executive Member Ms Marissa Bell. The Breast Care team was nominated in the category “Excellence in Person Centred Care – Team”. The team comprises: clinical nurses Jill Borthwick and Jenny Duurland; registered nurses Jodie Bowering and Lisa Bilsborow; enrolled nurses Lisa Baker and Lindy Irwin; and assistant Lisa Maggs. Susan Saies, a clinical nurse and stomal therapist on the hospital’s 2nd floor, was nominated individually for the category “Excellence in Practice”. There were only three finalists in each category, which demonstrated the significance of the Breast Care team’s and Susan’s achievement in being selected from a pool of candidates from across the state. Other St Andrew’s nurses nominated for individual awards included Fiona Bolton, also a 2nd-floor stomal therapist, and Alison Sarles, an organisational development coordinator. As an organisation, we’re very proud of our nominees and we know all St Andrew’s nurses work very hard to deliver an exceptionally high standard of care to our patients every day, either directly or from a support role.
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‘MY’ ‘OUR’ ST ANDREW’S ‘IT’S JUST PART OF US ALL’
at TAFE. During a course site visit at St Andrew’s, organised for those interested in working in a hospital environment, she was shown around our medical records department. Coincidentally, Penny had already applied for a patient-accounts role at the hospital, and was delighted when, soon after, she was called for an interview! Penny was successful in her application and began work in January 2017. Although the “my” in “My St Andrew’s” appropriately reflects the feelings of belonging, pride and integrity our featured staff feel, “Our St Andrew’s” better mirrors the sense of team so widely experienced. In this edition of the newsletter, we’ve interviewed two members of the St Andrew’s family—one a longstanding financial accountant, and the other a newly-arrived patient accounts officer—both of whom work in our finance department, located at the St Andrew’s Medical Centre. Stuart Campbell joined St Andrew’s in 2005 following employment at Dr Jones and Partners Medical Imaging, then based within a stone’s throw of our hospital at 327 South Terrace. “I haven’t really moved that far, have I!” laughs Stuart. He had been working as a financial accountant in Dr Jones’s finance division, which was about to be centralised interstate. “The timing of my employment at St Andrew’s was perfect. My division’s restructure at Dr Jones would have meant a move to Sydney, which I didn’t want to make. So I jumped at the chance to work at St Andrew’s.” Stuart’s main role is preparing our annual and monthly financial statements and reconciliations,
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which—in an organisation that cares for nearly 30,000 patients a year— is quite a feat. Over the years he’s seen many changes. “Yes, I’ve certainly seen the numbers getting bigger! We have more staff and more patients than when I first started.” Of course, with all change comes a bit of extra work, and Stuart’s always there to lend a hand. Widely regarded as a general “handyman”, Stuart was instrumental, for example, in choosing and purchasing furniture and liaising with the architects when we moved into the St Andrew’s Medical Centre a few years ago. “That was something different,” he reflects, “and I really enjoyed it! But then, I never wake up and think I don’t want to go to work today.” In addition to his day-today role, Stuart also sits on the hospital’s Capital and Development Committee. It was seemingly fate that Penny Luter should end up working at St Andrew’s. In 2016, having had a long career in finance in large corporate organisations, Penny was ready for a change. So, with a desire to work in the medical field sparked by a sister’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in a Certificate 3 in Medical Administration course
But the coincidences didn’t stop there. She was soon surprised to learn a colleague from a previous employer was going to be a coworker, and it wasn’t long before she realised two other people she used to work with were now also working at St Andrew’s! As part of the hospital’s patientaccounts team, Penny helps look after the billing and receipting of patient accounts with the many health funds associated with St Andrew’s. Although new to our family, she has already experienced what so many of our staff call “the St Andrew’s way”. “People are so friendly here, and there’s a real sense of community,” she says. “There are quite a few people who’ve been here for a long time, and everyone seems to know everyone! I still have lots to learn, but people are very supportive. And Stu—he’s very helpful. He’s certainly the go-to person when something breaks. I hear he’s called Mr Fix-it!” Rest assured, all references to Stuart Campbell as “Mr fix-it” in no way detract from the outstanding work he carries out as a senior member of the finance team! Amy Bredon Foundation Manager
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ISS Celebrates Three Years at St Andrew’s! ISS is celebrating our three year contract anniversary at St Andrew’s Hospital! Since joining your team in 2014, we have worked to provide a safe and clean environment, with the best service outcomes for hospital staff and patients. Over our three year tenure, ISS and St Andrew’s have fostered a collaborative partnership and work as ‘one team’ to get the best results. Most recently for example, ISS held microfibre training which we extended to include St Andrew’s staff. We have a key focus on rewarding our staff to create an engaged and motivated team, who work in partnership with hospital stakeholders. Our staff are focused on creating a culture where ‘relationships matter’ are empowered to enhance the patient journey. St Andrew’s is one of ISS’ largest healthcare clients and we are committed to driving innovations and continually improving our service to you. We are proud of our achievements over the past three years and look forward to many more years of cooperation and success. www.au.issworld.com
New role for Dr Daniel Cehic Dr Daniel Cehic has accepted a new role as Chief Medical Officer – GenesisHeartCare. Daniel’s role with GenesisCare (a national cardiology group that Adelaide Cardiology is part of ) will enable him to help shape and direct the delivery of innovative and transformative healthcare across the entire GenesisHeartCare network. Although this will necessitate him reducing his clinical commitments at Adelaide Cardiology, he will continue to consult at the St Andrew’s Medical Centre and our Leabrook, Angaston, Murray Bridge and Wallaroo Clinics. SN GEN4417
Adelaide Cardiology is part of Genesis Care, the largest provider of cardiology, radiation oncology and sleep services in Australia. Phone 08 8202 6600 Fax 08 8202 6698 Email info@adelaidecardiology.com.au Web www.adelaidecardiology.com.au
RETIREMENTS PROFESSOR FRASER AM What makes our hospital a wonderful place to work and attend as a patient is not primarily the bricks and mortar, but the people who work here. Our culture is well known as friendly, supportive, fair and—let’s not forget—fun! Our staff all play an important role in maintaining this enviable reputation, but in the theatre it’s largely our surgeons who set the tone. Professor Rob Fraser has been instrumental over a number of years in providing an exceedingly high standard of patient care and has been a leader in our hospital and mentor to many. Professor Fraser has recently retired from surgery and will be greatly missed at St Andrew’s. At a recent farewell morning tea, Professor Fraser gave a brief address reflecting on his time at the hospital: “My association with St Andrew’s has been wonderful. As an orthopaedic registrar I assisted surgeons in many private hospitals during the 1970s, and I formed the view that St Andrew’s was the peak hospital in Adelaide, with the top specialists in most surgical areas working here. After spending three years as a staff specialist at Flinders, I decided to enter private practice in 1981. I was offered an operating list at
this hospital and, looking back, that was one of the best decisions I made in my professional life. St Andrew’s has been fantastic to me in so many ways. The hospital has evolved and changed a great deal over the many years I have worked here, with improved facilities and greater efficiency; and much of this is a tribute to Stephen Walker and the management team. I have really enjoyed my association with St Andrew’s and I can’t speak too highly of the people I have worked with, across all areas of the hospital. They have all been friendly, helpful and efficient. It’s been marvellous. It’s going to be sad leaving St Andrew’s, but I will probably find a few other things to do!” In reply, CEO Stephen Walker said the following regarding his longstanding association with Professor Fraser: “I have extremely high regard for Rob, and what you have achieved clinically and your recognition all over the world. But what is most important is who you are as a person—a sensational man, very humble and giving, and a great support to me as a board and committee member. You will be sadly missed!”
Professor Fraser’s contribution to St Andrew’s, and indeed medicine more broadly, has been quite remarkable. He has held numerous medical appointments and been awarded prizes and distinctions for scientific merit, research, teaching and clinical contributions in the field of spinal disorders, both nationally and internationally. His generous nature has seen him teach a significant number of surgeons in spinal surgery, and he has worked with pharmaceutical companies to develop new technologies. In 2007, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of service to medicine.
During his time at St Andrew’s he has mentored many surgeons and has contributed as a board member of the St Andrew’s Hospital Board of Governors since 1997— a role we’re delighted to say he will continue into his retirement. We’re also pleased Professor Fraser’s association with St Andrew’s medical team won’t have an abrupt end, as his son, Dr Jonathan Fraser, works in our Intensive Care Unit. In fact, in a nice case of history repeating, Dr Fraser began his time at St Andrew’s working in the kitchen while his dad was working as an orthopaedic surgeon! We wish Professor Fraser all the very best in retirement, and we’re sure that—as he reflected—he’ll find many things to do.
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“This hospital’s commitment to quality, and its fantastic staff, means that it’s held in high esteem by my patients,” he said. “The consistency of nursing staff is also a positive reflection of the hospital. They probably think I’m easier to get along with now than when I was a youngster. I’m more mellow now!”
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Malcom Wicks will retire from surgery at the end of September this year. Dr Wicks has been involved with St Andrew’s Hospital, as an Orthopaedic Surgeon, for many years and his rooms have been just a short walk from St Andrew’s in the magnificent Cranford House on South Terrace. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopaedic Association. Esteemed by his peers and loved by his patients, he will be greatly missed during his retirement. Dr Wicks’ association with St Andrew’s began when he was a surgical assistant for Dr Brian Cornish in the 1970s. Following his time as a registrar, he travelled and studied at universities in various locations around the world, including London, Graz, Boston, Baltimore and Louisville. Upon return from overseas, he began operating at St Andrew’s in 1980, and moved his rooms to be co-located with the hospital in 1981. In the last 10 years, Dr Wicks has been solely operating at St Andrew’s.
In addition to his clinical involvement, Dr Wicks has also contributed to the life of St Andrew’s as a member of the Medical Committee since 2006, and the Mortality and Morbidity Committee since 2004. Involvement in the hospital’s medical committees is voluntary, and we appreciate the dedication Dr Wicks has shown via his participation.
“The quality control at St Andrew’s is marvellous, the reporting thorough, and actions are taken where required,” said Dr Wicks. “Everything is dealt with very professionally. The risk assessment is fantastic and has developed significantly over the last 10 years. Above all, my patients are happy with St Andrew’s, and if they’re happy, I’m happy.”
According to Dr Wicks, approaching retirement has shown him just how much he is going to miss surgery and the people he associates with the most. “I meet such a variety of people from day to day, and that has made my job very interesting. I will miss the patients, my colleagues and the nursing staff at St Andrew’s as well.” However, as for many of our retiring surgeons, retirement will not be uneventful for Dr Wicks. “I’m going to start woodworking, go back to art (painting), take cooking classes, play golf, do some gardening, and all the other things I haven’t had time to do!”
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MALCOLM WICKS
Although Dr Wicks will retire from surgery at the end of September, he will continue to consult until December 2017, after which time his patients will be very well looked after by Dr James McLean, who operates regularly at St Andrew’s and is a partner at Orthopaedics SA. “I’m very confident in referring my patients to James,” said Dr Wicks. “I know they can expect the same attentive and specialised care.” Dr Wicks’ patients will be referred to Dr James McLean from December 2017 and all current patient notes will be available from Dr McLean’s rooms. Dr McLean specialises in shoulder and upper-limb surgery, with a particular interest in joint replacement and minimally invasive arthroscopic (key-hole) surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. He manages patient conditions associated with arthritis, trauma and sports injuries, and has a special interest in shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff disease. Dr McLean is associated with Orthopaedics SA and can be contacted on: Phone 8267 8292 Fax 8351 4501
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
THIS TEXT IS FROM THE ORIGINAL ADVERTISER ARTICLE SHOWN ABOVE - PUBLISHED 15TH DECEMBER 1936 NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL Modern Equipment for Medical Services With the opening on South Terrace of the new St Andrew’s Private Hospital, something entirely new in medical services has been introduced to Adelaide. Sister Hay, to whose instructions St Andrew’s has been built, was determined to provide private hospital facilities second to none in the State, and with that end in view she has combined at St Andrew’s her own ideas, together with plans for equipment modelled in that of famous institutions in other parts of the world. Situated in the quiet and restful surroundings facing the peaceful parklands free from the noise of traffic and yet less than a minute walk from a main city tramway line, the first appeal to the visitor to St Andrew’s is the calm atmosphere.
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Within the buildings soft tonings of blue and grey – colours emphasised by doctors as being restful and soothing – are prominent in the scheme of decoration. Each room in St Andrew’s is large and airy, a feature being the very wide single panel doors which open on to the spacious verandas, this enabling patients to be moved into the open air with perfect convenience. These magnificent verandas encircle the whole building and are edged with beds of flowers, adding to the restful appearance. An astonishing feature of St Andrew’s Hospital is the operating theatre incorporating the most modern equipment possible. Beautiful jade green tiling gives the theatre a character far removed from the general idea of such a room, and the all-electric equipment has been described by a leading Adelaide surgeon as being the most up-todate yet seen in this city. The layout and facilities of the theatre have also been the subject of high praise from distinguished medical men. Interesting and novel features are the huge built-in electric radiators,
by means of which the temperature of the theatre may be set and maintained at any desired figure. There are similar facilities for obtaining supply of water at any required temperature. The private entrance and robing rooms for the doctors are well arranged and are complete with toilet facilities and a private shower bath. In the kitchens the clean and efficient electric ranges provide meals for patients, and from a servery these are transferred to the rooms on delightful trays, with bright and attractive crockery and silver. Above all, St Andrew’s Private Hospital emphasises the personal touch in the thought given by Sister Hay to every little detail. The large and cool passages with their floors padded under heavy carpets for quietness – even the signalling system from patients’ rooms is only audible to the nurses on duty – and their magnificent equipment of the essential services are all evidence of the one aim of the new hospital – the comfort and convenience of patients, doctors, nurses and visitors.
Leading the way in quality pathology Highly experienced accredited collection staff Regular hospital collection services Domiciliary services for post-operative care On-site laboratory services 24 hour operation, 365 days a year A comprehensive menu of routine and emergency pathology testing Specialist Pathologists – available for consultation 24/7 ‘Real-time’ pathology results – anywhere, anytime, including iPhone and iPad applications Publications and on-going education for referring practitioners and their staff
For further information, please phone: Clinpath Laboratories Tel: (08) 8366 2000 | www.clinpath.com.au
ALL PATHOLOGY FORMS ACCEPTED
Leading provider of Radiation Therapy in SA Dedicated service for over 30 years Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre offers affordable, no wait access to radiation treatment for patients and private health insurance is not required. Our experienced team of Radiation Oncologists deliver high quality, personalised care, utilising sophisticated, targeted treatment options. Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre offers patients four convenient metropolitan treatment locations: • Adelaide City – St. Andrew’s Hospital • Bedford Park – Flinders Private Hospital • Kurralta Park – Tennyson Centre • Elizabeth Vale – Calvary Central Districts Hospital.
Consulting in country locations: • Wallaroo
• Whyalla
• Murray Bridge
• Victor Harbor
Our Radiation Oncologists: • A/Prof John Leung • Dr Kevin Palumbo • A/Prof Martin Borg • Dr Marcus Dreosti
• Dr Joshua Sappiatzer • Dr Caroline Connell • Dr Phuong Tran • Dr Andrew Potter
Please call 08 8228 6700 to refer a patient or for more information visit our web site: www.adradcentre.com.au
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If you are interested in submitting an article or have a news story, please contact Karyn Verity via email kverity@stand.org.au Advertising enquires welcome: St Andrew’s Hospital 350 South Terrace Adelaide South Australia 5000 Telephone 08 8408 2111 Facsimile 08 8232 0328
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