Liverpool Hospital has expanded its state-of-the-art Endoscopy Suite with the addition of a third procedure room and new Spy Glass digital technology, making it one of the largest and busiest stand alone endoscopy centres in NSW.Endoscopy Director Dr David Abi-Hanna said Liverpool was one of only three hospitals in the state to perform the Spy Glass procedures which are used in complex cases, with doctors seeing patients not only from across the District, but from across NSW.“Spy glass allows us to view live images inside a patient’s bile duct without surgery to look closer and more accurately,” Dr Abi-Hanna said. “Previously we had to use a dye contrast in the bile duct and take x-ray images to see what was happening inside. With the Spy Glass

system we are able to get a more precise image which is very useful in diagnosing and treating serious and complex conditions,” he said.

Since it opened as a stand alone service in 2013, more than 15,000 patients have been treated in the Endoscopy Suite.

Use time wisely during DonateLife week SWSLHD launched its DonateLife week campaign at Cabramatta Community Centre on 3 August with a community celebration.The launch had a multicultural focus with a speech by Dr Eman Sharobeem, Advisory Board Member of Multicultural NSW, and a performance by the Choir of Love who sung songs in English and Arabic.DonateLife Week (2 - 9 August) also included BBQs at Liverpool, Campbelltown and Bankstown Hospitals, where people got the chance to speak with members of the District’s Organ and Tissue Donation Team.

Spy glass technology at workAugust 2015

SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

To submit a story contact the Media Unit on 9828 6848 or swsmedia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Students from St Johns Park High School gave a presentation at the event.

Gastroenterologist Dr Paul Edwards, Endoscopy Suite NUM Rhonda Schnute and Endoscopy Director Dr David Abi-Hanna in the new room.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the successful applicants for the three inaugural South Western Sydney Academic Units. These Units are being commended as nationally recognised centres of excellence with a track record of quality and innovative research translating to cutting-edge clinical practice.

Congratulations to our Radiation Oncology Department, Mental Health Program and Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, which have all been named South Western Sydney Academic Units.Each Academic Unit provides services to patients that is multi-professional and is based in one or more SWSLHD facilities. I know these Units will provide a benchmark for the high standards of translational research and care we, as a District, are committed to.NSW Minister for Mental Health Pru Goward recently toured Campbelltown Hospital Mental Health Services, where she met with staff and commended them on their efforts during their accreditation. Minister Goward also previewed season two of Changing Minds, which will air on the ABC during Mental Health Month

in October.I was pleased to hear of the success of the District’s DonateLife Week launch at Fairfield. The theme of DonateLife Week this year is reciprocity; asking anyone who is willing to accept organs for themselves or a loved one to consider organ donation. It was wonderful to hear about the work being done by St John’s Park High School around organ and tissue donation.It will take generational change like this to help keep organ and tissue donation in our minds and to progress thinking and opinions on donation. I hope we can all follow the school’s example, and regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, have the conversation with our loved ones and make our wishes known before the need arises.

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Message from Chair

Innovation forum sparks bright ideas

An art exhibition containing works created by the Fairfield Liverpool Aboriginal Elders Group was launched at Liverpool Hospital Library last month.Aunty Sue Reid, a member of the Elders Group said the exhibition took eight weeks to create and all 16 members of the group had a hand in the exhibition.“It’s a great joy to be part of the group. We share a lot of stories and laughs.“It was a wonderful eight weeks that we put into it and a lot of joy,” she said.

Prof. Phil Harris

A number of projects created by staff members have been chosen to receive funding following the District’s first Innovation Forum held last year.More than 60 staff participated in the forum, a space for staff to engage and participate in an open environment, generating innovative ideas for the organisation. The Forum was a great success with a number of participants given the opportunity to develop their innovative idea further. The District allocated

$100,000 to developing these projects:1. A ‘My Pregnancy’ phone application for SWSLHD residents – Tracey Popham2. Developing an environmentally stable workplace – Elizabeth Millen3. A trial of staff mobile access to resourceful technology – Robert Hutchinson4. Improving dental outcomes for people with disabilities and living in residential facilities – Sally Clark5. Liverpool Hospital staff garden and breakout space – Michelle Moors

The Innovation Forum will be held again in November 2015. For more information call 8738 5778.

Auntie Lexie Carroll, Elders group coordinator Fay Daniels and and Aunty Sue Reid.

Exhibiting joy

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August 2015

People living with breast cancer and their families will benefit from a new McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the area, providing support to patients at Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool Hospitals.Newly appointed McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Pharmila Sapkota will provide invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support for patients free of charge and can be accessed through self-referral.Acting Director of Cancer Services Dr Eugene Moylan said the District was pleased to partner with the McGrath Foundation.

New nurse in town

New McGrath Breast Care Nurse Pharmila Spkota has begun work in SWS.

A big thank you to the Campbelltown Linedancers who raised more than $2,000 through a raffle for the Campbelltown Hospital Kids Ward. The money raised was used to purchase four TV screens and two strollers to help transport sick children around the Hospital.

Goodbye Dry July

Staff and the community have generously raised funds for Campbelltown and Liverpool Hospitals Cancer therapy Centres through their Dry July efforts.Activities were held at both centres throughout the month, including BBQs, Devonshire tea, lamington drives, mocktail parties and Christmas in July lunches.Money raised will go towards Cancer Service wellness programs at Macarthur and Liverpool.Thanks to all those who participated or supported the cause. For details visit: www.dryjuly.com.au.

Masters of HealthSWSLHD in conjunction with the University of Tasmania is offering a limited number of places for current staff to undertake a Masters of Health Services Management or a Masters of Health Information Management.Candidates must have an undergraduate degree and at least two years work experience in SWSLHD. Commencing in 2016, students will be required to undertake three subjects per semester, over two years, largely by correspondence. The Local Health District has negotiated a substantial discount with UTAS and will partially reimburse students at the completion of each semester.An information session will be held on Monday 24 August at Liverpool Hospital. For details call Amelia Dunn on 8738 5778 or email amelia.dunn@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.

Local dancers toe the line for kids health

Campbelltown Linedancer Janet Halls, Paediatric NUM Amanda Ramsey, Hospital General Manager Alison Derrett and Pam Bocking with one of the donated TV screens.

GWS Giants players Andrew Phillips and Jack Steele (right) at the Dry July BBQ.

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Teenage boys from a local high school visited Liverpool Hospital to learn about the consequences of drink driving and other risky behaviours, as part of the P.A.R.T.Y Program Launch.The P.A.R.T.Y Program runs once a fortnight, taking students from different local high schools through the ED, Trauma ward, ICU and Brain Injury Rehab Unit in a bid to help them

make better decisions about their health.P.A.R.T.Y stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth.As part of the launch, celebrity chef Anna Polyviou prepared morning tea for the students. She was so impressed with the program and what she saw, she made a donation, along with a business partner, to fund the program for all of 2016.

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Wanna build a snowman?

Printed on 100% recycled paper

During the recent cold snap Bowral Hospital turned into a winter wonderland. Take a look at some of the beautiful images captured by staff.

Sustainability SurveyStaff are invited to take a short survey about environmental sustainability by the new SAGE (Sustainability Action for the Environment) group, comprising staff across SWSLHD who aim to get us all thinking about how to make the District a ‘green and healthy’ workplace.Find the survey at http://bit.ly/1SM7fUH or grab a copy from your General Manager’s unit. For details call 9780 2841 or email Sustainability.Action@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.

Dying to know The District highlighted the importance of advance care planning as part of Dying to Know Day (8 August). Dr Chris Shanley from the Aged Care Research Unit at Liverpool Hospital said the day aimed to make it easier for people to talk about dying.For details visit www.thegroundswellproject.com/dyingtoknowday.

Working on Breastfeeding This World Breastfeeding Week, the focus was on breastfeeding and work.Mandy Williams, Director of Health Promotion, emphasised the need to let women know about support available for those who continue breastfeeding once they return to work. Liverpool Hospital has a Staff Lactation Room (room 5095, level 5) exclusively for staff to breastfeed or express in a safe environment.

Vietnamese forumA special health forum was held at Cabravale Leisure Centre for the Vietnamese Community to learn about the services on offer at Fairfield Hospital. Talks were given on Hepatitis B, drug health, liver cancer, the Emergency Department and falls prevention. The day was well attended and received excellent community feedback.

Make healthy normalIn south western Sydney, 56 per cent of our adult population is considered overweight or obese. Health experts are addressing this by encouraging residents to make simple diet and exercise changes with the launch of the new NSW Health campaign Make Healthy Normal.The campaign includes a website makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au and facebook page www.facebook.com/makehealthynormal.

Bowled overThe NSW Triples Lawn Bowls Tournament for Hospital and Ambulance Service employees and volunteers will be held in September.Teams need to be made up of three people and can be male, female or mixed. The cost is $45 per team with morning tea and lunch included. For more information call 8738 5391 or email Paul.Sillato@swsahs.nsw.gov.au.

PARTY to avoid risks

Students from Liverpool Boys High School were one of the first to undertake the P.A.R.T.Y Program at Liverpool Hospital.

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