Thank you to the clinicians, health managers, consumers and stakeholders who work with us to drive healthcare innovations across NSW.
We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
Clinical network updates
- The Emergency Care Institute (ECI) has updated a number of its fact sheets for patients presenting to the emergency department with a range of conditions. These are now available in a digital format.
- We have produced a clinical practice guide to support clinicians managing adult and paediatric patients who present it the emergency department with non-fatal strangulation.
We have recently published two new resources for clinicians working in the intensive care unit (ICU):
- Early mobilisation and rehabilitation of paediatric intensive care patients: Clinical practice guide provides a framework to support clinicians in the safe use of early mobilisation activities for paediatric ICU patients.
- The Admission, discharge and return transfer process for paediatric intensive care units describes the role of the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in supporting the principle that children receive the right care at the right place and time.
- The Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) collaborated with NSW Ambulance to host a hybrid trauma education evening with more than 390 critical care clinicians at the Bankstown Aerodrome.
- ITIM funded the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) to purchase a pop-up simulation tent (pictured) for the Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program. The first face-to-face event was held at Heathcote High School, and received widespread coverage from media, including 9 News and The Sydney Morning Herald. The program has a waitlist of 16 high schools requesting education.
The pop-up simulation tent used to deliver the Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program.
Heathcote High School students attend the first face-to-face Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program held at the school.
Our Ophthalmology Network has co-designed resources with clinicians and consumers that support people in hospital who are blind or have low vision.
An Implementation toolkit has been developed to support health services use the resources in routine care. It includes a guide to implementation onsite, staff training materials, evaluation measures and an experience map available in both text and audio formats.
Rehabilitation education webinars
In November 2022, the Rehabilitation Network relaunched its education webinar series which has been on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Webinars are now scheduled every 3-6 weeks, with three webinars held so far, covering:
- Occupational therapy for long COVID-19: virtual support to return to usual activities via adoption of pacing strategies
- The role of the carer in rehabilitation: highlighting the importance of family and the local context in achieving rehabilitation goals
- The importance of cognitive screening: tools available for rehabilitation staff.
Webinar recordings and slides are available to network members after each event, via our new SharePoint site. Webinar topics for 2023 include fatigue after stroke and functional neurological disorder.
New faces, farewells and available positions
The Rehabilitation Network Executive Committee has recently welcomed new members:
- Simon Dwyer, Physiotherapist, Central Coast Local Health District
- Peter Hogg, Social Worker, Western Sydney Local Health District
- Dr Stephanie Lam, Rehabilitation and Intellectual Disability Physician, Western NSW Local Health District and St Vincent’s Hospital Network
- Olivia Martin, Speech Pathologist and Virtual Care Program Manager, Sydney Local Health District
The Executive Committee farewells Rachael Morris and Bronwyn Nola, who served on the committee for four and six years, respectively. We would like to thank Rachel and Bronwyn for your valuable input and expertise.
The Executive Committee is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Medical Co-Chair
- Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Nurse
Contact ACI-Rehab@health.nsw.gov.au for more information.
Statewide program updates
Spotlight on: Western Sydney Diabetes Service
A new report in our ‘Spotlight on virtual care’ series highlights how the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Diabetes Service uses virtual care to care for people with diabetes living in western Sydney.
In late 2019, as an early adopter of myVirtualCare, Western Sydney Diabetes used the platform to establish video case conferencing with general practitioners. In 2020, in response to COVID-19, they switched all services to virtual care. The service was able to resume in-person clinics in 2022, and a blended model is now offered to provide increased flexibility and choice for consumers across the district.
Access this virtual care initiative, and many others in the Spotlight on virtual care series.
Virtual Care Exchange Forum connects frontline clinical and support staff
The Virtual Care Exchange Forum featured its first ever panel with frontline clinicians and support staff in November 2022. Attendees discussed their experience with implementing virtual care, including the personal, professional and patient benefits they have observed.
Future forums will be held on the third Thursday of each month from February to November 2023. They will feature services and panels discussing integration of virtual care into clinical practice.
Join the Virtual Care Network to receive updates on the 2023 schedule and invitations to the forum.
Virtual Care Central (VCC)
Virtual Care Central is the central hub for NSW Health staff to access information, resources and news on virtual care. It helps identify and connect you with others to assist and support the integration of virtual care into your clinical practice.
If you or your network want to showcase services that use virtual care, we encourage you to add your service to the Virtual Care Exchange Register.