Thank you to the clinicians, health managers, consumers and stakeholders who work with us to drive healthcare innovations across NSW.
Clinical network updates
New SharePoint site now live
The network has launched its SharePoint site, bringing together resources, training links and upcoming events. Request access to view the site.
Executive Committee updates
- The network farewell two of its co-chairs this month. Thank you to Professor Apo Demirkol, Addiction Medical Specialist, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, for many years of dedicated medical leadership for the network. Thank you to Suzie Hudson, Clinical Advisor, Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health, for your years of support and ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people with substance use across NSW.
- We welcome the appointment of new co-chairs, Dr Stanley Theodorou, Clinical Director Drug and Alcohol Services, Western NSW Local Health District and Associate Professor, School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University.
- Farewell also to Executive Committee member Nicole Wade – thank you for sharing your expertise on women and homelessness.
The network has published a series of case studies from palliative and end of life care services across NSW. These local initiatives share some of the ways services have implemented the Clinical Principles for End of Life and Palliative Care Guideline in different care settings and services.
Shared decision-making resources for older people considering surgery
The taskforce has released Shared decision-making resources for older people living with frailty considering surgery. These resources aim to help older people living with frailty, their families and healthcare professionals make informed decisions about surgery.
Older people and their families may use the resources to help them consider what is important to them.
Healthcare professionals can also use the resources in a range of clinical settings where older people living with frailty may present for decisions about surgery. For example, the conversations may occur in general practice, aged care facilities, emergency departments, peri-operative clinics, hospital wards, geriatricians’ or surgeons’ consulting rooms and more.
The network held its 16th annual Gynaecological Oncology Nurses and Allied Health Group (GONG) seminar on 19 May, at the Kerry Packer Education Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. More than 85 clinicians attended the face-to-face seminar, which focused on the care of women with gynaecological cancers, including:
- gynaecological cancers and immunotherapy
- patient support needs in advanced endometrial cancer
- gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)
- survivors teaching students, an Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group program
- radiation: addressing the issue of toxicity and side effects of pelvic radiotherapy
- multidisciplinary panel discussion with eight clinicians, over three complex case studies
- eliminating cervical cancer: where are we now?
Thanks to the GONG committee for curating another excellent program, and cultivating a robust community of practice for nurses and allied health staff in gynaecological oncology.
ITIM has published the following new resources:
- Freeze-dried plasma administration in trauma: an evidence report, which considers if freeze-dried plasma is a reasonable alternative to fresh-frozen plasma in traumatic critical bleeding.
- Major trauma in NSW: 2020-21: the latest data from the NSW Trauma Registry; for example, in 2020-21, there were more than 30,050 admissions for traumatic injuries in NSW, of which more than 3,900 were considered major trauma and admitted to a trauma service.
- Evaluation of road ambulance transports for trauma in NSW: road ambulance transport of severely injured patients is a critical component of the NSW trauma system. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate transport patterns and clinical outcomes associated with the NSW Ambulance Major Trauma (T1) Protocol and describe epidemiology and geospatial distribution of patients with a severe injury transported by road ambulance across NSW.
New online resource: Effective communication in neonatal services
Effective communication in neonatal services is a new online resource from the network and ACI’s Integrated Digital Enablement Accelerator (IDEA) team. The resource aims to improve experiences and outcomes for patients, families and healthcare workers in neonatal services by supporting staff to enhance communication. Created in consultation with consumers and staff, the guide includes advice, tools and resources that staff can use to help them communicate effectively with families and carers – both in person and using virtual care – at every stage of the neonatal care journey, from admission to transfer of services.
New clinical practice guide: Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in newborns
This new guide provides guidance on recognition, monitoring and early management of newborns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), who may benefit from therapeutic hypothermia (cooling). It replaces the NSW Health Policy Directive PD2010 006: Whole Body Cooling – Neonates Suspected Moderate or Severe Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE). The guide contains:
- general principles of management of newborns at risk of HIE
- clinical management of newborns with HIE
- care of the family
- reporting processes.
Tools for clinicians included in the guide include:
- Newborn Encephalopathy Pathway
- Assessment of Encephalopathy Severity Tool
- Therapeutic Hypothermia (‘Cooling’) Pathway
- Reporting process for newborns with moderate or severe encephalopathy
A Parent Information Sheet and Evidence Check have also been published in conjunction with the guide.
The network was pleased to welcome more than 90 participants to its virtual workshop on 12 May. Facilitated by ACI Priority Projects Manager Rob Wilkins, the workshop included presentations from Richard Cheney, ACI’s Executive Director, CATALYST, on the ACI Strategy, and a summary from the Transition Care Network’s co-chairs and manager on the network’s recent work. Participants joined breakout rooms to provide their thoughts on the network’s key learnings and ideas, and actions required to transform transition care in NSW. The workshop report is available to members on the network’s SharePoint site.
If you wish to gain access or learn more about next steps, please contact Network Manager Rachael Havrlant.
As part of the Respiratory Community of Practice, the network has published updated guidance for the Management of stable acute respiratory infections during increased peak activity periods in NSW. This document supports the management of people with stable acute respiratory infections during periods of peak activity. It can assist health services to advise patients; to assess the risk of serious complications; and to provide clinical guidance on the early acute management of these conditions.
Statewide program updates
Key principles of virtual care
In partnership with representatives from local health districts and specialty health networks, including clinicians and virtual care managers, the ACI has developed 8 key principles of virtual care. The principles have been designed to complement existing clinical principles, while highlighting the critical factors for success where virtual care enhances the provision of healthcare.
They will be widely promoted across the health system and are available on the ACI website. The ACI encourages the inclusion of these principles in existing models of care as well as the development of new models.
Virtual Care Exchange Forum
The most recent Virtual Care Exchange Forum hosted an insightful and informative panel discussion featuring NSW Health executives representing the ACI, eHealth NSW, Ministry of Health, local health districts and clinicians.
In 2023, the Forum is held on the third Thursday of each month until November and features a range of service and subject matter experts discussing the integration of virtual care into clinical practice. Join the Virtual Care Network to receive invitations and updates on the 2023 schedule.
Having difficult conversations using virtual care
In May and June, the ACI facilitated an opportunity for 150 clinicians to attend the highly sought-after workshop, Having Difficult Conversations Using Virtual Care, delivered by the Pam McLean Centre. Attendees were empowered with the skills and confidence to navigate these challenging discussions in a virtual environment using roleplay-based learning. With the increasing shift to virtual communication, we look forward to clinicians in NSW enhancing virtual communication skills to improve patient experience.