Thank you to the clinicians, health managers, consumers and stakeholders who've worked with us throughout 2025 to drive healthcare innovations across NSW.
Clinical network updates
The latest news, moves and events from our clinical networks.
In November, more than 720 Aboriginal healthcare professionals, researchers and workforces came together online and on Cammeraygal land for our 2025 Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Conference.
The 2025 conference, organised in partnership with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, focused on celebrating Aboriginal leadership in health innovation and research. We also reflected on the important role of allyship in to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for mob in NSW.
Everyone who expressed an interest in sharing their work was able to present, adding to the depth and breadth of wisdom being shared, and helps support and build up our emerging leaders. Presentations highlighted the importance of community-driven approaches, cultural knowledge and self-determination.
Thanks to all who shared thought-provoking questions, laughs and allyship throughout the day.
Explore the updated, web based resource on Minimum Standards for Safe Procedural Sedation for adults in NSW public hospitals. It includes the latest clinical evidence and resources, and aligns with the PG09(G) Guideline on procedural sedation 2023 from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Developed with a multidisciplinary working group including medical and nursing experts from local health districts across NSW, the standards support high-quality care for patients across NSW.
New CAR T-cell therapy patient information sheet
A new patient information sheet explains blood cancer treatment CAR T-cell therapy, what is involved, potential side effects and what to expect after treatment. Practical checklists help patients to keep track of appointments and hospital assessments before and after treatment.
Annual symposium explores innovative treatment
In November, the network hosted its annual symposium at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, attended by nurses, scientists and physicians. The event focused on new innovative treatments for autoimmune and malignant diseases, and explored the regulatory challenges related to delivering novel and emerging cell therapies.
More about the Blood and Marrow Transplant + Cellular Therapies Network
A patient information sheet on deactivating implantable cardioverter defibrillators at end of life has been co-designed with consumers. It provides information to patients, their family members and carers, on planning how they want these devices managed during the final weeks of life.
New posters are available to display in emergency departments (EDs), featuring QR code links to frequently used consumer fact sheets. They are based on clinician and consumer insights about making trusted health information easier to access.
Shaping the future of trauma care
In November more than 120 trauma leaders from NSW and Canberra came together for the NSW Trauma Leaders Forum. The event shapes statewide priorities and explores existing trauma model innovations. Highlights from the event included:
- exploring Aboriginal trauma patient care
- panels on e-scooter safety, translational research, regional leadership and best-practice trauma care
- strategic discussions on equity, collaboration and patient-centred care.
Major trauma report supports strategic priorities
The Major Trauma in NSW 2022–23 Report provides a detailed snapshot of trauma care across NSW and will support ITIM's’ strategic priorities around injury prevention, equitable access, optimising acute care and using data to drive change.
The rollout of NSW Health Statewide Menopause Services is now complete, giving the 1 in 4 women who experience severe or complex menopause symptoms access to specialist, multidisciplinary care.
The Menopause Initiative led the establishment of these services, which have provided more than 14,000 consultations and treatments to more than 6,600 women since they began rolling out in July 2023.
The services’ 4 menopause hubs are now live in South Eastern Sydney, Hunter New England, South Western Sydney and Northern Sydney local health districts, and support 12 referral sites across the state.
A new guide for level 4 paediatric medicine outpatient services outlines core business requirements for service delivery to support consistent, high-quality care, and provides:
- minimum service requirements
- triage processes
- waitlist management strategies
- person-centred approaches to care.
Throughout the year, the ACI Rural Innovation Awards celebrated 8 outstanding innovations selected from 36 finalists across 10 local health districts (LHD).
The awards recognise initiatives that improve rural health outcomes, with demonstrated outcomes and that are potentially scalable.
The 2025 winning projects were announced as part of their LHD awards ceremonies:
- Southern NSW LHD: Virtual Antimicrobial Stewardship Rounds
- Northern NSW LHD: AI Rad Auto Contouring
- Mid North Coast LHD: Rapid Recovery Joint Program
- Murrumbidgee LHD: Green Prescriptions: Psychosocial Wellbeing
- Far West LHD: Brighter Beginnings Health and Development Checks
- Western NSW LHD: ADHD and Behaviour Management Service
- Hunter New England LHD: Heart Failure Virtual Care
Follow new guidance on pressure injuries
Updated guidance to prevent and manage skin and pressure injuries in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) provides clinicians in non-spinal units with key principles, risk factors and recommended actions.
By promoting regular skin assessments and preventive strategies, the guide supports consistent, high-quality care across specialist and non-specialist settings.
Implementing the Health Maintenance Tool
In November, the network presented their new codesigned implementation strategy for the Health Maintenance Tool for people with SCI at the Australian and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society conference, ANZSCoS 2025.
The tool is a comprehensive resource which empowers people with SCI to proactively manage their health and wellbeing. Spinal Cord Injury Australia peer support workers collaborated with the network on the implementation strategy, contributing their lived experience and expertise in supporting people with SCI in hospital and the community.
Peer support workers report that the tool provides practical and easy to understand guidance for people with SCI. It also helps people understand their health needs and advocate for the healthcare that is important to them, which helps reduce hospital readmissions and doctor visits.
The Health Maintenance Tool for people with SCI is available in digital and printed formats, and a smart phone app which offers select features.
Statewide program updates
The latest news, moves and events from our statewide programs.
New education module for NSW Health staff
A new education module, Introduction to the Patient Reported Measures (PRMs) Program, has been launched to empower clinicians to confidently use PRMs across inpatient, community and outpatient settings.
Participants will learn about consent, privacy and how PRMs can be used at a patient, clinician and service level.
NSW Health staff can find the module on My Health Learning (the course code is 616213559).
New surveys available
The suite of PRMs available on the HOPE platform has expanded. Newly released surveys are available for pain management, diabetes and respiratory conditions.
Videos showcasing consumer experiences
The ACI has launched new videos that showcase consumer experiences with PRMs and the value of PRMs in person-centered care.
There are videos featuring Aboriginal consumers, who share their experiences with PRMs and how the program helps shape culturally safe, person-centred care.
There are also videos that highlight the stories of patients Barbara and Ray, and how PRMs are being used in menopause models of care.
Clinicians are encouraged to:
- watch and share the videos with colleagues and patients from the ACI website
- use the videos in waiting rooms, training, onboarding, education or local PRMs implementation. To access the format you need, contact the local PRMs Lead or email aci-prms@health.nsw.gov.au
The ACI continues to empower local teams to address complex system challenges by strengthening support for our faculty of experienced redesign, change and improvement practitioners. The faculty in turn supports colleagues undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Redesign.
Faculty members are generally alumni themselves, redesign leaders within the health system, or ACI staff with experience in change management, implementation and consumer engagement.
They play a critical role in every successful redesign project by mentoring project teams, supporting program delivery and providing feedback on project deliverables. Their contributions help shape our future redesign workforce, to deliver sustainable and high-impact solutions.
The ACI has been engaging with redesign leaders, faculty members and key partners to inform a new capability framework, roadmap and other ways to support the faculty’s future.
To contribute to the faculty and these resources, please contact aci-redesignschool@health.nsw.gov.au