News - Peninsula Health

Helen Bnads is loving her new role as Koolin Balit Co-ordinator.

Forty-three years ago, a young Birri Gubba Woman from the Bindal Group in North Queensland moved to Melbourne with no formal qualifications after finishing school in year 10.

Fast forward to 2017 and Helen Bnads has recently taken on the role of Koolin Balit Co-ordinator at Peninsula Health where she has an important job, improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people on the Mornington Peninsula.

“I’m a journey-walker – I’m here walking alongside indigenous mothers, babies, elders, youth in the justice system and everyone at Peninsula Health,” explained Helen.

“I work across all Peninsula Health sites and out in the community with local organisations and at gathering places to improve Aboriginal health.”

After moving to Melbourne Helen had two daughters. She then completed the required year 12 subjects and went on to do a double degree in Arts, majoring in religion and ethnic relations, and Human Geography at Monash University, a graduate diploma in public policy and a diploma in narrative therapy.

Helen has dedicated her career since to working with Aboriginal people.

“I worked for Link-Up QLD Aboriginal Corporation as the social, emotional and wellbeing counsellor, at the City of Melbourne in public policy, at Monash University in the Aboriginal Research Unit and for the AFL as a mentor,” said Helen.

She is also an educator who has spoken at international conferences about indigenous issues and also on a local level.

“Two doctors from overseas interested in Aboriginal Health approached me to learn more about the Aboriginal community, so next week I’m taking them to a BBQ to meet some local Aboriginal people,” said Helen.

Outside of work, Helen lives on the Mornington Peninsula as do her daughters and six grandchildren.

“I’m an active, hands-on grandmother,” said Helen.

“I’ve had a beautiful life and I’ve been lucky to meet some truly beautiful people along the way.”

On 16 March, National Close the Gap Day, Helen and other Aboriginal staff from Peninsula Health will be holding an interactive presentation in the Main Foyer of Frankston Hospital from 9am to 1pm.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0419868824

The post Helen committed to closing the gap on the Mornington Peninsula appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Meet the women looking after women’s health on the Peninsula

Dr Nicky Martin is urging women to put themselves and their health first.

“Women are the lynchpin of our community and we have to keep them well and functioning,” said Dr Nicky, who is part of the Women’s Health team at Peninsula Health.

“Women don’t put themselves or their health first ever and I’m trying to change that. What happens if you’re too busy to get a pap smear and then five years later you get cervical cancer, who is going to look after your family then?”

The Women’s Health Clinic at Peninsula Health is run from Frankston Hospital, with services also provided at Hastings and Rosebud by specialist women’s health nurses, Cathy Halmarick and Marea Fitzsimons.

“It’s a clinic for women, run by women,” said Dr Nicky.

“We see women of all ages from 13 up to women in their eighties.”

Women can access the free service for help with all women’s health issues, including; menopause, sexual health, contraception, post-natal care, bleeding disorders, continence issues, breast health and pap smears.

Only about sixty per cent of women in Victoria who are eligible for a pap smear have had one, and this number is worse on the Peninsula, something the team are trying to change.

“I had a patient come in who had just had a baby, but had never had a pap smear. She was very anxious about it, but once I explained the procedure and that it won’t be painful if sex isn’t painful she was ok,” said Dr Nicky.

The team encouraged women to make the time to have regular screening tests, such as pap smears, STI tests and breast checks; so that any health issue can be detected and treated early before it develops into something serious.

To make an appointment for the Women’s Health Clinic please call 97842600 (Frankston), 59719100 (Hastings), 59869250 (Rosebud).

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0419868824

The post Women urged to put themselves first appeared first on Peninsula Health.

CDAMS team members Jackie Dahlsen, Sonia Nuget, Jo Crowe and Melinda Munroe.

With the ageing population increasing on the Mornington Peninsula, so is the demand for Peninsula Health’s Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS).

“CDAMS is a diagnostic service for people experiencing memory loss or changes to their thinking (cognition),” explained CDAMS Manager Jo Crowe.

“Some mild slowing in memory and thinking is normal with ageing. However if the changes become progressively more obvious and begin to impact on everyday life, then it would be appropriate for us to do an assessment.”

While issues with memory are a common sign, there are also other symptoms of dementia people may not be aware of.

“Other changes to watch out for include mood and behaviour. People might also experience problems with learning new skills, language, disorientation, confusion, planning, decision making and problem solving,” explained Jo.

“Overall if you’re seeing symptoms of memory loss and other concerning changes in the person and they’re not functioning as well, then that’s when you should discuss a referral to CDAMS with your GP.”

The CDAMS team is made up of specialist doctors, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, neuropsychologists, a speech pathologist and administration staff.

A CDAMS assessment will include medical and allied health consultations and sometimes a home visit before having a clinic consultation and if appropriate a neuropsychology assessment, before a diagnosis is made.

“Being diagnosed can be a relief for some people as they know they’re not imagining things and it can help them and their loved ones to accept what’s happening,” said Jo.

“It also gives them early access to medication, education and support services.”

“We also talk a lot about future planning and appointing an Enduring Power of Attorney so people can make their choices known” explained Jo.

Not everyone assessed by CDAMS is diagnosed with dementia. Jo noted that they always take into account other possible causes of memory loss, such as anxiety, depression, side effects of medications and other medical conditions.

“Most people who are apprehensive about getting assessed feel a lot more at ease by the end of the process,” said Jo.

“We’ve got a great team and we make sure our clients and their carers are given lots of support.”

To make a referral to the service, contact ACCESS on 1300 665 781.

Jessica Mills
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0419868824

The post Diagnosing dementia appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Senior Sleep Scientist Van Le Blanc in the Sleep Lab at Frankston Hospital.

As more people are becoming obese, more people are developing a serious sleep disorder which blocks their airway and stops the air supply to their lungs while they sleep.

“Part of the reason why the demand for the Sleep Lab is so high is due to the obesity epidemic across Australia,” explained Van Le Blanc, Senior Sleep Scientist at Peninsula Health.

“There’s a link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.”

“Obstructive sleep apnea affects both men and women in all age groups, but the frequency increases with age and obesity. The prevalence is higher in men than women,” said Van.

Sleep apnea also affects the quality of your sleep.

“People with sleep apnea often report an unrefreshing sleep and daytime sleepiness, even though they’ve had a full night’s sleep,” said Van.

Querying sleep apnea is the main reason why people come to the Sleep Lab at Frankston Hospital.

“The main focus of the Sleep Lab is obstructive sleep apnoea, but we occasionally see people with parasomnia, such as nightmares or sleep talking, restless legs syndrome and sleep walking,” said Van.

The main treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), where people wear a mask while they sleep which delivers humidified and heated air at a set pressure to keep the airway open. The Sleep Lab runs a CPAP clinic during the day and do sleep studies on three patients every night.

Van, a former respiratory therapist, has worked at the Sleep Lab since it first opened in 1995.

“I’ve worked in the thoracic medicine department at Peninsula Health since I first moved to Australia in 1992,” recalled Van, who moved to Australia from his native Canada after working in a military hospital in Dubai.

“I started working in respiratory in the lung function lab, but my focus has swapped to sleep as the Sleep Lab has grown.”

“I enjoy the variety of people I get to work with and the different tasks and research projects throughout the hospital that I’m involved in – for example I am about to start working on a research project with Dr Ravi Tiruvoipati looking at sleep in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Van.

To access the Sleep Lab you need a referral from your doctor.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0419868824

The post Obesity epidemic affecting sleep appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Dr Eric Glare and Peninsula Health Rainbow Tick Accreditation Project Manager Rebecca Thompson.

Peninsula Health is currently working towards gaining its Rainbow Tick Accreditation. Once achieved Peninsula Health will be the first entire Health service in Australia to achieve the Rainbow Tick.

“Rainbow Tick is really important to people living with HIV,” said Dr Eric Glare, from the Living Positive Victoria Speakers Bureau.

“There should be room for people with HIV to be included in your health service. The Rainbow Tick Accreditation should go beyond sex and sexuality to sexual health so that everyone is included.”

Eric spoke to Peninsula Health staff at the Medicine Grand Round on 1 March about living with HIV and how health professionals should engage with people from the LGBTIQ community and people living with HIV.

Eric was a biomedical scientist who worked on HIV brain research before he found out he was HIV positive in 1997 following a seroconversion event 3 years earlier.

“At that stage, HIV meant death. While the good news of treatment trumps this idea of HIV as a death sentence, the stigma and fear still exists, though it is not as bad as it was 20 years ago. Do not let fears of the past contaminate the present” said Eric.

He said it is important for health professionals to provide support and advice to people who may be at risk of HIV or are living with HIV, and their families.

“Counselling goes beyond the consult. It is always great if you can take home a key message from your health practitioner to your loved ones,” said Eric.

“We didn’t get that kind of advice. We didn’t get encouraged to get tested and I do regret not getting tested earlier. I had to start treatment as soon as I found out because I only had 70 CD4 cells by then.”

Eric also urged health practitioners to remember that LGBTIQ people, straight men who have sex with men and people living with HIV greatly value their privacy – they may not want their family to know about their sexuality or having HIV especially if their coming out as sexually diverse was difficult.

“I’ve had little contact with my family as an adult, they know I have HIV, they just can’t talk about it,” explained Eric.

Eric has had an undetectable viral load and has been non-infectious for more than 19 years now. However it hasn’t been an easy road. Health wise, he has battled viral meningitis, bipolar type II disorder and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).

He is currently the most well he has ever been since having meningitis in 2002. Eric’s final message was for people living with HIV to get enough sleep, find good housing and surround themselves with friends and healthcare workers who are supportive of mental health treatments.

For health professionals – “Don’t let patients wait ten years to get tested, make sure they get tested now and provide them and their partners with the information they need. Women, who make up 10% of people diagnosed with HIV, and straight men who have sex with men should not be neglected.”

The post Living with HIV and why the Rainbow Tick Accreditation is so important appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Peninsula Health staff and volunteers including Chris Kirkpatrick (third from left) and Helen Bnads (third from right) on Close the Gap Day.

Peninsula Health is committed to helping close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes and is working with the local community to promote the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

One example of this is the Koolin Liang Oral Health Project. As part of the project, Peninsula Health conducts outreach dental clinics for Aboriginal people.

“Many Aboriginal people have good dental health, however on average compared to the non-Aboriginal population, Aboriginal children have twice the level of tooth decay, with greater levels of untreated disease,” explained Peninsula Health’s Chris Kirkpatrick who facilitates the project.

“Aboriginal adults have twice the amount of untreated dental tooth decay and higher rates of gum disease.”

Decay is preventable and, in the early stages, reversible explained Chris. Over the past two years the project has successfully promoted oral health and improved access to community dental services in the local Aboriginal community.

“More than 60% of Peninsula Health dental staff have now undergone cultural safety training. It has also been important to develop the relationship between Peninsula Health community dental services and Aboriginal organisations,” said Chris.

There have also been a number of other projects run at Peninsula Health over the past year to help close the gap.

Our achievements in 2015-16 include:

We have developed a Reconciliation Action Plan and over 100 staff have participated in cultural awareness training.
Our Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers connected with 1,306 Aboriginal patients in 2015/16.
In 2015/16, 47 women gave birth to Aboriginal babies at Peninsula Health. Each mother was supported by our trained staff during their pregnancy through programs such as Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies and Healthy Start to Life.
We have developed partnerships with local gathering places, which enabled us to provide health education and screening in key areas such as dental services to Aboriginal people in environments where they feel safe and more comfortable to access services.
We have also developed an Aboriginal Employment Plan. We have provided two Aboriginal traineeships: one has now graduated and is working in our dental program.
Each year, we celebrate key events on the Aboriginal calendar such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. During Reconciliation Week, Koolin Balit Coordinator Helen Bnads will be hosting Reconciliation Tours of Aboriginal organisations around Frankston and Mornington Peninsula and during NAIDOC Week there will be a flag raising.

The post Closing the Gap in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula appeared first on Peninsula Health.

From the moment she did her first rotation in theatre as a graduate, Alison Jenkins was hooked on becoming a perioperative nurse.

“Working in theatre with high acuity patients is exciting and every day is different,” said Alison, an Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurse CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) at Frankston Hospital.

“You never know what you’re going to get until you walk in and see your name on a list. Today I’m on the orthopaedic trauma list, but it could be a caesarean list, a kids list or I’d be in recovery for the day.”

One of Alison’s most memorable moments from her five years at Peninsula Health is from when she was working on the caesarean list.

“My first caesarean is the one I remember the most,” recalled Alison. “Seeing them pull out the baby, I didn’t cry but I was emotional (I might have teared up a little bit). It was the first baby I’d seen born and it was just so overwhelming to watch them pull out a little human – it was special.”

Alison enjoys seeing so many different patients every day – whether it’s for a life-saving surgery, or something more routine like removing tonsils.

“I like that you can see what you’re doing to help the patient as a theatre nurse – for instance they come in with a broken bone and now it’s fixed,” said Alison.

She finds Peninsula Health provides a good balance between a small and large hospital, which is also one of the reasons she has stayed with the health service since completing her graduate year in 2012.

“I like working here because it’s not too quiet but it’s not a major trauma centre. The work is interesting and there are lots of specialities, but you’re not expected to do heaps and heaps of on call work,” said Alison.

The hours of surgical nursing were another attraction.

“We usually work about 7.30am-4.30pm, then about one in five weekends which is pretty good for nursing,” she said.

Alison’s advice for others thinking of specialising in perioperative nursing – “just do it, definitely do it!”

If you’d like to work with Alison and the team at Peninsula Health, positons are currently available for perioperative nurses.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419868824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Perioperative nursing exciting and different every day appeared first on Peninsula Health.

The Community Kitchens cooking group at Langwarrin Men’s Shed. Pictured: Back row Gary, Pat, Graeme, Ian. Front row Dianne, Rod, Maddy.

Six men at the Langwarrin Men’s Shed are sharpening their culinary skills, participating in a weekly cooking group supported by Peninsula Health’s Community Kitchens Program.

“People usually see cooking as a women’s activity,” said Peninsula Health Community Kitchens Project Officer Maddy Tatham.

“However the men are really enjoying it and we are looking at expanding the program into more Men’s Sheds.”

When 74-year-old Graeme Lawson retired three years ago, he spent the first year doing things around the house, before joining the Langwarrin Men’s Shed and then the cooking group.

“The best thing about the cooking group is the camaraderie,” said Graeme.

“We pick a different recipe to cook each week, prepare it and then sit down to enjoy a meal together.”

With the assistance of volunteer Dianne, the men cook a recipe from the Community Kitchens Cookbook or one someone has bought from home.

A lot of the recipes are designed for one or two people, perfect for some of the men who live alone.

“Some of the guys live alone and the cooking group teaches them how to eat healthier as they learn how to cook easy meals themselves,” said Graeme.

“I have been married 52 years and my wife does most of the cooking, but when she’s out now I can cook something at home myself rather than buying a pie!”

This week the men made rice paper rolls, followed by a gluten-free lemon and blueberry cake.

According to Graeme, some of the best recipes from the Community Kitchen’s Cookbook are Garry’s Egg Pie and the Chow Mein.

It has been more than ten years since the first Community Kitchen group started up in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region. There are currently 28 Community Kitchen Groups running in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula area and 55 nationally.

If you’d like to try some of the Community Kitchen recipes yourself, the recipe book is available online.

Graeme chopping vegetables as part of the Community Kitchens cooking group at Langwarrin Men’s Shed.

The post Men cooking up a storm in the shed appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Cathy Halmarick in the Women’s Health Clinic at Frankston Hospital.

Women of all ages are being reminded to practise safe sex and to have regular checks for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s), especially when they have a new partner.

“Women under the age of thirty should have a yearly STI check and additional checks when changing partners,” explained Cathy Halmarick, Sexual Health Nurse at Peninsula Health.

“The current pap smear regime is still two yearly, but this will change in December to five yearly screening for all women with a negative result.”

“Just because women don’t need to have a pap smear for five years, doesn’t mean they don’t need to have a STI check for the same period of time.”

Cathy works in the Women’s Health Clinic at Peninsula Health. Part of her role is to advise women about safe sex practices, STI screening, and contraceptive options.

While using condoms is something regularly drilled into young people, it is slightly older women who are often forgetting to follow the advice they give their kids.

“We’ve had a number of women coming in to have STI checks concerned they may have acquired an infection, due to inadequate protection (condom use). Something we continually advise young people to do,” said Cathy.

“A woman may have separated from her partner and might recently be in a new relationship. She may not have considered the consequences of having unprotected sex, especially if her contraceptive cover is well established.”

“These women may become concerned once they have developed symptoms, but not all STI’s cause obvious symptoms,” explained Cathy.

For example, Chlamydia is a very common STI which does not cause symptoms in the majority of cases, so without screening the infection can continue with undesirable consequences”.

Cathy is an experienced nurse and midwife, who decided to specialise in women’s health after having children.

“I just love working in women’s health. In this clinic, we’re here to talk to you about everything, so please come and see us,” said Cathy.

To access the service at Frankston, call 9784-2600

For an appointment at the Hastings or Rosebud clinic, call Access on: 1300-665-781.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0404 503 418
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Women reminded to have safe sex appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Meet Dr Jonathan Dowling.

The new Deputy Clinical Director of Frankston Emergency Department is a NSW native, father of two, novice guitar player and Victorian Deputy Censor of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

“I’m really enjoying the role so far,” said Jonathan, who splits his time between treating patients in the Emergency Department and management tasks.

“Frankston Hospital is a great place to work as it is on the rise – it’s building, it’s growing, it’s developing.”

“Part of that is the physical infrastructure but the other part of it is developing the team and developing the processes that underlie how that team works,” he explained.

Current building projects underway at Frankston Hospital include the new multi-storey car park, Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit, renovating 2 West and construction will begin later this year on the new Academic Centre.

Jonathan has spent most of his career in emergency medicine, working at Royal North Shore Hospital and Prince Wales Hospital in Sydney before moving to Melbourne almost ten years ago.

From day one Jonathan was drawn to working in acute medicine, where you see some of the sickest patients who need treatment, fast.

“I have always been interested in acute medicine, acute presentations, resuscitation medicine, toxicology and team based care.”

“Working in emergency allowed me to encapsulate all of those things.”

Jonathan’s other main interest is education and training – something he is looking forward to doing more of at Peninsula Health.

“I enjoy working closely with junior medical staff, education and training and building up teams.”

“It’s a really good team here in Frankston Emergency – nursing, medical, allied health – everyone’s really positive and interested.”

“I look forward to supporting and enhancing the knowledge and structure of the team.”

Jonathan comes to Peninsula Health from Monash Health, where he worked for around eight years.

Outside of work you’ll find him cycling, at the gym or looking after his two daughters.

“I like to cycle, I’m not a crazy cyclist like 100km at one time, but I do like to ride,” said Jonathan.

“I’m also learning to play guitar but I’m an absolute novice so don’t ask me to play anything yet!”

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0419868824

The post New Deputy Director of Frankston Emergency appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Julie and her son Maison at home in Rosebud.

12-year-old Maison started the school year with a sore foot, however what was initially suspected to be a simple fracture turned out to be something far more serious.

“For something that seemed so minor in the beginning compared to what it has turned into – in a way I wish it was just a fracture,” said Julie, Maison’s Mum.

The Dromana Primary School year-six-student’s foot had become very red and swollen when his Mum was called to pick him up from school.

Maison, a keen dancer and singer, did not know why his foot had suddenly become so sore – he hadn’t fallen over or twisted it.

“I took Maison to the GP, who diagnosed him with a skin infection called cellulitis,” explained Julie.

“However after four rounds of anti-biotics and resting his foot, it was continuing to get worse.”

“At one stage the pain was so bad Maison couldn’t even stand to have the bed sheet on his foot,” she said.

The GP then ordered nuclear and bone scans.

“He called us back with the results and said it was quite serious,” recalled Julie.

“Maison had suspected osteomyelitis – an infection of the bone. The GP told us to go straight to Frankston Emergency Department where a paediatrician and orthopaedic surgeon were waiting for us.”

An MRI confirmed the diagnosis and Maison was rushed into surgery.

“The infection had spread into his joint and into the bone itself, so the surgeons scraped the bone and drained the joint,” explained Julie.

“The surgeons told us quite a few times how serious the osteomyelitis was and that it could have gone into his brain, which was really quite frightening for us.”

Julie said they will probably never know what caused the osteomyelitis, but she was proud with how well her son had handled everything.

“For someone who hasn’t had a needle since he was a baby he’s been quite strong through it all and coped really well,” said Julie.

Maison spent a week recovering on the Children & Adolescent Ward at Frankston Hospital and has just gone back to school – almost six weeks after his foot started hurting.

“We’re really, really happy with the care Maison received at Frankston Hospital,” said Julie.

“The nurses were fantastic and the orthopaedic surgeons were just amazing – they came and saw us and talked to us constantly.”

While Maison, a member of the Australian Broadway Chorus Group, won’t be back dancing and singing anytime soon he is on the way to recovery and will be checking in with doctors regularly to ensure the infection doesn’t return.

Julie and Maison looking at photos of Maison performing.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0404 503 418

The post Rosebud boy recovering from mysterious infection appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Kym Buettner in the Short Stay Theatre at Frankston Hospital.

A critical patient was rushed to Frankston Hospital after having an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, which needed to be repaired, and into the care of perioperative nurse Kym Buettner and a team of theatre staff.

“The lady was having an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (which can happen when a part of the aorta in the abdomen balloons out) and we suspected it had started to tear or had ruptured,” explained Kym.

“She was in a lot of pain and had a lot of bleeding and had to be rushed straight from the Emergency Department to Theatre.”

Kym and her colleagues pulled together to save the lady’s life.

“I was there with her before she went into surgery – she was really scared and in a lot of pain, but I did my best to comfort her during a stressful and frightening time,” recalled Kym.

“The whole team, including the NUM and floor manager pulled together that day to help each other out and achieve a good outcome for the patient.”

A ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a serious condition which has a 50% survival rate – but the patient lived thanks to the work of Kym and the team.

The team culture at Peninsula Health is one of the reasons why Kym enjoys her job.

“I grew up on the Peninsula so the location is why I initially started working here, but I really love the environment and the team here – everyone works together and helps each other out,” said Kym.

She also loves the variety of her job.

“It’s a great area of nursing – you never know what you’re going to get in theatre, it’s always different and it can change as well if something comes through the door which is really urgent,” said Kym.

Kym encouraged others to try perioperative nursing – as long as they’re not squeamish at the sight of blood.

“We have had university students come in who faint when they see blood – if you can’t stand the sight of blood then maybe it’s not for you – but you have to give theatre nursing a try and then if you love it you get to come and work with us!”

If you’d like to work with Kym and the team at Peninsula Health, positions are currently available for perioperative nurses.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419868824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Perioperative nurse plays important role in life-saving surgery appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Residents and staff dance to the music.

Peninsula Health’s residential aged care service Carinya has celebrated 25 years since it was first opened with a Rock N Roll party complete with a live singer.

“All the residents loved the event – they were dancing and singing and the chair bound participants all had the biggest smiles on their faces,” said Marion Sparrow, a diversional therapist at Peninsula Health who organised the event.

“The live singer, Chris Ball, was fantastic and played a variety of classic Rock N Roll songs all the residents knew – they are still talking about it and telling people how much they enjoyed it.”

Carinya is a 30-bed high care mental health facility for aged residents, caring for people with complex mental illness who are unable to be cared for in a general nursing home.

It is situated on the Golf Links Road site in Frankston and has undergone many changes in 25 years according to Marion, who has worked at Carinya since it first opened.

“When I first came to Carinya 25 years ago, it was the only residential care facility on this site plus the day centre. The area was surrounded by bush land and we used to enjoy picnic lunches on the grounds,” recalled Marion.

The Golf Links Road site now provides a range of services in including rehabilitation, prosthetics, social work, hydrotherapy and gym access, palliative care and psychogeriatric aged care.

Marion’s passion for her job and the residents she works with has kept her working at Carinya for a quarter of a century.

“I love working at Carinya and I love working in mental health – I can assure you it’s never boring,” said Marion.

“The residents at Carinya are very special people and deserve to have as normal life as possible. In my small way I hope I can give them joy and happiness and to offer them participation in activities which maintain or improves their current/ previous lifestyles.”

Some of the other special activities she has organised for residents include taking a resident to their daughter’s wedding, helping a resident locate her mother’s grave and taking her for a visit and taking a resident to gold class for the first time.

Marion dancing with a patient

The post Carinya celebrates 25 years since opening appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Speech pathologist Eloise Wright is Peninsula Health’s inaugural Harmony Day Ambassador.

“Eloise was nominated by her peers for consistently modelling a respectful and inclusive approach, which is particularly evident in her advocacy for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with acquired language and speech difficulties,” said Alison Watts, convenor of Peninsula Health’s Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Group.

“Congratulations Eloise!”

Eloise said she was extremely honoured to be named Harmony Day Ambassador.

“I’m very humbled, it’s a fantastic award to be nominated for,” said Eloise.

“It’s lovely people have noticed I work in an inclusive way. I think it’s really important to be respectful and inclusive of everyone – at a patient and team level – as we’re ultimately all working together to achieve the same outcome, which is to help patients achieve their personalised goals.”

Taking the time to understand a patient’s background and distinctive needs has helped Eloise to always provide the best possible care to her patients.

“We work with patients from various cultural backgrounds who uphold many different values and traditions, all of which need to be respected and considered when providing care,” said Eloise.

“Being aware of this helps us provide holistic, patient-centred care, whilst also fostering a sense of belonging and inclusiveness for all patients.”

Eloise also acknowledged the importance of staff using Peninsula Health’s Interpreter Service.

“We also promote use of an interpreter when a patient’s first language isn’t English – this is something speech pathologists are very quick to advocate for.”

Eloise currently works at the Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre and previously worked at The Mornington Centre.

As a speech pathologist, the two main parts of her role are helping patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.

“For example, after having a stroke a patient may develop swallowing problems where food, drinks and saliva might get into their lungs, which can cause lung infections. This difficulty can be short term or long term, and can have a huge impact on a patient’s everyday life,” explained Eloise.

“Speech pathologists can provide rehabilitation techniques and exercises to help people swallow safely, and may recommend changes to the textures of foods or drinks, such as pureed/minced/soft food or thickened drinks.”

Eloise thoroughly enjoys her role at Peninsula Health.

“I love being able to help patients achieve their goals – assisting them to feel a sense of success, be it small or large, is very rewarding,” said Eloise.

“It’s also a nice feeling to be able to give back to our wonderful community and make a difference in someone’s life.”

Peninsula Health is committed to meeting the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Read what we’re doing in our CALD Action Plan.

Jessica Mills

JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

0404 503 418

The post Speech Pathologist named Harmony Day Ambassador appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Meet midwife Sharelle from the Young Women’s Clinic.

Being young and being a parent is not easy, which is why women aged under 21 and having their first baby are offered specialised care and extra support through the Young Women’s Clinic.

“The biggest issue these women face is that they’re young and they’re parenting,” explained Sharelle Goodwin, one of three midwives who work in the clinic.

“At the Young Women’s Clinic we have a small group of experienced midwives who are able to provide individualised care.”

“We also offer young women appointments with a dietitian and social worker early on in their pregnancy so they get support from a multidisciplinary team,” said Sharelle.

There are also free specialised childbirth classes specifically for young Mums and their support people.

The clinic was first set up almost 20 years ago in 1998, to meet the need for extra support for young Mums. The service is now available at both Frankston and Rosebud Hospitals.

Young women with a range of circumstances use the service but it is predominately for women having their first baby.

“We provide the support to prepare them for their new role as a parent,” said Sharelle.

The variety is what Sharelle enjoys the most about her role.

“I enjoy the diversity of my work because young women have such individualised needs,” said Sharelle, who went into midwifery after originally working as a paediatric nurse.

“I never planned to work as a midwife. I just wanted to learn more about pregnancy and young babies, but I really liked it and now I have been a midwife for most of my working life.”

Sharelle encouraged young women to come and see them nice and early in their pregnancy.

To access the service call 9784 2600.

The post Supporting young Mums appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Fifteen years ago Michelle Rolleston made a life-changing decision – to move to Australia from Cape Town in South Africa with her family.

“I was offered a job at Frankston Hospital as part of a nursing recruitment drive Peninsula Health were doing in South Africa,” explained Michelle.

“All these years later I am still working on the same ward – 5GS – and still enjoying it.”

Michelle is delighted her daughter Toni decided to follow in her footsteps and is completing her graduate year of nursing at Peninsula Health this year.

“I am so proud of her that she has become part of the sisterhood of nurses,” said Michelle.

Nursing is well and truly in Toni’s blood – her grandmother was a midwife for 35 years in South Africa.

“Mum, and grandma too, have always been my inspiration and I’ve always been driven to help people,” said Toni, who is doing her first rotation on ward 5FS at Frankston Hospital.

Toni is starting her nursing career in a very different time and place to her mother and grandmother.

“My mother was a nurse of colour and even though she was just as well trained and experienced as her white colleagues because of her colour she was paid less – isn’t that terrible,” said Michelle, who also faced segregation when working as a student nurse in South Africa.

Michelle and Toni love living in the Frankston region and the opportunities moving to Australia has bought.

“This is a very blessed country, it is a very big plus living in Australia and my children love Frankston,” said Michelle.

Nursing has been a career of many opportunities for Michelle, who is now as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager on 5GS, an acute stroke unit and general medicine ward.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au
0404503418

The post From Cape Town to Frankston: three generations of nurses appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Professor John Botha, Director of Intensive Care and Research at Peninsula Health is urging clinicians and other health professionals to become involved in research.

“Most of us do research because we want to help our patients,” said Professor Botha, when speaking to Peninsula Health staff at the second research forum of the year on 27 March.

“Carrying out your own research allows you to address issues specific to your own patients.”

Research is also important for staying up to date with developments in your area.

“There is no use saying back when I was a registrar this was the best way to treat asthma,” said Professor Botha.

“You need to stay abreast of new therapies and be able to determine whether the therapy is truly cost effective.”

A department that is involved in research is also more likely to be able to attract and retain staff, according to Professor Botha.

“Literature shows research gives staff a sense of purpose, improving culture and attitudes and impacting positively on staff retention and morale.”

“Another motive for doing research is career advancement – by offering staff opportunities to participate in research you retain staff and update their knowledge.”

Professor Botha acknowledged clinicians are busy and it may seem difficult to find time to fit in research.

“We all have lots of responsibilities – admin, patients, we all feel pulled in different directions,” he said.

However there is support available and research is very much encouraged at Peninsula Health.

“Whenever someone comes to work with us in research I ask what can I do to help you make it happen?” Professor Botha said.

His advice to other leaders – empower your staff.

“Be the right facilitator of your team and always be prepared to give it a go. If you follow those rules it’s likely you will make some progress,” said Professor Botha.

Professor Botha’s favourite quote perfectly sums up why clinicians and health professionals should be involved in research.

“There’s nothing more certain than the certainty of change.”

There will always be new ideas, new therapies and new trials. By being involved in research, clinicians are able to provide the best care to their patients as well as educate their peers.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419868824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Why practising clinicians should do research appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Students at Elizabeth Murdoch College (EMC) in Langwarrin are enjoying fruit salad and rice paper rolls for lunch, after the school canteen implemented a new, healthier menu.

“Since implementing the changes recommended by the Healthy Eating Advisory Service, teachers have really noticed a positive difference in the behaviour of students,” said Julie Wrighton, Vice President of EMC’s school council.

“We think this has a lot to do with phasing out high sugar drinks and promoting water. With a school population of approximately 1600 students, this is significant.”

Last year Julie, who is also a parent at the school, encouraged EMC to work with their canteen contractor H&H Canteens to provide more healthy food options to students.

With support from Peninsula Health and the Healthy Together Victoria Healthy Eating Advisory Service, the canteen implemented the changes at the beginning of the 2017 school year.

EMC is one of the first secondary schools in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula area to meet the School Canteens and Other School Food Services Policy developed by the Victorian Department of Education and Training, according to Kristen Young, Health Promotion Practitioner at Peninsula Health.

“EMC couldn’t be more proud of this achievement,” said Kristen.

“Offering healthy choices within school canteens and phasing out sugary drinks is one of the best ways schools can support the health and learning potential of their students.”

The healthier menu has been given the thumbs up by students and the wider school community.

“Our school canteen is awesome. I love eating the fruit cups,” said Year 8 student Jasmine.

The approval was seconded by Year 7 student Ethan.

“I really like all of the choices at our canteen, the food is really good,” he said.

The most popular item on the new menu is salad packed rice paper rolls according to canteen contractor from H&H Canteens, Di Perry.

“Teachers and students really like these,” said Di.

“The positive changes we have made to the menu will really support the health of these students and have been really supported by the school community.”

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419 868 824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Healthy foods served up to Elizabeth Murdoch College students appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Photo: Lavanya Sundararajan from Peninsula Health’s Falls Prevention Service and Professor Velandai Srikanth during Falls Week at Peninsula Health.

The ageing brain, gait and a person’s risk of falls are all connected according to Peninsula Health’s Professor of Medicine Velandai Srikanth.

“Falls occur in 30-60% of people as they get older,” explained Professor Srikanth when he presented to a multi-disciplinary audience at the Medicine Grand Round during Falls Week on 5 April.

“There are several risk factors for falls – gait and cognitive difficulties are particularly important.”

Professor Srikanth explained some of the findings from a research project he was involved in – The Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait.

More than 400 older people who lived in the community and didn’t require any gait aids (such as walking stick or walking frame) participated in the study.

“Gait speed declines with age – people walk with shorter steps and wider base of gait,” explained Professor Srikanth.

“Time spent on both feet during walking increases. For example, if you walk quickly, both feet are on the ground for lesser time.”

Walking at a speed of less than one metre per second is considered slow and it occurs in women more than men aged over 70.

“For example, a pedestrian crossing is geared for people walking faster than one metre per second,” said Professor Srikanth.

“If you have a gait speed slower than one metre per second then that increases your risk of falling.”

Ageing effects on the brain are insidious and from the age of 30-40 we start losing neurons. By the age of 70 this speeds up.

“The more you have happening in your brain, the more likely your walking is going to get worse,” said Professor Srikanth.

He is referring to the cumulative changes in the brain of atrophy (shrinkage) and cerebrovascular lesions (occurring as a result of altered blood vessel health with ageing).

For example, the study found that people with large amounts of vascular lesions tended to walk with smaller steps, wider stance and slower speed.

Brain atrophy also contributes to gait slowing. Control of gait isn’t simple – it is dependent on multiple networks in the brain.

“We found a strong relationship between age, cognitive function and gait decline,” he said.

“People with slower mental speed and slow gait had a higher risk of having a fall than those with normal mental speed and slow gait. The slower a person walks and the lower the level of cognitive function, the higher risk of falls.”

While there is no pharmacological way to stop lesions developing in the brain, there might be things researchers and health professionals can do to prevent a decline in gait and cognitive function, according to Professor Srikanth.

“One thing that addresses most of those pathways and can affect the brain as well is exercise – this may be a combination of individualised balance training, aerobic activity, and importantly leg muscle strengthening,” said Professor Srikanth.

“This may also need to happen way back in mid-life or even earlier to have a cumulative intervention over time – so we offset the effects of brain ageing.”

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419868824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post The Ageing Brain, Gait and Risk of Falls appeared first on Peninsula Health.

Frankston South local Noel Austin never suspected the breathing difficulties he was experiencing were due to problems with his heart.

“I couldn’t breathe properly so I had to sleep sitting up in a chair,” explained the 75-year-old.

“So that’s when I came into the hospital and they said there is a problem with my heart and that its rhythm is all out of whack.”

Cardiologists at Frankston Hospital discovered Noel has an abnormal heart rhythm called an arrhythmia.

“I’ve had strokes and I’ve had other things go wrong before but I’ve never had any issues with my heart,” said Noel.

“Medically they’ve given me pills to slow my heart beat down and I’m feeling fine.”

Noel spent one week on Westernport Ward and has now been sent home. He will have regular follow ups with the cardiology team to ensure his heart is working properly.

“I was in hospital for one week and it was like a holiday – the meals all came on time and were as good as the meals I cook myself at home,” laughed Noel.

He was very impressed by the care he received at Frankston Hospital – praising everything from the facilities to the staff.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way I’ve been treated the staff are great,” said Noel.

“It’s obviously a new building and the technology – I’m just amazed by all of the latest equipment, like the nurse on the stick button you can press”

Noel is now feeling much better and no longer has to sleep sitting up.

Jessica Mills
Peninsula Health Media
0419868824
JMills@phcn.vic.gov.au

The post Noel upbeat about hospital stay appeared first on Peninsula Health.