Austin Health

Yesterday, Austin Health Nursing Alumni gathered for their first event with special guest speaker Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM. The event was a huge success, drawing alumni from different cohorts and sparked conversations about the future of nursing. Alison McMillan who once worked at Austin Health herself, and now works as Australia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, delivered an insightful presentation and explained certain moments which have stood out in her career. Her connection to Austin Health added a personal touch to the event, as she reminisced about her time working at our organisation and shared how it shaped her career. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with Alison and ask questions, ranging from specific clinical updates to broader issues facing the nursing profession today. Alison's thoughtful and comprehensive responses left a lasting impression on everyone present. The event also provided networking opportunities, allowing alumni to reconnect with former colleagues, share experiences, and build new professional relationships. Looking ahead, the Nursing Alumni Association is already planning future events and is excited to continue providing platforms for professional growth and community building. With the positive feedback and enthusiasm generated by the event with Alison McMillan, there's great anticipation for what lies ahead. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events, as the Austin Health Nursing Alumni remains committed to supporting and uplifting its members through engaging and impactful gatherings. If you wish to join the Austin Health Nursing Alumni, you can find more information here bit.ly/4dfWE4S

Congratulations to our incredible stroke care team, who has been recognised as one of the best in Australia. Austin Health is among only eight Australian hospitals with official stroke unit certification from the Australian Stroke Coalition (ASC), thanks to our high standard of care and innovative practices. Having one dedicated stroke ward was a key factor in attaining certification, as this greatly improves patient outcomes. Our unit brings together medical, nursing, and allied health to provide coordinated care in one place, as well as specialised services including endovascular thrombectomy, thrombolysis and neurosurgery. Well done to our dedicated team, some of whom have worked in the stroke unit for decades.

Receiving a life-threatening cancer diagnosis is frightening and overwhelming. “For most people, meeting us is the worst thing that has ever happened to them,” says the ONJ Centre’s Director of Clinical Haematology Dr Andrew Lim. “We want to go beyond medication, to support this major change in a person’s life, as well as their cancer treatment.” To learn more about the ONJ Centre's unique care model, read the full interview here: bit.ly/4d6bbAi Join us for Olivia's Walk for Wellness on Sunday 6 October to support the ONJ Centre: bit.ly/3Y5PbRP

Did you know that almost 1.9 million Australians have diabetes, with approximately 300 Australians developing diabetes every day? Treating diabetes requires an elevated level of clinical knowledge to understand and help patients with complex health conditions and needs. At Austin Health, we have Diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultants who support and assist people living with diabetes and their families. To mark National Diabetes Week, we asked one of our Diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultants, Lisa Roberts, to answer some frequently asked questions about diabetes. Read them here > bit.ly/4cMLVPN

A remarkable reunion 17 years later ✨ In 2007, Steve's life hung in the balance after a severe strain of meningococcus brought him to Austin Health's Infectious Diseases ward. Dr Patrick Charles, who cared for him then, never expected to see him again. Fast forward to 2024, a chance encounter on the other side of the world at a congress in Barcelona brought them together again! Read their story > bit.ly/4bJAO8M

As NAIDOC Week draws to a close, it's important to remember that our focus on celebrating the culture of our First Nations communities should continue and grow at Austin Health. Our Board Chair, Ross Cooke, shares an important reminder to staff on continuing the conversation. "It is essential that we continue to strive towards creating a health service where First Nations communities and patients feel culturally safe. This is crucial in improving access to healthcare and health outcomes. It was heartening to see so many of you participate in this week’s NAIDOC events such as the Smoking Ceremony, Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards reflections as a survivor of the Stolen Generations and Morning Tea for Culture at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. At the morning tea, Uncle Kutcha Edwards delivered a powerful insight into the history and challenges of our First Nations Peoples, focussing on understanding and opportunity. These events were our biggest yet and demonstrate that working towards reconciliation is a shared responsibility and has the support of our Austin family. I would like to extend my gratitude to our Aboriginal Health Unit, Ngarra Jarra, for their tireless efforts in helping us work towards achieving our vision of reconciliation, where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have access to just, equitable and culturally safe healthcare. Throughout this week I have spent time listening to what we are doing well and learning where improvements can be made. We all need to listen to the experiences of our First Nations community and seek to understand their experiences. One of the Guiding Principles in our Strategic Plan is to provide culturally safe services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples. I am pleased to say that this focus will also be a strategic ‘Spotlight’ priority initiative for this year, ensuring we can take big steps towards achieving reconciliation and becoming a culturally safe health service."

Racism can be hard to watch, but when bystanders don't speak up, it lets racism go unchecked.   Racism is the process by which systems and policies, actions and attitudes create inequitable opportunities and outcomes for people based on race. Racism is more than just prejudice in thought or action. It occurs when this prejudice – whether individual or institutional – is accompanied by the power to discriminate against, oppress or limit the rights of others.    This NAIDOC Week and beyond we are challenging racism and urging you all to join us. Swipe across for prompts on how to call out racism, including some ideas from Weenthunga Health Network.

Today more than 50 people gathered at the Royal Talbot as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations to raise money for the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA) through the annual Morning Tea for Culture.   Joining us was Uncle Kutcha Edwards, one of Australia's most respected and loved singer/songwriters. Uncle Kutcha who is a proud Mutti Muttu, Yorta Yorta and Nari Nari man, took us on a journey through song and stories of his incredible life as a survivor from the Stolen Generations and an activist for his people.   He reminded us that the strength of community is about our connection with each other and listening to the stories we want to tell. Hosted by the Leisure and Creative Therapies team, this is the fourth year Austin Health has been involved in this event and the first time it’s been able to be held in person.   Morning Tea for Culture is an opportunity to host a morning tea with your friends, work colleagues, family or group to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, have a yarn over a cuppa and feel more connected to your local Aboriginal community, all while raising vital funds for Aboriginal children in care.    Contribute today https://bit.ly/45VWahW

Ever wondered what it’s like working in a specialised nursing ward? Hear from our dedicated team who share a little bit about what it’s like working in spinal services. It certainly is a unique experience being able to follow the patient journey. Austin Health is home to the Victorian Spinal Cord Service (VSCS) and provides continuing care from notification of injury, acute care and rehabilitation to community follow up and long-term review. It’s a unique state-wide service and only one of six spinal specialist services in Australia. The VSCS provides acute management for people who sustain traumatic and some non-traumatic spinal cord injuries from Victoria, Tasmania and the Riverina of NSW. The services provides inpatient and outpatient services at Austin Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, in addition to a range of clinic and community-based services. It also works in close partnership with specialist units within Austin Health and with community service providers. Shape your future with Austin Health by joining and leading our team as the Nurse Unit Manager of our acute spinal ward. Are you ready to make the move? https://bit.ly/3VZm2VJ

Welcome to NAIDOC Week 2024, a week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.   To celebrate this year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’, we kicked off the week with a smoking ceremony with proud Wotjobaluk woman, Ceara Larkins.    The theme this year celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites us all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where stories, traditions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are acknowledged, cherished and valued. Together, let’s keep the fire burning 🖤💛❤️