South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

19/03/2026

LET’S CLOSE THE GAP | As a District, we are working every day to close the gap and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Today is National Close the Gap Day. This year’s theme is ‘Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing’. Community voices are central to what we do. It’s crucial for us to partner with Mob and listen to their voices, their experiences and their needs to improve outcomes.

Staff gathered today on Dharawal Country at The Sutherland Hospital for the launch of the latest Aboriginal artwork at the hospital, ‘Dharawal Dreaming’ by artist Wayne Visser from Red Dust Original. Together, staff pledged how they are planning to close the gap and enjoyed a cuppa and yarn to reflect on how we can work together to close the gap.

17/03/2026

People planning to travel to the high-risk regions in the school holidays should have a discussion with their vaccination provider as soon as possible, as protection from the vaccine can take up to two weeks to develop

JE is a rare but serious illness spread by infected mosquitoes. While many people experience mild illness, it can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness and in rare cases can be fatal.

The virus was most recently detected by NSW Health in sentinel chicken surveillance testing at Hay on 25 February 2026.

“There is no specific treatment for JE virus so prevention through vaccination is essential," Ms Glasgow said.

“People planning to travel to the high-risk regions in the school holidays should have a discussion with their vaccination provider as soon as possible, as protection from the vaccine can take up to two weeks to develop."

JE vaccine is available through local general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal health services and pharmacists.

People living, working or planning an outdoor trip to high-risk LGAs should make an appointment and let healthcare provider know it is for the JE vaccine ahead of time, as the vaccine may need to be ordered.

A booster dose may be recommended for some people with ongoing risk of exposure one to two years after completing their primary course.

Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

For more information on protecting yourself from mosquito bites visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes

17/03/2026

CO-BUILDING HOPE AND HARMONY | Today we celebrate World Social Work Day and the incredible contribution of social workers across our District.

Social workers are dedicated to helping people improve their lives – offering support and solutions that are grounded in fairness, wellbeing and social justice. They are integral to the person-centred care we provide to patients, consumers and their families.

Today our social workers came together for a World Social Work Day Forum – an opportunity for connection, celebration and professional development.

Learn more about World Social Work Day and this year’s theme, Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society: https://www.ifsw.org/social-work-action/world-social-work-day/world-social-work-day-2026/

16/03/2026

🍀It's St Patrick's Day today, a day to celebrate one of our fabulous Irish-born nurses! 🍀

OUR PEOPLE | “I always knew I wanted to do something with people. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a nurse or teacher, so I studied nursing and loved it. I trained as a general and paediatric nurse back in Ireland. When I came to Australia I went into special care nurseries and I've been here ever since. I absolutely love the babies.

I just love the teamwork here in newborn care. The people I work with are just divine. We have a really good atmosphere and working environment. Even though it's really challenging and the job we do is difficult sometimes, we're all really supportive of each other, so it makes it a lot easier to come to work.

I think it's lovely to see when the babies being born early come back on their first birthdays to see us and we love that.

It's a very emotional place sometimes to work, but I think we focus more on the rewards. When you see the babies come back and they're well and they're big and they're doing really well at home. Just seeing what you do for families and parents as well, that’s really nice,” Denise Coll, Nurse Unit Manager, level 1, Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women.

15/03/2026

Its Oscars Day, which got us thinking... If our health services were nominated films...

12/03/2026

Early‑stage kidney disease is sneaky, many people can lose up to 90% of kidney function before noticing any symptoms. On World Kidney Day events have taken place at Prince of Wales and St George Hospital's to highlight the importance of kidney health, bringing the community together for free education and support. Huge shout‑out to our incredible clinicians who do an amazing job helping people identify kidney issues early and keep their kidneys healthy! 💙🩺🌏

11/03/2026

A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website. Exposure locations and times are updated regularly.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/public-exposure-locations.aspx

NSW Health is advising people in Sydney to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of two new confirmed cases who are not known to each other.

One of the cases acquired measles locally.

The second new case has had no known contact with anyone else with measles and did not attend any known exposure locations. With the source of their infection unknown, it is likely measles is currently circulating within the community, and other people may have been unknowingly exposed to measles.

A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/public-exposure-locations.aspx Exposure locations and times are updated regularly.

People who attended these locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.

If it has been less than six days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 26 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.

NSW Health Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Christine Selvey, said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.

“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don't spend time in waiting rooms with other patients," Dr Selvey said. “Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.”

“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven't attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing. It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period."

Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Measles_Factsheet.aspx

People can also visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for information on health risks, including measles outbreaks relevant to their travel destination: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

11/03/2026

WORLD DELIRIUM AWARENESS DAY | Today we cast a spotlight on delirium, bringing attention to the importance of early recognition and intervention.

Delirium is an acute, fluctuating, and usually reversible state of severe confusion, inattention, and altered awareness caused by underlying physical illness, infection, or medication. It develops rapidly, often within hours or days, causing significant cognitive deficits and behavioural changes. It is common in hospitalised patients and the elderly.

Here are some actions you can take:
⭐ Raise awareness: Share information about delirium with friends, family, and colleagues.
⭐ Know the signs: Understand the signs and symptoms of delirium and be able to recognise them early.
⭐ Identify those at risk: Be aware of the risk factors and take steps to prevent or manage delirium.
⭐ Support research: Keep up-to-date and share the latest research on delirium.
⭐ Advocate: Advocate for better care for patients with delirium, including by pushing for more research, education, and policy changes.
⭐ As a Healthcare worker, support and engage patients and families: Provide education to patients and families who are at risk of delirium and affected by delirium.

For more information: https://www.deliriumday.com/aboutus

11/03/2026

💤 Safe Sleeping for Babies 💙

Tragically, some babies die unexpectedly in their sleep. The good news is that the risk can be reduced by following safe sleeping recommendations every time your baby sleeps.

✔️ Place your baby on their back to sleep
✔️ Use a safe cot that meets Australian standards with a firm, well-fitted mattress
✔️ Sleep your baby in your room at night for the first 6–12 months
✔️ Never let your baby sleep on a couch or armchair, especially with another person
✔️ Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered, tuck in bedding or use a safe infant sleeping bag
✔️ Keep the cot clear. No doonas, bumpers, soft toys, pillows or sheepskins
✔️ Dress your baby to be comfortably warm, not hot
✔️ Breastfeed if possible for the first 6 months
✔️ Don’t smoke or v**e during pregnancy or after birth, and keep smoke away from your baby
✔️ Make sure all carers know and follow safe sleeping guidelines

Safe sleep, every sleep, matters. If you have questions, your Child & Family Health Nurse is here to support you. 💛
Phone: 1300 244 288

Adapted from Raising Children Network and NSW Health

07/03/2026

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY | Time to put the spotlight on one woman who makes a real difference to the women and families she cares for. Leona Ryan-Doyle is a Perinatal Outreach Mental Health Clinician at the Royal Hospital for Women. Leona provides care to women in their last trimester of pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum who face adjustment to parenting issues and associated mental health challenges.

🫶How does your work support women and families?
Our outreach service is provided primarily through a sustained home visiting model of care. This continuity of care approach supports families on their transition to parenthood and has shown to improve client engagement, satisfaction and overall health outcomes across the lifespan.

The Perinatal Outreach Program provides comprehensive mental health assessment, medication monitoring, mood monitoring and engaging with clients through a whole-person support to optimise infant attachment, bonding and fostering joy and confidence on their transition to parenting.

🧚Who has been the biggest support for you in your career and how?
My late Aunty and fairy godmother has been influential to where I have landed in my professional work in Perinatal Mental Health. The art of storytelling is deeply ingrained in my Irish culture, also as “Seanchoiche” (SHANNA-KEY-HA). Sharing stories of birth and beyond has always brought us together as women in my family. My Aunty always held space for us to be curious, kind and led with both a fierce and soft compassion, her innate maternal wisdom has been a very important piece in my professional career and a very gentle reminder to attain a sense of human-to-human connection in any of my roles to date.

⚖️ What does the theme “balance the scales mean to you”?
We can lead with determination and strength as women while also softening through humour, compassion and patience in our day-to-day work. Share a smile with a stranger in the coffee line, give someone a compliment, lead with a sense of humility. To me this brings a better balance on forever moving targets and scales within our work and wider community.

05/03/2026

OUR PEOPLE | “I work in the Unique Patient Identifier (UPI) Digital Health team. Our main role is to ensure that each patients’ record is correctly and uniquely identifiable across the local health system. I support the delivery of patient care through improved data accuracy, as well as ensuring the continuity of health information.

I’ll investigate if the correct record was used for a patient and fix the record if the incorrect one was used. This often happens in cases where you have patients with similar names and dates of birth. We also look at making sure each patient has only one record across the local health district. I do a lot of testing of new applications and upgrades and making sure that the patient identification side of things works as it should.

I've always had an interest in health. Every day I'm fascinated by the different facets of health. I'm always learning something new from someone in the team and the breadth and depth of knowledge in the team is incredible. I also like knowing the positive impact that my role can have on a patient's care.

Outside of work, I do love a challenging gym session. I love travelling and exploring and I also like learning languages. I'm learning how to read Arabic at the moment. I come from an Egyptian background, so I can understand it and speak in broken Arabic, but I've never been taught to read it, so I'm trying to do that now. Hopefully it'll help me out on future travels,” Dora Boctor, UPI Senior Analyst, Digital Health.

Sunday 8 March is International Women's Day.

04/03/2026