South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

23/07/2025

SUN PROTECTION BEHAVIOURS REPORT | Sadly, sunburn is up in NSW.

A report has shown 15% of people were affected by sunburn in just four weeks – up from 12% on the previous survey.

While people in Sydney report higher use of sunscreen, everybody needs to do all five steps to protect their skin and prevent skin cancer:

🙋‍♀️ Slip on protective clothing
🧴Slop on SPF50+ sunscreen. Sunscreen should always be applied 20 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applied every 2 hrs
👒Slap on a wide brimmed hat
🌳Seek shade
😎Slide on sunglasses

The more you protect your skin, the less skin cancer risk you let in.
Learn more from the Cancer Institute NSW https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/news/new-report-reveals-more-adults-are-getting-sunburn

23/07/2025

CORE AWARD WINNER - EXCELLENCE IN MULTICULTURAL HEALTHCARE | The Translated Health Resources for Refugee Communities Project, Population and Community Health, is a project that identified critical health topics, audited existing resources, and translated key materials into 20 refugee languages.

It produced a best practice guide, ran statewide forums, and created culturally sensitive audio-visual resources on domestic and family violence—setting a new standard for inclusive health communication in NSW.

22/07/2025

OUR PEOPLE | “I’ve been in IT since I left school. I started out way back when a computer mainframe had 28 kilobytes of memory and filled a room the size of half a house. I’ve been through many, many generations of technology and adapted to each. I wanted to cap my career with a job that I felt was making a contribution to greater society.

Currently I’m working at St George Hospital on the Stage 3 redevelopment project – the new ambulatory care building. It’s different to anything I’ve ever done before. It’s massively complex because there are so many stakeholders and so many parts that you need to be across.

What we’re doing is helping to build a new building that will significantly improve patient care, especially in the outpatient and rehabilitation space. The systems and infrastructure that we’re installing is going to make the whole user experience that much better, so it will be that much easier for a patient to come in and attend their clinics and for staff to manage patient attendance.

My best work experience was when the operating theatres and wards at Sutherland Hospital went live, and they all just worked. We had put so much effort into it. To have the surgical staff all saying how great they are and how appreciative they were was just really good. When you get those sorts of projects and you deliver them and then the users come and tell you thank you for delivering, that’s what you work for.” Tony Haines, Digital Health Project Manager, St George and Sutherland Redevelopments.

22/07/2025

HONOURING EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP | Congratulations to the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond behind the scenes — our admin heroes! The Prince of Wales Hospital Administration Awards celebrated the dedication, organisation, and the heart it takes to keep everything running smoothly.

Winners were nominated from five different award categories: Change, Innovation & Improvement, Commitment to CORE Values, Outstanding Contribution to Service and 2025 Administrative Professional of the Year.

Congratulations to the deserving winners: Danielle Shephard, Josephine Sinapi, Wanee Techatikarn, Cindy Oxley and Julia Campbell.

Thank you to the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation (POWHF) for its support in seeing these awards come to life. Thank you to all the Administration staff for all your hard work. You make it all happen!

21/07/2025

A NEW CHAPTER FOR A VITAL SERVICE | We were delighted to welcome NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, as well as a former client and other special guests, to open the newly expanded Stanford House in the heart of Darlinghurst.

Stanford House provides accommodation to people living with HIV who are experiencing homelessness, supporting and empowering clients to transition to independent living.

In partnership with the Haymarket Foundation, we have been able to refurbish Stanford House and expand the number of beds available.

At the opening, we were privileged to hear from Jonathan, a former resident of Stanford House who spoke movingly about his own journey, and highlighted the incredible resilience he has shown throughout his life.

Thank you also to Homelessness Nsw, Positive Life NSW, ACON the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, City of Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor Zann Maxwell and Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore - Sydney for your support.

18/07/2025

DID YOU KNOW? | Between 2000 and 2021, the number of people living with diabetes in Australia almost tripled.

This week is National Diabetes Week. Our teams have been busy engaging and empowering the community about diabetes prevention.

Healthy eating, increasing physical activity and quitting smoking can reduce the risk of diabetes. These healthy habits can also delay the onset of the condition and reduce the risk of longer-term complications.

More info here > https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/news/power-of-prevention

18/07/2025

CORE AWARD WINNER - STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR | Congratulations to Chloe Clogher, a Clinical Nurse Consultant who has made significant contributions to our district, leading innovative programs like the Prevention and Recovery Centre and ensuring its successful launch during the pandemic.

In her role as the Mental Health Services Clinical Quality Manager, Chloe drove improvements in clinical governance and supported the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards accreditation process. She also led the redesign of virtual care services and developed consumer-focused health literacy tools.

With a strong commitment to person-centred care, Chloe’s leadership, compassion, and positive influence inspire both colleagues and consumers alike.

17/07/2025

16/07/2025

Have you had your flu shot yet?

Influenza (flu) isn't as scary if you're vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is free for people who are most at risk of severe illness. For more information visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/respiratory or www.health.nsw.gov.au/influenza

Book your flu vaccine at your GP, or pharmacy www.healthdirect.gov.au/nswfluvaccine

If you are unwell, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free, 24/7 medical advice from a registered nurse.

If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 and state what language you need

16/07/2025

CORE AWARD WINNER - EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH INNOVATION | The Prince of Wales Hospital Emergency Department Assessment Unit (EDAU) is a new six-bed short-stay unit offering safe, low-stimulus environment and care for patients presenting with substance use, psychiatric conditions, and overdose.

Launched in November 2024, the EDAU supports vulnerable patients through interdisciplinary collaboration and strong links to community services. Based on successful models from Victoria and St Vincent’s Hospital, it has already treated around 600 patients and is expected to care for 2,000 annually, improving patient outcomes and reducing re-presentations.

15/07/2025

OUR PEOPLE | “As a Nurse Educator for Mental Health, my role is about overseeing mandatory training for Mental Health staff, working with our grad start nurses and their special training days, looking at any education gaps and filling those, planning out new education for staff and being a point of resource for our clinical nurse educators.

Normally I’m a Nurse Unit Manager in Mental Health. That’s about seeing our consumers get better and going home, back to their lives, their families and being able to fulfil their dreams.

My current role is about developing new staff and watching them grow in confidence to flourish into amazing mental health nurses. It’s also being here to educate staff to enhance their skills as clinicians, so they can provide improved care to our consumers.

In Mental Health there are tough days, but we get through them together. We talk in our teams and make sure all staff know to look after themselves. It's not always about having the right answer, but just to be a listening ear.

It's sad to say, but I love every Real Housewives episode of every country. It’s my downtime. I watch them while I’m ironing. It’s tragic, but true,” Candice Fogarty, A/Nurse Educator, Mental Health, District Education

15/07/2025

HEALTHY MOB, STRONG COMMUNITY | During an action-packed NAIDOC Week, team members from the Integrated Care Unit went along to local events to connect with Community, have a yarn, and carry out health screening.

Across four NAIDOC events at St George and Sutherland hospitals, Hurstville, and Gunnamatta Park, an impressive 169 health screens were completed, measuring blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar level.

Everyone who took part in a health screen were offered merchandise from our Bulbuwil Healthy Living program and went into the draw to win a fruit and vegetable hamper.

These events are an awesome opportunity for us to connect with Community, share information about our programs and services, and support Mob on their health journey.

Thanks to the Integrated Care teams and staff that took part – from the Planned Care for Better Health, ED to Community, Aboriginal Supportive and Community Care, Bulbuwil and South East Aboriginal Health Care (SEAHC).

Seslhd Aboriginal Health Unit