Monash Health, Clayton (2025)

17/07/2025

Our Emergency Short Stay Unit at Monash Medical Centre has had a cosy makeover 🤍🏠

Thanks to a generous donation from the Viney family, new dementia-friendly spaces are now open to support patients and their carers during their visit.

Working with a dementia architect, the Short Stay Unit team, including consumers, has brought to life their shared vision for a calm, safe, and inclusive environment designed to support people living with dementia, delirium, neurodiversity or other cognitive challenges.

‘Visiting an emergency department is a stressful time for patients and families, especially for those managing dementia or delirium in this busy environment,’ said Claire Shuter, Nurse Unit Manager, Emergency and Patient Flow, Monash Medical Centre.

‘We wanted to create a space with equipment and tools that would make the patient experience as positive as possible – helping patients facing those challenges feel relaxed, like they’re in their own home.’

The new lounge space includes a kitchen, lounge, dining table and TV, tucked away from the clinical space, so patients and their carers can have some respite. A new clinical room has also been redesigned to reduce sensory impact and provide more privacy.

The new hospital trolley ‘DELIA’ (Distraction Engagement Lots of Interactive Aids) is overflowing with resources for care teams and carers to support patients. Filled with activities like puzzles and crocheted sensory mats, handmade by our wonderful Monash Health volunteers.

The Viney family’s heartfelt support of the new spaces is in Memory of Richard' Dick' Viney AM, their husband, father, and grandfather.

Dick’s legacy has created a compassionate and supportive space in our hospital, for patients and families in our community living with dementia.

Thank you to the Viney family for your generosity. Your contributions to this project will have a lasting impact on patient care 💙

16/07/2025

In a world-first initiative, the recruitment for the Protect Me trial targeting fetal growth restriction (FGR), has now been completed.

FGR, in which an unborn baby is smaller than expected, affects up to 8% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of stillbirth and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment.

Led by Professor Kirsten Palmer, the trial explores melatonin as a potential therapeutic approach to address the root cause of FGR—the placenta.

With 338 families recruited, this is now the largest single treatment trial for FGR in the world.

The trial is currently in its follow-up phase, monitoring cognitive function among children at two years of age.

Prof Palmer highlighted the importance of this landmark trial, as clinical trials involving pregnant women are rare due to ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges.

She adds that the need for pregnant women to be included in clinical trials is crucial to ensure medication safety and efficacy.

To read more, please see the link in our comments.

15/07/2025

Congratulations to everyone who took part in Run Melbourne over the weekend, taking on the cold winter weather and lacing up their runners for a good cause 🏃‍♀️🏃

A very special thank you to the Monash Health Haematology and Oncology Departments, who raised more than $15,000 for the Monash Health Foundation with the support of friends, family and colleagues from pharmacy, trials, pathology and ICU💙

‘Run Melbourne is a great opportunity to not only have fun and connect as a team – but work together towards a goal that will directly support our patients,’ said Professor Jake Shortt, Clinical Director of Haematology at Monash Health.

The Monash Health Haematology team cares for patients with blood cancers and disorders, most commonly lymphoma – treating up to 1 in 4 patients in Victoria.

‘Funds raised by our team help us to build our services and enhance patient-centred care – supporting patients in the southeast to receive the best treatment, closer to home.’

15/07/2025

Are you a new parent wondering if your baby is getting enough milk? 🤱

To help parents, Monash Health and Monash University are collaborating to develop the groundbreaking Infafeed Smart Feeding Monitor.

The innovative device uses artificial intelligence to measure the amount of breastmilk your baby consumes during each breastfeed. 🍼

The monitor works by placing a small device near your baby's neck while feeding, which detects swallowing sounds and instantly calculates the milk intake. No more guesswork, just confidence in your baby's nutrition.

A pilot study at Monash Medical Centre has already shown promising results, and further studies are underway to enhance its accuracy before being available.

To read more, please see the link in our comments.

14/07/2025

A week shy of her first birthday, Hazel was admitted to Monash Children’s Hospital due to complications associated with the flu.

Hard to rouse and with a prolonged high temperature, her mum had taken her to the emergency department.

‘The number of children with influenza admitted to Monash Children’s Hospital has doubled in the last month,’ Dr Cathy McAdam, Service Director of General Paediatrics, told 9News.

Hazel was treated for dehydration and potential pneumonia, and tested for encephalitis or inflammation of the brain, which can be life-threatening.

She spent 4 nights in the hospital and has recovered well.

Rates of influenza B are 7 times higher this year than last year.

‘We do see an increase in influenza B every couple of years. It mainly affects children, so we are seeing more children hospitalized this year,’ said Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director of the South East Public Health Unit and Director of Public Health and Infection Prevention at Monash Health.

Children aged 6 months and less than 5 years old are among those who can get vaccinated for free.

‘Unfortunately, we don't see great rates of vaccination for influenza this season.’

‘It is not too late to get the vaccine. Getting vaccinated is your best protection.’

12/07/2025

At the Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre, operated by Monash Health and located in Clyde North in Melbourne’s South-East, we have the privilege of supporting families every day through the challenges of early parenthood.

Acting Nurse Manager, Lauren Savva, recently spoke with Star News about how the service tailors support to each family's needs.

‘Families come to the Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre with a range of goals, such as learning about sleep and settling, better understanding their child’s behaviours, and feeding support, including breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and introducing solids,’ Lauren said.

‘Depending on the family’s goals, we will work with them to make an individualised plan, and then support the family to achieve their goal.

‘Our service also hosts education sessions with families. If they need more information, we can offer one-on-one education sessions.’

Thank you to the wonderful team at the Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre and to the families who allow us to be part of their early parenting journeys 💙

To read the full article, please visit the link in our comments.

10/07/2025

Kate Sullivan went above and beyond.

Working closely across many teams at Monash Health, she ensured a patient could receive the care they needed at home, instead of at a hospital 🏠

The Senior Social Worker and Social Work Disability Specialist has received Monash Health’s latest STAR Award for ‘Improving Care and Access’ 🌟

‘For someone living with a disability, their home and support networks are not just conveniences, they are essential to their daily functioning and well-being,’ Kate shared.

Kate worked with Disability Liaison Officers, NDIS Leads, Care Coordinators, Mental Health Clinicians, Social Workers, and more to achieve the positive outcome.

‘This was a highly collaborative effort, and I was fortunate to be supported by several key colleagues throughout the process.’

Join us in congratulating Kate (and all her colleagues) for this incredible effort 👏

10/07/2025

Over many years, My Room Children’s Cancer Charity has supported patients and families affected by cancer at Monash Children’s Hospital 💙❤️💛

Through My Room's generosity, Monash Children's Cancer Centre has been able to provide extra support for families, to improve the outcomes and experience of young patients in our care.

Most recently, My Room has supported funding several key allied health positions, including a physiotherapist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and psychologist.

‘Having an extensive and broad allied health team is a critical part of ensuring our young patients and families are supported with excellent care, beyond their frontline cancer treatment,’ said Dr Michelle Martin, Director of Paediatric Oncology at Monash Children’s Cancer Centre.

‘With My Room’s continued support and dedication, our passionate care teams are helping patients along their journey to live their fullest lives.’

We were proud to host guests from the My Room team recently and unveil a special plaque at Monash Children's Cancer Centre, recognising their incredible support and the lasting impact it continues to have on the lives of children in our care.

Thank you, My Room, for helping shape a future where every child faced with cancer is surrounded by the very best care, compassion, and hope.

09/07/2025

Please be aware that our emergency departments at Casey Hospital, Dandenong Hospital and Monash Medical Centre are currently experiencing significant demand.

Non-life-threatening presentations will likely experience longer wait times as a result.

If you need urgent care, but it's non-life-threatening, please consider:

💻Consult the Virtual Emergency Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

👉Visit an Urgent Care Centre

📞Telephone NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24

💊See a GP

Please see the link in our comments for all the information you need.

We want you to be seen as quickly as possible, so if you need care but it is not an emergency, please consider these alternative pathways to care.

In a life-threatening medical emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) or attend the emergency department.

Wait times at our emergency departments vary, as patients are seen in order of clinical urgency. The most sick or injured are always cared for first.

When a patient arrives at one of our emergency departments, they are assessed or 'triaged' for urgency and categorised on a scale from 1 to 5. Category 1 patients require immediate life-saving treatment, whereas Category 5 patients need non-urgent care.

09/07/2025

Dive into the latest edition of Monash Health’s Research Matters newsletter to discover groundbreaking research and innovation happening across our health service.

This quarterly publication is your go-to source for staying informed about medical advancements, thought-provoking insights, and curated content by the Research Support Services team.

Highlights from this edition:

🔬 Emerging Researcher Fellowship recipients for 2025 announced
🔬 Breakthrough Australian-first lupus treatment at Monash Health
🔬 Australian-first umbilical cord blood infusion to treat cerebral palsy
🔬 Monash Haematology successfully performed first outpatient stem cell transplant
🔬 Study finds clown doctors bring joy to adolescents in psychiatric care

Dr Jason Goh, Acting Director of Research & Innovation, encourages everyone to adopt the mindset that ‘everybody is a researcher at Monash Health’ and find ways to embed that mindset into their day-to-day roles.

🔗 Read the latest edition here: https://campaign.monashhealth.org/campaigns/reports/viewCampaign.aspx?d=y&c=DB89D9541911AB27&ID=B11BFFA74C2989212540EF23F30FEDED&temp=False&tx=0&source=Report

📬 Subscribe today to stay updated on medical advancements and access a wealth of resources for researchers, including opportunities and events via https://campaign.monashhealth.org/h/y/AC0CEBF583CDB417

08/07/2025

Monash Children’s Hospital patient, Bonnie, is a star on the rise! 🌟

The 7-year-old is the voice of ‘Red Jelly’ on the new ABC children’s program, Do Not Watch This Show 📺🎤

The author of the acclaimed Do Not Open This Book series - entertainer and show creator Andy Lee - visited Bonnie in hospital, to give her a sneak peek of her scene before the program’s release.

Bonnie and her ‘agent’, aka mum Kellie, surprised Andy with a gift 🎁 A pot of red jelly!

You can watch the program on ABC iview now.

Though we STRONGLY advise, Do Not Watch This Show as it may cause a highly contagious fit of the giggles! 🤫

Andy is an ambassador with the not-for-profit organisation Challenge supporting kids with cancer.

07/07/2025

We're celebrating NAIDOC Week at Monash Health.

National NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for us to come together and pay respect to Elders, culture, and Country, and to recognise the achievements of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

2025 marks 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience through NAIDOC.

This year’s theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.

The theme encourages us to celebrate not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors of our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and allies.

Monash Health is committed to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This can only be achieved by working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, providing opportunities and promoting and building mutual respect. This is embedded in Monash Health’s Strategic Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and Aboriginal Employment Plan.

We have an array of dedicated services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients during their hospital stay, which is why it’s important that you let your medical team know if you or your family identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Identification helps to ensure the Aboriginal Health Team can support you during your medical treatment if you prefer.

To find out more about our Aboriginal Health services, visit the link in comments.

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