Northern Sydney Local Health District

30/07/2025

What if we could stop osteoarthritis in its tracks? Professor David Hunter explains how.

In the latest episode of Tomorrow’s Medicine Today, global osteoarthritis expert Professor David Hunter discusses the critical role of lifestyle, weight management, and early intervention in tackling osteoarthritis. He also explores promising treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists (including Ozempic) and calls for urgent investment in prevention and public health strategies to address this growing crisis.

Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation – listen to the latest episode of Tomorrow’s Medicine Today now!

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/4mn89MK or find us on Spotify: https://bit.ly/41f6PmJ

29/07/2025

🎁 $50,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AT AYAH🎁

Community Bank Freshwater has donated $50,000 to the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice in support of expanding the site’s facilities.

The funds will help redevelop the heritage-listed Parkhill Cottage into a new function room, counselling space, and tranquil outdoor garden for patients and their families.

The space will allow families to celebrate special milestones like birthdays and weddings in a peaceful, supportive setting.

Since 2023, Community Bank Freshwater has contributed more than $110,000 to the hospice.

Read more:
https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Community-Bank-Freshwater-Donates-$50,000-to-AYAH%20.aspx

25/07/2025

🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE DISTRICT💙💚🖤

Sites across the district marked NAIDOC Week with powerful cultural ceremonies, performances and smoking ceremonies led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Royal North Shore Hospital hosted the district’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff awards, with senior mental health care navigator Teahne Lyons receiving the Staff Excellence Award.

Ryde Hospital invited community members to plant native seedlings alongside a smoking ceremony.

At Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, the yarning circle was the heart of celebration, while Mona Vale and Macquarie hospitals also held cultural events.

Read more:
https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Celebrating-NAIDOC-Week-across-the-district.aspx

24/07/2025

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:
o NAIDOC Week celebrations across NSLHD
o NSLHD supports Dignity Winter Warmer campaign
o Generous donation to AYAH
o Combining medication and exercise could greatly reduce osteoporosis risk

Click the link here to view:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD NAIDOC celebrations at NSLHD Main story Short blurb PAGE 4 Read more on Page x GENEROUS DONATION TO AYAH Pa

24/07/2025

RECOGNISING OUR SECURITY STAFF

Today, 24 July, is International Security Officers Day — a chance to acknowledge the vital role our security teams play across all NSLHD sites.

From keeping our hospitals safe to supporting patients, visitors, and staff, their presence is essential to the smooth running of our health service.

Thank you to all our security officers for the work you do every day to protect our people and our community.

22/07/2025

✨INTERNATIONAL HONOUR FOR KOLLING RESEARCHER AFTER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE ✨

Professor Lisa Harvey has received the highest honour from the International Spinal Cord Society – the prestigious gold medal – recognising her decades-long contribution to spinal cord injury care.

A world-leading physiotherapist and researcher, Lisa has dedicated her career to improving rehabilitation outcomes and developing global training tools for clinicians.

She was presented with the award in Belgium among peers and international leaders in the field.

Read more on the NSLHD website: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/International-honour-for-Kolling-researcher-after-40-year-service-to-spinal-cord-injury-care.aspx

21/07/2025

✨RYDE HOSPITAL STAFF BBQ MARKS END OF EARLY WORKS✨

Ryde Hospital staff came together for a BBQ to celebrate the end of early works on the hospital’s major redevelopment, hosted by construction partner A W Edwards.

It was a moment to reflect on progress, reconnect with colleagues and look ahead to what’s next.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri, Ryde Hospital GM Jennifer McConnell and Health Infrastructure’s Leisa Rathborne joined the celebration.

Read more on the NSLHD website: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Ryde-Hospital-staff-BBQ-marks-end-of-early-works.aspx

19/07/2025

✨UNIQUE ONLINE RESOURCE LAUNCHED FOR MENIÈRE DISEASE ✨

A new online platform is helping improve the diagnosis and management of Menière disease.

Developed by researchers at the Kolling Institute, the Menière Disease Atlas of Genes and Cells is a free tool for clinicians and researchers, offering genomic data from 425 patients to support personalised treatment.

Lead researcher Professor Jose Antonio Lopez Escamez says the atlas will help identify genetic triggers and guide tailored therapies.

Explore the tool: https://multiomic-md.sydney.edu.au
Read more on the NSLHD website: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Unique-online-resource-launched-for-Meni%C3%A8re-disease%20.aspx

18/07/2025

🚑 MONA VALE HOSPITAL URGENT CARE CENTRE BECOMES FIRST IN NSW TO ROLL OUT ECAT 🚑

Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre (UCC) has become the first UCC in New South Wales to implement Emergency Care Assessment and Treatment (ECAT) protocols.

The protocols will allow nurses to begin treatment immediately after triage which ultimately helps to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes before a medical officer, nurse practitioner or physiotherapist takes over care.

The milestone follows the successful implementation of ECAT protocols across NSLHD’s emergency departments last year.

Over the first 24 hours of implementation, the centre adopted the protocols for 23 presentations.

Mona Vale Hospital’s UCC nurse unit manager Heidi Stojic said early adoption of the system is helping streamline care and enhance the patient experience.

“Patients are now receiving treatment faster, which helps reduce anxiety and improves their overall experience,” she said.

17/07/2025

💻 NEXT PHASE LAUNCHED FOR SINGLE DIGITAL PATIENT RECORD 💻

Northern Sydney Local Health District has officially kicked off the next phase of the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) program, focusing on system readiness ahead of its future go live.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri welcomed leaders from the NSW Health SDPR Implementation Authority and acknowledged the district’s key role in driving statewide digital transformation.

“With more than 50 staff contributing to the state configuration build, we’re proud to help shape one of the most significant quality improvement initiatives in NSW Health’s history,” he said.

Read more here: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Next-Step-for-NSLHD-in-Digital-Health-Transformation.aspx

16/07/2025

🧪 TOMORROW’S MEDICINE TODAY

Professor Lyn March 🎙️ Musculoskeletal pain costs Australia a staggering $14 billion every year – and Professor Lyn March is fighting back.

In the latest episode of Tomorrow’s Medicine Today, Professor March, a leading rheumatologist, joins hosts James Elliott and Matthew Doane to discuss the hidden toll of musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. She delves into the complexity of these diseases, the potential of genetics and precision medicine, and the urgent need for national focus and advocacy to ease patient suffering and economic strain.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation – listen now to the latest episode of Tomorrow’s Medicine Today!

🎧 Listen now on our website: https://bit.ly/3UcOt1J or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3TIXbou

13/07/2025

🎓 FIRST NEUROPSYCHOLOGY REGISTRARS COMPLETE PROGRAM AT RNSH 🎓

Royal North Shore Hospital has marked a major milestone with the first cohort of neuropsychology registrars completing the state's only dedicated registrar program.

Launched in 2023, the two-year program bridges the gap between study and independent clinical practice, offering hands-on experience across a range of hospital settings including neurology, geriatrics and mental health.

Nicola McKern and Sally Byrne are the first to complete the program, which Nicola described as a “supportive and collaborative environment” that helped her build strong clinical foundations.

Program lead and Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist Vince Oxenham said the completion of the first intake was a major step forward for neuropsychology in the public health system.

Read more:
🔗 https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Neuropsychology-registrar-program-wraps-up-first-intake-at-RNSH.aspx