Royal North Shore Hospital

30/10/2025

BIG MEALS AND BLOW-UPS: STUDY INTO HEART ATTACK TRIGGERS

🫀 ❤️‍🩹 💥 🍽️ 😠 🚬 🌫️ 📱 💊

A heavy Christmas lunch. An argument. Smoke from a bushfire. These everyday events may seem harmless, but for people at risk of heart disease, they could be deadly.

A new clinical trial is investigating not only how emotional stress, pollution, respiratory infections, and large meals can trigger heart attacks in vulnerable individuals but also how to manage those triggers in the moment.

The Triggered Acute Risk Prevention (TARP) study, led by Royal North Shore hospital (RNSH) cardiologist Professor Geoffrey Tofler, is recruiting people to test whether taking aspirin or beta blockers at the time of a trigger—while using an app to log symptoms and receive stress-reduction advice—can help prevent cardiac events.

To sign up and read more: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Big-meals-and-blow-ups-study-into-heart-attack-triggers.aspx

30/10/2025

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:
o Next generation of researchers to build on remarkable legacy
o 40 years of MRI innovation at RNSH
o NSLHD awarded for continued progress towards net zero
o Big meals and blow-ups study into heart attack triggers

Click the link here to view:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT Main story Short blurb Next generation of researchers to build on remarkable legacy Rea

29/10/2025

🌏 CALD WORKFORCE NETWORK HOSTS INAUGURAL SUMMIT AT RNSH 🌏

Royal North Shore Hospital recently welcomed the first-ever summit of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Workforce Employee Network, themed “Our Cultures, Our Strength: Building Belonging, Growing Leaders.”

Staff from across facilities, professions, and backgrounds came together to celebrate diversity, amplify CALD voices, and explore opportunities for leadership and career growth.

Highlights included a keynote by Anyier Youl, who shared her journey from a refugee camp in Kenya to becoming an entrepreneur, scholar, and humanitarian leader, and a panel discussion with representatives from Northern and Western Sydney Local Health Districts. Professional development sessions helped staff strengthen cultural capability and support career progression.

NSLHD leaders, including Chief Executive Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri and NORTH Foundation CEO Gilbert Lorquet, emphasised that diversity is a strength and supporting the career progression of CALD staff is a key priority.

Creating spaces where diverse voices are heard, celebrated, and connected strengthens both the workplace and the care RNSH provides.

For more info or to join the CALD Network: NSLHD-ODTEAM@health.nsw.gov.au

22/10/2025

🎙️ TOMORROW’S MEDICINE TODAY PODCAST – CAN HOSPITALS HEAL THE PLANET? 🎙️

What if hospitals could deliver high-quality care to patients while looking after the environment?

In this episode, Paul Klarenaar, Director, Population and Planetary Health, Northern Sydney Local Health District, shows us how northern Sydney hospitals are cutting high-emission anaesthetic gases, reducing waste, saving energy, and designing Australia’s first fully electric hospital.

Hear how these changes are transforming hospitals into models of innovation.

Listen to this podcast on the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4o31los or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4oA8UDa

17/10/2025

🏥 Royal North Shore Hospital has launched a clinical trial to test whether 🤖 artificial intelligence (AI) can match human expertise in radiotherapy contouring—a critical step in 🧬 cancer treatment.

RNSH radiation oncology fellow Dr Joseph Chan is leading a trial involving the scans of 444 breast cancer patients across RNSH, Dubbo, and Orange hospitals. The team will compare three contouring methods: commercial software, in-house AI developed at RNSH, and those done by hand.

Read more: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Trial-assess-AI's-role-in-cancer-treatment.aspx

16/10/2025

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:

o LGBTIQ+ Health Symposium at NSLHD

o NSLHD celebrates Allied Health Professions day

o Accessible mammography for everyone

o NSLHD and Hoc Mãi join forces with Social Impact Foundation

o CALD Workforce Network hosts inaugural summit at RNSH

Click the link here to view:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT Main story Short blurb Ageing Well: LGBTIQ+ Health Symposium 2025 Read more on Page x P

14/10/2025

🎀 PINK LADIES RAISE OVER $94,000 FOR RNSH 🎀

The incredible Pink Ladies have once again gone above and beyond, raising more than $94,000 this year to support patients and staff at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Led by long-standing president Joy Stephen OAM, the team’s tireless efforts have helped fund additional medical equipment and research across the hospital, including a bladder scanner, tonometers, endoscopes, a hoist, centrifuges, laptops, optometric goggles, and melanoma research.

Through their shop, cake stalls, and famous trolley service, the Pink Ladies continue to bring care and comfort to patients while supporting the hospital community.

“We’re proud to see the impact of what we do each day,” Joy said.

Thank you to all of our incredible Pink Ladies 🩷

13/10/2025

❤️ HAPPY INTERNATIONAL ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS DAY ❤️

Today we celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of our allied health professionals.

Across the district we have 23 different allied health professions, who are the backbone of holistic patient-centred care, supporting patients and teams while helping to build healthier communities every day.

Thank you for your commitment, collaboration, and innovation.

We appreciate you and celebrate you today and every day.

10/10/2025

👶 EXPECTING A BABY?

Be confident and prepared with Royal North Shore Hospital’s Childbirth & Early Parenting Courses for Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking parents-to-be.

💻 Book now at nshp.com.au/ParentEd
📞 Or call 9462 9588 for more information
📚 Learn about:
• Labour and birth preparation
• Breastfeeding guidance
• Postnatal care and recovery
• Understanding your baby’s needs
• Settling techniques and newborn care
• Home safety and local community services

UPCOMING SESSIONS:

🍼 Breastfeeding Workshops
• 27 October, 6:30pm–8:30pm (Mandarin)
• 17 November, 10:00am–12noon (Cantonese)
• 8 December, 6:30pm–8:30pm (Mandarin)

🤰 Birthing Workshop
• 25 October, 9:00am–3:30pm (Mandarin & Cantonese)

👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting Workshop
• 22 November, 9:00am–3:30pm (Mandarin & Cantonese)
The Childbirth & Early Parenting Education program also offers a wide range of other workshops and courses in English to support you on your parenting journey.

08/10/2025

🎙️ TOMORROW’S MEDICINE TODAY PODCAST– AI AND THE SHOULDER 🎙️

PhD student Brian Kim from the Kolling Institute joins Professor James Elliott and Associate Professor Matthew Doane to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping shoulder imaging and rehabilitation.

Discover how Brian’s work is creating the Muscle Map, a global reference dataset of 150,000 images, helping doctors standardise measurements and improve outcomes for patients worldwide. Hear how AI is revolutionising preoperative planning, speeding up recovery, and even shaping the future of personalised medicine.

He shares an inspiring insight:
“AI can help us see what the naked eye can’t - giving clinicians better tools to understand muscle quality and personalise recovery.”

🎧 Listen now on our website: http://bit.ly/4o7BzPF and Spotify: https://bit.ly/3J2uD7x

07/10/2025

🌟 Streamlining the road to surgery 🌟

Surgical waitlists are being transformed by a new platform where patients complete pre-admission forms online, giving clinicians early insights into health issues that can be addressed before an operation. 🏥💻✨

“It really does transform the elective waiting list into a preparation list,” said anaesthetist Dr. Andrew Marks, who alongside Dr. Kanika Chaudri, was awarded a $100,000 Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) grant in August 2024 to support the development of a new pathway known as Diamonds. 💎

Results from the form feed into a dashboard that automatically gives patients a coloured flag according to their level of risk. 🟥🟧🟩

“Green” patients are healthy and ready for their operation. ✅💚
Andrew said this saves time for everyone as they don’t need to come into the hospital in the lead-up to surgery. 🕒🚫🏥

If patients have a red or orange flag, however, clinical staff will spend more time sorting out their health problems. 🩺🛠️

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2x94pdjw

03/10/2025

🎈 20 YEARS OF CLOWNING AROUND AT RNSH 🎈

Royal North Shore Hospital has celebrated 20 years of partnership with the Clown Doctors, who have been bringing their unique brand of medical care to children and families for two decades.

The milestone was marked with a morning tea in the paediatrics ward, with members of The Humour Foundation, the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and RNSH staff in attendance.

Emma Pollard, CEO of The Humour Foundation, reflected on their impact. “Clown Doctors help children feel heard, safe, and connected,” she said. “They provide a source of comfort and hope, not just for children but for their families. A recent study found that 96 per cent of children respond positively to the Clown Doctors.”

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri also acknowledged their contribution. “Celebrating this partnership together reminded us of the power of humour in healthcare and the importance of nurturing these relationships as we look to the future,” he said.

Read the full story here: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/20-years-of-Clowning-around-at-RNSH.aspx

02/10/2025

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:
o NSLHD finalists named in NSW Health Awards
o Streamlining the road to surgery
o Pink Ladies raise over $94,000 for Royal North Shore Hospital across the year
o Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Awards 2025
o Ten years of carer support celebrated
o 20 years of Clowning around at RNSH

Click the link here to view:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT Main story Short blurb NSLHD finalists named in NSW Health Awards Read more on Page x P

01/10/2025

🎙BEHIND THE SCENES OF RECORDING TOMORROW'S MEDICINE TODAY🎙

Pictured: Associate Professor Mimi Berman, Professor James Elliott, and Associate Professor Matthew Doane in the Kolling Boardroom as we record an upcoming episode.

Watch this space – we’ve got an exciting conversation coming soon!

Catch up on all our recorded episodes here:
Website: https://bit.ly/nslhd-tmt
Spotify: https://bit.ly/448P755

29/09/2025

💖 STITCHING KINDNESS FOR CARERS THIS CARERS WEEK 💖

Ahead of Carers Week (12-18 October), staff are joining a drop-in stitch circle to create felt hearts for patient carers– an act of kindness honouring those who support our patients every step of the way.

The bright little felt hearts are part of the global 1000 Hearts kindness movement, offering comfort and support to carers across northern Sydney.

“Just a few stitches can create a beautiful gift that reminds carers they are valued,” says Barbara Lewis, Carer Support Service Manager.

For Heidi, whose husband was critically ill in RNSH ICU, receiving a heart “gave me goosebumps… it’s like it’s glowing.”

Over 130,000 unpaid carers in northern Sydney support loved ones daily—these hearts show they are seen, supported, and never alone.

💌 To stitch a heart, visit Royal North Shore, Hornsby, or Ryde hospitals, or email NSLHD-Carers@health.nsw.gov.au for a DIY pack.