Northern Sydney Local Health District

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

12/07/2025

🌟 CELEBRATING OUR ADMIN PROFESSIONALS 🌟

Northern Sydney Local Health District has recognised the outstanding contribution of administrative staff at a special district-wide celebration held at Royal North Shore Hospital.

More than 180 submissions were received, highlighting the respect and appreciation felt across the district for the vital work of admin professionals.

This year introduced the Bronwyn Scully Young Emerging Leader Award, honouring a former executive assistant who served NSLHD for over 40 years.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked staff for their dedication, saying, “Your work plays a key role in ensuring our services are organised, efficient, and productive.”

See the full list of award winners:
🔗 https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/Pages/Shining-a-spotlight-on-admin-professionals-across-NSLHD.aspx

11/07/2025

All this week (6th-13th July) we are celebrating NAIDOC Week. We asked some of our staff what NAIDOC means to them and what inspired them to work in health.

11/07/2025

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:
• 2025 Quality and Improvement Awards
• Shining a spotlight on admin professionals across NSLHD
• Mona Vale UCC first in NSW to adopt ECAT protocols
• Ryde Hospital staff BBQ marks end of early works

Click the link here to view:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD Main story Short blurb 2025 quality and improvement awards Pages 4 & 5 Read more on Page x Honour for 40

09/07/2025

🖤💛❤️ CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK AT RNSH ❤️💛🖤

Royal North Shore Hospital proudly marked NAIDOC Week 2025 with a special event, embracing this year’s theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.”

Staff, patients and community members gathered for a Welcome to Country, cultural performances and reflections from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the strength, leadership and legacy of First Nations peoples across our district.