Chief Executive Update: Thursday 31 March 2022

Bringing our Monash Medical Centre emergency department team together 

Works to complete the refurbishment of the Adult Short Stay Unit at Monash Medical Centre are complete, with the first patients admitted on Tuesday morning.   The milestone marks completion of clinical works undertaken as part of the Emergency Department Redevelopment Project. The project began in late 2019, just prior to the beginning of the pandemic.

It’s an important step for our emergency department teams at Monash Medical Centre, bringing them physically together again for the first time in nearly three years.   The emergency team at MMC has shown remarkable adaptability and resilience, including making use of demountable resuscitation cubicles, having satellite emergency spaces, and maintaining clinical services throughout construction. The entire service relocated into the new space, and then late last year we expanded into the refurbished areas.

Once the overall project and traffic works are complete, we will move to hold a formal Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country as part of an official opening to celebrate the completion of the emergency department.   

Virtual ED consults its 200th patient 

Last week Monash Health’s Virtual ED surged past its 200-patient milestone, just under seven weeks since commencing operations.

While it is in the early days of its operations, the Virtual ED is already reducing the load on emergency departments within Monash Health. So far, 74% of patients are diverted away from the ED to other care options. Some 33% of patients presented with a COVID-19 diagnosis, and the average wait time experienced across all patients was one minute 52 seconds.

The Virtual ED is a dedicated pathway for Ambulance Victoria employees to access the ED team. The service is provided via telehealth (video and audio) and offered seven days per week, from 12.00pm – 9.00pm.

It was established in conjunction with Alfred Health and Peninsula Health, working in partnership with Ambulance Victoria and supported by the Victorian Department of Health, and operates across Melbourne’s south east.

Thank you for everything you do to care for our community.

Making heart health a priority 

There has been significant media coverage about heart disease and heart attacks following the untimely deaths of cricket superstar Shane Warne and Victorian Senator, Kimberley Kitching.

Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash Heart, spoke to us at a recent employee forum with some timely advice about what he described as a ‘massive problem’ and of the preventive lifestyle changes we can make. He also highlighted medical practitioners are less likely to identify and treat the disease in women.  

It is essential viewing if you missed it, and you can read through some of the quotes and highlights here.

Endometriosis Awareness Month  

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Despite being discovered over 100 years ago, endometriosis remains a largely mysterious disease – we don’t know exactly what causes it, how to stop it from happening or how to cure it permanently.

In our interview with Monash Endosurgery Laparoscopic Fellow, Dr Lima Wetherell, Dr. Wetherell discussed the significant impact Endometriosis can have on a woman’s quality of life; the treatments that can help women lead a healthy, normal life; and the research projects currently in progress at our dedicated endometriosis clinic at Moorabbin Hospital.

Give Me Five – let’s make time to talk

Give Me Five or Annual Performance discussions are Monash Health’s tools to help encourage conversations and allow you the opportunity to talk about your experiences, clarify expectations, set your goals and provide feedback to your manager. It’s time to book in with your manager for your Give Me Five or Annual Performance conversation. Resources and templates are available to help guide the conversations.

Have you completed your mandatory and targeted training?

Training is a critical part of delivering safe and effective care to our community. With Accreditation approaching, it is important you complete your targeted and mandatory training as soon as possible.

All Monash Health employees are required to complete their mandatory training, such as iBelong and fire training, regardless of role. Targeted training is specific to your role, and you must complete the courses that have been allocated to you. Log in to LATTE to see the training you are required to complete, along with the deadlines.

STAR Award nominations close today

STAR Award nominations for this quarter close today (Thursday 31 March). Our STAR Awards acknowledge and celebrate individuals and teams who demonstrate their commitment to our guiding principles and values. 

If you know of a colleague or team who has demonstrated an extraordinary example of kindness, respect, or excellence in the last few months, nominate them today for a STAR Award.   If you are looking for some inspiration, learn more about the eight categories awarded and read the stories of past winners.  

Kantaro Ito, Physiotherapist, pioneers innovative delivery of care through online exercise program  

Kantaro Ito, Physiotherapist within the Movement Disorders Clinic at the Kingston Centre, is the STAR award winner in the Improving Access and Care category for Q4 2021.   

Kan has been recognised for initiating and developing an online physiotherapy exercise group for patients of the Movement Disorder Clinic during the COVID-19 lockdowns.    The program was a great success and will continue to be part of the Movement Disorder Clinic beyond the pandemic.  Read more 

Consumer participation poster competition for Patient Experience week 

This year, as part of Patient Experience Week (25 – 29 April), you’re invited to submit an A3 poster showcasing your best consumer participation activities.  

There are some great prizes on offer and your poster will be printed and displayed during Patient Experience Week. You can read more about the competition details, poster templates, last year’s winners and how to take part here. Poster submissions are due by 6 April 2022.