Meeting hears stories of groundbreaking research, innovative treatment models and patient gratitude.
 

The combination of innovation, commitment and collaboration that drives the first-class care provided by Sydney Local Health District was showcased this week at the District’s annual general meeting.

Board members, executive staff and representatives of teams from across the District gathered at Sydney Education in Rozelle for the AGM, where they heard stories of groundbreaking research, innovative treatment models and patient gratitude.

Adjunct Professor Karen Crawshaw PSM, District Board Chair, said the Board was grateful for the dedication the District’s staff showed every day.

“Sydney Local Health District and the hospitals, institutions and health services within it, have long been recognised for outstanding performance,” Karen said.   

Every day our staff continue to build on that proud legacy.

“I, and the Board, would like to thank all the staff of Sydney Local Health District for the outstanding care you provide to our patients, consumers and community.”

Deb Willcox AM, District Chief Executive said the commitment shown by staff was evident every time she spoke to team members at health services or hospitals.

“Everybody, without exception, talks to me about the work,” Deb said.

“Yes, they might want to talk about resources or what they need but it all comes from a place of wanting to do the best for their patients.”

Among the presentations at the meeting was a panel discussion led by Deb Willcox with Dr Michael Crawford, Head of Department, Transplant Services at RPA, and Associate Professor Carlo Pulitano, Transplant Services Director, RPA Translational Centre for Organ Assessment, Repair and Optimisation.

The transplant specialists discussed their groundbreaking research on improving the viability of donor livers to increase the number of lifesaving organ transplants conducted each year.

Associate Professor Harleen Kumar, Head of Department, Paediatric Dentistry, Sydney Dental Hospital and Oral Health Services, told of how introduction of the Step to Smiles program had empowered families to manage chronic dental caries in children and how it meant children were nine times less likely to need treatment for cavities under general anaesthetic.

Also presenting were Dr Oine Omakwu, Emergency Medicine Staff Specialist, Sydney Virtual, who spoke about how emergency virtual care was easing demands on emergency departments at the District’s hospitals, and Selina Thomas and Grace Douglas, who spoke about the award-winning collaboration of the Housing and Health Together service, which helps Mental Health consumers find accommodation.

More than 100 Sydney Local Health District staff attended the AGM in person or tuned in for the online coverage of the event.