Alfred Health

A team member whose focus is on giving junior doctors the best possible career start has been awarded Victorian Clinical Educator of the Year. Congratulations to Sarah Hill, Learning and Development Manager for Medical Education, who was recognised by the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria for her significant contribution to the education and training of junior doctors in their first and second postgraduate years. An important part of the team's work is focused on supporting the next generation of doctors to thrive through education and wellbeing initiatives, Sarah said (pictured middle, with colleagues). "A junior doctor's role inherently involves a considerable physical and emotional load, and without adequate support, this has the potential to impact their mental and physical health." "Providing junior doctors with comprehensive support is so important because it helps them to maintain a healthier work-life balance - which ultimately sets them up to succeed in their early career and beyond, and to best care for patients." Congratulations Sarah!

A familiar face will be gracing screens across the nation as our very own Arvin Garcia takes to the kitchens in the Great Australian Bake Off! Arvin has been working at Alfred Health’s Caulfield Hospital for the past decade, his first job in Australia since moving from the Philippines. “After living here two years, I started missing the home-cooked meals I grew up with and the food from home, so I started baking,” said Arvin. “Then, it became a great way for me to escape the stresses of work and life. I baked one cake for one of my friends and it sort of took off from there. “But I realised I enjoyed the creative process of designing cakes.” As Bed Access Manager at Caulfield Hospital Arvin is also known for his baking prowess, turning pantry staples into something extraordinary for friends. He's even dazzled us at staff events, most recently making a cake to mark the 10th anniversary of Alfred Health's Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. You can catch him on season seven of The Great Australian Bake Off weekly, from Wednesday 18 September at 8.30pm on Foxtel and Binge. Best of luck Arvin, we know you’ll make us proud!

The Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC stopped by the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre this week to learn about how we're combining care, research and clinical trials to achieve better outcomes for people with melanoma. Joined by Deputy Official Secretary Patrick Rundle, Her Excellency toured the Minderoo Wellness Centre, our day therapy and clinical trials spaces and the state-of-the art laboratories, alongside some of our leading melanoma and cancer team, Chief Executive Adam Horsburgh and Board Chair the Hon Martin Foley. Her Excellency was able to also visit the Vectra, a 3D imaging system that is being used as part of a world-first trial in the early detection of melanoma.

Brionhy and Yasmin from ICU were two of the many team members marking the importance of R U OK? Day today. “While we’re busy providing care to our patients and attending to the demands of perhaps being carers at home or rushing to other responsibilities, it’s easy to forget about our own wellbeing at times,” said Yasmin, Clinical Nurse Manager (right). “R U OK? Day is a simple reminder that it’s ok to come to work and say you’re not having a great day; and to check in with your teammates regularly. We’re a team and we’re here for each other.” “It’s not a cliché to say mental health matters – not just today, but every day.”

Today we celebrated the invaluable contributions, innovations, creativity and collective achievements of the lived experience workforce at the Alfred Mental and Addiction Health Lived Experience Symposium. Rebecca Langman, Director of Consumer Lived/Living Experience at AMAH said lived experience practitioners draw upon their own personal experiences of living with mental health challenges to bring a consumer perspective to a healthcare team or system. “Doing so can help inform what is most useful for the consumer and their family, as well as what will help the clinical team to understand the situation more,” said Rebecca. “Doing that safely with a lot of self reflection is a real skill.” Lived experience work happens across a broad range of contexts in the mental health system. “The work can involve being on the floor as a peer worker, providing care directly to carers and consumers, or working in a strategic policy position, like me.” said Rebecca. Director of Carer Lived/Living Experience at AMAH Violeta Peterson said today’s symposium highlighted the commitment to ensuring lived expertise is not only represented at all levels of the service, but that there is a collective understanding about what it means to share power. "By co-designing new opportunities for involvement in service delivery, seeking opportunities to showcase work and advocate for lived experience involvement across our services, what began as a challenging process of change has become a real testament to what’s possible."

Some special guests visited headspace Syndal recently 🌟 Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, Member for Chisholm Dr Carina Garland and headspace CEO Jason Trethowan dropped in to the Alfred Health-run centre for to catch up with staff and volunteers. headspace Syndal's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) members Leonie, Beth and Sahiba filled them in on upcoming projects, and their experiences in raising awareness of youth mental health and early help seeking. headspace staff and volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to connect and highlight the range of support services available for young people aged 12 to 25.

Step-fever is alive and well across Alfred Health with more than 50 teams now hitting the wards, walking tracks and wilderness – each striving to be crowned our September Step Challenge champion. Teams representing many areas and clinical specialties across our health service are getting active, with our current daily average step leaders being the Support Service Steppers, The Walkie Talkies and The Christopher Walkens. Alfred Health chief executive Adam Horsburgh (Horsburgh, Adam) was quick to sign-up to the tournament, and yesterday wished everyone participating good luck. “It is a great opportunity for us all to get active and enjoy some healthy competition,” Adam said.

We're having a great day down at Southern Cross Station raising money for our Critical Care Appeal, alongside 3AW, Bulla and Jayco. Alfred clinicians will continue to be on radio throughout the day, and tomorrow morning, talking about the care they provide to the community. This year's appeal is raising money for a Quadra - a world class scanner that will transform the speed with which the cancer is detected and treated, said Director of Oncology, Prof Mark Shackleton (pictured, with 3AW's Tom Elliott). “Its impact will be revolutionary and the outcomes will have far-reaching benefits for all people living with cancer; not just in Australia, but globally," Prof Shackleton said. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3ASHqVv

You may have seen sunflowers dotted across the hospital recently. But did you know they have an important meaning? The Alfred, Sandringham Hospital and Caulfield Hospital have become the first metropolitan hospitals in Victoria to roll out the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which supports patients with non-visible disabilities by signalling to those around them that they may need extra understanding, help or time. “Coming to hospital can be overwhelming and we’re always looking for ways we can help all patients feel more at ease,” says Jenny who works with hospital volunteers like Brian (pictured) at The Alfred Centre reception to support visitors when needed. “When we see someone wearing a sunflower pin or lanyard, that’s our cue to take a bit more time to find out if there’s something they need – whether it be a glass of water and chat, a quieter space to wait, or help to organise a ride home.” To learn more visit: https://bit.ly/4fUEjwn

Nurses are commonly the first faces that patients see when arriving in an emergency department. They are also among those who leave the most lasting impression. You can learn more about our extraordinary team of emergency nurses in the clip below, and discover the full length video via: https://bit.ly/4cyvdTk