Year in Review 2021

OUR STAFF

Professor Jacob George. Image: Cancer Council NSW.

Renowned Liver Physician Professor Jacob George was named as the third recipient of the illustrious Sally Crossing AM Award in April from the Cancer Council NSW for his work studying liver disease and liver cancer. The Sally Crossing AM Award recognises outstanding achievement in cancer research, particularly research that includes consumer involvement. Prof George is a world leader in hepatology and continues to run significant research projects into fatty liver disease and liver cancer. He is also a leading mind in Westmead Health Precinct as Head of the Westmead Hospital Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chair of Hepatic Medicine at Sydney Medical School, and Director of the Storr Liver Centre at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. Liver cancer is one of the top 10 causes of cancer death in Australia, with a low survival rate and high rate of recurrence. Prof George’s work aims to understand what drives liver disease and liver cancer to develop preventative strategies or treatments that cure the disease. What began at Westmead Hospital now involves 40 academic institutions in 15 countries around the world. Australia is on track to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030, and Hepatitis B is now treatable. Thanks to the achievements of Prof. George and his team, 1,325 patients receive annual check-ups, which has led to the earlier detection of 106 cancers so far. 487 patients with Hepatitis B are part of the nurse- led GP program, delivering optimal and convenient treatment while reducing the burden on the hospital system.

Above Nurse Sharon Hausler working at C3C COVID-19 ward Westmead Hospital.

With the emergence of global infectious diseases such as COVID-19, there is a need for health workers to be able to work safely and be well protected against the exposure of airborne infectious agents. We have implemented a robust Respiratory Protection Program across the District’s hospitals and speciality services as part of the larger statewide Respiratory Protection Program lead by the Clinical Excellence Commission. Our facilities have established ongoing respirator fit testing provisions for our health workers. The fit testing method determines the brand, size and type of respirator that achieves an adequate seal on an individual’s face, protecting our health workers who perform their roles in high-risk patient care areas or where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or airborne precautions are required. This has contributed greatly to the ongoing improvements in the safe use of respirator masks and their management, resulting in health workers that are well protected and feel protected as they provide safe and quality care to our patients.

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