Year in Review 2021

OUR SPECIALITY SERVICES WSLHD YEAR IN REVIEW 4

Drug Health

The virtual Tooth Smart program was launched. The program is delivered by the Specialist Paediatric Dentistry Department and aims to support families of young children who are undergoing dental treatment under general anaesthetic. Follow-up appointments are delivered virtually, by phone and GoShare, a digital health education delivery platform supported by NSW Health. The aim of the program is to improve the oral health of the whole family by strengthening the connection with families following a general anaesthetic procedure, providing education and preventative advice, supporting this priority population and high-risk group, and to reduce readmission for another general anaesthetic procedure for young children over the long term. Between March and June 96.8% of GoShare bundle recipient respondents reported that they found the information helpful or very helpful. SMS appointment reminders were introduced which produced a significant increase in attendance rates. SMS messages are also used to remind patients of steps to take prior to their appointments. To support and enhance care for culturally and linguistically diverse patients Oral Health engaged the Health Care Interpreter Services via the myVirtualCare platform. Oral Health partnered with HCIS and WSLHD Telehealth Services to develop virtual interpreter connections in all WSLHD public dental clinics using mobile devices. During the first 6 months of the program 90% of all interpreter encounters were conducted virtually, with an increase in the number of available interpreter bookings due to reduced travel time.

including the ability to understand, organise and recall information, and plan ahead. She helps them understand themselves and their current functioning, to recognise their strengths and weaknesses, and give them tools to help in everyday life. A neuropsychological assessment is the next step toward patients accessing the help they need through the National Disability Insurance Scheme or a Disability Support Pension. Vivian said she wanted to help people understand their own minds and put them in a better place to understand and remember the things they need to know. Logan Harvey, Clinical Psychologist at Cumberland Hospital and PhD student, has received a $5,000 grant to undertake new research into a pilot trial of group therapy for substance use disorders and comorbid mental health problems. The pilot trial will be in collaboration with researchers from the University of Sydney. The funds are provided by WSLHD, Research and Education Network, Faculty of Health Sciences, and the University of Sydney. Oral Health Due to restrictions Oral Health services reduced their activity and routine dental care this year and staff were redeployed to the emergency department at Westmead Hospital, assisted in managing the COVID-19 Testing Clinics at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals, staffed the Entry Screening Stations at multiple sites across the Local Health District, trained as vaccinators and contact tracers, provided support to COVID-19 positive patients isolating in their home through the InTouch program and assisted the Public Health Unit.

Every day they come to work, Western Sydney Local Health

District’s Drug Health Service ensure they go above and beyond to keep vulnerable members of the Western Sydney community safe. This year, more than 90 per cent of staff in the service rolled up their sleeves to receive their COVID-19 vaccination in July. Before receiving their doses, staff attended two information sessions which allowed the service team members to come together and ask questions and hear about how the vaccine will not only benefit them, but also the wider community. Drug Health has nurses, doctors and allied health staff across all hospitals and multiple community health centres, providing treatment and support for those affected by substance use. Many of the people accessing the services are socially disadvantaged, ageing, or have increasing medical complexity, any and all of which can make a person extremely vulnerable. If one staff member became infected with the virus, or unknowingly transmitted it to a patient or fellow team member, the effects could have been detrimental. A passion for understanding how our minds work inspires Clinical Neuropsychologist Vivian Leung to help people suffering from the cognitive effects of substance use. Neuropsychology is one of the many branches of psychology, with a focus on cognition and cognitive rehabilitation rather than therapy. Vivian sees people experiencing issues with their memory and thinking,

Above, from left Cumberland Mental Health Neuropsychologist Vivian Leung. Westmead Oral Health Digital Lab. Oral Rehabilitation Faculty of Dentistry A/Prof Christine Wallace.

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