Year in Review 2021

OUR SPECIALITY SERVICES

Above, from left Radiation Therapists team in Blacktown Cancer Centre celebrating Radiation Therapist Week. Physiotherapist Marie March, Physiotherapist Nicole D’Souza and Physiotherapist Melanie Boyce.

Allied Health Allied Health have been very busy this year despite the pressures of COVID-19 with our 14021 strong workforce coming together to celebrate key achievements. We have strengthened our professional, operational, and clinical leadership with Facility/Service Directors now appointed to the Executive teams at Westmead, Auburn, Blacktown/Mount Druitt, and Drug Health. We continue to maintain a strong presence in research. Clinician researchers contribute to national and international committees, using research findings to impact the health of the population, not only in Western Sydney, but also in Australia and the world. There was ongoing improvement in outpatient activity, inpatient separations, and emergency department presentations, and unnecessary joint replacement surgeries decreased by 29%. Permanent funding was secured for further development of our ‘RAID-ED’ Model of Care, RAID-ED is a rapid response seven- day, extended hours service that includes physiotherapists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Its purpose is to lower the demand on hospital beds, reducing admissions to Westmead and Blacktown Emergency Departments (ED). This year the RAID-ED team discharged nearly 60% of patients directly from the ED, providing follow up for 30% of those discharged patients. BehavioUr Management Plan (BUMP) Project was piloted earlier this year aiming to improve safety and reduce the incidents of aggression in Aged Care wards at Blacktown Hospital, while reducing costs related to behaviour management strategies. Over a 7-day period the team met with patients that required increased supervision and their families to complete personal profiles

130 PUBLICATIONS IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS 2020/2021 KEY STATS

and create specific activities and daily living programs. Working closely with medical, nursing, and corporate services the team adapted hospital routines, provided carer education and support, and worked to safely discharge patients. The model was deemed a success with a decrease in code blacks, no complaints from patients and positive family and staff feedback. Equity funding has allowed for recruitment of additional positions within the team to continue the program. 16 Allied Health professionals were enrolled in higher degrees of research and 5 people were supported with career development awards from the Westmead Charitable Trust, valued at a total of $300K. Allied Health clinicians have received research funding totalling approximately $220K, including funding to support kickstarter grants, interventions trials, and implementation science research. WSLHD hopes to support ten high school students to complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance next year. We hope this program will nurture local Aboriginal high school students’ interest in pursuing Allied Health careers in future. The Inaugural Disability Inclusion Action Plan for WSLHD 2020-2021 was completed. The Disability Portfolio in partnership with Urbis Consulting completed the Inaugural WSLHD Disability Inclusion Action Plan which was endorsed by the Board and Executive. The plan was developed in partnership with the executive team, staff and consumers including those with a lived experience of disability. $520K in research grants awarded

29% REDUCTION IN UNNECESSARY JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERIES

Nearly 60% PATIENTS DISCHARGED DIRECTLY FROM THE ED BY THE RAID-ED TEAM

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