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For Sam Carroll and his family, the Ronald McDonald House in Westmead has been a home away from home. Sam, a 10-year-old boy from Grafton has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. His cancer was discovered over a year ago and Sam and his family have been travelling to the Westmead Children’s Hospital to receive many treatments. Words cannot describe how much it means to his family to have the Ronald McDonald House provide warm beds and comforting facilities. For his parents, brother Hugh and sister Mae, it has been life changing. It has made the distressing trips to and from their home in Grafton a much more manageable experience. Other families in need however, have not been as lucky to receive such hospitable accommodations. The Building Love campaign was recently created to help remedy this troubling situation. The purpose of the Building Love campaign is setting a goal to raise $20 million for a brand-new Ronald McDonald House facility. The new facility will be worth upwards of $30 million. The new space will provide 60 rooms for the families of children who are receiving treatment at the children’s hospital. Belinda Woolford, who is currently the marketing and development manager for Ronald McDonald House said they have never had a day go by where they have could accommodate everyone who has been seeking a place to stay. “Their only other option to stay in hotels and other paid accommodation- which can obviously become very expensive,” she said. “The quicker we build a bigger house, the quicker we stop turning away those families.” There will be a state-wide telethon, a fundraising event that will be aired on the television. It will be airing tomorrow to help support the Building Love campaign. The date also happens to fall on the same day that Sam was diagnosed with his cancer. The goal of the telethon will be to hopefully get them closer to their $20 million goal, and help awareness of the campaign. The Carroll family has recently taken on the media trail to help get the word out. The family appeared on The Morning Show this week, alongside hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies. Sam and his mum Angela spoke about how important and helpful the new facility would be to families stricken by such a tragedy. Though Sam has had a troubling year, his dad, Adam Carrol said that his son had a great time meeting all the TV celebrities at the telethon. “It’s nice to see him having fun and having something to look forward to,” he said. “Everyone who talks to him walks away with a smile on their face. We’re very proud of all three of our children.” “We’re in a position to help these types of services that have helped us and Ronald McDonald House is one of them,” Mr Carroll said. “We’re trying to help as many as we can that are helping us.”
Sam Carroll's TV campaign for new hospital accommodation
Any parent, caretaker, sibling, teacher or guardian can attest to the simple fact that children can be accident-prone, especially when it comes to falls. But when those falls happen in the hospital, it can be a hindrance to important, ongoing treatment. When these falls do happen, they present a two-fold challenge to healthcare workers. The moral and economic factors have a direct impact on healthcare organisations, both in Australia and around the world. Unfortunately, little research has been done to help pinpoint specific causes of in-patient falls among children. So two Australian health organisations are working together to help young patients avoid these preventable accidents: The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, and the University of Technology Sydney. The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) has two main hospital branches: the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Those branches serve a combined 51,000 in-patient admissions, 92,000 emergency department patients, and more than one million outpatient services annually. And those large numbers make the organisation an ideal environment to find credible, evidence-based causation for those paediatric falls. Analysing the Data Right now, the SCHN is working with the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Health Services Management, alongside other health faculty members, to conduct fall prevention research and intervention programs. Some of this research links falls data from several organisational and state patient safety administrative reporting systems. These multiple data sets help hospital administrators to monitor trends and inform patient safety strategies, but this type of research does have some faults. The individual data sets can be skewed by subjective definitions and coding challenges, among other factors. Researchers work to combat these hurdles by linking several systems and using critical analysis to remove any outliers. The SCHN data identified 146 paediatric falls via the state-wide incident reporting system or routine data coding. That simplifies to a rate of 0.88 per 1000 occupied bed days at the hospital. Those falls were either physiological or accidental in nature, meaning they were either due to hospital environment or the child’s medical condition. That rate aligns with similar international statistics, but without linking the data sets, individual reporting systems accounted for wide-varying falls rates. The SCHN concluded that other Australian paediatric hospitals should work to join and analyze multiple data sets, in order to help reach a more informed, accurate understanding of national falls rates and trends. Once aware of the rate at which young patients fall during in-patient care, additional SCHN research took a closer look at the circumstances surrounding and direct causes of paediatric falls. Their hope being that by doing so, one could ideally find the most effective methods to reduce such falls. The Role of Parents Researchers determined that 43% of the fallen patients suffered at least minor injury and that nearly half of paediatric falls studied happened at the patient’s bedside. The research also analyzed those present at the time of the fall. While parents or guardians were present for around half the falls, healthcare workers were present in only one-fifth of cases. Though hard to admit, the data leads researchers to believe that sometimes, parents or carers may unintentionally increase the likelihood of paediatric falls. For example, spending long hours or days in the hospital can mean high physical and psychological demands, which can lead to fatigue. That fatigue can result in improper behaviours, such as unsafe removal of bed or cot sides in order to more easily reach their child. And while that proximity may be comforting to the patient, it can also leave them more vulnerable to accidental falls. Emotional Consequences and Impact If and when those falls do occur, it can leave a lasting mental and emotional impact on the patient, their family members, and the healthcare professionals working with them. To demonstrate the ripple effect of such a fall, consider the following hypothetical case study: 3-year-old James’ mum brought him to the emergency room because he was suffering from stomach pain. James’ mum also brought his younger brother along. While they waited to be seen, James' mum gave him toys to play with while in his hospital bed. However, she left the bedside down, in order to more easily reach him and play along. While his mum was distracted by his younger brother, James lost a toy toward the edge of the bed. While wriggling and stretching to reach it, James lost his balance and fell out of his bed where the side was removed. Not only was James distressed and in pain, his mother now felt guilty for moving the bedside and not watching him more closely. An initially straightforward visit for stomach pain now must be extended at least 6 more hours due to the fall. Doctors requested he stay in order to monitor the head injury. James’ story sheds new light on just how easy hospital falls can be, even if you are caring or visiting a patient with the best of intentions. The SCHN research team is hoping to highlight the most preventable causes to then educate healthcare workers and parents alike, in hopes of keeping paediatric patients as safe as possible. The Importance of Prevention Such case studies can also help researchers understand which children are most at risk of falls, and, as mentioned before, the SCHN’s research can and is helping to measure falls trends and develop a specific falls prevention strategy. One such strategy utilises simulations, in order to better train healthcare professionals on the primary causes of paediatric falls. These simulated scenarios are based on the input collected in the linked datasets and focus on specific factors, such as at-risk populations, parents' perception, and the physical places and activities most conducive to falls incidents. By better training the healthcare stakeholders, those professionals can then better translate key fall prevention messages to patients, their parents, and other caretakers. The SCHN, in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, is trailblazing in this research field and providing initial direction to other Australian paediatric hospitals through their extensive research. Their research and training practices can be applied both nationally and globally in order to curb these preventable accidents.
Falling Down
Three construction companies have been shortlisted by the Andrews Government to build the Footscray Hospital, which is considered to be the biggest hospital in Victoria to date. The new hospital worth $1.5 billion will be built beside Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus and will feature 504 patient beds. It is intended to replace the current hospital which has been standing since the 1950s.   The top 3 bidders are the Plenary Health (comprising Plenary Group, Multiplex, Honeywell and Compass), the Advance West (comprising Tetris Capital, John Holland, John Holland Services and ISS), and the Examplar Health (comprising Landlease, Spotless, and Capella Capital).   According to Jenny Mikakos, who is the Minister for Health, having shortlisted those companies were already a huge milestone for the project.   “We’ve conducted a worldwide search to find the very best construction companies to build the world-class Footscray Hospital,” Ms. Mikakos said.   The final announcement as to which bidder gets to take the project will be announced in 2020. As for the actual construction of the hospital, it will commence shortly after in order to meet the 2025 deadline.
Three in race for $1.5b hospital
In the next two months, an exciting $9 million project is expected to accommodate students and medical professionals alike near the Mildura Base Hospital. With medical technology and career opportunities flourishing in the medical world these days, more and more people are being needed at the Mildura Base Hospital. This means people working in the medical field yes, but also for the students as well. That’s why there are such high hopes for the new self-contained apartments being built near the hospital expected to be completed within the next two months or so. Debate on which company will be tasked with the project has been heated and ongoing. “Lanyon House, which has served the hospital so well, now dated and past its use-by-date,” says the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dane Huxley. "The new two-story complex will be attractive, functional and an asset to our efforts in trying to attract key staff, as well as students, to the region." The apartment will accommodate students, workers, and trainees alike which Huxley claims will attract a number of workers from far and wide to come work for the hospital. The complex itself contains 35 separate single and double units and your standard multi-purpose accommodations such as laundry and on-site parking. “We need to be able to compete successfully with centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo,” affirms Chief Huxley. “A number of key specialist recruitments in recent months show that we do have some advantages and strengths, such as lifestyle and professional opportunity. But with this development, the accommodation we can offer will be another strength we can draw on.” The apartments are the second phase of the hospital’s recent redevelopment project after growing many of the hospital's departments. The goal of attracting more health professional to the region of Mildura is a zealous ambition of the hospital in order to keep up with the medical world’s ever-changing landscape. Now more than ever, the Mildura Base Hospital needs more experienced workers, and with the government backing the project up with $9 million, only time will tell if they succeed.
Tenders called for hospital accommodation project
Approximately 4500 women living in Victoria are annually diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s considered as the second leading cause of deaths among women in the state, with roughly 770 each year. The good news is that more women could receive a faster diagnosis with the help of modern 3D screening technology. A total of six machines will be installed this financial year at the Moorabbin Hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and at regional services in Bendigo, Traralgon, and  Ballarat. The state government of Victoria is providing a total of $1.8 million on these 3D breast screening machines because these are able to detect cancer quicker with 3D images rather than the old technology which could only do 2D mammograms. "This is about accessing a much faster diagnosis and then going on to get access to treatment," said Jenny Mikakos who is the Victorian Health Minister. However, she also honestly stated that the distribution of these machines across Victoria would not make it easily accessible to everybody. In other words, there are individuals who have been requested for additional tests though BreastScreen Victoria which is the state's breast cancer screening program. Some of them even had to travel long distances just to have access to this new technology. Some women were even urged to visit a private hospital and pay for 3D mammograms, while others disregarded the option and simply chose to have more tests. "We're ensuring absolute state-wide coverage," Ms. Mikakos stated. Last year, 267,589 women participated in BreastScreen Victoria. This new program offers 3D mammograms free of charge to eligible women aged 40 or older. Those who are between the ages of 50 to 74 are strongly advised to be screened every two years. "We know that the key to beating breast cancer is early diagnosis and early treatment, and this is where screening and assessment come in and is just so important," Ms. Mikakos said.  
Better breast screening machines for Victorian women
Promising advancements in Melbourne’s health care system awaits as it makes way for the construction of a brand new hospital in Melton.   The Andrews Government recently announced to the public that a “cutting-edge hospital of the future” will be operated by Western Health which will be located in Toolern, just outside Melton. This new facility will offer round-the-clock services and specialist care. The final costs and plans for this project will be developed in 2020 following the appointment of a consultant who will be responsible for overseeing the plans and design.   Their decision to manage one of the state’s biggest public health services implies that what is envisioned is not a small-scale community-operated facility but rather a major metropolitan tertiary center.   Back in August 2019, Herald Sun disclosed to the public that Melton Hospital is strongly pushed to provide round-the-clock cardiac and acute surgery centers, emergency departments, and specialist cardiac and intensive care units.   This project can also affect the troubled Bacchus Marsh Hospital which might also end up under Western Health’s control and supervision.   Considering that Melton’s population is expected to soar by more than 250,000 inhabitants by 2031, the acting Health Minister Martin Foley stated that it is essential for the region to have a major state-of-the-art hospital that is also linked to the new Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the new Footscray hospital.   Although the final expenditure on the Melton Hospital project is still unknown, it is said to be approximately $1 billion.   “As one of the fastest-growing communities in Australia, Melton locals deserve a world-class, 24-hour public hospital, right on their doorstep,” Mr. Foley said.   “Melton’s new hospital will be in trusted hands. Western Health has a proud track record providing the highest quality care to patients throughout Melbourne’s booming western suburbs,” he added.   As of the moment, the government has funded a business case study worth $2.4 million for the new hospital. The cost also includes fees for six new consultants that are tasked to plan and identify the best location for the hospital. In early 2020, the principal consultant for this project will be announced.   The unfortunate death of the Bachus Marsh babies, a tragedy wherein two infants died due to factors that could have been avoided, also influenced the construction of a new hospital in the region.   But since the government had previously invested in the renovation and improvement of Bacchus Marsh Hospital amounting to $10 million, the state government seems to have no plan of closing down the facility which is only 15 minutes away from Melton.   On the other hand, Herald Sun affirmed that Djerriwarrh Health Service and Western Health have been planning to merge concerning the development of Melton. In a recent statement made by both parties, they stated that the Melton project paved the way for a “wide examination of the future of healthcare needs of Melbourne’s west.   “Given this major development in the two catchments and following four years of a close partnership between the services, the Western Health Board and Djerriwarrh Health Services administrator have agreed to explore the best possible options and opportunities for healthcare in Melbourne’s west. The exploration will include the potential benefits of an amalgamation of services which would need to be voluntary and agreed between boards and benefit the community,” the statement read.
$1B Heart Start: Major new hospital for the outer west
La Trobe University and Medibank recently announced a new partnership that is focused on providing assistance to future health care professionals, conducting research to improve the health and well-being of Australians, and helping La Trobe materialize it’s University of the Future. The following are what the partnership aims to achieve: 1. Local and international students will receive more rigorous training and better work opportunities after graduation; 2. The overall health of both local and international student communities of the University will be given more attention; 3. There will be more funding assistance with regard to the research work on health and wellbeing; 4. Health and wellbeing hubs will be constructed inside the University and its neighboring communities; and 5. Digital health services will be made available to more individuals in order to support the growth of the region.   David Koczkar, the Chief Customer Officer of Medibank said that the company will provide complete health and wellbeing services that are both digital and physical. “Medibank and La Trobe University have a shared focus on health and wellbeing which will help to bring La Trobe’s University City of the Future to life. Medibank’s 1,300 clinical and health professionals and our extensive wellbeing partnerships will create a healthier, more connected northern Melbourne community,” Mr Koczkar said. “Having already invested in medical research through our Medibank Better Health Foundation, this partnership with La Trobe gives Medibank the opportunity to target our support of innovative research and ensure all Australians can benefit from it.” “As well as supporting La Trobe’s employees and students with our leading health insurance offering, we will also support student development through placements, internships and ongoing learning opportunities.” Professor John Dewar, the Vice Chancellor of La Trobe said that the partnership will cover participation in the hub for health and wellbeing, as well as precinct for research and innovation at La Trobe’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora. “The northern Melbourne municipalities of Darebin, Banyule and Whittlesea are rapidly growing and the population is ageing. With these growth challenges comes the need to provide a greater range of health services,” Professor Dewar said. “La Trobe wants to be a part of the solution and is partnering with Medibank to address this emerging health challenge. The hub will build on La Trobe’s world-class reputation in allied health teaching, learning and research, and revolutionise the provision of local health services. “We are also delighted that our students will benefit from this partnership – and be a part of this commitment to deliver better community health outcomes.” University of the Future In the next 10 years, La Trobe University is expected to develop into a world-renowned University City of the Future at our Melbourne campus in Bundoora that has a whopping size of 235 hectares. We envision that it will become a campus to study, work, meet new people, and be healthy. This top-of-the-line university will be worth $5 billion and will generate more than 20,000 new job opportunities, learning facilities for 40,000 students, and additional lodging for 12,000 private residents, learners, and school staff.  
Health Partnership with Medibank
Professional athletes are typically provided with the best trainers and medical practitioners who help them with their performance, physical injuries, and other bodily needs. For the longest time, looking after their mental health has not been a priority because of society’s stigma towards it. Not to mention the fact that mental illness is an invisible disease and is usually undetected by the public or even by the patients themselves. Fortunately for athletes of this generation, more and more people are raising awareness of mental health and encouraging psychological or psychiatric treatment. In Australia, a number of hospitals, such as Epworth Richmond which is the largest non-profit hospital in Victoria, have become more welcoming toward individuals who need help. Their psychologists don’t just work with inpatients and outpatients, but also members of the community. Because of this, a number of sporting clubs and organizations have expressed the importance of providing mental health assistance not just to athletes, but to everyone in the team as well.  This urged the Australian Football League to appoint experts in the psychological field. Their Players’ Association Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer recently declared Dr. Kate Hall as the Head of Mental Health and Well-being, and Dr. Ranjit Menon as the Chief Psychiatrist of AFL. These doctors are tasked to improve the industry’s support toward the mental well being of AFL’s current and former coaches, umpires, players, and administration staff. These new appointments were initiated by the Industry Governance Committee after they conducted a thorough review of the mental health state of everyone in AFL. “The mental health and well-being of everyone involved in our game is a key focus, we know it is one of the biggest issues facing the industry and these appointments ensure we have prioritized the well-being of players, umpires, coaches and football administration staff. The combination of a clinical psychologist in Dr. Kate Hall and psychiatrist in Dr. Ranjit Menon is a world-first for a professional sporting organization, positioning the industry towards a best-practice model. Dr. Hall is an experienced clinician and academic who has dedicated her research and practice to the treatment of addiction and mental health issues for over 15 years. Kate will lead the mental health and well-being function for the AFL, overseeing the strategy, implementation, clinical operations and review of all mental health policies, processes, and activities within the AFL, and the wider industry,” Mr. McLachlan said. The Mental Health and Well-being team will be lead by Dr. Hall. Alongside this, she will continue her work once a week as Deakin University’s Senior Lecturer in Addiction and Mental Health. In addition, she will also lead research projects through the research agreement of the Australian Football League with Deakin University. On the other hand, Dr. Ranjit Menon, who is an experienced sports psychiatrist, will supervise all medical interventions through his position. Mr. McLachlan added that Dr. Ranjit Menon is a renowned psychiatrist who has been helping elite athletes for five years. In fact, he has been working with numerous sporting clubs and organizations in Australia. “We’re proud of how through the important work of the Industry Governance Committee and the Mental Health Industry review it has undertaken over the past 18 months, the entire industry has come together to develop a united approach to tackle the complex issue of mental health. We are excited by the appointments of Dr. Hall and Dr. Menon and congratulate them on their new roles. Both have been part of the AFLPA’s national psychologist network for several years and are acutely aware of the challenges facing players and the broader industry. Through the combination of Dr. Hall, Dr. Menon and the existing AFLPA Mental Health and Wellbeing team we have never felt more optimistic about the industry’s prospects of effecting meaningful change in what is our industry’s most pressing issue,” Paul Marsh said. “Having worked for many years to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians, I ultimately believe this role can make an impact on how the AFL industry and broader community responds to mental health issues. I look forward to supporting and expanding on the excellent work of the AFL club doctors and mental health practitioners working with AFL players and will be working to ensure we provide excellent mental healthcare to all players and staff across the system. I am excited by this opportunity to move the industry towards best practice in mental health prevention and early intervention,” Dr. Kate Hall said. “As a passionate advocate and an established provider of mental healthcare of elite athletes, I am very honored and excited to be appointed to the role of AFL Chief Psychiatrist. I look forward to working with Kate and other officials within the AFL governance hierarchy as well as the AFL clubs and their clinical staff including club doctors and psychologists. We will aspire to develop the clinical infrastructure and promote the mental health of athletes and staff across the AFL ecosystem,” Dr. Ranjit Menon said. The Australian Football League is grateful to AFLPA Chief Executive Officer Paul Marsh, AFL Commissioner Helen Milroy, Richmond Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale, and Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett for their assistance in the hiring process of Dr. Menon and Dr. Hall. Both doctors will officially begin September 2019.   
Statement: AFL appoints head of mental health and well-being, and chief psychiatrist
In the next two months, an exciting $9 million project is expected to accommodate students and medical professionals alike near the Mildura Base Hospital. With medical technology and career opportunities flourishing in the medical world these days, more and more people are being needed at the Mildura Base Hospital. This means people working in the medical field yes, but also for the students as well. That’s why there are such high hopes for the new self-contained apartments being built near the hospital expected to be completed within the next two months or so. Debate on which company will be tasked with the project has been heated and ongoing. “Lanyon House, which has served the hospital so well, now dated and past its use-by-date,” says the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dane Huxley. "The new two-story complex will be attractive, functional and an asset to our efforts in trying to attract key staff, as well as students, to the region." The apartment will accommodate students, workers, and trainees alike which Huxley claims will attract a number of workers from far and wide to come work for the hospital. The complex itself contains 35 separate single and double units and your standard multi-purpose accommodations such as laundry and on-site parking. “We need to be able to compete successfully with centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo,” affirms Chief Huxley. “A number of key specialist recruitments in recent months show that we do have some advantages and strengths, such as lifestyle and professional opportunity. But with this development, the accommodation we can offer will be another strength we can draw on.” The apartments are the second phase of the hospital’s recent redevelopment project after growing many of the hospital's departments. The goal of attracting more health professional to the region of Mildura is a zealous ambition of the hospital in order to keep up with the medical world’s ever-changing landscape. Now more than ever, the Mildura Base Hospital needs more experienced workers, and with the government backing the project up with $9 million, only time will tell if they succeed.
Tenders called for hospital accommodation project
Towards the end of 2018, Ms. Jenny Evans started to notice a mysterious fog which caused her to lose half her vision. “It was quite traumatic. it became difficult to drive or even do household chores. It was like a fog and eventually my sight got worse, “she said.  Fortunately for Ms. Evans, she was one of the first few patients who got to try the new surgical microscope which is worth $500,000 at Epworth Freemasons. This outstanding piece of technology is a generous donation from Epworth Medical Foundation. What makes this Lumera 700 special is that this apparatus allows the operating surgeon to perform more precise microscopic repairs thanks to its cellular view feature. “In real-time, it enables me to see things in real-time that I cannot see with my own eyes,” said Dr. Ojaimi who was the attending surgeon of Ms. Evans. He was able to dramatically improve the macular tear at Ms. Evans eyes and restored the condition of her eyesight. “Her sight was actually back to over 100 percent vision,” Dr. Ojaimi said. “It was amazing the difference after the surgery, I had my eyesight back, if not even better than before. The medical team was remarkable. If anyone is thinking about the operation then come and make an appointment – anything is possible,”  Ms. Jenny Evans said.  This life-changing technology helped Ms. Evans return to her daily tasks such as driving and looking after her grandchildren.  
New technology in sight