August/

September

2013

Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service Newsletter

215 Rossiter Road Koo Wee Rup Victoria 3981 Tel: (03) 5997 9679 Fax: (03) 5997 1248 Email: Gregory@krhs.net.au website: www.kooweeruphospital.net.au

‘Towards a Healthier Community’‘Towards a Healthier Community’‘Towards a Healthier Community’ This is the vision Kooweerup Regional Health Service (KRHS) has for the future. KRHS is taking its vision seriously, providing high quality health care, education and a variety of health promotion programs within the Koo Wee Rup and district community. As part of developing it future plan a questionnaire was sent out to over 5,000 households and a community consultation held at the community hall on Monday 12

th August. This information will

contribute to ensuring the health service is on track and delivering the services required by the community. Kooweerup Regional Health Service also sees the health and wellbeing of its staff as integral to providing good quality care for the community and has signed up to participate in the Healthy Together Victoria Workplace Achievement Program. The Achievement Program provides workplaces with guidelines, resources and support to create healthier environments and recognises the achievements of those who are improving health and wellbeing in their workplace and wider community. The Achievement Program is part of the Healthy Together Victoria initiative to support the development of healthy environments where people live, learn, work and play.

Amy Moore Healthy Together Cardinia Shire Council Health Promotion Officer presents Aileen Thoms KRHS Health Promotion Manager, Margaret Bakonyi Unit Manager and Margaret Neidhart Accounts Officer with the basket of fresh fruit

It has been a very busy time for the Leisure + Lifestyle Department, there have been many highlights in the activity program for individual residents, some of our residents have enjoyed recent holidays at Phillip Island, and have been fortunate to be cared for by our dedicated staff members, the company of familiar staff makes all the difference to the resident, especially when the are away from the facility. Other highlights have been a trip to the Melbourne Zoo and a Multicultural Day. Residents enjoyed taste experi-ences from Holland, Italy, Africa, India, Ireland etc, Costumes from other countries were worn by many other staff. It was a great day as you can see from the photos. Other activities have taken residents into the local and wider community, regular social events at the Senior Citz Club, shopping in Pakenham and lunch and pokies in Tooradin just to name a few.

‘The Stars are out tonight’ Residents from the Hostel and N/Home came together to sing in the newly formulated choir on the evening of Wednesday 21st . Pauline Stanhope was our Pianist for the evening, Jane Coupe a soloist, Leisure + Lifestyle staff were the backing singers. I wonderful time had by all. It was also great to see so many family members. All in attendance are keen to continue. This group of residents meets every week. I am constantly look-ing for new voices to come and join us, I have been told some are hiding over in the ‘Health Promotion Building’ and in KC’s office. Our next get together is on the 5th of September @ 2.00pm in the main lounge of the Hostel.

Student Danielle presents a special life history to residents in the Hostel and N/Home Marie Christian and Margaret Burgess.

'Miss Marples’ in the N/Home Beautiful scones jam and cream served to our residents. Environment is set as a quaint little English café, Tea is

served in fine bone china and the tables are set with white Irish linen.

Wish List for the Leisure and Lifestyle Department Could all family members please bring in some family photos to the Hostel and N/Home. With your permission we will copy the photos for the residents and use them for conversation and reminiscence. The photos also support the residents in keeping special memories of family and loved ones alive. Could you also label the photos so we can set up special books? Please include gardens, homes, cars and special holiday that have meaning for the resident. Our departments are also very short on vases for the flowers that are given to the residents, we would appreciate any vases that you may have.

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‘What’s on’‘What’s on’‘What’s on’

Killara andKillara andKillara and

Westernport UnitWesternport UnitWesternport Unit

August and SeptemberAugust and SeptemberAugust and September

Mondays: Singalong & exercise group 10.30am WPU Knitting and reading group 10.30am Killara Bingo 1.30pm WPU Tuesdays: Bingo 10.30am WPU Shopping 10.30am Cranbourne / Pakenham / Bunyip Wednesdays: Mens Group 10.30am Killara Bingo 1.30pm Killara Thursdays: Church Services 10.30am Killara

1st week- Anglican 2nd week- Uniting 3rd week- Catholic 4

th week- Universal

5th week- Anglican Bible Reading with Clyde 1.30pm Killara Yoga & Relaxation with Sheila 3.30pm Killara Singing with Jane 2.00pm WPU

Fridays: Shopping in Koo Wee Rup 10.30am Killara Happy Hour with Pauline 10.30am Killara2.00pmWPU Exercise with Sandy 11.00am Killara Senior Citz. 1.00pm KWR Community Sunday 1st Fathers Day special afternoon tea WPU Wednesday 4th Scrapbooking 1.30pm WPU Monday 9th Afternoon Tea in KWR Tuesday 10th Residents and Relatives meeting 1.30 WPU Wednesday 11th Allan Buckley music and singalong 1.30pm WPU Volunteers meeting 12.00 all welcome Friday 13th Casino afternoon 2.00pm WPU Saturday 21st Rosalie and friends 10.30am Killara Friday 27th Memorial Service 2.00pm Killara courtyard Saturday 28th Grand final celebrations, all welcome 1.00-5.00pm WPU

Wish List for the Leisure and Lifestyle Department Could all family members please bring in some family photos to the Hostel and N/Home. With your permission we will copy the photos for the residents and use them for conversation and reminiscence. The photos also support the residents in keeping special memories of family and loved ones alive. Could you also label the photos so we can set up special books? Please include gardens, homes, cars and special holiday that have meaning for the resident. Our departments are also very short on vases for the flowers that are given to the residents, we would appreciate any vases that you may have.

Please Note Up and coming Accreditation for the Hostel 10th + 11th of September If families and friends would like to meet the Auditors please advise Fran Harrison

High Tea at Killara

Enjoy refined delights such as macaroons, scones and dainty cakes while listening to music in the gardens. Thursday 17th October 2—4pm, gold coin donation Bookings essential contact Cathy 5997 9691 or email bainc@krhs.net.au

Youth News Youth News Youth News

The Cardinia Shire L2P learner driver program has assisted 5

young people to attain their probationary licence in the first six months of 2013. Congratulations to the Learner drivers on their hard work and to the volunteers for their dedication and encouragement. With out these volunteers this program could not run and their would be no help for these young people. If you, or some one you know would be interested to volunteering to be a mentor in this program please contact Brian on 59979687

Students from the local Primary and Secondary schools have returned to Kooweerup

Men’s Shed for term 3 for the after school program. The program has been

extended on Monday afternoons through to 5.30pm by popular demand. This term

will see continued work on a large group art

project for the community garden, group games, cooking and something special for

Fathers day. A big THANKYOU to the local IGA for their continued sponsorship of

the program and to the amazing volunteers that make it all possible.

Students from the Kooweerup Secondary College Advance Class

have been working in the orchard area of the Kooweerup Community garden.

After the amazing job they did completing the work of the pond area they now

turn their talents to the front of the garden. The major work has been increasing

drainage to this area to assist in plant growth. They have added a wet lands

area to the rear of the area that will be planted out with native grasses to ac-

commodate native fauna. They have also begun work in interpretative signage

to go throughout the area to inform visitors about the plants and animals to be

found in the garden.

The Kooweerup Men’s Shed volunteers are once again mentoring

students for Kooweerup Secondary College. This year we have

both boys and girls in the group. The girls have been constructing

outdoor furniture that can be seen around the community garden

while the boys have been doing training and accreditation on the

men’s shed equipment so they can assist in new garden projects.

Massage Therapists promoting the benefits

of massage for men, will be in the mens shed on

Wednesday 5th September 2013

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CommunityCommunityCommunity

NewsNewsNews

The Bendigo Bank of Koo Wee Rup along with Branches from across the area

presented grant cheques to community groups. Richard Roach from the Koo

Wee Rup branch presented grants to ten community groups including the

Cardinia shire L2P program. This goes towards the loan payments on the car

that provides valuable assistance to youth across the shire. As this is the 5th

year of sponsoring the

L2P program,

Brian Harlow the Youth

development worker who

coordinates the program

gave a brief description

of the program and the

valuable role Bendigo

Banks support plays in it.

Koo Wee Rup Men’s Shed,

well on the way to completion

Tuesday & Wednesday

3rd & 4th October 13 Advance TAFE– Flexible Learning Centre

Cnr Desailly & Cunningham streets SALE Vic

7

For information on Walking Groups

contact Aileen 59979681

New pedometers The Heart Foundation now has available a new basic pedometer in the online shop. The more advanced model is still available for $40, however this addition provides a low cost option to walkers wanting to keep track of their steps! www.heartfoundationshop.com

HEART FOUNDATION SUPPORT Every year big-hearted Australians help save lives and

make world-class research possible by supporting the Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal. This September, we need 120,000 big-hearted volunteers to knock on doors in their neighbourhood to help raise $5 million. You can join in at your workplace and online too. Your big heart really can help others, so make a difference in the fight against heart disease by getting involved today.

Heart Foundation Walking

The program will continue to deliver more park walks The Green Walks in the Park through-out the year. For the rest of the 2013, the program will focus on selected parks in order to set up regular park based walking opportunities. Walk dates and parks are listed below. Please feel free to distribute these details to your groups, and let me know if you’d like to be added to the monthly mail list of upcoming walks. Bunyip State Park (Gembrook): Sunday 22 September More walks will be announced for September shortly, and an action packed week for Seniors Week (6 -13 October) is currently being developed. More details to follow in the next update.

Call 1300 36 27 87 or visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/support-us if you’d like to find out more about this campaign

Saying “thank-you” to the Heart Foundation Walk Organiser’s at the Gas Works Arts Park

New women’s wellbeing program. Relaxing, fabulous and fun afternoons, which

enhance the connections women have with each other.

Commencing 1st October For more information please contact Sheila on

5997 9700

Your blood pressure

"The vast majority of people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. So if you don't have it measured, you've really got no idea," says Professor Garry Jennings, director and chief executive officer of Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. High blood pressure means your blood is pumping through your arteries with greater than normal force. This puts greater pressure on your artery walls and over time it causes damage that increases your risk of heart dis-ease, strokes and kidney failure. You should have your blood pressure checked by a GP at age 45, says the Heart Foundation's Dr Robert Gren-fell. "But if you have a family history of early heart disease or kidney disease, it would be important to know your blood pressure from an earlier age." Follow-up checks should be made every year (although many GPs make blood pressure testing a routine part of every patient visit). The test is quick and painless and involves inflating a cuff around your arm. While blood pressure fluctuates normally, high blood pressure or hypertension is when the blood pressure is high, even at rest. A normal measure is generally less than 120/80 (referred to as "120 over 80"). This is a com-bined measure of the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps (120) and when your heart relaxes be-tween each beat (80). It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Usually, three abnormally high readings on different occasions are needed to diagnose a problem. If there's an issue, your GP will discuss the treatment options with you. They may suggest you monitor your blood pressure over a period of time at home. But the initial test should be done by a GP as they are best qualified to interpret the result. "Don't be a Dr Google. Talk to your doctor before you start monitoring at home," Grenfell says. (The Heart Foundation website has information about home blood pressure monitoring, as does UK charity Blood Pressure UK.)

When to find out? Age 45 (younger for certain categories) Who to see? GP (in first instance) Ease of test: EASY (See our Hypertension (high blood pressure) fact file and article Is a red face a sign of high blood pressure? for more information.)

Womens Health Week with Jean Hailes at Fed Square. Womens health celebrated with one voice.

Ph: 1800 JEAN HAILES

(532 642)

Website:

jeanhailes.org.au

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HealthierHealthierHealthier

TogetherTogetherTogether

Vitamin D deficiency

The main source of vitamin D in Australia is from sun exposure. When sunlight hits our skin, it reacts with a cholesterol-like substance and

produces vitamin D. The amount of sun exposure needed depends on your skin colour, where you live and the time of year.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia, despite one of the highest ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels worldwide and an abundance of sunshine. You may be at risk if you have little or no sun exposure. This includes:

Elderly people

People in residential care or who are mostly indoors

Babies of vitamin D deficient mothers

Dark-skinned people

People who cover their skin for religious/cultural reasons

People working irregular hours Postmenopausal women

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, without which our bodies find it hard to absorb enough calcium and phosphorus from the gut. We need calcium for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Vitamin D also helps with cell growth, hormone function, regulating our nervous system and maintaining a healthy immune system. You can get small amounts of vitamin D from some foods including cod liver oil, egg yolk and oily fish such as salmon and sardines. In Australia, margarines and some milks and dairy products are fortified with vitamin D. This may help people at risk of vitamin D deficiency, but most Australians get enough vitamin D by spending regular time outdoors. It’s important to balance the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure with time in the sun to help maintain vitamin D levels. Follow these simple tips to make sure you get enough vitamin D from the sun safely:

Expose arms, hands and face to sunlight for 10 minutes a day in summer, 15-20 minutes in spring and autumn and 30 minutes in winter outside peak UV times (10am-2pm or 11am-3pm daylight savings time).

People with darker skin may need longer sun exposure periods.

Always protect yourself from the sun when the UV index is above 3.

Never use solariums as a substitute for sunlight as they emit dangerous levels of UV, which can increase your risk of skin cancer. If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, see your GP, as symptoms may not be obvious.

Published with the permission of Jean Hailes for Women's Health www.jeanhailes.org.au

1800 JEAN HAILES (532 642)

Smoking rates in Victoria drop to record lows, new research reveals Tuesday 6 August, 2013 New Cancer Council Victoria data released today has revealed regular smoking rates in Victoria have dropped to a record low of 13.3%. The Smoking prevalence and consumption in Victoria: key findings from the 1998-2012 population surveys report also found:

While regular smoking rates (daily or weekly) dropped to 13.3% in 2012, daily smoking rates fell to 11.7%

Almost six out of ten Victorian adults and more than 70% of those aged 18-29 have never smoked

The prevalence of regular smoking declined most rapidly amongst the most disadvantaged Victorians between 2005-

2012, reversing a trend in previous years for smoking rates to decline fastest amongst Victoria’s most advantaged.

Males (16%) were significantly more likely to be smoking on a regular basis than females (11.2%)

Quit Victoria Executive Director Fiona Sharkie said this evidence of a ‘narrowing of the gap’ in smoking status between low and high SES Victorians could be due to tobacco control initiatives with a particular emphasis on reducing smoking among low SES adults. Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said the proportion of people who had never smoked had risen by just over 8% since 1998 but Mr Todd Harper cautioned against interpreting the drop in smoking rates as a sign smoking was no longer a major health problem in Victoria. “Lung cancer is Victoria’s biggest cancer killer and 80-90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking,” he said. “With almost 4000 Victorians dying every year from smoking-caused disease, tobacco must remain a public health priority.” For more information, contact Quit Victoria Media Relations Co-ordinator Jessica Craven on 0400424559 or jessica.craven@cancervic.org.au

Tips for a Green Workplace Turn off all computers and screens when not in use. Turnoff standby power at the end of the day, ie: switch off all appliances at the wall or power board (e.g: photocopiers and printers)

“Greening the Healthcare Sector’ Kooweerup Regional Health Service was among the health and sustainability professionals who gathered in Melbourne on Friday 30

th Aug for a policy think tank to discuss initiatives to promote environmental sustainability in healthcare around the

world. The second annual “Greening the Healthcare Sector’ Policy Think Tank was jointly hosted by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association and the Climate and Health Alliance, with supporting partners Global Green and Healthy Hospitals and the Deeble Institute. This year the Think Tank were joined by international speakers: Dr Blair Sadler from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and School of Management, USA and Josh Karliner from the international NGO Health Care Without Harm. Dr Sadler welcomed the opportunity to share progress from the US Healthier Hospitals Initiative with Australian audiences, “We are working to embed a broad sustainability agenda in the DNA of healthcare delivery in the United States. There are already some incredible accomplishments from this program, which is available at no cost, with millions of pounds of materials recycled and over $32 million in savings from single-use medical device reprocessing. I’m also looking forward to hearing about activities in Australia and sharing them with colleagues in the US.” Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association CEO Alison Verhoeven said “We are very pleased to be part of promoting the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals network that is helping hospitals and healthcare systems around the world become more sustainable. By doing so, hospital and health providers can reduce expenditure, improve the health of their staff and the community. We encourage all health care settings to join this global network to accelerate our progress towards sustainable, healthy, healthcare.” Climate and Health Alliance Convenor Fiona Armstrong said the opportunities for collaboration among individuals and institutions working on sustainable healthcare initiatives were greatly enhanced by innovative new communication platforms such as Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Connect.

Environmental EdgeEnvironmental EdgeEnvironmental Edge

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QualityQualityQuality

Monthly ReportMonthly ReportMonthly Report

Continuing to be a very busy year in the Quality department, both for Aged Care Services as well as Acute Care Services. Various accreditations have been occurring this year with our respite and aged care services for the Westernport Unit already being assessed. There are several more accreditations still to go with our Acute Care Services being assessed on August 20th, 2013. This process will involve two surveyors coming to spend the day at Kooweerup Regional Health Service (KRHS) and viewing what we do in the Westernport Unit for our medical patients as well as our Allied Health Services. The assessment will involve the new National Standards, a set of mandatory actions determined by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare Services and mandated by the Federal Government. For this assessment, we will be expected to pass 111 mandatory actions. It is expected that KRHS will achieve this standard.

Our District Nursing Service has a separate accreditation occurring on 21st August 2013 to assess our Communi-ty Care Services. This will involve only one surveyor, spending half the day with our District Nursing to assess the quality of care that they provide. It is expected that we will also gain full accreditation in this area. Blackfish Medical Clinic will be assessed for the first time in March 2014 under the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). This process will commence with an online survey to be completed by the Quality Department in conjunction with staff members from the clinic which will be submitted in December 2013. I will inform you of this process in coming months as I gain more information. Auditing has slowed down at this time in order to prepare for the upcoming accreditations. One audit of recent note though is the Crash Cart audit. This particular audit involves seeing if staff check the Crash Cart (a trolley with a defibrillator, oxygen, air viva and various other equipment and drugs) every day to ensure the battery is working on the defibrillator and that the equipment is ready to go in case of an emergency. In the past, this has only been checked 86% of the time at best. A few systems and policies have changed to aid the staff, and now they are checking the machine 97% of the time. Over a 6 month period, the Crash Cart was not checked on only 6 occasions (out of 181 occasions) and agency staff were working these particular shifts. It is assumed that they may not have been aware of KRHS policies. In short, well done to all night duty staff for their fantastic efforts in ensuring that this important duty is carried out.

Future planning of our quality systems will be occurring once all of the accreditations are over, with some very exciting changes in mind. I will inform you all next newsletter once I have finished drafting my plans and had them approved by the CEO and Board. Some ideas involve having community members on the Continuum of Care community and/or to set up a committee where community members can have more of an involvement in KRHS, find out more about the quality of care we strive to achieve and give ideas and feedback on how we can do better. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Samantha Jane Scott Quality Coordinator (Acute Care Services)

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Crabby Old Man What do you see nurses…..what do you see? What are you thinking…..when you’re looking at me? A crabby old man…..not very wise Uncertain of habit…..with faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food…..and makes no reply When you say in a loud voice…..”I do wish you’d try!” Who seems not to notice…..the things that you do. And forever is losing…..a sock or a shoe. Who, resisting or not…..lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding…..the long day to fill. Is that what your thinking…..is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse…..you’re not looking at me. I’ll tell you who I am…..as I sit here so still As I do at your bidding…..as I eat at your will, I’m a small child of Ten…..with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters…..who love one another. A young boy of Sixteen…..with wings on his feet, Dreaming that soon now…..a lover he’ll meet. A groom soon at Twenty…..my heart gives a leap, Remembering, the vows…..that I promised to keep At twenty-five now…..I have young of my own. Who need me to guide…..a secure happy home. A man of Thirty…..my young now grown fast, Bound to each other…..with ties that should last. At Forty, my young sons…..have grown and are gone, But my woman’s beside me…..to see I don’t mourn. At Fifty, once more babies play ‘round my knee Again we know children…..my loved one and me Dark days are upon me…..my wife is now dead. I look at the future…..shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing…..young of their own And I think of the years…..and the love that I’ve known I’m now an old man…..and nature is cruel Tis jest to make old age…..look like a fool. The body, it crumbles…..grace and vigor depart, There is now a stone…..where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass…..a young guy still dwells, And now and again…..my battered heart swells. I remember the joys…..I remember the pain, And I’m loving and living…..life over again. I think of the years, all too few…..gone too fast, And accept the stark fact…..that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people…..open and see, Not a crabby old man…..Look closer…..SEE ME!!

Just a ThoughtJust a ThoughtJust a Thought Lola

My daughter was rushing to take her daughter Ebony to the Doctor the other day as she was extremely ill, so emotions were high, when my daughter jumped into the car and went to turn it on it would not start, my daughter rushed back inside to find her little Maltese terrier ‘Lola’ with Eb-ony’s dummy in her mouth, she said she sat down and laughed, how could you take this situation seriously. This little dog as you can see is feeling a little left out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cathy