Media enquiries should be directed to: Taanya Widdicombe Community Development Manager St John of God Hospital, Geelong Mob: 0417 334985 Ph: (03) 5226 8812 Fax: (03) 5229 0371 Email: taanya.widdicombe@sjog.org.au
Midwife of the Year Award Geelong midwife Tracey Rickard named Victoria's Midwife of the Year from 1,145 nominations.
2 May 2008
The Johnson & Johnson Midwife of the Year Award is designed to acknowledge the care and expertise midwives give to new mothers and babies, and recognise their proficiency in all aspects of normal pregnancy care and the significant role midwives play in the birth of a new baby.
New mothers can say a personal thank you to their midwives by completing a nomination form for the annual award. Nominations are judged by a panel, and the successful applicant is selected on the basis of the comment written by the nominee.
Tracey Rickard, who is a Registered Midwife working at St John of God Hospital, Geelong has been awarded the honour as the 2007 Victorian Midwife of the Year.
Arianne Zele, who nominated Tracey said, "She made the possibility of a truly beautiful and calm birth come true. Even my husband can't stop talking about how much he enjoyed the birth. Tracey's humour, knowledge, dedication, assertiveness, attention to my needs and her positive attitude all came through in a wonderfully nurturing way. TRACEY IS AMAZING!"
Tracey was amongst 1,145 nominations received by Johnson and Johnson within the 2007 year from all around the country. The selection panel included representatives from the Australian College of Midwives Inc. and chosen staff from Johnson & Johnson.
The hospital's Director of Nursing, Helen Kaczmarski, said "the award was a credit to Tracey and one she should be proud of. This award is a true reflection of all the hard working and special midwives we have working here in our hospital who work tirelessly to ensure every mother who comes into our care has an extra special experience."
Medical students make history Seven medical students commence their hospital based training at Geelong.
21 April 2008
Seven medical students enrolled in Deakin University's Medical School for rural and regional practice will commence their hospital-based training today at St John of God Hospital, Geelong.
They are among 120 students to participate in Victoria's first ever training program for rural and regional medicine at Deakin University. They also are the first medical students ever to be hosted by the Geelong hospital.
St John of God Hospital, Geelong will host a total of 37 medical students throughout the course of the year.
Prof Con Michael, Group Director Medical Services for St John of God Health Care, said: "the placement of medical students at St John of God Hospital, Geelong benefited patients, the community and the hospital."
"Deakin Universtiy is training a cohort of new doctors who are skilled and motivated to pursue a career in rural and regional areas, either as specialists or general practitioners," Prof Michael said.
"This will be a long-term benefit to the community and will enhance the hospital's strategies to attract doctors to rural areas. We hope that medical students who train at St John of God Hospitals will want to work with St John of God Health Care when they graduate and complete their training."
"Hospitals must have high standards of clinical care in order to provide teaching opportunities for medical students and to be considered as partners with university medical schools. Involvement such as this only assists in lifting the standard of care even further."
The Deakin University course gives special attention to preventing and managing chronic diseases, working in teams and developing procedural skills which are so important in areas away from the main hospital centres.
Students spend the first two years of the program studying in a purpose-built, state of the art building at Waurn Ponds. The last two years of the course are completed in a range of hospitals, general practices and healthcare facilities attached to Deakin's Clinical School in Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat and Box Hill.
Deakin University's School of Medicine plans to increase its intake of medical students from 120 this year to 180 students per year from 2013.
St John of God Health Care employs more than 8,000 caregivers across 14 hospitals, a community hospice, disability support service, major pathology business and outreach services across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand.
Special Care Nursery delivers on time Little Aussie battler goes home in time for Christmas.
20 December 2006
Baby Elyssa Jeffreys, born over four weeks premature, is the epitome of a little Aussie battler.
The premature birth was a result of first time mum Sarah experiencing pre-eclampsia, creating the need for specialist doctors and nurses at St John of God Hospital, Geelong to perform an emergency caesarean section. Elyssa was born at the tiny weight of 1.910 kilograms.
Twenty four days in the hospital's Special Care Nursery saw brave Elyssa overcome jaundice, respiratory distress resulting in her needing oxygen for several days, feeding intolerance caused by a gastro oesohageal reflux, and slow weight gain.
Special Care Nursery Unit Manager, Jenny Carr, said: "After 24 days, caregivers become attached to the babies and families, but are always pleased to see them able to be discharged home, thriving and feeding well."
Celebrations have come early for Sarah and her husband Steve. Elyssa was discharged this morning, in time for their first family Christmas.
Project Directors Appointed Johnstaff Higgs appointed to project direct $16 million Day Surgery Medical Centre.
8 December 2006
Johnstaff Higgs has been appointed as Project Directors and Billard Lease as the Consultant Architects for the construction of St John of God Hospital, Geelong's $16 million Day Surgery Medical Centre.
St John of God Hospital, Geelong is expanding its services and will construct a Day Surgery Medical Centre opposit the hospital in Myers Street. The new facility will include expanded day surgery faciliteis and will include three operating theatres, consulting suites, pathology and imaging services.
The hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stephen Roberts, said: "We have been delivering services to the people of Geelong for over 30 years and this exciting development reinforces our commitment to delivering excellent private health care to the communities of Geelong and Western Victoria."
"This development will ensure the hospital is in the best possible position to meet the growing private health care needs of Geelong now and well into the future," Mr Roberts said.
Johnstaff Higgs has specialised in the development of private health facilites across Australia over the past 14 years and is currently completing project roles as St Vincent's and Mercy Private and at the Victoria Parade Specialist Day Surgery Centre in Melbourne.
With the recent granting of a planning permit from the City of Greater Geelong, St John of God Hospital, Geelong hopes to see construction commence in February 2007.
Hospital named Geelong's top business
St John of God Hospital, Geelong wins major award and two other awards at Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards
28 July 2005
St John of God Hospital, Geelong has been named Business of the Year at the Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards.
At a gala function attended by over 400 people on Wednesday 27 July 2005, the 163-bed hospital also took out the Snap Printing Not for Profit Award and the Harwood Andrews Medium to Large Business Award.
The Awards, in their 20th year, celebrate and encourage business excellence in the Geelong region, a community that St John of God Hospital, Geelong has been serving for 31 years. The Hospital is the leading private health care provider in the Barwon and south-western region of Victoria.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen Roberts said the awards emphasised the importance of fostering a culture richly influenced by Vision, Mission and Values.
"Our motivation is the desire to deliver distinctive health care to our community and the commitment of the entire team - 542 caregivers - to pursuing this goal has been remarkable," Stephen said.
One of the Awards' judges, Peter Dorling, said the St John of God Hospital, Geelong submission was one of the best compiled entries, in terms of quality, clarity and purpose, that the judging panel had ever seen.
"The Hospital's reputation around town is second to none," Mr Dorling said.
BreastScreen Service
St John of God Imaging to continue BreastScreen Service until new provider found.
9 May 2005
St John of God Health Care, which has provided BreastScreen services through its Geelong Imaging division for the past 10 years, will continue to provide BreastScreen services until a new provider is announced.
The General Manager of St John of God Imaging, Mr Jim Petros, said St John of God Health Care would assist BreastScreen Victoria until it could find a new local provider for the publicly funded service.
"Our decision not to renew the BreastScreen Victoria Funding and Service Agreement when it expires on 30 June 2005 does not mean that we will stop providing services on that day," Mr Petros said.
"Until BreastScreen Victoria finds another local provider for the service, we will in the short term continue to provide the service on a month by month basis. We are committed to ensuring that the transition from St John of God Imaging to a new provider is as seamless as possible."
Mr Petros said that while St John of God Imaging had provided the service for 10 years, the organisation had reviewed its strategic direction and was focussing on building its core business.
"Our core business is providing a range of imaging services, including x-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, MRI and computed tomography, via our five clinics located in Geelong, Belmont, Corio and Ocean Grove."
Mr Petros said that St John of God Imaging would be open to other ways it could assist BreastScreen Victoria, which had a long term commitment to providing BreastScreen services to communities in the Geelong and the South West region of Victoria.
"We will continue our very good relationship with BreastScreen Victoria, exploring other ways in which we can support this important public service," he said.
Supporting families in need
Supporting the emotional well being of families
23 March 2005
St John of God Health Care's Raphael Centre supports parents affected by anxiety or depression during pregnancy or in the two years following the birth of their baby.
Located at St John of God Health Care Geelong, highly experienced and specialised caregivers provide a family centred service aimed at enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of women and their families.
Individual assessment ensures families receive the support and care they specifically require. Services include telephone support and information, postnatal anxiety and depression therapeutic groups as well as antenatal and postnatal support groups.
For more information about pre and postnatal anxiety and depression or the St John of God Health Care Raphael Centre, contact the Postnatal Depression Co-ordinator on 5226 8888.
Delivering holistic care
Holistic care combines with advanced medical technology
23 March 2005
St John of God Health Care Geelong's Maternity Unit has an outstanding reputation for delivering holistic care alongside the most advanced medical technology.
The unit, which has been delivering babies for over 30 years, is supported by Geelong's leading obstetricians and caters for the full range of birthing options. As approaches to pregnancy and birth have changed in the community, St John of God Health Care has responded accordingly, ensuring patients receive first class, distinctive care in relaxed and friendly surroundings.
St John of God Health Care Geelong offers a wide range of antenatal and postnatal services, from Parenting Education and Breast Feeding Counsellors, to midwives who make home visits. There are even information sessions for new grandparents. An extensive range of birthing options is available in large, state-of-the-art delivery suites.
The hospital's midwives are sensitive to the needs of new parents and fully supportive in their approach to your birthing experience.
New mothers enjoy modern post-natal accommodation and can feel secure in the knowledge that there is an on-site doctor available 24 hours a day. The unit includes single or twin share rooms and family suites with double beds. All rooms have an ensuite, telephone and television.
St John of God Health Care encourages prospective parents to tour all areas of the Maternity Unit, meet the team who will care for you during your stay, and familiarise yourself with the hospital's facilities.
When booking your stay at the hospital, a Midwife will discuss your particular needs, offer you childbirth and parenting education classes and answer all your questions. You will be given a free birth information kit to assist you to prepare for childbirth.
Supporting the postnatal unit is a Special Care Nursery with the latest technical equipment to care for sick and premature babies. Including a parent's retreat, the nursery allows families to interact with their babies.
All Midwives in the nursery are experienced neo-natal nurses, ensuring a high standard of care at all times. The nursery's flexible, sensitive approach to caregiving enables it to meet each family's individual needs.
St John of God Health Care Geelong offers comprehensive excellence in care in an environment where you and your family are supported before, during and after childbirth.
For further information contact St John of God Health Care Geelong's Midwifery Services Manager on 5226 8888.
Health Coaching for Type 2 Diabetics
St John of God Health Care joins Deakin University and GMHBA in joint research project
17 March 2005
Diabetes is becoming one of the most significant health issues facing Australians. It is estimated that 10,000 people in the Geelong region have diabetes, yet about half of those don't know they have it.
St John of God Health Care and Deakin University together with GMHBA have launched a joint research project exploring how the health and wellbeing of people with Type 2 diabetes can be improved.
The aim of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of "health coaching" as a way of modifying lifestyle, diet and physical activity, with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
It is hoped that in time, this research will show that "health coaching" can help reduce hospital admissions, lessen the use of medication and improve the quality of life of those suffering from Type 2 diabetes.
2 May 2008