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St John of God Hospital Murdoch
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14 August 2008

Bringing health care, business and the Arts together was achieved when the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) WA and St John of God Health Care co-hosted an evening for industry leaders and artists at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch.

The event highlighted St John of God Hospital, Murdoch's growing reputation amongst the community as a place of excellence in both contemporary health care and art in healing.

Dr Michael Stanford, Group Chief Executive Officer of St John of God Health Care, said it is essential for St John of God Health Care to continue to advance the importance of the arts in the healing process.

"St John of God Health Care is committed to building an arts programme that is a flagship for health, healing and the arts," Dr Stanford said.

"While excellence in medical care and technology are vital parts of the healing process, our values-based care has a firm foundation in the belief and practice of holistic health care, of which the arts is essential."

For instance St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has an art collection of 60 artworks by significant Western Australian artists that allows the hospital to not only offer therapeutic benefits, but also provides a strong educational focus and stimulating environment for staff, doctors, patients and visitors.

The hospital's Chief Executive Officer Peter Mott said it was primarily through staff and patient interaction that the greatest benefits for art in a hospital environment are highlighted.

"Staff are often seen transporting patients through the Linking Gallery, talking about the artworks," Mr Mott said.  "These conversations contribute toward a greater appreciation and understanding of the arts and its therapeutic benefits."

The next stage for St John of God Hospital, Murdoch in bringing the arts into the hospital is to create more opportunities for the performing arts.

"I am proud of the excellent standard of our young art collection at Murdoch and we will further extend our program when we bring the performing arts to our staff, patients and visitors," Mr Mott said.

Mr Henry Boston, Manager AbaF Western Australia, commended St John of God Health Care's commitment to the arts.

"It has been revealing to explore how St John of God Health Care, as one of the AbaF councillor companies, has engaged with the arts," Mr Boston said.  "Western Australian organisations are leading the way in the development of bringing art and the community closer together and providing a sense of place and identity for Perth."

7 July 2008

Peter Mott, CEO of St John of God Hospital, Murdoch was pleased to jointly present, with the Governor of Western Australia Dr Ken Michael AC, The Professions award to the Director of the WA Institute for Medical Research, Professor Peter Klinken at the recent Western Australian Citizen of the Year Awards.

Peter said sponsoring the Professions Award of the WA Citizen of the Year Awards is an appropriate fit for the hospital.

"The dedication and commitment of this year's winner to ensuring a better quality of life for Western Australians is similarly reflected in the care and service provided to the local community by the hospital's own dedicated health professionals," Peter said.

"By being a part of the WA Citizen of the Year Awards, we are also saying thank-you to everyone who contributes to making Western Australia a great place to live."

Professor Peter Klinken received the award in recognition of his significant contribution to the advancement of his profession and medical research in Western Australia.

With a focus on medical science, Professor Klinken's distinguished career includes being the inaugural director of the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, which has developed into the State's largest medical research institute with more than 200 researchers.

He is also well known for his cancer and leukaemia research.  Together with his laboratory team, he discovered a tumour suppressing gene known as HLS5.

The Professions Award is part of the WA Citizen of the Year Awards, organised by Celebrate WA, which are presented as part of Foundation Day celebrations. 

Applications now OPEN for Registered and Enrolled Nurses mid-year intake. For further information click here.

13 May 2008

Alison Johnstone, Clinical Nurse at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has been awarded the WA Preceptor of the Year in the 2008 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Director of Nursing, Ms Robyn Sutherland, said it was a notable achievement as this is the second year running that a nurse at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has received this particular award.

"Alison's win is a wonderful personal achievement and outstanding for St John of God Hospital, Murdoch as we pride ourselves on providing the best possible training and mentoring to our young graduate nurses," Robyn said.

"Alison's whole work ethic revolves around teaching and mentoring new graduates.  She recognises the importance of nurturing and supporting new nurses; of being available and approachable; and the need to pass on her skills and knowledge."

Alison Johnstone has been working as a nurse for 43 years and at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch for 11 years.  At Murdoch she specialises in general surgery, angiography and gastro-enterology within the Day Procedure Unit, after spending five years with the hospital's learning and development team.

However, according to Alison it is her role as preceptor that gives her most enjoyment.

"It is an incredible honour to have the opportunity to pass on my passion for nursing to the new nurse graduates and to give something back," Alison said.

"I enjoy telling stories from throughout my nursing career as it is a fun way to learn, and in twenty years time these graduate nurses will be doing exactly the same thing, and here I am influencing how that is going to happen.  It is a privilege."

In the words of one graduate from St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, "Alison is a very good educator.  She never hesitates in showing her clinical skills.  I felt fortunate to have her as my preceptor and she inspired me to do the same with future nurses."

Alison is also inspiring other senior nurses within the Day Procedure Unit to take up the role of preceptor within the hospital.

Congratulations is also extended to two more St John of God Hospital, Murdoch nurses Marie Condon (Clinical Nurse) finalist in the Metropolitan Acute Care Registered Nurse of the Year, and Carmen Hays (Graduate Enrolled Nurse) finalist in the Graduate Enrolled Nurse of the Year.

The Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, organised by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia, are designed to acknowledge the significant contribution nurses and midwives make to the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.

7 March 2008

St John of God Health Care has been named an Employer of Choice for Women for the seventh consecutive year in recognition of policies and initiatives supporting its predominantly female work force.

The Employer of Choice for Women citation is awarded annually by the Australian Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, one of St John of God Health Care's largest acute medical surgical hospitals, employs over 1,200 caregivers (the term used to describe its staff).  Of its workforce, 86% are female; 65% of those work part time; and of its management team 77% are female.

Deputy Director Workforce, Leanne Merchant, said with one of the greatest challenges facing the health care industry is workforce sustainability, it is therefore important to provide policies and initiatives that support a predominately female workforce.

"The EOWA citation recognises our commitment to our caregivers to provide a supportive and flexible workplace to enable them to have work life balance, and this will only help us to attract and retain the best possible employees," Leanne said.

A recent initiative to help women in the workforce was a group wide policy, approved in late 2007, to provide all caregivers with flexible working options, including job sharing, part time work, purchased leave, deferred salary, compressed time, remote access and phased retirement.

"The availability of flexible work options is one means through which the hospital is able to help caregivers to balance their professional and personal roles and responsibilities," Leanne said.

St John of God Hospital, Murdoch Safety and Health Officer, Rikki Giles, said through the support of her manager and the hospital's willingness to provide flexible work hours she has been able to be more involved with her children's schooling and sporting activities.

"My two children are involved in after-school sport activities most week nights and working between 9.00am - 3.30pm means that not only are they able to continue participating but I am also there to support and encourage their endeavours," Rikki said.

This year, EOWA set several new criteria, including that organisations achieve a pay equity gap of less than 17%, which is the ABS recorded Australia-wide gap.  This means that currently female full time adult ordinary earnings average 83% of their male counterparts.

St John of God Health Care's pay equity gap is 10% over all caregivers across the group or 6% if hospital management and doctors/medical officers are excluded.

Leanne said the new flexible work options were the foundation from which the hospital would build upon so as to continue to meet the changing needs of its workforce.

For more information on the facilities and services provided at St John of God Hospital Murdoch, visit our website at www.sjog.org.au/murdoch.

5 March 2008

The St John of God Hospital, Murdoch is about to embark on a $3.8 million building program which will improve and expand a number of its clinical areas.

Peter Mott, Chief Executive Officer, said that this latest capital injection continues the hospital's commitment to growing and improving services to meet contemporary standards and community expectations.

"We have experienced growth in the use of our Cardiac Catheter Laboratory; Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units; and the Endoscopy suite over the past few years to the point where we have had to upgrade those services and expand them," Mr Mott said.

The current building works will involve:

* Redevelopment and upgrade the Angiography facilities including replacement of some associated equipment, which will effectively double the Angiography capacity from one to two rooms.

* Construction of space for three additional Coronary Care Unit beds to increase the overall number of beds in the Intensive Care /Coronary Care Units to 15.

* Commission a fourth Endoscopy Room.

It is anticipated the upgrades will be completed by September of this year.

"In addition to the above works, we are currently planning the next and longer term growth plans to ensure the hospital is able to meet the future private health care needs of Perth's southern corridor," Mr Mott said.

27 February 2008

In a first for St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, three new graduate nurses will commence their first six month rotation in theatre and participate in the Introduction to Perioperative Nursing Program.

Robyn Sutherland, Director of Nursing, said this was an important and exciting step forward for Murdoch as it provides further real opportunities for graduate nurses.

"Theatre has always been considered one of those complex areas within a hospital and generally not considered appropriate for first year nurse graduates," Robyn said.

"Murdoch is now providing theatre as an opportunity so as to broaden a first year graduates experiences and hopefully develop an appreciation of theatre as a stimulating and fulfilling career path."

For the three new graduates this chance has them energised and ready for the challenge.

Graeme Harders, first year graduate nurse, said he had heard Murdoch's graduate program was well supported with very comprehensive training and staff mentoring, and he wanted a career path that was interesting.

"During my studies I undertook a rotation in theatre and found it appealing and dynamic, I wanted to continue developing in this field, so the opportunity at Murdoch to undertake it in my first year as a graduate was too good an opportunity to miss, particularly with Murdoch's very good reputation," Graeme said. 

"I am sure with the support at Murdoch that I will successfully complete the perioperative program and feel confident in the specialty."

A total of 35 graduates nurses have started at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, which is its largest ever intake.

Leanne Merchant, Deputy Director Workforce, said Murdoch was receiving excellent feedback about its unique and innovative three year nurse graduate course, which is indicative of the number of graduates who wish to take up positions at Murdoch.

"The very positive feedback from our graduate nurses on our outstanding three year course and the hospital's reputation as a very warm and welcoming place is getting back to nurses in the industry and in particular those undertaking university courses," Leanne said.

"In some instances, nurses from the east are asking to come to Perth to complete sections of their courses here; just recently we had a request from someone in South Australia who wanted to do an eight week acute ward placement at Murdoch."

The three year program is aimed at providing a career pathway from the transition of undergraduate to graduated nurse, followed by continual development in specialist clinical areas throughout second year and leadership skills with a higher level of critical thinking in third year.  The comprehensive program is supported by a specialist learning and development team, Clinical Support Nurses and the Preceptor program.

"As with all in the health care industry, one of the greatest challenges is workforce sustainability and our three year graduate program supports both current workforce needs and those of the future by offering a diverse learning and mentoring syllabus," Leanne said.

Through this training and many others provided, Murdoch continually strives to deliver excellence in patient care and further expand its services to meet the communities growing healthcare needs.

Anyone interested in a nursing career at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch should contact Anne Gardner, Manager Recruitment on 9311 4164.

3 January 2008

St John of God Hospital, Murdoch's Catering Department has won two customer service awards from two consumer organisations.

In recognition of the Hospital's efforts towards providing quality, outstanding service and innovation, the Customer Service Council of WA awarded the Service Excellence Award for Innovation and the Health Consumers' Council presented a Consumer Excellence Award.

Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mott said it was the first time a catering department within a hospital had been presented with these awards, so this is a very important achievement for St John of God Hospital, Murdoch and its Catering Department.

"Both awards recognise the Hospital's reputation for providing quality meals that meet all patients' requirements," Mr Mott said

"We take great care to ensure our patients' individual needs are catered for and their dietary requirements are met as healthy food is an important part of the healing process."

Particular emphasis has been placed on providing full menus to dysphagia patients, a term used to describe difficulty in any of the phases of swallowing.

Historically food for dysphagia patients has been pureed to a fine mash and served in ice-cream scoop sized shapes, which has made it difficult for dieticians to encourage these patients to eat the necessary quantities of food to ensure satisfactory nutritional levels are maintained.

The St John of God Hospital, Murdoch Catering team investigated how to make these basic pureed meals more appetising and appealing to these patients.

What has been implemented after six months of research and development is a variety of hot meals and deserts that, whilst still pureed, now resembles the food the patient is supposed to be eating, for example it looks like a chicken breast, a pork chop, ravioli, pumpkin, beans, strawberries or pears.

Mr Mott said St John of God Hospital, Murdoch is leading the way in Australia with our development of these pureed meals.

"In addition to sharing this initiative with other St John of God Health Care hospitals, our Catering Manager Mr Terry Barnes has also briefed a hospital in Melbourne and another in Perth," Mr Mott said.

Although St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has received these awards, it continues to strive to meet patient needs and expectations through direct feedback from patients and their carers, which is vital part of continuing to provide a high quality service.

4 December 2007

Dr David Chelvanayagam was last night recognised in front of 200 of his peers, family and friends as St John of God Hospital, Murdoch's Doctor of the Year.

Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mott said the Murdoch Doctor of the Year award acknowledges and recognises a colleague who has made a significant contribution to medicine in general and more specifically to Murdoch Hospital.

"Dr Chelvanayagam has used his knowledge and skill as an Urologist to improve the lives of patients at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch since its inception in 1994 and this is why we have recognised him with this award," Mr Mott said.

"Of particular note was his pioneering the introduction of radical prostatectomy in the 1980s for prostate cancer patients in the hospitals where he worked.

"He is also known for his ongoing commitment to training and nurturing medical students and junior doctors."

Dr Chelvanayagam commenced his medical career in Malaysia where he was instrumental in the opening of the Institute of Urology and Nephrology and the formation of the Malaysian Urology Association, at a time when there were just four urologists in the country.

He has worked at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles and the Sloan Keterring Cancer Memorial Hospital, as part of his World Health Organisation Fellowship Award.

Dr Chelvanayagam has contributed significantly to a number of Perth hospitals for many years, including Fremantle, Osborne Park, St John of God Subiaco and Rivervale, and St Joseph's Bicton, before retiring earlier this year.

Mr Mott said whilst David's plans for the future include a fair amount of travelling, he also intends to continue helping others by assisting with surgical practices and training other doctors in countries including Africa.

"It is this ongoing dedication to helping others, even in retirement, that we also recognise tonight," he said.

"St John of God Hospital, Murdoch hopes that it can provide some assistance to Dr Chelvanayagam in his commitment to providing assistance to countries of need."

21 November 2007

St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has seen a 13 per cent increase in the number of patients presenting to the Hospital's emergency department, according to the latest annual report.

The Hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mott said as the only fully privately managed emergency department in Perth, the Hospital is now seeing a significant proportion of emergency patients in the Perth metropolitan area.

"When the St John of God Hospital, Murdoch Emergency Department was established in 1994 it treated an average of 7,000 patients per year, we now see over 25,000 patients per year," Mr Mott said.

"The hospital has also experienced an increase in the number of births by 16 per cent to 1791; this is likely to continue to grow over the next 12 to 24 months."

St John of God Hospital, Murdoch has also had a significant increase in demand for chemotherapy - up 34 per cent in 2006/07 - resulting in the upgrade and expansion of the Chemotherapy unit.

"The planned construction of the Fiona Stanley Hospital on land next to our campus, combined with our own future growth plans will result in a world class public and private health precinct," Mr Mott said.

"The additional bed capacity we commissioned two years ago is now fully utilised and we are busily planning our next and longer term growth plans.

It is important that St John of God Hospital, Murdoch starts planning now so as to meet the future private health care needs of Perth's southern corridor."

10 July 2007

Nurses from Indigenous backgrounds are literally taking health care into their own hands through the Marr Mooditj Foundation Enrolled Nursing School and practical skills sessions at St John of God hospital Murdoch.

15 nursing students from Marr Mooditj, which means 'good hands' in the local Noongar language, recently spent a day visiting Murdoch hospital as part of a new program aimed at improving health care resources and capacity building for Indigenous Western Australians.

St John of God Hospital Murdoch's Learning and Development Manager, Julie Branley, said the visit had taken 12 months of careful preparation with the Marr Mooditj Foundation to make it all happen.

"This was the first time these nursing students had visited a working hospital and we were impressed by their eagerness to learn, and our staff were very enthusiastic about offering as much support as possible," said Ms Branley.

"We developed a training session designed around clinical skills and patient observations which students then had a chance to put into practice in the wards.

"The beauty of a partnership like this is that there is enormous potential for nursing students like those from Marr Mooditj to take their skills back to their communities and help revolutionise standard approaches to Aboriginal health.

"Even if the Murdoch hospital team only plays a small part in the improvement of Aboriginal health outcomes, it will be very satisfying for all of us.

"It's all about helping educate individuals and communities about the importance of better health care and how to achieve it; that's at the core of why people become nurses," she said

The 15 students from the Foundation are part of a new Diploma of Enrolled Nursing course, designed to improve nursing education and increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in WA.  The Murdoch hospital provides hands-on clinical training and instruction in patient care, ongoing health monitoring and Modified Advanced Life Support techniques.

Ms Branley said St John of God Hospital Murdoch is delighted to be part of the project.

"We see this visit as a first step in an ongoing relationship between St John of God Murdoch and organisations such as the Marr Mooditj Foundation, and we're looking forward to another training program with a second group of Indigenous nursing students later this year," she said.

22 June 2007

In an effort to improve car parking facilities and access for staff, patients and visitors, St John of God Hospital Murdoch will soon be overhauling existing conditions, signage and ACROD amenities.

St John of God Murdoch CEO, Peter Mott, said the changes will mean more ACROD bays, clearer signage and the introduction of paid parking to the area, which is regulated by the City of Melville.

"For the past 12 years we haven't had paid parking here at the Murdoch hospital grounds, even though its common at other health facilities including those in Subiaco, Fremantle and Perth.  But it's clear that if we're to allocate suitable parking opportunities for visitors and people seeking medical treatment at the medical facilities, something needs to be done now," said Mr Mott.

"St John of God Hospital in Murdoch has always been happy to provide adjacent free parking but unfortunately, it's not uncommon for non-patrons to use our parking areas as free, all-day bays."

Mr Mott said that the free parking so close to several amenities had prompted some people to park for long periods, leaving those visiting the hospital grounds for medical-related purposes to circle around looking for a park, and the situation may be exacerbated in the coming months. 

"In an ideal world that wouldn't happen, but once the nearby Murdoch train station is up and running, we have to consider the potential for the current free parking situation to be misused," he said.

"But the paid parking only applies from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, so the fees won't affect the large number of visitors who pop in on the weekend, or after work or evenings during the week to see relatives and loved ones in hospital.

"Plus, parking on the hospital grounds remains free of charge on weekends and public holidays."

Mr Mott added that all ACROD bays, including additional ones being created in the restructure, will remain free parking for those with ACROD permits, and free-of-charge motorcycle bays are also being introduced.

19 June 2007

A recent outbreak of what is believed to be a common strain of gastroenteritis has been experienced at a number of health care facilities across the Perth metropolitan area.

Staff at St John of God Hospital in Murdoch have reported a small number of patients and staff who have displayed symptoms common to the viral strain known as Norovirus which typically lasts 24 to 48 hours.

The most common forms of gastroenteritis are often reported from schools, work places and public amenities as they are easily transmitted by contact.  These are the strains often generically referred to as a '24-hour bug' or 'stomach flu' with the symptoms usually involving diarrhoea and vomiting.

The Director of Medical Services with St John of God Hospital Murdoch, said that while those who had experienced symptoms last week had improved or recovered, the situation is still being closely monitored by the hospital, and measures are in place to contain any risk of infection.

He said that tests had been conducted from the first sign of infection on Monday and samples continue to be taken as a precaution, with results confirming that Norovirus had been present in five reported cases.

He said that thanks to the thorough actions and rapid response of St John of God Murdoch staff the situation had been well-managed and contained, but he said precautions would remain in place and the situation monitored until further notice.

St John of God Hospital Murdoch has been liaising with the Department of Health to provide regular updates on the situation, with immediate notification to all relevant stakeholders and others if the situation changes. 
 

25 May 2007

According to St John of God Hospital Murdoch CEO, Peter Mott, the shortage of skilled labour in WA is not restricted to the mining industry or building sites.  He said that even as the second largest private health care employer south of the river, the Murdoch Hospital is competing with other employers who offer big bucks to cash in on the boom.

"You don't have to be Einstein to realise there's a real demand in Western Australia for nurses and health care professionals, and if these talented individuals leave with no one to take their place, there's a shortfall," said Mr Mott. 

"Amongst all the other initiatives we have in place to attract trainees and graduates to our facility, we're also calling on experienced, qualified nurses to consider re-activating their skills, returning to the industry and helping pass on their expertise to others.

"And it works.  I'm proud that St John of God Hospital Murdoch's most recent Nursing Excellence Award winner, Lesley Burke, is someone who has returned to the industry after 12 years," he said.

Mrs Burke, who says she has never lost the desire to help others and make a difference, was lured back to the profession only last year.  Earlier this month, she was awarded 'Preceptor of the Year' at the 2007 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, held at the Hyatt on International Nurses' Day, May 12.

"I thought, yes, I can do this.  I can return to nursing and support others who want to enter the industry or stay in it, because I've been through it all myself," she said.

St John of God Hospital Murdoch Director of Nursing, Robyn Sutherland, said Mrs Burke was a shining example of how nurses with a wealth of experience behind them can help nurture the industry professionals of the future.

"The nursing profession now has enormous opportunities and career paths to offer, and I think our own Lesley Burke is a terrific example of how rewarding it can be on so many levels," said Mrs Sutherland.

"You only need to look the recent newspoll to see that nurses are in the top three of the most trusted Australians, even ranking above doctors," she said.

To find out more about a career in nursing at St John of God Hospital Murdoch, please contact Robyn Sutherland, Director of Nursing on (08) 9366 1145.