Latest News
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International Women’s Day 2021: Peninsula Health’s COVID-19 Incident Commander on leading through a pandemic
Helen Cooper is leading Peninsula Health’s response to Covid-19. Picture: Supplied.
The woman driving Peninsula Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has reflected on one of the most challenging years in her professional life, acknowledging the efforts of her colleagues to “adapt and change” this past year.
“Everything I thought I knew about health just changed completely - very quickly,” says Peninsula Health Executive Director Operations and COVID-19 Incident Commander Helen Cooper.
“We did not have a lot of time to prepare because we did not know what we were getting ready for and the things we knew about infection prevention and control and what coronavirus was, changed as well, so it was very difficult.”
“I am so proud of the way our people adapted - big adaptation for everyone involved - and being willing to learn, and we’re still learning.”
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Landmark day as Peninsula Health’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout gets underway
Peninsula Health registered nurse Vanessa Nolan receives her vaccine from immunisation coordinator Jody Logan. Picture: Supplied.
The coronavirus vaccine rollout is underway at Peninsula Health, with eligible frontline staff members receiving their first dose today at the newly created staff vaccination clinic.
Patient Services Assistant Louise Thoms, Clinical Director of Emergency Dr Jonathan Dowling, Registered Nurse Vanessa Nolan and Senior Pharmacist for Critical Care and Surgery Iouri Banakh, who works in our Intensive Care Unit, were the first four staff members to receive the vaccine at the Frankston Hospital based clinic.
“It went absolutely fine, barely felt a thing,” says Vanessa.
“It was a really simple and seamless process. I sat in the chair, signed a consent form, got the vaccination, sat down for about 15 minutes or so and then back off to work.”
Vanessa has spent the past year working on Bass Ward at Frankston ...
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Buruli ulcer and your skin – everything you need to know
The Buruli ulcer. Photo: Better Health Channel
This blog is written by Professor Damon Eisen, Medical Lead, Infection Prevention and Control Unit
Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) usually presenting as a slowly developing painless nodule or papule which can initially be mistaken for an insect bite.
Over time the lesion can progress to develop into a destructive skin ulcer which is known as Buruli ulcer or Bairnsdale ulcer.
Who is at risk?Everyone is susceptible to infection. Disease can occur at any age, but Buruli ulcer notifications are highest in people aged 60 years and above in Victoria. Individuals who live in or visit endemic areas are considered at greatest risk.
When recognised early, diagnostic testing is straightforward. If guidelines are followed prompt treatment can significantly reduce skin loss and tissue damage, as well as lead to more simplified treatment.
Because the highest risk ...
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MePACS expands into South Australia
MePACS has been announced as one of two approved providers of the Personal Alert SA Scheme for eligible South Australian seniors, who can now receive government funding for our range of personal alarms and 24/7 monitoring service.
The Personal Alert SA Scheme (PASA) is a state-wide funding initiative from the South Australian Government which aims to make monitored personal alarms more accessible to those who need them.
Eligible seniors are able to apply to the personal alert scheme in SA and once issued with an approval, are then able to order their MePACS personal alarm.
The South Australian Government subsidises the cost of equipment and annual monitoring of a home alarm to make it more affordable for seniors to take up a lifesaving personal alarm.
The Personal Alert Rebate Scheme is the original name of the Personal Alert SA Scheme.
The former program offered a range of personal alert systems in ...
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Victoria’s lockdown 3.0 shows how far a tech approach to community care has come
Peninsula Health Physiotherapist Carla Richardson leads a telehealth appointment with a participant.
When the whole of the State was placed in a circuit-breaker lockdown last month, Peninsula Health Physiotherapist Carla Richardson knew staff were up to the challenge.
“Our reception staff began receiving calls within an hour of the government’s press conference, asking what the plan was for their appointments the following week,” says Carla.
“In reality, we knew what needed to be done because we had done it before with two previous lockdowns. The best option was to utilise telehealth for the lockdown period wherever possible.”
Around 100 physiotherapy and hand therapy appointments were moved online over a single weekend.
“All the planned appointments for the lockdown period were reviewed to ensure that a telehealth appointment was appropriate and wouldn’t impact negatively on the patient’s recovery,” says Carla.
“It was then a straight ...
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Faces of Peninsula Health: Meet Nik Connor
Peninsula Health Ward Clerk Nik Connor.
Smiling behind the mask, Screening Clinic Ward Clerk Nik Connor is the welcoming face you will meet before getting a Covid-19 swab test.
He’s the first point of contact for our community when arriving at our Frankston Hospital drive and walk through testing location, making sure patient registration details are up to date.
“One of the reasons I love my job so much is the support from the local community, which has been amazing. Every patient I've interacted with at our Screening Clinics, has thanked me and the staff for the work we are doing - this support means so much!”
Thank you Nik for caring for our community.
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2020 Annual General Meeting
Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers and community members who joined us at the 2020 Peninsula Health Annual General Meeting and Community Forum on 19 February.
If you missed the event, you watch a recording below.
For more information please email corporate.relations@phcn.vic.gov.au.
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Recognition for a Peninsula Health psychiatrist with a passion for mental health
Peninsula Health Clinical Director of Mental Health Richard Newton. Photo taken prior to Covid-19 restrictions.
Improving services to people in the community with significant mental health problems is what drives Richard Newton every day.
Our Clinical Director of Mental Health has now been recognised for his exceptional service to psychiatry, awarded with the 2021 College Citation from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
“It is a great honour to be awarded the RANZCP 2021 college citation. However I am always aware that work in Mental Health is a team effort and all my colleagues deserve recognition," says Prof Newton.
"Indeed the people who most deserve awards are our consumers and carers, who have to cope every day with extraordinary challenges.”
College Citations have been award by the RANZCP since 1986, with this year’s presentations of the awards and grants to be held in Hobart this May.
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Proud community partner embarks on a fresh start
Rosebud Hospital's Jodi Foley joing Lions club treasurer Ruth Aeschlimann for the unveiling of the revitalised store, in a photo taken when rules allowed for masks not to be worn indoors.
One of our biggest supporters is entering a bright new chapter.
Boneo Lions Club Op Shop in Rosebud today looks almost brand new, with a recent renovation creating a welcoming space for customers to browse and buy pre-owned goods.
As a health service that understands the importance of positive relationships with community organisations, Rosebud Hospital’s usual Operations Director Jodi Foley – who’s now leading our Covid-19 Screening Clinics response – dropped in for the COVID safe grand opening. The shop is open six days a week on Ninth Avenue, just off Point Nepean Road in Rosebud.
“We’re really proud of the way we engage with our local Rosebud community, and are grateful for the difference volunteer organisations like Boneo ...
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Leading asthma program transforming lives
Associate Professor David Langton leads the Peninsula Health monoclonal antibody treatment program for severe asthmatics.
Peninsula Health is transforming the lives of severe asthmatics across the Mornington Peninsula thanks to a leading program based at Frankston Hospital.
The program provides asthma patients with targeted injection-based treatments that are vastly improving their overall health and wellbeing.
It is led by Peninsula Health’s Director of Thoracic Medicine, Associate Professor David Langton.
“We have been involved with asthma research for over 10 years and are pleased to be at the forefront of new treatments for our patients” says A/Prof Langton.
“The results of the treatments to date are amazing. About 95% of patients are improved, often greatly so, with marked reductions in asthma symptoms, reductions in exacerbations, reductions in the need for reliever medication, and improvements in lung function.”
“It is common for patients to say that their lives have been transformed as a ...