Our top 10 achievements for 2023-24:
1. Implemented the Enhanced Care Program
This Program supports the requirements of vulnerable patients over 65 who have a known cognitive dysfunction. Over an 18-month period, the program reduced:
- requirements for 1:1 care by 40%
- adverse events by 50 per cent
- loss of functional ability following a hospital stay by 35%.
2. Recruited 102 overseas trained nurses
A collaboration between Nursing and Midwifery Services and the People and Culture team led to overseas trained nurses being recruited to fill long-term vacancies across the District. The work included providing visa, migration and initial housing support. A candidate experience officer was appointed to support nurses and their families integrate into their new communities here in Northern NSW.
3. Opened the $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital
The new Tweed Valley Hospital was opened on 14 May 2024, and delivers new services including:
- radiotherapy as part of an integrated cancer care service
- satellite medical imaging in the emergency department
- interventional cardiology service.
4. Tweed Assertive Outreach program
We partnered with key agencies to support the delivery of the Tweed Assertive Outreach program. The program supports rough sleepers within the Tweed Shire into accommodation and assists in tenancy retention. It houses more than 168 rough sleepers, with a 95 per cent tenancy success rate.
5. Launched rheumatic heart disease prevention clinical pathway
We successfully developed and implemented a new clinical pathway and delivered an educational program for clinicians to help improve rheumatic heart disease prevention in Aboriginal communities. This initiative promotes early diagnosis and effective management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing disease prevalence.
6. Collaborative planning and design of the Tweed Valley Hospital
Over 400 staff and 119 community members were involved in the planning and design of the Tweed Valley Hospital. The consultation process engaged a broad range of stakeholders in decision-making processes. This inclusive approach ensured diverse perspectives were considered as part of the design of the facility, leading to better community-informed outcomes and improved cultural safety.
7. Mental Health triage and assessment service for 0 to 18-year-olds
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service established a safe and sustainable triage and assessment service for 0 to 18-year-olds in the community. The service has delivered improved access to care, enhanced treatment outcomes and strengthened community support for children and young people’s social and emotional wellbeing, and for their support networks.
8. Standardised reports for better transparency
We strengthened and improved clinical documentation and reporting in the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, by standardising reports for better transparency and boosting staff data literacy through training and shared learning. This has improved the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale for completions and seven day follow ups.
9. Inaugural Regional Action Plan for youth vaping
The North Coast Youth Vaping Taskforce launched the first Regional Action Plan to prevent and reduce vaping among young people. The taskforce coordinates key agencies and takes a community-informed approach to protect young people from vaping-related harms. It combines health promotion programs with regulatory work to seize illegal vaping products.
10. Increased immunisation coverage for Aboriginal children
NNSWLHD exceeded the NSW key performance indicators for the immunisation of five-year-old Aboriginal children from 94 per cent to above 96 per cent. This achievement is due to the work of Aboriginal immunisation liaison officers working closely with primary care providers and key communities.