EASTERN HEALTH QUARTERLY
SEEING
DOUBLE
page 4
Paula and Lee
Bowman celebrate
the birth of Lee’s
twins Layla and Jack
at Box Hill Hospital.
AUTUMN 2016
FAMILY FUN AT
SPORTS DAY
T
here was a family focus for this year’s
Closing the Gap Sports Day in Healesville.
Since 2013, the event has seen some of the
best Aboriginal sporting talent in the region
challenge Eastern Health staff in a football
match and netball tournament.
Face painting, a petting zoo and jumping
castle were all part of the day. There
were also community health displays,
an appearance by Melbourne Vixens
netballers, live music performances and a
traditional Welcome to Country ceremony.
Eastern Health Aboriginal Hospital Liaison
Officer Jo Voce said Aboriginal health
continued to be one of Eastern Health’s
key priorities.
“The event provides us with the opportunity
to inform the local Aboriginal community
about the broad range of services we
have in the eastern region. Family fun and
sport are great ways for communities to
connect with each other and it is terrific
we can bring people together in the spirit
of reconciliation.”
For the record, Eastern Health won the
football match while the Community took
home the netball trophy.
SPECIAL DAY:
Graham Briggs from Aldara Consultancy
performs at the pre-match ceremony.
02
EASTERN HEALTH QUARTERLY
FOR MAROONDAH
M
“
aroondah Hospital will receive
a boost with a new Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility.
It’s crucial it
is affordable
and accessible.
Eastern Health has committed to building the potentially life-saving
diagnostic tool, which will be the only publicly-owned and operated
MRI facility in the east. It is due for completion in June 2016.
– Karen Fox
”
MRI is considered the “gold standard” when it comes to the diagnosis
of many conditions, including a range of cancers, orthopaedic, heart
and nervous system diseases.
Executive Director of Access & Patient Support Services Karen Fox said
Eastern Health was working with local federal MPs so the MRI machine can
operate with a full Medicare licence. Having one will give patients access
to Medicare rebates and reduced waiting times.
“We’re delighted that we are providing an MRI facility for the local
community but it’s crucial it is affordable and accessible to the
people who need it.”
LATEST TECHNOLOGY:
Maroondah Hospital will soon have its own MRI facility.
AUTUMN 2016
03
“
It is truly a remarkable
coincidence to have so many
sets of twins in one family.
– Dr Malcolm Barnett
H
istory has repeated itself at
Box Hill Hospital for the Bowman family.
In 1976, Box Hill Hospital midwife Marie Bowman
gave birth to twin girls Lee and Paula.
Forty years on, Lee has revisited Box Hill Hospital’s
maternity unit and welcomed a new generation
of twins, Jack and Layla.
Paula is also expecting her first child in June and
plans to continue the tradition of delivery at Box
Hill Hospital.
Lee’s partner Julian is no stranger to twins either;
his older brothers are non-identical twins.
Women and Children Program Executive Clinical
Director Dr Malcolm Barnett said Lee and Julian’s
family histories of multiple births did not increase
their chances of conceiving twins.
“Lee is an identical twin, which is a random
occurrence and not genetic. Non-identical twins
can be genetic but the gene is only carried by
females, therefore this does not apply to Julian,”
Dr Barnett said.
“It is truly a remarkable coincidence to have so
many sets of twins in one family.”
04
”
EASTERN HEALTH QUARTERLY
A RECORD
30
SETS OF
TWINS
WERE BORN
AT BOX HILL
HOSPITAL
IN 2015.
DOUBLE HAPPINESS:
Lee (pictured left) and
Paula Bowman show off
Lee’s new twins, Layla
and Jack.
AUTUMN 2016
05
SHINING
THE LIGHT
ON RESEARCH
LET’S CELEBRATE:
Staff members Antoinette Pitt, Christine Wittkopp,
Diedre Fimmel and Meegan Callinan at Peter James
Centre’s 30th anniversary celebration.
E
astern Health will fix the spotlight on
its researchers and their endeavours
with a special event in May – the
inaugural Searchlight Dinner.
Special guest for the evening is the Governor-General of
the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the
Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).
WONDERFUL
YEARS
P
eter James Centre has celebrated
its 30th anniversary.
A special event late last year honoured the legacy of
Mr Charles Peter Corby James, past mayor of the City of
Nunawading and a visionary for aged care services in the
eastern suburbs.
The occasion also acknowledged those who have supported
the centre and positively impacted the health of the local
community over the past three decades.
This year’s theme is “celebrating life and all its colours” and
will raise funds for the Vivian Bullwinkel Chair of Palliative Care
Nursing, based at Eastern Health.
Sister Vivian was a skilled and innovative nurse. She was
also a distinguished member of Australia’s military service
who performed remarkable deeds during and after the
Second World War for the frail, the aged, the distinguished
and the forgotten.
In partnership with Monash University, the Vivian Bullwinkel
Chair of Palliative Care Nursing will oversee a palliative care
research and education program that aims to change the way
end of life care is provided.
The Searchlight Dinner will be on Tuesday 24 May 2016 at the
Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne.
Details: www.easternhealth.org.au/foundation
Guests included Peter James Centre inaugural CEO
Don Mahaffy, Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy, local
politicians and councillors, Eastern Health Board Directors,
staff and patients.
Chief of Clinical & Site Operations John Ferraro said Mr James
was a visionary in the development of aged care services.
“Mr James worked diligently to increase the focus for
rehabilitation to assist older people who were injured to
get back home so they could live independently for as
long as possible.”
Sister Vivian Bullwinkel
06
EASTERN HEALTH QUARTERLY
His Excellency General the
Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove
AKMC (Retd).
NEW AGE:
Resident Ondina Beltramini
is enjoying the benefits of
using an iPad thanks to senior
physiotherapist Maureen
MacMahon.
TECH SAVVY
A
n innovative project is giving residents at
Mooroolbark Aged Psychiatry Residential
Care Facility access to the digital world.
The iPad for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Aged Care
program is giving residents an opportunity to engage in
activities that promote cognitive stimulation, communication,
creativity and cultural inclusion.
Senior physiotherapist Maureen MacMahon said people with a
diagnosis of dementia and cognitive impairment could suffer
many losses during the course of their illness.
“
They can
experience
happiness, fun,
spontaneity
and social
participation.
– Maureen MacMahon
”
“By offering them access to the wonders of digital technology,
they can experience happiness, fun, spontaneity and social
participation, which is what most of us value in life.”
AUTUMN 2016
07
STORYBOARD
CAPTURES GENEROSITY
T
he generosity of the Num Pon Soon Charitable Trust has been celebrated
with a storyboard unveiled at Box Hill Hospital’s sleep laboratory.
Since 2011, the trust has consistently
donated funds to several projects at
Box Hill Hospital, including the purchase
of six sleep monitoring systems.
The storyboard raises awareness of sleep
disorders and highlights the importance
of giving.
Eastern Health Foundation Director Anne
Gribbin said this year was a particularly
special time to celebrate generosity at
Box Hill Hospital.
“As Box Hill Hospital celebrates its 60th
anniversary, the generosity of past and
present donors really shines through,”
Ms Gribbin said.
Box Hill Hospital Chief of Clinical &
Site Operations Martin Smith said the
storyboard highlighted the important
role donors and volunteers played in
improving the patient experience and
overall community health.
“With Num Pon Soon Charitable Trust’s
wide-ranging involvement and substantial
contribution, Box Hill Hospital’s staff are
able to improve patient care and services
in diverse and meaningful ways.”
“
The generosity
of past and
present donors
really shines
through.
”
– Anne Gribbin
GENEROUS EFFORT:
Director of Sleep Services
Dr Alan Young, Num Pon
Soon Charitable Trust’s
Kevin Siu and wife Janet
and Eastern Health
Foundation Director
Anne Gribbin launch
the new storyboard.
EASTERN HEALTH FOUNDATION
Eastern Health Foundation is the
fundraising arm of Eastern Health.
The Foundation raises additional funds
that enable Eastern Health to better
understand our patients and their health
needs, and to improve and advance their
care and treatment.
08
EASTERN HEALTH QUARTERLY
WAYS TO DONATE
www.easternhealth.org.au
03 9895 4608
Directly at any Cashiers
PO Box 94, Box Hill VIC 3128