The Ramsay Way 2016 | 04 15 COMMUNITY NEWS Ramsay joins the Purple Push to raise awareness of Pancreatic cancer November 17, 2016 was World Pancreatic Cancer Day and Ramsay Health Care did its bit to assist to raise awareness about this terrible cancer by turning all its websites and social media platforms purple for the day as part of #PurpleOurWorld. Ramsay Health Care also launched a video featuring one father’s incredible journey to beat the odds and pancreatic cancer specialist from North Shore Private Hospital Dr Jaswinder Samra. Pancreatic Cancer is the 12th most common cancer across the globe, and the 7th highest cause of cancer deaths. What is more alarming is that due to a lack of awareness and under-funding, pancreatic cancer survival rates have not improved in the last 40 years. Survival rates for better known cancers such as breast, melanoma, testicular and cervical have all dramatically improved as more funding and research is dedicated to finding a cure. Pancreatic cancer survival rates have declined. Pancreatic cancer research receives less than two percent of overall cancer research funding. So what is pancreatic cancer? The pancreas has two main functions – to produce insulin to control the amount of sugar in our blood and to produce enzymes to help with food digestion. Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control forming a mass of tissue called a tumour. Unless caught early enough, most cases are inoperable and sufferers have just a 6.8% survival rate past 5 years after diagnosis. All of the symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer can have other causes, so is often difficult to diagnose, however there are some warning signs worth checking out: • Jaundice – yellow skin/eyes, dark urine. This is generally related to a bile duct obstruction. If the tumour is in the body or tail of the pancreas, patients are unlikely to have jaundice. • Significant and unexplained weight loss. • Unexplained and new abdominal pain. Studies have also shown that not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Life-like elephant visits Archerview Clinic Staff and patients of Ramsay’s Archerview Clinic in Rockhampton were delighted to host a visit from a large, good natured and very lovable inflatable elephant for a brief visit during Mental Health Week in October to Rockhampton. The elephant was nicknamed “Archie”. Archie is part of the Australian Private Hospital Association’s campaign to communicate the message of mental illness – that it is very common, very treatable and that we need to: “Get rid of the elephant in the room”, and start talking about mental health. Archie was an enormous hit in Archerview Clinic and throughout Hillcrest Rockhampton Private Hospital departments with many staff, patients and visitors taking the opportunity get a selfie with him. Archerview Clinic Nurse Unit Manager Trish Donohue said Archie really helped the wider hospital team obtain a greater understanding and appreciation for mental health consumers, their conditions, and the team who work alongside them. Additionally, Archie helped the Clinic team to deliver a “wellness toolbox” to each and every staff member of Hillcrest Private Hospital. These little gift boxes contained items to remind staff to “look after themselves, to “mind their own minds”, how to self-care, and where to seek help if needed. Archie also attended other events as part of the Rockhampton Mental Health Week “Wellness Festival” via the hospital ute with each outing branded as “Archie’s Big Day Out”. He was an absolute winner, smiling and connecting with the crowds both young and old in the Rockhampton CBD at the free food, music, workshops and art on the Friday afternoon. His presence provided an opening for honest communication, feedback and sharing around how we really need to endorse mental health and to ask the question around how as a society we can better manage this health problem in a just and unprejudiced way. Albert Road Clinic is Smoke Free Albert Road Clinic became a smoke free facility on 1 November 2016. The mental health facility has spent 12 months preparing to go smoke free and improving patient’s overall physical health by offering more physical activity programs; replacing discretionary food options with healthier alternatives from the kitchen, and ramping up its campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking. The first stage of becoming a Smoke Free workplace and patient care facility commenced on 1 July 2016 when staff, doctors and visitors ceased smoking on the premises. Hospital CEO Jane Pickworth said it was a great achievement for a mental health facility to go smoke free given that smoking rates among people with a mental illness are high. “There are many reasons for this such as smoking to cope with stress and anxiety. However, studies have shown that many people with a mental illness want to Albert Road Clinic is Sm ke Free quit and that smoking 1 November 2016 causes, rather than relieves stress,” said Jane. Westmead’s NOgIN turns 10 The Neuro Oncology Information Network (NOgIN) was the brainchild of Westmead Private Hospital nurse Emma Everingham and Westmead Hospital nurse Diane Lear. The pair were inspired to start the support group in July 2006 after seeing first-hand the physical and emotional toll of brain tumour diagnosis and treatment. “We really just wanted to improve the outcome for patients and their carers,” Emma said. “Offering support has been our driving force; we believe our group provides an environment for patients and their families to meet like-minded people and build relationships while learning.” NOgIN meets every two months at Westmead Private Hospital. The group celebrated its 10th anniversary with a formal dinner in November at Oatlands House with Dr Gordon Dandie presenting an inspiring address, with over 120 specialists, staff, patients and their families attending from both Westmead Private & Westmead Hospitals. It was a great opportunity to celebrate all that the support group have done over the past 10 years, and everyone looked amazing with their splash of purple! The evening also raised awareness for International Brain Tumour week, with Funds contributing to the development of NOgIN. This includes a nursing scholarship fund.
The Ramsay Way - 2016 Christmas Edition
To see the actual publication please follow the link above