"Shouldering" an Australian-first
Mr Devinder Garewal has performed
Australia’s first navigated short-stem
reverse shoulder surgery
Joondalup joins Aboriginal wellness expo
16 The Ramsay Way 2018 | 04
Donvale fighting fit
through wellness program
Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital has relaunched
its Wellness Program after successfully winning
a Ramsay-wide competition.
Driven by a passionate multidisciplinary group, the Donvale
staff Wellness Initiatives have included:
• Introduction of free fresh fruit available daily in the staff
dining rooms
• Discounted staff pilates classes conducted by a trained
physiotherapist, run several times per week
• Development of local walking /running track guides for staff
to use during meal breaks, before or after work
• Regular communication to all staff via MyRamsay App and
email about mindfulness apps, discounts available and
significant health promotion days
• Improvements to the information available for staff lunch and
dinner menus
• Switching vending machine contents to include healthy options
• Picnic blankets and additional outdoor furniture to encourage
staff to take breaks outdoors
• Promotion and coordination of participation in Corporate
Games and the Triathlon Pink events
• Co-ordination of social events once a quarter
Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital CEO Jenny Haig said there has
been a widespread uptake of these initiatives, encouraging
both social and physical wellness behaviours.
Health experts from Joondalup Health Campus have participated in the inaugural Wadjak Northside Social
Emotional Wellbeing Expo.
Hundreds of local people enjoyed a ‘cultural immersion’
experience, including a smoking ceremony, ceremonial
dancers, art activities, bush tucker tasting, emu egg carving
and several musical acts.
Aboriginal doctor Bianca Howard, a Jaru and Kitja woman
who works in the Joondalup Health Campus Emergency
Department, ran a successful stall talking to visitors about
various health topics.
Head of Paediatrics Professor Desiree Silva and ED
consultant Nicole Liesis also attended in support of the
day and lent their expertise on childhood development
and emergency medicine.
Professor Silva said the day had been extremely beneficial
in connecting with the local Aboriginal community and
explaining the support available to Aboriginal mothers,
pregnant women, babies and children.
“We also wanted to encourage local Aboriginal families to
consider participation in the ORIGINS project, which offers
regular health screening and check-up until the child is five
years of age – and importantly, early intervention if any health
issues are identified,” she said.
Social Work Co-Manager Tracey Negus, who is Chair of the
hospital’s Aboriginal Health Committee, said the stories from
the community members who had engaged with the hospital
were very positive.
“In fact, as a result of the Expo, we’re now looking at a
partnership that may result in improved safety planning for
youth at risk who present to the Joondalup Health Campus
Emergency Department.”
The team also provided information about the hospital’s
Aboriginal Health Committee initiatives, which include the
upcoming appointment of an Aboriginal Liaison Officer,
mandatory staff training in cultural awareness and the
incorporation of Aboriginal artwork around the hospital.
Tracey Negus,
Professor Desiree Silva
Egg Carving and Dr Bianca Howard
HOSPITAL NEWS
Occupational therapist Ashleigh Wheatley
benefits from Donvale’s wellness program
Trevarus Kelly and Professor Desiree Silva
An Australian-first shoulder procedure has been
carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon who
operates at Warringal Private Hospital.
Mr Devinder Garewal led a team of expert staff to perform
ground-breaking “navigated short-stem reverse shoulder
surgery” in the Victorian town of Echuca.
In theatre, Mr Garewal replaced the 74-year-old patient’s
ball joint with the country’s first navigated “short-stem”
prosthesis, which means he can have further shoulder-preserving
surgery in the future if required.
The orthopaedic surgeon said the person had previously
experienced years of shoulder pain and quite severe
dysfunction.
“He could only move his arm about 30 degrees in a forward
plane and sideways and he was in constant pain and had
difficulty sleeping. Now his pain will decrease drastically.
And with rehabilitation he should get to a point where he
can lift his hand above his head again,” Mr Garewal said.
Mr Garewal
travelled to Spain
to receive training
in the procedure
while completing
a shoulders
master’s course.
He is also one of the few surgeons in Australia to
perform computer navigated shoulder replacements
on a regular basis.
New computer navigation technology assists the surgeon in
optimising the component position to ensure good range of
movement, stability and balance to assist in maximising the
shoulder function of patient after replacement surgery.
Mr Garewal has been utilising this technology since its
inception, and sees its use as both exciting and invaluable
in assisting him with shoulder replacements.