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The Ramsay Way Spring 2013

RAMSAYPEOPLE John Flynn doctors do ‘Tour of Duty’ to Afghanistan John Flynn Private Hospital has welcomed the safe return of orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Ray Randle and anaesthetist Dr David Scott from their voluntary “tour of duty” in Afghanistan. Dr Randle and Dr Scott were embedded in a US Navy team, based at Kandahar, treating coalition soldiers and prisoners for several months. Dr Randle said of the victims they treated, 60 percent of injuries were IED Blast injuries (Improvised Explosive Device), 30 percent gunshot victims and 10 percent suicide vests and other injuries. Afghan nationals were the bulk of the patients. 10 TRW SPRING 2013 He said the major difference in the type of trauma was in the IED Blast injuries, many of which were loss of multiple limbs. “The US group we worked with were fantastic and geared up to manage the trauma,” Dr Randle said. “Within the five months that I worked with the US team we only lost four patients who arrived with a pulse. This represented a 99 percent survival rate,” he said. On a personal comfort level he said he found the food fantastic but the temperature hot and the dust storms difficult to deal with, being at an altitude of 3000 feet. Rebecca Lenzo with staff from Hollywood’s Donaldson Ward. (Photo courtesy: Andrew Richie form the Western Suburbs Weekly) The Pindara Post Graduate Certificate in Neurosurgical Nursing course has now commenced at Pindara Private Hospital with four nurses undertaking the post graduate course. Pindara CEO Trish Hogan said the calibre of the course is exceptional. “Lecturers are readily accessible and are giving the students plenty of their time, while the course content has generated robust discussion.” The nurses will take one year (two semesters) to complete the post graduate certificate and once completed they will stay on to work in the new neurosurgical ward at Pindara Private Hospital. A Joondalup Health Campus nurse has launched a support group for women who have a strong family history of breast cancer or carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and are considering surgery to reduce their risk. Mandy Morgan-Jones (50) launched ‘Pink Genes’ following her brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy after discovering she had an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer earlier this year. “I have three generations of family with breast cancer with the additional risk factor carried through my grandfather’s heritage of Canadian First Nation. After 12-months of discussion and information seeking, I have decided to undergo a double mastectomy,” said Ms Morgan-Jones. “After making this decision I looked for support groups for information, support and discussion and found none. My hope is to help and support others who are either going through the decision process, through surgery and on to reconstruction. Pink Genes – through the Breast Cancer Network WA - is not only for those of us going through this process, but our husbands, friends and families who are taking this journey too.” Mandy is scheduled to have both breasts removed in October this year, a procedure known as a prophylactic or risk-reducing mastectomy. Around 12 percent of Australian women have a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer but this risk increases to 60 percent for those with a strong family history or those with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. “In many respects, my decision has been an easy one. I don’t want to look back in five years when I may have breast cancer and think I could have done something about it,” she said. As an Emergency Department nurse at Joondalup Health Campus, Mandy understand first-hand the vital role support groups play in a patient’s journey to recovery. “There is a lot of support for women who have been diagnosed or are recovering from breast cancer, but there is little support for women like me who are undertaking drastic steps to reduce our risk,” said Morgan-Jones. “A mastectomy is a massive change in a woman’s life and has a significant physical and emotional impact. I wanted to create a community where women can help one another, share their stories and experiences, which is ultimately why I created Pink Genes.” For more information, or to join the support group, visit the Breast Cancer Australia Network website at www.bcna.org.au $60,000 available for post-graduate study Neurosurgical Nurses commence post-graduate course at Pindara Ramsay Health Care has launched the 2014 National Post Graduate Scholarship Program with applications opening in early September. With the support of key supply and industry partners - HESTA, Stryker and J&J - $60,000 has been made available to support Ramsay staff who wish to pursue post graduate study. The contribution will assist to reduce the financial burden of further study and support career progression in areas of workforce priority. Applicants may apply for a maximum $5,000 scholarship via a dedicated intranet site before 30 September 2013. The Workforce Safety & Culture Committee will be responsible for selecting and allocating sponsorships. At least 50 percent of scholarships will be awarded to applicants from hospitals with fewer than 150 beds. This new program complements the generous support that individual hospitals already provide locally for employee career development. Applications for the annual Ella Lowe $10,000 nursing research scholarship will also be accepted via this site. http://vwidc95/sites/corporate/gradplus/scholarships/default.aspx Pindara neurosurgeon Dr Leong Tan with nurses enrolled in the postgraduate neurosurgical nursing course at Pindara. Joondalup nurse launches breast gene support group BELOW L-R: Dr David Scott & Dr Ray Randle in Afghanistan


The Ramsay Way Spring 2013
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