St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Forty years ago, Dr Victor Chang performed trailblazing heart transplant surgery on patient Fiona Coote, who at the time was just 14 years old. She was one of the first patients of the heart transplantation program at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.

St Vincent’s Sydney’s Heart Lung Transplant Unit now performs around 60 heart and 50 lung transplants each year – and has completed more than 1,800 transplants in total.

Today, there are almost 2,000 Australians on the organ transplant waitlist.

Registering as an organ donor saves lives, is easy and only takes one minute at donatelife.gov.au

Worldwide, someone dies every 30 seconds due to a hepatitis-related illness.

Today, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the five different types of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is one of the most common hepatitis infections, with an estimated one million new infections each year.

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne hepatologists have partnered with Burnet and Harm Reduction Victoria to run an innovative pilot program aiming to reduce HCV in the community.

The C No More program uses a mobile, nurse- and peer-led model of care to provide HCV testing and treatment at community corrections facilities in Melbourne.

This model of care is designed to mitigate barriers to health care for populations vulnerable to HCV infection.

Working alongside nurses such as Bridget (pictured), are peer mentor with lived experience of drug use, HCV treatment and/or the criminal justice system. Peer mentors help to reduce the stigma associated with HCV and use their lived experience to help participants overcome barriers to treatment.

The model was praised in feedback from participants: “(Peer mentors) can just see it from both sides.”

“They obviously understand what we’re going through and they also understand the process and your side of the job as well.

If you’re unsure about things they can give you a bit of guidance and make it a bit easier. Plus, just having someone to talk to makes it easier, too.”

Learn more about hepatitis treatment and research at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne: https://www.svhm.org.au/newsroom/news/st-vincent-s-specialists-are-working-to-treat-hepatitis-and-ensure-no-one-gets-left-behind

Every year at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, we recognise our long-serving staff – employees who have spent 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years at our health service.

Julie Elliott is our Strategy and Planning Lead and she’s celebrating 30 years of service.

“I’ve stayed at St Vincent’s because I’ve had the opportunity to work in different roles, which has enabled me to continue to grow, stay interested and challenged, and make a difference in our delivery of care,” she said.

Since joining SVHM 30 years ago as a registered nurse, Julie said health care has become more complicated.

“What hasn’t changed is the desire of St Vincent’s staff to always strive to do their best,” she added.

“My favourite part of my work over the years has been supporting staff to develop their skills and demonstrate what they are capable of.”

“The role I now have in Strategy and Planning enables me to deliver whole-of-organisation initiatives that make St Vincent’s a better place to be cared for and to work.”

In 2024, almost 300 staff are celebrating service milestones. Keep an eye on our social media channels during the coming months to learn more about some of our dedicated staff and their careers at SVHM.

Mary Watson has been a dedicated St Vincent’s Volunteer for over five years now.

“It’s special here, full of friendly and kind people,” says Mary. “After my husband passed away, St Vincent’s has become a community for me.”

Her weekly visits to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne are filled with purpose. She delivers food and drinks to patients in the Oncology Ward and lends a helping hand to the Maternity team, offering her support wherever it's needed.

Volunteers like Mary enrich our hospitals across Australia, and we are so grateful for them.

Chronic pain affects one in five Australians over 45 - that’s over 3.6 million Australians.

National Pain Week shines a light on chronic pain, the leading cause of disability in Australia.

Across the country, St Vincent’s Pain Specialists, Nurses and Allied Health teams are committed to improving outcomes for patients.

Last month we recognised Crazy Socks 4 Docs, a day to raise awareness of the mental health of all doctors and health practitioners around the world.

As part of the day, our teams put their best foot forward for St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s annual Crazy Socks 4 Docs photo competition – and the winners are in!

The Oncology department took out first place with their ‘sock it to cancer’ photo. Second place went to the Emergency department and third place went to Surgery.

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who got involved in this important cause.

July marks the third birthday of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s Rehab@Home service!

As part of this service, patients are visited daily and supported via 24-hour phone line. The service is provided by a multidisciplinary team and cares for patients from all specialties including orthopaedics, neurosurgery, cardiac and general medical.

Our patients have provided positive feedback about their experiences with Rehab@Home, including this message: “A huge THANK YOU to the entire rehab team. My recovery continues to build strongly because of the support and health I have received throughout the two-week period. You are an amazing team, and I will be forever grateful. Thank you and best wishes to all.”

Congratulations to the Rehab@Home team on their third anniversary.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia.

At St Vincent’s, we’re committed to improving care and research into this chronic disease, which sees an estimated 1.2 million Australians hospitalised every year with diabetes-related conditions.

Recently, St Vincent’s Sydney’s diabetes service was recognised as a centre of excellence by the National Association of Diabetes Centres (NADC).

The accreditation – which is awarded for four years – is a testament to the clinical, research, advocacy and leadership work the team undertakes to improve the lives of people living with diabetes.

Natalie Wischer OAM, CEO of NADC spoke of St Vincent’s Diabetes Services as "providing exceptional healthcare services" and an “unwavering commitment to excellence in diabetes care".

We were thrilled to welcome Gunditjmara artist Aunty Bronwyn Razem back to St Vincent’s as part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations. Aunty Bronwyn facilitated gum leaf weaving and gum leaf painting workshops, giving our staff, patients and visitors the opportunity to take time out of their day for regeneration and reflection.

The gum leaves will be added to the Djarmbi Companions dingo weaving and wall art installation in our Cancer Centre, a special creation by Aunty Bronwyn Razem and Ngarigo artist Peter Waples Crowe.

Happy NAIDOC Week! To mark the start of our celebrations at St Vincent’s, we were grateful to be joined at our Fitzroy campus by Wurundjeri women’s dance group, Djirri Djirri, who performed a traditional dance for our staff, patients and visitors.

We are looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week across our health service this week. It’s an important time that is dedicated to celebrating the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people.

This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud,’ highlights the resilience and vibrant spirit of First Nations communities, urging all Australians to acknowledge and promote First Nations culture and contributions.

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud. The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, and the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The ongoing symbol of the burning fire – drawing us in and keeping us warm and safe - captures the essence of our reconciliation journey,” says Darlene Dreise, National Manager of Reconciliation.

Across St Vincent’s, we benefit from listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences – including many who work in our hospitals and aged care homes – to ensure our services and environments are safe and welcoming places of healing.

After 13 years of working together and managing our Volunteer Services, this month we are saying farewell to Judy and Kate.

Judy has worked at St Vincent’s for almost 20 years and is retiring to the Gold Coast with her husband and her pet therapy dog, Macca. Meanwhile, Kate has decided to take on a new challenge and is running for her local council.

Thank you, Judy and Kate, for your hard work and dedication to our Volunteer Services – we wish you both the very best for your next chapters!

Read more about the wonderful work of Volunteer Services team here: https://www.svhm.org.au/about-us/our-community/volunteers

Type Two Diabetes rates are rising nationally, with higher prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people living in rural and remote communities where the necessary care just isn’t available.

Because of this unmet need, rural areas are experiencing high diabetes related presentations to local hospital emergency departments, often with very serious complications.

To address this, St Vincent’s Diabetes Service launched DREAM (Diabetes Regional Education, Access and Management) with Murrumbidgee PHN, starting in Tumut, NSW. Previously, patients traveled long distances for care; now, services are brought closer.

“Tumut is just the start, we’re looking toward meeting the gaps in other parts of NSW where we can help those most in need”, says Gael Holters, Diabetes Clinical Nurse Consultant and DREAM Project Lead.

Congratulations to Jocelle Cape and Sabita Pahari, the recipients of the 2024 Dame Quentin Bryce Postgraduate Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship!

These incredible nurses have shown exceptional dedication to advancing palliative care, embodying academic excellence and strong leadership qualities.

According to Jade Murphy, General Manager of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Education and Learning, palliative care encompasses diverse needs including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.

"Providing nurses with advanced training ensures comprehensive support for patients and families during vulnerable times," she said.

This scholarship honors Dame Quentin Bryce’s outstanding contributions to healthcare and commitment to excellence.

Learn more about this year's recipient: https://www.stvfoundation.org.au/blog/the-2024-dame-quentin-bryce-palliative-care-scholarship

“After overcoming personal challenges with anxiety and postnatal depression following birth trauma over 28 years ago, I felt compelled to make a difference in the lives of other women.”

Michelle Cambrey has been a midwife for 14 years, with 10 of them being at St Vincent’s Private Fitzroy.

With compassion and expertise, she supports women through their antenatal and postnatal periods, in her role as Perinatal Emotional Wellbeing Specialist Midwife & Counsellor.

From July 1, Victorian hospitals will begin asking patients for their ‘s*x at birth’ and ‘gender’.

St Vincent’s is committed to providing safe and inclusive healthcare for everyone in our community.

Some people have a different s*x or gender to what was assigned to them at birth, or a gender that sits outside the spectrum of male and female.

It is important that trans and gender-diverse people can accurately inform health services of their s*x and gender in a safe and inclusive way.

To find out more about the changes, visit the Department of Health website:

Inclusive collection and reporting of s*x and gender data Guidance on collecting patients’ s*x and gender information respectfully and sensitively in line with the departments requirements.

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Director of Addiction Medicine Professor Yvonne Bonomo is featured in The Nightly sharing her thoughts on Victoria’s upcoming drug-testing trial.

“The announcement that the Victorian Government is moving ahead with a drug-checking trial this summer is welcome news because it will save the lives of young people in the State,” Professor Bonomo said.

“Having been an addiction medicine specialist for more than 20 years, I understand some members of the community will have reservations about this announcement. To some, changes like this will sit uncomfortably with the long-standing messaging around the dangers of illicit drug use.

“But my colleagues and I live in the world as it is, not how others might wish it to be. People take drugs. That’s a fact. And ultimately, if people — particularly young people — are determined to take drugs, then we need to do everything we can to keep them safe.”

Read the piece: https://thenightly.com.au/opinion/yvonne-bonomo-victorias-drug-testing-trial-will-save-lives-because-it-knows-the-truth-people-take-drugs-c-15139119

Annaleise started her career right in the middle of the pandemic.

But despite the challenges, she can’t imagine working anywhere other than St Vincent’s Melbourne’s Emergency Department.

“I am surrounded by such an amazing, humble, hard-working and caring team. We are always working together through the tough times and the good times,” she says. “Knowing that we are making a difference every day to our patients and their families is something I am grateful for, and I am lucky to have the opportunity to do so.”

In hospital, a doctor writes a prescription, and within moments, the medication is on its way to the ward. But behind this seemingly effortless process lies meticulous planning, management, and coordination.

It’s people like Pamala Bellicanta, a Supply Coordinator at St Vincent’s Griffith, who track stock, anticipate demand and help us to provide essential supplies for patient care.

If you are travelling to our Fitzroy campus this Saturday, please allow extra time.

Due to construction works, Victoria Parade will be partially closed from 7am to 5pm, Saturday 22 June. Two outbound lanes on Victoria Parade between Nicholson Street and Brunswick Street will be closed.

All car parks remain operational during this time, but please ensure you allow extra travel time this weekend.

Traffic management controllers will be in place to direct cars through the diversions.

Thank you for your patience while these works are underway.

A tailored program led by St Vincent’s Healthy Ageing Service is helping to stop older adult’s mental health needs from ‘slipping through the cracks’.

Currently, only about 50 per cent of Victorians aged over 65 requiring mental health services can access specialist care.

This program provides care to people with mild to moderate mental health concerns. It educates them with information and advice to improve sleep quality, and equips them with mindfulness, relaxation and self-compassion skills, based on psychological strategies.

It offers them a personalised toolkit to draw on during challenging times.

“Older adults often suffer in silence. They don’t tend to seek help or talk about mental health, and battle dual stigmas attached to mental health and ageism, which we have labelled ‘double discrimination’,” said Dr Terence Chong a psychiatrist at SVHM’s Healthy Ageing Service.

“Through targeted programming and our person-centred model-of-care, we have the ability to do a lot more early intervention and prevention work,” said Dr Chong.

Read more on our Newsroom: https://www.svhm.org.au/newsroom/news/targeted-programs-provide-mental-health-boost-to-older-victorians

St Vincent’s origins go back more than 180 years - when the first five Sisters of Charity arrived in Australia.

Since then, we’ve become the nation’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider, providing better and fairer care across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Applications to join our Graduate Nurse 2025 program close this Friday, 21 June!

If you’re a Grad Nurse looking to kick start your nursing career at a major tertiary health service, apply now: https://www.svhm.org.au/education/nursing-education/graduate-nurse

This year, the world’s first 3D endoscopy was performed at St Vincent’s.

Associate Professor Bronte Holt, alongside a team of specialised endoscopy nurses in Melbourne, performed the first 3D Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedure – designed to treat achalasia, an oesophagus disorder that makes it difficult to swallow food and liquid.

“Using 3D imaging enhances the different layers of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as critical structures like the blood vessels and muscle fibres, and these details help us perform the operation with greater precision,” A/Prof Holt said.