The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Happy Father’s Day to the parents, grandparents and father figures that make RMH a great place to work and a great place to receive care. 💙

Our Food Services team has been prepping hundreds of hedgehog slices as well as texture modified Chocolate Ripple Cakes to our patients who are spending their day at our health service. Look out for them on your meal tray 👀

We understand Father’s Day may be a difficult day for some people. Our thoughts and best wishes are with those who cannot celebrate with their dad or children this weekend.

Happy Wear it Purple Day! 💜

Staff around the RMH, The Royal Women's Hospital, WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre dressed in purple as a sign of solidarity to our LGBTIQA+ staff, patients and community.

We’re proudly committed to being a great place to work, and a great place to receive care for everyone under the rainbow.

This year’s theme encourages people to “Share Your Passion, Share Your Pride” as an affirming and empowering message to LGBTIQA+ youth to express their true selves and identities.

”We know adolescence can be a difficult time...and for LGBTIQA+ youth it comes with additional challenges and complexities,” Senior LGBTIQA+ Patient Liaison .Tegan (they/she) said.

“We want to let LGBTIQA+ people in our community know that you deserve to be celebrated and respected! RMH is committed to fostering safe and inclusive care , and we’re here if you need support.”

If you would like to learn more about our LGBTIQA+ support services, please see: https://www.thermh.org.au/your-care/supporting-you/welcoming-lgbtiqa-people

A labour of love for Engineer Bruce Gilpin ❤️

When Bruce Gilpin retired after an impressive 29 years at Frankston Hospital/Peninsula Health, little did he know a phone call from the RMH three weeks later could see him working for a further 23 years (and counting)!

Bruce answered the call to oversee the installation of emergency generators at the RMH Parkville, affectionately named by Capital Works “Bruce & Shirl” (his wife’s name is Shirley). You wouldn’t know it, but Bruce & Shirl keep our lights on and temperatures controlled when the power goes down at the main Hospital.

Bruce was also part of the design team and project managed construction of southern and eastern tunnels of the RMH Parkville. While our original tunnels were set up during World War 2 by the American Army, Bruce’s sophisticated tunnel system contains a tiered-system of air conditioning, steam, storm water, sewerage, medical gasses, emergency generators, hot water and chilled water and more - every pipe underground works in a orchestrated fashion, designed to have back-ups to keep things flowing smoothly upstairs.

The RMH’s Director of Capital Works Leanne Chappell (pictured here with Bruce) said she loves working with Bruce because of his commitment to patient-centred care.

”Bruce’s work always comes back to the patients. He’s always interested in providing alternatives and solutions to minimise patient disruption,” she said.

”While Bruce has a wealth of knowledge from working in engineering for more than 50 years, he’s always listening and learning from clinical staff about their priorities when it comes to patient care and delivering a system that supports them and the patients,” she said.

Bruce’s love of engineering, and in particular steam engineering, bleeds out into his personal life; him and Shirley love taking trips on The Ghan and Indian Pacific, he’s a Life member of the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society…and he’s even built two miniature steam trains on his property (which his grandchildren adore)!

Thank you Bruce for your service for advancing care for everyone, every day.

Happy birthday Paul! 🎂

When Paul came to us a few days before his birthday, he was certain he was having a heart attack.

He was admitted for observation, and while he was on our general medicine (“Gen Med”) ward, the nurses decided to throw a little party for Paul! 🎈

Staff members and our food services team presented Paul with a mud cake and the team in Gen Med wrote him this cute little card.

Paul wrote in to us at the RMH via Facebook to express his gratitude for the nurses in Gen Med (5SE):

“My birthday was a little different this year spending it in hospital, but I was spoiled by my beautiful wife and kids with a special mention to the wonderful nurses at the Royal Melbourne Hospital 5 South East for the yummy birthday cake and fine happy birthday voices,” Paul said.

Thankfully Paul was discharged without a heart attack, but a belly full of cake and a lot of gratitude for our staff members who supported him through an uncertain time. 🥳

Thanks for sharing Paul!

🌬 The RMH Breast Surgeon Professor Bruce Mann got into the festive spirit for a good cause last weekend! ❄️

Treasure Chest Charity's White Winter Ball was held last Saturday night, raising an incredible $150,000 for Shared Breast Services across the Parkville Precinct, including the RMH and the RWH.

Dressed immaculately to the theme, Patron Professor Bruce Mann (pictured) expressed gratitude to Treasure Chest Charity for their unwavering commitment, emphasising the importance of ensuring public patients receive the best breast cancer treatment available.

Saturday’s event was a special milestone for Treasure Chest Charity, celebrating 15 years of dedication to improving breast cancer care. Over the years, this remarkable volunteer-run charity has raised more than $2 million, directly enhancing the quality of care for women treated at the Shared Breast Services in the Parkville Precinct.

The RMH Foundation would like to thank the generosity of attendees and supporters who helped achieve raise much-needed funds. The focus of Saturday's fundraiser was to primarily support a specially-trained reconstruction nurse to counsel patients considering reconstruction. Reconstruction presents unique challenges for patients, and this specialised role will be crucial in providing tailored support.

If you would like to donate to our breast cancer services, you can specify using our donate form, located at our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/foundation/ways-to-support-us/make-a-donation

Our staff quietly rolled up their sleeves this winter to protect themselves, our patients and the community from the flu, smashing our 2024 flu vaccination target!

Our Infection Prevention Surveillance Service Manager Liz Orr praised the efforts of the immunisation team, who quietly went about vaccinating more than 7800 of our staff members.

“I am really pleased we got there - thanks to everyone. Our staff are protected,” said immunisation coordinator Libby Matchett.

Influenza (also known as “flu” to most people) is a common viral infection which causes serious illness, hospitalisation and death. This year alone, 152 Australians have died from influenza.

Thanks to our staff who have helped us protect our community from the flu.

Let’s go around the world with Joe!

Joe has become a personal tour guide to one of his patients at the Essendon Fields dialysis unit, whose treatment means she spends quite some time with the dialysis team.

So to help put her at ease, Joe came up with a very unique and sweet way to support the patient and help the time fly - by helping her imagine that she was about to! ✈️

“She is quite intelligent, an academic and quite astute - and loved travelling,” Joe says.

“She said to me one day, being here is like sitting on chair waiting for take off, and I said ‘Take it as if you’re going on a flight' - so it started from there.”

And from then on, when this patient is assigned to Joe’s chair for her latest session, Joe has been taking her "overseas".

He chooses a destination, arranges the "flight", then becomes her tour guide.

Recently it was to Africa, so pictures of wild animals were printed out and stuck up on the walls. Other locations have been Moscow, Paris, New York, Italy and Singapore.

Joe's person-centered care resulted in him receiving a nomination for our You Made A Difference (YMAD) Awards. Congratulations, Joe!

You can read more about the awards and nominate an RMH staff member via the RMH website: www.thermh.org.au/YMAD

🏥 Our ED waiting room is getting a makeover!

🔨 During August, the sitting area in our ED waiting room will be undergoing some renovations.

While this is happening, it might look a little different to what you’re used to and you may hear some loud noises.

But don’t worry! Our friendly ED staff like Danielle (pictured) are still here to look after you and ensure you receive the care you need.

There is limited space in the waiting room at the moment, so please consider who you need to bring with you for support while you receive care.

💛 And as always, please be patient and respect our staff.

📞 If you have a non-life-threatening injury, care is also available through the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Priority Primary Care Centres in Carlton and Moonee Ponds.

🌟 We can’t wait for you to see our new waiting room space soon!

🎉Big shoutout to our Chief Allied Health Information Officer, Kath Feely, who traded Melbourne’s brisk weather for Brisbane’s warmth and took home the Don Walker Award for Best Clinical Abstract at the recent the Australian Institute of Digital Health’s (AIDH) Health Innovation Conference.

📜Kath’s standout paper, “Co-designing with Vulnerable Populations to Improve Their Healthcare Experience Using an EMR Patient Portal Application,” is what made waves.

💻It was also fantastic to see RMH making a splash at this key digital health event, with seven staff members presenting and showcasing their work over the two days.

🌐For more details on Kath’s amazing achievement and the team’s involvement visit the the AIDH website - https://bit.ly/4dggDRx

If you’re needing to come to our Parkville campus, major tram works in the CBD may affect your commute to our Hospital.

Please allow extra time to get to and from the Hospital. For more information, please see our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/news/upcoming-public-transport-disruptions

🎈 Thanks student vollies! 🎈

This week is National Student Volunteer Week! At the RMH, we’re proud to have students make up 40% of our total volunteer base, enriching their experience at uni with a volunteer role.

Just like medicine student Safwan. Safwan (pictured here with fellow vollies Carrie and Michelle) has been volunteering with us for the past year and remarks that seeing how vulnerable patients have to be during his clinical placements has helped him develop a deeper compassion in his volunteer role.

“Being on clinical placements…I have seen how genuine human connection and empathy can profoundly impact a patient’s wellbeing,” Safwan said.

“As a way of giving back to the community, I want to be able to create these connections and positive experience for people in their times of need.

“Patients are always so grateful for the help we provide, and every smile and 'thank you' is an affirmation that I am making someone's day a little better.”

Thanks so much for volunteering and helping our patients through what can be a confronting experience, Safwan! We’re so glad to have you.

If you’re looking for more information on volunteering at the RMH, please see our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/health-professionals/careers/working-at-the-rmh/volunteering

Congratulations to the RMH's Department of Neurology and Stroke, who has this week been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Centre by the Australian Stroke Coalition (ASC).

Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Lisa Murphy visited the RMH yesterday to personally present the certification as part of a special Stroke Week meet and greet, and morning tea.

The Department and Ward were recognised for their high standard of stroke care, reflecting the ASC’s strict certification criteria which includes treating stroke patients on a single dedicated ward, providing specialist staffing, regular training, data monitoring and improvement, and patient involvement in decision making.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital joins a list of only eight Australian hospitals to receive this prestigious certification.

The ASC is a joint initiative between the Stroke Foundation as well as the Stroke Society of Australasia, and is co-badged with the World Health Organization.

Stroke Society of Australasia president, Professor Tim Kleinig congratulated the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Hospitals accredited on their certification.

”Quality stroke unit care is a human right and all Australians deserve nothing less. We must ensure everyone unfortunate enough to have a stroke has the best possible chance, not only of survival, but also a good post-stroke recovery.”

“I applaud these hospitals for taking the necessary steps in ensuring they meet and maintain a high quality of stroke care,” Professor Kleinig said.

Thinking about a career in intensive care nursing?

There’s only two more days until our ICU Open Night.

If you’re thinking about growing your intensive care nursing career, come meet our team to discover oportunities to further your education, skills and knowledge in a supportive, team-based environment.

Come hear about our many supportive programs or CCRN positions. Programs offered in 2025 include the Graduate certificate, RISE program, Bridging program and ICU refresher program.

The ICU Open Night will be held on Thursday August 8th 5:00 – 6:30pm in the Seminar Room, Level 5B, ICU Admin at the The Royal Melbourne Hospital Parkville campus.

To register, please head to: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_BUzU5Dr2kCx3ER5UBsYe5igqFBly9BMvzxSh-mZethUQkRQMFNHMkxLVFNUVFJKTlc0MkY4UDQxOCQlQCN0PWcu&origin=QRCode

📷Sure, your iPhone can snap a great photo, BUT can it capture images of your brain?

This National Stroke Week, we’re putting the spotlight on RMH Research Stroke Nurse Christine and the innovative EM Vision device she’s pictured with at the Melbourne Brain Centre.

“It's a portable brain scanner that can capture detailed images of the brain, providing game changing insights for health care professionals.”

“It’s specifically designed to determine whether a stroke is caused by a bleed or a blockage.”

“The aim is to get this technology to the patient quickly, whether they're in a rural area or an ambulance, so that we can speed up diagnosis and treatment, which are both critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term disability.”

🌟In light of National Stroke Week, Cristine leaves us with an important reminder:

“Call for help as soon as you think something's wrong. Timing is critical in stroke. Time is brain. Every minute, every second counts.”

The RMH 🤝 WEHI

Travelling for a routine post-transplant kidney biopsy may be a thing of the past soon as researchers at the RMH and WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research come together to bypass the need for a biopsy using a simple urine test.

Using a custom-built liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry machine, researchers are looking at thousands of urine samples against kidney biopsy results to determine what proteins are early markers of the different types of kidney rejection in patients.

While in its early days, the study hopes to remove some of the stress and inconvenience for patients.

“Kidney biopsies carry some risks and have to be performed at the hospital where patients then need to wait for four to five hours afterwards,” the RMH Nephrologist and Director of the Australian Paired Kidney Exchange Program Associate Professor Hughes said.

“The potential of a urine test to bypass the need for a biopsy is an exciting prospect for us who work in the clinical space.”

Read more at our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/news/non-invasive-testing-a-way-of-the-future

❤️With your Dry July support, we can continue supporting women like Laveena who are affected by oral cancer.

🏥Following her diagnosis, Laveena underwent complex surgery at RMH, where bone from her leg was used to reconstruct her jaw.

⏳With only a matter of hours left of Dry July, Laveena shares why she got involved as RMH's fundraising hits $39k.

"People are unaware as to what actually happens and what a patient has to go through when he or she is affected by this type of cancer.”

💬"Advancements in surgeries and treatments for head and neck cancer need funding. If I can help, it means someone else gets a chance to live."

🚀We're in the final stretch of Dry July - now’s the time to donate via dryjuly.com/rmh

Do you notice anything different about these sandwiches?

We had the great pleasure of launching new pureed sandwiches at our residential aged care service, Cyril Jewell House, and they’ll be available across the health service soon.

Around one million Australians live with a swallowing difficulty, with more than 50 per cent of those Australians living in residential aged care. This means they have to have a “textured modified diet”; their food has to be eaten as blended up or as a puree, which is often not very nice to look at!

The RMH Residential Aged Care Dietitian Elise Szulik said it’s important to help re-create familiar foods for patients, consumers and residents, who are often at risk of dietary deficiencies due to unappealing pureed food.

“Our moulded food options contain added fortified nutrients as well as maintaining patient dignity by serving food that looks like real food.”

Cyril Jewell resident Scott (pictured) was amazed to see sandwiches on his plate for lunch the other day, having been on a textured modified diet for many years.

The RMH’s Residential Aged Care Service Nursing Director Wendy Wallace said watching Scott’s face light up when he realised he could eat a sandwich again was a “great joy” to witness.

"It was such a special day for Scott and his brother but also the staff who have worked with Scott for 13 years," Wendy said.

Read more about the moulded "sandwiches" on our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/news/aged-care-residents-take-a-bite-out-of-new-moulded-pureed-food-menu

Who would have thought a chance blood test for a spider bite changed patient Jarrod’s world in an instant. 🕷

Results showed he had low kidney function which turned into a diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease – a condition that causes the kidneys to lose function over time.

“I became less and less able to do the things I liked to do,” says Jarrod (pictured).

“I couldn’t walk far or go up inclines. I’d have to slow down and catch my breath.”

After three years on dialysis and three years on the waiting list, and two call ups that didn’t eventuate, Jarrod received the gift of a donor kidney in 2022 – a gift he describes as life-changing.

This DonateLife Week, the RMH patient Jarrod – who is also a registered donor - is encouraging Victorians to register as an organ and tissue donor and have the conversation with loved ones, so they know your intention.

“I’d urge anybody that was thinking of doing it, to just do it and to be happy knowing they could potentially save someone else's life,” says Jarrod.

“I know people mean to do certain things and sometimes just don’t get around to it, but this is the most precious gift you can give to someone. It’s a gift of life.”

Anyone aged 16 and over can register as an organ and tissue donor – it only takes one minute.

Register as an organ and tissue donor DonateLife website: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/or via your Medicare Express Plus app – don’t forget to tell your family!

🏃‍♀️ While the Olympic Games is about to kick off, in our eyes, our 7B Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Ward have already won gold, sprinting through their fourth year of @‌dryjuly fun(draising)!

🎉 More than 20 'Neutrophil Ninjas' from the 7B Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Ward put in a medal-worthy effort at @‌runmelbourne last weekend.

🙏 To those who donated and backed their run, thank you! Your support goes beyond cheering on a team – every dollar raised helps us support RMH’s cancer patients and their families.

❤️ It's not too late to join the race and support these legendary ninjas. Donate today: https://www.dryjuly.com/rmh

Solidarity in a stoma 🤝👜

Can you believe more than 40 the RMH staff members participated in the Great Stoma Challenge 2024?

More than 47,000 Australians live with a stoma pouch (or bag). You may have seen one of these before - any surgery that involves the removal of part of the bowel or bladder requires a stoma . A stoma is an opening in your abdomen which can be attached to a pouch to remove bodily waste.

For Stomal Therapy Awareness Week this year, the RMH stoma team encouraged staff to take part in The Great Stoma Challenge - which involved wearing a stoma bag for up to 72 hours.

”Transitioning to a stoma pouch can be a difficult time for our patients, so we encouraged staff members to wear one for three days to really understand the challenges of having one,” Stomal Therapy Nurse Liz said.

Forty nurses, doctors and allied health professionals wore a pouch for 72 hours, all while crossfitting, Pilates-ing, running (…after kids!) and working. Read about their experience on our website: https://www.thermh.org.au/news/solidarity-in-a-stoma

We are checking out more than just books with our new library for patients! 📚

The RMH Library Trolley Service, which is run by volunteers just like Raylene (pictured), resumed this week at the RMH Parkville.

Along with the traditional books, magazines, crosswords and puzzles, the trolley now also has laminated pages with QR codes so patients can access links to music, podcasts, TV, radio stations, videos and meditation. RMH Volunteers can assist patients to connect to these on their mobile devices.

The library services also gives our volunteers a great opportunity to chat with our patients about their favourite books, authors, bands, music and games.

Bon voyage Aldo! 🥹

After 30 years at the RMH, the man behind the surgical booking “flight deck” is retiring!

Aldo has seen many changes since 1994, from using index cards to keep track of bookings, to the more sophisticated electronic booking system through EPIC (our Electronic Medical Records System).

Throughout the changes and challenges adapting to new systems, Aldo said its one thing that kept him coming back to the RMH after all these years.

“It’s the camaraderie,” Aldo said.

“I’m really going to miss all the staff here. They create a fantastic atmosphere. They’ve made it a great place to work.”

Elective Surgery Access Manager Ellen Duffy said Aldo will be missed.

”Aldo has been the ‘go-to person’ not just for us in the planned waiting list and pre-admission team but to many of our stakeholders,” she said.

“Aldo has been a great employee to work with; reliable, respectful and has always shown great pride in his work, which is invaluable in an employee.”

Aldo has actually worked here for 28 years, with two years away working as a photographer - one of his favourite hobbies.

With all that free time now, will Aldo go back to photography?

”Probably not! ” he said.

”I have a lot of painting and landscaping to do around the house, so I want to tackle that before travelling,

“My wife and I are going to Europe next year, so perhaps I’ll pick up a camera then.”

Happy snapping Aldo, 📸 and thanks for your 30 years of service and support to our community.

Going for a scoot this weekend? Scoot safe! 🛴

🍾 E-scooter riders are subject to the same drink/drug laws as vehicle drivers.

📱 You also can't use your phone and scoot at the same time.

💪 This is to help you and your loved ones stay safe and out of our Emergency Department.

💻 For more info on e-scooter rules, please see Vicroads' website: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/e-scooters-in-victoria

Look who popped in for a visit!

We were so thrilled to see Brianna and her family at the RMH to say thank you to them for their fundraising achievements.

Brianna shared her incredibly moving story with the RMH Foundation for our 2023-24 tax appeal. At just 17 weeks pregnant, Brianna suffered a devastating stroke that required emergency surgery. Her arrival at our ED marked the beginning of a long road to recovery, with teams from across the RMH providing life-saving care, rehabilitation and support along the way.

Thanks to the tax appeal campaign, the support of this beautiful family and the generosity of our community - including individual and corporate donations - we have raised $1 million towards our goal of $2.5 million for a second CT scanner in our Emergency Department! With more people coming through our ED than ever before, this is a vital piece of equipment that will provide rapid and accurate diagnosis for trauma and stroke patients.

Thank you Brianna and to all our supporters who have been part of this story to date.

The generous support of our community helps the RMH to remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery and research.

Because when life is unpredictable, our response isn’t.

You can donate today at www.thermh.org.au/CT