South Metropolitan Health Service

After a stubble fire accident, farmer Tim Haslam woke up in the Intensive Care Unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital to learn he had suffered 38% total body surface area burns. 84 days later, after re-learning to walk and use his hands, Tim returned to the farm, independent and self-caring. Tim and his wife Sally credit the excellence and compassion of the State Adult Burns Service. “From the moment I got here, I had the most unbelievable support,” Tim said. “The staff never let us have any doubt that I would survive, or that I would walk out of here.” “They’ve become family.” Read more about Tim’s story on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEhKB9Ji

During her lengthy stay at Fiona Stanley Hospital’s State Rehabilitation Service (SRS), Ngaanyatjarra patient Prudence immersed herself in painting (painting emoji) dreamtime stories passed down to her from childhood. Aboriginal Health Champion & Senior Social Worker, Ayla Walker, and the SRS team fundraised to purchase art and materials to enable patients like Prudence - who face lengthy admissions, are isolated or experiencing trauma - to benefit from art as therapy (love heart emoji). Prudence’s artwork and stories now adorn the walls of the SRS, creating a culturally safe space for patients who are admitted from across the state. (twinkle emoji) Read more at https://lnkd.in/gyMpXUF2

This week, Dr Koya Ayonrinde, liver specialist at Fiona Stanley Hospital presented on fatty liver. Fatty liver affects one in three Australians, including some children, and can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and heart disease. From drinking alcohol to doing liver cleanses, Koya debunked myths associated with fatty liver disease discussed how it can be prevented and reversed. If you missed the event, you can listen to Koya’s presentation: https://lnkd.in/gduqqznQ

NAIDOC celebrations continue across SMHS hospitals! In line with this year’s theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, our staff at Rockingham General Hospital came together to celebrate the unyielding spirit and rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Starting with a Welcome to Country, the celebrations included a smoking ceremony, flag raising, and cultural dances followed by a light lunch.

Patients with uncommon and rare cancers may be able to join a new clinical trial at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH). The MoST-TAP trial will offer eligible patients two immunotherapy drugs that may increase chances of survival. “We have seen similar drugs improve survival in many rare cancer patients, and we hope to see patients with these cancers living longer with access to these drugs,” says Dr Wei-Sen Lam, Head of Service at FSH Medical Oncology. Enrolment is underway and recruitment should close mid-2026. For more info 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBN95QXi

‘Turtles in the Water with Stars’ will welcome patients into Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) thanks to WA Noongar artist, Linda Lee Loo. Linda and other local Aboriginal artists have donated their artworks to to help us create a welcoming and culturally safe environment for Aboriginal patients in the ED. Thank you to all the artists for contributing their incredible artwork and culture, helping to make our hospital a safe space for everyone. Read more about this story on our website 👉https://lnkd.in/gjYQxqrZ

Congratulations to the Emergency Department (ED) team at Rockingham General Hospital on winning the Al Spilman Award for Cultural Safety Initiatives in an ED. Led by the ED Cultural Safety Working Group, the team has implemented a comprehensive feedback process that has helped in reducing the did not wait (DNW) and discharge against medical advice (DAMA) incidents for Aboriginal patients. The feedback process has been appreciated by Aboriginal patients, saying it makes them feel validated and heard.

ONE WEEK TO GO! Get your FREE tickets to the next Fiona Wood Public Lecture on fatty liver disease. Dr Koya Ayonrinde will be chatting all things fatty liver including how to prevent and reverse it to live a long and healthy life. https://lnkd.in/gNAfb7cQ https://lnkd.in/gWFSYBxk

Carter’s life took a positive turn when he was referred to the Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program. Presenting with hearing loss due to ear fluid that affected his speech development, Carter underwent a successful grommet surgery at Rockingham General Hospital. Adapting to new sounds after years of limited hearing, the moment three-year-old Carter heard his mum speaking was deeply emotional. "It was such an emotional moment when he could hear me better; I honestly just cried,” recalls Yolandi, Carter’s mum. Read more on how Cockburn Aboriginal Ear Health Program is helping children like Carter along with Telethon Kids Institute, Cockburn Integrated Health, Telethon Speech & Hearing Ltd, Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation, Hearing Australia, St John of God Health Care & Child and Adolescent Health Service 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNQjFCjz

The transition for Peel Health Campus to the South Metropolitan Health Service is well underway and on track for 13 August. Ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care with minimal disruption during this transition is our priority, so last week we hosted a staff Welcome Week - a one-stop shop for onboarding Peel Health Campus staff to SMHS.   This was an exciting milestone event where staff received their welcome bags, corporate induction handbooks, new uniforms, and staff identification badges, organise their computer provisioning and set up for day one, as well as having the opportunity to ask questions and attend guest speaker events.     Supporting staff in this way ahead of the transition in August means staff are ready and equipped to focus on what they do best, providing excellent care to our patients.