The RCH Chairman’s Medal and inaugural CEO Great Care Awards were presented at the recent Annual Celebration.
“At the RCH, Great Care means Excellent Clinical Outcomes, Positive Experiences, Timely Access and Zero Harm delivered by a health service that is financially sustainable now, and in the future,’ RCH CEO Christine Kilpatrick said.
“Every time we provide care, and through programs and initiatives we undertake to drive improvements, we address more than one, if not all, of the elements of Great Care. That is one of the reason selecting the Great Care Award winners was tricky.The other is because of the great number of extraordinary submissions we received.”
“Without a doubt, each and every one of you is contributing to Great Care and I am proud of what we are achieving together for the children and families who come to the RCH.,”
The CEO Great Care Award for Excellent Clinical Outcomes.
This award is presented to an individual or team that has significantly enabled our organisation to provide a better service to our patients, their families and the community.
Dr Jenny Hynson, Head of the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program.
In the extremely testing area of paediatric palliative care, Jenny Hynson has excelled at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Jenny’s strengths are many, combining to make her an outstanding clinician and communicator. Her work in paediatrics spans more than two decades, during which time she has studied, conducted research, published, and educated.
Jenny is the Medical Director of the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program. Funded by the Department of Human Services, the program is a joint venture for the Monash Medical Centre, Very Special Kids and the RCH.
Jenny is also a Team Leader in the Clinical Ethics Service in the Children’s Bioethics Centre here at the RCH.
The CEO Great Care Award for Positive Experiences. This award is given in recognition of an individual or team achievement that has significantly enhanced the experience of working for, engaging with or being treated by the RCH.
The CEO Great Care Award for Positive Experiences.
This award is given in recognition of an individual or team achievement that has significantly enhanced the experience of working for, engaging with or being treated by the RCH.
Dr Georgia Paxton, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead in Immigrant Health.
As Head of The Royal Children’s Hospital Immigrant Health Service, Georgia Paxton provides exceptional care to refugee children and their families. Her determination to improve the bigger picture has seen Georgia become a trusted voice in the field.
Georgia assisted the Human Rights Commission Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention. In 2011, she led the Victorian Government Refugee Status Report. She has earned the support of high calibre opinion leaders – Sir Malcolm Fraser’s speech at her outstanding Grand Round just one example.
Refugee health is complex and challenging, and Georgia represents her patients with courage and conviction.
The CEO Great Care Award for Timely Access
This award recognises an outstanding initiative or achievement that has significantly helped the RCH to provide care to more children and adolescents, when and where care is needed.
The Emergency Observation Ward team
The Emergency Observation Ward has made a major contribution to patient access and flow in a period of unprecedented demand.
The unique service provides care to ED patients who do not need admission, but who are also not ready to go home.
The dedicated, eight-bed unit, adjacent to the Emergency department, provides a quieter and calmer environment for children as they recover from conditions such as head injuries, gastroenteritis or croup.
Importantly, by caring for these children away from the ED, the Emergency Observation Ward ensures emergency beds are made available for the children who need them.
This award was accepted by Jayne Hughan, Nurse Unit Manager, Emergency Department and Dr Stuart Lewena, Emergency Physician on behalf of the team.
The CEO Great Care Award for Zero Harm
This award recognises an initiative or achievement that has significantly reduced physical, emotional, psychological or clinical risks at the RCH.
The Autism Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Clinic Team
The secret to successful autism treatment is early intervention.
The team developed and implemented a new assessment clinic for children referred with a query of autism, but with less complex presenting behaviours.
Prior to this program, children with less complex presentations were waiting long periods of time for assessment.
The team has implemented a fast track clinic using the latest diagnostic criteria.
Outcomes have shown a significant decrease in time for diagnoses with a 97 percent success rate enabling families to access resources sooner.
2014 RCH Chairman’s Medal – Dr Simon Harvey
The Chairman’s Medal is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed by The Royal Children’s Hospital upon a member of staff and recognises exemplary achievement by an individual in his or her chosen field.
Recipients of the Chairman’s Medal demonstrate commitment and leadership, and a contribution to the life of the hospital and its community that transcend the requirements of an individual or departmental role.
The 2014 winner of the Chairman’s Medal is Dr Simon Harvey, Director of the RCH Epilepsy Program.
“In his 28 year career with The Royal Children’s Hospital, Simon has dedicated himself to improving the care and outcomes of children and young people with epilepsy,” Director of Neurology, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg said at the Annual Celebration.
“His unwavering commitment to his patients, and the RCH, has led him to build an internationally renowned epilepsy surgery program, placing our hospital at the forefront of epilepsy care and changing the lives of thousands of children and young people.”
Simon started as a General Paediatrician with the RCH in 1986, then trained in Neurology and Epilepsy, before taking a position with Miami Children’s Hospital in the early 90’s to further his speciality.
“Simon could work anywhere in the world and, no doubt, every major hospital has tried to woo him at some time or another, but the RCH remains his home,” Andrew explained.
“In nominating him for this award, his colleagues reflected on his connection and dedication to the RCH and his patients here. ‘Simon is RCH through and through’ they attested. He personifies the values of unity, respect, integrity and excellence and inspires those around him by living these values every day.”
Simon is a great mentor of others and gives generously of himself and his time to achieve the best outcomes for his patients and their families.
“He has personally trained a great many of the epileptologists in the Asia Pacific region and today, leads an RCH team considered world-leaders in caring for children with epilepsy,” Andrew added.
Without a doubt, Simon’s work has given the RCH a reputation for providing the very best, family-centred care to our epilepsy patients.
