Royal North Shore Hospital

03/04/2026

NSLHD SUPPORTS AUSTRALIA-FIRST RECYCLING PILOT FOR MEDICAL INJECTION PENS ♻️

A new initiative is set to tackle medical waste, with Royal North Shore Hospital joining an Australia-first pilot to recycle used injection pens.

Part of Novo Nordisk’s global ReMed program, the pilot will allow patients to return used pens at participating pharmacies and hospital sites, helping keep valuable materials out of landfill.

At Royal North Shore Hospital alone, up to 20,000 pens are used each year — contributing to around 850kg of waste. This program is a practical step towards reducing that impact.

By supporting safe collection and new recycling pathways, NSLHD is helping drive a more sustainable, circular approach to healthcare.

It’s another important step towards the district’s net zero goals and a cleaner future for healthcare.

03/04/2026

🐰 EASTER TREATS FOR NICU 💛

For the past nine years, registered volunteer Michelle Barry, Acting Psychological Wellbeing Manager, NSLHD has been supporting parents, carers and siblings of sick or premature babies in the Royal North Shore Hospital NICU.

This Easter, with up to 29 babies in the unit, nursing staff will step into the role of Easter Bunny, placing a fluffy toy beside each incubator, while the parent lounge will be stocked with chocolate treats for families to enjoy.

Michelle helped coordinate the collection of 30 Easter bunnies and a large tub of chocolate treats, generously donated by the local community, and provided them to the unit.

These small gestures help bring people together, creating connections between families who understand the challenges of having a baby in NICU. For many, these connections become an important source of support during difficult days and in celebrating milestones along the way.

01/04/2026

🥕🥚🐣 EASTER BUNNY COMES EARLY 🐰🌸🥕

The Easter bunny handed out bunny ears to dozens of children in the Child and Adolescent Ward and the Emergency Department at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Staff from Bunnings Pymble, Chatswood and Artarmon also supported the visit by doing Easter craft activities, giving children the chance to get creative during their hospital stay.

“It’s beautiful for kids and families to have a special visit at this time of year. Being in hospital isn’t easy, but having the Easter Bunny here makes everyone’s day a little brighter,” said Kerry Crannis, Child Life Therapist on the Child & Adolescent Ward.

30/03/2026

Royal North Shore Hospital pharmacist Jessica Bui was one of sixteen staff members to graduate from the Applied Safety and Quality Program.

The year‑long program equips NSW Health staff with the skills they need to lead safety and quality improvements in their clinical services and is delivered in partnership with the Clinical Excellence Commission.

Graduates recently showcased their innovations through talks and a poster display at the half‑day event held at the Northern Sydney Education Centre on the grounds of Macquarie Hospital.

Jessica explained the benefits of moving patients from IV to oral antibiotics. Mental Health Drug and Alcohol peer worker Paula Hanlon presented a framework supporting professional development pathways for peer workers. Sadia Mahboob, Quality Manager for NSLHD Clinical Trials, showcased a survey she developed aimed at capturing the perspectives of patients on clinical trials.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4thRNbo

27/03/2026

🏆 ALLIED HEALTH AWARD WINNER 🏆

Radiation Therapist Meegan Shepherd has been named Allied Health Researcher of the Year at the NSW Health 2026 Excellence in Allied Health Awards.

Based at Royal North Shore Hospital, Meegan is leading research that is shaping the future of cancer care through education, motion management, adaptive radiotherapy and emerging technologies including AI.

With nearly two decades of service, her work is translating directly into practice, improving patient outcomes, reducing burden and strengthening the allied health workforce.

Her contributions span multiple clinical trials, academic partnerships and global collaboration, positioning Northern Sydney Local Health District at the forefront of innovation in radiotherapy.

Congratulations also to Jessica Bui, Pharmacist, Northern Sydney Local Health District, who was a finalist in the Allied Health Professional of the Year category.

27/03/2026

NSLHD News 🙌

The latest edition of our district newsletter is out now read all about:
o RNSH Emergency Department recognised with national award
o World Social Work day forum at RNSH
o NSLHD launches Aboriginal Health Plan 2026–2029
o NSLHD’s Board Strategy Day

Click the link here to view:

NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD News NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT Graduates showcase safety and quality innovations PAGE 4 Hornsby

25/03/2026

✨RAISE IT ✨

When you or a loved one is in hospital, it can be a stressful and uncertain time.

You may notice changes that worry you - in how they look, breathe, talk or act.
If you are worried you or your loved one’s condition is getting worse, you can Raise It at any time.

Raise It is a simple process available in NSW public hospitals and health services to support patients, carers and family members to raise concerns about their own or a loved one's condition getting worse.

If something doesn’t feel right, Raise It. You know yourself or loved one best.

To find out more, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/raiseit

25/03/2026

🩺 TOMORROWS MEDICINE TODAY – THE AMPUTATION PROBLEM 🩺

“590 million people around the world have diabetes, and one in five will develop a foot ulcer. Of those, 20% may face amputation.”

In the latest episode of Tomorrows Medicine Today, PhD candidate Cameron Evans chats with James Elliott and Matthew Doane about addressing one of diabetes’ most serious complications — and how an existing medication could help prevent amputations.

🎧 Listen now on the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4d9aYiW
or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/41oHmH9

22/03/2026

Researchers at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) have launched a groundbreaking program aimed at transforming treatment for one of the most aggressive forms of bowel cancer.

Supported by a $1.3 million philanthropic gift, the BRIDGE program offers new hope for patients with BRAFv600e-mutated bowel cancer. This mutation, present in around 8–12 per cent of colorectal cancer cases, drives tumour growth and is associated with significantly poorer outcomes.

Patient Gemma Farquhar said this donation is deeply personal. “When I found out I had BRAF, carrying a poor prognosis, I felt like there was no future,” she said. “Knowing treatments are likely to fail, is a terrifying place to be. Research like BRIDGE gives people like me something – time, options and hope. It means scientists are looking ahead now, for the future.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3PTKLev

20/03/2026

INTERNATIONAL HONOUR FOR RNSH STROKE CARE 🏆🧠

Royal North Shore Hospital has received a World Stroke Organisation Angels Diamond Award, becoming the first hospital in the country to debut at the highest level of recognition.

The accolade celebrates the unit’s exceptional performance, from timely treatment to high-quality patient care, and highlights the dedication of the multidisciplinary team – nurses, doctors, allied health, emergency, radiology, ICU, neurosurgery and neurology staff – who work together every day to save lives.

Special recognition goes to Stroke Clinical Nurse Consultant Sheila Jala for her mentorship and leadership in advancing stroke care.

RNSH continues to lead in acute stroke management, pioneering therapies and setting national benchmarks in patient outcomes.

20/03/2026

RNSH COLLABORATIONS HELP ADVANCE CLINICAL AI TOOLS 🤖💡

Royal North Shore Hospital is proud to support innovations transforming personalised cancer care. Dr Yagiz Aksoy’s research residency has led to PanaceAI, a clinical decision-support platform integrating validated predictive models to help clinicians make informed treatment decisions.

With over $400,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s Ignite program and co-investment from industry and universities, PanaceAI is valued at nearly $1 million. Tools like the malignant colorectal polyp risk calculator are already helping doctors assess surgical needs while ensuring clinician judgement remains central.

This initiative complements Dr Aksoy’s leadership in the $2.25M Research Ethics Plus AI project, developing Australia’s first national guidance for ethical AI governance in healthcare.

PanaceAI is progressing through validation and regulatory preparation, marking a major step in safe, responsible, and effective AI in clinical care.

19/03/2026

NEWLY GRADUATED NURSES AND MIDWIVES

Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) has welcomed 126 newly graduated nurses and midwives as they begin their careers through NSW Health’s GradStart program.

The program supports new clinicians in their first year of practice through structured education, clinical experience and strong workplace support as they transition from study to professional practice.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said it was a proud moment for the District to welcome the next generation of clinicians. “It is always exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm new graduates bring to the profession, and we are proud to support them as they begin this important chapter,” he said.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4bVZHR1

17/03/2026

🧡 HARMONY WEEK AT ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL: EVERYONE BELONGS 🧡

This week, Royal North Shore Hospital is celebrating Harmony Week and the cultural diversity that strengthens our hospital community.

From wearing orange to hosting multicultural morning teas, staff across RNSH are showing their support for inclusion, respect and belonging.

A highlight of the week has been the Harmony Week stall in the hospital foyer, hosted by our Multicultural Health Service and CALD Employee Network. The stall brought staff, patients and visitors together with ribbons, recipes, resources and interactive activities, sparking conversations and celebrating culture.

Harmony Week is also being recognised across Northern Sydney Local Health District, with activities and stalls at Hornsby and Ryde Hospitals.

Harmony Week runs from 17 to 23 March, with Harmony Day on 21 March. Orange represents meaningful conversations, mutual respect and freedom of ideas, values that are central to everything we do at RNSH.

Let’s continue to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone belongs.

Find out more: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

17/03/2026

A delegation of nursing academics from the Institute of Science Tokyo visited the Royal North Shore Hospital campus as part of a research project examining how Australia delivers Advance Care Planning (ACP).

Led by Professor Yasuko Ogata, a specialist in nursing management and gerontology nursing, the five-member research team will use the insights to build a training system for health professionals across Tokyo.

ACP is a voluntary process of deciding what you would want to happen to you should you become ill or injured and be unable to speak for yourself.

Professor Ogata said that while Tokyo’s metropolitan government has introduced policies encouraging citizens to document their values and preferences for future care, including end of life decisions, many health professionals who support ACP still find these conversations challenging to facilitate.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4sP42Mz

16/03/2026

Royal North Shore Hospital’s Surgical Education Research and Training (SERT) Institute hosted its fourth annual Surgical Awards.

The evening recognised recipients of the Dr Harry Cumberland Travelling Scholarship and the Dr Ray Hollings Surgical Excellence Award, established through the generosity of the surgeons they are named after to support innovation and advancement in surgical practice.

Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) Chief Executive Anthony Schembri and RNSH General Manager Alison Zecchin opened the event by reflecting on the lasting impact Dr Cumberland and Dr Hollings had on the hospital and the broader surgical community.

A highlight of the evening was the attendance of Dr Ray Hollings, who personally presented the awards to this year’s recipients. “Once again, this year’s applications strongly reflected the passion and dedication of surgeons at RNSH to improve patient care, and I am proud to support their quality improvement projects and research,” he said.

Read more: https://bit.ly/40zGOOw

12/03/2026

NSLHD News 🙌

In the newest edition of NSLHD News:

• Celebrating excellence at RNSH surgical awards night
• NSLHD welcomes new graduate nurses and midwives
• Celebrating excellence in Junior Medical Officers
• A gift transforming bowel cancer care

Plus even more district highlights.

Click here to read the latest edition of NSLHD News:

NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD News NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT Celebrating Excellence at RNSH Surgical Awards Night PAGE 3 Inter

11/03/2026

🩺 TOMORROWS MEDICINE TODAY – S*X, HORMONES AND THE HEART

Heart disease research has historically focused on male bodies. But what does that mean for women and gender-diverse patients?

In this episode of Tomorrows Medicine Today, PhD candidate Kirsty McGinley from the Kolling Institute explores how s*x hormones influence cardiovascular disease and why important gaps remain in the evidence.

Speaking with James Elliott and Matthew Doane, Kirsty discusses the roles of oestrogen and testosterone in vascular health, how historical research models have shaped our understanding of heart disease, and why the growing use of gender-affirming hormone therapy presents new opportunities to better understand cardiovascular biology.

🎧 Listen on the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4deFE28

🎧 Or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4cHh2ir

03/03/2026

😊 19,900 SMILES AND COUNTING 😊

A frightening night in emergency in 2015 has grown into a decade of comfort for thousands of local children.

In 2025 alone, North Shore Mums Smiles2U delivered 2,310 care bags to young patients across Royal North Shore, Hornsby, Ryde and Northern Beaches hospitals, bringing the organisation’s 10 year total to more than 19,900 bags distributed across 13 hospitals.

Founded by Michelle Key after her toddler son experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction, North Shore Mums Smiles2U was created from lived experience.

“My son was just 15 months old when we rushed to hospital in an ambulance,” Michelle said. “Trying to distract him while he was being treated was overwhelming. In that moment, I realised how much a small comfort item could help.”

Shortly after, Michelle began assembling care bags for children in hospital, initially delivering them to the emergency department at Royal North Shore Hospital. “What started as a few bags quickly grew,” she said. “Staff could see the impact immediately. Children were calmer. Parents felt supported. It made a real difference.”

Today, Smiles2U works closely with nurses, social workers and child life therapists across NSLHD facilities and Northern Beaches
Hospital.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4coWgnA

01/03/2026

🏥 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RECOGNISED BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL 🎖️

Clinicians from the Royal North Shore Hospital emergency department were formally recognised by Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, during a special reception at Admiralty House.

The invitation acknowledged the extraordinary professionalism and compassion demonstrated by RNSH trauma, emergency and critical care teams in response to the recent Bondi terrorist attacks against the Jewish community.

The reception brought together frontline healthcare workers whose swift and co‑ordinated actions helped deliver lifesaving care during an unprecedented and deeply distressing incident.

Read more: https://bit.ly/46zCy4Z

27/02/2026

HYPNOBIRTHING @ RNSH:
Learn how to experience a calm, positive and gentle birth with the help from our HypnoBirthing course.

The program helps women and their birthing partner create a positive birth through knowledge and tools to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain during labour.

Learn:
✅Breathing techniques
✅Relaxation and visualisation practices
✅Self-hypnosis and affirmations
✅Support techniques for birth partner
✅Non-medical techniques to cope with labour pain

Details:
➡️Starts: 31 March (5 x 2.5h classes)
➡️6:00pm-8:30pm
➡️RNS Community Health Centre, St. Leonards
➡️Cost: $195 (pp) Includes:
- HypnoBirthing book
- Relaxation MP3
- handbook

Book now:
🌐 https://nshp.com.au/ParentEd
📞 (02) 9462 9586
✉ nslhd-parented@health.nsw.gov.au

27/02/2026

🤝✨🔬 COLLABORATION DRIVES NEW CANCER TRIALS AND TRAINING PATHWAYS 🤝✨🔬

Clinicians from the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) and the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York held a half-day summit to discuss their ongoing clinical trials partnership, which is working to change outcomes for cancer patients.

The program at the Royal North Shore Hospital campus featured a series of presentations highlighting the collaboration, current cancer research, and potential future directions.

NORTH STAR VNP is a partnership between NSLHD and MSK, established in 2024 as a new clinical trials research centre following a transformative $20 million donation from Greg Poche AO and the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO. Since its founding, the centre has grown to support 17 active clinical trials across a broad range of tumour types.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the international collaboration with MSK was a major pillar of the district’s cancer research strategy. “The clinical trials program across NSLHD is entering a period of significant maturity and acceleration,” he said. “Clinical teams across both organisations remain engaged, with many collaborative studies currently active.”

Dr Pedram Razavi, a breast oncologist and Director of MSK’s Translational Oncology Partnership Program, said working with NSLHD had helped inform other global collaborations, including a new cancer project in Brazil.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tViPqg

27/02/2026

NSLHD News 🙌

In the newest edition of NSLHD News:

• RNSH ED recognised by Governor-General
• Art abounds at AYAH
• Celebrating Pride at Fair Day
• 19,900 smiles and counting!

Plus even more district highlights.
Click here to read the latest edition of NSLHD News:

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD Main story Short blurb RNSH ED recognised by Governor- General Read more on Page x PAGE 6 Celebrating Pride

25/02/2026

🔬🧬 RETHINKING CANCER TREATMENT 🧪🧫

Professor Nick Pavlakis, a medical oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, is reshaping how clinicians understand and treat cancer. His work goes far beyond traditional chemotherapy, focusing on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and the tumour microenvironment.

“Chemo probably should be more broadly called medical therapy now,” he said. “We’re not just attacking cancer cells— we’re looking at how the tumour interacts with the body and how we can harness the immune system to improve outcomes.”

A major focus of his research is angiogenesis, the process by which tumours create their own blood supply. “While blocking blood vessels alone isn’t sufficient to kill cancer, if you combine it with immune therapy, you can enhance the immune response,” he said.

By understanding how tumours manipulate their surroundings, Nick’s work aims to improve treatment strategies for lung, gastrointestinal, and neuroendocrine cancers.

Nick is also pioneering circulating tumour DNA technology, a “liquid biopsy” that detects traces of cancer in the blood, allowing therapies to be personalised more precisely.

“We’ve received a $15 million grant to run a national program using this technology in specific lung cancers,” he said.

“This could revolutionise how we monitor and adjust treatment, making advanced care more widely accessible.”

Beyond the laboratory, Nick emphasises the importance of holistic care.

“Maintaining fitness and nutrition can improve resilience and
quality of life during treatment,” he said.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3N3KIf9

25/02/2026

TOMORROWS MEDICINE TODAY - THE NEW RULES OF ONCOLOGY

Cancer is complex - but the future of treatment is changing fast.

In this compelling episode of Tomorrows Medicine Today, Associate Professor Connie Diakos unpacks how innovations like liquid biopsies, genomic testing and targeted therapies are transforming the way cancer is detected, monitored and treated - giving patients more time and better quality of life.

Speaking with James Elliott, Connie explains how personalised medicine, multidisciplinary care and even lifestyle interventions such as exercise are improving outcomes.

Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aL8RPr and the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4tZSOq2

24/02/2026

🌈 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🌈

If you identify as LGBTIQA+, we want to hear from you.

Your experiences in our hospitals and services matter, and your feedback directly guides how we improve inclusion, safety and the quality of care across Northern Sydney.
It’s quick, confidential, and helps us create health services where everyone feels welcome and respected.

👉 Take a few minutes to complete the LGBTIQ+ Patient Experience Survey: https://bit.ly/3ZvHCmS

Look for the survey in NSLHD waiting areas or complete it online today