Year-in-Review-2021-22 - Flipbook - Page 79
Public Health
The main role of the Public Health Unit (PHU) relates
to functions to protect the health of the public
from communicable diseases, environmental health
threats and to promote the health of the public.
The Unit has functional teams in communicable
disease control, epidemiology, environmental health,
immunisation and research.
The first Delta case in Australia was identified on
16 June 2021. The subsequent wave of cases peaked
around mid-September. Intensive follow up of cases
during the Delta wave was undertaken by the Public
Health Unit to identify contacts and venues at risk.
Between 1 June 2021 and 30 November 2021 the
PHU managed follow up of over 7000 cases and over
15,000 high risk contacts in Sydney Local Health
District residents.
The first Omicron case was identified in Australia on
28 November 2021. As case numbers rose the PHU
continued to undertake interviews and follow up
of cases, contacts and venues. As at the 11 January
2022 the PHU had been notified of a total 60,605
confirmed COVID-19 cases among District residents
since the pandemic began.
After January, the PHU continued to provide support
to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs), disability
group homes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities impacted by COVID-19 cases and
outbreaks and other vulnerable populations. In
response to increases in case numbers and exposure
venues, a dedicated venue’s team was implemented.
During the Delta and Omicron waves over 5000
venues were identified and assessed by the PHU.
The PHU provided significant daily support for
review and discharge of returned travellers and other
cases and contacts accommodated in the Special
Health Accommodation (SHA); in collaboration with
SHA and the RPA Virtual discharge support team.
The PHU received 13,882 notifications of non-COVID
notifiable conditions, including gastroenteritis,
and as international borders re-opened, an increase
in notifications for overseas acquired diseases such
as Hepatitis A, dengue, malaria, typhoid and possible
rabies exposures. Six cases of legionella were
notified.
Renal Medicine
and Urology
The Renal Medicine and Urology Clinical Stream was
established in late 2020 to provide comprehensive,
District-wide care for people with disorders of the
kidney and urinary tract. The Stream brings together
experienced physicians, surgeons, nurses, allied
health, research, administration and support staff
who work together to provide world-class care
for patients. The teams work across the District
to provide inpatient and outpatient services to the
community through RPA, Concord and Canterbury
hospitals, in addition to outreach services to rural
centres throughout NSW. The District is world
renowned for its transplantation services, expertise
in clinical trials, excellence in cancer surgery,
and the provision of a full range of inpatient and
outpatient services. Incorporation of research and
continuing education into daily practice ensures that
the Stream remains at world leading standard.
Highlights include opening the new Kidney Centre
Dialysis Unit at RPA, as part of the Kidney Centre
at Professor Marie Bashir Centre; development
of the Dialysis Chair, with input from patients
and staff, coupled with industry collaboration
and support via The Big Idea with the prototypes
delivered in February 2022; the enhancement of
Renal Supportive Care (RSC) services at RPA and
Concord Hospital, and RPA Urology achieving RACS
accreditation, with excellent feedback received from
accreditors.
The Stream supported the COVID-19 response,
providing Sotrovimab infusions for COVID positive
renal patients, and dialysis units at both RPA and
Concord managed COVID positive dialysis and
transplant patients whilst safely providing vital care.
This required ingenuity of nursing staff, and often
rapid action to implement COVID red shifts. The
Concord Urology department developed a working
ambulatory care clinics model which allowed them
to maintain up to 75 per cent of their outpatient
activities.
There are a number of emerging communicable
diseases including Japanese encephalitis and
Monkeypox. Other areas of focus included
immunisation programs with hundreds of Flu
vaccinations and school vaccinations provided.
Year in Review 2021–22
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