Mater MAC Update 

December 2024

Our Mater Medical Advisory Committee recently met on 19 November and below is a summary of the discussions from the meeting. As a MAC and Hospital Executive, our commitment is to share the themes from our MAC discussions with our VMO community as we work together to strengthen the care we provide to our patients, staff and VMOs in a manner which enhances our Mission.

We welcome your feedback regarding the below summation from our MAC meeting. As a Hospital Executive we value feedback from our VMOs and all members of our Hospital community to ensure we work collectively to enhance our care and Mission focus whilst at the same time sustainably responsible. We acknowledge the current challenging landscape of private healthcare, as an Executive team we are excited about the opportunities at the Mater and feel confident in our ability to provide something really unique for our patients, staff and VMOs as together we can redefine how healthcare should be provided into the future.

SNAP Accreditation Feedback

Our Short Notice Accreditation concluded on 7 November, and we have received our provisional report. The report noted that we met all criteria except for one where we received a 'met with recommendation'. A member of the accreditation assessment team will return to the Mater within the next 60 business days for a reassessment of this particular criteria to review our progress of strengthening our care and compliance. Our assessors closed off the two previous recommendations from our last assessment.
  
 In addition, our assessors noted that our Clinical Trials system demonstrated an evolving maturity, which is tremendous credit to all members of our team and the leadership of our clinical trials.

Leadership Update

In November we welcomed Bronwyn Jenner as the Mater's General Manager / Director of Clinical Services and Larry Morrissey who commenced as Chief Financial Officer, NSW Private Hospitals. Both Bronwyn and Larry join our Mater and St Vincent’s family with extensive experience, which will significantly assist the Mater and St Vincent's more broadly.

We congratulate Susie Cicuto on her appointment as Assistant Director of Clinical Services.  Susie, Chris Corbett and Bronwyn Jenner have been working on the reporting responsibilities for each ADCS portfolio to ensure we maximise the support for all managers and staff across the Hospital. Chris Corbett will oversee surgical and clinical services which includes McCrone, Ryman, JMA, McAuley, McQuoin, Allied Health, MCCT, Patient Flow, After Hours Managers, Casual Pool and Ward orderlies. Susie Cicuto will oversee Acute Care and Cancer Services, which includes ICU, Hutchinson, Maternity, Patricia Ritchie Centre and the Centre for Wellbeing, Clinical Trials, Breast Care Nurses and Palliative Care. Bree Burden continues as ADCS of our Peri-operative services.

With the ADCS appointment, Stephanie Virgona’s role of Maternity Services Manager was made redundant. I would like to thank Stephanie for her contribution to the Mater over the last three years and her passion for midwifery and maternity services. Stephanie’s last day was Friday 22 November.

We also recently farewelled Fiona Braid and Colette Dolan, with Fiona returning to Launceston for a role with Calvary Health Care and Colette moving to a role with the McGrath Foundation. Fiona and Colette both made significant contributions and will be missed by the Mater community. Our well wishes go with Fiona and Colette.

Leadership Update

In November we welcomed Bronwyn Jenner as the Mater's General Manager / Director of Clinical Services and Larry Morrissey who commenced as Chief Financial Officer, NSW Private Hospitals. Both Bronwyn and Larry join our Mater and St Vincent’s family with extensive experience, which will significantly assist the Mater and St Vincent's more broadly.

We congratulate Susie Cicuto on her appointment as Assistant Director of Clinical Services.  Susie, Chris Corbett and Bronwyn Jenner have been working on the reporting responsibilities for each ADCS portfolio to ensure we maximise the support for all managers and staff across the Hospital. Chris Corbett will oversee surgical and clinical services which includes McCrone, Ryman, JMA, McAuley, McQuoin, Allied Health, MCCT, Patient Flow, After Hours Managers, Casual Pool and Ward orderlies. Susie Cicuto will oversee Acute Care and Cancer Services, which includes ICU, Hutchinson, Maternity, Patricia Ritchie Centre and the Centre for Wellbeing, Clinical Trials, Breast Care Nurses and Palliative Care. Bree Burden continues as ADCS of our Peri-operative services.

With the ADCS appointment, Stephanie Virgona’s role of Maternity Services Manager was made redundant. I would like to thank Stephanie for her contribution to the Mater over the last three years and her passion for midwifery and maternity services. Stephanie’s last day was Friday 22 November.

We also recently farewelled Fiona Braid and Colette Dolan, with Fiona returning to Launceston for a role with Calvary Health Care and Colette moving to a role with the McGrath Foundation. Fiona and Colette both made significant contributions and will be missed by the Mater community. Our well wishes go with Fiona and Colette.

Overview of Mater Activity FY25

A report was provided to the MAC of the Hospital’s procedural activity for the period from July to October 2024, comparing this to the same period in 2023, overall hospital activity is down 5%. Individual specialty analysis was also undertaken to determine the variation by specialty. In addition, the MAC were provided with data in relation to specialty percentages with respect to admission and revenue contribution and the Hospital’s overall financial performance. In summary, for July to October this year the hospital has had less procedural cases and hospital admissions, whilst utilising more labour with a higher percentage of agency staff and a higher percentage of RN staff in comparison to the prior year. The overall impact of these drivers is a worsening of the Hospital’s financial performance.

The Hospital Executive outlined various strategies to the MAC inclusive of, but not limited to, improving VMO engagement and GP referrals to Mater VMOs, whilst improving marketing of our patient care and experiences to the wider community. In addition to the strategies to increase hospital activity, the Hospital is continuing to negotiate with private health insurers to ensure more appropriate funding for care as well as negotiations with suppliers for more equitable agreements. We also seek VMO support with respect to earlier leave notification and/or proactively consolidating theatre lists if individual theatre list volumes are reduced - this would allow the Hospital to maximise adhoc theatre allocations to fellow surgeons and proceduralists who are attempting to bring procedural work to the Mater which will assist in increasing Hospital activity and improve the overall performance of our theatres and Hospital. 

In addition, VMO support for our 10.00am discharge time and better management of length of stay will also continue to assist the Hospital.

Surgical Time Out

The MAC discussed the importance of Surgical Time Out and reinforced the imperative that the admitting surgeon must actively lead Surgical Time Out. The MAC acknowledged further consultation will occur with our anaesthetic and surgical colleagues regarding strengthening our processes regarding Time Out and alignment with anaesthetic commencement. 

SVHA By-Laws Education

All MAC members from the three NSW Private Hospitals were recently invited to an information session by law firm Minter Ellison regarding the St Vincents By-Laws to better inform all MAC members on legal requirements of the By-Laws. 

Redevelopment Update

The redevelopment is continuing to progress with fitout of our Palliative Care and Supportive Care Unit and our Day Surgery and Endoscopy clinical areas. The external scaffold is being gradually reduced and the crane will be removed prior to works commencing on the terrace garden slab. We expect commissioning in June 2025.

COVID PCR Testing

PCR testing for patients due for ICU admission is no longer required prior to surgery. Patients are individually assessed and PCR testing occurs when clinically required after consultation with the admitting VMO.

Christmas Ward Consolidations

Our Christmas/New Year ward consolidation plan has progressed, based on VMO intentions for theatre activity throughout December and January. The ongoing assistance of VMOs to inform Theatre Bookings of your intentions for December and January is greatly appreciated. A detailed Christmas shutdown notification was emailed to all VMOs in early November. 

Craft Group Meetings

At the recent MAC meeting we discussed options to facilitate a better experience for our VMOs regarding craft group meetings. There are currently 18 separate craft groups that meet at varying times, with varying participation and mixed experiences based on VMO feedback.

 Acknowledging that clinical care for several specialties is provided in a more collaborative manner, we are keen to start a conversation and find opportunities to realign the structure of our craft groups to enhance the effectiveness from the perspective of the VMO and patient care. There are no proposed changes to MAC specialty representation and we welcome feedback from you either via your MAC representative or directly with Bronwyn, Fran or Richard.

Process for Consideration of New Procedures

The MAC discussed our approach to new procedures to ensure they are tabled at the clinical craft group initially and relevant clinical staff are consulted to ensure we understand the perspective from all relevant parties prior to the MAC considering the request. In addition, the MAC reaffirmed that all new procedures have a review process with data and outcomes reported back to the MAC for consideration to ensure the care provided remains at the expected high level of care. The hospital executive is currently reviewing the previously approved new procedures to ensure that the review and collaborative consultation of each of these new procedures has occurred within the above framework.