
Issue 23, Monday 1 October 2001

Centre aims at preserving quality in health care

A new centre that aims to enhance the clinical research, teaching and training of health professionals was officially opened at the Peninsula campus recently.

The Centre for Health Services Operations Management is a joint initiative between the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences at Monash University with links to the School of Public Health and Nursing at Yale University.

According to director, Dr Liza Heslop, the centre’s research and training activities will be directed towards day-to-day hospital management and decision support.

"There has been a range of research done into the tools and methods that can be utilised within the health sector to maintain quality care," Dr Heslop said.

"This centre will act as a valuable resource by providing people in the field with every opportunity to access this information for their professional environments".

Dr Lee Seldon, a senior lecturer in the School of Network Computing, believes that the centre is necessary in this time of constant medical change.

"Every day we read in the press about the excellence of medical care in Australia, but at the same time we are reading about the severe deficiencies in bringing this care to the people who need it. It is time to take a hard look at how medical care gets to the people and to really fix the problems."

The centre’s interdisciplinary team of research academics and health service operational managers have mounted a program of teaching, training and applied research to improve the quality of the working environment.

Under construction

The construction of new student village consisting of five, six bedroom houses commenced last month at the Peninsula campus.

The $1 million student village, being constructed by Rodian Homes, is expected to be complete by February 2002.

The student village is coming along in leaps and bounds with completion due for February 2001.

Peninsula rocks second semester

by Ravi Chand

Events at Peninsula during second semester took a giant leap in comparison to previous year with a huge line-up of top name acts visiting the campus.

The first event, the 'Laugh It Up' comedy night , sold out within two days. Performers included in the line up were Dave Hughes (Triple M), Dave O’Niell (Triple M) and Dave Grant (Melb Comedy Fest.). Unfortunately one day prior to the show Dave Hugh’s and Dave O’Niell’s agent advised the Peninsula Activities Committee that they were not to appear.

After some stressful negotiations they managed to organise Tripod (Rove Live) and Dave Callan (Triple J) as fill ins.

It would probably have to be the first time the campus had seen such promotion – 10,000 passes per event were promoted to all campuses with A3 and A2 colour posters, colour tickets and an impressive Events Booklet.

The second event was part of the infamous Sexual Awareness Week – 'Sex It Up'. The night witnessed a week of education topped off with a party at the Seahorse Tavern. The party included a fashion parade put on by the students with specials guests Andy and Gordon from Big Brother hosting the parade.

It didn’t stop there. The last three events were all comedy nights with performances by Hung Le (Wog Story), Dave Callan and Peter Helliar (Rove Live) and a return by Dave Hughes for his no show at the first event.

Not only did the Events program manage to book great shows but also attracted big name sponsors while providing the Peninsula Student Publication with some great content including interviews and rare insight from all performers.

All profits raised from the events were donated to this year’s Relay For Life event at Ballam Park. General enquires about the activities can be forwarded to MONSU Events Manager - Ravi Chand.

MMR Vaccination available at Health Service

Measles is an acute, highly infectious virus but protection can be effected by having the combined measles, mumps, rubella vaccine.

Adults between 18 and 30 may have been vaccinated with a less effective vaccine or may not have received the vaccine so are potentially at risk of
acquiring measles with an increase of cases in the community.

Vaccination is available at the Health Service on Campus and you can
phone extn 44223 to make an appointment. Enquiries may be directed to
Penny Kalkman, Campus Nurse.

Relay for Life fundraising activities

Prepare the leg muscles for Relay for Life with warm-up fun run/walk around the campus on Tuesday 9 October.

Start and finish on the oval at 12.30 pm for the 3 km walk. Entry is $2 per person with a free BBQ for all participants. All money goes to Relay for Life.

The IT@Monash team invite you to take the trivia challenge this Friday night.

Organise a team of between six and 12 people for the chance to win great prizes. The challenge will be held in the Seahorse Tavern on Friday 5 October at 7.30 pm and is $12 per person, which includes the challenge, supper and a drink on arrival. To book your table, contact Nicole Stanes on extn 44262, Kim Scanlon on extn 44116 or Janet Fraser on extn 44061. All proceeds to Relay for Life.

Staff Social Club news

Happy hour will held this Thursday 4 October in the Tavern. First drink free to members and door prizes will be drawn.

The next big event being organised by the Monash Peninsula Staff Social Club is a Rock 'n Roll night on Thursday 11 October in the Seahorse Tavern at 7 pm.

Dust off the dancing shoes and revisit the styles of the sixties for an evening of the jitterbug and other moves from the rock n' roll era as taught by an expert instructor. There will also be rock 'n roll trivia and heaps of giveaways including prizes for best dressed, most improved and most unique dancing style.

Finger food will be provided. Free entry to staff club members and $5 for non members. Tickets are available from any staff club committee member.

The staff club is also organising a Casino night on Thursday 25 October. Cost is $8 for members and $12 for non members. This includes the return bus trip, dinner and a gaming voucher. The bus leaves from outside the library at 6 pm sharp. Book your place on the bus with Michael Mirra.

Notice board

Don't forget the 'Care for Yourself: Relaxation through the use of complementary therapies' expo being held from 8 to 11 October and 15 to 18 October. Ongoing information sessions, videos, displays booths, demonstrations and or individual appointments will be available. Areas covered in the expo include Aromatherapy, flower remedies, Homeopathy, hypnosis, shiatsu, Reiki, massage, acupuncture, reflexology and more. Contact Community Services on extn 44223.

Authorised by the Office of the Campus Director - Peninsula

Contributions can be emailed to julie.ryan@adm.monash.edu.au by 5 PM Thursdays.

In this week's issue

	Centre aims at preserving quality in health care
	Under construction
	Peninsula rocks second semester
	Relay for Life fundraising activities
	Staff social club news
	Notice board

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