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Our very own Associate Professor Michael Steyn has received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to anaesthesiology and peri-operative medicine, as well as health leadership.💫

Dr Michael, who grew up in Scotland and trained as a rural GP before he admits he `got lost in anaesthetics` says he`s always been passionate about supporting our regional and rural colleagues.

"As anaesthetists, we work throughout the hospital, not just in theatre, but in helping patients to cope with all areas of their healthcare journey," he said.

"I`ve been at RBWH since I moved to Australia, but I`ve always been involved in supporting people across the State and further afield."

In 2011, Michael had to temporarily hang up his scrubs as he was cared for as a patient, after learning he had bowel cancer.

"I was very ill - this hospital did all my imaging, and they did a great job," he said.

Michael recovered from cancer and returned to work to continue caring for patients as well as mentoring and training junior staff, which remains his current passion. ...

Reducing unnecessary appointments and freeing up specialist waitlists is underway for ear, nose and throat (ENT) patients at STARS.

The Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) pathway currently being piloted for ear, nose and throat (ENT) means patients only have appointments when they are needed.

ENT Consultant Dr Sarju said the pathway would ease the burden of appointments which can be disruptive, costly and time-consuming.

“PIFU supports patient-centred care and decision making, by empowering patients to request a follow up outpatient specialist appointment when required, if they have persistent and/or worsening symptoms, or even if they just want to talk through their medical conditions and treatment options," he said.

“By reducing follow up appointments that aren’t required, it means more patients will be able to see a specialist, reducing the current wait times.” ...