[Paul Smollen]

Dear Cath,

Thank you for notifying us of that sad loss. Judy worked tirelessly in NSW and was on the Executive Council of the old NSW Infection Control Association as the Residential Care Advisor for longer than most can remember. Judy was held in high regard in NSW for her knowledge, professionalism and dedication to Residential Care. Judy funded many prizes and offers to Residential Care and Private Hospital staff at every NSW Infection Control conference over the years and many staff owe their formal education to the grants Bug Control provided. On behalf of NSW and the many ICPs that would know Judy I offer our deepest condolences to Judy’s family and colleagues and if there is anything that we can assist with please contact me.

Regards,

Paul Smollen
Program Manager | Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program
Clinical Excellence Commission
L17, 2-24 Rawson Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel 02 9269 5586 | paul.smollen@health.nsw.gov.au
http://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/programs/hai

[HAI] [D13 22193-1 CEC Logo – Hand Hygiene Program – logo lo res RGB – PNG]

Dear ACIPC Colleagues

It is with sadness that I share news of the passing of Judy Forrest (nee Sakker). Judy was an esteemed colleague having graduated from the Sydney Hospital Infection Control Course in the early 1990s. Subsequent to her graduation Judy continued to contribute to early days of professionalising infection control in NSW and nationally. Around the mid-90s she established one of Australia’s fledging private consultancy companies, Bug Control. Through Judy’s hard work, vision and focus Bug Control thrived. As it expanded she focused almost exclusively on work with aged-care providers. Bug Control’s subsequent expansion to NZ and the South Pacific enabled Judy to relocate to Akaroa where she found good life balance and continued to work with a growing team of trans-Pacific staff. In mid-2014 Judy wrote advising me of changes to her business structure following her recent diagnosis with a terminal illness. She fought with dignity and great courage, her struggle ending on 17 April 2015 in her home in NZ.

The purpose of this message is more than just to share sad news but to also share Judy’s words to me in an email last August when I asked her if she had any messages for the field which I could share on her behalf when appropriate. That time to share is now and below is a direct quote from Judy. If any of Judy’s long-term colleagues, peers or friends or the College is interested in continuing Judy’s legacy or honouring her multiple decades contribution to Infection Control I would be willing to work with you in conceptualising and bringing life to a suitable honour. It could well be that in time Bug Control staff may also wish to be involved. Despite Judy’s passing, Bug Control continues to contribute to global infection control efforts through their consultancies under the leadership of Julie Sparks, Executive Director. http://www.bugcontrol.com.au Judy’s message to the field is reproduced here:

” As far as thoughts or messages for the field, I find it hard to put into words. But you know I have a special passion for the residential care sector, who, I believe are sadly neglected when it comes to infection prevention. It would be great to see a more active network such as the long term care network in the US, where those from residential care facilities can share ideas and ask questions without fear of favour of being cut down by their more knowledgeable acute care counterparts. (does that sound a bit harsh?) I also have a passion about infection surveillance in long term care. There really has been so little work done and so many facilities waste an incredible amount of time collecting and inputting incorrect data and then not knowing what to do with it. It would be great to have some kind of scholarship/award or something specifically for those working in residential care and IPC to encourage and lead but I would have no idea how to go about this.

I am in the process of setting up a foundation trust in Vanuatu to bring two islanders each year to the nursing school in Port Vila to undertake their nursing training. I hope this gesture will be a small thing that will help someone in the future.” Judy Forrest, 8 August, 2014

Regards

Cath

Dr Cathryn Murphy RN MPH PhD CIC

Executive Director

Infection Control Plus Pty Ltd

http://www.infectioncontrolplus.com.au

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