Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive, MN Health
Metro North is a leader in many aspects of healthcare including our innovation and research. I thoroughly enjoyed attending this week’s showcase of innovative custom made medical devices with BellaSeno and Metro North institutes. The event was attended by 30 representatives of German companies, which shows that the work happening here in Metro North has global impact and appeal.
In the coming months Metro North will move to short notice accreditation. This is a major change in how our services are accredited as a whole health service rather than individual directorates. I am attending the regular standards committees to stay across the implementation. Thank you to our safety and quality teams for coordinating this important body of work.
We are getting close to opening the new Clinical Services Building at Caboolture Hospital. This week, the first of three artworks by Aboriginal artist Elaine Chambers-Hegarty was installed on the multi-storey car park, as part of our commitment to health equity through the provision of culturally appropriate health infrastructure design.
The symbol is in the shape of a Bunya tree (araucaria bidwilii), which is culturally significant to the local area. For thousands of years, First Nations peoples on the east coast of Australia travelled to the Blackall Ranges region (north of Caboolture) to gather and celebrate the harvest of bunya pine cones. The traditional gatherings would involve corroborees, trading, sharing food, arranging marriages and resolving issues of law.
Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff from Caboolture Hospital, Traditional Owners, Elders and community members has been key to better understanding how to strengthen culture in the built environment and create a stronger sense of cultural safety and inclusion for First Nations peoples visiting the hospital.
Metro North Mental Health has released its most recent research review. The team produced 70 peer reviewed publications and received more than $12 million in research funding, including $2.8M from the National Health and Medical Research Council to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing mental health services. Well done to Metro North Mental Health on the report and your outstanding research.
As you know, the Queensland Cancer Centre will be built on the Herston Health Precinct over the next few years. Queensland Health is leading the project and is calling for input into the vision for the QCC. If you’d like to have your say, please complete the feedback survey by 10 February. The survey includes a video from Queensland Health Director-General Shaun Drummond providing an overview of the project.
This week we took a step towards an integrated Metro North wide cancer care service with the governance of the cancer care unit at The Prince Charles Hospital transferring to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. This change has required a lot of hard work and dedication from staff at both services. Thank you all for working together to improve healthcare outcomes for patients through more connected care.
Next week I’ll be talking to junior doctors about our Level Up mentoring program. The program aims to improve gender equality in medicine by supporting junior doctors of all genders and providing opportunities to reach senior positions in their careers. To find out more, including how to become a mentor or mentee, please visit the Level Up QHEPS page.
We will also be welcoming the first group of new nursing graduates across our directorates. Please make them feel welcome.
Kind regards,
Jackie.