Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive, MN Health
With global travel back on track, we are seeing more researchers able to travel to participate in clinical trials research. Metro North has an excellent track record of clinical trials and is a leader in many research fields. In the past two months, we have supported researchers to travel to Singapore, Paris and Madrid to meet with partners in international trials.
This week we also acknowledged Metro North’s four new clinician research fellows Dr Elizabeth Marsden, Associate Professor Alka Kothari, Dr Julie Adsett, and Dr Sarah Andersen at a breakfast with previous fellows.
Our Health Equity Showcase this week provided an excellent opportunity for staff, partner organisations and community to hear about some of the work happening across Metro North. As part of the showcase I signed the Health Equity Statement of Commitment (pictured above with Uncle Robert, Aunty Sandra, Aunty Phillipa, and Uncle Russell). I was very impressed with the range of projects and activities across the whole health service to improve outcomes and create culturally supportive health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
One of the presentations at the showcase was from Breastscreen Queensland Brisbane North, a reminder for us all to not neglect our own routine health checks. Our Redcliffe Breastscreen clinic celebrated its first birthday today with a visit from the Minister.
We also had a visit this week from Dr Andy Wiesenthal, former CEO of Kaiser Permanente hospitals and a leading thinker on virtual healthcare. It was a fascinating look at the challenges and opportunities teams may encounter in this space with Andy’s insights into how other health organisations have tackled similar issues. A lot to think about!
Congratulations to the RBWH Emergency and Trauma Centre who have received the Al Spilman Award for Culturally Safe Emergency Departments from the Australian College of Emergency Medicine. The ETC (pictured) has been working to improve experiences and culturally safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and visitors through the Transforming Emergency Departments towards Cultural Safety initiative.
You might have seen this week that Metro North has joined Health@Work to provide the Healthy Body & Mind Hub. This is an online educational platform which provides a range of resources to support staff health and wellbeing. It includes access to podcasts, featured lifestyle articles, webinars, recipes and even online stretching and mindfulness classes. This week’s focus is on how to improve your sleep including tips for shift workers.
Metro North also offers a range of free staff wellbeing support including confidential 24/7 counselling through Benestar, the staff psychology service, peer responders, equity information officers, and RUOK? training. You can find information about these services on QHEPS and the wellbeing extranet as well as resources for social, emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support. Medical staff are also encouraged to join our new Level Up program which provides support and mentoring for doctors in training.
Have a good weekend.
Kind regards,
Jackie.