Tami Photinos, Executive Director
The Internal Medicine team celebrating Dementia Action Week.
This week we celebrated Dementia Action Week (18-24 September), an important reminder for us to gain a deeper understanding of dementia so we can better support our patients to live well in their community for longer. The Internal Medicine (IMS) team did a fantastic job organising a strawberry ice cream stall to raise funds to support dementia projects and improve the quality of care for patients living with dementia at TPCH. IMS also led this week’s Grand Rounds session with their presentation – Holistic Approach to Management and Support of Changed Behaviours of Concern which I had the opportunity to attend. A very interesting session. Well done team!
Executive update
Last week, the TPCH Executive Team attended a storytelling workshop with professional storyteller Bill Baker. Bill explained how effective storytelling can be a 
powerful leadership tool, by helping people understand the why behind a new direction or initiative being asked of them. Next time you are implementing something new with your colleagues, consider using a story to articulate why the change is important. It could be a story about a patient you encountered, or a mistake you’ve made in the past that you’ve learnt from. The Executive team looks forward to using our new storytelling skills as we continue to lead the hospital.
Short Stay Unit upgrade
In 2022, TPCH submitted a project plan under the Department of Health’s Patient Flow Intensive Program initiative (PFLIP) to focus on factors improving patient flow through the Emergency Department (ED). The plan focused on the implementation of a more senior flow role; and increasing TPCH Short Stay Unit by six beds to support the management of increased emergency 
service demand.
The project commenced in September 2022 with the implementation of a trial of the senior flow role and a transition model pending the capital build of the new beds within the established SSU area. Improvements were seen with better patient flow thanks to the additional bed capacity and the introduction of patient flow nursing leads. In September 2022, the monthly data showed SSU admissions at 1,141 with 39.9% of patients transferring in four hours. In August 2023, there were 1,662 admissions to SSU with 55.2% transferring within four hours. Some good improvements!
Connecting with First Nation consumers
During the week I had the opportunity to chat with First Nation consumers, Aunty Lauraine Barlow and Aunty Brenda Kanofski who were participating in a patient journey video being produced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service team. The Auntys candidly shared some of their personal experiences of our services, providing their views on how we can improve the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. During our talk, I emphasised our focus on involving First Nation consumers in the recruitment of our workforce as part of our commitment to achieving health equity. A sincere thanks to Aunty Lauraine and Aunty Brenda for their time.
I thought I would also share a couple of photos I received as we approach the opening of Kallangur Satellite Hospital (KSH) site which will come under the governance of TPCH. Tanya Mountford, Acting Nursing Director KSH and Melissa White, Facility Manager KSH were keen to show themselves hard at work, diligently testing some hoist equipment in the lead up to the facility’s opening in early December. Keep up the great work Tanya and Mel!
Have your Say survey
From next week, we will begin circulating Have your Say feedback to managers. If you require additional support, TPCH People and Culture team are available to help.
Another common issue raised by staff through the survey was rostering and staffing issues.
Messages in a Bottle
- Production of rosters in a more timely manner
- Maintain nursing ratios
- Overworked with overtime, burn out, do not feel valued, hire more pool staff.
- I absolutely love reading your email updates and seeing your selfies! I especially love reading how you profile and acknowledge different members/areas of the hospital. I wish more executive members would do a similar thing so we can know more about the day-to-day goals/projects that executives are doing around the hospital.
Our response
Nursing rosters
As part of Metro North’s Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Action Plan 2023-2028, Intergrated Workforce Management (IWFM) for nursing is planned for roll out across TPCH later this year. This direct entry of rosters into Workbrain will improve the timeliness and accuracy of rostering.
During the roll out, support will be provided for workforce management activities and steamline the roster-to-pay process. Stay tuned for more details.
Valuing our staff
As part of Charlies Week, we have a number of plans in place to help celebrate our staff. These include a free breakfast and dinner for all staff, Length of Service Awards, and fun activities throughout the week. The announcement of the winners of the TPCH Staff Excellence Awards on Thursday 26 October will also showcase staff members who are going above and beyond. We are always looking for new ways to show our staff how much they mean to us.
Positive feedback
Thank you for the comment. TPCH Executive believes it is important that we acknowledge our staff and the wonderful work you do. This comment has been shared with the Executive team and they are looking into the best ways to share information with their teams.
Join the TPCH Staff Council
The TPCH Staff Council is currently seeking expressions of interest to nominate for a position on the Council. This is a unique opportunity to be a voice, to advocate for staff and ignite engagement on issues of importance for both clinicians and patients as well as on quality and safety. Expressions of interest are being sought for the Deputy Chair position, and for general members. For more information and to find out how to apply, view the EOI and Terms of Reference.
FAST FACTS
This week, we’ll profile the Nutrition and Dietetics team as they celebrate Dietitians Day (19 September).
Did you know?
The team of approximately 30 dietitians and nutrition assistants play an integral role within the multidisciplinary team to deliver nutrition and dietetic services to patients across the lifespan – from newborns and infants, through to the end stages of life.- You will find the team on inpatient wards as well as in outpatient settings, running more than 40 individual outpatient clinics and group programs each week!
- The team work closely with TPCH Food Services to provide nutritious food, in line with patient’s nutrition requirements and preferences.
- The team are improving healthcare provision more broadly, with many involved in significant innovations, extended scope of practice, clinical re-design and research, as well as representing and advocating for Nutrition and Dietetic services on local, statewide, national and international platforms.
- The team are continually looking at ways to improve the quality, productivity and impact of their service delivery.
- This week the team celebrated Dietitians day with lots of delicious high calorie, high protein foods – practising what they preach!
For specialised medical nutrition advice – ask a Dietitian!
Staff profile
The week we profile Administration Officer, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Outpatient Bookings Amy Seddon.
Amy started her career in Queensland Health in the Heart and Lung Outpatients, before moving to the Endoscopy Unit where she has worked for the past three years. She has predominantly worked on front reception for day procedures, but has recently been working in the outpatient department space. Her role involves managing waitlists, ensuring the daily clinics run smoothly, responding to patient and staff enquiries and processing referrals.
Her favourite part about her role is her team, who are all focused on ensuring that patients receive the best care possible. Amy is driven by helping people and enjoys playing a part in their health journey. Every day in her role is different!
In her spare time, Amy is a passionate animal welfare advocate and has three very spoilt ‘furkids’ – bull arab Jethro and cats Panther and Missy. Most of her Sundays are spent at the beach with Jethro who can spend hours in the water ‘fishing’, but is yet to catch one!
Shout out
This week’s shout out goes to Geriatric Medicine Senior Medical Officer Dr Eamonn Eeles, who was recently awarded Best Oral Presentation at this year’s European Delirium Association Conference in Birmingham, UK.
The annual global conference was held between 6-8 September 2023, and focuses on state-of-the- art delirium research and clinical practice across multiple disciplines. The theme of this year was Reconstructing delirium by assembling expertise. Dr Eeles won the prize for his presentation titled ‘Real-world Implementation of an electronic diagnostic support tool (AiD-DST) designed to identify the cause(s) of delirium. A study protocol and work in progress.’
Dr Eeles’s work in using technology to assist medical staff to diagnose and find contributors to delirium is set to improve delirium management both locally and internationally. Congratulations Dr Eeles!
Today’s quote
“If you improve by 1% every day, within a year you’ll have improved by 365%.”
Tami.