Message from the Chief Executive

Have Your Say staff survey

In the Messages in a Bottle received through the survey, there have been a number of comments showing improvements in how we respond to flexible working arrangement requests. However, there continues to be a number of staff who feel that their requests are not being given due assessment. If staff are not satisfied with the outcome of a flexible work request, they have the option to escalate. Information about the process of escalation can be found on the Metro North Flexible Working Arrangement QHEPS site.

It is important to know that there are a range of flexible working arrangements available. Flexible work arrangements can be formal or informal, temporary or ongoing and include: flexible start and finish times, part-time hours, working from home or another location, job sharing and compressed hours (working more hours over fewer days).

There have also been some messages indicating that staff who experience domestic violence (DV) are not receiving the support they are seeking in the workplace. As a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, Metro North is committed to building a safe workplace that promotes respectful relationships and gender equality and demonstrates a culture of zero tolerance against DV. I encourage staff to familiarise themselves with the Metro North Domestic and Family Violence QHEPS site where information about resources, training and policies is readily available.

A reminder: On Monday 25 September, 2-3pm, Chief People and Culture Officer, Kristal Lowe and Staff Psychologist Andrew Craker will deliver a dedicated Have Your Say (HYS) support for managers vidcast, providing our managers with some tips on how to interpret and, what to focus on in your reports. Join the  Vidcast.

Executive update

Health Equity Workshop

This week, members of the executive and Board participated in the Health Equity Community Measures workshop at Brighton. We joined with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, community members, and partnering organisations to discuss ways we can create change through patient and community feedback within our health service.

The workshop was a safe space to voice ideas, opinions and concerns, and an opportunity for Metro North Health to continue building relationships based on trust with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, to explore the best avenues and options to co-design improvements together and achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

New Deadly Feet Clinic

Yesterday I attended the launch of a new Deadly Feet Clinic at Moreton ATSICHS Caboolture, a collaboration between Metro North and the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health. Deadly Feet is a multi-disciplinary service providing early assessment, risk modification, and specialist intervention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at risk of lower limb conditions associated with diabetes and/or peripheral vascular disease. The availability of this clinic will enable patients to access foot health services closer to home, providing a more patient-centred and culturally responsive health care experience. Congratulations to the Deadly Feet team!

Repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate update

You may have seen some communication recently advising that, following a period of consultation, the Director General has made a decision to repeal HED 12/21 on the requirement for the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of Queensland Health staff. The Director General’s decision has taken into consideration the advice from ATAGI and the CHO as well as all of the feedback provided by staff and our industrial partners during consultation.

Metro North will begin to implement changes to support the repeal of the Directive over coming weeks. We have completed a psychosocial risk assessment to ensure our risks are managed and our staff are supported through the changes.

A series of communications and briefings will be scheduled over the coming weeks to ensure staff have the information needed and are aware of support options available.

Compassionate Care Principles

This week, we’ll continue to focus on the Metro North Health Compassionate Care Principles looking at Principle 2: Care in the right setting according to patient wishes.

This principle is centred around delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Within Metro North, there is an increasing focus to provide patients with timely access to appropriate and streamlined care away from the hospital environment, thereby reducing the need for acute services and hospitalisation. We offer a range of alternative models of care and pathways that focus on hospital avoidance, to support a high quality health care experience for our patients. These alternatives should be discussed with each individual patient and carer at every available opportunity if clinically appropriate.

Cultural considerations also need to be a strong part of this principle, engaging respectfully with patients and families to gather information that may be relevant to their cultural needs so it can be incorporated into their care.

A wonderful example of how we are putting Compassionate Care principles into practice was highlighted in one of our positive social media stories this week. The story, which was also covered by ABC radio, featured Redcliffe Hospital patient Rick, who was supported by Palliative Care nurse, Ellie Smithers and the Ambulance Wish Queensland team to fish off the Redcliffe Jetty surrounded by his family, as part of his end-of-life wish. Read Rick’s story.

Upcoming Referendum – supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce

In the lead up to next month’s Referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, there has been extensive conversation at work, home, in the community and in the media. We recognise the cultural load this may be having on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and encourage them to access the support services available across Metro North if needed.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team has organised an information session ‘Understanding the Voice’ for Metro North Health staff to be held on 28 September from 9.30am – 11.30am at TPCH Education Centre, Rooms 5 and 8. This information session is hosted by Mob23 – Mervyn Riley, Lucy Davis and Eddie Synot, a collective of First Nation people, organisations and signatories of the Uluru Statement from the Heart providing easy to understand and accurate information through respectful conversations. If you would like to attend, please register as soon as possible. There is a room capacity of 50 attendees.

Staff engagement

Last week, I attended a staff forum at Caboolture Hospital. When talking to staff, there were concerns raised about members of the public and media recording of staff without appropriate consent. This potential breach in privacy can impact on a staff member’s ability to do their best job particularly if they have experienced domestic violence in the past. In recognition of this issue, Metro North has posters for staff to use in the local workplace, and we also remind media outlets of their obligation to respect staff privacy when on site. If you have any queries, please email the Metro North Communications team.

Next week, Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock and I will have the opportunity to connect with Redcliffe Hospital staff at a Staff Listening Post on Wednesday 27 September, 12.30pm in the Staff Courtyard. We welcome staff to come and speak with us about any topic of their choice, raise issues and give feedback. We look forward to speaking with staff on the day.

Regards,

Jackie.