Adj Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive
Referendum
Tomorrow Australia will vote in the referendum about whether to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Regardless of how you choose to vote, I encourage you to be informed.
Hopefully by now you’ve seen the notices in bulletins that the AEC is not providing voting booths at our facilities. If you are working tomorrow, you can still vote at one of the early voting locations listed on the AEC website. If a patient or visitor asks you for information about referendum voting options, please refer them to the AEC website www.aec.gov.au or ask them to call 13 23 26.
I also ask that all staff recognise the cultural load and additional burden currently being felt by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their families, and their communities. Please be mindful of the wellbeing of your colleagues.
On Monday the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership team will be holding a Post Referendum Safe Space at Chermside Community Health Centre from 1.30-3.30pm, regardless of the outcome. There will be no formal proceedings, but an opportunity for staff to drop in and chat. This gathering is open to all staff to show support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues. Contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team for more information.
Community and Oral Health will also be holding a series of Pause and Reflect Safe Spaces for staff throughout the rest of the month:
- Friday 20 October, 10-11am – Brighton Health Campus, Moora View Healing Garden
- Friday 20 October, 2-3pm – North Lakes Health Precinct, Staff dining area & balcony
- Monday 23 October, 1-2pm – Nundah Community Health Centre, Staff tea room
- Wednesday 25 October, 10-11am – Pine Rivers Community Health Centre, Gazebo
- Friday 27 October, 10-11am – Chermside Community Health Centre, Conferemce room 2
I also remind you of the Public Sector Commissioner’s guidance for public sector employees when talking about the referendum and associated matters.
Recognising our Operational Services staff
We are recognising the essential contribution of our operational services staff throughout October. This week we’re shining a light on RBWH Security Officer Taouma Fesolai.
Profile – Taouma FesolaiTaouma Fesolai says ensuring staff and patient safety, and supporting people during difficult moments are what makes his work as a security officer at RBWH so fulfilling. Having worked in the role for four years, his day-to-day working life includes providing security assistance to staff in uncontrolled environments, regularly patrolling areas and responding when issues of safety arise.The camaraderie among the Security Team is Taouma’s favourite part of the job, and the challenges of the role also mean the team supports and looks out for each other.Mental Health week
This week is Mental Health week. There have been a number of activities throughout the week including the Shatter the Stigma launches happening across sites. I’d like to acknowledge our Mental Health and Emergency Department teams for continuing to care for our community during the past few very challenging weeks.
ieMR
We are starting to see some elements of the integrated electronic medical record (ieMR) implemented. Since August, we’ve seen the ESM element introduced at TPCH and Redcliffe, Caboolture Satellite Hospital opened with ieMR and Kallangur Satellite Hospital will open in December as a digital site as well. Before the end of the year Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford and Community and Oral Health will go live with ESM.
Caboolture Hospital 30th anniversary
Happy 30th anniversary to Caboolture Hospital which opened on 17 October 1993. After the first year of operations, the hospital staff developed the mission statement: We are committed to providing a quality service in a centre of care and excellence, which has a positive influence on the health of those whose lives we touch.
With so much growth and change happening at Caboolture and with the new Clinical Services Building opening later this year, it’s a good reminder that sometimes we need to take a moment to look back so we can forge ahead.
Accreditation
Now that we’re well and truly into the Short Notice Accreditation system, we could receive a call about a visit to one of our facilities any day. It’s vital that we approach our work and environment every day as if the assessors were watching – that’s what our patients, colleagues and community deserve.
Have your Say staff survey
This week I’ve been thinking about these two messages in a bottle:
“I have worked for Metro North on and off for over 20 years and I feel specially during and post pandemic Metro North has vastly improved its communication and transparency and commitment to staff health and wellbeing – overworking is not promoted any longer. I feel supported to take time out or annual leave regardless.”
Thank you for this feedback. Our staff are our precious and your wellbeing is essential.
“I would greatly appreciate if the NUM could support employees with young children by supporting a required roster.”
Many of our staff are parents and supporting you to do your best at work does include making sure you’re not worrying about balancing your work and home responsibilities. The Prince Charles Hospital is currently conducting a rostering trial in two units to support required rosters, so watch this space.
Thank you everyone who provided a message.
Caboolture car park
The new multistorey car park at Caboolture Hospital opens on Monday.
Well done to the many staff who have been involved at all stages to bring this project to fruition.
Jackie.