Message from the Executive Director

Glynis Schultz, Executive Director

Welcome back to many of you. I hope that you got a good relaxing break if you had the chance to over December and January.

In our well-loved “Winnie the Pooh” book there’s a conversation between Pooh and Piglet that goes like this: “What day is it?” asked Pooh“It’s today” squeaked Piglet“My favourite day” said Pooh What a delightfully simple but profound message for each of us to focus on today, to embrace the present moment and to find joy in the small things. With that in mind, I expect 2024 to be a very rewarding year for the whole directorate.

Something we missed

Last year, I had the pleasure of attending an event to personally thank our volunteers who were given such a wonderful acknowledgement by the accreditors from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.In addition, I wanted to share Ingrid’s feedback from Gannet House, which really exemplifies the important role our volunteers play across our service lines.“I love having volunteers come and see me. They always treat me well. They always ask what I would like to do, and they can help me with anything. “I am happy to go outside by myself but it is also nice to have volunteer company as well. I don’t like to sit in my room all day. “I like to get out and about and I always enjoy the activities I am involved in with both the staff and volunteers.”

Compliment – Chermside Community Health Centre

Another great compliment about our community-based services to start off the year.“Ian (physiotherapist) and Mark (nurse) were exemplary in their professionalism and instructive support. The majority of heart patients are later middle-aged men who are either shocked by the sudden diagnosis that life’s dealt them or are a bit overwhelmed by the post-op recovery.“This requires a nuanced approach to giving advice and creating trust through a gentle quiet communication of instructions and advice.“It’s not about the instructor feeling useful but about the patients feeling safe and understood. “Congratulations to the team at CCHC for your maturity and kindness.”

A final shout out

Since the inception of the Nurse Practitioner role in Queensland in the early 2000s this profession is leading the development of highly specialised and necessary healthcare delivery across the community.Metro North Health Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care (SPACE) Nurse Practitioner Nicole Hutchinson is one of these professionals shaping the future of palliative care in the community and in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).Read more …

Glynis.