Message from the Executive Director

Tami Photinos, Executive Director

I’m glad to be back at TPCH this week after being on two weeks emergent leave. As mentioned in my last message, I’ve spent the last couple of months arranging a nursing home placement for my elderly father. I am pleased to share that my family recently secured a placement for Dad which is a big relief and he is slowly settling into his new environment. For those staff who’ve been through this experience, I’m sure you’ll agree this is certainly no easy journey for any family.

I would like to thank Melanie Dubbelde and the entire Executive team for their excellent leadership and support during my absence.

Executive update

Executive walkarounds

This week, I was pleased to get back out and about meeting and speaking with staff from various areas. Director Corporate Services, Bretine Curtis and Manager Strategy and Planning, Katie Tully and I visited Heart Lung Outpatients and Specialist Outpatients. We discussed with staff the ongoing challenges with ieMR Enterprise Scheduling Management (ESM) and how they continue to work through these. We appreciate the efforts TPCH staff have invested in supporting the introduction of this new system.

We also visited the Outpatient Call Centre and the Revenue team in the Administration Building. We spoke to staff about the significant demands on the Call Centre which receives an average of 11,000 calls each month. Staff are currently developing strategies to help reduce call wait times for our patients. You can read more about the Revenue team in today’s Fast Facts.

Executive recruitment

Recruitment processes are currently underway for the following positions within our Executive Leadership Team – Director Medical Services, Director of Operations Heart and Lung; and Director Operations EPIC. Recruitment to these positions will be finalised in late March.

I am also pleased to advise that Katie Tully will be the Acting Director Corporate Services from 21 February to 17 March 2024 while Bretine Curtis is on annual leave. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role having held various senior roles within Metro North, including substantively holding the Manager Strategy and Planning TPCH.

Car parking

Car parking continues to be a challenge for TPCH campus. Recently, we have seen increasing demands on our car parking facilities, with major congestion being experienced up the main drive from Rode Road to the main multi-storey car park. We are receiving feedback from patients that this increased demand is impacting on their ability to access services and attend appointments on time.

We recognise the challenges around parking will continue until construction of the new multi-storey is completed later this year, so are currently exploring various options to support better patient access to parking.

One such option is to encourage staff who currently park in the paid multi-storey to consider parking in alternative dedicated staff carparks around the campus if possible. We appreciate that many staff prefer to park in the main car park, however we ask that staff consider alternates during this time to improve patient access and while additional alternatives for staff parking are considered.

For any queries please email: TPCH_CorporateServices@health.qld.gov.au

HR Education Sessions

During February, People and Culture Partners will deliver education sessions for line managers on Absence Management and Flexible Work Arrangements. Line managers will be given the tools they need to feel confident in having conversations about absenteeism and consider flexible work arrangements within their respective teams. More information including on how to register is here.

FAST FACTS

Some members of the Revenue team

Today we will profile Revenue Services.

Did you know?

• The Revenue team employs 6 staff employed in either a full time or part time capacity.
• The team has Named Referral Officers who investigate an average of 540 appointments each day, and where possible offer patients the choice to attend bulk bill clinics.
• The purpose of the team’s role is to maximise funding sources for outpatient clinics that are run out of TPCH.
• The team also corrects funding source errors to ensure the hospital is tapping into the right funding source.

Staff profile

Michael Savage

Today we will profile Consultant Clinical Measurement Scientist – Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, Michael Savage.

Michael is responsible for the management and training of cardiac scientists, alongside members of the multidisciplinary team, in performing clinical procedures within the cardiac catheter lab including coronary angiography and stenting, right heart catheterisation and structural valve procedures. He also supports the training of multidisciplinary clinical staff and students, evaluates quality and safety audits, and participates in various cardiology research projects.

A Cardiac Scientist at TPCH since 2007, Michael enjoys the complexity and diversity of patients treated in the catheter lab. He values the challenges that each day brings whether that be opening blocked arteries on patients who’ve suffered a heart attack or implanting new transcatheter valves in the Hybrid Theatre.

Having commenced his PhD in 2017, Michael is passionate about providing the highest quality care to patients. He values the fantastic team he works with in the cardiology department and cherishes the relationships formed over many years.

Outside of work and while not working on his PhD, Michael enjoys spending time with his family at the beach and camping.

Shout out

This week shout out goes to our Medical Workforce and Medical Education Units which have had a busy start to the year supporting the on-boarding and orientation of almost 200 medical staff. Among this cohort are RMOs Poppy Heffernan and Nick Thompson who were featured on the front page of the Courier Mail this week. A great human interest article highlighting the positive teaching environment at TPCH. Read article

The other shout out goes to Perry Judd, Director of Allied Health and Dr David Wood, Clinical Director of Paediatric Emergency Department who yesterday kicked off their fundraising efforts in preparation for the Chain Reaction Challenge – a national cycling event riding 1,000 kilometres over 7 days and raising funds for children’s charities, including the hospital’s Children’s Services through The Common Good.

A big thanks to those staff who came down to the cafe and showed their support. To find out more go to: Perry Judd and David Wood.

Today’s quote
“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” – Malcolm Forbes

Tami.