Message from the Executive Director

There is a big focus on infrastructure at the moment. Staff would be aware there are a number of key building projects currently underway and being planned on TPCH campus to support the future growth of our services. These include the new multi-storey car park, TPCH Expansion Project and Mental Health Crisis Stabilisation Facility. Plans are also underway to carry out a high-level audit of a number of our hospital buildings which I talk more about in the Executive update below.

The successful development of services within any organisation requires input, flexibility and endurance from staff. Staff are on the ground every day and therefore, have the local knowledge to help inform positive change and development. In saying this, we also have an obligation to meet broader organisational priorities which can be sometimes difficult to balance with local requirements and preferences.

This is an exciting time to work at TPCH but equally, a challenging time. We acknowledge that staff will be impacted by key infrastructure projects in different ways over the coming months and years, however there will also be opportunities for active involvement including through various user groups. The Executive team is 100 per cent committed to working with staff as best we can to achieve these essential developments for our campus. These will help position TPCH to meet future demands on our services and continue providing high-quality care to our patients and community.

We welcome staff feedback and suggestions, please email: TPCH_CorporateServices@health.qld.gov.au

Executive update

Executive walkarounds

This week I had the opportunity to visit our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service team with Manager, Kieran Costigan. It was great to catch up and yarn with the team about their wins and challenges in supporting the delivery of culturally safe and appropriate care to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients at TPCH.

I also popped over to the Administration Building where I spoke with a number of teams located on the Lower Ground floor – a very well tucked away area! This included our Connecting Care to Country service covering the Indigenous cardiac and respiratory outreach services which provide specialist heart and lung care to many rural and remote communities throughout Queensland.

I also met with Staff Psychologist Nazanin Ahangari, the Information Access Unit team, and staff from the Orthopaedic Surgery administration team.  A common theme of my chats with staff was the physical environment of the Administration Building, which is one of the oldest buildings on our campus.  Metro North’s Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure team is currently preparing to engage external consultants to conduct a High-Level Infrastructure Audit for a number of buildings on TPCH campus including the Administration Building. The recommendations from this audit will highlight rectifications work required across TPCH.

Key appointment

I am pleased to advise that Dr Daniel Smith has been appointed as Director of Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis, commencing this week. Dan has a wealth of experience in the care of people living with cystic fibrosis. The Thoracic Program looks forward to working closely with Dan and the entire team, to achieve the goals of enhanced clinical service, research, training and advocacy for the care of people living with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

Thanks to Dr Phil Masel and Dr Paul Lane who capably stepped in to cover the Clinical Director role in recent times. Congratulations Dan!

TPCH Emergency Codes and Preparedness Staff Expo – today

Staff are invited to attend today’s Emergency Codes and Preparedness Expo from 10am – 12pm in the Staff Dining area. This is an opportunity to learn more about emergency codes, readiness, staff safety resources, education and the roles that support emergency responses across TPCH. We look forward to seeing many of your there!

Safety update

Throughout the end of 2023 and early this year, a large body of work has been undertaken to improve lighting infrastructure across the campus, especially in areas which our staff frequent after hours. Two areas where lighting improvements have been made are the Staib Road Pathway (adjacent Helipad) where a row of solar lights was installed this week, and the dustbowl area where additional street lighting has been installed. Both initiatives have made a significant improvement to general safety across the site and have received positive feedback from staff.

To ensure continued safety across the campus for our patients, staff and visitors, please report any identified any safety hazards or concerns to either your line manager, within Riskman or via the Health and Safety Unit (TPCH Safety Advisor, Scott Brazier) on phone 3139 4540 or email: mnhhshealthandsafety@health.qld.gov.au.

Tour De Brisbane

A reminder that the Tour De Brisbane is on this Sunday 14 April. I will be donning lycra for a cause (there definitely needs to be a good cause for lycra wearing!) and joining the cycle. This is a chance to show your support for fellow researchers and clinicians working in the transplant space.
The Common Good/TPCHF is the charity partner for the event again this year and relies on donations from kind people to support critical research that’s done right here at The Prince Charles Hospital. This year, they hope to raise at least $70,000 to support 1,500 hours of life-saving and life-changing organ transplant research. To donate, head to www.thecommongood.org.au and follow the Tour de Brisbane links.

QLD Health 10,000 Steps Challenge

Queensland Health is holding a state-wide 10,000 Steps Challenge from 29 April to 31 May 2024, to increase staff connection and participation in physical activity for improved physical and mental wellbeing. I encourage TPCH staff to join me in the Challenge by signing up with the Metro North team. Just think, many of you already walk thousands of steps around the hospital campus every day, so why not join the challenge to make your steps count. For more information or to join, visit: Queensland Health Steps Challenge | 10,000 Steps (10000steps.org.au)

FAST FACTS

​This week we will profile the Outpatients Administration team.

Did you know?

• 

  Some members of the Outpatients Administration team

  The team supports the delivery of approximately 23,000 outpatient consultations every month.

• TPCH currently has 78 consultation rooms
• Outpatients and Ambulatory Front of House administration officer supports four reception areas including:
  • Specialist Outpatients
  • Heart and Lung
  • Private Practice Clinic
  • Teal Outpatients (Building 6 opposite CAM Unit)
• Outpatient clinic areas are supported by eight full-time staff.
• Teal Outpatients is the latest area to be staffed by the Outpatients Services portfolio to assist with the extension of the bronchiectasis and micro-bacterial thoracic clinics.

Staff profile

This week we will profile new Senior Health Worker, Connecting Care to Country, TPCH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, Mark Dorante.

Previously an outreach worker with Moblink from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Mark is responsible for providing clinical primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in rural and remote communities throughout Queensland. This includes delivering health care programs, assessing and treating clients, and managing clinic data. He recently returned from his first clinic at Thursday Island where his role was to undertake basic observations on clients before they saw the respiratory scientist and doctor.

Mark enjoys the opportunity to travel to remote areas in Queensland and working with the deadly team at TPCH. He is passionate about giving back to the mob, especially helping people in remote areas understand the importance of good health.

In his spare time. Mark enjoys spending time with his kids, cooking and watching rugby league.

Closing thought

A visit to the CAM Unit this week reminded me of the importance of gratitude. The CAM Unit has recently implemented a Gratitude Tree to the entrance of the ward where staff, patients and families can post their thoughts about what they are grateful for that day.

The initiative is part of a move to help change patient behaviour in an environment where managing challenging behaviours is part of providing specialist dementia care. The idea is that by approaching care interactions with gratitude and positivity, rather than fear or uncertainty, staff can encourage and influence similar behaviours in patients.

The lesson learned from this is that by approaching everyday situations with gratitude and positivity, we can start to have a positive influence on others around us. This is important, especially when we are under pressure, as it helps us refocus on why we are all here – for our patients.

Here is one of the quotes on CAM’s gratitude tree:

“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry and irritation. It is savouring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented.” – Sonja Lynbomirsky

Tami.