Louise Oriti
There’s no doubt that 2020 will be a year that all of us will remember. With the year almost at a close, it’s a good time to look back on what we’ve all achieved.
We’ve devoted a lot of time and energy in 2020 to COVID-19 – but it’s important that we all end the year remembering that it wasn’t the only thing we did. In looking back over the year that was, here are a few highlights worth remembering.
Infrastructure in 2020
Some of our biggest wins in 2020 came from our ongoing improvements to our clinical facilities and supporting infrastructure.
In 2020, our hospital:
- completed and began using a new seventh operating theatre
- installed and opened a new MRI machine and new CT scanner
- cared for patients in our newly renovated Day Procedure Unit
- added 50% more car parking to the campus with a new multistorey car park
- installed and upgraded lifts in MBICC and the main hospital building.
Staff wellbeing and recognition
One of the most significant things we achieved this year was the launch of our Peer Responder Program. In October we welcomed the appointment of 27 Peer Responders from many different professions and parts of our hospital.
Even with COVID-19, thanks to the support of REDDY Fun & Fitness, Clinical Council, the Wellness Working Group and everyone committed to the #IamRedcliffe campaign, we were still able to celebrate most of our regular staff wellbeing and recognition events and activities.
These included:
- Length of Service Awards
- Staff Excellence Awards
- Research Symposium
- Reconciliation Week events
- National Volunteers Week
- #IamRedcliffe Team of the Month
- RUOK? Day
- NAIDOC Week
- Remembrance Day
Raise it for Redcliffe
We made great progress this year in building a solid foundation for Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital, our new philanthropic partnership with the RBWH Foundation. We’ve established good connections with some of the Peninsula’s leading business and community leaders, which we will develop further in 2021.
The first round of Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Wishlist Grants is expected to be announced before the end of 2020. This funding program offers grants of up to $5,000 for hospital projects that make things better for our patients or staff. The program is fully funded by Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital.
You can find out more about Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital here.
The year ahead
There’s a lot to be excited about in 2021.
In February 2021 we’ll have two new CT scanners operational, and around Easter the Intensive Care Unit renovations will be complete. More work will be done on the paediatric emergency department upgrade, and our Detailed Business Case will set the blueprint for the next evolution in hospital’s clinical buildings.
At a Metro North level, STARS will be clinically operational, and see and hear more about what the two new satellite hospitals in Metro North will offer our patients.
For now, though, please take some time over the Christmas/New Year period to be with your family and loved ones and take a well-earned break.
For everything you’ve done in 2020, on behalf of our hospital, thank you all.
Louise Oriti