Staff News
Executive Messages
Executive Messages
December 2026
November 2026
October 2026
16 October 2026
I would like to thank all staff across Metro North for your ongoing commitment to caring for our community, especially with the significant level of demand being experienced by all services at the present time. I appreciate that staff are doing their very best to ensure that patients receive high quality, safe and timely care each day, acknowledging our extremely diverse and complex patient population.
16 October 2026
SEWB Site Visits
14 October 2026
Today is Allied Health Professions Day and I want to recognise the extraordinary diversity, dedication and impact of the allied health workforce across Metro North Health. This year’s theme is Allied health: For everyone, everywhere, which highlights the contribution allied health professionals make to improving health and wellbeing across all communities and settings.
Across Metro North we employ over 3,300 allied health clinicians across more than 30 disciplines. Most of us are familiar with the more common disciplines such as physiotherapy, dietetics, and social work, but did you know nuclear medicine scientists, clinical measurement scientists, and genetic counsellors are also allied health professions? The expertise, compassion and innovation demonstrated by allied health professionals are vital to achieving optimal patient care and recovery outcomes.
12 October 2026
I’m very pleased to announce the finalists for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards 2026, presented by QSuper.
9 October 2026
Since stepping into the Acting Executive Director role on 21 September, I’ve enjoyed working alongside our Leadership Team and getting out and about to connect with staff and Community. It’s been a privilege to see the care, cultural knowledge and commitment you bring to your work each day.
Last Friday, I joined families, community members and colleagues in Deception Bay for the official launch of the Redcliffe Hospital Ngarrama Midwifery Group Practice and Baby Blessing. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the new service and the partnerships behind it. Thank you to our Ngarrama teams and community partners for your dedication to supporting healthy pregnancies, healthy babies and strong families.
9 October 2026
This week, there has been a strong focus on recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements and service of people across our health service. Our Metro North, facility and directorate staff excellence awards provide the opportunity to acknowledge those individual staff and teams who are making a positive difference to the outcomes of patients, consumers and staff within Metro North through innovation, leadership, teaching and their commitment to our values.
I am pleased to share that we will be announcing the finalists of our 2026 Metro North Staff Excellence Awards on Monday.
7 October 2026
I am pleased to welcome Ms Alison Ewens to Metro North Health in the role of Acting Chief Operating Officer.
Alison will join Metro North from Thursday 8 October for 6 months while we undertake permanent recruitment.
Alison joins Metro North from Gold Coast Health, where she has been a longstanding member of the Health Service Executive and has held significant responsibility across a broad portfolio of clinical and non-clinical services.
6 October 2026
Stephen Eaton has resigned as Chief Operating Officer to spend time with family overseas, before exploring other opportunities. Stephen joined Metro North Health as Acting COO in January 2025, before being appointed to the position in June 2025.
In his time with Metro North, Stephen has played an important role in overseeing the stabilisation of elective surgery wait lists across Metro North, supporting growth in both emergency and elective procedures. Concurrently, the organisation has seen a significant reduction in wait times for priority referrals into Outpatients and Endoscopy services and also seen an improvement in patient off-stretcher time (POST) across Emergency Departments.
6 October 2026
I always value the opportunity to get out and about across Metro North, and last week provided several occasions to connect with staff, consumers and community members at Brighton, Caboolture and Herston.
On Friday morning, I attended the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute (CBCI) Community Forum, where I spent time with consumers, community members and clinicians discussing the latest developments in breast cancer care and support.
2 October 2026
This week, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a number of important meetings and events across the health service which have highlighted some of the great work our teams are doing to improve the health outcomes of our patients and community.
September 2026
25 September 2026
As we come out of the winter period, I would like to thank all staff across the health service for your commitment to providing high quality care to our community in the face of increasing demands on our services.
11 September 2026
Today is my final day as Acting Chief Executive before Nick Steele returns from leave on Monday. I would like to thank everyone for their support over the last five weeks, which has been a busy period for the health service.
It has been a privilege to be with Metro North during this time and lead and provide support from within the health service. This has been a valuable contrast to my substantive role in the Department of Health, where, as Deputy Director-General of Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance, I take on a very different lens, looking from the outside in at the various operations of health services.
4 September 2026
There is plenty of deadly news to celebrate across our workforce this month and one of the things that makes me particularly proud is seeing our people grow, step into new opportunities and back themselves along the way. Our young people are certainly leading the way.
This edition, we celebrate three of our Deadly Start trainees – Baylee Proctor, Amira Ahmat and Ruth Roma, who have been kicking some incredible goals.
Baylee was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the Metropolitan regional final of the 2026 Queensland Training Awards, with Amira also recognised as a finalist. Ruth has been finding her voice through the Beyond the Broncos Future Voices program, stepping outside her comfort zone to speak in front of a huge NRL crowd and travelling to Sydney and Canberra alongside other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
4 September 2026
This week I was fortunate to see more of the Metro North landscape with a tour of the Brighton Health Campus where I caught up with staff and residents. The site has a significant birthday coming up and it was amazing to learn how its role in supporting the community has transitioned over the years.
A highlight of the visit was seeing Gannet House and the innovation that the team have been leading to create a caring and engaging environment for the residents. They are currently trialling the use of virtual reality, to offer the residents the ability to enjoy a different environment. You can read more about this initiative on the Metro North Facebook page.
August 2026
28 August 2026
The Board are aware of the significant pressure on our hospital services at present, and acknowledge the impact this has on you – our staff, and our patients seeking care.
Capacity alerts and access blocks are ‘whole of hospital’ challenges. I would like to express my special thanks to staff in Emergency Departments who are dealing with the front end of the problem, but equally to all staff across every ward within each of our facilities, who are doing their best to maintain patient flow while still delivering exemplary standards of care.
21 August 2026
Thank you to everyone for continuing to welcome me as I come to end of my second week with Metro North.
This week I’ve spent a lot of time getting out and about meeting staff and learning more about our facilities and services. This has been a valuable opportunity to better understand the diversity of services offered by Metro North, and the great work staff do in supporting the complex care needs of our patients and community each day. I’ve been particularly impressed by the level of innovation across services, highlighted through various initiatives and models focused on supporting more responsive patient care.
14 August 2026
It’s a great pleasure to support the team at Metro North while Nick Steele takes some well-earned leave. Some of you would be aware that I am normally the Deputy Director-General, Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance, Queensland Health, so am pleased to have the opportunity to support our State’s largest health service in a more hands-on way.
4 August 2026
Today, we proudly acknowledge National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, celebrated each year on 4 August. This day acknowledges the strength, culture, identity and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and recognises their important place within families, communities and our future.
7 August 2026
Transforming the way we provide care to our patients and community is one of Metro North’s key focus areas over the next 18 months. The need to develop alternate care models and pathways that enable patients to receive clinically appropriate care away from the traditional hospital setting, is particularly well highlighted during the winter months when demands on our acute hospital services increase significantly. We experience larger than normal numbers of patients presenting to our emergency departments, which has a flow on effect on our ability to provide patients and consumers with acute care needs, with access to appropriate and timely treatment. This is why I am always keen to highlight innovative models that support improved access to care for our community.
7 August 2026
Today, 7 August, we proudly recognise the National Day of Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.
This year’s theme, Many Paths, Many Ways, acknowledges the diverse personal, cultural, educational and professional journeys that bring people into these professions, and the many ways they continue to make a difference throughout their careers and within their communities.
5 August 2026
Metro North Health is entrusted with access to highly sensitive patient, employee and corporate information. Every member of our workforce has a responsibility to ensure that information is accessed only when required for legitimate work purposes.
Over the past 12 months, Metro North has undertaken several communications and awareness initiatives to reinforce privacy obligations and appropriate access to information. These have included executive communications, targeted privacy and inappropriate access campaigns, Privacy Awareness Week activities and education resources for staff. Despite these efforts, reports of alleged inappropriate access continue to be received and investigated by the Ethical Standards Unit.
5 August 2026
Our Chief Executive (CE) Nick Steele will take a period of leave from 10 August to 13 September. On behalf of the Board, I wish Nick a well-deserved break.
During this period, I am pleased to advise that Naomi Hebson will step into the role of Acting CE.
Naomi is Deputy Director-General, Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance Division, Queensland Health. She is a highly regarded healthcare leader with extensive experience in health policy, commissioning and strategic purchasing.
July 2026
31 July 2026
This week has been a big week for research across Metro North with two major events highlighting our proud commitment to research and innovation – Metro North Research Summit and Metro North Research Excellence Awards.
These events demonstrate the broad spectrum of high quality research occurring across our health service and the important role this research plays in driving clinical innovation and advancement. Research and innovation, which are a key focus of our Strategic Plan, are critical in ensuring that Metro North is well positioned to continue delivering and leading world-class patient care moving forward.
24 July 2026
This week Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital received international media attention for the safe delivery of identical quadruplet baby girls.
This was an extraordinarily rare and high-risk pregnancy which involved extensive planning, coordination and expert care to ensure a very good outcome for mum, Jenitar, and her four beautiful babies who were born at 28 and a half weeks.
17 July 2026
In my message last week, I highlighted the priorities and focus areas for the upcoming financial year. I, along with the Board and Senior Executive Team, acknowledge there is a lot of work required across the organisation to ensure these priorities are supported and achieved. Since I joined Metro North in September, there has been a significant emphasis placed on looking at ways of doing things differently and working together across the network to ensure we can continue to deliver safe, high quality care patients, within available resources. There is already a lot innovative work being done across the health service to support new and more streamlined methods and models of care delivery and operation, to ensure that more patients can receive the care they need in a timely way.
10 July 2026
As we kick off the new financial year, I would like to thank all staff across Metro North for their fantastic work and unwavering commitment over the last 12 months to ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to our patients each day. I’m really proud of what we have achieved and I’m confident we can continue to deliver in the future.
10 July 2026
As NAIDOC Week draws to a close, I hope you have had the opportunity to celebrate with your teams, communities and loved ones.
It has been wonderful to see so many staff participating in flag raisings, yarning circles, community events and celebrations across Metro North Health. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered and contributed to making this year’s NAIDOC Week such a success.
The week has been a powerful reminder of the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the importance of community, and the role each of us plays in contributing to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It has also highlighted the dedication of our staff in fostering safe, respectful and inclusive healthcare experiences.
6 June 2026
Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, 5–12 July 2026, an important time to celebrate and honour the histories, cultures, achievements, and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme, ‘50 Years of Deadly’, recognises a significant milestone, commemorating five decades of NAIDOC Week. It is both a celebration and a call to reflect on our nation’s history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people—the world’s oldest living cultures, and on the stories, strength, knowledge, and leadership of past and present Elders and communities.
3 July 2026
Yesterday the Metro North Senior Executive Team (SET) met at STARS. We had a good turnout with staff joining in person and via Teams.
We highlighted that the team at STARS has done some stellar work in supporting the delivery of improved care for patients across Metro North, increasing its theatre utilisation and elective surgery throughput. This has contributed to helping reduce Metro North’s overall elective surgery long waits. I also commend the team’s innovative approach to patient care, highlighted through services like the Post Operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS) and Patient Initiated Follow Up which I’m hoping we can roll out across Metro North Health.
1 July 2026
Today we recognise Coming of the Light, an important cultural and spiritual celebration for Torres Strait Islander peoples. This day marks the arrival of Christianity in the Torres Strait Islands in 1871 and continues to hold deep significance for many Torres Strait Islander communities.
Across Metro North Health, we acknowledge and celebrate the strength, resilience and rich cultural heritage of Torres Strait Islander peoples. Coming of the Light is a time of reflection, connection and pride – an opportunity to recognise the enduring importance of culture, community and identity in shaping health and wellbeing.
June 2026
26 June 2026
Board members, including Deputy Chair, Meg Cairns and Christopher Blue, greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet staff and some very special four-legged visitors.
26 June 2026
This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Redcliffe Hospital for the Metro North Board meeting. As part of the visit, Board members and members of the Executive spent time talking with clinicians about patient flow initiatives.
19 June 2026
It’s good to be back in the office after being away last week. Thank you to Stephen Eaton, who provided coverage in my absence.
15 June 2026
Over recent weeks, many of our facilities and teams have come together to mark National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day. Through yarning circles, morning teas, cultural activities, community events and moments of reflection, these occasions have created meaningful opportunities to acknowledge our shared history, celebrate culture and strengthen our collective commitment to reconciliation.
Thank you to everyone who helped organise and participate in these events. It has been inspiring to see staff, community members and leaders come together across our health service. These moments reinforce that reconciliation is not confined to a single day or week—it is something we each contribute to through our everyday actions, relationships and decisions.
12 June 2026
This week I have taken up the reigns as Acting Chief Executive while Nick Steele is on leave, returning Monday. It is always a privilege to support the health service in this capacity, even if only for a brief period.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all teams across Metro North as we all navigate the challenges of the busy winter period. All of our facilities are currently experiencing very high demands, with frontline teams working together to prioritise and deliver safe, timely care to our patients. I appreciate this period can be extra challenging, particularly with increased levels of illness among our staff and patient communities.
11 June 2026
We are pleased to announce the finalists of the Metro North Research Excellence Awards and the recipients of the Clinician Research Fellowships for 2026.
Metro North continues to be a leader in health and medical research, and we are very proud of the impressive work being undertaken by our selection of finalists and fellowship recipients. Their work is critical to advancing health care through supporting new ways to treat, diagnose and prevent serious health conditions within our community.
5 June 2026
Today is Crazy Socks for Docs Day. This day acknowledges the mental health challenges within the medical profession, however it is also a reminder of the impact of these challenges upon our broader health workforce.
As Australia’s largest health service employing over 25,000 staff, we are exposed to patients and consumers of all ages and stages of life, who experience a wide range of clinical, cultural, mental and socio-economic issues.
3 June 2026
In late May, members of the Metro North Hospital and Health Board had the pleasure of visiting Kilcoy Hospital to spend time on the ground getting to know local staff and the community.
It is always a highlight for us as a Board to visit our hospitals and see firsthand the commitment, professionalism and care that our teams demonstrate every day.
2 June 2026
Today we acknowledge Mabo Day and honour the legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo and the fellow plaintiffs whose determination helped change Australia’s legal and social history forever.
Led by Eddie Koiki Mabo alongside fellow Meriam plaintiffs Sam Passi, David Passi, James Rice and Celuia Mapo Salee, the landmark case challenged the legal doctrine of terra nullius — the false idea that Australia was ‘land belonging to no one’ before British colonisation.
1 June 2026
I am pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Jamie Spencer to the position of Executive Director, Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford Directorate.
May 2026
29 May 2026
One of our priorities is digitalisation of the health service to enable strategic transformation. This week our Chief Digital Health Officer Dr Jason Brown presented the Metro North Health Digital Priorities 2026–2029 to the Metro North Board.
28 May 2026
Metro North Health has begun planning and preparing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games working with Queensland Health’s Olympics and Major Events Coordination Unit.
26 May 2026
Today, 26 May, we acknowledge National Sorry Day, also known as the National Day of Healing.
22 May 2026
As Australia’s largest health service, Metro North holds an important position where we are required and expected to constantly lead across all aspects of our operations.
15 May 2026
One of the best parts of my role as Chief Executive is hearing from frontline staff about their experiences as health care professionals and how they make a difference to the patients we serve.
8 May 2026
Metro North has an ambitious agenda over the next 18 months, with a strong focus on boosting our leadership and performance across all areas of service delivery. This requires a coordinated approach to how we work across our facilities and directorates to ensure that patients across Metro North receive high quality care, regardless of where they reside within our health service.
8 May 2026
As we head into May and the months ahead, we will be recognising and celebrating several important key dates including National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week, Mabo Day, NAIDOC Week and Coming of the Light. There’ll be plenty happening across our facilities and communities, so I encourage you to keep an eye on the A&TSILT events calendar and your local directorate activities, and to get involved wherever you can.
5 May 2026
On this International Day of the Midwife, I would like to acknowledge the amazing midwives who give their professionalism and expertise to the women, infants and families who require the services of Metro North.
The theme this year is ‘One Million More Midwives’ and in Metro North, we are working diligently to ensure we have suitable numbers of appropriately experienced midwives to provide the care required by our community.
1 May 2026
Every year as we approach winter, we see an increase across Metro North Health in both demand for care and staff respiratory illness. Careful and robust business continuity planning across our services is critical to managing through this period.
1 May 2026
This week was World Vaccination Week, an ideal reminder about the importance of protecting our health through vaccination, especially during the cooler months. Metro North’s staff flu vaccination program is an excellent way of preventing illness and keeping ourselves healthy during a period when respiratory illness is at an all-time high. That’s why I was pleased to join members of the Metro North executive team at STARS last week to receive my flu vaccination and help protect the health of our Metro North staff and community.
April 2026
25 April 2026
Today we commemorate Anzac Day. We honour those who served our country and those who still serve today in the protection of our nation and its people.
Proudly, Metro North holds long links to Australia’s defence services and there are many veterans and current service people across our organisation including in our trauma, intensive care and surgical services. These people bring unique skills and experiences to Metro North and remind us of the honourable nature of the work we perform each day in the service of our community.
24 April 2026
As we head towards winter, protecting our health against influenza and other respiratory illnesses becomes increasingly important, especially as staff members of Queensland’s largest health service.
17 April 2026
The weather is starting to get cooler and the first sniffles of the season are on the way.
Last year 300 people died from influenza in Queensland. Protecting yourself from the flu also protects your colleagues, patients and family. Vaccination and good hand and respiratory hygiene are your best defences in flu season.
10 April 2026
I hope everyone had a good Easter long weekend.
Last week we celebrated National Doctors Day which recognises the valuable role of medical officers in improving individual lives and communities.
To all doctors across Metro North, thank you for your critical contribution to Metro North and to Queensland Health as a system.
10 April 2026
Every two years there are changes to Hospital and Health Boards on the same day across the state. On 1 April we welcomed new members Abi Cheadle, Christopher Blue, Professor Michael Cleary PSM, and Metro North clinician Professor Peter Hopkins. All have been appointed until 31 March 2030.
Dr Meg Cairns was reappointed as Deputy Chair and I was reappointed as Chair, both until 31 March 2030. We join continuing members The Honourable Jane Prentice and Dr Peter Aitken PSM.
March 2026
27 March 2026
As I continue to familiarise myself with the services and operations of Metro North, I am constantly impressed by the commitment of staff across the health service to providing the best possible care to our patients. As Australia’s largest health service, we are privileged to be able to provide an extensive variety of specialised services that allows patients with a diverse range of general and complex health conditions to be treated.
20 March 2026
The Post-Operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS) received the overall Premier’s Award in recognition of its collective impact across the state and the leadership role of STARS in developing and demonstrating a model that is improving access to care, reducing unnecessary emergency departments and lowering re-admission rates across Queensland.
19 March 2026
Today, on Close the Gap Day, we are reminded of Metro North Health’s vital role in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
13 March 2026
Each day in Metro North, I see our people working together with patients and other stakeholders to navigate the diverse and complex demands placed on our health service.
8 March 2026
Today we’re celebrating International Women’s Day and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the women of Metro North Health.
6 March 2026
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the recent passing of respected Turrbal Elder and Songwoman, Aunty Maroochy Barambah. Many of you joined in honouring her at a moving funeral service late last month, held against the backdrop of the mountains – a setting that reflected her deep connection to community and Country.
6 March 2026
Today is National Employee Appreciation Day – an opportunity to recognise the dedication, teamwork and care that occurs across Metro North every day because of you.
6 March 2026
This week A Current Affair profiled a patient story on a triple organ transplant at The Prince Charles Hospital, that gave a recipient a chance of life. Last night I attended the Jamieson Trauma Institute Showcase and enjoyed listening to projects which continue changing the landscape of trauma care and recovery outcomes from major injury. These services also help shape policy, and future advances in medicine and care.
February 2026
27 February 2026
The Board continues to work closely with Metro North executive and staff to create and support opportunities to improve outcomes and experiences for our community. One of the key challenges facing all Metro North facilities is managing long waits. So we were very pleased to hear of some recent work undertaken at RBWH in Plastics which resulted in the significant reduction of the number of category 1 long wait patients through a single dedicated day, supported by five consultants and a team of registrars, to complete all cases. This was a massive undertaking and a great example of patient-centred care. Well done to the RBWH Plastics team.
27 February 2026
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending STARS birthday celebrations, to recognise five wonderful years of operation. STARS opened in February 2021 in the middle of a global pandemic and became an integral part of Queensland’s response to COVID-19 with the establishment of a vaccination clinic. Five years on, STARS continues to play a vital role in improving access to care, reducing waitlists for surgical, procedural and sub-acute patients and working towards delivering the best specialist rehabilitation services in the southern hemisphere. I would like to thank all the staff at STARS for their dedication in providing quality healthcare for our patients, and in particular, the improvements which I have seen in this financial year. You should all be very proud of what you have all delivered.
20 February 2026
This week, I attended the Queensland Media Club event where the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services outlined the Government’s vision for Queensland’s health system.
Key highlights from the address included:
13 February 2026
Since joining Metro North back in September last year, I’ve started to get a really good understanding of our key strengths and also some of the areas that we are going to be challenged by over the coming years. Addressing these challenges presents a real opportunity to innovate and unleash the potential of our highly talented workforce.
13 February 2026
Today marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. On 13 February 2008, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations, for the profound harm caused by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.
6 February 2026
Many of you will now be aware of the passing of respected Elder and Turrbal Traditional Owner, Songwoman Aunty Maroochy Barambah.
6 February 2026
I am pleased to be back on deck after being away last week and very keen to continue working with the team at Metro North to deliver on our exciting agenda going forward. Thank you to Stephen Eaton who covered the Chief Executive role while I was away. Stephen’s steady leadership is always valued.
3 February 2026
This year’s Australia Day Honours included some familiar names. Congratulations to Associate Professor Anthony Lynham AO and Dr Jason Brown PSM for your commitment to public healthcare.
January 2026
30 January 2026
It’s hard to believe I’ve been with Metro North for a year now. I want to thank everyone who helped me get up to speed quickly when I arrived, particularly SET and the Operational Leadership Team.
23 January 2026
One of the stand outs for me since joining Metro North in September last year has been the exciting work environment we foster here. The high calibre work we undertake each day across the health service in improving and changing the lives of people from all walks of life is second to none.
16 January 2026
With the turn of 2026, we are starting to see many new faces across Metro North. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the new staff who have already joined and who will join our health service in the coming weeks and months.
12 January 2026
Welcome back to 2026. I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy a safe and restful break and spend time with loved ones, reconnecting and recharging for the year ahead. Thank you to everyone who continued to work over the Christmas and New Year period.
12 January 2026
It is a great honour to be permanently appointed into the role of Chief Executive of Metro North Health – for me this is one of, if not the best job, in Queensland Health.
12 January 2026
Following the completion of an extensive recruitment campaign, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Nick Steele as Chief Executive of Metro North Health.
9 January 2026
Welcome to 2026! I hope that many of you had the opportunity to relax, reset and recharge for what will be another busy year in Metro North. For those staff who worked during the Christmas-New Year period, thank you for your commitment to ensuring our patients received the care they needed during this time.
December 2025
24 December 2025
As 2025 comes to an end, I would like to sincerely thank you for everything you have contributed and achieved at Metro North Health.
23 December 2025
As we come to the end of 2025, I want to thank you all for your dedication and commitment to patient care both directly and indirectly over the past year.
23 December 2025
As we approach the final week of the year, it’s important we pause to reflect on our achievements, learnings (both positive and constructive), and celebrate the fact that we are working in and helping to improve the biggest and best hospital and health service in Queensland.
19 December 2025
It’s now just under one week away until Christmas and many of us are about to take some well-deserved leave to hopefully spend some quality time with family and friends.
15 December 2025
Yesterday’s terror attack in Bondi is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the determination of some to spread hate and fear. While violence of this nature is sadly never far from the international news, for us in Australia it is rare and shocking.
12 December 2025
With the end of year fast approaching, it’s great to see our Metro North facilities and services taking time to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of staff through various festive celebrations and activities.
5 December 2025
I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to our recent Health Equity Showcase. The expo-style format brought community, staff and services together in a meaningful and inclusive way.
5 December 2025
This week I want to start by acknowledging two important dates in our annual calendar: International Volunteers Day today, and International Day for People with Disabilities on Wednesday.
2 December 2025
We celebrated the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards on Friday night with a tremendous event at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
November 2025
28 November 2025
We’ve had a very busy week with high demand for our services due to weather and emergency incidents in the community.
21 November 2025
The 2025 Have Your Say (HYS) survey clearly told us that our culture matters to our staff – feeling safe, supported and able to do their best work.
14 November 2025
I am pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Metro North Staff Excellence Awards! This year, we received an astounding 571 nominations across 14 categories.
07 November 2025
Since the launch of the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander anti-racism policy and Stop Racism. It Starts with Me campaign, we continue to grow momentum providing awareness and education across the organisation.
On Thursday 13 November 2025 from 12pm to 1pm I will be hosting a Stop Racism. It Starts with Me Vidcast in collaboration with Acting Chief People and Culture Officer, Brett Bourke.
07 November 2025
During the last week, Metro North has had some significant media coverage relating to a number of our services. I acknowledge this coverage has caused some distress among our staff, patients, and families and we are here to support people through this period. There are a number of options available to staff who feel they need some extra support during this time. Please visit the Metro North Staff Wellness Hub for more information.
October 2025
31 October 2025
It was great to visit the Bribie Island Satellite Health Centre, Caboolture Hospital and Kilcoy Hospital late last week and learn more about how these valuable services are supporting people to receive essential care closer to where they live. Having ready access to local facilities and services in a community setting, allows people in our Metro North catchment to get the care they need in a welcoming and less busy environment, without having to travel a significant distance from home. Keep up the great work teams!
31 October 2025
This week the Board met at The Prince Charles Hospital where we had the opportunity to visit and meet with staff in the Cardiac Catheter Lab and Mental Health. We also visited the new Clinical Trials Research Centre, the first embedded centre in a Queensland hospital.
24 October 2025
Firstly, a big congratulations to Gannet House and Cooinda House which have both received five-star ratings in the Australian Government’s Aged Care Star Ratings Program. Gannet House has previously received a five-star rating, but this is the first time both services have received the highest national rating for the quality of their care. Feedback from residents and families on resident experience and the living environments contributes to the rating. Well done to both teams.
15 October 2025
The Board has commenced recruitment for the new Metro North Chief Executive. As Australia’s largest public health service, Metro North deserves a visionary leader who will drive delivery of our Strategic Plan while ensuring we continue to be a people-focused organisation.
10 October 2025
As I’ve been moving around our facilities and directorates, some clear themes have emerged from my discussions with staff. We’re working hard. Demand will keep growing. Inefficient processes are slowing us down. We’re duplicating effort. We’re not taking advantage of our size and scale. We’re not operating as one HHS. We are too slow at making decisions.
3 October 2025
The Board met at Nundah Community Health Centre on Tuesday and took the opportunity to visit the Mental Health Step Up Step Down service and meet teams from the CHC including the early psychosis team, community mental health, chronic diseases team from COH and RBWH women’s and newborns outpatients team.
3 October 2025
This week, I attended the Deadly Start Traineeship graduation event where I had the opportunity to congratulate and acknowledge this year’s cohort of 28 graduates.
September 2025
30 September 2025
You may have seen media coverage about patient medical imaging results management at Caboolture Hospital’s Specialist Outpatients Department.
26 September 2025
This week, I’ve continued to familiarise myself with the wide variety of services we offer across Metro North and the hardworking teams who support the delivery of high-quality care to our community.
22 September 2025
Last week, I continued to enjoy the privilege of meeting with more of our dedicated staff and teams across Metro North.
16 September 2025
Last Thursday we held our second and final Health Equity Community Consultation Event for 2025. It was great to see such a strong turnout from Elders, community, staff and partner organisations.
15 September 2025
One of my personal commitments coming into the role of Acting Chief Executive is to meet with staff, learn about the important work you do for our patients and community, and look at how we can perform this work even better.
8 September 2025
This is my first official week as Acting Chief Executive and it’s great to join Metro North. I spent my first few days meeting staff at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospital at the CE staff forums, where I received a very warm welcome.
2 September 2025
As announced by Metro North’s Board Chair Bernard Curran last week, Nick Steele will commence in the role of Interim Chief Executive for handover from tomorrow, Wednesday 3 September, and will assume the full role from Saturday 6 September.
1 September 2025
We are pleased to share that Metro North hosted its second annual Research Summit on Thursday 21 August at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event, hosted by the Metro North Office of Research, was attended by over 140 guests from across Metro North, Queensland Health, and our academic, philanthropic and commercial clinical trials partners, to hear from local, national and international experts about emerging research topics. We were also fortunate to be joined by Dr David Rosengren, Director General of Queensland Health, who shared his vision for the future of health care in Queensland.
August 2025
27 August 2025
Following on from the announcement of Adjunct Professor Jackie Hanson’s retirement asChief Executive of Metro North Health, the Board has invited Mr Nick Steele to act as Chief Executive. This appointment will be until a new CE is commissioned into the role.Recruitment for the new appointee will commence shortly.
26 August 2025
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Research Excellence Awards. Please take a moment to join me in congratulating our winners, who we celebrated together with at the recent Research Excellence Awards ceremony.
26 August 2025
Thank you to the over 700 staff who dialled into the Have Your Say Metro North results vidcast last week. Jacqui Parle from BPA Analytics provided a very detailed overview of the results and outlined where we are doing well, and where we need to take prompt action.
20 August 2025
After 47 years in the public health sector and the last 7.5 years having the privilege and pride in stewarding and advocating for Metro North Health, the largest health service, as COO then Chief Executive, I am leaving Metro North.
19 August 2025
It was lovely to start the day at Brighton yesterday morning for orientation with new staff. I also attended the Metro North Midwifery Workshop where I spoke with midwives from across Metro North.
12 August 2025
I am privileged to be once again acting as the Metro North Chief Executive while Jackie Hanson is on emergent leave until 5 September 2025. I look forward to working and meeting with teams across the health service over the coming weeks.
11 August 2025
This month is Multicultural Queensland Month, an annual statewide initiative held each August to recognise and promote Queensland’s cultural diversity.
6 August 2025
Thank you to all staff across Metro North for your ongoing commitment to providing high quality care to our patients during this period of high demand. I encourage everyone to continue maintaining a strong focus on safety—not only for our patients but for yourselves.
1 August 2025
It was wonderful to meet members of the Redcliffe Clinical Council earlier this week when the Metro North Board held its monthly Board meeting at Redcliffe Hospital. Board members enjoyed talking with staff in the emergency department, transit lounge and theatre bookings, and also met with Redcliffe Hospital consumers.
July 2025
30 July 2025
Metro North continues to support our nursing and midwifery colleagues during theProtected Industrial Action (PIA).
Thank you to all teams and volunteers across Metro North who continue to work diligentlyto keep our patients and each other safe during the PIA.
29 July 2025
Applications for Board Chair and member positions are now open across Queensland.
28 July 2025
My sincere thanks to all staff across Metro North for your ongoing commitment to the care of our patients. We have many challenges within our working environment at present due to increased demands on our services, and the Senior Executive Team and I openly acknowledge these demands will continue for some time.
23 July 2025
With the middle of winter just having passed, we are seeing more and more cases of acuterespiratory illness (ARI) in our community and in our hospitals. Last week, Metro Northstepped up to Tier 1 of our Acute Respiratory Illness plan.
21 July 2025
Metro North continues to experience extremely high demandsacross all of our services, especially in our emergencydepartments.
14 July 2025
Having just entered the new financial year, I would like to acknowledge the immense amount of work of staff across Metro North in delivering high quality, safe and timely care to our patients.
8 July 2025
As you may be aware, negotiations are currently underway for the Nurses and Midwives Agreement (EB12). From this morning, Metro North Health employees who are members of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) may choose to take Stage 2 protected industrial action (PIA) for an indefinite time.
8 July 2028
NAIDOC Week (6 -13 July 2025) is a time for reflection, recognition, and celebration of the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, among the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
8 July 2025
We’ve now reached the midpoint of the year, and what an extraordinary six months it has been! So much has happened, with even more exciting developments ahead. This week we celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week (6-13 July)! I hope you all have a chance to attend events taking place within your facilities, and out in the community, to share in the rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
7 July 2025
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing efforts in caring for our patients as we continue to navigate the significant demands of the winter period. We recognise that respiratory illness is also having an impact on our teams and services, and appreciate the extra support staff are providing during this time.
6 July 2025
Today marks the start of NAIDOC Week (6-13 July 2025), a time to celebrate and honour two of the oldest living cultures in the world—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
4 July 2025
We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Metro North Research Excellence Awards. Metro North continues to be a leader in health and medical research and we are very proud of the impressive work recognised in our selection of finalists.
4 July 2025
You may be aware that the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) has informed the Department of Health of their intention to escalate the Protected Industrial Action…
1 July 2025
Today we are pleased to launch the next phase of our Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2025-2028—a continuation of our unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
June 2025
27 June 2025
Thank you all for your work in caring for patients, directly and indirectly, as we manage winter demand. Your efforts are appreciated. Thank you also to Dr Liz Rushbrook for acting as Chief Executive while I was on leave.
27 June 2025
It was excellent to meet some newly appointed members of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Staff Council while the Board was at RBWH for our June meeting. The Council plays such an important role for one of the biggest hospitals in the country. I am impressed by the ideas, energy and commitment to innovation from Council members, and their focus on supporting staff wellbeing.
20 June 2025
This is my final week as Acting Chief Executive before Jackie Hanson returns from some well-deserved leave next Tuesday. It has been an absolute privilege supporting the great team of Metro North for the last few weeks, as we continue to provide care to our community during this extremely demanding winter period.
13 June 2025
Information privacy is crucial in healthcare for building patient trust and protecting patients’ sensitive health information.
Each year, Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) shines a light on the importance of protecting and respecting personal information, both from the perspective of government agencies and the community.
13 June 2025
During the first half of 2025, we sought input and feedback from staff across the health service on the Metro North Strategic Plan 2024-28. This Plan is a roadmap to help guide the direction of our services and workforce so we can continue to provide responsive and sustainable health care to our community moving into the future.
6 June 2025
This is my second week as Acting Chief Executive and I’ve been enjoying getting out and about, meeting with different staff and consumers across the health service.
05 June 2025
Tomorrow, Friday 6 June, is Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day which aims to start open conversations and break down the stigma around mental health issues in doctors and other health professionals.
3 June 2025
Today we acknowledge and celebrate Mabo Day. This day highlights and signifies historical achievements and dedication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the late Eddie Koiki Mabo, who challenged and fought to achieve the Australian High Court’s landmark Native Title decision (1992).
May 2025
30 May 2025
The Metro North Board held its monthly Board meeting earlier this week at Kilcoy Hospital – our smallest hospital but one which plays an important role in serving the local community.
30 May 2025
I’m honoured to be the Acting Chief Executive for the next four weeks while Jackie Hanson takes some well-deserved planned leave. During this time, Dr Luis Prado will be the acting Chief Medical Officer.
26 May 2025
It is with great sadness that I inform Metro North staff that a much-loved, long-term previous staff member of RBWH, Jan McMorrow, passed away on 16 May 2025.
26 May 2025
Tomorrow marks the start of National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June. This week encourages us to reflect on our actions and think about how we can continue to work together to build strong and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community.
23 May 2025
The Metro North Have Your Say staff survey closes next Friday 30 May and as at 9am today, 19% of our workforce have responded to the survey.
16 May 2025
The Have Your Say (HYS) staff survey kicked off this week and I’m pleased that 9% of our Metro North workforce have already completed the survey. Thank you. With two more weeks to go, I strongly encourage all of you to give your feedback.
15 May 2025
The Metro North Health ‘Have Your Say’ survey is now open. It’s a chance for staff to provide feedback on what’s working, areas for improvement, career support, and wellbeing.
14 May 2025
People and Culture has hosted vidcasts over the last week about the offer from Queensland Health to the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) and Australian Workers’ Union of Employees, Queensland (AWU) for a replacement enterprise agreement for …
12 May 2028
Today, the fourth Metro North Have Your Say staff survey opens, and this is your chance to shape the future of Metro North and our culture. You have three weeks to take part in the survey with a closing date of 30 May.
12 May 2025
Today, May 12 is International Nurses Day. This year’s theme is “Caring for nurses strengthens economies.” We live and work in a challenging world, in services which sometimes feel like we are “pushing sand uphill with a toothpick.”
9 May 2025
In Metro North, one of our key priorities is to provide a safe and supportive environment for our people which includes staff, patients and visitors.
9 May 2025
Metro North nurses and midwives are invited to join a vidcast with me and Metro North Workplace Relations Manager Ian Janke to discuss the current enterprise bargaining process.
The same content will be discussed at each of the vidcasts, so you do not need to attend all three.
6 May 2025
Following the A/DG’s announcement that Queensland Health has made an offer on your proposed EB late last week, I wanted to share some further information with about the offer. Specifically, I wanted to address a couple of key points that have been raised over the weekend.
5 May 2025
Well here we are, 5 May 2025, International Day of the Midwife! The theme for this year is Midwives – Critical in Every Crisis. How very apt, and when I reflect on the midwives in Metro North, there are no truer words. I am so exceptionally proud of the care, compassion, consideration, collegiality and outstanding expertise displayed by the midwives across Metro North every single day.
2 May 2025
I’ve been in Metro North for three months now and I’ve very much enjoyed meeting staff and getting to know the organisation. Coming from north Queensland I genuinely didn’t expect that my experience with cyclones would come in handy in Metro North though!
2 May 2025
The Metro North Board held its monthly Board meeting earlier this week at the Rosemount Health Campus, Windsor. This is the first time the Board has visited one of our oldest campuses with construction dating back to 1850
April 2025
25 April 2025
Today we commemorate Anzac Day, honouring those who served our country and those who still serve in the protection of our nation.
23 April 2025
I hope that many of you had the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation over the Easter long weekend, however you chose to spend it. To those staff who worked and continued to provide valuable support to our community, thank you for your care and commitment.
17 April 2025
As we head into the Easter long weekend, I would like to extend my thanks to all staff across the health service for your care and commitment to the health of our patients and consumers.
14 April 2025
It was great to catch up with many of you at the recent Health Equity Community Consultation event held on Thursday 10 April at the HOPE Centre Moreton. Providing a platform for our Elders and community members to contribute to the development of our new Health Equity Strategy is vital in ensuring their voices and experiences are reflected throughout the strategy.
11 April 2025
In health care, we have the privilege of supporting people at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Compassion plays a key role in determining whether people feel safe and respected under our care during these times, and how they experience and judge their journey with us.
04 April 2025
In Metro North, we value diversity and the strength it brings to our organisation. As Australia’s largest health service, we care for and support an extraordinarily diverse population, which means we need to be dynamic, sensitive and appropriate in how we deliver services to patients and consumers and in how we support our workforce.
March 2025
28 March 2025
As Australia’s largest health service, Metro North supports apopulation of more than one million people, a number which isset to grow significantly over the next decade. When we look atthese numbers, we should remember that these representpeople in our community, and we have a responsibility toprovide safe, high-quality and responsive health services tothese people now and into the future.
28 March 2025
I am regularly impressed by the extraordinary breadth and impact of our clinical and non-clinical researchers across Metro North. One of my favourite events is the Jamieson Trauma Institute’s annual showcase.
21 March 2025
Today is National Close the Gap Day, a day where we reaffirm our commitment to
achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
20 March 2025
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Harmony Day) which recognises diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. As Australia’s largest and most diverse public hospital and health service, it’s important we celebrate the great diversity of our people and community.
14 March 2025
There are currently some vacancies across some of the Metro North SET functions, so it is timely that I ensure the leadership functions as they exist are fit to take Metro North forward at its best.
12 March 2025
We want to start by saying how proud we are of our Metro North workforce, who in spite of all odds, continued to work through ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to care for those in need.
11 March 2025
Weather conditions across the Metro North catchment continue to improve and flood waters will subside over the next 48 hours. In our region we expect lingering light showers clearing toward the end of the week.
10 March 2025
Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is now situated over southern Queensland. This weather event continues to bring heavy to locally intense rainfall across SEQ, with an ongoing chance of isolated severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds.
9 March 2025
Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is continuing to slowly move toward the interior of South East Queensland and is currently near Kingaroy. The system is expected to continue this path before tracking into New South Wales early tomorrow.
8 March 2025
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has now made landfall this morning. The system has weakened with heavy rainfall likely to continue into the weekend.
7 March 2025
Thank you to those who joined the TC Alfred Vidcast earlier today. It was a great opportunity to answer your questions and provide updated information. If you missed the session, you can watch the recording on the staff
intranet.
6 March 2025
I have been asked to pass on to all Metro North Health staff a heartfelt and hearty thankyou from the Board Chair, Board Deputy Chair, the Board and the Metro North Senior Executive Team for your hard work and diligence in preparing our services for this rare cyclone event.
5 March 2025
The Bureau of Meteorology continues to predict very high tides, damaging wind gusts and heavy to intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches and crosses the coast.
5 March 2025
As we prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is expected to cross the coast late tomorrow/early Friday, I would like to thank everyone for their work in continuing to provide essential care to our community.
4 March 2025
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts abnormally high tides, damaging wind gusts and heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches and crosses the coast late Thursday/early Friday this week.
3 March 2025
Today we have activated STAND-UP of our Severe Weather Plan and our Metro North HEOC in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
February 2025
28 February 2025
From accreditation at STARS this week through to last month’s Metro North and Queensland Health cyber disruption exercise, I saw first-hand the level of commitment and dedication staff have to improve the safety and quality of the care we deliver.
28 February 2025
Next week is the final week of consultation around the Metro North Strategic Plan 2024-28. I would like to extend my appreciation to those staff who took the time to attend these sessions and provide feedback over the last few weeks. Overall, we’ve had a good level of interest from staff from a range of streams and disciplines across the health service which was very positive. Pleasingly, we also obtained feedback from approximately 50 consumers.
21 February 2025
As Australia’s largest health service, our ability to effectively plan for the future is key to how we respond to the changing needs of our health care community.
14 February 2025
It’s been great having the opportunity to speak with staff across the health service during our Strategic Plan staff pop up sessions in recent weeks. Staff have been very willing to share their ideas and feedback with myself and other members of the Senior Executive Team which we appreciate.
13 February 2025
Today marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
7 February 2025
We’ve commenced our consultation sessions with staff around the Metro North Strategic Plan 2024-28. This has given me the opportunity to speak with staff about what’s important to them and what they would like to see happening within Metro North moving forward.
January 2025
31 January 2025
It’s a new year and we are still a relatively new Board – to which you might be wondering, what do we do?
31 January 2025
With January almost gone, we are now all getting back into our usual busy pace of working in Metro North. I acknowledge that all services are ramping their activity back up with more patients and visitors returning to our facilities for care. As Australia’s largest health service, we have an obligation to consistently deliver the best possible care to our patients, and I thank everyone for their shared commitment to this objective.
31 January 2025
Thank you to our dedicated frontline staff for continuing to work over the Christmas period and provide essential care services to the community. This year our leadership team will focus on relationship building.
24 January 2025
Yesterday Metro North hosted its first pop-up consultation session at Herston for staff to provide feedback on the Metro North Strategic Plan 2024-2028. The Strategic Plan is the overarching guiding document for our current and future decision making. It outlines our five key strategic focus areas: Service excellence; A great place to work; Advance equity; System of care; and Innovation and research.
17 January 2025
With the start of the new year, I am pleased to welcome many new faces to Metro North, with over 400 new staff, including medical interns, nursing and allied health graduates, as well as non-clinical staff, having commenced so far, and more to start with us in the coming weeks and months.
17 January 2025
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen a decline in both attendance and admissions for acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, reflecting state and national patterns. As a result, Metro North will transition to Tier 0 (business as usual).
10 January 2025
At Metro North, we acknowledge that people are our most valuable asset. We recognise that for staff to successfully perform the business of Metro North, which is to care for patients, we must first and foremost, take care of our staff.
3 January 2025
Happy new year! I hope you have had the opportunity in the last fortnight to spend some time with loved ones and recharge for 2025. For those sta who have worked through the festive
season, thank you for your commitment and for supporting your colleagues to take time off.
December 2024
27 December 2024
It is with sadness that I advise that our Chief Finance and Corporate Ocer, Alister Whitta, will be departing Metro North Health on 6 February 2025. Alister has recently accepted an
executive role in the higher education sector.
20 December 2024
This is our final message of the year and we wanted to sincerely thank you for all of your great work and commitment.
13 December 2025
With Christmas almost here, many of us are looking forward to taking a well-earned break to spend some quality time with family and friends. For most of us, the festive season is something we welcome as it represents relaxation and recreation with the people we care about most. For others however, the festive season is not necessarily a happy time as it can be a reminder of life’s pressures whether that be personal, domestic or financial.
12 December 2024
After just over 2 years serving as Chief Operating Officer of Metro North Hospital and Health Service, I have made the decision to resign effective 10 February 2025.
10 December 2024
As we near the end of 2024, I would like to acknowledge the achievements, hard work, and dedication displayed across Metro North Health throughout the year, working towards improved health outcomes and equity of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
06 December 2024
One of the highlights of this week was Metro North’s first-ever celebration of International Day of People with Disability. The event provided a great opportunity to reflect on diversity and inclusion in our organisation as well as network with community organisations and peak bodies from the across the disability sector.
November 2024
27 November 2024
Your Board held its last board meeting of the year earlier this week at Brighton Health Campus in the Wellness Hub. It was wonderful talking to staff from several teams and also showing the Health Ombudsman, Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM, the exceptional healthcare delivered at Brighton.
25 November 2024
On Friday night we held our 10th annual Metro North Staff Excellence Awards. It was a great evening coming together and celebrating those staff and teams across our health service who have demonstrated excellence and an active commitment to the organisational values.
22 November 2024
Tonight we are hosting our annual Metro North Staff Excellence Awards at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This is an opportunity to come together and recognise those staff members and teams across our health service who make a significant contribution and demonstrate a strong commitment to our values.
15 November 2024
Monday 11 November was Remembrance Day when we honour those who gave their lives in the line of service. This day holds great significance for us here at Metro North, as we have many staff who actively served and still serve in the protection of our country.
8 November 2024
With November here and the school holidays just around the corner, the board and I are excited about the progress we’re making across the organisation, as well as the opportunities on the road ahead. This time of year is often a chance for reflection and renewed focus and I’m keen to keep pushing forward as one team, one Metro North.
8 November 2024
This month we celebrate Movember. Movember aims to shine the light on important men’s health issues that are often overlooked – such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
8 November 2024
I am pleased to share with you the list of finalists for our 10th annual Metro North Staff Excellence Awards. This year we received a record number of nominations, spanning all our
facilities and many different roles. I was happy to read so many nominations about our staff achieving great things.
1 November 2024
Feeling valued and cared for makes a big difference in both your working day and our patient outcomes. When
kindness is part of our work, everyone benefits.
I’m pleased to announce we will soon be delivering a series of workshops and events to encourage kindness in action.
October 2024
25 October 2024
This week we celebrated the annual TPCH Charlie’s Week with a full program of events and activities. This year’s celebrations were extra special as we commemorated 70 years of healthcare excellence at The Prince Charles Hospital which originally opened in 1954 as Chermside Chest Clinic. While the hospital is largely known for its expertise in cardiac and thoracic medicine, in more recent years it has been making an essential contribution to the community in orthopaedics, allied health, dementia and geriatric care, to name only a few.
25 October 2024
Sunday is World Occupational Therapy Day, and while we know our valued network of OTs are celebrated by patients every day, I’d like to acknowledge their important role in our health service.
21 October 2024
It’s been a year since the 2023 Have Your Say survey results were released across Metro North Health, and as outlined in the Employee Engagement Action plan 2023-25, a lot of work is underway to address the areas where improvement is needed.
18 October 2024
With so many talented staff working across our hospital and health service, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards nominations will close on Monday 21 October at 7:00pm.
11 October 2024
We are moving through the year so very quickly. For those that like Halloween it will be here soon, and then we will blink and Christmas time and all the busyness that surrounds that time of the year will be upon us.
11 October 2024
This week is Queensland Mental Health Week, highlighting individual and community mental health needs in our State. As one of the largest providers of public mental health services in Queensland, we are proud of our committed mental health workforce.
4 October 2024
Summer is approaching and that means it is almost disaster season, where we see an increase in bushfires, floods, heatwaves and smoky conditions from backburning.
4 October 2024
September has wrapped up and as we head into Spring, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the hard work you’ve put in, especially during what’s been a pretty demanding winter for us.
4 October 2024
The Department of Health, via the System Planning Branch (SPB) are undertaking a project to develop a future Statewide Spinal service delivery model for Queensland.
3 October 2024
I would like to start off by thanking each and every one of you for your ongoing contribution to improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
September 2024
27 September 2024
Do you feel happy at work? I hope you do, but if you need some inspiration to find the extra bit of joy in each day, our Community and Oral Health Directorate might have the answer!
13 September 2024
A focus for our health equity efforts has been growing and retaining the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. We heard from our community very clearly during our consultations for health equity that they want to see more mob in roles across Metro North Health.
13 September 2024
It’s no secret I am passionate about coaching and the impact the coaching approach can have on your own career and those you work with. It’s for this reason I am pleased to be able to continue to act as the Executive Sponsor for Metro North coaching.
12 September 2024
Today is R U OK? Day, a day to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them. The day follows World Suicide Prevention Day, held earlier this week. Both days encourage action to check in on those around you.
6 September 2024
This week has been a key week for our researchers across Metro North Health, where we have seen various events take place to showcase the work of our clinical academics, innovators and PHD students culminating in the Metro North Research Excellence Awards last night.
August 2024
30 August 2024
What defines excellence? Here at Metro North, we recognise excellence in all our clinical, nonclinical
and operational staff across a range of categories each year as part of our Staff
Excellence Awards. The awards celebrate our staff who make a significant contribution and
demonstrate a strong commitment to our values, either as individuals or a team.
30 August 2024
As we reach the end of August, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the unwavering dedication and exceptional performance demonstrated by all staff across our organisation, especially during this winter period of heightened demand on our services. Your commitment to excellence and resilience in the face of challenges continue to drive delivery of the highest level of care to the consumers of MetroNorth Health.
23 August 2024
While the weather is warming up and we say goodbye to the last few days of winter, we still need to be mindful of respiratory illness in the community and the impact this has on our hospitals.
16 August 2024
This week I’d like to recognise the work of all our staff who work in the mental health space and our Protective Services Officers.
9 August 2024
Did you know that in the 3.8 million instances of care provided in the last financial year, 416,000 of these patients spoke a language other than English?
8 August 2024
We are now well underway into the second half of 2024 and working towards the end of our first Metro NorthHealth Equity Strategy and Implementation Plan 2022 – 2025.
02 August 2024
What a pleasure it has been this past month to attend so many incredible events across our organisation.
02 August 2024
I am pleased to start my message this week with our finalists in the 2024 Research Excellence Awards.
July 2024
26 July 2024
Earlier this week we briefed Caboolture Hospital staff on the findings and recommendations of the independent review into paediatric services.
23 July 2024
Dr John Gerard, Chief Health Officer, has indicated widespread influenza outbreaks across significant areas of the state, notably in the southeast. Consequently, we need to prepare for a potential rise in associated illnesses.
21 July 2024
The review of paediatric care at Caboolture Hospital is now complete and the external reviewers have provided their final report to Metro North.
19 July 2024
This week Bribie Island Satellite Hospital commenced operations. Great work by the team to get everything ready for the first day of operations. Metro North now has three Satellite Hospitals in our northern region, providing care 7 days a week.
18 July 2024
We’re observing a significant increase in individuals seeking treatment for acute respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza. Dr John Gerard, Chief Health Officer, has indicated widespread influenza outbreaks across significant areas of the state, notably in the southeast. Consequently, we need to prepare for a potential rise in associated illnesses, including a growing number of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus cases. Based on our modelling, we anticipate heightened activity in Metro North starting from late July.
12 July 2024
On Monday we launched Focus on the First Quarter, our Metro North Year of Children, Adolescents and Young Adult. There were around 90 attendees with good representation from our directorates.
12 July 2024
I was very fortunate to join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders at a special celebratory luncheon at North Lakes yesterday during this important week of celebration and commemoration. I also attended a NAIDOC celebration at Caboolture Hospital on Wednesday.
8 July 2024
Happy NAIDOC Week! I hope you have the opportunity to get out and about, connect with community and celebrate our rich and diverse culture.
8 July 2024
This week is NAIDOC Week (7- 14 July 2024), an important opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
5 July 2024
Every winter we see an increase in demand across all of our services. It’s a very busy time and I am very aware that many of you are working long days and nights to ensure every patient gets the right care in the right place.
2 July 2024
We are continuing to see an increase in patients and staff with acute respiratory illnesses, particularly COVID-19 and influenza A.
June 2024
Message from the Chief Executive
14 June, 2024This is my first week back from leave. Thank you to Jane Hancock for acting as Chief Executive while I was away, and to Glynis Schultz and Louise Oriti for ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Research
14 June, 2024This is my first week back from leave. Thank you to Jane Hancock for acting as Chief Executive while I was away, and to Glynis Schultz and Louise Oriti for ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
7 June, 2024Today will be my last Friday message as Acting Health Service Chief Executive as we will welcome Jackie Hanson back on Monday from leave. I will be taking a few ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
7 June, 2024Last Friday I had the privilege of unveiling the new Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Traditional Aboriginal co-name ‘Yarun’ alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners, Elders, Ali King MP, ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
7 June, 2024Today is CrazySocks4Docs Day, when we wear our most fun socks to spark a conversation about the mental health of doctors and health professionals and spark positive change.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer | ARI Tier 1
5 June, 2024Over the previous two weeks, we have seen an uptick in COVID 19 cases. This has been reflected in the associated emergency department presentations and hospitalisations for COVID-19 and is ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive and Executive Director | Mabo Day 2024
3 June, 2024Today on Mabo Day we commemorate and celebrate Mer Island man the late Eddie Koiki Mabo whose actions played a significant role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Australian ...Read more >
May 2024
Message from the Acting Chief Executive
31 May, 2024We have had an excellent National Reconciliation Week across Metro North. Unfortunately, I am not yet able to be in two places at once, so I wasn’t able to attend ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
31 May, 2024A reminder for medical staff if you haven’t yet to join a CPD home for 2024. Unless you are exempt (e.g. Interns in accredited intern training program), you are required ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
31 May, 2024We spend so much of our treasured hours working and for that reason it is imperative that we make our work environments the best they can be and that includes ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services
31 May, 2024I am thrilled to share with you the success of HELIX Hub’s recent presentation at the Health Roundtable Innovation Showcase in May 2024.Read more >Message from the Board Chair
30 May, 2024Metro North’s Senior Leadership team, led by our Chief Executive, are committed to continuously improving staff safety. This commitment is fully supported by the Metro North Board. Occupational violence, be ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive and Executive Director | National Reconciliation Week 2024
27 May, 2024Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). Every year National Reconciliation Week acts as a reminder that together we are stronger.Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer
24 May, 2024This week we received the sad news that Dr Liana Tanda (Aitchison) has passed away following a battle with cancer.Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
24 May, 2024This is a long CE message but it contains some really important information so I would encourage you to take some time to read it to the end and make ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive and Acting Executive Director , Research
24 May, 2024Research is critical to advancing healthcare. A key goal in the Metro North Research Strategy is to find ways to support researchers to continue their work to find new ways ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
17 May, 2024This is a long CE message but it contains some really important information so I would encourage you to take some time to read it to the end and make ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
17 May, 2024This month we welcomed 24 participants in the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Program. The program has been developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to build ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
17 May, 2024Yesterday, Jane Hancock, Acting CE, and I were fortunate enough to virtually award the recipients of the Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Awards.Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Clinical Governance
17 May, 2024May 17 marks the anniversary of the World Health Organisation removing homosexuality from the classification of diseases in 1990 – only 34 years ago!Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services
17 May, 2024As mentioned in a previous message, I am delighted to share the details for our upcoming Metro North Innovation Showcase.Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
13 May, 2024Clinical Assistant Leadership Award 2024, I would like to congratulate the seven clinical assistants who received a Metro North Clinical Assistant Leadership Award this year:Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
13 May, 2024On Sunday 12 May 2024 we celebrate International Nurses Day. This year the theme of the International Congress of Nurses for this significant day is Our Nurses. Our future. ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
8 May, 2024It was fitting that our first official gathering for myself as Chair and some of our new Board members was an introduction to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
3 May, 2024Today we’re celebrating Administration Professionals Day. We have admin staff in every ward across the HHS, as the first person who greets people in outpatient clinics, and in a range ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer and Acting Chief Digital Health Officer
3 May, 2024In today’s healthcare landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in delivering efficient and effective care. Electronic health records, telemedicine, wearable devices, and health applications offer unprecedented opportunities for better patient ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services
3 May, 2024April has been a busy month in the HELIX Hub with the commencement of the Innovation Training Program. In partnership with New Zealand-based Innovation Specialists, CreativeHQ, 16 participants from ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
3 May, 2024Yesterday, Jane Hancock, Acting CE, and I were fortunate enough to virtually award the recipients of the Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Awards.Read more >
April 2024
Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
25 April, 2024Yesterday was a time of reflection and remembrance as we gave tribute and acknowledgement to our ANZAC heroes. They paid the ultimate sacrifice to provide us with the lives that ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive | Commemorating Anzac Day
25 April, 2024Today we commemorate Anzac Day and remember those who served our country and acknowledge those who still serve.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
19 April, 2024As Executive Sponsor for the Coaching program, I am pleased to share we are making some excellent progress towards building a coaching culture across Metro North Health.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
19 April, 2024This week the Premier and Minister for Health launched free RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccinations for infants and young children, with Metro North one of the first health services to ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Research
12 April, 2024Metro North Research is committed to creating a supportive environment for research and maximising opportunities for our researchers. We are currently accepting applications for the Swift Grants 2024 and the ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
12 April, 2024This week we have seen high demand across Metro North, particularly record presentations to our emergency departments and minor injury and illness clinics. We have managed this extremely well and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
5 April, 2024I hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend and was able to spend some time with loved ones.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
5 April, 2024I have just returned from a period of leave, and I would like to thank Sherry Holzapfel who undertook the role of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer while I was ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
2 April, 2024I am pleased to be able to write to you for the first time as the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Metro North Hospital and Health Service.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
2 April, 2024I wanted to provide a quick update on our Ethical Standards Unit. For the past 18 months Mat Harris has been the Acting Director of the Metro North Ethical Standards ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
2 April, 2024The Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women the Honourable Shannon Fentiman has announced our new Metro North Health Board.Read more >
March 2024
Message from the Chief Executive | Recruitment and Repealed COVID Mandatory Vaccination
28 March, 2024Metro North continues to seek suitable applicants for our vacancies and strives to ensure merit-based principles are applied to consequential selection processes.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
28 March, 2024This week we farewelled Board Chair Jim McGowan AM, and five members of the Board. In my time as Chief Executive, I have valued Jim’s support of both me and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
28 March, 2024I wanted to provide an update on the new Redcliffe Hospital Executive Director Mr Cang Dang.Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
28 March, 2024I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the amazing work of our Clinical Assistants in helping to deliver great health outcomes to our care participants.Read more >Message from the Board Chair
27 March, 2024On Tuesday 26 March 2024, the current Metro North Board met for the last time. Deputy Chair Dr Kim Forrester and Board members Bonny Barry, Professor Mary-Louise Fleming, Geoff Hardy, Neil ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and Acting Chief People and Culture Officer
26 March, 2024The 2023 Have Your Say (HYS) survey results were circulated with you in August last year and since then, the People and Culture team have been working with Metro North ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure
22 March, 2024Earth Hour Switch Off is happening this Saturday 23 March at 8.30pm. Earth Hour has grown to become much more than switching lights off, but that switch-off moment is an ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
22 March, 2024This morning I had the pleasure of hosting our second Corporate Business Services Awards Ceremony at the TPCH Education Centre.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
22 March, 2024This week I held a vidcast with Board Chair Jim McGowan AM. It was Jim’s last vidcast before he finishes his term as Chair next Sunday. I would like to ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and Acting Executive Director
21 March, 2024Today is National Close the Gap Day, a day of action to pledge support for achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
15 March, 2024This week we have been launching the Metro North Disability Services Action Plan across our clinical directorates. I couldn’t get to all the events, but I’ve heard it’s been a ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
15 March, 2024It has been my pleasure to meet with many of you at the local launches of the Metro North Disability Services Action Plan (DSAP). My thanks to all who attended, ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
8 March, 2024Metro North is launching our Disability Services Action Plan on Monday with a vidcast at 10am. Yesterday STARS staff received a preview and there will be local events over the ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services
8 March, 2024This week, Healthcare Excellence and Innovation held the first HELIX Academy for 2024. With over 30 individuals across disciplines and facilities dissecting problems, sharing ideas and building professional networks in ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
8 March, 2024Metro North is establishing an exciting initiative to transition long stay mental health consumers to their homes sooner.Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
8 March, 2024The Corporate Business Services Awards 2024 Ceremony is fast approaching. Our finalists for the Corporate Business Services Awards 2024 are:Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
8 March, 2024After an extensive recruitment process, I am pleased to announce Mr Cang Dang has been appointed as Executive Director, Redcliffe Hospital and will commence in the role on Tuesday 2 ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
5 March, 2024We are seeing a decrease in the numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19.Read more >Message from the Board Chair
4 March, 2024The Board met at Redcliffe Hospital on Tuesday 27 February. It is pleasing to see that work has now commenced on the Redcliffe Hospital Redevelopment.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
1 March, 2024This week we had the busiest day across our health service, and throughout Queensland. Metro North saw 512 ambulance presentations on a single day, around 120 more than usual. Of ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Clinical Governance
1 March, 2024This week the Board approved the Metro North Quality of Care Report. The report will be published online in the next week.Read more >Message from the Executive Director Research
1 March, 2024We are excited to share our latest newsletter Research Matters. In this edition we profile Researcher of the Year 2023, Professor John F Fraser, and showcase the Graduate Certificate Health Services ...Read more >
February 2024
Message from the Chief Executive
29 February, 2024On 1 February 2024 Metro North Health adopted a new policy to raise our standards when it comes to preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
23 February, 2024It was good to meet with staff at Brighton Health Campus on Monday for a Listening Post. I always enjoy sitting under the sails chatting with everyone.Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
16 February, 2024Every February the Department of Health recognises Fraud Awareness Month (FAM), a time to think about spotting and preventing fraudulent activities. This year’s theme is ‘Fraud under the spotlight’.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
16 February, 2024It has been a busy couple of weeks in Metro North for Nursing & Midwifery Services. I have spoken of a couple of highlights here but please know if there ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
16 February, 2024I hope everyone is staying safe and dry today – there’s a lot of water on the roads so if you’re driving, please be mindful of the conditions and talk ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Clinical Governance
16 February, 2024I had a very interesting start to the week with a visit to the Clinical Skills Development Service (CSDS). CSDS hosted a morning tea to mark the official opening of ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
16 February, 2024Today’s heavy rainfall is likely to continue through the day and is expected to significantly ease overnight. We are seeing some localised flash flooding, with some pockets of road closures ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
13 February, 2024Today marks 16 years since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the trauma caused by past government policies of forced ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
9 February, 2024We are finalising a Metro North wide action plan for last year’s Have Your Say staff survey which we will launch in the coming months.Read more >Message from the Board Chair
5 February, 2024The first meeting of the Board this year was held last Tuesday, 30 January, at STARS. Board members reflected positively on the outcomes of what was again a challenging year.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
2 February, 2024Fortunately, the week hasn’t finished the way it started, with a lot of rain and localised flooding. I want to thank you all for your efforts in maintaining patient flow ...Read more >
January 2024
Message from the Chief Operating Officer
31 January, 2024Last night Caboolture Hospital stepped down to lean forward and then stood down to normal operations this morning. Similarly, Metro North has stood down from our response this morning.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
31 January, 2024I would like to let the team at TPCH know that Melanie Dubbelde will be the Acting Executive Director (ED) TPCH until Friday, 9 February 2024 due to Tami Photinos ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
30 January, 2024As the rain is easing this afternoon, Metro North has moved to alert. Caboolture Hospital remains on a Code Brown due to the impact of localised flooding. We will continue ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
29 January, 2024Today Metro North Health and Hospital Service (Metro North Health) adopts a new policy to raise our standards when it comes to preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment. ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
25 January, 2024With a cyclone in the north and heatwave conditions continuing across a lot of the state, it’s a good time ahead of the long weekend to make sure we’re prepared. ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure
25 January, 2024The health sector is the largest generator of carbon emission in the Government portfolio and as Queensland’s largest hospital and health service we realise the importance for the health sector ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
23 January, 2024We are seeing a decrease in the numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
19 January, 2024This week we welcomed 180 new medical interns across Metro North. We will also see 280 graduate nurses and 21 graduate midwives, 50 allied health cadets, 34 new Aboriginal and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
19 January, 2024Happy New Year! I have now resumed my position as Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer Metro North after a few weeks leave and spending a wonderful 6 months or so ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Medical Officer
19 January, 2024Consultation will be open for the proposed Visiting Medical Officers’ Employees (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No. 1) 2023 (VMO1) from 22 January 2024 to 6 February 2024. Metro North Health ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
19 January, 2024I am excited to announce the launch of the Corporate Business Services (CBS) Awards 2024, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible talent and dedication within Corporate Business Services ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
12 January, 2024I hope you’re all starting to get into the swing of the New Year. We have a lot of exciting things on the horizon at Metro North Health for 2024 ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
5 January, 2024I would like to wish all our Metro North Team a Happy New Year for 2024. I hope those of you who had time off managed to have a well-earned ...Read more >
December 2023
Message from the Acting Chief Executive
29 December, 2023I hope everyone was able to find some time over Christmas to catch up with their family and friends and have some rest and relaxation. I also hope that you ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
22 December, 2023With the festive season upon us, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all nurses and midwives, and of course all of our colleagues in the other health ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
22 December, 2023Christmas is only a few days away and I’ve been reflecting on the year. For many, 2023 has been busy and at times less than joyful. I am definitely looking ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
19 December, 2023We are continuing to see increasing numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially COVID-19.Read more >Message from the Chair and Acting CE | Staff Excellence Awards winners
18 December, 2023On Friday night we held the ninth annual Metro North Staff Excellence Awards. It was a lovely evening celebrating the achievements of staff from across the organisation and recognise people ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
15 December, 2023Tonight is the ninth Metro North Staff Excellence Awards, celebrating the achievements of individuals and teams from across Metro North. I am looking forward to seeing all the finalists tonight. ...Read more >Message from the Chief Digital Health Officer
15 December, 2023Each year, cybercrime continues to increase in frequency, cost, and severity. In the 2022 – 2023 financial year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre blocked the creation of over 67 million ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure
15 December, 2023We are halfway through our five-year Green Metro North Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026 and on our way to achieve our net-zero targets.Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
8 December, 2023We’ll achieve health equity when all people within our communities have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are still many longstanding systemic health and social inequities that ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Clinical Governance
8 December, 2023I’m really pleased to give you some exciting news about real time medication safety data.Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
8 December, 2023The Metro North Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) Response transitioned from BAU to Tier 1 on 14 November 2023 and whilst there remains consistent numbers of COVID-19 inpatients there is also a ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
6 December, 2023The Metro North Board held its last meeting for 2023 at The Prince Charles Hospital on 28 November. The chairs of the Clinical/Staff Councils met with the Board and outlined ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair and Chief Executive
4 December, 2023The Metro North Staff Excellence Awards are our annual opportunity to showcase the amazing work happening across our health service. The awards recognise teams and individuals who go above and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
1 December, 2023It’s the first day of December and the festive season and summer are both already making themselves known. Parents of school aged children will be very aware that schools are ...Read more >
November 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
24 November, 2023The move into the new Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building started this week. The first patients were moved into the new Palliative Care Unit and Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit. ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
17 November, 2023Today I’ve visited staff at The Prince Charles Hospital and attended the accreditation summation. Congratulations on a successful assessment and thank you for all your hard work.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
17 November, 2023Metro North COO, Jane Hancock, provides an update on Kallangur Satellite HospitalRead more >Message from the Executive Director Research
17 November, 2023Metro North Research is committed to creating a supportive environment for research impact through the creation of, and rapid translation of knowledge. The Metro North Health SWIFT (Supporting Wonderful Ideas ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
13 November, 2023Over the previous two weeks, we have seen an uptick in COVID 19 cases. This has been reflected in the associated emergency department presentations and hospitalisations for COVID-19 and is ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
10 November, 2023Monday is International Kindness Day. While kindness isn’t technically one of our Metro North values, I think the sentiment underpins our other values. Being kind, whether it’s doing an act ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
10 November, 2023Metro North will soon open the second of our three satellite hospitals. Kallangur Satellite Hospital will begin accepting patients from 11 December.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and Chief People and Culture Officer
10 November, 2023As you were aware we were targeting go-live of the IWFM electronic rostering solution for our nursing and midwifery cohort at our health service on Monday 13 November, following approval ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director Research
10 November, 2023Metro North Research is committed to developing integrated research career pathways that will allow us to retain, train and attract a world class research active workforce. As part of this ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Clinical Governance
10 November, 2023The Metro North Health Clinical Governance Framework was endorsed by the Board in September 2023. Clinical Governance aims to ensure that all staff within Metro North Health are accountable for ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure
10 November, 2023In celebration of National Recycling Week 2023 (13-19 November), the Metro North Environment and Waste team is launching a user-friendly app to support Metro North’s Sustainability Strategy as a way ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
6 November, 2023The Board met at Caboolture Hospital on 31 October. The Board meeting coincided with the final day of the hospital’s 30th birthday celebrations. The cutting of the birthday cakes was ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
3 November, 2023Last night we celebrated the Metro North Research Excellence Awards. Congratulations to the winners and highly commended researchers.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
3 November, 2023After a robust recruitment process, I am pleased to let you know that Karlene Willcocks has been appointed as Executive Director of Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Woodford Corrections Health ...Read more >
October 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
27 October, 2023This week I had the pleasure of visiting Brighton Health Campus on Monday for a Listening Post. Thank you for all the staff who came to have a chat, it ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
27 October, 2023I’m pleased to let you know that Dale Dally-Watkins has been recruited to the Executive Director Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS).Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
27 October, 2023From 1 January 2024 all Australian doctors (except interns and PGY2 doctors who are participating in a structured program) are required to comply with the new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) registration standard. ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer | Workforce Reform Roadshows
27 October, 2023You may have seen last week an announcement about paid discretionary special leave for employees requiring additional support after the referendum. Queensland Health has now provided details on how to ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
27 October, 2023I would like to take the opportunity in this update to introduce several new members of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office team and update you all on the work ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Strategy, Planning, Assets and Infrastructure, and Strategic Developments
27 October, 2023October 2023 provides an opportunity for all of us to recognise the contribution of all our Operational Services staff. I want to shout out to the entire BEMS team across ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
20 October, 2023Nominations are now open for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards. The awards gala dinner will be held on Friday 15 December. Metro North Health has thousands of dedicated, determined ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
13 October, 2023Tomorrow 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 ...Read more >Message from the A/Chief Allied Health Practitioner
13 October, 2023Do you have an idea for multicultural health initiative, or know of one already underway in your area? If so, we want to hear about it.Read more >Message from the Chief Digital Health Officer
13 October, 2023Generative artificial intelligence (AI) emerged this year as the most rapidly adopted technology in history. Tools like ChatGTP and Google Bard are publicly available systems that process large amounts of ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair and Chief Executive | 2023 Research Excellence Awards – Finalists
11 October, 2023Metro North Health is home to hundreds of dedicated and determined world-class researchers who are working hard to improve patient outcomes, combat disease and advance clinical practice. For this year’s ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
6 October, 2023This morning I had the pleasure of opening the Statewide Food Services Workshop at Herston. This annual event was an opportunity for delegates from both public and private sectors across ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
6 October, 2023This morning I had the pleasure of opening the Statewide Food Services Workshop at Herston. This annual event was an opportunity for delegates from both public and private sectors across ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer | Workforce Reform Roadshows
5 October, 2023Today we start hosting Workforce Reform Roadshows across the health service for staff to hear about how our health service plans to address workload demands and global shortages of healthcare ...Read more >Message from the CE and ED A&TSIH | The Voice Referendum
4 October, 2023On Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
3 October, 2023The Metro North Hospital and Health Board met at the Nundah Community Health Centre on Tuesday 26 September 2023. The Metro North Clinical Governance Framework was endorsed.Read more >
September 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
29 September, 2023It is with great sadness that I share that Greg College, the General Manager of our Business Advisory and Commercial Services recently passed away. Greg was a long standing and loyal ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
22 September, 2023In the Messages in a Bottle received through the survey, there have been a number of comments showing improvements in how we respond to flexible working arrangement requests.Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
22 September, 2023National Safe Work Month (October) is here an opportunity to celebrate all things Health and Safety with this year’s activities supported by Metro North and Queensland Health.Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
15 September, 2023As you know yesterday was R U OK? Day. This year’s theme “Here to Hear” reminded us to observe and really listen to what the people are saying, doing and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
14 September, 2023Today is R U OK? Day and this year the theme is “I’m Here to Hear”. R U OK? Day is a wonderful initiative, creating an opportunity and environment to ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
13 September, 2023Following on from this week’s earlier email from the Department of Health’s Chief Human Resources Officer, I would like to remind staff that consultation is currently open around the COVID-19 ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
8 September, 2023Yesterday the Metro North senior executive team (SET) held our monthly meeting at TPCH and took the opportunity to meet with staff and listen to your thoughts and ideas. Thank ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
8 September, 2023This week we recognise national ‘R U OK DAY?’ on Thursday September 14. This year’s theme “Here to Hear” reminds us to observe and really listen to what the people ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
8 September, 2023August was Multicultural Month. Thank you to all who made an effort to recognise diversity throughout our service. Focused months, like August, remind us to consider the diversity of our ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
6 September, 2023The Board met on 29 August 2023 with a major focus being the Have Your Say staff engagement survey. The Board was provided with a report of the major themes ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
1 September, 2023This week the Prime Minister announced that the Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on Saturday 14 October. No matter what your view is, it is important to be ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
1 September, 2023R U Ok? Day falls on Thursday 14 September this year and will be recognised across Metro North in several ways, including morning tea events. This is a national day ...Read more >
August 2023
Message from the Executive Director Research
29 August, 2023The Metro North Research Excellence Awards are our annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements of researchers across our health service.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
25 August, 2023On Wednesday, I was thrilled to visit the Caboolture Satellite Hospital. The wonderful staff provided a tour of the facility, and it was fantastic to see many years of strategic ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
18 August, 2023Thanks to Jane Hancock and Tami Photinos for their leadership over the past five weeks while I have been on leave. As Jane mentioned recently, the Have Your Say staff ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
18 August, 2023Metro North has recently launched a new Medical Leadership Intensive Program, to enhance the leadership skills of senior medical staff across the organisation.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
17 August, 2023Over the past 8 weeks, the Department of Health has been working with both Metro North Health and Metro South Health on an impact assessment considering the temporary location options ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
11 August, 2023This is my last message as Acting Health Service Chief Executive – Jackie will return to work after her break next Thursday 17 August. I would like to acknowledge and ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
11 August, 2023Metro North Health People & Culture (P&C) team is seeking expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and allies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
11 August, 2023I would like to thank all those who presented and participated at the combined Metro North/ Metro South Allied Health Research Symposium last Wednesday. It was the second year of ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Research
11 August, 2023Metro North Research is committed to developing integrated research career pathways that will allow us to retain, train and attract a world class research active workforce. As part of this ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
9 August, 2023Over the previous four weeks, we have seen a decreasing number of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially influenza.Read more >Message from the Board Chair and Acting Chief Executive
9 August, 2023Research breakthroughs are driving innovation and improving healthcare across our health service every day. Metro North is home to hundreds of dedicated and determined world-class researchers who are working hard ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
4 August, 2023This morning I represented Metro North at the Parliamentary Estimates hearing for the Health and Environment Committee. I had the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of Metro North staff to ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director, Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure
4 August, 2023We are committed to making our health service greener for our staff, our patients, and our communities by making positive change to help us meet the Queensland Government’s emissions reduction ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
2 August, 2023On 31 July, with Jane Hancock, Acting Chief Executive, I had the privilege of attending the opening of the Queensland’s first Satellite Hospital at Caboolture. The Premier, the Honourable Annastacia ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Operating Officer
1 August, 2023Thank you again to everyone who participated in the staff engagement sessions as part of the spinal impact analysis. The project team collated all the feedback into a draft report ...Read more >
July 2023
Message from the Acting Chief Executive
28 July, 2023Last week I talked about how the cycling teams in the Tour de France work together to achieve the daily and overall goals and the work that we do requires ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Operating Officer
28 July, 2023Thank you to everyone who has warmly welcomed me into the Acting Chief Operating Officer role while Jane Hancock is Acting Chief Executive. It is always a great opportunity to ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
28 July, 2023As you would be aware, salary packaging was implemented in 2001 across all Queensland Government agencies on the basis of a number of Government endorsed salary packaging principles. These principles ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
25 July, 2023Over the past few weeks, we have been facilitating an impact analysis, focused on identifying the impacts of a temporary relocation of the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service (QSCIS) to ...Read more >Message from the Acting Chief Executive
21 July, 2023I am so pleased Jackie has been able to take some well-deserved time out and I am privileged to be acting as the Health Service Chief Executive over the coming ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
14 July, 2023I am heading off on leave next week for a month while my family celebrates some important milestones. Jane Hancock will be the Acting Chief Executive while I’m away and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
14 July, 2023Corporate Crew is a social identity lead by staff, for staff who work within Metro North’s Corporate Business Units. Our events put Metro North values into action and support a ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
10 July, 2023We have come to the end of the first week of staff engagement sessions at STARS as part of the impact analysis of the potential temporary relocation of Queensland Spinal ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
7 July, 2023We have ended the 22/23 financial year with a very strong performance on many levels which is a testament to our staff who have remained focused on ensuring our people ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
7 July, 2023In a year the portal has received more than 1,000 submissions acknowledging and thanking colleagues and teams who embody our organisational values – colleagues who are a positive influence, who ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and ED, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
3 July, 2023Happy NAIDOC Week 2023 (2-9 July)! National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the ...Read more >
June 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
30 June, 2023Tomorrow is 1 July, which means it’s the first day we could receive our 24 hour notification for short notice accreditation assessment.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
30 June, 2023Angie Dobbrick, Executive Director, Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Woodford Corrections Health (ED CKW) has advised me that she will be leaving Metro North Health for another opportunity from 2 ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
30 June, 2023As part of Queensland Health’s commitment to providing safe, clinically appropriate patient centred care for spinal cord injuries, a review is underway of the current infrastructure, patient care and capacity ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
28 June, 2023We are continuing to see increasing numbers of people attending and being admitted to our services with acute respiratory illnesses, especially influenza.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
23 June, 2023The Chief Health Officer has announced the Queensland Health COVID traffic light system will end today. COVID will now be monitored like other diseases.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and Executive Director Research
23 June, 2023The inaugural Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) brings together The University of Queensland and Metro North Health to strengthen Australian clinical research through the identification, training, and support of our ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
16 June, 2023The Have Your Say survey is coming to a close. If you haven’t completed the survey but would like to share your thoughts, please take 15 or so minutes in ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
16 June, 2023On Wednesday 14 June, I finally had the wonderful opportunity to announce the winners of this year’s Nursing and Midwifery Awards.Read more >Message from the Executive Director Research
16 June, 2023I am thrilled to present to you the 2022 Metro North Health Research Snapshot Report.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
12 June, 2023Caboolture Satellite HospitalRead more >Message from the Chief Executive
9 June, 2023Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete the Have Your Say staff survey. We have had almost 8700 staff participate so far.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
2 June, 2023I have enjoyed participating in events across Metro North this week to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
2 June, 2023Are you wearing crazy socks today? This morning I put on my superhero socks for Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day. It’s an annual event raising awareness about mental health of ...Read more >Message from the Acting Executive Director, Clinical Services
2 June, 2023The Metro North Medicine Stream, in partnership with the Health Service Strategy and Planning unit, is developing a new Palliative Care Service Line Plan 2023-2028.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
2 June, 2023Winter is well and truly upon us! Please ensure that you look after yourselves first and foremost as a healthy workforce is the only way we are going to be ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
2 June, 2023If you haven’t already completed the Have Your Say (BPA) Survey, I would encourage you to do so. It is important that we get the highest possible response so that ...Read more >
May 2023
Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer | Acute respiratory illness response
30 May, 2023We are seeing an increase in people presenting to our emergency departments or being admitted to our hospitals or virtual ward with influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other acute respiratory illnesses. ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
26 May, 2023Today is Sorry Day, acknowledging the trauma, resilience and strength of Stolen Generation Survivors and their families. It is a day of reflection and sadness.Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
26 May, 20232022-23 end-of-financial-year payroll informationRead more >Message from the Chief Executive
19 May, 2023Today you will receive an email inviting you to participate in the 2023 Have your Say staff survey.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
15 May, 2023We are seeing an increase in people presenting to our emergency departments or being admitted to our hospitals or virtual ward with influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other acute respiratory illnesses.Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
15 May, 2023One of the responsibilities I have in my very diverse and enjoyable portfolio as the Chief Operating Officer is the Satellite Hospitals Project.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
12 May, 2023Today we celebrate International Nurses Day, which recognises the critical role nurses play in delivering high quality compassionate care every day. Nurses make up nearly half of our workforce and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
12 May, 2023Today we celebrate International Nurses Day, which recognises the critical role nurses play in delivering high quality compassionate care every day. Nurses make up nearly half of our workforce and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
5 May, 2023Today we celebrate both Administrative Professionals Day and International Day of the Midwife. Across Metro North there are various celebrations and recognition activities happening to acknowledge the integral work of ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
5 May, 2023Happy International Day of the Midwife! 35 years ago this month I finished my midwifery training at the Royal Women’s Hospital! It is hard to believe it was so ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
5 May, 2023I’d like to provide you with an update on the status of Queensland Health’s enterprise bargaining agreements.Read more >Message from the Board Chair
2 May, 2023One of the highlights of the last couple of years has been the development and finalisation of the Metro North Health Equity Strategy, based upon the principle that we need ...Read more >
April 2023
Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer and Acting Chief Digital Health Officer
28 April, 2023Working in the Queensland public sector, we all have a responsibility to uphold privacy rights, and protect and respect personal information. Rapidly changing technology has an impact on people’s personal ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
28 April, 2023Metro North Health is developing our first Disability Service Plan 2024 – 2029.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
21 April, 2023We have already seen quite a few cases of influenza in our region this year. Next week our free staff flu vaccination program will start and I strongly encourage you ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
21 April, 2023It has been a while since I did a communications piece by way of a Nursing & Midwifery Executive update. It has been a busy time for all of us ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
14 April, 2023You might have seen the Director-General’s message last week about how Queensland Health performs compared to other states, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
14 April, 2023Consultation is now open for the proposed Medical Officers’ (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No 6) 2022 (MOCA6).Read more >Message from the Executive Director Clinical Governance, Safety, Quality and Risk
14 April, 2023Thank you to everyone who tuned in to the vidcasts that Jackie Hanson and I presented on Thursday 30 March and today.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
6 April, 2023Last week’s Listening Post at Sandgate Dental Clinic was a great opportunity to chat with Oral Health staff and hear your ideas, challenges and feedback. Thank you to those who ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
6 April, 2023Clinical Assistants play an important role in the lives of patients at Metro North by supporting the day to day clinical care they receive from Allied Health practitioners.Read more >
March 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
31 March, 2023Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. This is an annual day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of transgender and gender-expansive people and taking a stand against the discrimination and ...Read more >Message from the Chief Allied Health Practitioner
31 March, 2023Over the last five years I have had the privilege to oversee (with a lot of help from many of you) the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
30 March, 2023On Tuesday 28 March, Chief People and Culture Officer Kristal Lowe and John Bartholomew, Senior Director Health and Safety, presented to the Board on the framework and action plan to ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
24 March, 2023A big shout out to Corporate Business Services staff across Metro North. The first Corporate Business Services awards were held this week. While our core business is to deliver care ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
24 March, 2023Yesterday I had the pleasure of hosting the inaugural Corporate Business Services Awards ceremony. Approximately 100 CBS Staff attended, along with Chief Executive Jackie Hanson and Chief Medical Officer ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Clinical Governance, Safety, Quality and Risk
24 March, 2023A reminder that it is only 99 days until July 1, the date that Metro North is moving to the new short notice accreditation assessment model.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
17 March, 2023It was great to attend Caboolture Hospital this week with our Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock and hear about the interactive commissioning plans for the new buildings. I’d like to ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
17 March, 2023Do you remember the 2021 Have Your Say staff survey? The 2nd cycle of Have Your Say was held in 2021 and we need to tell you about some of ...Read more >Message from the CE, ED A&TSIH and CNMO – National Close the Gap Day
16 March, 2023Today is National Close the Gap Day, an important opportunity to reflect on our role in closing the health gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
10 March, 2023One of the things we’ve tried to instil as part of Values in Action is that everyone should feel safe to bring their whole selves to work and be treated ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
10 March, 2023I’d like to announce the finalists for the Corporate Business Services Awards 2023.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive – International Women’s Day
8 March, 2023Today Metro North Health celebrates International Women’s Day. Every year on 8 March, we take some time to reflect on how far we’ve come towards gender equality and also how ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
3 March, 2023With global travel back on track, we are seeing more researchers able to travel to participate in clinical trials research. Metro North has an excellent track record of clinical trials ...Read more >Message from the Executive Director Clinical Governance, Safety, Quality and Risk
3 March, 2023As many of you will be already aware, from 1 July this year, Metro North is moving to the new short notice assessment model which is being implemented across all ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
3 March, 2023The Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board met at Redcliffe Hospital on 28 February. As is now customary, Board members and Jackie Hanson and Jane Hancock welcomed some consumers ...Read more >
February 2023
Message from the Chief Executive
24 February, 2023This week the Director-General Shaun Drummond and I visited the Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) to see some of the research and new equipment in action. HIRF is a highly ...Read more >Message from the A/Chief Digital Health Officer
24 February, 2023In the past six months you may have noticed cyber attacks have been on the rise. Queensland Health and Metro North are targets for cyber threats with cyber criminals ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
17 February, 2023This year I want to recognise the contribution Corporate Business Services makes to Metro North. We will be having our inaugural CBS Awards in March and I ask you ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
17 February, 2023We started the week marking the 15th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. I was honoured to participate in a ceremony at Caboolture Hospital where Uncle Alan ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and ED Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
13 February, 2023Today, February 13, we recognise the 15-year anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
10 February, 2023Today I visited the site of the future Bribie Island satellite hospital to mark the start of construction. Metro North will manage three of the state’s seven satellite hospitals, with ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
3 February, 2023Metro North is a leader in many aspects of healthcare including our innovation and research. I thoroughly enjoyed attending this week’s showcase of innovative custom made medical devices with BellaSeno ...Read more >Message from the Chief Operating Officer
3 February, 2023As you’re aware, we will soon begin the recruitment process for the Executive Director Redcliffe Hospital. I have asked Louise O’Riordan to act in the position for the next few ...Read more >Message from the Board Chair
3 February, 2023Welcome to 2023. A new year heralds new opportunities!Read more >
January 2023
Message from the Chief Operating Officer – Executive Director, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
27 January, 2023We have completed recruitment for the Executive Director Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and I’m pleased to announce Louise Oriti has been successful in the role.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive and ED Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
25 January, 2023Metro North pays its respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Traditional Custodians of this country. We acknowledge spiritual connection to Country and pay our respect to elders past ...Read more >Message from the Chief People and Culture Officer
20 January, 2023After the festive season and with the cost of living increases, I wanted to let people know about support for people with financial concerns. Financial stress can have a big ...Read more >Message from the Chief Finance & Corporate Officer
20 January, 2023The inaugural Corporate Business Service Awards (CBS Awards) will be held on Thursday 23 March.Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
20 January, 2023This week I spent some time working in the food services department at TPCH. Despite how busy the work environment is, the staff were very engaged and helpful.Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
18 January, 2023Following today’s announcement that Queensland is moving to GREEN (baseline) in the COVID-19 traffic light system, Metro North’s Acute Respiratory Plan has been stood down to Tier 0 (BAU). ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
18 January, 2023We have received notification of a shift from AMBER to GREEN in the COVID-19 traffic light system in Queensland, due to decreasing community transmission and hospitalisations for COVID-19. This will ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
13 January, 2023Did you know RBWH produces the equivalent amount of waste as a small town? I had no appreciation for the amount of waste our RBWH waste management team deals with ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
13 January, 2023The current COVID-19 wave is just starting to decline with the number of presentations to our Virtual Ward and Emergency Departments and requiring our care beginning to settle. There ...Read more >Message from the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
13 January, 2023Happy New Year! I trust that everyone had a happy festive season and had an opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones. To those of you who worked, ...Read more >Message from the Chief Executive
6 January, 2023The next two weeks are likely to be very busy as people’s usual community healthcare services might be closed. To help manage demand, next week we’re launching a 12 days ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
3 January, 2023Metro North Health is committing to improve gender equality in medical professions. We want every medical professional to have the support and opportunities to achieve greatness, regardless of their gender. ...Read more >Message from the Chief Medical Officer
1 January, 2023Today the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 comes into effect. This means from today patients may ask questions about or initiate a request for voluntary assisted dying (VAD).Read more >