27 March 2020

Dear colleagues,

Preparation has kept us busy this week, and as the week draws to a close, I can honestly say that we are prepared for the coming weeks. Today, there are a few key things I’d like to mention:

• Managing COVID-19 risks
• A new way to access resources
• New rules for Australian arrivals

Managing COVID-19 risks

To make sure all COVID-19 related incidents and feedback is consistently captured and reported through Riskman, we have added ‘COVID-19’ in the Incident or Feedback ‘Summary’ data field. There are a range of high level operational risks that are being managed by the Strategic Pandemic Group and the Incident Management Team, but I highlight this so that incidents and feedback can be properly recorded.

Should you need to access Riskman, you might like to refer to the step by step guideline (QHEPS).

New rules for Australian arrivals

Under the new mandatory self-quarantine rules determined by the National Cabinet today, returning travellers to Australia that arrive after midnight on Saturday must undergo 14-day self-quarantine in a hotel in the city where their international flight lands.

These new measures are a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 from overseas while community transmission in Australia remains relatively low. The Prime Minister highlighted that two thirds of the cases that we currently have are from Australians who have returned home from overseas.

A new way to access resources

Over the next day or so you should see this icon appear on your desktop:

This new icon will take you to Metro North’s one stop shop for all things COVID-19!

I encourage you to take a look if you haven’t already. Here you will find clinician resources including up to date pathology and testing information, PPE guides, HR information and fact sheets for patients and staff. 

For those of you who aren’t working over the weekend, please practice exceptional social distancing and remain at home as much as possible. It is your leadership and example that will encourage our Community to behave in a way that will ensure they stay safe. Use this time to rest and recharge for the coming week.

For those of you working over the weekend, I can’t thank you enough for your ongoing commitment to our patients, each other and the wider south east Queensland community. We’re all this in together. 

Kind regards,

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Health Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 1800 27 March 2020