Dear colleagues,

Queensland has recorded one more case of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing our State’s total of active cases to 31. The new case is a returned traveller from overseas and is in hotel quarantine. Today is the third consecutive day without any community transmission – well done Queensland!

Today’s updates include:

• Health Heroes Week
• COVID-19 Swabbing Course
• Self-care September

Health Heroes Week 

Yesterday Queensland Health announced Health Heroes Week, commencing 26 September 2020, to thank you all for your efforts during the pandemic. Along with this was the announcement of all staff receiving two additional days of paid pandemic recognition leave. The leave can be accessed from 1 November 2020 within a two-year period and is:

• to be granted to all Queensland Health staff except Health Executive Service (HES)
• to be granted to permanent and temporary (who have more than three months continuous service as at the eligibility date of 10 September 2020) full time and part-time employees (prorated)
• to be taken at a mutually convenient time and wherever possible where backfill is not required, for example low demand periods
• to be paid at ordinary hours.

Keep up the good work everyone, it has not gone unnoticed!

COVID-19 Swabbing Course

On behalf of our entire Clinical Skills Development Service team I am excited to announce that the COVID-19 swabbing course is now live on the Metro North TMS.

The COVID-19 Swabbing Techniques online learning course  provides learners with an understanding of the fundamental requirements within Metro North facilities and services when taking oropharyngeal and nasal swabs. The online package takes approximately 15 minutes to complete with learners awarded a certificate on successful completion of a short comprehension activity. This online learning course should be completed in combination with the COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment online learning course.

As the executive director of CSDS I want to note how proud I am of them for creating this professional product, and with such a quick turnaround as well! The content flows beautifully and is easy to read. Visually the whole look and feel of the course is seamless.

Self-care September

We are in our third week of Self-care September and after the difficult year we’ve experienced, it is important to remember that Metro North has a range of programs in place to support you whilst you support others. This week we are shining a spotlight on our Equity Information Officer (EIO) Network. EIOs offer a safe environment for staff to express concerns on a range of equity related workforce issues in a confidential manner. You can find your local EIO contact here. Alternatively, if becoming an EIO interests you, complete the EI Officer nomination form.

In yesterday’s vidcast Jackie and I were asked how we sustain our health and wellness. The Butterworths have no canine companions, unlike other incident controllers, so strategies include a fair bit of outdoor activity. Below is a screen shot of my regular cycle to work which I find helps me prepare and get in a positive mindset for my working day. I find the transit along Kedron Brook particularly enjoyable. Please note, it is extremely unlikely I will show you the timing of a home bound journey as it is significantly more arduous and embarrassingly longer due to some solid ascents into Stafford Heights!

Kind regards,
Mark Butterworth
Metro North Incident Commander

Current MN Response Tier Activated – Tier Two minus

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 15 September 2020, 1000

**Metro North has three recorded deaths (one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)

*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North.