Dear colleagues,

What a week we’ve seen across Queensland. While we now have confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the state, there is reason to be alert but not alarmed. Since Wednesday our fever clinic presentations have doubled across the health service with over 1400 people tested yesterday alone. Some of our clinics have processed around 4 times their normal volume of tests – a great effort. None have yet come back as positive in Metro North. This is very reassuring but is something that reminds us to be vigilant with our physical distancing, excellent hand hygiene, staying home when sick and getting tested when you have symptoms.

Latest Update

Metro South’s testing numbers have recently increased 10 times their recent usual rates of testing with no further positive outcomes reported at this time. West Moreton Hospital and Health Service have recorded the states only confirmed positive COVID-19 case today.

We are focused on ensuring adequate staffing at our fever clinics to support the current level of demand for testing and have extended opening hours over the weekend and the coming weeks. We will continue to review these hours and adjust according to the demand for testing. It is important to remember that our fever clinics are not the only place in our catchment where you or others can be tested for COVID-19. There are a number of GP respiratory clinics across Brisbane who are well equipped to perform testing. A full list of these can be found on our fever clinics webpage.

Please be assured that as a health service we are well prepared to deal with the current phase of this pandemic. We have learned more about the virus since it came into our lives earlier this year. We are remaining vigilant to ensure we stay ahead of whatever curve that comes our way. At Metro North we have updated our COVID-19 documentation to ensure they are up to date and customised to the pandemic as it stands today. Our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan has been reviewed, updated and published for your information.

Over the weekend I have a team working with me to finalise updates to posters and signage across for our facilities, specifically these will cover lift and meeting room etiquette and signage for our hospital entries and Emergency Departments. I anticipate these will be distributed via facility EOCs by Monday.

Gaining Control

Our DG Dr John Wakefield sent out a great update today and has again reiterated that complacency is our enemy. He also suggested that if you’re not sure how you and your team can be COVID-safe in the workplace, initiate a team (physically distant) huddle and check to ensure everyone is clear on how to be COVID-safe in the workplace.

It is so important at the moment to maintain a high level of vigilance at work and if necessary, out in the community this weekend. I urge everyone to avoid non-essential activities in the southern suburbs of Brisbane this weekend. Why not stay in and enjoy a few days at home?

Additionally, Alanna and I are going to continue throwing our Metro North Mantra at you. It’s the only way we will all keep on top of the situation.

Regardless of where you work or where you live adhering to our Metro North Mantra is crucial in preventing further community transmission – it includes:

• Physically/socially distance where possible.
• Excellent hand hygiene INCLUDING sanitizing at every entrance and exit to our hospitals.
• If you’re sick, GET TESTED AND STAY HOME – do not come to work, your line manager will send you home if you are unwell.
• Avoid crowded places or transit quickly through high foot traffic areas if they can’t be avoided.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, dispose of the tissue immediately, and wash your hands.
• Do not travel to identified COVID-19 hotspots and avoid anything other than vital interstate travel.
• Follow all health directives and restrictions imposed by the Premier and Queensland Health.

Wellbeing during this time

As healthcare workers, your friends and family may look to you as a source of COVID-19 information and truth. I seek your support to encourage them to keep calm and be assured that Queensland is tracking well, and we have plenty of resources and plans in place to support the response. The media (particularly social media) is not always a reliable source of truth in this pandemic. Please take your information from reputable sources; this message, other executives, clinicians and the Queensland Government. This will also assist in maintaining your own wellbeing as you won’t be overwhelmed with misinformation from many different sources.

Our COVID-19 staff psychology clinic is in place for you to destress and debrief if needed. Reach out to any number of RUOK?’ers who are on the ground identifiable by their badges. As always Benestar are available 24/7 for support as well.

We have many resources in MNHHS and I strongly recommend that you use them. Please take time to rest, reflect, debrief and look after each other during this time. An excellent resource to support this is our Staff Wellbeing page which is always being refreshed and updated.

Have a great weekend everyone, please make sensible choices and remember, we as Queenslanders are in control of what happens next. I will continue to update you over the weekend.

Dr Liz Rushbrook
Metro North Incident Commander

Metro North HHS – Overview of Cases*

*With effect 31 July 2020, 10:00am
**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.