Jackie Hanson
This week we have seen COVID community transmission numbers stabilise. While there are still much higher numbers than we saw in the previous two years, we have demonstrated our agility and ability to respond as needed. Thank you all for your contribution.
12 months of STARS
It’s been 12 months since our Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service opened as Queensland’s first greenfield digital hospital, welcoming its first patients, and safely transferring more than 50 patients from GARU and GEM to their new wards at STARS.
Since opening, STARS has seen more than 70,000 patients. To support Metro North’s pandemic response, STARS commissioned several additional wards ahead of schedule to provide additional capacity and has also cared for inpatients with COVID.
In partnership with Australian Unity, we’ve also commissioned one of the largest and most diverse hospital-based Indigenous art collections in the country.
In November, STARS received the Infrastructure and Manufacturing award and also the top award for exemplary leadership at the Premier’s Awards for Excellence. It also received a commendation for the best Public Architecture in the Brisbane region for 2021.
Congratulations to the STARS team for your outstanding contribution to Metro North in your first year of operations.
People and culture review
This week I mentioned on the vidcast that we are currently reviewing some of our staff support functions to enhance our focus on our people, our most precious resource, as we continue to grow as an organisation and meet our objectives and vision as outlined in MN32.
By 2026, we anticipate our workforce will grow by 19% and we need to plan now to attract, retain and develop the best people, doing their best work, in the biggest, best and nicest place to work. To do this, we need strategies and resources to build, maintain and maximise:
- employee experience and wellbeing
- culture and employee engagement
- talent, leadership and learning
- a high performing workforce that is engaged, supported, well informed, agile and flexible
- workforce planning and readiness for the future of work in healthcare.
The review encompasses our human resources, organisational development, talent and learning solutions, wellbeing, workforce development, and culture and engagement functions. There will be a business case for change released shortly for consultation. While the plan includes proposed restructuring, it does not include any job losses. The intent is to set us up for the future envisioned in our MN32 strategy.
Order of Australia
Congratulations to RBWH’s Professor Barbara Anne Leggett AM who has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to gastroenterology, hepatology and medical research.
Wellsley Darby OAM was also recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Brisbane, including as a volunteer Commissioner of Declarations at Redcliffe Hospital since 2017.
Aunty Pamela Mam AM was recognised posthumously for her significant service to the Indigenous community of Queensland through nursing. Aunty Pamela was a midwife at RBWH during her career.
Herston Quarter
In spite of the pandemic, work has continued on the Herston Quarter Redevelopment Project. On Monday, Herston Quarter celebrated a milestone with the final touches completed on the beautifully restored heritage-listed Lady Lamington and Edith Cavell buildings. In reference to their past as former nurses’ quarters, the Lady Lamington buildings have been restored as student accommodation, bringing a new generation of students to the campus. The heritage precinct is an important part of RBWH’s 150+ year history and generations of nurses have a deep connection with the Lady Lamington buildings. You can see some of the transformation of the Lady Lamington buildings by taking the virtual tour on the RBWH Museum of Nursing History website.
Congratulations to Cancer Care Services who ranked 91 in the 2022 Newsweek world’s best specialised hospitals for oncology this week. The service is the second highest of only three ranked oncology services in Australia. The Prince Charles Hospital was also recognised as Australia’s best cardiology service, coming in at 43 on the global ranking, and at 68 for cardiothoracic surgery.
Regards,
Jackie
