Jane Hancock, Acting Chief Executive
The experiences of death, dying, loss and care are shared by all of us. Palliative Care Week is reminder to us as health care providers, care givers that we need to continue to work with the communities we serve as true partners to provide quality end of life care. Palliative care is often a long a complex undertaking and I am grateful to those who advocate and work for quality end of life care. The care we provide on a palliative care journey brings, comfort and quality to life when it is needed most.
We can learn much from those who walk beside their patients during some of life’s most difficult journeys, including the profound empathy, patience and ultimately kindness that is required. Thank you to all who are involved in supporting and delivering palliative care services, please know you and your work is deeply appreciated, by so many.
Volunteers Week
I had a lovely start to the week attending Redcliffe Hospital’s National Volunteers Week morning tea.
Volunteers play an important role in our health service, often the people who greet patients and visitors when they arrive in our facilities.
In addition to the very helpful and friendly volunteers who help people get to their appointments, we also have volunteers who share their experiences with patients going through similar health challenges. One of those people is Brien Hands who recently ‘retired’ after spending 18 years as the RBWH’s Laryngectomy Support Visitor.
Brien Hands, Laryngectomy Support Visitor
“I love helping people. It’s as simple as that.”
So says Brien Hands, who recently retired after spending the last 18 years of his life volunteering as a Laryngectomy Support Visitor at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Brien underwent a laryngectomy, the removal of the voice box, 20 years ago. This procedure leads to significant changes to the way that patients communicate, breathe and swallow.
As the sole Laryngectomy Support Visitor in Brisbane for nearly two decades, he spent time with the patients and their families prior to the operation and gave them the opportunity to ask questions to someone who has experienced the surgery firsthand.
Become a Metro North coach
Coaching is a critical leadership capability – whether you’re in a senior executive role or an aspiring leader at any level. I have been fortunate to work with an executive coach at key points in my career to support me to broaden my perspectives, build skills in new areas of interest, and to reflect on my work performance. It’s for this reason I’m passionate about being the Metro North Coaching Program executive sponsor and I’m calling for future coaches to expand this offering.
Do you enjoy supporting people, setting goals, encouraging others to develop or have a keen interest in mentoring? By becoming a coach, you not only play a role in building a positive culture to provide better outcomes for our people and our patients, but you also grow immensely both personally and professionally. Coaching in the workplace is a way of empowering others to be successful and supporting them to achieve their chosen goals. This is rooted in a relationship built upon trust, ensuring the individual’s privacy while maintaining strict confidentiality.
If you’re interested in becoming a coach, please complete the EOI by 12 July. If you haven’t already you will need to complete Level 1 of the Coaching program by the end of July and attend further training on 28 August and 8-10 October. If you have a query or wish to speak to someone for more information, please email MNtraining@health.
Sistas Shawl on show
BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside Service recently attended the Clinical Excellence Queensland Showcase to present on the Sistas Shawl initiative.
The Sistas Shawl is provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women attending for a breast screen at a Brisbane Northside clinic, which can be worn to provide a sense of modesty and cultural safety during the screen.
Since the Sistas Shawl was introduced, the service has seen a high increase in screening rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across Brisbane Northside. It is great to see the Sistas Shawl initiative being recognised for the positive contribution and impact within community.
SET forum Caboolture
The Metro North Senior Executive Team will be at Caboolture Hospital on Thursday 6 June for a SET forum. We hold a SET forum each month at a different location and it’s an opportunity to hear from staff about what’s happening locally, answer questions, and get to know everyone. If you’re in Caboolture on 6 June, please join us in the Education Centre from 11.30am-12.30pm.
National Reconciliation Week
Sunday marks National Sorry Day, commemorating the national apology to the Stolen Generation, followed by National Reconciliation Week from Monday. I will have a specific message next week with Sherry Holzapfel, ED Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, but I encourage you to check your local bulletins for events happening near you next week.
Jane.