Jim McGowan AM, Board Chair
Have Your Say
If you haven’t already completed the Have Your Say (BPA) Survey, I would encourage you to do so. It is important that we get the highest possible response so that the outcomes reflect your views.
Board Meeting at Kilcoy Hospital
During National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), the Board met at Kilcoy on 30 May. The highlight of the meeting was a discussion with health consumers of Kilcoy, most of whom were members of the Hospital Auxiliary. They spoke highly of the compassionate and personalised care provided by the staff; patient centred care which reflects our Values in Action. The Board were also joined by Uncle Alan Parsons who spoke of reconciliation, the importance of culturally safe care and the wonderful care he received and observed other patients receiving at Kilcoy – which he described as “like family”. That is credit to all at Kilcoy.
I would encourage nursing staff across Metro North to consider spending one or two years at Kilcoy or Norfolk Island, where the breadth of experiences would be of personal and professional benefit. Metro North would guarantee a transfer to one of our larger urban facilities after that time.
The Board considered the plans and measures to meet Metro North’s and the Board’s obligations for managing the psychosocial risks under new state legislation.
The Board also discussed the readiness of each of our Directorates for the new short notice accreditation requirements. Given your commitment to high quality patient safety and quality, there is a high level of confidence that we will satisfy the requirements. Nevertheless, there is a need for ongoing work to ensure that all of the requirements in all of the National Safety and Quality Healthcare Standards are being met.
Professor Dan Chambers and Associate Professor Glen Kennedy presented on the Research Strategy 2023-2027 and the exciting and impressive range of research projects being undertaken in Metro North. The Board and the executive leadership team together with Dan and Glen share a commitment that will continue to build on the great work and excellent collaborations so that Metro North is acclaimed as a national leader in medical research and innovation. We are well on the way! Perhaps we need to shout about our achievements louder!
New Minister, Hon Shannon Fentiman MP
On behalf of the Board and Metro North, I wrote to Minister Fentiman congratulating her on her appointment and inviting her to a future Board meeting. I expressed our commitment to work with her to achieve the Government’s and Queensland Health’s goals and priorities. Interestingly in the very short period since her appointment, she has visited the Royal, Charlie’s, Caboolture Hospital and the soon to be operational Caboolture Satellite Hospital.
Newsweek’s Best Hospitals
In the list published recently, the RBWH and TPCH were both rated in the top eight Australian public and private hospitals. That is a significant achievement, and the recognition is welcomed.
To quote from the Newsweek report:
“Among the hallmarks of great hospitals, however, are not just first-class care, first-class research and first-class innovation. The very best institutions also share another quality: consistency. The world’s best hospitals consistently attract the best people and provide the best outcomes for patients as well as the most important new therapies and research.”
Quotes to ponder
“Part of me thinks that innovation, real innovation in health care delivery needs to happen from the bottom to the top.” Malcolm Gladwell (born 1963) English born Canadian writer.
“The glory of medicine is that it is constantly moving forward, that there is always more to learn. The ills of today do not cloud the horizon of tomorrow but act as a spur to greater effort.” William James Mayo (1861-1939) Physician and surgeon who founded the Mayo Clinic.
Regards,
Jim.