Jim McGowan AM, Board Chair
The Metro North Board held its last meeting for 2023 at The Prince Charles Hospital on 28 November. The chairs of the Clinical/Staff Councils met with the Board and outlined priorities and issues of concern to the council. This was a productive discussion, and on behalf of the Board, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of those who volunteer their time to these important forums.
It was a privilege to be joined by The Common Good’s Chair Chris Morton and CEO Steve Francia. Chris and Steve outlined the research, patient care and hospital projects and priorities for the foundation related particularly to heart and lung disease, mental health, and ageing. The Common Good provides invaluable support to TPCH and Caboolture.
Media Concerns
I am concerned at the media reporting of issues in our facilities, particularly when allegations made are assumed to be factual, even when investigative processes have not been finalised. I know the Board, the Executive and most of you share this concern. Last week I penned a letter to the Courier Mail. The letter was not printed. I will let you judge the reasons for that. Consequently, I think it appropriate that I reproduce that letter in full here.
Unpublished Letter to Editor Courier Mail (29 November 2023)The recent reporting on issues around our hospital system misrepresents the real picture. Some media outlets and politicians have come to report allegations as facts, despite ongoing investigations through clinical reviews, the Health Ombudsman and/or the Coroner. In the circumstances where such allegations are not substantiated, it is likely that this is not reported. These persistent criticisms are having a significant impact on the morale and confidence of health workers at a time when the health services need to recruit large numbers of health workers so that we can meet the increasing demands on health services. All of our nurses, midwives, doctors and other health workers feel the collective pain of the negative portrayal of health across the entire state. Our health workers are dedicated, professional and well trained. They are a credit to Queensland. The pressures on our hospitals and health services are reflected in the data from Metro North. In the last financial year there were 340,000 Emergency Department presentations, over 3 million outpatient presentations and hospital discharges, 9000 births and 35,000 endoscopies. The overwhelming majority of those patients have a positive experience with our hospitals. Every day lives are saved. Our clinicians are involved in world leading research and innovations which result in better models of care and surgical outcomes. In this context, it is inevitable that there will be some patients for whom the outcomes may not be what they had hoped for. We feel empathy and compassion for each and everyone of these people. Metro North has demonstrated its commitment to review all of these cases. This can involve clinical reviews by our clinicians or if appropriate, by independent external experts. People can also lodge complaints with Queensland Health or the Health Ombudsman. No organisation, including our hospitals, should be exempt from criticism. However, the media cannot not be judge, jury and executioner, particularly before the investigation processes are finalised. That is the essence of natural justice. Yours sincerely, Jim McGowan AM |
Metro North Community Mental Health Forum
On Monday 4 December, the Board Community Advisory Committee sponsored a Community Mental Health Forum which was extremely well attended by mental health consumers and volunteers as well as Metro North staff. The aim of the forum was to identify gaps in our services and identify priorities and strategies to improve our mental health services. The lived experiences of people who have experienced mental health issues will be a valuable input to our planning processes. The outcomes of the forum will be assessed and reported back to the Community Advisory Committee and then to the Board.
Metro North Excellence Awards Night
The Metro North Staff Excellence Awards will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 15 December.
This will be an opportunity to acknowledge the talented, committed and compassionate people who work at Metro North. It is a night in which we were able to celebrate the achievements of all who contribute to our collective achievements. Going on previous Awards nights, it will also be an opportunity to enjoy great music and conversation, to let our hair down after yet another challenging year.
A big congratulations in advance to all our finalists and winners.
However, their success is built upon the contribution of all of their colleagues.
Christmas Wishes
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, a time to share with our families and loved ones.
But Metro North is a 24/7 people organisation. That requires some to make a special sacrifice over the Christmas-New Year period. I thank all of you who are rostered on or are on call over this period. For those of you who will work over Christmas or the New Year, thank you for your commitment and I hope that you get some quality time to celebrate with your families and friends as soon as possible.
Christmas quotes to reflect upon
As you watch “The Polar Express” again this year, reflect on this quote from the Conductor:
“Seeing is believing but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we cannot see.”
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” (Edna Ferber, 1885-1968, American author and playwright)
“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” (Theodor (Dr Suess) Geisel), How the Grinch Stole Christmas. First published in 1957.
Regards,
Jim.