Adj Prof Jackie Hanson

This week we have witnessed tremendous displays of all of our Metro North values. I’m not a hugger, but this week I am feeling the need. We’re still in COVID times, so I’m sending you all a virtual hug.

The teamwork and compassion demonstrated is beyond expectation. I greatly appreciate what each of you has done in rising to the various challenges presented by extreme weather this week. Staff have gone above and beyond to care for patients and support each other. Thank you all. I particularly want to acknowledge the efforts of our BEMs teams, our emergency management teams, our facility managers, our flow and duty managers, and for everyone at Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford who bore the brunt of the flooding and isolation. Everyone has pulled together and done things that aren’t necessarily in their job descriptions. We even saw Acting ED RBWH Gil Nasato in a fluoro vest directing traffic this week.

It is an emotional time and many of us are physically and emotionally tired. We’re now at day 8 and there may be some frayed nerves. We don’t know the intricate details of each other’s lives and how each of us has been affected by this week’s events. If someone isn’t at their best right now, please respond with compassion.

All staff have access to a range of wellbeing supports including 24/7 free confidential counselling through Benestar. You can also contact our staff psychologists or reach out to a peer responder or RUOK?er. The staff wellbeing extranet has details for these services as well as other resources to help you through the next period of recovery.

There were a few questions this week on the vidcast about local activity in response to last year’s Have your Say staff survey. All directorates have developed action plans to help Metro North become the best place to work. If you haven’t heard about activity in your area, have a chat with your line manager about what’s happening. Minor capital works have started, although the repairs from this week’s wet weather will be taking priority at the moment.

We are continuing to develop our health equity strategy which will be launched at the end of April. There is a new health equity section on the Metro North website which outlines our priorities, timeline and how to get involved. The site includes a Yarning Hub for community members to provide informal feedback and comments. Health equity workshops for managers started this week as well and will be rolled out over the next couple of months.

This month we’re celebrating a year since the official opening of the Herston Biofabrication Institute. HBI is the first of its kind in Australia bringing together engineers, clinicians and academics with a focus on advancing knowledge and technology in 3D scanning, 3D modelling and 3D printing of medical devices, bone, cartilage and human tissue. HBI has delivered some impressive patient outcomes in its first year of operation and has big plans for 2022 and beyond. Many of the projects commenced at HBI are already directly benefiting our patients, such as custom 3D printed brachytherapy and bolus devices for cancer care at RBWH.

Following Sam Betros’s departure, we are embarking on a recruitment process for the Executive Director Strategic Developments. In the interim, the portfolio will sit under Kate Copeland as ED Strategy, Planning, Assets and Infrastructure. David Walker will also take on an expanded leadership role across these strategic priorities.

Lastly, thank you to Redcliffe Hospital for hosting me this week due to the intense rainfall event. Technology is not my friend, and the admin team at Redcliffe were very patient in assisting me throughout the week.

Regards,

Jackie