Adj Prof Jackie Hanson

This week we have had increased presentations across our emergency departments. Thank you to everyone for your efforts.

We are continuing to see high numbers of staff out of the workplace due to COVID. Coupled with school holidays, we are expecting to be feeling the pressure for another few weeks. Our Acting Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock will provide an update in a vidcast on Monday morning.

Following the recent Business Case for Change, Clinical Support Services is transitioning back to the facilities. Medical Imaging and Patient Support Services staff have been very much integrated in their local facilities for many years and this transition reflects those existing operational links. While there’s still some paperwork to do in the background, the governance and operational reporting will sit with the local facility from today. We will hold some staff barbecues next week to welcome the teams back to the facilities.

I’d like to give a huge thank you to Director of Patient Support Services Peter King and Clinical Director of Medical Imaging Vanessa Barclay for their continued support of their teams over the past few years. Thank you also to Gillian Nasato, Adam Scott and the other executives who have acted as ED Clinical Support Services in recent years.

Tomorrow marks the start of Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting. During Ramadan you may have colleagues and patients who are fasting between sun up and sun down. Please be considerate during this time. Most of our facilities have a multifaith chapel where patients (and staff) can go to pray.

Our health equity strategy is in the final stages and due to be released at the end of the month. The strategy is being developed with significant input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, Elders and community members. There is also opportunity for feedback from staff. We have already held several workshops for managers on the health equity key performance areas. You can find out more about our journey towards health equity at the Metro North health equity website.

As a result of the Have your Say survey, TPCH’s Health Information Service engaged Metro North’s Values in Action team to host a series of fun, interactive workshops with staff to promote positive values and behaviours in the workplace. The workshops were well received by staff, providing an opportunity for personal development, and facilitating a positive step in further building a cohesive and supportive team culture. If you’d like to know more about what’s happening in response to the Have your Say staff survey, talk to your line manager or director about your team’s and directorate’s action plans.

Due to our COVID response, tomorrow’s Metro North soccer tournament has been cancelled. However, we are continuing to plan for the Metro North Research Excellence Awards in a few months. Nominations for the awards close on Tuesday.

For those heading off on school holidays, please enjoy your break and take care.

Regards,

Jackie