Jackie Hanson
This week we moved to Tier 3 of our COVID-19 and Influenza Response Plan.
We are seeing high demand and the modelling suggests that we have a few weeks to go before we reach the peak. I am sure for many of you are fatigued from hearing about vaccination, social distancing and good hand hygiene but please remain vigilant.
I watch closely and feel and see the pressure and the ongoing committed efforts by all to respond to not only this surge but also continuing to meet the general needs of our community. Thank you all so much I which there was a stronger way to show my deep-felt appreciation for you all doing what you do. For the many staff who are unwell, I wish you and your families a speedy recovery.
Chief Operating Officer
Following the recent recruitment process, Jane Hancock has been successful and accepted the role as Metro North Chief Operating Officer. Jane has been acting in the role for several months and I’m very much looking forward to Jane formally commencing as COO.
Queensland Cancer Centre
A lot happened while I was on leave, including the Queensland Budget announcement of funding for the Queensland Cancer Centre at Herston. My office is arranging an internal industry briefing with relevant clinical and other stakeholders. This is expected to occur in the next four weeks. Please contact my office if you would specifically like to be invited.
Health Equity
I am really disappointed that we had to postpone many of the planned NAIDOC celebrations. This year’s theme, Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!, was particularly strong in its messaging and I think very reflective of what our community has been doing over the last several months codesigning our Metro North Health Equity Strategy. The strategy was launched on the 4th of July just prior to Metro North moving back to Tier 3 for our COVID and Influenza response. Metro North is the first HHS to launch our Health Equity Strategy.
Congratulations and thank you to all who have been involved in developing and delivering what is an historic moment. I will keep you posted on the activities we undertake that underpin how we will achieve wellness, health and wellbeing, and a healthy life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that mirrors that of other Australians.
Can I reassure our staff and community that we continue our efforts to improve access and outcomes for all of the community we serve.
ASPIRES
While I was on leave we also launched the Metro North Mental Health ASPIRES Suicide, Self-Harm and Overdose Prevention Plan. Again, I urge all to look for this transformational Metro North Mental Health plan and thank our Mental Health Service for their work in developing the plan.
Finally, over the coming months you will be hearing more about Metro North activities securing our preparations for Short Notice Accreditation which we will move to in early 2023. This will include a series of vidcasts to provide updates and answer your questions.
Our RADAR service received this lovely feedback for the Virtual ED this week:
‘Shout out to RAJEEV SMO at Virtual ED. I had noted on the PACH board a 96-year-old resident at St Vincent’s Carseldine. Turned out she was living in the independent units and was COVID positive day 2, vaccinated with mild symptoms only but had called QAS “to get checked out”. Happy to have phone call from virtual ED. Phoned and spoke to RAJEEV the SMO on hand. He was so supportive and happy to call the resident straight away, and talk to her son also. Great outcome as QAS avoided and resident getting followed up now via the virtual ward. 😊’
Have a good weekend and thank you.
Regards,
Jackie