Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive, MN Health

Last week’s Listening Post at Sandgate Dental Clinic was a great opportunity to chat with Oral Health staff and hear your ideas, challenges and feedback. Thank you to those who came along to talk to me and Jane Hancock.

Vale Stuart Pegg AM

We received the sad news this week that Emeritus Professor Stuart Pegg AM has passed away. Prof Pegg was well known at RBWH as the former Director of Surgery and a pioneer in burns care. The adult burns service is named in his honour and he was a regular presence at the hospital even in recent years. His legacy includes advocating for multidisciplinary care teams for burns treatment. I offer my condolences to Professor Pegg’s family and friends.

Staff wellbeing

Metro North has a strong program of staff wellbeing support which includes our staff psychology service, the peer responders and RUOKers, the employee assistance program, and equity information officers. It’s vitally important that we check in on the wellbeing of our colleagues and teams, especially during distressing or challenging times, and take advantage of these support services. More information about these services is available on the staff wellbeing extranet.

Global Public Health Week

This week is Global Public Health Week, acknowledging the importance of public health as the ‘invisible guardians’ of our health. This year’s theme is Building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient health system.

Reporting dashboard

We have launched a new reporting dashboard across Metro North which will help us track our progress against our strategic plans and priorities. The dashboard has been developed by the Health Services Strategy and Planning Unit in partnership with Metro North Health Funding and Data Insights. The dashboard is a ‘one stop shop’ for reporting on Metro North Strategic Plan, Operational Plans and other strategies and plans including, but not limited to, MN32 and the Health Service Strategy 2021-26.

The Integrated Planning Portal and Dashboard is being trialled with the first six-monthly report for our Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022-25 before being rolled out for reporting across other plans and strategies. User training is available over the next few months. If you would like more information on the portal and dashboard, please visit the Integrated Planning Portal and Dashboard or email mnhhs_planningstrategy@health.qld.gov.au.

Deadly Feet

Our first Deadly Feet clinic will commence at Redcliffe Hospital on 20 April, providing culturally appropriate screening and intervention for diabetes-related foot complications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Podiatrist Samantha (pictured) will join a vascular consultant, vascular sonographer, and a health worker one Thursday a month to run the clinic.

Premier’s Awards for Excellence

Congratulations to the Queensland Occupational Violence Strategy Unit who were highly commended in this week’s Premier’s Awards for Excellence for the Queensland Health Ambassador Program. The Metro North Virtual ED was also a finalist.

Development and training

Many of our mandatory training programs are aimed at keeping you safe at work. Please ensure you are up to date with your mandatory training in TMS. Some of the training needs to be completed every year, such as your general evacuation training.

Performance and Development Plans (PDPs) also need to be refreshed annually and are a valuable way of supporting and developing staff. PDPs provide a structured process for staff and managers to clarify roles and scope, to provide two-way feedback, to identify development opportunities, and thank staff for their valuable contribution to Metro North.

Blood drive

Lifeblood is currently conducting a Health Services Blood Drive, encouraging healthcare staff to participate in team blood donation drives. Blood donation is an invaluable way to give back to the community and to ensure that our patients have the blood products they need for treatment.

Happy easter to those who celebrate. For me, the Easter long weekend is an opportunity to spend time with my family and enjoy the cooler weather. I hope whatever you do this long weekend you have a chance to relax and recharge. For those working the long weekend, thank you.

Kind regards,

Jackie.