Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive, MN Health

We have already seen quite a few cases of influenza in our region this year. Next week our free staff flu vaccination program will start and I strongly encourage you to get your vaccination as soon as it is available to protect yourself and others. Infectious diseases physicians Dr Andrew Redmond and Dr Krispin Hajkowicz and Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alanna Geary will be holding a vidcast on Thursday to talk about the current flu season and this year’s vaccination.

I also strongly encourage you to get your COVID booster if it’s been six or more months since your last one. While the numbers have lessened, COVID is still circulating in our community and we’re seeing patients in our hospitals. You can get your COVID booster from a community pharmacy.

From next Monday, the Integrity Unit will be re-named the Ethical Standards Unit. The new name better describes the core functions and aims of the unit, which include monitoring and investigating matters related to employee misconduct, corrupt conduct, and serious breaches of the Queensland Government Code of Conduct. All reporting lines will remain unchanged but the generic email will be amended to MN-ESU@health.qld.gov.au.

Yesterday our new Deadly Feet clinic opened at Redcliffe. The clinic is a specialist outreach service providing culturally safe care closer to home for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with or at risk of developing foot conditions related to diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. Today’s first patient at the new clinic was Eryn who met with clinicians Teal and Sam (pictured).

We are now less than three months from the start of short notice accreditation assessment. This week I hosted a great vidcast with Metro North’s Standard 2 committee co-chairs, ED Strategy, Planning, Assets, Infrastructure and Strategic Developments Kate Copeland and consumer Anja Christoffersen. The vidcast generated a lot of questions and Anja provided excellent insight into how consumers can be engaged in their care as informed decision makers.

As discussed in the vidcast, Metro North has some good resources to support health literary and shared decision making, including our Compassionate Care Principles. We are currently reviewing the Partnering with Consumers Procedure which will be out for broad consultation next month. If you have any questions about how you can support more consumer engagement, please talk to your local engagement lead.

Upcoming vidcasts:

• Monday 24 April 11am – Standard 3: Preventing & Controlling Healthcare Associated Infection (myself and Dr Liz Rushbrook)
• Thursday 27 April 11am – Flu vaccinations (Drs Andrew Redmond & Krispin Hajkowicz and Alanna Geary)
•  Friday 5 May 12.30pm – Standard 4: Medication Safety (pharmacist Martin Canning and myself)
• Tuesday 9 May 1pm – Psychosocial wellbeing (Kristal Lowe, Dr Liz Rushbrook, and myself)
• Thursday 11 May 10.30am – Standard 5: Comprehensive Care (Mark Butterworth, Alanna Geary, and myself)

Next Tuesday is ANZAC Day, when we remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. Our hospitals and health services have a long history of involvement with defence personnel, with many of our current staff still serving today.

To commemorate ANZAC Day, the Last Post will be played over the PA system at 8am at STARS and RBWH and there will be a sunset service at the RAAF Memorial at Brighton Health Campus from 4.30-5pm. Lest we forget.

Kind regards,

Jackie.