Adj Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive

Fortunately, the week hasn’t finished the way it started, with a lot of rain and localised flooding. I want to thank you all for your efforts in maintaining patient flow and providing care. It was an excellent demonstration of how we can work together and get things done even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Sharing good ideas

Yesterday we held an intimate staff forum for RBWH with members of the Metro North Senior Executive Team (SET). Thank you to those staff who came along. While we didn’t have many people, it was extremely worthwhile, and I particularly want to thank RBWH nurse Michael who shared the challenges felt by nurses at the bedside every day. We will be following up your concerns Michael, and I thank you for coming to the forum and talking to us.

There are many excellent ideas out there and while I wish I had the opportunity to meet with everyone individually and hear them, with 25000 staff that’s not feasible. That’s why last year we launched the Helix Hub, a place where you can share your ideas about improving care and making Metro North a better place to work, and connect with people who can help you bring them into practice.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership program

Nominations are now open for the Metro North Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Program. The program underscores our dedication to health equity by focusing on crucial aspects such as employee retention and the career development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. The program is open to Metro North Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees from all levels and streams, especially those early in their leadership journey or expressing interest in leadership roles.

We are also looking for people interested in being a mentor as part of this program. If you are interested in participating in the program, nominations for mentors and applicants close on 8 March. Managers are encouraged to nominate and support eligible staff members for this unique opportunity. For more information, visit the QHEPS page, or contact Charlie Nugent at MNTraining@health.qld.gov.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadets

The statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetship Program is off to a strong start with 50 cadets already recruited and a waitlist for the next intake. Metro North has successful placed in 14 HHSs and will be hosting 9 cadets across our directorates in allied health, nursing and midwifery, and corporate services areas. The Cadetship Program will work with line managers and cadets to create a culturally safe and sensitive program that promotes health equity within our workforce.

Cadetships create a clear and defined pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the Deadly Start program while attending high school, to commencing in a graduate program or receiving a permanent position within Queensland Health once they finish their studies.

Cadets are employed as a temporary part time employee in their chosen profession, gaining on the job skill development while completing their full-time tertiary studies for a bachelor’s degree in Australia.

This beautiful pastel artwork, called Health in Community, was created in collaboration with Queensland Health by Maggie-Jean Douglas, as a celebration and acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in the past, present and future. This is shown with the three large, connected circle groups that flow through the piece. Where you see this artwork, it represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce reform initiatives.

If you have any questions about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetship Program, contact QHcadetship@health.qld.gov.au.

Australia Day Honours

The Governor-General last week announced Honours for 1,042 Australians, with some of Metro North Health’s own receiving prestigious honours for their exceptional service and unwavering dedication. Among those recognised were Staff Specialist and former RBWH Director of Neonatology Associate Professor David Cartwright AM, Senior Staff Specialist Medical Oncologist Associate Professor Zarnie Lwin OAM, the Oral Health Alliance’s Associate Professor David Thomson AM, and Board Member Mr Adrian Carson AM, Chief Executive of the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health. Congratulations to you all. You can read the full story on the Metro North Newsroom.

BERT first birthday

The Metro North Behavioural Emergency Response Team (BERT) celebrated their first anniversary this week. The Australian-first initiative is designed to assist people with disability and complex challenging behaviours to receive the care they need, when they need it. BERT consists of an interdisciplinary outreach and crisis response team including allied health, nursing, and medical professionals. Together, they aim to prevent unnecessary presentations to emergency through working directly with the person with disability and their carers, and timely direct access to the appropriate response and care. Well done to this innovative team for their successful first year of service to the community.

Respect at Work

Thank you to everyone who tuned in for the Respect at Work vidcast this week. We are in the final stages of reviewing the framework which will be released in coming months. There will be a special vidcast for managers on Monday at 10am about your obligations and responsibilities in relation to sexual harassment reporting and response. If you are a line manager or supervisor and have not received the email with the vidcast link, please contact Metro North Communications.

Kind regards,

Jackie.