Adj Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive
This week we had the busiest day across our health service, and throughout Queensland. Metro North saw 512 ambulance presentations on a single day, around 120 more than usual. Of these 370 were priority 1. Managing such a large surge requires many teams across our hospitals and community services to work together to ensure we are maximising our capacity management strategies. Thank you all for doing an outstanding job and keeping patients flowing to where they needed to be.
Listening Posts
Today Jane Hancock and I held a virtual Listening Post with staff at the Woodford Corrections Health Service. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend in person, but it was great to talk to our staff who have a very different work environment than our other services. Thank you to those who were able to attend.Next week I’ll be attending the STARS staff forum and visiting Kallangur Satellite Hospital.
Working in the heat
About a month ago I spent some time on the road with Greta, a Post Acute Care team nurse, visiting patients in the community. Given the hot start to the year, we spent a fair bit of time talking about staff working in the field in the heat. I asked our Workplace Health and Safety team to put together a guide to help staff take care of themselves when out on the road or working outside on hot days.
Farewell Andy Carter
Today we’re farewelling Andy Carter after nearly three years as RBWH Director of Nursing and Midwifery. Andy is a familiar face for nurses and midwives, and many other staff, across Metro North, having previously worked at TPCH and Community and Oral Health.In his three years at the Royal, Andy said he has watched with “huge pride and awe” the organisation manage COVID-19, fever clinics, vaccination centres, COVID wards, floods and significant surges in occupancy.Andy thanked everyone at the RWBH for the incredible care they provide each day, as well as their passion, commitment and support. He said joining at such a challenging time had only made his experience more rewarding.
Queensland Women’s Week
Around 75% of Metro North’s workforce and many of our local and senior leaders are women. Next week is Queensland Women’s Week, leading up to International Women’s Day on Friday. There are a range of events and activities happening over the next two weeks. If your team is doing something during the week to celebrate, let me know!In addition to International Women’s Day, in March we’ll be celebrating Harmony Day, and launching our Disability Services Action Plan and Pride in Metro North, so keep an eye out for local activities (or organise something for your team).
Queensland Health Awards
Just a reminder that if you are putting in a nomination for the Queensland Health Awards, it needs to come to my office for endorsement before you submit. Please send your nominations to the Metro North Correspondence team by COB Monday.Kind regards,
Jackie.