Adj Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive
Farewell Board Chair Jim McGowan
This week we farewelled Board Chair Jim McGowan AM, and five members of the Board. In my time as Chief Executive, I have valued Jim’s support of both me and Metro North staff. Jim has taken every opportunity to advocate for our staff and patients and I will miss our many frank and open discussions.
I would like to thank Jim, Deputy Chair Dr Kim Forrester, Professor Mary-Louise Fleming, Bonny Barry, Geoff Hardy and Neil Roberts (pictured below). Each have made a valuable contribution to the governance of Metro North throughout their tenure and on behalf of Metro North, I wish them all the best.
The new Board will commence in April and we are expecting to hear from the Health Minister about the new appointments soon.
Pride in Metro North
Yesterday we launched Pride in Metro North at RBWH, ahead of Trans Day of Visibility this weekend.
Around 11% of Australians identify as LGBTIQA+. That would be around 2500 Metro North staff, roughly equivalent of the workforce of Redcliffe Hospital. As the largest hospital and health service in Australia, our workforce is representative of our community. That’s why it matters that we, as a healthcare service, recognise these days and initiatives. Because our workforce is diverse, celebrating diversity lets people know that they are safe here. It’s about embracing the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that each person brings to the table.
Visibility and inclusion matter because by being seen, valued, and included at work, people are empowered to be open about who they are and be their best selves – which is the best thing for Metro North and for our patients. It also helps to ensure our policies, procedures and language are inclusive.
By celebrating our diversity and differences, we create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves at work, or when visiting or receiving care in our services. Seeing a rainbow lanyard or card or an ally pin can make a huge difference in making sure patients know they don’t have to hide who they are from their healthcare team.
Pride in Metro North aligns with both our organisational values of respect, teamwork, integrity, compassion and high performance, and with the commitments in the Queensland Public Sector LGBTIQA+ Action Plan 2023-25, Queensland Health’s diversity strategies, and Metro North’s Health Equity Strategy and Disability Services Action Plan.
Through our commitment to Pride in Metro North, we are committing to support our LGBTIQA+ colleagues, educating ourselves and others about the unique experiences of LGBTIQA+ people, and advocating for change to ensure all policies and practices are person-centred and accessible.
If you would like to know more about Pride in Metro North, you can contact the committee for information about upcoming activities. For information on inclusive language and creating an inclusive and safe environment for LGBTIQA+ staff, patients and visitors, see the resources on QHEPS.
Public Sector Medal nominations
Nominations are now open for the Public Service Medal (PSM) for consideration in the Australia Day 2025 Honours List. The PSM recognises employees of the Australian Government and state, territory, and local governments who have given outstanding service. I’m sure there are many staff across Metro North whose valuable contributions are worthy of recognition.
You can find the nomination guidelines and form online. As nominations must be endorsed, please send them to my office at MD16-MetroNorthHHS@health.qld.gov.au by COB Friday 14 June.
Staff support to quit smoking
Support for staff to quit smoking is available through Quitline. It includes 12 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy and support phone calls. Support from Quitline and the use of quit products greatly increase your chances of staying quit. The benefits of quitting include better lung health, improved mood, and feeling more in control of your life. This free service is confidential and tailored to your needs. To register or find out more visit QHEPS.
TPCH SET Forum
Next Thursday the Metro North Senior Executive Team (SET) will hold our meeting at The Prince Charles Hospital. In the Have Your Say survey, we received feedback that many staff feel the Metro North executives are not visible and accessible.
One of the ways we’re addressing that is to hold our monthly SET meeting at a different facility followed by a forum where staff can come and talk to SET, hear updates, ask questions and provide your feedback.
The next one will be at TPCH on Thursday 4 April from 11.30-12.30. If you’re at TPCH that day, please come along if you can.
Wellbeing
Today I will be attending the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Wellness Expo at Deception Bay community hall. The expo brings together services to support the cultural, spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across Metro North.
This week we also celebrate Doctors Day. Thank you to all of our doctors across Metro North for your dedication, advocacy and commitment to excellent patient care. The last couple of years we have had a focus on improving wellbeing and support for our medical staff. One of the initiatives is the Level Up mentoring program. We also have a documented process for medical fatigue risk management to support the safety and wellbeing of doctors.
Happy Easter for those who celebrate it and thank you to those staff working over the long weekend. I’d also like to acknowledge that as a culturally and religiously diverse organisation, we also have staff observing Ramadan.
Jackie.