Adj Prof Jackie Hanson

We are currently seeing a high number of presentations. Caboolture Hospital in particular has seen record numbers this week. Thank you all for your work.

This week we have also seen an increase in the number of staff not in the workplace because they or members of their household have tested positive for COVID. I wish you and your loved ones a speedy recovery.

One of our goals is to become an employer of choice and a truly great place to work. Next Thursday is Trans Day of Visibility and the launch of Queensland Health’s new Gender affirmation guide and Gender affirmation plan. Gender affirmation describes the steps a transgender or gender diverse person takes to express the gender they identify with, rather than the sex they were assigned at birth. These guides will provide important information for employees who choose to affirm their gender in the workplace. They also give information on how managers and colleagues can provide support and how we can all be an ally.

Queensland Health will hold an online panel on Thursday at 11am to launch the plan, and to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility. The event will include speakers sharing their personal stories and gender affirmation experiences.

Around 11% of Australians identify as LGBTIQ+, which means upwards of 2,000 Metro North employees may identify as LGBTIQ+. Visit the LGBITQ+ employees QHEPS page for more resources and information about how we can create safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone knows ‘it’s okay for you to be you’.

This week we opened the application round for Metro North’s Collaborative Research Grants Program which provides up to 12 grants of up to $50,000. Details are in Professor Dan Chambers’s update below.

The Metro North Research Excellence Awards are also open. Nominations close Tuesday 5 April. This is an opportunity to highlight the innovation and research excellence across our health service, both for teams and projects and for individuals. Metro North researchers are world leaders in many fields and their work contributes to outstanding patient care.

Staff at TPCH fever clinic had a pleasant surprise this week when they received a bunch of flowers. The team also received chocolates from a grateful client last week. It’s nice that two years into the COVID pandemic people appreciate the commitment of our frontline teams, especially in an area where most people are dreading the getting their nose and throat swabbed!

Regards,

Jackie