Adj. Prof. Alanna Geary, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
It has been a while since I did a communications piece by way of a Nursing & Midwifery Executive update. It has been a busy time for all of us and I want to firstly, and most importantly, thank you for your continued commitment to Metro North and the care that you provide to the patients and families that attend our services. Sometimes it can feel like we are on a treadmill and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but please know that you are most valued, respected and the patients/clients and families greatly appreciate the great care that is provided at all of our sites.
The mornings are starting to get a little more frosty and it is getting harder for me to get out of bed to walk Dave, the 40kg Groodle. A good walk stands both of us in good stead for the day and it is rare that he lets me sleep in, but as I write this, I guiltily admit that this morning I stayed in bed and basked in the cosiness and warmth that it provided. Not sure he will let me do that too many days in a row. However, it is a good reminder that the chilly weather brings with it the risk of many of the respiratory illnesses that winter brings. I remind you that next week the Influenza vaccination program commences across Metro North and I strongly advise you to roll up your sleeve and have the immunisation that will help keep you safe from sickness.
May is just around the corner and it is May 5 when we celebrate our wonderful midwives on International Day of the Midwife whose theme this year is “Together again: from evidence to reality”. May 12 is International Nurses Day. This year the theme which is set by the International Congress of Nurses is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health”. During that week, you should see me walking around the wards and clinical services in each of our facilities and directorates. My desire is to walk and meet as many nurses and midwives as possible and hopefully raise some funds to support nursing and midwifery research across Metro North.
Last year, during my 7 days of walking on the treadmill, an amount of money was raised which has been duly deposited with the two foundations that support our health service. Building on these funds will enable nurses and midwives to apply for education and research funding specific to our disciplines. If every nurse in the health service could afford $1 a week, we would raise approximately $9000 a week and over a year that would realise nearly $500,000. Imagine the research and education grants that we could give out to our high-flying researchers and those committed to professional development. I personally am a workplace giver to both the RBWH Foundation and The Common Good (TPCH). Not only will my, and potentially your, contribution assist our professions now, and in the future, but it is fully tax deductible. Very happy to provide forms for you to do this, or alternatively make a one-off contribution to the cause if you are able.
We will also launch the Nursing and Midwifery Awards for 2023 in the coming days, so watch this space and nominate either yourself or one of your exceptional colleagues for these important awards. I am always so very proud of my colleagues, and it gives me great pleasure to award those that go over and above and achieve wonderful outcomes for our patients.
Finally, there are a number of exciting initiatives that Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Services are looking to launch in the coming months. I will keep you updated as we progress, but I want to thank those in the Metro North Nursing and Midwifery team who work directly with me. While I have professional oversight of all nurses and midwives across Metro North, the work that goes on within my direct team is second to none and I could personally not do my job without their commitment and dedication. Their knowledge is incredible, their work ethic amazing and their commitment is incredible. Thank you.
Regards,
Alanna.