Dear colleagues,
Current Workloads
Our current level of activity is high and I am acutely aware of the issues in Metro North Health in all directorates. Firstly, I would like to thank you for your care, compassion and commitment. It is outstanding and, as I have said on many occasions, I am so very proud of the care that is provided in Metro North by our nearly 9000+ nurses and midwives. I would like to thank you for all the “extra” shifts and overtime that you may be doing. In addition though, could I also remind you that when your workload is such that you do not believe you can deliver the appropriate standard of care please ensure that you escalate your concerns to your line manager.
In Nursing and Midwifery Services we have the Workload Concern Process. This process is endorsed not only through Queensland Health and Metro North but also in collaboration with our industrial partners. This very important process is not only designed to inform your Nurse Unit or Midwifery Unit Manager and leadership team more broadly of the issues you are experiencing, but also provides the information we need to inform service management. Please take the time to do a workload concern form if you can. It is most welcomed and much appreciated. Workload Concern reporting is not only encouraged by me, as the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Metro North Health, but also your directorate/facility Directors of Nursing and Midwifery and all nursing and midwifery leaders.
Nominations for the Metro North Health Nursing & Midwifery Awards
Please keep your nominations coming for this year’s awards. We will be celebrating the amazing contribution of Nurses and Midwives in Metro North in and around International Day of the Midwife on 5 May and International Nurses Day on 12 May. You can nominate a colleague or yourself! Nominations are also most welcomed from other disciplines who wish to nominate an outstanding nurse and/or midwife for these prestigious inaugural awards. I am really looking forward to presenting our outstanding colleagues with their awards in May.
These awards recognise the substantial influence made by nurses and midwives to the provision of safe, quality care within Metro North. Nominees will have demonstrated commitment to their profession and exemplify the Metro North Values.
Nominations for nurses and midwives are open for these categories:
- Dr Lesley Fleming OAM Professional Practice and Clinical Excellence Award 2021
- Metro North Registered Nurse of the Year 2021
- Metro North Midwife of the Year 2021
- Metro North Graduate of the Year 2021 (commenced employment in a Graduate Registered Nurse or Midwife position in 2020)
- Metro North Enrolled Nurse/Enrolled Nurse Advanced Skills of the Year 2021
- Metro North Assistant in Nursing of the Year 2021
- Metro North Nurse/Midwife Leader of the Year 2021
Nominations can be lodged via: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CLBlC9eVvEq6_D_8IMA5wJYq4pFRYttIhz87q3Vk_xtURU5LQlNZUjU0RjRJUkFUVUU0NUdXWjRDWi4u
All nominations must be submitted by 5pm Friday 23 April 2021.
Vale Barbara Slaughter
It is with much sadness that I let you, my colleagues and friends know of the passing of Barbara Slaughter. Barbara was a long standing, senior member of the nursing leadership team at RBWH. Barb was an educator of very long standing and subsequently commissioned and set up the RBWH Safety and Quality Unit in the early 1990s.
Barbara retired a few years ago but continued on her safety and quality journey as an ACHS Accreditor. Her legacy lives on today with many of the nurses whom she provided education to or with, still working in the organisation. The RBWH QuARRIES Awards are still in existence today and were an initiative Barbara and her team commenced early in the evolution of the Safety and Quality Unit.
She will be fondly remembered by many who worked with her in the Safety and Quality Unit and in Nursing Education. Barbara was formidable but an extremely kind and compassionate nurse leader, a strong advocate for patient safety, the profession and RBWH.
Barbara has been unwell for the last couple of years and passed away peacefully surrounded by her nearest and dearest. RIP Barbara Slaughter. A dear mentor, colleague and friend.
Have a safe weekend.
Regards,
Alanna