We’ve all done a large amount of work the past few weeks to combat the latest surge of COVID-19. It’s been a tough road, particularly with so many of our colleagues furloughed because they are a close contact or COVID-19 positive themselves.

We continue to see such high patient demand for our services. It’s great that the community knows we provide exceptional care.

So many staff have gone above and beyond, taking on extra shifts to ensure we can continue to provide the highest quality healthcare for our patients. I know many of you are sacrificing time with loved ones over the Easter long weekend to address our workforce shortfalls. I can’t thank you enough.

As always, please remember to care for yourself and each other during this time. We have some practical resources and support services available for staff working over the long weekend. See here for more details.

A reminder that the Chapel is available as a breakout/quiet area for staff to use during meal breaks The simulation rooms in the Education and Skills Centre also available for staff to use as rest zones.

Staff can continue accessing the two staff shower zones at the rear of the hospital near the kitchen and in the Allied Health area. Fresh towels are available for staff to use. Staff care packages with donated toiletry items are available for collection from the Hospital Coordinator.

Peer Support will also be available, including Benestar. Check the Metro North Staff Wellbeing Extranet site for more options.

No matter what the circumstances, CKW is always ready and willing to step up and tackle the challenges that come our way, which always makes me proud and humble to be part of the family.

CKW Staff Expo postponed

Unfortunately, the CKW Staff Expo due to be held in the Caboolture Hospital Lecture Theatre on Tuesday has been postponed, following the announcement that Metro North has moved to a Tier 4 COVID-19 response earlier this week. The team is now investigating a new date in late May. Watch this space!

CHRP site tour

Local MP Mark Ryan and Metro North Board Chair Jim McGowan AM donned a hard hat and high-vis last Friday (8 April) as they set off on a guided site tour of the new Clinical Services Building (CSB) with the hospital redevelopment and Lendlease teams.

It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the redevelopment’s progress, including the formwork and reinforcement activities on Level 5 and the fit out works underway on Levels 1 and 2.

CKW Senior Director of Operations, Dr Simon Bugden, also attended the tour and was impressed to see the new Emergency Department taking shape.

The site tour concluded with a visit to the new Multi-Storey Carpark site, which is set to include over 1000 parking spaces when it opens in 2023 in line with the opening of the new CSB.

Welcome Ray!

Welcome Ray Callow, who will join CKW on Tuesday as our new Acting Manager Administrative Services.

Ray has extensive experience in Administration and Project Management. He’s already part of the Metro North family, coming from a senior administration role at the RBWH, so will be ready to hit the ground running!

What a compliment!

Here’s a great compliment received this week for our surgical team and Ward 2A:

“To the nurses and the surgical team who tended to me in my hour of need, I thank you for my life, so many names to remember. To Emma and Carmel, a special thanks for the dedication under the most trying times. Thank you all once again.’

Vaccination still needed for workers and visitors at hospitals

Some COVID-19 restrictions in the community have eased today.

However, it’s important to remember that anyone visiting or working in vulnerable settings such as hospitals, aged care and disability services still need to be fully vaccinated and be able to show proof before entering. This Queensland Health web page has more details.

Finally,

Please register your booster! At present, CKW is sitting at just 28.5 per cent so we still have a long way to go! It’s easy to do – visit the Metro North Extranet page and follow the links.

For those of you who are having a break over this weekend I hope you get a chance to rest and re-energise. For those that are working, thank you for your continued commitment. I hope you all enjoy some chocolate (or non-dairy related item 😊)!

Take Care,

Angie.