Glynis Schultz, A/Executive Director, Community and Oral Health
To look back over the past few years and reflect on the achievements of staff during trying times, we can see how far we have come as a directorate.
Many of you would have provided comments and suggestions in the Have Your Say (BPA) survey last year expecting to improve our culture and the way we work.
While we always have room for improvement, over the last year I have continued to highlight the great acts of kindness and thoughtful initiatives and activities staff are undertaking under the BPA and Values in Action initiatives.
Following on from the initial sharing of the survey results and development of local action plans, there have many thoughtful initiatives that have been occurring in the wellbeing space, such as our connecting COH initiative, peer responder program and local fun staff activities.
Local wellness initiatives such as the Psychology programs have been well received, with staff amenity and break out area upgrades now planned to be finalised by the middle of the year.
A very special mention to the Residential Transition Care Program (RTCP) who did not have enough responses to the previous BPA survey to commence a meaningful action plan so adopted a Speed Dating method.
Staff from across all service areas were given the opportunity to meet with the one of three service leads (of their choice) to discuss what they would like to ‘Keep, Stop & Start’ within the service that will impact team culture, workforce positively and help promote staff wellbeing.
Our monthly Shining Star Awards have proven very popular, and I have enjoyed visiting many of our sites to meet and thank our caring and kind staff who are deserving recipients of this award.
In the coming months we will be looking to formalise Have Your Say survey updates as part of our regular performance meetings to ensure that Values in Action and BPA activities remain top of mind in these challenging times.
The Metro North Board were also on hand to congratulate Halwyn Centre staff for receiving full accreditation compliance during its January National Disability Insurance Scheme accreditation audit.
Shining Stars next week
Next week, I will be at North Lakes and Brighton with the Board Chair to celebrate with around 20 Shining Star recipients for March.
It was great to visit Zillmere and Halwyn recently to acknowledge a number of our staff who did extraordinary things during the recent flood event.
The Metro North Board were also on hand to congratulate Halwyn Centre staff for receiving full accreditation compliance during its January National Disability Insurance Scheme accreditation audit.
What great news! The successful audit showed how well the team has pulled together and adapted to the new standards.
Welcome back operations
Next week we will be welcoming back many of our operations staff with special morning teas. This team will now be reporting locally to the directorate.
The Staff Expo, which will be held at Brighton, is open to all staff. No need to register, just come on down on the day! A free light lunch is also available at each facility.
Staff Expo @ Brighton
The Metro North Staff Expo is another way we are trying to help staff with their financial, physical, emotional wellbeing, and it is good to bring all of our providers and suppliers under one roof so that staff can access their services and advice seamlessly.
Have you been meaning to arrange your salary sacrificing? Need to update details with your super fund?
Visit the Metro North Staff Expo and speak to our staff benefit suppliers and providers face to face.
The Staff Expo, which will be held at Brighton, is open to all staff. No need to register, just come on down on the day! A free light lunch is also available at each facility.
Weather over the next few days
Please keep safe with the weather over the next few days especially if you are visiting homes or travelling in the community. If you have any issues or concerns please contact your line manager.
Some staffing movements
I want to thank Nursing Director Kerry Ramsay who finishes at the end of this week in her role with Hospital in Home. Vicky Sinclair will commence on the 4 April for four months.
Kerry has been instrumental in the role during the pandemic, as well as providing great leadership for the SPACE project and Palliative Care for under 65s, standing up Virtual Ward during a period in 2021, and most recently, supporting the Enhanced PACS service.
I am pleased to advise that Dr Keren Hervey has agreed to work part time in the enhanced Post Acute Care Service until the 30 June 2022 to provide a valuable service to our clients and help to reduce hospitalisation.
Dr Mario de Silva will be backfilling Keren in the Director of Medical Services role and attending to specific complex project work.
An EOI has closed to backfill for the Director of Operations Oral Health and the successful applicant will be announced shortly.
Quote to ponder
Thomas Merton said: “The deepest level of communication is not communication, but communion. It is wordless…beyond speech…beyond concept.”
Glynis Schultz
A/Executive Director
Community and Oral Health