Thank you for your great work this week and ongoing commitment to improve the health of our community.

There is plenty of COVID-19 still around, please check that your colleagues are wearing N95 masks + eyewear correctly.

We will be transitioning from Tier 4 to Tier 3 gradually over 1-2 weeks. Not quickly and no major changes currently.

A reminder that once you have had a booster, please upload your vaccination certificate.

Find the blue Register Your Evidence button in the middle of this page on the extranet. The evidence page is internal access only (but don’t use Internet Explorer).

There will also be a staff drop-in support service next week to help you update your vaccination status.

They will be at Caboolture Hospital Library on Tuesday (15/2), Wednesday (16/2) and Thursday (17/2) from 8.30am to 3pm.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a MyGov account or can’t access it, the team can still get your certificate to upload. For more details, call 5433 8524 or email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au

Staff Psychology Open Door Sessions

If you’re having a tough time at present, the Staff Psychology Open Door Sessions may be for you.

These weekly interactive group online meetings provide an opportunity to take a moment for yourself and have a conversation with colleagues and a Metro North Psychologist to explore coping strategies for wellbeing.

For Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford staff, it’s each Monday 2.30pm-3.15pm.

CKW Research Grants Program now open

The inaugural Caboolture and Kilcoy Hospitals and Woodford Corrections Health (CKW) Research Grants program is now open.

The CKW research grants program – which can be rolled out thanks to The Common Good – is designed to enable research projects that address a clinical need at Caboolture Hospital, Kilcoy Hospital or Woodford Corrections Health.

There are two categories: Novice Researcher Grants valued up to $10,000 and Research Grants, valued up to $20,000.  More details are available.

Farewell Chris

Speaking of research, this week we say farewell and a big thank you to CKW Research Director Dr Chris Carty. Over the past two years, Chris has consolidated and expanded the work of our local research unit.

With the support of his high-performing team, Chris has tangibly increased the amount of research production and the research reputation of Caboolture Hospital.

He has been a pleasure to work with.

We all wish Chris all the very best with his new career opportunity as he starts a full-time conjoint research role between Griffith University and Children’s Health Queensland.

An interim recruitment process is being finalised. For RDU enquiries, phone Louise Purtell on 5316 3960.

New Microsoft Teams backgrounds

Here’s a great idea while we’re in Tier 3 and holding virtual meetings. The Metro North Design team has created a suite of Teams backgrounds for each facility, including Caboolture and Kilcoy hospitals.

They are located on QHEPS. Simply find your facility or utilise the generic Metro North one!

Thanks for your support!

I really appreciate everyone’s support while Acting Executive Director. Angie will be back on Monday 21 February.

Stay calm, slow COVID-19 and get your booster!

Dr Simon Bugden
A/Executive Director