‘Compassion is a state of mind that allows us to notice the distress in ourselves and others and to step forward with genuine understanding and a determination to do something about it. This is how we will change the world.’ Mary Freer.

Last week, 50 of our leaders across CKW attended Compassion Labs with Compassionate Leadership thought leader, Mary Freer.

It was an inspiring experience and feedback has been really positive. These workshops were not about teaching people how to be compassionate, rather, they were focused on understanding compassion and providing tools to enable compassionate practices for ourselves, each other and of course the patient.

At this week’s staff forum, I presented some of the compelling evidence as to why compassionate practices are deeply rooted in the patient safety agenda.

For instance, did you know ‘the effects of compassion are greater than the effects of aspirin in the prevention of heart attack and of statins in the five-year risk of a cardiovascular event’ Kelley et. al. (2014), also ‘dismissive and uncivil behaviour has a direct and negative impact in patient outcomes’ Riskin et. Al (2015) and when ‘surgical patients are encouraged by their anaesthetists during the immediate postoperative period, they heal faster and are discharged from hospital sooner because they require up to 50 per cent less pain relief’ Egbert et.al. (1964), to name a few.

The evidence is overwhelming and demonstrates that focus on delivering compassionate care is not just a ‘special project’ but rather a patient safety consideration that needs to be a focus every day.

At the forum, I also put out the challenge for all of you to think about small practices that can be part of normal routine that would enable yourself and your team mates to compassionately treat each other and in doing so, enable compassionate care to be delivered.

One suggestion that was made was at shift handovers the arriving staff thank the previous shift for taking care of the patients and appreciate their efforts, whilst the departing shift genuinely wish the next shift well and thank them for taking on the care and responsibility that they had been carrying. It may seem a bit idealistic but I’m sure the principles can be adapted to our local environment. Food for thought!

In the coming staff fora, I will be speaking more on compassion and how we might enhance our practices at CKW. Look forward to an active discussion and ideas sharing!

Speaking of ideas sharing… I mentioned recently that I wanted to re-start ‘Brief the Boss’ sessions as another option for you to engage with me.

I will set up in the Caboolture Hospital Central Courtyard on these dates and really encourage you to come along and have a chat (don’t leave me sitting alone!) :

• Wednesday 16 November – 12pm -1pm
• Tuesday 13 December – 12.30pm – 1.30pm

I’m working on dates to host ‘Brief the Boss’ events at Kilcoy and Woodford and all three facilities throughout 2023. I will let you know as soon as these dates can be confirmed.

CHRP construction milestone

This week you might have noticed that the scaffolding on the multi-storey car park has come down and the façade has been revealed. This weekend we will reach another exciting construction milestone, as the car park tower crane (affectionately named ‘Ayla’ by students from Caboolture Special School) will also come down.

This is a big step in the Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment Project, as we can really see what the buildings will look like when they’re complete. I’m excited to see how the Caboolture Hospital campus landscape will change in the coming months as we work towards the opening of both the new Clinical Services Building and the multi-storey car park in mid-2023.

Every day gets us a step closer to a bigger and better hospital, so that we can deliver more health services and carparking for our patients and the community.

CHRP Staff Open Day postponed

The CHRP Staff Open Day was due to be held tomorrow (Saturday 29 October). However, due to limited attendance numbers, the event has been postponed.

Processes are being put in place to ensure those staff who have already registered to attend the Staff Open Day will be able to tour the Clinical Services Building at another time in the coming weeks.

There is continued opportunity for monthly site tours, and there will be further opportunities next year for staff and the community to tour the building. Thank you for your understanding.

Workforce Resource Committee

Under the Responsible Workforce Management (RWM) approach, Metro North directorates were required to convene local Vacancy Management Committees.  For this purpose, at CKW, we began the Workforce Resource Committee (WRC).

The Queensland Health RWM revised approach (effective January 2021) was rescinded in May 2022 and standard Human Resource Management delegations now apply to filling all roles below HES and AES levels.

The processes for HES and AES internal and public sector advertising, and contract extensions, reappointments or higher duties continue to be managed in accordance with current HR delegations.

At CKW, we recognise that the WRC provides a valuable framework for managing our workforce in terms of consistency and transparency, especially in light of CHRP and the upcoming expansion of our workforce. It ensures we continue to have governance responsibility. As a result, the WRC will continue to operate.

For WRC to continue to have oversight of our business and ensure clarity and broad understanding of the WRC purpose, membership and application, we have reviewed the Terms of Reference (TOR), the Business Rules and the Request to Fill Form.  A one-page Flow Chart has also been developed.

All line managers are required to ensure that they remain updated on relevant information and requirements for managing their respective workforce.

For further information, email request_to_fill_ckw@health.qld.gov.au

CHRP recruitment FAQs

As we get closer to the completion of the Clinical Skills building (CSB) and look forward to the opportunity to move into this great facility for our Directorate, a number of you have started asking questions about recruitment dates and workforce.

As I mentioned at a recent CKW All Staff Forum, you can find the first of a series of FAQs
here to update you on those processes.

This will be the first of a series of FAQs developed to respond to your questions as we approach the move date for the CSB.

Staff Shout Outs!

I always enjoy receiving the Staff Shoutouts for CKW.

A Metro North Health Staff Shout Out is a great opportunity to acknowledge and thank a colleague or team who are a positive influence, who collaborate in new and unique ways, or who go above and beyond expectations. Here are our Shoutouts for the month of September:

• Caboolture Hospital RN Lisa Milgate
• Caboolture ED Nursing Director Nerys Brackman
• Caboolture Hospital Ward 4A Nurse Divya Jayanair
• Caboolture Hospital Ward 4A Nurse Michelle Daniels
• Caboolture Hospital Ward 4A Graduate Nurses Irene Reazo, Sam Aldous and Natasha Piamonte
• Caboolture Hospital Allied Health administration team

I would love to see more Shout Outs for staff at Kilcoy and Woodford. Visit this QHEPS page for more details and to send a ShoutOut for a colleague.

What a compliment!

Kilcoy Hospital provided wonderful care to this patient recently. Great work, team!

“The ED nurse (sorry I forgot her name) was exceptional. She was very respectful of my son and his circumstances. She was kind, caring, gentle and reassuring.

“The treating Doctor (Dr Chong) was wonderful. He was caring and engaging with my son in a way that helped him feel more at ease. I was very confident in his abilities and really appreciated the time he took to explain the treatment and follow up care my son would need.

“The entire experience was just excellent. My wife and I are extremely thankful for the care we received.”

Finally,

A big thank you to our friends at The Common Good and sponsor Shine Lawyers for hosting a wonderful golf day at the Pacific Harbour golf course today.

Funds raised from the day will help The Common Good continue supporting staff, patients and the Caboolture Hospital community.

The Common Good’s inaugural Giving Day for Caboolture Hospital will be held in late November. It will be a big day and funds raised have been earmarked to projects that will get patients home from hospital sooner.

There is more about Giving Day and how you can help here.

Take Care,

Angie.