I wanted to share a lovely story with you. It still makes me a bit misty eyed thinking about it.

Earlier this week, the Caboolture Hospital ICU, Surgical and Allied Health teams pulled together to support a family make a very difficult decision about a loved one. They also supported the Donate Life team by maintaining the viability of the patient’s organs until they could be retrieved.

Even though it comes at a great loss for one family that they will likely never get over, their gift at this difficult time has already had incredible outcomes.

This young patient was able to help four people through the gift of organ donation. A young boy and lady have received a life-saving liver transplant each. A gentleman and lady have each received a kidney transplant.

I’m told all recipients are recovering well at this stage and expected to return to a normal healthy lifestyle.

This patient was also able to donate eye tissue which will restore sight to two people in the coming weeks. The donation of heart tissue will help several people in the future, ranging from newborn babies through to adults requiring a heart valve transplant.

Her family found comfort in knowing that their loved one would help so many others.

I’m incredibly humbled by this family’s brave decision at such a challenging time and incredibly humbled and proud to work with such caring and compassionate staff. I acknowledge that for staff these times are also very challenging and I hope sharing these outcomes might ease some of that burden.

Back to where it all began

Speaking of being proud, it’s been great to see our new medical interns getting on with the job.

The story of Dr Tim McErlane is inspiring.

Tim was born at Caboolture Hospital, grew up on Bribie Island and went to high school across the road at St Columban’s College.

After graduating, he went to medical school on the Sunshine Coast and listed Caboolture Hospital as his first choice.

Local newspaper Moreton Bay Sentinel featured Tim’s story in this week’s edition.

You can read it here.

Tim joins 16 other medical interns who have started their medial career at Caboolture Hospital.National Apology Day event

A final reminder about Caboolture Hospital’s National Apology Day event on Monday (13 February).

This year marks 15 years since then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – particularly addressed to members of the Stolen Generation whose lives were affected by past government policies that forced child removals and assimilation.

The event will be held in the Caboolture Hospital Central Courtyard, starting at 10am. Light refreshments will be provided.

A big thank you to the CKW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services and Reconciliation Action Plan team for putting the event together.  For more details, phone Cultural Capability Officer Janita on 5316 5348.

Staff Expo and Listening Post

Put this date in your diary now – Wednesday 22 March – for the Metro North Staff Expo and next ‘Listening Post’ events.

The Metro North Staff Expo will be held from 11am to 2pm in the Caboolture Hospital Education Centre. The expo will be a great opportunity to discover the range of staff benefit suppliers and providers – including QBank, Toyota Fleet Management, QSuper, Remserv Salary, Remserv Leasing, CBA, Smart Salary, Statewide Novated Leasing, Smart Leasing, Donate Life and HESTA.

The next ‘Listening Post’ with Chief Executive Jackie Hanson and Chief Operating Officer Jane Hancock will also be held on Wednesday 22 March in the Caboolture Hospital chapel courtyard from 11am to 12.30pm.

This will be a great chance to have an informal chat to provide your feedback and thoughts to Metro North’s senior leaders.

What a compliment!

Here’s a great compliment received recently about compassionate care at Kilcoy Hospital:

“The staff member in the Emergency Department made sure I had morning tea, then lunch until I was transferred to the ward. She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable and relaxed. A very professional and experienced person.”

Finally,

In mid-2023, Access Manager will become the new ‘go to’ for IT access, replacing the Online Provisioning System.

Organisational Change Manager Andrea Kirsten will join the CKW All Staff Forum on Wednesday (15 February) from 10.30am to run through the changes.

The CKW All Staff Forum is held in person in the Caboolture Hospital Lecture Theatre and online via Microsoft Teams here each Wednesday fortnight.

It’s a great way to find out what’s happening in the CKW Directorate and across Metro North Health. If you are able, please come along or log-in. I love seeing you all!

Take Care,

Angie.