With the Easter period fast approaching, I wanted to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication in delivering care to our community across CKW.

Even if you don’t celebrate Easter, I’m sure the themes of hope and renewal are topics that everyone can connect with.

As I drove into Caboolture Hospital on Monday and saw our new Clinical Services Building without the scaffolding, and again yesterday when I saw the workmen putting up the ‘Caboolture’ lettering on the outside of the car park, it was a good reminder for me that we are no longer the ‘metaphorical’ beacon of healthcare for the community, but rather a physical beacon.

The hope that that must bring to the community, to receive care closer to home and in a timelier manner, must be wonderful.

A TikTok video was recently posted by one of our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members who excitedly showed off the artwork emblazoned on the side of our building.

This contribution to the renewal of a long overdue commitment to serving all our community, signifies our dedication to provide culturally safe and appropriate care that breaks down barriers and improves health equity.

These are just two examples of the many things that I see every day across all our sites.

We have a lot going on, but let me share a quote with you that puts it into perspective.

“Change is supremely inconvenient, uncomfortable and naturally scary. Yet we only move through life through the process of change, reinvention and renewal, and so bravery is our quintessential rebel for pushing us past our own limiting beliefs and behaviours”. (Christine Evangelou).

I have so much hope for what we can achieve!

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility.

This is an annual day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of transgender and gender-expansive people and taking a stand against the discrimination and violence they experience.

It’s important each and every day that we make sure we provide a safe environment for staff, patients and their loved ones to feel like they can bring their whole selves into our workplaces.

Diversity brings great power and if we embrace this, we can achieve great things for ourselves and our community that we serve.

National Doctor’s Day

This busy week included a very moving presentation to staff, as we came together to celebrate National Doctors’ Day.

Our speakers included Dr Rosalind Crawford, Dr Fred Nagel, Dr Arif Shaikh and Dr Emma Donaldson. Each Doctor shared a common message about a having ‘calling to medicine’, coupled with a genuine desire to make a difference to people’s lives.

Role modelling like this is a key component of positive learning. When leaders of this calibre talk with such passion and humility, it creates such a positive impact on our team.

As Dr Crawford said in her presentation, “When the times are tough, they are also great”. For me this means, that excellence in what we do is learned and lived through experience. It is important to take the time to pause, listen and reflect on every action we do.

When required, you can also tap into the expertise of our great role models and mentors who are always willing to listen and provide support.

Accreditation update

The Quality Improvement training facilitated by the ACHS (Australian Council of Healthcare Standards) Improvement Academy is scheduled for May 2023 and Line Managers and portfolio holders are encouraged to participate.

The training will provide further insight into the accreditation process and will help participants understand how Quality Improvements (QI) can reduce risk to patients. The training will be linked to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Participation in this training will support CKW’s journey to a successful accreditation and will help to develop the skills and tools needed to continuously improve the provision of care and services we provide.

As an example, when considering how to improve the falls risk assessment. Do you know your clinical areas rates of completion on your recent beside audit?

Understanding and identifying risks to patient safety, and how to prevent harm to patients is a critical part of the QI process. Completing this course will help to increase clinician’s confidence, practical knowledge and will help you take QI to the next level.

Please contact Corrina Green for further details.

Research appointment

I am pleased to advise that Dr Thuy Frakking will step into the Acting Director of Research commencing 17 April 2023 to 8 June 2023 whilst we undertake an Expression of Interest for the role.

Research remains a cornerstone of our focus on clinical excellence.

This position will work collaboratively to focus on research priorities and assess organisational processes associated with clinical research.

It will help to enhance our current research program, influence our future health policy and practice, and support integration with clinical care.

This is going to be an exciting time as we refocus and encourage new opportunities for research and celebrate current research across CKW.

Calm Fairies

Managing and improving the patient experience is a key initiative for CKW, and we were pleased to recently welcome a visit from the Calm Fairies to Caboolture Hospital.

Using diversional activities, guided relaxation and breathing, the Calm Fairies help kids prepare for, and undergo, procedures in hospitals.

Calm Fairies, Stacey and Roz visited the hospital with the goal to empower kids with the tools to make them feel safe and calm.

Read about this initiative here.

What great compliments

Dear Paediatric Doctors,

Thank you for your service to our children, your kindness, thoughtfulness, patience with the staff and processes, your care and encouragement to all. You all do an amazing job, and we are extremely thankful for you all. We couldn’t do any of our work without you.

The Paediatric OPD team.

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“I had excellent care from all staff from the emergency department, the maternity ward to the theatre. I want to thank and praise all these staff. They were kind, helpful and attentive at all times. 

They listened and respected me as a patient and I have not one complaint, only genuine praise for all these people. Just wish all hospitals had such caring staff.”

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“I was treated very well and throughout the ongoing process of being admitted from ED into a ward, the Nurses and Doctors were very clear about my pending condition and ongoing treatment. Everybody was very professional, polite and helpful towards my needs.

That carried on into the ward with the same professional and caring treatment throughout. I need to mention the food! To me the meals were No1 made with heaps of AROHA (love) and I can’t say enough about the Nurses who were well trained, polite, understanding and very helpful. The Doctors are in the same league.”

CKW Nursing and Midwifery Award

Nominations for the CKW Nursing and Midwifery Awards will close on Saturday 1 April.

If you haven’t already nominated a colleague, it’s not too late to nominate.

No Smoking

A reminder to everyone that smoking at Caboolture Hospital is against the law for both staff and patients. There is also a five-metre buffer zone beyond the hospital boundary where smoking is not permitted.

Smoking is also banned within five metres of private medical suites, including across the road (124 McKean St). Unfortunately, an unprecedented number of Caboolture Hospital staff are smoking in the arbour at the front entrance (near the traffic lights). Cigarette butts are being picked up twice a week by the cleaner. Staff and patients of medical services within that facility have submitted numerous complaints.

I would ask that if you are one of those staff who smokes on-site or at the private medical suites across the road, that you are to cease immediately.

If you would like support to QUIT smoking, Metro North Health can support your journey to quit. Check this QHEPS page for more details.

Finally,

I will be on leave from 4 April to 7 April 2023 and Anne Padayachee will be supporting my role for these few days.

Acting Director of Medical Services Dr Rosalind Crawford will also be on leave from 3 April to 14 April 2023. Dr Helen Vickery will be assisting during this period.

I hope for those of you who are taking some leave that you have a safe and restful break over the Easter and school holiday period. For those of you who are working, I thank you for your care to our community.

Regards,

Angie.