It’s wonderful that we can get back out into the community again.

Advance Care Planner Desre Arnold and Manager Culture and Engagement Parker Michaels recently had a great day at the Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre Open Day.

In the space of just a few hours, Desre and Parker spoke to more than 40 people and provided information about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health services, car parking changes, volunteering, advance care planning and the CKW Consumer Network-developed tool My Health Now.

We have already been invited to attend further events later in the year. Contact Parker Michaels about future opportunities.

Taking Caboolture Hospital to Canberra

Caboolture Hospital Acting Director Performance and Planning Nikia Goldsmith took CKW and Metro North Health to Parliament House in Canberra earlier this month.

Nikia was fortunate to attend the Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health – Navigating Health roundtable event on Tuesday.

The objective of the roundtable was to bring together the #NavigatingHealth collaborative, politicians and policy advisors. This global collaborative is made up of a group of like-minded, passionate and solutions-focused citizen scientists.

The roundtable members were met by Federal Member for Dunkley (Victoria) Peta Murphy MP and Federal Member for Bass (Tasmania) Bridget Archer, where each participant gave an overview of their role, their understanding and their solutions to healthcare.

Nikia provided an overview of Metro North Health and Caboolture Hospital, including discussing our patient cohorts. Congratulations, Nikia. I hope this is just the start of the conversation.

Kind, safe and inclusive quality care every day

CKW and Metro North Health are committed to providing kind, safe and inclusive quality care every day.

As part of that commitment, we’re all invited to join Metro North’s Chief Executive Jackie Hanson and our Chief Medical Officer Dr Liz Rushbrook on Monday at 11am for a vidcast focusing on Standard Three – Preventing and controlling infections.

Join the Vidcast.

Minimising leave requests

To support the delivery of safe clinical care and the necessary activities to ensure success in the opening of the Clinical Services Building (CSB), I have asked Line Managers to consider all leave requests made for the period from Saturday 6 May until the end of September 2023.

It is expected that lower than usual leave will be taken during this period. Some leave requests may be declined during this period for operational reasons. I have asked Line Managers to consider operational imperatives and work with staff on an individual basis to support staff wellbeing. I appreciate your patience during this time.

Thank you, Marcia

A special thank you to Marcia Morris, who has been acting CKW Nursing Director for the Women, Children and Families Service Line this month while Anne Clayton is on leave.

Marcia brings great safety and quality experience from the RBWH Women’s and Newborn Services team to Caboolture and Kilcoy hospitals. Thank you, Marcia.

Nominate a colleague

Our Staff Excellence Awards celebrate staff who make a significant contribution to CKW and demonstrate a strong commitment to the Metro North Health values.

They recognise those on the frontline and behind the scenes, highlighting the important role we all play in delivering safe compassionate care to our community.

Nominate someone today! They will remain open until Monday 1 May. Read more.

New Metro North Medical Leadership Intensive Program

Metro North has recently launched a new Medical Leadership Intensive Program, to enhance the leadership skills of senior medical staff across the organisation.

The program provides comprehensive knowledge to help medical leaders navigate the challenges of the complex and changing environment within the healthcare environment and influence positive change.

The program is initially available to Clinical Directors and Medical Directors within Metro North. It is delivered in three individual sessions over a 12-week period.

To find out more, email MedicalLeadershipIP_MN@health.qld.gov.au

What a compliment!

Here’s a great compliment for Noelene in the Caboolture Hospital outpatients’ administration team:

“I just wanted to write to express my gratitude around the recent interaction I had with Noelene at Caboolture Hospital outpatients’ department.

“After my GP incorrectly sent my antenatal referral to Redcliffe Hospital and informed me Caboolture had declined me as a patient, Noelene was quick to explain to me that was incorrect and they hadn’t even received my referral.

“Noelene could have left the conversation there and easily referred me back to my GP to seek another referral but instead she took it upon herself to request my referral be sent across from Redcliffe and promptly sent me the paperwork I needed to complete.

“This encounter left me feeling positive and so very grateful that Noelene was able provide me with the security and care my GP had been lacking in.

“Two days later I was completely surprised to receive a follow up call from Noelene to let me know I was now in their system and she wanted to book me in for my first midwife and doctor’s appointment.

“I honestly cannot thank Noelene enough for her attitude towards the situation and for not choosing the easy path, but instead the path that left me feeling so very grateful to her.

“Regardless of whether this fits into Noelene job description or not, she deserves to be recognised for her genuine care and respect towards patients.”

Staff flu vaccinations start on Wednesday

Caboolture Hospital annual staff flu vaccination program starts next week. It’s still the best way to protect yourself and I really encourage everyone to have one this year.

Free flu vaccinations for staff will be available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from Wednesday 26 April to Friday 12 May. Vaccinations will be given from 8am to 10am, 11am to 1pm and 2pm-3.30pm. This is a mobile clinic so phone Ext 2448 for location details.

Kilcoy Hospital and Woodford Corrections Health staff should contact NUMs Annette Tones or Euan Monaghan respectively for more details.

Finally,

Here’s a bit of fun!

Staff from the Caboolture Hospital Clinical Placements Office are travelling overseas this year and taking a work travel companion with them – Winky the staple remover!

Winky’s first trip with Tina Baulch has included a visit to Egypt. Winky is pictured here taking a cruise down the Nile River and visiting Tut Ankh Amun’s Tomb!

Stay tuned in the Staff Bulletin for Winky’s ongoing adventures across Europe in coming weeks!

Take Care,

Angie.