Thank you for making me feel so welcome over the last couple of weeks. I’ve enjoyed meeting so many staff and spending time with you all.

My observations so far are that staff continue to provide excellent care to the rapidly growing Caboolture community and that as a hospital community people are really feeling the current external negative focus on our hospital.

We saw over 60,000 patients in our Caboolture Hospital emergency department last year and predominantly people have a positive experience, thanks to the work of our ED staff.

When we receive negative feedback, we do take it seriously. We learn and improve. We continue to be committed to providing safe high-quality care to everyone who comes into our ED and our other services, and part of that is listening to feedback, learning and making improvements where needed.

As you’ll be aware, Metro North is currently undertaking a clinical review into the care of the baby known in the media as ‘baby Weston’ as well as developing terms of reference for a broader review into care pathways for children and babies attending the Caboolture Hospital ED. I will share further details when I can.

These two reviews signify our commitment to care of all patients at Caboolture Hospital and our desire to continually learn and improve the way we provide care. The outcomes and findings will inform our processes moving forward.

I know some of you may are feeling the current situation deeply and may require some support. We have a range of staff wellbeing support options including:

• CKW Peer Responders: Care4You Peer Support Program
• Staff Psychology Service (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday):
  • CKW Staff Psychologist: Scott Natho, 5316 5748
  • Metro North Staff Psychology: 3647 9673
  • MetroNorth_StaffPsychology@health.qld.gov.au
• Benestar – 1300 360 364 (24 hours)
• Nurses and Midwives support – 1800 667 877 (24 hours)
• Queensland Doctors Health Program Help Line – 07 3833 4352 (24 hours)

Caboolture Satellite Hospital open day

We’re putting the finishing touches on our new Caboolture Satellite Hospital which will open early next month.

I’m told nearly 200 staff took the opportunity to tour the new facility a few weeks ago.

There will be a community open day on Monday 31 July from 10am to 1.30pm.

The event will include facility tours, food trucks, health information stalls and demonstrations, activities for children and families, and a smoking ceremony.

CKW Staff Excellence Awards were fantastic!

It was fantastic to see people so enthusiastic about recognising and celebrating achievement their colleagues this week during the annual CKW Caring Together Staff Excellence Awards. It’s always important to celebrate our success and recognise staff who really
showcase the Metro North Values.

Congratulations to the 2023 winners:

Values In Action Respect: Dr Brad Williams
Values In Action Integrity: Nicky Forrrester from The Common Good Cafe
Values In Action Compassion: Dr Chong and Dr Chantelle Young
Values In Action Teamwork: Allied Health OPD Team at the GP Super Clinic
Values In Action High Performance: Food Services and Dietetics
Training and Education Award: ICU Tracheostomy Working Group
Research Award: Belinda Chappell
Leadership Award: Deb Sutherland
Innovation Award: Woodford Sexual Health Team
Care4You Wellbeing Champion: Jessica Linnan
Excellence In Patient and Family Centered Care: MACIE Antenatal Midwives
Health Equity Award: Pearl Young

The awards were sponsored by QSuper. Justin from QSuper helped me to present the QSuper Shield Overall Individual Winner to Deb Sutherland (left) and QSuper Shield Overall Team Winner, the Food Services and Dietetics team (right).

Ryan’s Rule workshops

It’s important that everyone is across the new Ryan’s Rule procedure.

It brings us into line with the state-wide process which ensures the CKW DMS is aware of these cases, an independent review is conducted and deteriorating patients have a safety net, as outlined in the national accreditation standards.

Safety and Quality Officer Karen Champion is hosting a series of Ryan’s Rule educational workshops during July. They are held on Microsoft Teams.  Sessions will be held Monday (17 July), followed by 20 July, 25 July and 31 July. All will be held on Microsoft Teams and start at 2.30pm.

I recommend that clinical staff attend one of the sessions. Contact Karen 5433 8363 for more details.

New BEMS building opens Monday

The Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment Project has reached an exciting build milestone this week with the practical completion of the new Building, Engineering and Maintenance Services (BEMS) building.

Now that the building has been handed over to Metro North Health, BEMS will work with CHRP and CKW to complete operational commissioning and relocation from its current location in the Services Block to its purpose-designed, standalone new building. If you haven’t made your way to the back of the campus lately, the new BEMS building is located in between the public car park and the CHRP project offices.

From Monday 17 July to Friday 21 July, BEMS will relocate to the new building, however services will operate as per usual in the existing BEMS office in the Services Block during this time. BEMS should be fully operational in its new location from 24 July.

This is exciting for us, as it’s the first major step towards opening the new Clinical Services Building.

A lot of hard work has gone into the completion of this building, so I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of everyone involved in the planning and relocation of the BEMS team.

What a compliment!

Here’s a great compliment received this week about our emergency department, surgical and food services teams:

“On Saturday, I went in early in the morning and by Saturday afternoon I was operated on heading to a ward.

“The doctors in the ER and the surgeons were fantastic. The nursing staff were wonderful and caring.

“I recognised two of them from last year when I had my gallbladder removed. The nurse who looked after me on Monday also cared for me back then and, as it was the last time, I could not find a more dedicated and caring individual.

“I can only say wonderful things about the staff at Caboolture Hospital and the care they provide.

“I can also say that the room services meals are fantastic. Not quite great enough to make me want to stay but beautiful food.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

CKW All Staff Forum next week

Please join me for the next CKW All Staff Forum on Wednesday (19 July) from 10.30am. It will include presentations from Donation Specialist Nurse Barb Williams for Donate Life Week and an update on the Caboolture Satellite Hospital with Louise Fichera.  Join the meeting.

No Smoking

I have received reports of staff smoking by the LPG tanks despite the obvious no smoking signs. Please if you do need to smoke then move away from the boundaries of the organisation, into a safe place.

For noting and to be adhered to is that smoking (including e-cigarettes) is banned at all Queensland public and private hospitals, residential aged care facilities, plus five metres beyond their boundaries. The same laws are in place for schools.

Queensland Health can help you quit smoking… for life! Details are available on QHEPS.

Finally,

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. If today is anything to go by, we are in for a beautiful wintery weekend. Take time to enjoy some fun things if you are not working. If you are working, I hope you get some rest and relaxation between shifts. Take care and see you all next week!

Kind regards,

Alanna.