Adj. Prof. Alanna Geary, Acting Executive Director

Well Team Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford, today is the day that I say so long as the Acting Executive Director.

Karlene Willcocks commences tomorrow, at which point I will be handing over and telling her what an incredible team she has come to work with. I have never enjoyed an opportunity more than I have enjoyed coming to CKW.

I remember the first few days here and I was nervous. Not because of the people who worked here or the patients and their families, but you would remember that we had quite a bit of external scrutiny at the time.

What I have seen here at CKW is that care is delivered with professionalism, integrity and to the best of everyone’s ability.

There are times when our patients and their families’ expectations do not meet what can be delivered, but I can honestly say that every staff member at CKW comes to work to do the right thing and deliver expert care. Thank you.

My six months here culminated in a very successful accreditation (ACHS) survey last week.

Although we do not have the official results, given the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the assessors, I have every reason to believe that the result will be a positive one.

This positive reinforcement of our commitment is a testament of the great work that is done here at CKW every single day. Well done and a special shout out to the Safety and Quality Team under the leadership of Corrina Green and Narika Symes.

While ACHS Accreditation is certainly not the role of one department and it is those either at the coalface or support the coalface who enable and implement, I think everyone would agree that our Safety and Quality Unit has done a wonderful job getting us ready and constantly reminding us of the agenda!

I would also like to thank Clinical Governance Executive Director Grant Carey-Ide who certainly kept us honest and driven. Thank you, Grant.

There are many others as well who significantly contributed to the outstanding outcome but if I start listing everyone, I will surely miss someone so please know that you are all most appreciated. While Safety and Quality must always be at the forefront of your clinical practice, you can breathe a little now!

To move clinical services into a new building and undergo accreditation in the same week is so impressive. Big shoutouts to all our teams who did such an incredible job.

I hope you all have a very safe and happy festive season. As you know, I have very adult children (although sometimes they don’t quite behave that way), three beautiful grandchildren and the melding of families has given me three wonderful step-grandchildren.

Christmas for us is always on Boxing Day with my siblings, nieces, nephews, our children, grandchildren, and my Mum. I love having everyone together and it is a time to celebrate as a family. I hope that whatever you are doing it is with those you love and if you are working, thank you.

In closing, I thank you sincerely for making my time as the Executive Director CKW so rewarding.

You are an incredible team and I will miss you all very much. I promise to visit regularly with my Chief Nursing and Midwifery hat on.

I know that Karlene is very much looking forward to meeting you all and she will provide great leadership as CKW moves with Metro North into its next iteration of clinical service delivery.

Stay safe,

Alanna.