Karlene Willcocks, Executive Director
As we head rapidly into the Easter weekend, we have had a huge week at CKW and across MNHHS.
While for many of us Easter signals a long weekend of public holidays, for our clinicians it means working a four-day period without our managers around and often with a lot of people attending and visiting who are on an extended weekend.
For those of us in standard working hour roles, it signals the longest weekend until Christmas comes around again. For many, it is a time to take a well earnt minibreak away; for others a time to see family; or a time to rest quietly; and for many a time to worship as Easter is the principal Christian commemoration that celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus three days post his Crucifixion. Easter is the principal.
Whatever you are planning, I wish you a happy and safe time.
Earlier this week, we welcomed Health Minister, Shannon Fentiman to Caboolture Hospital. You may have seen us touring through the hospital. It is always a privilege to welcome the Minister and this visit proved to be a positive experience with the great work you do acknowledged by Minister Fentiman as we met.
Baby Weston Review
The Baby Weston review was undertaken post Baby Weston’s family attending our Emergency Department a number of times in 2022 with Weston (who is really no longer a baby, he is a very busy toddler).
At the time, Baby Weston had Staphylococcus Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS).
The review was undertaken by two external Paediatric Emergency Medicine physicians and was provided to CKW in October 2023 to implement. The recommendations were related to CKW but also had broader implications for the system.
The meeting on Tuesday was for CKW, MNHHS and the Minister to feedback our progress on the recommendations of the review to Baby Weston’s family and the external reviewers.
It was pleasing to be able to share with the family and reviewers that we had implemented all the review recommendations – 18 were closed (as permanently implemented into BAU) with two to be permanently implemented.
The 18 closed recommendations included the opening of the new Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) with a dedicated ED Short Term Treatment Area (or Paediatric Short Stay Unit); the implementation across the state of the SSSS poster (right); standardisation of Ryan’s Rule and the visibility of the poster; an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island support; improvements and monitoring of complaint management, response and resolution; and an increase in Consumer Liaison support.
The two remaining recommendations are related to the Consumer Liaison support which, while in process, are still to be permanently appointed. This process is in progress. The final recommendation requires all other recommendations to be closed.
The family were happy to hear our progress and commended the hospital on its active focus on improving these systems and processes for the community. They commented that as part of the community, they felt confident to be consumers of our services.
We were able to take the family, reviewers and the Minister on a tour around our dedicated Paediatric ED and SSU.
The implementation of this area with six spaces in both areas was a key recommendation of the review so it was fantastic for them all to see the area. Channel 7 also attended to see the department and hear from the family and the Minister. You can watch the video below.
This has been a big focus for many of our team and I really want to thank all of you who have been involved in ensuring our care is safer and better for our community.
Starting Well Initiative
We also hosted a media event with the Minister to celebrate the Starting Well Initiative (SWI), which is a collaboration between Metro North Health and Brisbane North PHN designed to help families in our area. Watch the Minister’s Facebook reel here.
Under SWI, midwives work with families from pre-conception to four years, with an initial starting point on improving care and building supportive relationships between families and health workers in the period from birth to six months.
Mothers and families benefit from strong, trusting and continuous relationships with the health workers they engage with, avoiding fragmentation during both the antenatal and postnatal period.
It was great to listen to local mother Ashlee talk about the many positives that she and son Arlo enjoyed while part of the Starting Well Initiative. We do great things at Caboolture – let’s talk about it more.
Finally, the encompassing Caboolture Hospital Paediatric Review is nearing completion and I’m looking forward to receiving the findings and ensure that, together with the recommendations from the Baby Weston review, we can continue to deliver the best possible care for our young patients.
Metro North Board Farewell event
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Metro North Board farewell, which was effectively their last working day as they held their last Board meeting.
We will be seeing a change in half our Board which is an unusual event. Our Board members whose terms are finishing are:
- Board Chair Jim McGowan AM
- Deputy Chair Dr Kim Forrester
- Neil Roberts
- Geoff Hardy
- Bonny Barry
- Professor Mary-Louise Fleming.
This was a sad event for Metro North Health and CKW, with the Board being a very supportive and proactive.
Jim McGowan AM has been our Chair for four years. Throughout this time, Jim has been a visible, positive and supportive presence at CKW. Even in my short time in this role, Jim has visited a number of times, attending our Clinical Council regularly.
The other Board members will also be a great loss to us. Kim Forrester has notably been on the board for 11.5 years and is the last remaining original MNHHS board member.
Our new Board Chair and members are not yet known with an announcement to the Chief Executives expected later today and then announced by the Minister for Health next week, which will also be included in messaging from Metro North.
In his leaving speech Jim left us with a key message:
“We (MNHHS) are the biggest, the best and we can be even better if we are kind…kind to everyone.”
I really love this quote and ask you all to take hold of it and embrace it in your day-to-day practice.
Bribie Island Yarning Circle
It was disappointing that I was unable to attend the Bribie Island Yarning Circle last Thursday. However, by all accounts it was a positive experience for all and showed great engagement with our Bribie Island Aboriginal community.
It was led by the CKW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services team. I was really pleased to see great representation of our CKW staff also supporting this yarn.
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Manager Tracy Grant said, it was a successful first introduction on the island.
It was also the beginning of a journey to connect with the community, with people coming to a safe space to yarn.
Yarning Tables enable health consumers, carers and community members who do not ordinarily participate in healthcare consultations to have their say in a safe, informal and supportive environment.
As the opening of Bribie Island Satellite Hospital approaches, this important engagement will continue, building on the great work that our Caboolture Satellite Hospital Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service community engagement team (Stephanie and Thomas – right) are already doing!
Speaking of the satellite hospital and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, identified roles for the Bribie Island service have been advertised with good candidate responses to the Community Engagement Officers and Senior Health Worker positions. A Nurse Navigator role is currently open. If you know of a great candidate, please share this link.
Recruitment for the Minor Injuries and Illness Clinic is ongoing with positions for registered nurses, Assistant in Nursing and a Clinical Nurse now live. Refer to the link here.
Pride in Metro North launch
I was delighted to attend the launch of Pride in Metro North at the RBWH yesterday. A CKW launch is coming soon!
During this launch, our own Parker was recognised by outgoing Board Chair Jim McGowan AM, in his last formal event (which Parker had committed him to attend regardless of it being a day after his final formal MNHHS commitment), Jim commented on the amazing support Parker provides our community and the respectful way she engages with all people and makes them feel valued and included.
Pride in Metro North is not just a group, project or strategy, it is a movement, and an important one, where tolerance and acceptance should be matched with respect, understanding and inclusion.
As Chief Executive Jackie Hanson quoted her grandchild: “We are all ‘umans.”
It is imperative that we not only acknowledge but celebrate the diversity within our workforce.
When every member of our staff feels empowered to bring their whole selves to work, we create an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and ultimately, better patient outcomes.
Executive Sponsor Grant Carey-Ide said it was the “proudest day of my career”.
A challenge was given to us all around the language we use, ensuring it is part of our core business and ensuring we are inclusive for our staff, our patients and our community.
We must aim to be the most inclusive, the most welcoming, the most compassionate and the safest for all people in our community.
There are lanyards, badges and lanyard cards available but most important is keeping open hearts.
If you have ideas and thoughts in regards this movement, the Pride in Metro North team are keen to hear from you. Send an email PrideinMetroNorth@health.qld.gov.au
On Sunday (31 March), Australia observes Trans Day of Visibility. This is a day dedicated to celebrating the diversity and resilience of transgender individuals and raising awareness about the challenges they face.
At CKW, we are committed to inclusivity, equality and creating a supportive and affirming environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
For more information, visit LGBTIQ+ Network to join the Employee Network.
If you are interested in Joining the Pride in Metro North Group, email PrideinMetroNorth@health.qld.gov.au
Paediatric Ward donation
Yesterday, it was my joy to partner with Steve and Mick from The Common Good and Paediatrics Ward NUM Michelle Hutch to visit the redevelopment of the Caboolture Hosptial Paediatric Ward.
It includes a new playroom; parents’ room; healing ceilings tiles (below – which we have showcased previously) and staff area.
Robin Murphy, owner of Brisbane-based civil engineering business, Canstruct, was the largest donor to the project.
Architect Michael Donovan and Matland Group Managing Director, Brodie Ireland (which were builders) also attended.
The Caboolture Hospital Auxiliary also donated to this wonderful project.
The whole group commented on how easy the project was made by the engagement of the team and thanked Michelle for her leadership.
They also passed on their gratefulness of the truly-focused team in paediatrics who made the project one of the easiest that they have done.
All the visitors were very impressed with the amount of work that had been achieved in this project for the children and families.
We look forward to our next project with The Common Good.
CKW Health Equity Working Groups
Following on from our CKW Health Equity workshop in February, we committed to set up working groups for each of the Health Equity Key Performance Area (KPA) within the Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022 – 2025.
This strategy supports our work to achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2031.
In working towards these working groups, we will we have identified our leads for each of the KPA’s. Post Easter we will launch an EOI process for CKW staff to join one of the five KPA working groups.
The leads for the Equity Working group are:
- KPA 1: Actively eliminating racial discrimination and institutional racism within the service
- Janita Adams and Anne Padayachee
- KPA 2: Increasing access to healthcare services
- Connie Gray and Ty Cleary
- KPA3: Delivering sustainable, culturally safe, and responsive healthcare services
- Jeffery Anderson and Stella Bamaga
- KPA4: Influencing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health
- Marcia Morris and Lenore Wasaga
- KPA5: Working with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations to design, deliver, monitor and review health services
- Parker Michaels and Thomas Casey
Tracy Grant and I, with the Executive, will lead the strategy and implementation across the CKW clinical Directorate and will work to support all the work groups.
If you’re interested, please negotiate with your Line Manager as this will require attendance at regular meetings which may require you to be released from your duties to attend.
This is an important part of the journey towards improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For more details, reach out via email or phone 5316 5347.
Research Corner
A project trial started at Caboolture Hospital to define the best choice of fluid therapy for patients with severe Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is now attracting global attention.
Caboolture and The Prince Charles Hospitals’ Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Staff Specialist Dr Mahesh Ramanan started researching this topic in 2018 with an early pilot clinical trial showing promising early results. He was able to use these pilot results to design a large, national Phase 3 trial – the BEST-DKA trial.
Now, an Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Grant, administered by the renowned international global research group, The George Institute, has provided $1.65 million for Dr Ramanan to conduct the BEST-DKA trial and continue investigations into whether alternative fluids provide better outcomes for DKA patients.
Fluid therapy is a vital component of the treatment of DKA, but which fluid provides the best outcomes is unknown.
Saline is widely recommended in national and international guidelines despite a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use. It can lead to complications associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients.
Dr Ramanan has identified an alternative fluid, Plasma-Lyte 148, a balanced salt solution which more closely matches the biochemistry of human blood and has theoretical advantages over saline.
He will work with the Critical Care Division at The George Institute and other clinical researchers around Australia to evaluate whether Plasma-Lyte 148 increases days alive and out of hospital for patients with DKA.
It is hoped that the results will provide definitive guidance on the best choice of fluid therapy for patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
I would also like to congratulate Dr Ramanan for being an author on 14 research articles during 2023. A wonderful achievement of which you should be very proud.
Metro North Research Grants
Metro North Research is committed to creating a supportive environment for research and maximising opportunities for our researchers.
The Swift Grants program will create opportunities to generate new knowledge through research across all facilities in Metro North Health.
It is designed to support early phase, rapidly deployed, innovative research projects of direct benefit to Metro North Health, its patients and/or the community. For more details, visit the Metro North Research website.
Pre-Research Higher Degree (RHD) Scholarships enable clinicians to further develop their research plan, methodology and supervision plans, with the goal of achieving enrolment in a Research Higher Degree (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Masters of Philosophy (MPhil)) by 31 December 2025.
For more details, visit the Metro North Research website.
Wet weather focus
It certainly has been wet the past few days and I stood up a Code Brown on Wednesday to ensure that we were prepared for any impacts. Fortunately, the rain has now eased and we may even see some sunshine over the long weekend!
However, if conditions should deteriorate again, please check in with your supervisor as soon as possible if you think you may have difficulties getting to your normal place of work.
I really wanted to thank the team at Kilcoy Hospital which, again, went above and beyond to ensure that we could continue to provide compassionate patient care despite the tough conditions.
Thank You
For me, I have always seen Easter as a time to focus on gratitude and care – this week has provided me an opportunity to reflect not only on the wonderful people we have working here in CKW who truly focus on improving the care we provide to our patients, but also on working for Metro North which has a focus on being “the biggest, the best and the kindest health service”.
When I met with Paul Martyn from the City of Moreton Bay recently, he told me that Caboolture was known as the “City that Cares” and I want to issue a challenge to us to make CKW the clinical directorate that shows kindness and compassion in care.
I want to extend my appreciation to everyone that will be working during the long weekend. I am truly grateful for your hard work and commitment and hope you will still find time to enjoy the Easter holiday weekend.
I wish to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you to you all for the work you do every day to look after our patients, their families and the community.
Many of you will be heading off today for a well-deserved Easter break. I urge you to stay safe, take care and enjoy your time off with family and friends.
Having eaten more than my share of the easter eggs in the last few weeks, I plan to get out and about with my boys and hope to get running post injury!
(Though we will join in any easter egg hunts we find… so I can eat them … remember that chocolate is toxic to dogs).
Have a great long weekend.
Quote
“We (MNHHS) are the biggest, the best and we can be even better if we are kind…kind to everyone.”
Metro North Board Chair Jim McGowan AM
Regards,
Karlene.
