Message from the Executive Director

We have had a week of celebration this week at CKW as we showed gratitude and respect to the largest groups of our health professionals – our midwives and nurses – while, as always, International Day of the Midwife was May 5 and International Nurses Day was May 12.

These days this year fell on Sundays, so we had our formal celebrations over the last week, including visits to see our staff (and deliver yummy goodies) across the Caboolture site, the Caboolture Satellite Hospital, Kilcoy Hospital and Woodford Corrections Health.

We also had our nursing and midwifery excellence awards on Wednesday – a separate message has gone out with those winners but what an amazing group.

It was also great to have Alanna Geary back at Caboolture, both doing rounds and at the awards as Metro North’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. I’m sure it was great for the team to have time with her as she is a truly loved leader here after her time covering.

It was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you our nurses and midwives – true healthcare heroes who give so much both professionally, personally, physically and emotionally to the community and patients we care for.

I am a proud nurse, who understands not only the privilege of the role I hold and the experiences I have shared with patients but also the emotional and physical toll this takes on us.

To all our nurses and midwives, I say thank you and congratulations on what you achieve each day!

This week, also while remaining busy, saw us step down from Tier 3 after a long nine days.

This certainly does not mean we are not busy, just that the demand had settled to a more reasonable and manageable level and that we were able to accommodate our patients a little more easily.

Thank you to everyone over this last two weeks for ensuring that our patients were kept safe and that we provided the best care possible during this high demand.

I know that this high demand and workload has affected all parts of our facilities and many of you are feeling tired and run down. Please think about what you need to do to re-energise and how you might rest and rejuvenate? Have you booked your next break? Is it a cruise, a beach holiday or a run/walk in the bush?

Here at CKW we have a tagline or motto which is Caring Together. We want to be known as the most caring hospital there is, providing kind and compassionate care, no matter what.

To do this, it means it is my job, it is your job, it is everyone’s job to provide kind and compassionate care to each patient, their loved ones (and each other), particularly when they may well be feeling vulnerable and unsure in an environment that is frankly scary if you are unfamiliar and often overwhelming even for those of us who are familiar.

Compassion and kindness are free and gifts available to all of us to use, please be mindful of how you use the most valuable gifts.

Out and About this week

This week has been a busy week. Sam Schefe and I started a week of celebration on Friday with a visit to Caboolture Satellite Hospital where we spent time with the Minor Illness and Injuries team.

We delivered cookies, had a cuppa and most importantly a yarn and a laugh with the team.

We talked about the hard days, the celebrations of the big days and, most importantly, the culture and how quickly little things or behaviours can make things change for the negative.

This was followed by a visit to Woodford on yesterday where we got to chat with the team and enjoy a piece of an amazing cake.

It is both unusual for us to get photos at Woodford or share food due to the security requirements but yesterday we were lucky to share both.

The cake was amazing and made by Paul Kemp’s clearly very talented wife. The photo was kindly taken for us by one of the Queensland Correctional staff – with many thanks and true observation of the respect the teams have for each other.

I am always thrilled to visit Woodford – this team works in challenging conditions – the space is tiny to achieve what they do. It is a window-less space they work in but amongst all of that they are so passionate and focused on improving health and lives of their community both now and into the future.

We also went to Kilcoy – the site I always say is my healing space – it is a beautiful and calm site.

As Aleesha, Sam and I chatted, they commented on the fact they were not sure what I had meant but on visiting they got it.

To explain – I find it, for me, like walking onto an empty beach or a calm forest on a windless day. When I arrive, there is a sense of calm and you look out to a beautiful scenery as you enter.

Then you talk to the staff and they all love their jobs… they will certainly talk about the challenges but then they talk about the team, community and that they enjoy their workplace.

Maybe due to the environment and the more remote setting, they are also all like I remember health heroes – very flexible and solution focused, problem solving to achieve outcomes… whether it is a facilities issue, stock issue, patient issue or staff issue, they come together to resolve it.

I actually had the joy of visiting Kilcoy twice this week – I wish I had taken a photo on Tuesday as I drove in under the mountains that were coated with fog.

Tuesday was my opportunity to finally meet the Kilcoy Auxillary and, WOW, what an amazing, passionate and focused group they are.

This group of amazing women have donated a huge amount of equipment to the hospital ranging from clinical equipment to whitewear.

They also often provide gifts to our patients on special days such as Easter or Mother’s Day. This week’s meeting they were in full planning mode for the Kilcoy Fete, which I will showcase later in my message.

Temporary ward move to 4A

On Wednesday, we temporarily moved Caboolture Hospital patients from ward 3A to ward 4A to accommodate air-conditioning upgrades.

It took such a large, multi-disciplinary team to bring everything together and ensure the move was a success. A big thank you to everyone involved in this large body of work.

If you have need to reach the Ward 3A team while on 4A, phone 5433 8633 or NUM Tarryn Day on 5433 8216.

Business Continuity Awareness + Resilience Week

This week, our new Emergency Management Coordinator Casey McCoist commenced and attended the Business Continuity Awareness Week and Resilience (BCAW+R) presentation at the RBWH Education Centre yesterday.

The theme for BCAW+R week is Empowering tomorrow: building resilience today.

Business Continuity Manager Deb Fitzpatrick and Executive Director Assets and Infrastructure Kate Copeland AM talked on how business continuity fits into everyday life and work.

“It was great to hear more about Metro North Health’s commitment to Developing Organisational Resilience, minimising impacts of service delivery disruptions, to ensure our patients, staff and community have access to the services they need,” Casey said.

For more information, including a copy of the Business Continuity and Resilience vidcast on Monday, visit the Business Continuity Management QHEPS site.

National Volunteer Week

Our Volunteers (the people in green usually) are AMAZING…

I love visiting them at the front door and chatting – they brighten my day and they are amazing to watch engaging with our community.

Do you LOVE the work they do to? Don’t forget to thank them next week during National Volunteer Week (20-26 May).

Currently, there are 45 volunteers at Caboolture Hospital, including The Common Good volunteers and our Chaplains.

These special individuals play a crucial role in our hospital community, from welcoming visitors to supporting patients to providing administrative assistance to staff.

To celebrate all our volunteers, we will be holding a small ‘thank you’ morning tea each day in the volunteer space at the new Main Entry.

If you spot a volunteer next week, please let them know how much you appreciate their help!

Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary Fete

The Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary Fete is coming up next weekend – Saturday 25 May.

As I noted earlier, the Kilcoy Auxiliary is an amazing group and Kilcoy Hospital has been blessed over the years with this strong group of volunteers who have been stalwarts in supporting us to care for the community.

Over many years, the auxiliary has worked tirelessly to provide valued assistance to the hospital, which benefits the care we can provide for patients. They recently donated a washing machine for patients to wash their clothes, particularly those facing a longer stay.

From 9.30am to 12pm, there will be stalls selling local honey, handmade items and much more, plus raffles, music and food, including scones and sandwiches.

At 12pm, the second-hand goods auction begins and goes until all donated items have been sold.

All money raised goes back into Kilcoy Hospital. It’s a great opportunity to support the team that supports us.

I can’t wait to experience my first Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary Fete and I hope to see many of you there!

Please note: The Fete is CASH ONLY (wow, I have to find cash…I’m told the cakes are not to be missed!).

10,000 Steps Challenge reminder

The CKW leader is 2 legit 2 quit, which features several nurses from Caboolture Hospital Ward 2A.

The team lead by Registered Nurse and Team Leader Emily Quilty has amassed more than five million steps!  Just a few of the team members: (left to right) Emily, Kiara, Carmel, Kate, Lisa, and Mata.

“I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the 2 legit 2 quit team has stepped up to the challenge and truly embraced the spirit of teamwork,” Emily said.

“This has been a collective team effort all the way as the Ward 2A nurses always pull together to support one another and encourage each other to achieve our best.

“It has been wonderful to hear how participating in this initiative has improved each member’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

“Getting out and exercising together has strengthened our bonds as a nursing team which has also improved morale on the ward.

“Our greatest motivation has been our competitive spirit which has fuelled our rapid movement up the leader board each day to seventh place now.”

There’s still time to sign up, create, or join a team. The Queensland Health Steps Challenge runs until Friday 31 May.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

I don’t want to forget this important month in all the other things occurring as we will all be in some way touched by this endemic.

• If you or someone you know are experiencing Domestic and Family Violence and would like community-based specialist supports, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

• If you are experiencing Domestic and Family Violence and seeking staff wellbeing supports, contact TELUS Health 24/7 DFV Line (1300 574 516).
• DV Connect can provide support for women or men who are experiencing violence at home or from a family member.

There are several Metro North Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) prevention training opportunities across the month of May available to all staff. Upcoming training sessions include:

• Engaging people Who Use Domestic and Family Violence and Information Sharing – Thursday 23 May: 12.30pm – 2pm

• Adolescent to Parent Violence and Impacts of DFV on children and young people – Monday 27 May: 10am – 12pm

Register for upcoming or watch previously recorded DFV training and professional development opportunities via this link https://forms.office.com/r/WVL5wiBdXr

Metro North Health services are available should you be concerned that patients have experienced or you suspect DFV. Find them on QHEPS here.

You may have seen my message last week that CKW is recruiting to a dedicated domestic and family Violence (DFV) specialist Social Worker Advanced role. It is now available on Smart Jobs.

The position is designed to build the capability of the health workforce and clinical services to respond to DFV across Metro North Health.

The role will support the integration of the domestic and family violence reform agenda through training and education. It will also coordinate and deliver professional development activities for staff.

It’s important that you can recognise, respond and refer people who are impacted by domestic and family violence. You can do this by ensuring your mandatory Recognise, Respond, Refer training is up to date.

We must send a strong and clear message that violence in our community will never be tolerated.

Positions Vacant

Caboolture is a great place to work and we need great people – please share job opportunities with your friends:

• Director Nursing and Midwifery
• Clinical Director Paediatric Emergency
• Nurse Navigator – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (Identified)

And many more medical, Allied health and nursing jobs – search here on Smart Jobs.

There are several roles available at Bribie Satellite Hospital:

• General Practitioner – Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Minor Injuries and Illness Clinic
• Registered Nurse – Day Medical Treatment Unit
• Clinical Nurse – Day Medical Treatment Unit
• Nurse Navigator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Satellite Health Hub (Identified)

Reflection

Wow, I keep trying to make my message shorter, but there is just so much going on and I really want to ensure you all know about these things and the exciting things your colleagues do.

As I come to the end of my working week which has included a lot of driving and so many exciting events, I feel I need to take time to recharge my batteries.

Many of you may not know or guess that I am an introvert, so all this fun, joy and socialising actually makes me a bit tired… this weekend I have very few social engagements and I am going to enjoy the company of my boys, a walk or run in the bush and just a quiet time, I may even read a book.

I really encourage you all to think about what you need to re-energise and ringfence some time to do it. It is only through this self-care that we can bring our best selves to work.

Take some time to enjoy some pure joy and find your sunlight!

“The healthiest plants survive because they weather the storms and never stop reaching the light.” Robert Clancy.

Regards,

Karlene.