We have a lot to talk about this week and lot of great things coming up in the next few weeks and month worth highlighting.

Brisbane North Health Alliance

Last week staff from Community and Oral Health participated in an important workshop to brainstorm opportunities across primary and community health care in Metro North.

With demands on health care growing it was important we joined the Brisbane North PHN to build a shared commitment to community health needs and future collaboration.

The key focus of this initial workshop was identifying opportunities in acute and sub-acute care, mental health, chronic disease, children’s health and care of the older person.

The workshop was a great step forward, and I look forward to sharing outcomes of this partnership with the Brisbane North PHN as we continue to develop this health alliance.

As well as look at future initiatives similar to the successful Falls Prevention collaboration that occurred between the MN Ambulance Service, COH and PHN Care Coordination team.

Closing the vaccination chapter

Last week we closed our vaccination chapter after delivering more than 412,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals as young as five and up to our most elderly citizens.

This has been an outstanding effort from everyone across our sites, and satellite and pop up clinics. It hasn’t always been easy but it has certainly been worth it.

As a reasonably frequent visitor to the vaccination hubs, I was impressed in so very many ways:

• The camaraderie within teams
• How well people worked across  professions and skills sets – multidisciplinary work at it’s very best
• The can-do attitude at early morning huddles or close of days wrap ups. There was never a challenge that couldn’t be overcome
• The willingness to reflect and say – we did good – now how can we do it event better!
• The nurturing provided to the graduates in the teams
• The number of ways you went over and above to meet the needs of the people in your care (both adults and children) to ensure that they felt safe and supported
• Your good will to navigate the changing rules and protocols.

Your safety record was outstanding and requires a special shout out.

In closing, I want to thank Mary Wheeldon. Mary demonstrated values in actions at all times in spite of the rapidly changing landscape, the consistent demands and the personal cost to her as she worked unbelievably long hours.

COVID-19 staff debrief survey and sessions

There is still time to provide your feedback and suggestions about the COVID-19 response over the past few years.

Frontline staff are invited to attend professional group sessions via Teams, with two sessions still available.

• COH Allied Health staff – Monday 9 May – Midday
• COH Facility Services staff – Administration, Patient Support Services, Food Services and Building and Engineering Service – Monday 9 May – 2.30 pm

If you can’t make these sessions and still want the opportunity to provide your thoughts, then I encourage you to complete the COVID-19 staff debrief survey instead.

Catch the Chief

Walking to fundraise for nursing and midwifery research and scholarships 

Next week we will be celebrating International Nurses Day with important local events and our annual nursing awards on Thursday.

In addition, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Metro North Health, Alanna Geary, is walking eight hours a day on a treadmill at various sites to fundraise for nursing and midwifery research and education.

Alanna will be at North Lakes Health Precinct on Friday morning and Brighton Health Campus in the afternoon, and I encourage as many of you as possible to pop in and support this important cause.

Nurses and midwives walk kilometres each and every day. They walk with pride, passion and professionalism.

Help Alanna fundraise for our nurse and midwives by donating and by spreading the message! #walkingfornursingandmidwifery 

Find out more or donate at https://fundraise.rbwhfoundation.com.au/catch-the-chief

Reconciliation Shield Barefoot Bowls

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The Community and Oral Health Reconciliation Shield Barefoot Bowls competition is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues through some friendly competition and laughter.

The barefoot bowls competition will be held on Friday 3 June, 2022 at the Brighton Wellness Hub, Cnr Nineteenth Ave and Hornibrook Hwy, Brighton from 12.30 – 4.00 pm.

Please email your team nomination to hayley.renouf@health.qld.gov.au by close of business Friday 27 May 2022.

Learning4you – May Sway

May the 4^th be with you, and also May you find some great things in the May Sway!

The COH Education team have put together another great resource with their focus this time around the Respiratory System, Teamwork, Clinical Governance, and Organisational Governance.

Be sure to book in for next week’s Mandatory Blitz, and get up-to-date with BLS (Adult and Paediatric) and Patient Handling.

If you have any suggestions or submissions around training initiatives please contact the COH Education Team. https://sway.office.com/lwgGGjZwa0BPvSlc

A Final Word

Thank you to staff who have received the flu shot so far – view the flu vaccination timetable for upcoming clinics.

Glynis Schultz
Executive Director
Community and Oral Health