Our Metro North Oral Health Service has been under a lot of pressure recently and has experienced many challenges due to COVID-19 over the past few years.

Currently, like many of our services, there are significant impacts on this service due to staff being away as they are unwell or caring for others.

Despite these challenges our oral health colleagues continue to rise to the challenge and put their hands up to help out the broader service.

Their work each and every day is exemplary, and the recent improvements that have been made across this service are clearly apparent under the great leadership of Dr Mario De Silva.

Thank you to the Metro North Oral Health Service for your efforts meeting your activity targets over the past financial year.

I know that it has been difficult for many of you, and just like Mario has done I would also like to extend my gratitude for work done well.

Metro North Oral Health Service is an important part of the Community and Oral Health family and is a service that makes us shine.

At the same time, I would also like to acknowledge the work of our bedded services who have been effectively and safely managing minor outbreaks as they occur.

Follow up from the Incident Controller message

Due to our current surge with increasing numbers of COVID-19 admissions to our hospitals, additional measures will be implemented over the next 4 weeks as part of Metro North’s current Tier 3 COVID Response.

Additional measures include cancelling of all non-clinical meetings and ceasing all education, training and non-essential activities.

Third and fourth dose

It’s important to keep your COVID-19 vaccinations up-to-date, which means having all boosters you are eligible for to provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19. You can get your booster by making an appointment with your GP or local pharmacy.

Eligibility for third and fourth dose vaccination includes:

• All Queenslanders aged 16 and over who have had two COVID-19 vaccine doses more than 3 months ago should get a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.
• People aged 50 and over, and those at greater risk of severe illness, are recommended to have a fourth dose (also called a winter dose), from 3 months after the first booster dose.
• People aged 30 to 49 can also get a fourth dose if they choose.
• Even if you’ve had COVID-19, you should still get your boosters after an interval of 3 months.
• Children aged 5 to 15 should get 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses. Boosters are not currently recommended for this age group unless they are immunocompromised.

PPE/Masks

Metro North is still in the high-risk PPE category, which means PPE is required in all areas. A minimum of P2/N95 and protective eyewear is required for clinical areas. Please also remember your hand hygiene and social distancing.

A great compliment worth sharing

The Metro North SPACE (Specialist Palliative Care in Aged Care) service was established to improve access to specialist palliative care and improve palliative and end-of-life care to residents of aged care facilities, in their place of choosing and avoid unnecessary hospitalisation.

The positive feedback about this service continues to occur regularly.

“My father passed away as a private aged care resident. It was his one year anniversary of passing that reminded me I never sent this email.

“He had end stage cancer and was in a lot of pain. I am in the heath field, and with some understanding of the immense pressure the aged care sector is under with staffing and patient care ratios, was concerned the facility wouldn’t be able to keep his pain under control with timely analgesic administrations.

“Through no fault of the facility, and especially at night with one Registered Nurse on, this was the case and Dad’s one wish, which was to be pain free, wasn’t being adequately or consistently fulfilled.

“I had tried calling RADAR, I had him taken to the ED on one occasion. But, and I knew, these weren’t going to solve the problem. Enter Nicole and your wonderful program, SPACE.

“Having her able to visit Dad, where he wanted to stay, was amazing. With her specialist knowledge of different analgesic options, and willingness to educate the aged care facility staff, we finally had Dad comfortable.

“As things progressed Nicole was able to organise a seamless transition to the palliative care unit at Redcliffe Hospital where Dad passed away peacefully.

“What a wonderful program, personally easing not only Dad’s pain but his loved ones’ suffering seeing him in agony.

“From a health care perspective, easing the burden of ambulance call-out and emergency department presentations. Please pass on my personal thanks to Nicole Hutchinson, she was amazing. Thank you!”

Update to your COVID-19 questions

Just for your information, the useful Frequently Asked Questions document which I sent out last week has been updated and is attached to support staff.

It covers a range of topics relating to the current COVID-19 situation and impacts on staff.

Quote to ponder

Pele said: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

Glynis Schultz
Executive Director
Community and Oral Health