Thank you for all your efforts over the past couple of weeks as we near the peak of the current COVID-19 wave. It feels like we are again in a challenging holding pattern as we manage the pressures of staff being away and the impact on all of our services.

At the same time though there continues to be great things happening and important announcements to be made.

Oral Health Pilot

Logistics planning is well underway to establish weekend dental clinics as part of a trial to help our emergency departments.

COH has received SEED funding to commence a weekend dental clinic up until the end of June 2023 at Redcliffe and Caboolture.

These clinics will provide scheduled emergency appointments as part of a new rapid access pathway which will also be operational during weekdays.

Expressions of interest are being sort for dentists, dental assistants and administration officers who are interested in participating in the weekend dental clinics.

If you are interested in working in the weekend clinics, please send your expression of interest to GPOHS-Administration@health.qld.gov.au by August 2, 2022.

Welcome to Stephanie

Recently, we welcomed Dr Stephanie Hadikusumo as the acting Director of Medical Services for COH while Dr Keren Harvey takes the opportunity to undertake a secondment until the 2 October with the enhanced PACS service.

Please take the time to make Dr Hadikusumo welcome, it is great to have her on the team.

Some team movements

We soon welcome Kris Stone-Tolcher as the new Corporate Services Manager for community who starts at Brighton Health Campus on Monday, August 15.

On Tuesday, August 9 we also welcome Kerri Gane from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Kerri will be the new Senior Director of Clinical Operations.

Michael Elliot, our Business Manager, will be on leave from August 2 for six weeks and Karly Missenden will be acting in his role.

A big thank you to our Duty Managers

A good team is a critical success factor in times of challenge. The Duty Nurse Managers have always worked as an effective team across services, but this has become increasingly evident recently as we cope with staff shortages on the weekend and COVID-19 pressures.

The Duty Nurse Managers have played a critical role in supporting staff on duty and on call in navigating multiple changes, but also playing an ongoing role particularly after hours and on the weekend as the first response for staff who are furloughed or on emergent leave.

Thank you to these wonderful leaders who continue to shine and deliver great outcomes under immense pressure.

Acknowledgement of our organisation’s leaders

Leadership is not necessarily about a title or position, it is also displayed in the way our staff influence positive change and achieve great patient outcomes by leading by example.

One of the strengths of our directorate is our staff’s leadership during times of challenge, which is being demonstrated across many levels of the organisation.

One of the categories of the 2022 Community and Oral Health Staff Excellence Awards is leadership. So, please take the time nominate a deserving leader today.

NOMINATIONS are open until COB Tuesday, 16 August 2022.

Pyjama Day Fun

While it is a difficult time, it also good to see staff able to have some fun at work with a number of work units at North Lakes Health Precinct celebrating National Pyjama Day on Friday and also raising funds for children in foster care.

Quote to ponder

Henry David Thoreau said: “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”

Glynis Schultz
Executive Director
Community and Oral Health