As we move into February, I am very optimistic about and looking forward to the year ahead.

Across our directorate there is a lot of work underway to look at our models of care, governance and the ways we can better engage, and look after one another.

This year is very promising, and one I have no doubt will see Community and Oral Health staff rising to the challenges, doing great things and continuing to inspire me.

Oral Health Length of Service recognition

The leadership team of Oral Health continued their roadshow which began in late 2022 to recognise the length of service of many staff.

I joined the executive leadership team at Sandgate Dental Clinic and want to thank Dr Uu Sheraton and her team for their hospitality. Other local events were held at Caboolture and Redcliffe Dental Clinics.

To all of those staff that received length of service recognition recently, I want to thank you all for your continued service and your commitment to our patients and your colleagues.

How Dolphin House Shines

Last week I caught up with staff at Brighton to acknowledge their great work, and to pass on Jamie Taylor’s recent well-deserved Shining Star award.

At the time, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to share this wonderful patient story.

A story that demonstrates how important each profession’s role is in getting an amazing patient outcome.

“I’d like to thank the whole team very much for the great care and attention I received during my stay at Dolphin House.

Nursing

“I would especially like to thank the nursing team for their great effort looking after me.

“Nothing seemed to much trouble for you like helping me to put on my left shoe because I couldn’t bend my left knee after surgery. I hope I wasn’t too much of a difficult patient.

Physiotherapy

“My physiotherapists Tom and Indy got me more mobile, off the crutches and walking at home without the stick. They got me in a position where I could manage at home.

“You where an essential part of my rehabilitation process and to totally get going following my hip replacement. You made the surgery successful.

Occupational Therapy

“I want to thank Grant Walker my Occupational Therapist for his advice for looking after my new hip and to make sure nothing was wrong with it.

Dietetics

“Thank you to the dietician for the information she gave me on maintaining a high energy protein diet ay home.

Pharmacy

“Thanks to the pharmacist for securing me a ready supply of medical supplies to support me at home and contacts for the company that supplies them.

Operational

“A special thanks to Alex for remembering my special afternoon drink of a milo and coffee, and my penchant for a nice piece of cake. I looked forward to my nice piece of cake!

“Thank you to the kitchen staff for their lovely meals which helped in my rehab and gave me something to look forward to during my stay.

“And last, but not least to the cleaning staff who do a great job keeping everything clean.

“The Brighton Health Campus is a great place to rehabilitate with its great views of the bay and parkland setting.

“Once again, I want to say thank you so much for helping me to get going again after my complex hip replacement.”

We are coming to Aspley!

In just a few short weeks the COH executive will be visiting Aspley Community Health Centre on Tuesday 21 February and joining staff at an afternoon tea at 3.00 pm.

Please take the time to nominate a 50-100 word submission for the February Shining Star Award, especially for Aspley staff. These can be sent to COH-Communications@health.qld.gov.au

Nominations will close on Friday 17 February.

On a personal note

In recent weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team from People and Culture.

I am delighted to know that Metro North Health is embracing neurodiversity in the workforce.

A quick search of google supports this approach. One article cites the Harvard Business Review stating: Neurodivergent employees often drive innovation and give companies a competitive advantage”.

As a grandmother of very special and talented little people who march to a different drum, I am pleased indeed!

A poem from John Roedel to ponder

“Me: Hey God.
God: Hey John.
Me: Cure Autism.
God: Nope.
Me: Why?
God: There is nothing to cure.
Me: Huh?
God: People living with autism aren’t broken. They aren’t sick. They are just people singing a beautiful song with lyrics that are foreign to you.
Me: But sometimes I can’t understand what song my son is singing…
God: That’s okay – forget about the lyrics and just sit back and enjoy the lovely melody.
Me: I don’t like to see him struggle.
God: The prettiest of flowers always struggle right before the bloom.
Me: If you won’t cure Autism – what will you do?
God: I’ll have you help Me cure something else.
Me: What’s that?
God: Ignorance.
Me: Am I really qualified to be helping you with that?
God: I can think of no better person.”

Glynis.