Glynis Schultz, Executive Director, Community and Oral Health
We continue to find new and innovative ways to improve the patient and resident experience.
First up today, I want to share some pictures and a story from Gannet House where our staff are doing exceptional things to make our residents’ day.
This time they invited Faith, a 12-year-old mare and her handler Merril, for a visit to the residential aged care facility.
And, given the expressions on the resident’s faces, they loved the experience! I hope you enjoy the photos.
Continuing this theme of demonstrating the work of our shining stars I want to make a special mention about the staff from the Halwyn Centre.
They have been going above and beyond by taking the time to be with resident families during difficult times and visiting residents when they are in hospital.
This behaviour shows how our Halwyn staff care deeply about the residents and their families, and how important it is to focus on the patient experience.
Have Your Say staff survey
There is a lot of focus on the Have Your Say staff survey at the moment and since our last survey in 2021, thanks to your feedback, there have been some great things happening across the directorate.
At COH, some of these changes have included:
- The establishment of an ongoing executive COH roadshow and local awards for facilities
- The Moora View Garden opening at Brighton
- Upgrades to dining rooms, and break out and clinical areas across many facilities
- A new multi-faith area
- Improved staff parking at Aspley
- Growing the peer responder program
- Delivering compassionate conversations training for middle managers
- Delivering ongoing ‘Get Involved, Stay Connected’ campaigns to support staff wellbeing.
Further resources on the Have Your Say survey can be found on QHEPS.
National Advance Care Planning Week
There is a lot planned for National Advance Care Planning Week from the 20 to the 26 March.
On Friday 24 March between 10:00 – 11:30 am Social Worker Jamuna Sundaram will be providing a ACP information session at the Brighton Wellness Hub for community members.
National ACP Program will offer two webinars for the health and care workforce.
- National ACP Week Health Professional Training: Panel Discussion (Monday 20 March, 1.00 – 3.00 pm)
Taking a broad look at ACP in clinical practice and its relevance across the spectrum of healthcare professions and specialties. Register.
- Health professionals: ACP for people with reduced decision-making capacity (Thursday 23 March, 10 – 11.30 am)
Learn about advance care planning for people living with reduced decision-making capacity. Register.
Find out more about National Advance Care Planning Week.
A big thank you to the Oral Health Centre team
It has been trying times for the Oral Health Centre team with flooding at the centre, and this has resulted in a lot of shuffling and activity to minimise disruption to patient care.
While Mario has already thanked staff, I also want to thank Aus Hmud, Mario de Silva, the leadership team from the OHC and COHS, our UQ partners, the CLAS team and all the staff located at the OHC.
The incident was managed extremely well by all involved. We have a fabulous team at Metro North Oral Health Services. Well done and thank you to all!
Neurodiversity Celebration Week staff survey
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It is celebrated on 13 to 19 March 2023.
Approximately 15-20 per cent of population has a neurological difference whether that be described as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD. But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognising those who think differently.
As part of the week please complete a COH survey.
Find out more at Neurodiversity Celebration Week (neurodiversityweek.com).
Next Executive visit
Our next executive visit will be Brighton Health Campus on Tuesday 21 March with a staff afternoon tea at 2.00 pm under the blue sails.
I will be on leave at that point, but you will be in safe hands with Mario de Silva who will be acting in the Executive Director role.
Mario will announce the winners of the March Shining Star Award for Brighton. Nominations close next week on Wednesday 15 March.
Please nominate one of your peers (especially from Brighton) for the March Shining Star Award with a 50-100 word submission which can be sent to COH-Communications@health.qld.gov.au.
Glynis.