I had the great pleasure of attending the Community and Oral Health Innovation Showcase yesterday to see first hand some of the great work that our teams are doing.

A big thank you to our keynote speaker, Dr Brooke Coombes from Griffith University who shared an informative and engaging presentation on clinical researcher pathways and interdisciplinary research.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making the 2023 Community and Oral Health Innovation Showcase such a success.

Each year, the showcase sees the calibre of COH presentations increasing. Presentations ranged from the establishment of a community-based telepractice dysphagia assessment service to the implementation of robot-assisted upper limb therapy to the Rapid Access Oral Health Emergency Department Project.

Handover at Halwyn

Great news! A part of the Halwyn Centre has been handed over to Apollo Property, the building contractor, marking the commencement of major renovations.

In the coming weeks and months we will see the planned facelift of the residential area on level 3.

We are excited about the positive changes this renovation will bring, ensuring Halwyn remains at the forefront of offering high level disability care to our community.

It’s all happening early next week at Brighton!

Next week will be a great opportunity to catch up with the Chief Executive and Chief Operations Officer as part of the their Listening Post series.

Monday, 23 October
Listening Post
Under the Blue Sails
Brighton Health Campus
11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Also, join the People and Culture team on the same day to find out more about Metro North’s Workforce Reform Roadmap.

The Roadmap has been co-designed by our people, external partners and workforce experts. It aims to support our employees by creating new and innovative ways to build and retain talent and innovate new ways to deliver our service.

The Roadmap outlines critical programs of work over the next 10 years to drive workforce reform and create a sustainable workforce.

Metro North’s Workforce Reform Roadmap
Brighton Health Campus
Auditorium
Tuesday, 24 October
9:00 – 10:00 am; and
1:00 – 2:00 pm.

A special note – Our Allied Health Profession Day Award Winners

Following and extensive judging process I would like to acknowedge our Allied Health Profession Day winners for 2023.

Shortly, the Director of Allied Health, Kate Schultz will be presenting winners with their awards.

Allied Health Assistant of the year 2023

• Apelu Vitale

Highly commended Allied Health Assistants

• Lisa Page
• Liz Hewitt
• Rachael Baker
• Rachel Williams
• Tessa Crawford

Allied Health Professional of the year 2023

• Anita Gear

Highly commenced Allied Health Professional of the year 2023

• Dianne Cavanagh
• Libby Gallagher

Early career Allied Health Professional of the year 2023

• Brook Khan

Highly commended Early career Allied Health Professional of the year

• Lisa Allcock

Recreational Officer of the year 2023

• Becky Young

Student supervisor of the year 2023

• Amanda Ballard

Panels choice award (DEBATE WINNER)

• Occupational Therapy

Panels choice award (RUNNER UP)

• Social Work

Compliment – Complex Chronic Disease Team The great compliments keep coming. Here is another one! “I was recently a participant of the Cronic Complex Disease team working out of the North Lakes Health Precint. As part of this program, I was able to see a physiotherapist twice a week and participate in gym sessions to help increase my physical fitness levels, which in turn, would help me live with my chronic condition. “Unfortunately, attending twice a week wasn’t an option for me, as I work full time. The physiotherapist I worked with (Louise) was amazing. She was able to construct a program just for me, an in person tele-health meet up once a week at the Burpengary Aquatic Centre gym, outside of her normal hours with clients. “I then joined the gym and continued the pre-set program on my own, then had my weekly check-ins with Louise. It was an amazing program, which has benefited me incredibly. “I’m more passionate about my fitness and health, and am doing anything I can to remain healthy, and this program was able to help me. A big thank you to the whole team for positive, helpful interactions and advice. A worthwhile experience for me.”

A final shout out

After two decades of supporting the smooth running of community-based health care services and facilities across Pine Rivers, Aspley, Chermside and Caboolture, there are still some challenges that Tania Stewart says require a bit more attention.

Tania, a Facility Manager at Caboolture and King Street Community Health Centres, said the recent replacement of air conditioning units across the Caboolture Community Health Centre was a challenge.

Find out more about Tania online.

Mario de Silva
A/Executive Director
Community and Oral Health