Message from the Executive Director

It is great to be back after a short but refreshing break.

A big thank you to Dr Mario de Silva who looked after the directorate while I was away, and this week celebrated the achievements of a number of Metro North Oral Health staff as part of our COH Staff Excellence Awards.

Jo Barron, Senior Service Support Officer, Excellence in Performance Dual Winner

“For her exceptional efforts supporting executive decision making, change, and clinical and business improvements.

Dr Tarini Singh, A/Director CAOHS and COHS, Leadership Dual Winner

“For her exceptional leadership skills in an effort to improve the delivery of clinical services within CAOHS and COHS, and encourage clinical excellence.”

Childrens Oral Health Nursing Team, Samantha Wacker and Heidi Virtanen, Values in Action Dual Winner

“For providing the utmost care to the states’ most medically complex and critically unwell children who require oral health treatment under general anaesthetic.”

Congratulations to all of these amazing and deserving staff.

Next Staff Excellence Awards – Oral Health Centre

Join us at the Oral Health Centre (OHC) next Wednesday where we will be acknowledging the work of four individuals and also saying farewell to the OHC team who now sit under STARS.

Oral Health Staff Excellence Awards
Wednesday, 8 November
1.00 – 1.30 pm
Level 7, Terrace Room
Oral Health Centre

Occupational Violence Prevention Forum

I ask that as many COH staff as possible nominate and attend this important Occupational Violence Prevention Forum.

We would also like to see as many staff from our Operational Support Services attend as well.

This is a great opportunity to Metro North Health a safer place to work.

Celebrating our Volunteer Ambassador Leads

The success of the COH Volunteer Program is a massive team effort and is significantly enhanced by the Volunteer Ambassador Leads and staff who are happy and willing to invest their time to support our volunteers and peer supporters in each service.

As part of International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMD) it was good to catch up with many of Volunteer Ambassador Leads who outside of their normal roles help and support our volunteers.

Our Volunteer Ambassador Leads are ‘Helping others to Help’ and are an invaluable part of the volunteer program which sees our volunteers spending around 300 hours a month with our patients and residents.

Senior Director of Clinical Operations

I am delighted to announce that Jayne Stevenson will be commencing in the role of Senior Director Clinical Operations (Community) from Wednesday, 8 November 2023.

Jayne is a dedicated health professional with a focus on leadership, strategic planning, and continuous improvement and through her role as Operations Director for Internal Medicine Service at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, has played a key role in advancing healthcare delivery and operational efficacy.

I invite you to join me in welcoming Jayne to the role, but also thank Dane Robinson for acting in the Senior Director Clinical Operations role since 6 April 2023 as well as periods of relief in the role since 2022.

Dane has done a sterling job and I am delighted that his broad skills have been recognised and that he will be relieving in the Chief Operating Officer role at North West Hospital and Health Service.

Dane has the highly valued and unique ability to build relationships to create high performing teams. Dane is always ready to push the boundaries in the interest of patient-centred care, staff wellbeing and the best interest of COH.

I sincerely thank Dane sincerely for his hard work and commitment and wish him well during his time working in the North West – it’s my country and in my opinion, the best part of Australia.

A final shout out

It is all about taking pride in the food you prepare, present and serve for Food Production Supervisor Carol Wright.

Whether it is a breakfast meal such as scrambled eggs or pancakes, a main meal like fish and chips, hamburgers, chicken schnitzel with vegetables, or patient specific moulded and pureed meal, presentation is key!

Read more …

Glynis.