Louise Oriti, Executive Director
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital remains committed to your wellbeing and is working on several levels to improve how we action this.
To assist with personal wellbeing goals and build community the RBWH is proud to offer several individual wellbeing projects, led by Wellbeing Consultant Dr Liz Crowe.
- The RBWH Walking group meets every Monday and Thursday at 5pm. It is a 6km round trip walk and is all flat. If you have interest in a much shorter walk for beginners or those recommencing exercise, or to register your interest in the existing walking group, please contact Dr Crowe.
- The RBWH Book Club occurs every six weeks. Currently they meet on a Thursday at lunch time. The next book club is Thursday 18 April. Everyone is welcome. Reading the book is preferable though not compulsory. The current book is Yellowface by Rebecca P. Kuang.
- Victoria Park/Barrambin is situated across the road from STARS. The Brisbane City Council runs free yoga there every Tuesday afternoon at 4.30pm. They regularly offer free activities for RBWH staff. For more information visit What’s on at Victoria Park / Barrambin | Brisbane City Council.
It’s also a good time to mention the 10,000 Steps Challenge which begins 29 April. This is a Queensland Health-wide initiative that not only encourages us all to be more active, it’s also a good team-building exercise. Find out more here Queensland Health Steps Challenge | 10,000 Steps (10000steps.org.au).
Dr Crowe says: “If you have other great ideas for wellbeing please connect with us. We would love to hear from you.”
Nursing and Midwifery Awards
As part of our International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day 2024 celebrations, nominations are open for this year’s Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Awards, with a deadline of 12 April.
There are countless examples of wonderful nurses and midwives at RBWH who go above and beyond to care for their patients and make life easier for their colleagues.
The eight award categories celebrate excellence and achievement in clinical practice, and professionalism in championing our Metro North values. There are awards for nurses, midwifery leaders and those starting out.
Please have a look at the categories and submit your nominations here.
Staff flu vaccination program
Flu vaccinations will be available for RBWH staff from Monday 22 April. Vaccinations will be provided to Queensland Health staff working onsite at RBWH Herston campus, Metro North staff working at any campus and other workers on site at RBWH, including contractors, labour hire, agency staff, service providers, students, work experience placements, locums, visiting medical officers and volunteers. No bookings are required, you just need to show your Medicare card. I would encourage all staff to take advantage of this service and protect themselves, their family and our patients from the flu this season. The location is the Level 2 walkway between the Ned Hanlon Building and the James Mayne Building. Click through for more information and contact details.
Have Your Say action plan – get involved
Last week the Metro North Health Employee Engagement Action Plan 2023-25 was launched, which is in direct response to the most recent Have Your Say survey results and aims to significantly increase employee satisfaction over the next 12 months.
Read the launch message from Jackie Hanson and Raelene Burke.
Four key focus areas have been identified in the action plan with 21 initiatives sitting underneath. People and Culture have put an EOI call out for employees across Metro North to be involved in one of 10 action groups which will co-design some of these important projects.
I encourage you to read more about all the action groups and take this opportunity to be part of a diverse team who aim to effect real culture change for all Metro North employees.
The first action groups commencing soon are:
- PDPs: how can we do these better?
- Leading by example
- Supporting people through unplanned leave
- Creating better career pathways for our admin and ops staff
Find out more on QHEPS.
Positive feedback
We recently received this very positive feedback which I’d like to share with you:
“I would like to thank the doctors and nurses up in ICN and Special Care, an amazing group of people who make you feel validated, informed and cared-for every step of the way. My daughter had an unexpected start to life and the nurses have provided care to the highest standard. I have witnessed nurses sing, cuddle and read books to the babies in their care among other things. It is comforting to know that when you leave in the afternoon, your baby will be cared for the same. I will be forever grateful.
“I would also like to mention the amazing service provided by staff in the Trust Office, after some rough days it was always lovely seeing them with a big smile and great sense of humour.”
Thank you for all that you do in caring for our community.
Kind regards,
Louise.