Louise Oriti, Executive Director, Redcliffe Hospital

I’m pleased to say that things are looking a lot more positive than they were at this time last week.

Earlier this week, we stood back from our code brown severe weather response, and we’ve continued our transition back to more a business as usual COVID-19 response.

In another sign that things are getting back to ‘normal’, we’ll be running face-to-face Orientation in the Education Centre on Monday morning. From next week, the Education Centre goes back to its usual function as well.

That said, all hospitals in Metro North remain on High Risk PPE – which mandates the need for fit-tested N95/P2 masks to be worn, together with protective eyewear, by staff in all clinical areas. It’s also important to remember that, while masks may not be mandatory in the wider community, they are still required to be worn by everyone on hospital grounds.

Peer Responder Week

Our Peer Responders are specially trained staff who are approachable, accessible, trustworthy, and can provide confidential support for you when you need it. Wherever you work at Redcliffe Hospital, chances are there’s a Peer Responder not far away.

Peer Responder Week starts on Monday, and it’s the perfect time to find out more about the program or volunteer to become our next Peer Responder. To find out more about the information sessions available on Teams next week, click here.

If there’s been a Peer Responder who has helped you, you can also send them an #IamRedcliffe Thankyou by clicking here.

Metro North Health Equity Strategy

The Metro North Health Equity Strategy, to be finalised in April 2022, describes our commitment to drive health equity and eliminate institutional racism across the public health system. Our goal is to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing our health services will receive high-quality person-centred care that is culturally responsive, empowers self-care and choice, and is designed to improve health and wellbeing. I encourage everyone to help shape that strategy by taking part in a short survey on Metro North Health’s new Yarning Hub.

Yarning Circle

Our first Yarning Circle of 2022 will be held in the Healing Garden on Thursday 24 March from 9:30am. All staff are invited to come along to this Yarning Circle, which will focus on National Close the Gap Day.

We’re looking forward to hosting a number of these Yarning Circles this year, each focussing on a specific aspect of how we can ‘acknowledge the past, create the present, inspire the future‘.

Paediatric Emergency Department Upgrade

The first stage of the paediatric Emergency Department upgrade is now underway. Inside the Emergency Department, hoarding walls have been installed to confine the works to specific areas, while outside on the grassed area, earthworks are underway to build the temporary turnaround.

Everything remains on track for the upgrade to be completed by the end of this year.

Smart Referrals Workflow Solution

Metro North Health’s new electronic referrals system, Smart Referrals Workflow Solution, goes live on Monday. The new system replaces the eReferrals (CCi Portal) and provides better functionality and patient safety features. Most of the clinical and outpatients staff who will be using the new system have now completed their familiarisation and training – but for those who are yet to, there are self-directed online modules available by visiting the Smart Referrals Workflow solution resources page.

Lastly, the Metro North Australia Day Awards were presented a little later than usual this year and were then overshadowed by all the severe weather. Please join me in congratulating both Dr Catherine Yelland and our Better Together Medication Access Implementation Team on their awards. Two more fine examples of what happens when we bring our A-game and inspire others to do the same. #IamRedcliffe.

Louise Oriti
Executive Director
Redcliffe Hospital