Louise Oriti, Executive Director, Redcliffe Hospital

We’ve heard a lot recently about how we’re all heading back to business as usual (BAU) after stepping back from our COVID and Influenza response. Speaking at our Managers Forum yesterday, our Director of Safety and Quality, Grant Carey-Ide, challenged us all to do something better – a transition to business better than usual (BBTU). In the coming weeks, expect to hear more about this idea – as we shift our focus from COVID and Influenza back squarely onto our safety and quality agenda.

Child Protection Training

Part of that safety and quality agenda is ensuring our mandatory and requisite training is up to date, including Metro North’s new online child protection training program – Supporting all Families Everyday (SaFE) V2. SaFE V2 is now available on TMS and I encourage everyone to log in and complete this mandatory training as soon as possible.

#IamRedcliffe Thank You Staff BBQ

It was great to see everyone out yesterday enjoying our #IamRedcliffe Thank You Staff BBQ. Thanks again to our operational and Facility Services teams for making that BBQ possible. This Staff BBQ was all about the hospital saying thank you for the hard work everyone put in over the winter months because we say thankyou to show our appreciation. #IamRedcliffe. 

Research Symposium

Redcliffe Hospital’s Research Symposium is one of the most important events of our hospital’s calendar. Once again this year, the Symposium showcased the depth of talent and significant contribution our hospital makes to clinical research and improving patient safety. Thank you to everyone who presented and prepared posters, and especially to Elwyn Henaway for his keynote address.

Following Elwyn’s address, we announced the Urology Department as our Research Excellence Award winner for 2022, in recognition of their extensive contribution to research that benefits patients – including clinical trials and their collaboration with the Herston Biofabrication Institute.

Congratulations also to:

• Winner of the Best Presentation, Dr William Yaxley and highly commended,
  Maria Fraser.
• Winner of the Best Concept Presentation, Merryn Valcovich and highly commended
  Dr Ella Grant.
• Winner of the Best Poster, Dr William Yaxley, and highly commented Ann Whitaker, Geoff Grima, and Edwin Cheung.
• Winner of the Best Publication, Kylie Jacobs, Luke Tung and co-authors, and highly commended Anndrea Flint, and also to Dr Yumi Oh, Dr Ashleigh Hennessey, Dr Laurel Young and Dr Claire Barrett.

Our thanks to Dr Joel Dulhunty and the research team for arranging and hosting the Symposium again this year. We all look forward now to next year’s Symposium.

Staff Excellence Awards

While talking about awards, our Redcliffe Hospital Staff Excellence Awards will be presented on Monday, 26 September. More than 150 individual nominations were received for our awards this year, from around 60 submissions.

Nominations for the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards are also closing soon – including nominations for two new awards – First Nations Staff and Improving First Nations Health. Both of these new awards reflect Metro North’s commitment to closing the gap and health equity.

QSuper sponsors the Redcliffe Hospital and the Metro North Staff Excellence Awards.

RUOK? Day

Thanks to Dr Seema Saddi from our Wellness Working Group and our Peer Responders for helping us to celebrate RUOK? Day last week. The theme for this year was Am I Okay, encouraging each of us to check in with ourselves and each other. Seema and the team made sure there were plenty of cupcakes too – which always helps to start a conversation at Redcliffe!

SLT and senior staff changes

In case you missed it, our Allied Health Director, Geoff Grima, will be on leave until the end of September and we’re pleased to welcome Tracey Brighton from TPCH, who will be acting in the role while Geoff is away. Later this month, we’ll also welcome Scott Trudgett as our Acting Manager, Learning and Development, a role shared between Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals. Please make Tracey and Scott welcome. 

On a personal note from me

As for me, I’ll be taking a couple of weeks off at the start of October. While I’m away, Sally Taranec will be acting as Executive Director. I’m very much looking forward to spending time with my mother, my daughter Sophie, and my new grandson Raiden. Taking time off to reconnect with our family and loved ones is a meaningful way that we can all take care of ourselves and each other. #IamRedcliffe.

Louise