Cang Dang, Executive Director
In my last message, I mentioned a new program to make hospital leaders more accountable, visible and accessible. It’s called the Visible Leaders Program, and it began this week.
The Visible Leaders Program arranges for hospital leaders to spend time in different parts of the hospital having purposeful conversations with staff about what is working well and how things can be better for everyone.
The first of these sessions was held on Tuesday afternoon.
During that first session, we discovered things we didn’t know before and identified new risks that need urgent attention. We heard about some great teamwork and shout-outs for team members doing wonderful work. There were conversations about workload challenges, occupational violence, the care of mental health patients, the way we respond to Ryan’s Rule, training and onboarding new line managers, and the rollout of ieMR.
I’m especially pleased that students on clinical placements were involved in these conversations. Their experience of working at Redcliffe Hospital is just as important to us.
All of these conversations will help inform the executive team about current priority focus areas and future models of care and will help shape important decisions. They will also provide us with opportunities to recognise innovation, achievements, and inspirations.
Thank you to everyone who welcomed hospital leaders and engaged so positively this week.
This wasn’t just a one-off either. The Visible Leadership Program will be a regular part of the work of our hospital leaders because there’s a lot more to talk about in the weeks and months ahead.
SET Staff Forum next Thursday
Another way that we’re making leaders more visible at Redcliffe Hospital is with the SET Staff Forum next Thursday.
All staff are invited to join us in the Education Centre from 11:30am with Metro North Health Acting Chief Executive Jane Hancock and Acting Chief Operating Officer Glynis Schultz, together with other Metro North Health Senior Executive members.
Opportunities like this should not be missed. It’s the perfect time to ask questions and learn more about how everything fits together, and what to expect in the months ahead. Please join us if you can – an appointment for this session should be in your Outlook calendar.
Preventing RSV in infants
Redcliffe Hospital is now part of a state-wide prevention program for RSV, which is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants and young children.
The Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program began on 15 April with the TGA-approved long-acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab offered as a dose to all newborn infants at the time of birth or before discharge.
Immunisation provides infants and young children with protection against RSV for at least five months and is up to 80 per cent effective in decreasing infant hospitalisations related to RSV.
Our Midwifery Unit Manager, Jeanie Cooper, says parents and families have been very enthusiastic about immunisation, with 26 babies immunised so far. The paediatric ward is also providing the RSV immunisation to infants in their care as well.
It’s great to see the program off to such a strong start.
Listening to consumer feedback
We recently received some patient feedback that I’d like to share with everyone. It comes from a mother who had her baby at Redcliffe and was keen to express her appreciation for “the beautiful care we received.”
In her letter, she talked about the wonderful care she received from midwives and a student midwife, “all of whom provided exceptional care and support”. She goes on to say that “the theatre staff, anaesthetists and obstetric team were all exceptional, made me and my partner feel safe and comfortable and met any needs and requests I had.”
Along with great care in theatre and in the ward, she mentioned her “great follow up care as well”.
Well done to the teams and units mentioned and thank you for the care you provided this patient and her family.
We value all patient feedback because it helps us improve the care we provide.
Hospital expansion update
More good news this week, with additional temporary accommodation buildings arriving on the hospital campus. You may have seen these temporary buildings delivered last weekend beside the ieMR training rooms near MBICC and the space behind North Block. Work is underway now to install and fit out these buildings for the teams moving out of Fincorp and West Block in the coming weeks.
We’ve also seen dozens more staff take up the offer to park in the staff car park at the Redcliffe Showgrounds. Thank you to those day staff who have done their bit to help make sure the hospital has enough car parking for patients and visitors each day.
There’s still a lot of space available at the Showgrounds, and we continue to encourage day staff to take advantage of the cheaper parking arrangements.
Get moving together
Redcliffe Hospital staff are encouraged to get moving with this year’s 10,000 Steps Challenge.
The Challenge counts all kinds of activity, from walking and running to swimming, playing sports, and gym sessions.
If you’d like to get involved, find out more here or talk to Rhonda Neal from REDDY Fun & Fitness.
Making it Count More
We have another tip this week for clinicians and staff to help make patient records more accurate.
This week’s tip:
Cellulitis with abscess and patient commenced on antibiotics?
Document if being treated for both cellulitis and abscess.
If you have any questions about how your team can make it count more, talk to Health Information Services on 3883 7295.
Lastly, with ANZAC Day this week, we pause in gratitude to reflect on the sacrifices made by Australians in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping.
I know, too, that many in our hospital community have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force, and many others have family and those at home who have served.
We’re grateful to them all for their service.
Lest we forget.
Cang.