As we reach the end of another week, it is welcome news that from Monday 28 February, Metro North will transition to Tier 2. This means we can start to resume more of our normal business which includes the recommencement of planned care and face-to-face education. ​The Tier 2 plan will be available on Monday and further details will be included in the Metro North Incident Controller’s message then.

It is important for staff to be aware that PPE requirements are not related to the Tier response. This means that staff in direct patient facing roles need to continue wearing P2/N95 masks until further advice is received. Other TPCH COVID-19 updates are included at the end of my message.

Australia Day Awards

Today I had the pleasure of attending Metro North’s Australia Day Awards ceremony and I am pleased to advise that three TPCH staff were recognised for their commitment to our values and contribution to patient care outcomes. Congratulations to:

• Anne Carle, Executive Officer, Human Research Ethics Committee
• Erin Dunn, Pharmacist Team Leader, Internal Medicine Service
• Bianca Rivera, Registered Nurse, Cognitive Assessment Management Unit

I would also like to acknowledge those other TPCH staff who were nominated for an award this year.
Well done everyone! Go team TPCH!

Staff Profile

This week we will profile Front of House – Administration Reliever, Trixie Garland. As Administration Reliever at TPCH for almost five years, Trixie’s role is to provide administration relief to areas and departments throughout TPCH as it is needed.

In this diverse role, Trixie is required to constantly move to different areas around the hospital, assisting other administration and nursing staff in areas including Endoscopy OPD, Heart and Lung OPD, Specialist Clinic OPD, Admissions, Pre-Admissions, Cashiers Office, Call Centre and Private Practice – to name just a few.

Trixie has a natural passion for helping others, using her outgoing personality to support patients and her fellow team members each day. When not at work, Trixie’s other passions are motorbikes, fashion and jewellery. She was a member of a roller derby team, enjoys speed skating and plays bass guitar in a rock band. A real go getter!

ICU of the Future

This week, works commenced on the construction of a prototype room for the ICU of the Future project. This innovative project, which is led by TPCH Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) in collaboration with the Adult Intensive Care Service and supported by The Common Good, seeks to improve the experience and outcomes of critically ill patients in the ICU through optimising the bedspace environment.

The prototype, which is being constructed directly opposite TPCH loading docks, will be used to test and fine tune the architectural design and technological innovations that will be implemented when two bed spaces in TPCH ICU are upgraded later this year. The project team would like to obtain as much feedback as possible from former patients, their families and staff to ensure the final plans are optimised for patients, their families, and ICU staff. Interested staff are invited to visit this space and give feedback. The prototype space will also be used for staff training and preparation for working in a new bedspace environment following implementation in the ICU. For any information regarding this project, please email the project manager – Oystein.Tronstad@health.qld.gov.au

Language Badge Program

Metro North’s Multicultural Health, Language Badge Program provides an opportunity for Metro North staff and volunteers who fluently speak a language in addition to English or in the case of Auslan, sign, to provide basic language and cultural support to patients and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to help create a welcoming and culturally responsive environment.

For more information about the program please see the poster below.
Language Badge Program

Shout out

With the imminent transition to Tier 2, I’d like to give a big shout to all the areas and departments which have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support our COVID-19 response over many months. The level of endurance, flexibility and teamwork demonstrated by our TPCH teams has been outstanding and I commend everyone on their fantastic work. An example of a team that has been highly adaptable to the changing demands of COVID is the Ward 2C nursing staff. These staff have been out of their ward since before Christmas, redeployed to many and varied locations across TPCH and Metro North. The team returned to the ward earlier this week and are certainly glad to be home!

Farewell

Today, we extend a sad farewell to Clinical Nurse Consultant, Lisa McCarthy after almost 20 years of service to TPCH Thoracic program. As one of the founding members of TPCH’s Core Thoracic Unit, Lisa has supported thousands of patients with respiratory issues, known for her great compassion, skills and ability to care for the whole person. She has been instrumental in running the Severe Asthma Service and educating numerous junior and senior doctors. Described by her colleagues as the glue of the thoracic service, Lisa’s energy and passion for her work, and commitment

to her patients are unmatched. This has allowed her to deliver an outstanding level of care to her patients and be a great support and role model for her colleagues. She is a highly respected member of the thoracic team, who has made a meaningful and memorable contribution to TPCH and its patients. We wish you all the best in your retirement Lisa!

Fit testing

TPCH Fit Testing will be available in the Education Centre, for booked appointments Monday to Friday 7.45am to 3.30pm. Staff who are fit tested to a single mask are encouraged to make a priority or follow up appointment through the booking system here where you are able to self-manage your appointment. Please note, this link is not compatible with Internet Explorer and may need to copied to Microsoft Edge depending on your computer settings. Alternatively, the QR code in the poster below can be used from any smart device. For urgent fit testing, please contact Bradley.maunder@health.qld.gov.au

TPCH Fit Testing will be available in the Education Centre, for booked appointments Monday to Friday 7.45am to 3.30pm. Staff who are fit tested to a single mask are encouraged to make a priority or follow up appointment through the booking system here where you are able to self-manage your appointment. Please note, this link is not compatible with Internet Explorer and may need to copied to Microsoft Edge depending on your computer settings. Alternatively, the QR code in the poster below can be used from any smart device. For urgent fit testing, please contact Bradley.maunder@health.qld.gov.au

Transition of Staff Testing Clinic

A reminder that TPCH’s staff testing clinic has now been relocated to TPCH’s public fever clinic at the Chermside Community Health Centre, 490 Hamilton Road. Operating hours are 8.30am – 4pm, 7 days a week. If staff are attending the clinic for testing, please see the concierge on arrival and alert them of your employment status so testing can be prioritised. Staff collecting RATs are asked to attend the clinic between 12pm and 4pm if possible.

Quote for today (in the spirit of the wet weather):
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” – Ryunosuke Satoro

Tami Photinos
Executive Director