Tami Photinos, Executive Director, The Prince Charles Hospital
It has been an unforgettable week for everyone in south east Queensland. Many of us probably know someone whose home or business has been adversely impacted by the recent severe weather event, and it’s very disheartening to see the level of damage caused and the ongoing effects it will have on people’s lives and livelihoods. Our thoughts are certainly those staff and families of TPCH who have been affected by this event and we offer our support in whatever ways we can.
These sorts of events remind us that our lives can change in an instant, so we should always make the most of each day, showing compassion and care to those around us. If you know or see someone struggling, please reach out to them and make sure they are ok. It can make a big difference during tough times.
Undercover car parking available to staff
In 2021, TPCH was allocated a number of car parking bays under Jacaranda Place, the adolescent mental health service located on our campus. These car parking bays were allocated to staff via a ballot system for a 12-month period until April 2022. TPCH is now opening a new ballot to reallocate the car parking bays for the next 12 months. Staff interested in being allocated access to the Jacaranda Place car park are asked to email their name, department and contact number to TPCH_Corporateservices@health.qld.gov.au by COB Friday 18 March 2021. Staff members drawn from the ballot system will be allocated access to the car park. Successful staff members will be notified and provided with the necessary access in due course.
Important note: To ensure equitable access, TPCH staff members who were previously allocated a car parking bay in 2021 will not be considered for this next allocation round. For any queries, please contact Karen Leighton, Corporate Services Director on ext. 4868 or email: Karen.Leighton@health.qld.gov.au
Mandatory March
With March now here, it’s time to focus on ensuring that we are all compliant with our Mandatory training requirements. Staying updated with our mandatory training program contributes to our accreditation status as an organisation, so my message to everyone is simple – make the time to do your training.
We recently noted some changes and additions to our mandatory training units. While we are looking for an increase across all of our mandatory training areas, I ask that for this week, we focus on the following four online courses:
- Cyber Security Essentials (annual)
- OVP – Conflict and Challenging Behaviour (bi-annual)
- Recognise, Respond Refer (every 3 years)
- General Evacuation Instruction (annual)
Let’s drive Mandatory March and keep everyone safe!
Staff Profile
Dr Kevin Pathmanathan
This week we will profile ICU Transition Year Fellow, Dr Kevin Pathmanathan. As ICU Transition Year Fellow, Kevin, who achieved success in the intensive care medicine specialist exams, is responsible for the clinical care of patients within the ICU and the hospital in a role that is designed to assist with the progression from supervised to independent specialist practice.
Having spent the last eight years as an ICU Registrar at both The Royal North Shore Hospital and The Prince of Wales Intensive Care Units in Sydney and relocating to Brisbane with his fiancée only this year, Kevin feels privileged to work in TPCH’s ICU. He values the opportunity to gain experience in a quaternary ICU that specialises in managing patients with advanced heart and lung failure, thoracic organ transplantation and advanced cardiorespiratory circulatory support therapies like ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and VAD (ventricular assist devices). Kevin enjoys working as part of an enthusiastic and supportive team to provide patients and their loved ones with the best possible care with utmost respect.
Outside of the ICU, Kevin enjoys spending time with his fiancée, his puppy and binge watching the latest Netflix shows!
Shout out
This week I’d like to give a shout out to our Hepatology, EMU and RAMS teams who received a wonderful compliment from a patient who was in end stage liver failure when he came under their care, and was eventually transplanted. This compliment highlights the many special people we have working at TPCH and the outstanding care they provide to our patients and their families. Well done to these awesome teams!
Here is an excerpt from the compliment (de-identified to protect patient privacy):
The Hepatology team did so much for me in terms of medical care and support. I remember Dr Kasi and Hayley Thompson telling me that they were extremely concerned for me. I felt like I spent more time in Emergency and hospital care than I was at home. Every time I went in, they were there without a thought. It meant so much to me and they held me up and cared for me and my family, when I was often in some very dark places mentally. The ongoing support and care I received from the teams in the EMU and RAMS ward was exceptional. We came to know each other on first name basis and they supported me through some tough admissions. There were times when I needed a procedure that I was not ready for, and the team would rally up and spend the time with me to get me ready for the procedure. Sometimes it took all day and then they would stay back after hours and help me through the procedure. It was way, way above and beyond what you would normally expect.
With the support of the Hepatology team, I made it onto the Transplant waiting list and was successfully transplanted shortly after. The surgeon was amazed I lasted as long as I did due to the condition I had deteriorated to. A true credit to the determination and care from the Hepatology team.
They are all a part of my family now and will be for-ever be remembered for the rest of our lives. Without them I would not be here, my family would not have a husband or father.
The Hepatology team saved my life!
Food Services staff Betty Howland (left) and Vijitha De Fransz (right) in their fabulous funky shirts.
Hospitality Workers in Health Care Day
This Sunday 6 March is Hospitality Workers and Health Care Day, where we acknowledge those hospitality staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes in health settings to provide nutritional tasty meals that meet a range of preferences, dietary requirements and cultural needs.
To celebrate, TPCH Food Services department today held their first funky shirt Friday for the year, with staff dressing in their boldest and brightest shirts. What a fun way to acknowledge the great work our Food Services staff do in helping provide a high quality experience for our patients!
Today’s quote
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” – Leo Buscaglia
Tami Photinos
Executive Director