This week is National Volunteer Week, an opportunity to celebrate the valuable work of our volunteers who generously support TPCH in providing a high quality and compassionate experience for our patients and visitors.

Many of you would be aware that because of COVID-19 restrictions, we have unfortunately been unable to have our volunteers on site for several months now, so we hope to have them back with us soon. This week, the Common Good hosted an event to thank the Charlies Angels volunteers for their commitment and service to TPCH, and the hospital echoes this appreciation. Thank you Angels!

Executive visits

This week, I attended our Surgical Consultants meeting where I had the opportunity to learn about the Surgical Service’s current activities and initiatives including their partnership with the Community and Oral Health Directorate to access Hospital in the Home services for patients. We also discussed general issues and challenges, as well as plans to replace lockers in the male and female theatre change rooms. Thank you to the surgical team for inviting me to be part of their meeting.

Also this week, I attended the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Showcase at RBWH to Queensland Health Deputy-Director General and Chief Health Officer Haylene Grogan, the Metro North Board and Executive Leadership team. The showcase was an opportunity for Metro North staff, and collaborative partners, to provide an overview and update of their initiatives in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Congratulations to TPCH staff, Peter Hopkins, Director Queensland Lung Transplant Service TPCH and Executive Director, Heart and Lung Clinical Stream, Metro North; and Kirsty Leo, Assistant Nursing Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service TPCH, who received a ‘Deadly Award’ for their outstanding commitment and leadership of the health equity agenda across Metro North.  Well done!

  

To learn more about Metro North’s health equity plans, please visit: https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/health-equity

On Wednesday, as part of Metro North’s Operational Leadership team, I attended a session organised by Metro North for Department of Health senior executives, to showcase the current directions, initiatives and issues of the health service, as well as discuss ways of working together better. The session was attended by A/Chief Operation Officer, David Rosengren; Assoc Director-General Strategy, Policy and Reform Division, Jasmina Joldic and A/Executive Director, Office of the Director-General, Matt Rigby.  Focus areas included research, health equity, COVID-19 recovery planning, workforce, reform agenda, accreditation, staff well-being and capital works.  A very productive session!

Governance Review update

Feedback from the implementation change plan has been considered and final decisions made in relation to the governance review. The updated implementation plan and affected positions spreadsheet will be available on the TPCH Governance Review intranet page from Monday. The changes will occur incrementally and staff will be kept informed of the progress. The draft nursing positions have been sent for final review and as they are approved, they will be updated on the intranet. The recruitment phase for the Directors of Operations positions has commenced and awaiting approval to advertise.

For more information visit: TPCH Governance Review 2021 | The Prince Charles Hospital (health.qld.gov.au)

Staff Profile

This week we will profile Breast Care Clinical Nurse, Claire Young.  Commencing in the role in late 2020, Claire co-ordinates the care of patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis through treatment and follow up. This involves educating patients about their treatment and post-surgical care which includes wound care, referring to supporting services such as physiotherapy, and providing information about prosthetics and other resources to help patients feel more comfortable after surgery.

A large part of Claire’s role is providing emotional support and counselling during what is a very vulnerable and distressing time for most patients. Claire is passionate about helping her patients and feels privileged to support and guide them and their families through their journey.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending quality time with her children and husband, as well as walking her puppy Jett. She also loves going to the theatre with her best friend, going for weekends away, and eating good food.

ICU of the Future pop-in discovery session

Next Wednesday 25 May, staff are invited to attend a special pop-in discovery session to come and view the new ‘ICU of the Future’ prototype. The prototype which has been built by the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) in conjunction with the Adult Intensive Care Service and supported by the Common Good, provides a proposed model of what the ICU of the Future might look like, addressing many of the environmental factors that can contribute to long term side effects and ICU delirium.

This session is an opportunity for staff to go behind the scenes and provide feedback that will help influence the final designs of the new ICU bedspaces.

Please click here to register for a tour, or come down next Wednesday between 1 – 2.30pm to meet the team and check out the prototype which is located in the building between the Engineering Department and the loading dock. For more information about the ICU of the Future please visit: The Common Good.

Farewell Leah

This week, we farewelled Leah Thompson, Manager Research and Quality, Internal Medicine Services (IMS) who has recently been appointed to the role of Program Manager, Metro North Medicine Stream. For the last 11 years, Leah has made her mark within TPCH IMS through her contributions towards many new models of care, and supporting clinical teams to adapt services to meet changes in health care delivery models. Known as the go to person for any IMS issue and solution, Leah has continually helped teams find ways to improve patient care and processes, and is considered a champion for change, research and innovation. We wish Leah all the best with her new role and look forward to continuing to work with her at the Metro North level.  Good luck Leah!

Shout out

This week’s shout out goes to TPCH Anaesthetic Healthcare Practitioner (Technician), Farima Hashemi. Farima, who held a trainee position within the Anaesthesia and Perfusion Department during her final year of studies last year, was recently awarded ‘The Valter Colleden Award’ for being the highest achiever within her studies. Well done Farima!

Today’s quote

‘Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it’ – Lou Holtz

Regards,

Tami Photinos
Executive Director