I have reached the end of my first week as Acting Executive Director TPCH and am very excited to join the Charlies team, even if only for a short while.

I have spent this week meeting with a number of senior leaders from across the hospital, and am keen to meet with many other staff during my time here, understand more about TPCH services, and support where I can.

Like all Metro North facilities, much of our current focus is on planning our response to an increase in respiratory-related admissions including influenza, which we are seeing more and more of at this time. The goal is to make sure we are well prepared to manage the increased demand, by having a planned and structured approach to our workflows and workforce.

We know that winter is a busy and challenging period, so it’s important we stay calm, work together, and take things one step at a time. My approach is about supporting people to do their best job, so we know that as a team, we’ve got this!

Executive walkarounds

This week I visited the Adult Intensive Care Unit and Adult Emergency Department. I was fortunate to have the Directors of these services, Dr Jayshree Lavana and Dr Andrew Spiller, along with other senior staff in the units, take me on a guided tour, and discuss their current patient activity and issues. I appreciate that staff on the ground are all very busy at the moment, so it was excellent to spend some time in the clinical space learning about TPCH’s specialised services and how we support our patients.

Staff Profile

This week we will profile Candice Meaghan, Executive Support Officer for TPCH’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service.

Having just been appointed to this new role, after previously working in various ICU administration positions at TPCH, Candice will be responsible for providing administration and executive support to TPCH’s Assistant Nursing Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service. As a proud Wakka Wakka and Bundjalung first nations woman, Candice is looking forward to gaining further knowledge and understanding of TPCH’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Health Services, and working with staff in the department to help support the health experience of First Nations patients at TPCH. A real team player, Candice values a hard working ethic and building strong relationships with her colleagues.

When not working hard in the office, Candice is working hard on the sporting field, playing weekly games of social netball and softball. She also enjoys watching her three boys play community rugby league on the weekends.

COVID-19 update – Closure of TPCH Fever Clinic

In line with the Metro North direction, TPCH Fever Clinic will close next Friday 17 June. In the lead up, there will be the following phased closure for the general public and staff.

• Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June – closed
• Monday 13 – Friday 17 June – RAT collection service only
• Monday 20 June – closed

PCR testing will be available at GP Respiratory clinics.

RAT kits will be available for TPCH staff to collect from:

• During hours – Clinical/Ward areas and EOC (Building 12) Monday to Friday, 8am – 4.30pm
• After hours – Duty Nurse Manager office (next door to Transit Lounge).

PFM is coming to TPCH

Patient Flow Manager (PFM) is coming to TPCH to replace WardView, with the rollout planned for October 2022. PFM is currently used in other Metro North Health hospitals, and tracks patient movements within a facility. Information on all admitted patients will be visible on large screens – ‘PFM journey boards’ – across TPCH.

PFM assists in managing tasks such as ward occupancy, discharge planning, patient alerts, discharge scripts status’s, allied health referrals tracking, and meal ordering, as well as non-urgent after-hours medical tasks. Information on PFM’s rollout at TPCH will continue to be provided over the next several months.

Health Information Service news

Please take the time to read the next edition of HISBiz, the newsletter of TPCH’s Health Information Service. Topics include Protecting privacy; Email communication with patients/carers; How to record email address in HBCIS; Linking patients in HBCIS; Digital initiatives; My Health Record; Health Information and IT Governance Committee and Committee Clinical Membership; AS2828.1 Standard for Health Records.

Shout out

We have a couple of shout outs this week. The first goes to the Concierge service which concludes today, Friday 10 June following the removal of visitor restrictions. The staff who have worked on this service over the last two years have done an outstanding job in supporting TPCH to manage the ever changing and complex COVID-19 restrictions and requirements. We thank the many staff from administration, security, and occupational violence and protection, who have supported the concierge service, allowing TPCH to continue providing high quality, safe and compassionate care to our patients and visitors during a very challenging time. Well done!

The other shout out goes to Social Worker, Kay Black who is retiring. Kay joined TPCH’s Social Work Department in 2011, finding her niche in Orthopaedics where she has spent many years supporting patients, and their families adjust to psychosocial changes following orthopaedic surgery.

Known for her skills in providing transdisciplinary care to older, complex hip fracture patients, Kay is recognised among colleagues for her unique approach. She routinely undertakes ‘walking’ interviews with her patients, and has a professional knack for obtaining a thorough knowledge of each patients’ individual situation to help in their ongoing care – a product of her experience, and personable and engaging nature.

After a fulfilling 30-year career in health, Kay is now looking forward to her next phase in life, and hopes to spend more time with her family and enjoying the great outdoors. Thank you Kay for your wonderful contribution to the patients and families of TPCH, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.

Ekka volunteers needed

After a two-year hiatus, the Ekka is back. The Common Good will be serving up over 120,000 iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundaes and volunteer registrations are now open. Over 2,000 volunteers are needed to deliver this special strawberry sundae experience which helps power life-saving medical discoveries into health areas that affect 90% of our community. Team volunteering is also an incredible way to come together with colleagues. By volunteering you will receive free all day/night access to the Ekka on the day of your shift, plus a free strawberry sundae. You can find out more, or if you’re ready, you can register your team.

Finally

You are all working very hard and responding to our community’s needs in all sorts of extraordinary ways. I have to say I am impressed by the patient advocacy that happens in so many different areas. Please take care and keep up the great work everyone.

Angie Dobbrick
A/Executive Director
The Prince Charles Hospital