This week, I was told by a patient I must be a fun boss, not a stern boss. This comment came about through a conversation I started up with this patient during my visit to the GEM (Geriatric Evaluation and Management) Ward in recognition of it being Older Persons Week at TPCH.

During our chat, I learnt that Daryl who is 91 used to be a music teacher in his earlier days and still plays the trombone today. Very impressive for a nonagenarian!  We shared a few laughs and jokes including about his teeth, and as we continued our banter about his hospital stay, Daryl started to relax which resulted in him asking me about what my job was. I told him who I was and he was obviously surprised that someone in the most senior role of a hospital, could have a sense of humour – so explaining his comment about the ‘fun boss’.

The take home message from this experience was the importance of providing person-centred care, no matter what role we are doing. We know that working in health care is serious business, because we are responsible for people’s outcomes. However, we need to remember that the patients we care for each have their own story to tell. They have families, careers, interests, ideas, and experiences – all of which help define them as individuals, no different than you and me. And they want to know that we care not only about their health, but about them as a person.

As health workers, we are in a privileged position to enter people’s lives, often when they are at their most vulnerable and anxious. It is important to understand that taking the time to be personal with patients and making them feel comfortable and ease through normality and familiarity is something that can make a real difference to their overall well-being. As many of you know, I am a people person. I like having a chat to people, getting to know who they are, and having a laugh with them about everyday things. This is something I have applied throughout my entire working life, and have seen its value in bringing people together.

So thank you Daryl for reminding us that having some fun and not always being serious, are an important part of how we successfully deliver patient-centred care in an intense and busy field like health care. You certainly made my day!

Executive Update

Executive Walkarounds

In acknowledgement of Older Persons Week, this week I visited the teams in 1F and GEM Wards where I had the opportunity to speak with staff and look around the units. The staff in these wards care for a very clinically vulnerable group of patients who experience a unique range of age-related complications and challenges.

I commend these teams on their commitment and compassion in caring for the many elderly patients who come to TPCH for treatment.

In celebration of our ‘ageing superheroes’ like patient Daryl who I met in the GEM Ward, I also attended yesterday’s Grand Rounds which focused on the ageing trajectories of the superheroes in the Marvel cinematic universe. A very entertaining session!

This week is also Operational Services Recognition Week and Facility Services Director, Karen Leighton and I visited various services throughout the hospital to thank staff for their great work. We visited Food Services, Patient Support Services and Security Services, where we presented cakes to show our appreciation. This particular week is a reminder that there are many different staff across the hospital who support the delivery of high quality patient care at TPCH. Without the support our operational services staff, TPCH could not provide the same level of excellent patient care it does. A big thanks to these awesome teams for their fantastic work!

Also this week, it is Perioperative Nurses Week (who knew there could be so many weeks!) and our new Director of Operations, Surgery and Critical Care, Melanie Dubbelde attended a celebration with some our perioperative nurses to acknowledge and thank them for their contributions. At this point, I have to ask where was my invitation? (I have F-O-M-O – kidding!)  Keep up the great work team!

Directors of Operations

Most of you would be aware that we recently appointed three new Director of Operations to our TPCH Executive Leadership team The appointment of these new roles, which was the result of our recent TPCH Governance Review, represents an important change in our program governance structure and will help ensure a more contemporary and responsive approach to managing our operations, particularly as we move forward and expand as a hospital. I appreciate this is a period of considerable change for some staff, so I thank you for your support.

TPCH Staff Excellence Awards

A reminder that nominations for TPCH Staff Excellence Awards are open until 5pm, Friday 21 October. These Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge those staff and teams who achieve excellence in their particular area of specialty, and who demonstrate our organisational values in their everyday work.

The categories for this year’s TPCH’s Staff Excellence Awards are:

1. Outstanding performance
2. Innovation
3. Clinical Excellence
4. Excellence in Clinical Teaching and Education
5. Cultural Diversity
6. Consumer Engagement
7. Values in Action
8. Rising Star of Research
9. Research Support
10. Researcher of the Year

More information about the awards, including criteria and the nomination process can be found on TPCH Staff Excellence Awards page.

FAST FACTS

In acknowledgement of Operational Services Recognition Week, we will share some fast facts about our Security Services team.

Did you know?:

• Security staff respond to an average of over 1100 requests for assistance every month
• Security provides a 24/7 service to TPCH site with 4 security officers rostered on each shift
• The role of a security officer includes coordinating rescue helicopter landings for patients being transported to the facility, responding to fire alarms, campus patrols, staff and patient escorts, after hours response, and assistance with emergency management activities
• That the Emergency Department is the most frequently attended location for Security Officers who support clinical staff in providing care to violent and aggressive patients who present to the department
• Security staff act as the liaison point between Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue.

This responsive team does a fantastic job in helping keeping our patients, staff and hospital safe! Well done!

Staff profiles

This week we will profile TPCH Food Services Supervisor, Rozanya Bargo and Perioperative Services Graduate Registered Nurse, Tara Dickenson.

Rozanya Bargo – Food Services Supervisor

In this busy role, Rozanya is responsible for supervising staff, backfilling staff vacancies, coordinating meal deliveries and collections, and conducting food safety audits.

Having worked in TPCH Food Services for the past 16 years, Rozanya understands the value of providing high quality meals to patients and how this impacts on their hospital care journey.

She enjoys the fast pace of Food Services and gets satisfaction from knowing that what is done in the kitchen makes a difference to patients. She is passionate about ensuring patients receive high quality meals and enjoys liaising with staff to in the kitchen to ensure they are having a good day.

In her spare time, Rozanya likes to read, kayak, ride her e-scooter, and spend time with family and friends.  She is avid traveller, having been to over 40 countries around the world.

Tara Dickenson – Graduate Registered Nurse, Perioperative Services

In this role, Tara undertakes scrub and scout duties within TPCH operating theatres. This includes ensuring the operating theatre is set up, having all the necessary equipment and staffing, and communicating with other departments such as radiography and PACU, to ensure the patient has the smoothest and most comfortable surgical experience possible.

Having previously completed placements at TPCH in both the Endoscopy Unit and Main Operating Theatres during her Master of Nursing Studies at the University of Queensland, Tara understands the importance of patient care and advocacy during the surgical process.  She feels privileged to care for patients during what can be a very vulnerable time for them.

As a keen learner, Tara enjoys working alongside supportive staff who are willing to pass on their knowledge and help her grow in the role.

In her spare time, Tara likes bushwalking and finding swimming holes and waterfalls, going to concerts and ballet, and trying new restaurants with friends.

Shout out

A big shout out to Linda Harris from TPCH Sleep Disorders Centre (SDC) who will shortly retire after 35 years of service to Queensland Health. Having worked for many years as a registered nurse in TPCH’s SDC, Linda is recognised for her exceptional clinical skills and insight, particularly in dealing with complex and challenging patients. During her time at TPCH, she has capably trained and mentored many new nurses, and is known for her strong patient focus and ability to take charge. She has been a valued member of the Sleep Disorders Centre team and we wish her all the best.

This week’s other shout out goes to Hannah Wilshire who is leaving TPCH to return to her substantive role at Redcliffe Hospital after 12 months of being the Executive Support Coordinator. Hannah has been an outstanding support to the Executive Director role as well as to the entire Executive team, and we thank her for her great work. We now welcome back Michelle Gunner to the role who has just returned from maternity leave. It’s good to have you back on deck Michelle!

Today’s quote

“The greatest thing anyone can do in the world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given to them. This is success and there is no other.” – Orison Swett Marden

Tami Photinos
Executive Director