Yesterday, I had a special opportunity to spend time at TPCH Early Education Centre to experience the wonderful work being done through the Grandfriends program, an initiative of the Older Person’s Mental Health Team (OPMHT).

Grandfriends is an intergenerational care program conducted in partnership with TPCH Early Education Centre which aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation in OPMHT clients with a primary mental health diagnosis. Consumers visit the centre for a weekly get-together with a group of four-year-olds and take part in a wide range of activities including singing, reading, storytelling, flower arranging, role-playing, and cooking.

It was morning tea time when Dr Connor O’Luanaigh, Director OPMHT; Dr Andy Teodorczuk, Consultant Psychiatrist, and I first arrived, so we got to see lots of four-year olds in action with their fruit!  We also sat down and spoke with some of the consumers and OPMHT team including Social Worker, Marion Fuller about the benefits of Grandfriends, and for many, the program has been life changing.

A highlight of the visit was the music session led by consumer Ron, who played the ukulele for the children (and us adults), who accompanied Ron with clapping sticks and castanets. Who knew I had so much talent with wooden instruments? The visit ended on a high with lots of hugs from the kids, one of whom asked me to be a Grandfriend. A difficult offer to refuse from someone so cute!

The visit was a good reminder about the importance of taking time in our busy lives to connect with others in a meaningful and compassionate way. Actions of kindness can make such a difference, especially to those who are struggling.

Great work to all of the people and partners who support the Grandfriends program – what an excellent initiative for our community!

Executive Update

Performance meeting

This week, we had our monthly performance meeting attended by members of TPCH and Metro North’s executive leadership teams including Chief Operating Officer, Jane Hancock and Chief Finance Officer, Alister Whitta. At this meeting, we discussed TPCH’s performances in relation to areas such as budget, activity, waiting times, safety and quality and staff training, as well as current challenges. TPCH is tracking well with our performances, and we will continue to work closely with program areas to ensure we can support the growing numbers of patients who require our services, in a responsible, efficient and patient-centred way.

Accreditation

This afternoon I will be attending the Metro North Safety and Quality Accreditation Readiness Forum to discuss the upcoming short notice accreditation process. This forum will be an important session to help understand where TPCH and other Metro North facilities are currently positioned in relation to their accreditation readiness and highlighting areas for support and improvement.

In preparing for accreditation and as part of our commitment to providing kind, safe and inclusive quality care every day, staff are invited to join Metro North’s Chief Executive, Jackie Hanson and our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Liz Rushbrook, next Monday at 11am for a Vidcast focussing on Standard Three – Preventing and controlling infections. Join the Vidcast from 11am next Monday.

Executive planning day

This week, TPCH’s Executive Leadership Team held a planning day to discuss the current and future direction, priorities and challenges of the hospital. A large focus of our discussions was the significant physical changes set to occur on the campus in the next five years as a result of planned building expansion programs, and the importance of staff well-being, development and retention to support this process. The emphasis on staff well-being was also reiterated by representatives from TPCH’s Staff Council and Consumer Engagement Network who attended the day as special guests.

As a group, we also had the opportunity to undertake a very valuable team building activity which saw us building prosthetic hands for amputee landmine victims throughout developing nations, as part of the charitable Helping Hands Program. An extremely worthwhile activity and a good reminder about keeping the bigger picture of caring for others, at the forefront of our daily work.

Patient safety culture – staff survey

All TPCH staff including both clinical and non-clinical, are invited to share their perceptions and experiences at work, such as teamwork, communication and reporting of patient safety incidents. We would like to hear about what is working well and what needs to improve.

Developing a strong patient safety culture is one where all levels of our organisation prioritise safety, acknowledge that mistakes occur and recognise that we can learn from these to improve the quality of care provided to our patients.

I encourage staff to complete the Patient safety culture – staff survey.  It will take around eight minutes to complete and is open until 10 May 2023.

Please click on the link or scan the QR code below to complete the anonymous survey.

Survey link

FAST FACTS

This week we will profile the Rehabilitation Day Therapy Unit (RDTU).

Did you know?:

• RDTU offers a holistic and coordinated same day assessment and ambulatory rehabilitation service for approximately 3,000 patient presentations per year.
• The Unit has an average of 100 patients booked each week for rehabilitation therapy sessions or specialist rehabilitation medical appointments.
• RDTU covers the adult population of the Metro North Health district and outside the district as appropriate (e.g. transitional paediatric to adult care).
• RDTU’s population includes adults of all ages with a variety of disabilities including includes acquired and progressive neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease, orthopaedic conditions, deconditioning, falls, balance deficits and vestibular conditions.
• The Unit has a multidisciplinary team of 10 staff, comprising two rehabilitation medicine specialists, one nurse and eight allied health staff including physiothe rapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social worker, and administrative staff.
• RDTU provides general rehabilitation and subspecialty rehabilitation programs including:
  – Circuit classes for balance retraining including the only Zero-G gait and balance training robotic device in Queensland
  – Spasticity clinic for patients with neurologic conditions requiring botulinum toxin injections and therapy
  – Lee Silverman Voice Treatment© (LSVT) LOUD intensive program for treatment of dysarthria (speech and voice changes) due to Parkinson’s disease
  – Return to work/driving/study post neurological event
• RDTU is located on the ground floor of TPCH’s main acute building.

Staff Profile

Today we will profile Coordinator of Mortuary Services. Craig Miller. As part of the Anatomical Pathology team, Craig is responsible for coordinating all processes relating to a death of a patient. This includes supporting clinicians and health professionals to manage issues relating to tissue donation, funeral director documentation, family viewings and staff inservices. Craig’s role also involves supporting clinicians in non-coronial in-hospital autopsy services for TPCH, Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals.

Having previously worked as a theatre wardsperson at TPCH, Craig enjoys contributing to best patient care practices and helping others. He is committed to ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect, and values the ability to train and support new staff.

Outside of work Craig enjoys travelling, music, photography and golf.

Medical Leadership Intensive Program

Metro North has recently launched a new Medical Leadership Intensive Program, to enhance the leadership skills of senior medical staff across the organisation. The program provides comprehensive knowledge to help medical leaders navigate the challenges of the complex and changing environment within the healthcare environment, and influence positive change. The program is initially available to Clinical Directors and Medical Directors within Metro North. It is delivered in three individual sessions over a 12-week period. To find out more, please email MedicalLeadershipIP_MN@health.qld.gov.au.

Shout out

Today’s shout out goes to Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) fellow, Dr Nchafatso Obonyo who was recently acknowledged in the prestigious Africa Forty Under 40 Awards, winning the Science, Technology and Innovation category. Dr Obonyo’s ground-breaking research into septic shock, supported by The Common Good, has enormous life-saving potential. With over 49 million cases annually, mostly in children, the knowledge he’s uncovered could be invaluable in battling sepsis and saving lives. Congratulations Dr Obonyo!

Today’s quote

“You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.” (courtesy of the four-year olds at TPCH Early Education Centre)

Tami.