Each day, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to work with and care for people from so many diverse cultures and backgrounds at TPCH.

Born and raised in Auckland/Tamaki Makaurau, New Zealand (NZ)/Aotearoa, I grew up through a time of great change, from a white European dominated homeland to now a bilingual country that respects and acknowledges its Maori ownership and history. This was highlighted last weekend when I did a brief flying visit home and noted even further progression with the road signs moving to be bilingual and the old NZ transport Agency now referred to as Waka Kotahi. When I arrive home in New Zealand, my heart place where I feel close to the land, there is often a powhiri playing which makes me feel calm and it’s like I am truly ‘home’. This change in respect, acknowledgement and recognition of the owners of land, water and sky has given me an appreciation and greater respect for individual cultural beliefs and how this influences our personal ideas and actions, interactions with others, and decisions. New Zealand has had a long journey to this state and is not there yet, and we also have a long journey ahead in Australia, my chosen home.

I recently attended a forum where we discussed dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. In this discussion I was reminded of both the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artwork. When we wear this artwork, we are representing both Metro North and our commitment to equity, and we need to be willing to stop and talk to members of the public, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the artwork and what it means.

As we introduce more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander uniforms, I thought we would review the beautiful TPCH artwork developed by local artist, Elaine Hegarty. The artwork has been used in a number of ways including on staff polo shirts which I have seen a number of you wearing.

For those if you who not familiar with the artwork, it is featured below accompanied with the artist’s explanation of its meaning.

Artwork description The central area of this artwork is The Prince Charles Hospital, so this is centred and is the main meeting place. Circles beside it represent people who visit from local Brisbane areas, and the other represents people who visit from afar. I have added parts of nature to represent the area, and also the snake to be a common animal from years ago. The snake also represents the winding roads throughout the area, as it is now in its urban state. I have also added some blue running down each side to represent the small water areas, such as Kedron Brook and Cabbage Tree Creek, which both lead out towards the bay areas of Nudgee Beach and Nudgee Wetlands, and also to the Sandgate area. Other markings represent the people from the Torres Strait that may visit, as well as people from other areas. I had also used the shield shape to represent protection against disease and protecting those organs that are in need of care. The artwork is busy, but flowing, just as the hospitals often are.

Executive update

This week is Donate Life Week, so to highlight this important event, I visited some of our staff in the organ donation and transplant specialties.

I met with Donation Specialist Nurse, Emma Graham in the Common Good Café, to view the information display she had coordinated to help educate staff, visitors and patients about the organ donation process. Organ donation enables our dedicated heart and lung transplant teams to give patients a second chance at life, and registration to become an organ donor only takes a minute. You can register your organ and tissue donation decision at donatelife.gov.au and let your family know your decision. You can also read more about Emma’s role in today’s staff profile.

I also met with some of our transplant coordinators during a very busy clinic. These staff are responsible for helping coordinate and manage the care of patients through all stages of the transplant journey. It was great to chat with the staff and learn more about the vital lifelong support they provide to TPCH patients like Johno who featured on the Metro North Facebook page this week. Having been a registered nurse in New Zealand’s first bilateral transplant in my younger career and later working with post operative transplant patients, it was great to connect with these staff and talk about the changes in transplant care. A trip down memory lane!

In my travels, I also stopped in to see our Admissions staff who were preparing for a busy day. Not only do these staff assist patients with the hospital admission process, they field hundreds of general inquiries from patients and visitors each week. You can read more about this team’s great work in our Fast Facts today.

Acting Director Corporate Services, Bianca Neaves and I also attended a special Multicultural Day lunch hosted by Group Linen Service located on our campus. It was great to meet with this team who support the delivery of a safe and high quality care experience for our patients. It was exciting to see all the amazing food and colourful traditional outfits worn by staff which made the event a very joyful experience. Thanks to David Gourdie and the team for inviting us along. The Linen Service do an amazing job and are a backbone to our hospital.

We did not get any photos as the celebration was not only in full swing, but there was dancing happening that Bianca and I thought best to avoid. What a wonderful celebration!

Before Tami Photinos went to act as the Metro North Chief Operating Officer, she visited the Mental Health East Wing as part of her regular walkarounds, where she had the opportunity to meet with staff, and view the Unit’s discharge message board where consumers post their feedback. Here are some photos from her visit – selfie included of course!

Car parking update

Staff may be aware that site preparation works for the construction of the new multi-storey car park commenced this week, starting with the clearing of vegetation adjacent to the existing car park and between the hospital’s entrance point, Main Road and Rode Road. Ecological assessments have been completed and confirmed that the vegetation in the area is regrowth and does not include any protected plants. Once the car park is built, Metro North will replant and landscape the balance of the construction site. A spotter has been onsite during the removal of the trees to safely remove any wildlife if required. For more information about the site preparation works, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions. More general information about the car parking projects is available at – Car Park | The Prince Charles Hospital (health.qld.gov.au).

FAST FACTS

This week we’ll profile the Admissions team.

Did you know?

• The Admissions Team consists of five staff. They are often the first contact point for patients who are presenting to TPCH.
• The Admissions Team are the conduit for interhospital transfers in-hours, coordinating the planned admissions for some wards, and liaising directly with many staff across our facility.
• This team is pivotal in ensuring data integrity by accurately recording patient demographic data upon presentation.
• They provide support to family members and visitors by assisting them with location directions as they journey through the hospital.
• Calling on their wealth of knowledge and experience, they are able to assist with a broad range of enquiries in a prompt, professional and friendly manner.

Staff profile

As it’s Donate Life Week, today we will profile Donation Specialist Nurse, Emma Graham.

Emma’s role involves supporting the ICU with any patients who are nearing end-of-life by recognising and discussing with the senior medical officers as to whether donation is a possibility.
If the rare chance for donation arises, Emma values the opportunity to spend time with and support families to help them make the best decision.

Emma, who also undertakes part-time clinical work in the ICU, enjoys being able to educate and raise awareness about organ and tissue donation with many different groups of staff around the hospital and in the community. For the current serving Australian Army Reserves Nursing Officer, the most special part of Emma’s role is being a source of support for families during one of the most difficult times of their lives. She is passionate about advocating for the incredible outcomes that organ and tissue donation can have for both families of the donor and the recipient.

In her spare time, Emma loves to stay active at the gym or by playing netball. She regularly bakes sugar cookies for friends and family and enjoys crocheting (tea towels and face washers are her speciality!) and spending time with her dog Fergus, a very naughty British bulldog who keeps her on her toes.

Shout out

This week’s shout out goes to TPCH team who participated in the recent DonateLife Amazing Race Around Brisbane to promote organ and tissue donation as part Donate Life Week celebrations. TPCH was among six metropolitan hospitals to enter the race, competing against RBWH, Redcliffe, PAH, Ipswich and QCH. The teams navigated a series of novelty challenges around Brisbane CBD, gathering points for speed, accuracy, problem solving and team spirit. A big thanks to our TPCH team – Emma Graham, Amelia King, Stephanie Jones and Sarah Maguire who got behind the event and managed the course with the extra challenge of wearing blow up Teletubby costumes. They were awarded the special Crazy Crackers Award for their ingenuity. Well done!

Closing thought

One of the things I have taken from the privilege of working with cultural teams across Australia and New Zealand is the care of people. So today I leave you with my favourite Maori proverb:

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
What it the most important thing in the world?

He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

Karlene.