Tami Photinos, Executive Director
Local members officially commencing construction works on the new TPCH car park.
It’s always exciting to see our talented TPCH teams receiving recognition on the world stage. Recently, TPCH received two international accolades as part of Newsweek’s annual healthcare awards. Our Cardiology service has been named as the number one service of its kind in Australia, and number 39 in the world, while our Cardiothoracic Surgical Services team has been ranked within the top three services in Australia and number 59 globally. Being named in these lists is a testament to our high performing staff and culture of excellence at TPCH. Congratulations to the teams involved.
Executive update
The past week has been busy with a number of meetings regarding TPCH expansion. There is significant planning happening in the background and I will
Opening the TPCH Short Stay Treatment Area refurbishment.
update you on these plans in due course. I have also spent some time over the past week engaging with our local members and the Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman MP.
Last Friday, Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan MP, Member for Aspley Bart Mellish MP and Metro North Board member Dr Rob Franz attended TPCH to officially commence the works on our new car park. It was great to show them around the site as we start this exciting construction project. I know there has been concern around the clearing of the bushland on the site, but wanted to reiterate that Metro North has committed to revegetating an area greater than what was cleared following completion of construction.
On Tuesday, the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman MP attended TPCH to officially open our refurbished Short Stay Treatment Area. The Minister and her
Attendees of the Co-design Consumer Workshop.
team were impressed with the new facilities and even had an opportunity to meet and chat with a patient who was being treated in the area. Well done to all involved with the refurbishment of the area.
Yesterday, I attended the Co-Design Consumer Workshop alongside TPCH Executive, staff and consumers. The aim of the workshop was to introduce them to the health co-design process – a collaborative approach including patients, healthcare professionals and community members to design solutions together to enhance service delivery, patient experience and health outcomes. We enjoyed hearing from Rachel Latimore from Metro North Engage, Penny Dale, the Statewide Program Coordinator of the Indigenous Mental Health Intervention Program and Natasha Malmstrom, Chair of TPCH Consumer Engagement Network who spoke about their experiences in participating with co-design. I look forward to seeing TPCH continue to expand our co-designed initiatives.
TPCH Charlies Week
A reminder that TPCH Charlies Week celebrations will run from 23 to 27 October 2023. This week, which aligns with the hospital’s birthday, is an opportunity for staff to come together and celebrate the great work we do here at TPCH. The week offers a variety of fun, educational and recognition activities and events that staff can get involved in – there’s something for everyone!
To find out how you can get involved, visit the website.
Have your Say survey
Messages in a Bottle
- Staff safety, especially in emergency
- Security – the staff/fire exit door near Breeze Café is often not locked or left ajar; additional security cameras
- Thank you for your support and making the organisation at TPCH the best place to work in and giving everyone the opportunity to express ourselves about our personal experiences at work.
Our response
Staff safety
Metro North has identified a requirement to renew the health service’s focus on occupational violence prevention across our facilities. In the coming weeks, we will be seeking TPCH staff to attend a Metro North Occupational Violence Forum to provide ideas for how we can improve staff safety in places like our emergency department. Keep an eye out on the Metro North Broadcast and TPCH Staff Bulletin for details.
Security
Security Officers conduct regular patrols and rounding of the facility, including checking doors are secure after hours. We have provided this feedback to the team and they will be increasing their presence in the area. All staff are encouraged to report security issues on #5908.
Thank you
Thank you to this person for their kind feedback. We endeavour to make coming to work at TPCH a safe and enjoyable place for all staff. On Wednesday 11 October, we will be launching the Shatter the Stigma campaign, which aims to shatter the stigma around mental health for both staff and patients. We hope this new initiative helps create an even safer space for staff, including for those who might be experiencing mental health challenges.
Safety and Quality Newsletter
I encourage you to read the September edition of TPCH Safety and Quality Newsletter. It contains lots of helpful information to assist you in your preparation for Short Notice Accreditation.
Emergency power testing
A reminder that TPCH is conducting emergency power testing this Saturday 30 September from 5am-10am. Testing is required to assess the hospitals capability to operate on generator power and involves a planned electrical shutdown and cross over to generator power which will result in short term power loss. All services are encouraged to be prepared for unexpected outages. For further information, please contact TPCH-Emergencypreparedness@health.qld.gov.au.
FAST FACTS
This week we profile TPCH Cardiothoracic team.
Did you know?
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Members of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Services team.
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Service services most of Queensland north of Brisbane, and also accepts referrals from other HHSs throughout Queensland and Australia.
- The service offers all forms of cardiothoracic care including a range of highly specialised procedures.
- The Cardiothoracic team consists of 12 consultants which includes 11 cardiac and two thoracic surgeons, 10 Registrars, and one fellow. In addition, the team has five administration staff, two surgical bookings nurses and one outpatient clinic nurse.
- In a standard week, the team conducts 12 outpatient clinics which as a combined total see up to 144 patients each week. All inpatients are seen during daily rounds every day.
- Last month, the team completed 133 total cardiac surgeries which included 55 elective and 78 emergencies, 46 total thoracic surgeries which included 34 elective and 12 emergencies, as well as three heart transplants and three lung transplants.
- A total of 33 heart or lung transplantations have been performed this year.
- The Unit works collaboratively with the Cardiology Department and the Intensive Care Unit following surgery to ensuring optimum patient care.
- They also rely on nursing and allied health expertise, as well as interaction with other specialist teams.
- It is truly a team effort!
Staff profile
Jake Javier
This week we profile A/NUM of the Cognitive Assessment and Management (CAM) Unit and Clinical Nurse Facilitator, Reyonald (Jake) Javier.
Jake’s role involves facilitating the staff learning experience by providing comprehensive care for patients with cognitive impairment through role modelling, peer talks and in-service, supporting the unit in managing and de-escalating behaviour of concerns and participating in the creation and implementation of specific care intervention management plans for patients with cognitive impairment.
Jake said he enjoys working within a team who share his passions and goals, which are to enhance the quality of life of patients with cognitive impairment.
“I’m particularly passionate about promoting innovation in dementia care while ensuring the safety of the people involve in it,” he said.
“I value kindness and compassion and am very passionate about ensuring my patients needs are heard and met.”
In his free time, Jake is a practicing Remedial massage therapist, a close-up magician and a Hapkidoist.
Shout out
Today’s shout out goes to the Blood Management CNCs, ICU CNC and ICU Data Manager, who joined forces to donate to the Red Cross Lifeblood Chermside Donor Centre last week. These staff members see first-hand the importance of timely access to donated blood in our hospital, so decided to represent TPCH in a group donation. It doesn’t matter if you are a team of five or 500; nothing beats the feeling of saving lives together. I encourage you and your teams to take the lead from the Blood Management team and book in for a group donation.
Today’s quote
“I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” – E.E. Hale
Tami.