Tami Photinos, Executive Director
GEM Unit visit
(l to r: Dr Lucy Dakin, Tami Photinos, Mrs Cahn, Peggy Fealy)
By the time you read this message, I’ll already be on my way to spend a week in windy Wellington in New Zealand, a break I booked early last year. Melanie Dubbelde will be the Acting Executive Director TPCH until next Friday 1 March and I thank Melanie for her ongoing leadership and support.
Executive update
This week I visited our Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) Ward where I met and chatted with staff. We discussed the SNAP (Sub-acute and Non-Acute Patients) process which is designed to recognise that patient’s care needs change from the initial acute phase, and that hospital resources should align with the patient’s changing requirements along their care journey.
During the visit, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting patient, Mrs Cahn who had recently celebrated her birthday and was very complimentary of the fantastic care she had received. It was good to chat with such a lovely lady and receive feedback about her experience at TPCH. A big thanks to Dr Lucy Dakin and Peggy Fealy for taking the time to accompany me during the visit.
Also this week I attended a special Chat with the Chief lunch at Metro North accompanied by TPCH Consumer Liaison Officer, Jo-Ann Hill and CNC Quality and Safety, Kate Wright. The purpose of the lunch was to share ideas and provide feedback to the Metro North Chief Executive, Jackie Hanson about how we can better support the consumer voice across the health service. A large focus of the session was on how the Metro North Compassionate Care principles should underpin all of our care decisions to ensure a consumer driven health care journey.
The seven core principles of our care are:
- Principle 1: Flexible visiting hours across Metro North inpatient facilities
- Principle 2: Care in the right setting according to patient wishes
- Principle 3: Timely communication and reporting
- Principle 4: Co-designed care
- Principle 5: Good navigation and knowledge sharing
- Principle 6: Patient centred holistic care
- Principle 7: True and adequate informed consent.
I encourage staff to familiarise themselves with the Metro North Compassionate Care principles as part of their day-to-day work.
Research news
I am pleased to share that early work done in collaboration with TPCH’s Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) has been recognised through a major grant to Monash University’s Artificial Hearts Frontiers Program (AHFP). The $50 million grant, the third-largest in the history of the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), will help bring to market a number of life-saving devices including, BiVACOR, a total artificial heart designed to completely replace a failing human heart.
Staff Information Session – TPCH Expansion Project
Staff are invited to attend a Staff Information Session about TPCH’s $360 million Expansion Project which will result in the development of services and additional bed capacity at TPCH from 2027. This will be one of a number of sessions about major infrastructure projects occurring on TPCH campus to keep staff informed about upcoming changes.
Staff will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback.
Date: Thursday 7 March
Time: 2.30 – 3pm
Where: Via Teams
HR Education Sessions – March
In March, People and Culture Partners are running and facilitating coaching sessions on:
Industrial Framework and Line Manager Decision Making
Challenging Conversations
Absence Management
Health Management
These sessions will endeavour to develop ethical and inspiring leadership and develop talent across all streams and levels. More information on how to register is here.
Staff profile
Today we will profile Consumer Liaison Officer, Jo-ann Hill. Jo-ann’s role involves speaking with and listening to patients who provide their compliments and concerns about TPCH. She helps facilitate conversations between staff and patients to resolve any issues with their care and rebuild their confidence in our health service.
Jo enjoys speaking with both patients and staff, valuing the opportunity to help someone work through their concerns regarding their healthcare. She is passionate about contributing to the greater good and making a positive contribution to the services being provided to our community.
Outside of work, Jo enjoys anything physical including climbing mountains, boxing, Zumba and bootcamp. She also likes home DIY projects and binge watching TV shows with her two sons.
Shout out
This week’s shout out goes to Angelia Olsen who is currently working as an Administration Officer in TPCH’s Thoracic Ward following the completion of her Deadly Start Cadetship. Angela thoroughly enjoys her new job, especially the great support she has received from everyone in her team. For her Thoracic Ward colleagues, Angelia has been a fantastic addition to their busy team. They particularly enjoy her pleasant demeanour and how she interacts so wonderfully with patients, visitors and other staff. Well done Angelia!
Today’s quote
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy, we can all sense a mysterious connection to each other.” – Meryl Streep
Tami.