Tami Photinos, Executive Director
This week TPCH received formal notification from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) of its continuing accreditation for a further three years, following our short notice assessment in November 2023. This is great news and an indication of our commitment to providing safe, high-quality care to our patients, across the eight National Safety and Quality Health Service standards.
In saying this, we still need to remain prepared for another short notice assessment which could occur at any time over the next three years. A big thanks to everyone for your efforts in helping achieve this successful outcome.
Yesterday was National Close the Gap Day, a day of action to pledge support for achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity. Here at TPCH, we are committed to working towards achieving a more culturally equitable experience and improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who access our services.
Executive update
Executive appointment
Dr Julieanne Graham
I am pleased to announce that Dr Julieanne Graham has been appointed as the new Director of Medical Services for TPCH. Julieanne has been the Deputy Director of Medical Services at the RBWH for just over three years. She is a passionate advocate for patient safety, the patient experience, staff wellbeing and health equity, and with her medical services expertise has been a valuable asset to our health care community.
Julianne commences at TPCH on 22 April and we look forward to welcoming her to the team.
Executive walkarounds
This week was an especially busy one with a number of important awareness days. Staff from our Internal Medicine Service hosted an information stand in the main Café in recognition of Advance Care Planning (ACP) Week to help raise awareness about the importance of planning for future health care needs and preferences. A big thanks to ACP Faciltator, Aldiana Mehicic and ACP team for coordinating the display. You can read more about Aldiana in today’s staff profile.
Tuesday was World Social Work Day when we celebrated the achievements of our social workers. At TPCH, we have 52 social workers who support the psychosocial needs of vulnerable patients who access our services. I had the opportunity to join in some lunchtime celebrations with members of our social work team who were taking some time out to enjoy some creative team bonding activities.
This week is also Peer Responders Week where we show appreciation to our Peer Responders. I popped into the Café to visit with some of our peer responders who were hosting a promotional stand about the service. TPCH currently has 45 peer responders who have training in Psychological First Aid to provide confidential support and reassurance to staff experiencing personal or work-related difficulties or distress. If you’re interested in becoming a Peer Responder, email Tracy Lyon, Senior Culture and Wellbeing Coordinator at Tracy.Lyons@helath.qld.gov.au
Also this week, I visited the Thoracic Ward and Ward 1F to meet and chat with staff. Like all areas of the hospital, these wards are navigating the challenges of high levels of activity to ensure they can continue providing great care to patients. Keep up the great work teams!
Advance Care Planning week
Thoracic Ward
World Social Work Day
Peer Responders Week
New parking allocations in multistorey car park from Tuesday
Staff would be aware of the ongoing parking pressures within our facility and especially the regular congestion around the multi-storey car park. This congestion is impacting our patients’ ability to attend appointments on time and access care. It is anticipated this pressure will continue until the new multistorey car park opens early next year.
To support our patients to access care, as of Tuesday 26 March from 6am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday, we will be temporarily allocating a number of car parking spaces for patient and visitor parking only. Staff who are currently on a parking payroll deduction scheme will continue to be supported and be asked to park only in available staff car parking bays in the upper levels of the car park.
Traffic guides will be in place to redirect other staff to the free staff car parks around the campus, or on surrounding local streets where signed as appropriate. We will continue to monitor parking pressure to promote patient access and the needs of staff, which may include ongoing amendments to parking allocations until the new carpark is open.
This action is being taken to make sure patients can access the care they need in a timely way, and maintain campus roads that allow for safe access for emergency vehicles.
We appreciate your support in promoting better access for patients and acknowledge this arrangement may cause inconvenience for some staff.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Fit testing
Staff are reminded about the requirement to complete annual fit testing. This is In accordance with the MN Respiratory Protective Equipment – Fit Testing (PortaCount™) and Fit Checking 006920 and Protection Program, Respiratory Policy.
TPCH fit testing is located in the Education Centre and testing is available Monday to Friday, 7.45am – 3.30pm. Bookings can be made using the following link:
Fit Testing – Staff Extranet (health.qld.gov.au)
FAST FACTS
This week we’ll profile the Social Work Department.
Did you know?
- Social workers work across all areas of TPCH providing psychosocial support to vulnerable patients and their families to assist with their health care journey.
- TPCH Social Work Department consists of 52 staff.
- TPCH Social Workers have a collective of over 650 years of service.
- A Social Worker, on average walks approximately 8,000-10,000 steps each day throughout the hospital campus.
- A Social Work student is required by the Australian Association of Social Workers, to complete 1,000 hours of unpaid clinical placement before graduating. Currently, we are hosting seven Social Work student placements.
- We are dedicated to ‘growing our own’ and have employed a record number of six new graduates in 2024.
- Did you know that the famous Samuel L Jackson is a qualified Social Worker? He was pivotal in the Civil Rights movement for equal rights.
Staff profile
Because it’s Advance Care Planning Week, today we’ll profile Advance Care Planning Facilitator, Aldiana Mechicic.
Aldiana, who is a member of the Geriatric and Rehabilitation Liaison Service provides education and support to patients and staff to assist with Advance Care Planning. Aldi values the opportunity to support patients with life limiting illnesses or at an advanced age, to help ease their worries through their health care journey. She enjoys listening to the individual experience of patients, hearing about what makes their lives meaningful. Aldi is grateful to be part of a supportive team who help make the harder days brighter and the good days even better.
In her spare time, Aldi enjoys spending time with her family, her pups Stella and Prince, going to dinner or getting frozen yogurt with friends.
Shout out
This week’s shout out goes to Cardiac Scientist, Bonita Anderson who was recently awarded the American Society of Echcardiography (ASE) Sonographer Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognises a sonographer who has had a lifetime of outstanding achievements in the field of cardiovascular ultrasound and have served as a role model through service, research and teaching. These individuals have a career in cardiovascular ultrasound spanning at least 25 years and are recognized at local, national and international levels. Bonita will be presented with the award during ASE’s Annual Scientific Session in Portland, USA in June. Well done Bonita!
The other shout out goes to longstanding nurse, Colleen Moss who recently celebrated 45 years of service. Colleen, who commenced at TPCH in Ward 1E in 2002 is known for her ability to create a safe environment for patients. She displays passion and skill in developing the capacity of others in their ability to think critically and analytically, even around the seemingly mundane eventualities in the patient experience. Her ability to mentor others is strengthened by her genuine warmth, kindness, patience and knack for making learning fun. Congratulations Colleen, you’re a great asset to TPCH!
Today’s quote
“Whether things are going well or not, try your best right now and have trust in the future.”
Taken from the Kagaku-in temple in Tokyo, Japan.
Tami.