Tami Photinos, Executive Director
Most staff would know that over recent months, TPCH has been regularly stood up to a Tier 3 for bed capacity. Tier 3 is a whole of organisation response to the management of increased demand on our services.
This tier requires the implementation of a number of strategies which include opening additional bed spaces, increasing staff support, aligning placement of patients based on clinical condition, prioritisation of patients and increased monitoring of activity.
There is an impact on all services, both clinical and non-clinical which requires immense amounts of work behind the scenes to ensure our patients can access safe and timely care.
The Executive team and I appreciate that that these periods of high activity create extra pressure on our teams and we recognise that staff are doing their very best. A big thanks to everyone for their efforts.
Executive update
Nursing Excellence Awards
This week I attended our TPCH nursing excellence awards in celebration of International Nurses Day. Director of Nursing Cherie Franks and I had the pleasure of welcoming new Metro North Board member, Linda Lavarch and Metro North’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Alanna Geary to the celebrations. These annual awards recognise nursing staff who have demonstrated outstanding performances within specific areas of the profession.
Congratulations to the following staff who received an award:
- Kate Jakeman – Leadership and Management Award
- Joan Holmes – Education and Research Award (winner)
- Tina Boric – Education and Research Award (runner up)
- ICU Transition Program – Clinical Practice Award
- Laura White – Collegial Support Award
- Vanessa Moore – Director of Nursing Award
As a former emergency nurse, I have a strong appreciation of the work nurses do each day, and I take my hat off to all of our nurses at TPCH for their care and commitment to our patients. You all make a difference.
Executive walkarounds
Because May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention month, I visited some of our Social Work team who were hosting a DFV information display in the main café. DFV is a very real issue for us as health care workers as the health system is often the first point of contact for people who have experienced DFV. TPCH has a DFV Co-ordinator who is available to provide support and advice to TPCH staff who are experiencing DFV or seeking support for loved ones. Queensland Health also has a DFV toolkit of resources to help health workers use sensitive inquiry to safely and appropriately respond to suspicions and disclosures of DFV. I encourage you to access these resources or contact our Social Work team for more information.
Director of Nursing Cherie Franks and I also stopped into Nursing Workforce and Nursing Education where we chatted with staff about their work and current challenges. These areas play a critical role in ensuring TPCH is adequately staffed across all shifts every day to meet the needs of our patients, now and moving into the future.
Mandatory Fire and Evacuation training – competition is on
A reminder that it is a legislative requirement for all Metro North Health staff and volunteers to complete Mandatory Fire and Evacuation training.
TPCH’s current compliance rates for training are:
These rates are well below what they should be, so I am presenting staff with a challenge to improve our compliance. If the hospital can reach 90% for both components of this training, I will provide a free staff breakfast. What a great incentive! To find out how to complete this training, speak to your line manager or contact Danny McGregor, Fire Safety Coordinator, TPCH.
TPCH Charlies Week 2024
Expressions of interest are being sought for TPCH staff to help plan and coordinate TPCH Charlies Week 2024. TPCH Charlies Week is the birthday week of the hospital where we celebrate and appreciate the great work our staff do every day. It is a week-long event which includes a variety of education, research, staff recognition and fun activities with something for everyone!
We’re looking for staff who are keen to offer new ideas and support to make 2024 TPCH Charlies Week better than ever before. If you’re interested in joining TPCH Charlies Week Committee, please email: MetroNorth-TPCH-Communications@health.qld.gov.au by 3 June 2024.
Infrastructure update
Crisis Stabilisation Facility
The Crisis Stabilisation Facility (CSF) project is approaching an exciting milestone with plans underway for the transportation and delivery of the modular buildings to the site at the end of this month. A total of 19 buildings will form the new CSF and be located at the site adjacent to the Endoscopy Unit. .
The project is scheduled for completion by August.
Staff profile
This week we will profile Nurse Practitioner, Rapid Access Heart Failure Therapy Service, Cameron Greenland.
Cameron sees patients diagnosed with heart failure needing early, specialist review and intervention, with the aim to prevent avoidable emergency department presentations. Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team, he performs advanced patient assessments, requests diagnostic testing, prescribes medications and develops treatment plans.
Starting at TPCH in 2020 as a Clinical Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit and Chest Pain Assessment Service, Cameron is a strong believer in providing holistic, individualised and person-centred care. He is passionate about advocating for patients and their families to support their best outcomes.
Outside of work, Cameron loves playing tennis and rugby. He is also a keen musician and enjoys composing and playing classical music.
Shout out
This week’s shout out goes to our Internal Medicine Service and Allied Health which represented TPCH this week at the 2024 Health Round Table Innovation Showcase with a variety of presentations highlighting our great work in the areas of Advance Care Planning, Diagnosing the causes of Delirium, Charlies Village, Memory Lane and Stepped Care Models in Allied Health.
A special congratulations to Memory Lane which won the poster category for improving Safety and Quality. Well done to all of our presenters for flying the flag for TPCH!
The other shout out goes to our Protective Services team who have recently acquired their first security buggy to support their daily duties. This team responds to over 2,000 calls to service every month which includes requests for staff assistance, emergency response and patrols for the entire TPCH campus covering 87 acres. The team also have a new First Nations polo shirt designed to help make our officers more approachable to First Nations patients. Some great initiatives!
Closing thought
With winter now only a couple of weeks away, I find the change of seasons can often evoke a sense of reflection and anticipation. There is a change in our perspective with the days becoming shorter, and we are keen to get things done so we can get home and get warm. Sound familiar? For myself, I try and take the time to appreciate the beauty of nature’s cycle and look forward to the cozy moments that winter brings such as going for mountain walks and staying in places where there’s a fireplace. I also enjoy dusting off the jackets, coats and boots – people down south still can’t believe us Brisbanites feel the cold, especially in the mornings!
In these busy times, it is important we take time to slow down, enjoy quiet moments and find warmth in ourselves and in our surroundings. And of course, a good strong coffee and dark chocolate always help!
Tami.