Glynis Schultz, Executive Director
Executive Director’s message
Welcome to the second quarterly newsletter for the year, with a focus on some wonderful initiatives, staff profiles and patient stories.
There are many great things happening across our service as highlighted in the Winter COH Express newsletter and stories linked through to our Metro North Health Facebook page and Metro North Newsroom.
There are in particular, deep dives into our Rapid Access to Community Care service, Pulminary and Cardiac Program, Caboolture and Kallangur Dental Clinics, and the QAS Falls Prevention Program.
Rapid Access service reaches 1,000 patients
The Rapid Access to Community Care (RACC) service has reached a very important milestone recently with 1,000 chronically ill elderly patients now being referred to the community service.
Community and Oral Health Director of Innovation and Research Mary Wheeldon said this was a very exciting milestone which showcased the importance of the community-based service.
“Since its inception last year, the RACC service had assisted more than 1,000 adult patients who have experienced significant deterioration in their chronic disease or illness,” Ms Wheldon said.
Allied health career pathways grow in community care
Metro North’s specialist community-based healthcare services have expanded their clinical training offerings in 2024 with medical interns and now allied health graduates joining the service.
Community and Oral Health (COH) Allied Health Team Leader Renee Hammonds said following the introduction of medical interns for the first time this year, COH has also welcomed new allied health graduates to our ranks, three of whom are part of the Brighton Rehabilitation Unit.
“Brighton Rehabilitation Unit (BRU) has always promoted and supported student placements and we see the implementation of our newly established graduate positions within occupational therapy, speech pathology and physiotherapy,” Renee said.
Bringing a bit of cheer to care
Our community palliative care team based at North Lakes provide home care and support for people who have a life-limiting illness – while simultaneously bringing some cheer in their brightly-coloured scrubs.
Staff profiles
Regaining independence at the heart of care
Helping people regain and maintain their independence is at the heart of what inspires Senior Physiotherapist Erin Victor each and every day.
Erin has been delivering rehabilitation programs in community settings like the Burpengary Leisure Centre and North Lakes Health Precinct for the past four and half years.
“I find that you have more control in community setting and you see so many patient success stories,” Erin said. “Everyone who comes through our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs achieves something.”
Organisational skills key to dental assistant’s success
For many of us the job we do and how we respond to challenges on a day-to-day basis can become second nature and easily navigable.
Over a 30-year oral health career, it has become clear that Belinda Klumpp is one of those people who has innate organisational ability, as well as very strong (but understated) planning skills and knowledge.
Great news stories
Helping Dell when she fell
A pilot falls program is helping older people who have fallen with minor or no obvious injuries to stay at home independently for longer. Just ask 100-year-old Norma (Dell) Yarham and her daughter Faye Jordan.
The Queensland Ambulance Service’s (QAS) Falls Co-Response Program is a collaboration between QAS and Queensland Health and being piloted in Brisbane’s Metro North and Metro South communities.
In the Metro North area, QAS paramedics are partnered with Metro North Health’s Community and Oral Health occupational therapists and physiotherapists, harnessing their skills, knowledge and capabilities to assess not only a patient’s health and injuries after a fall, but also their environment to prevent future falls.
Dementia choir provides positive ‘Spark’ for Neil and Belinda
For 92-year-old Neil Begley and his wife Belinda, the Bright ‘N’ Sparks Choir is having a lasting and positive effect on both their lives.
“While I am here singing with the choir I take great pleasure in just listening to the voices and people singing around me,” Neil said.
“It is just wonderful. When I was younger, I was quite a good singer but let’s face it I am 90 plus years old now.
“I was born in China in 1932 as part of a missionary family and was a chorister in the Holy Trinity Cathedral choir in Shanghai from the age of five.”
Taking ‘steps’ to improve your health
A Moreton Bay complex chronic disease rehabilitation program is continuing to change the lives of hundreds of patients experiencing severe respiratory or heart conditions each year.
For cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program graduate Jody Allison, it’s all about enjoying the simple things in life, and often the things you often take for granted such as walking or routine activities around the home.
In brief
Kris makes patients feel comfortable with new dentures
Kris, a senior dental technician at the Caboolture Satellite Hospital, has spent her career devoted to making patients comfortable through the construction of dentures.
Kris is part of a team of dental technicians at the Caboolture Satellite Hospital dental clinic who undertake around 120 repairs and build new dentures each fortnight for eligible patients from Caboolture, Redcliffe, Kilcoy and Bribie Island.
Ten centuries scored by community health workers
Community and Oral Health (COH) held a very special celebration recently to acknowledge the work of a small group of community health care workers who combined have delivered close to 1,000 years of patient care.
Around thirty staff, including nurses, doctors, allied health practitioners, and operational and administrative staff were among those recognised at this year’s COH Length of Service Awards.
Best Winter compliment
Dr Cindy Jackson, Caboolture Dental Clinic
“This is a small gift to say thank you. Although the impact of my trauma happened years ago, I still have flashbacks when I sit in a dentist’s chair.
“Finding you 18+ years ago and your care and understanding of my fear going to a dentist allowed me to feel safe again. When my financial circumstances changed I avoided attending to my dental care.
“Finally, I got the courage but alas that wasn’t successful. Then being told that you worked there and you agreed to be in charge of my dental care was one of the very special moments I have had in a long time.
“Metro North Health are so lucky to have you. You have made a long journey for me worthwhile. Again, thank you so much!”