Our Switchboard and Security were among the big winners at this year’s Redcliffe Hospital Staff Excellence Awards, sharing in the Executive Director’s Award.

Executive Director Louise Oriti said both Security and Switchboard teams were two of the hospital essential services, both necessary to enable the hospital to care for patients each day.

“The Switchboard team takes more than 42,000 calls each month. When they’re not connecting clinicians with hospital services, they’re answering questions from worried patients and family members.”

“Our switch operators have been through a lot these past few months, and they’re keenly deserving of our highest award this year,” Louise said.

“Just as deserving are our hospital’s security team – they too have risen to many challenges in recent months and have responded to difficult circumstances with courage and commitment.

“Our security officers quite literally put themselves in harm’s way to protect everyone who works here – while still responding to our patients’ needs with care and compassion.”

Switchboard and the Security Team were just two of the many award recipients, with awards being presented across seven other categories.

Louise said there were ten nominations for the People Focus Award, which this year went to Michelle Ferriday and the hospital’s new MRI Team.

“Over the past year, Michelle has supported nearly every part of our organisation and does so with great generosity and humility, willingly sharing her knowledge and skills.

“The MRI Team were recognised for the way they’ve worked collaboratively with clinicians to establish this new service. Dan and this team have worked hard to make their new service as patient-friendly as possible.”

Louise said the Innovation Award was presented to James Bowden and Rosie Brown who began their new roles as Emergency Department Ambassadors earlier this year.

“The Emergency Department is very proud of this new innovation, which makes the patient journey a much more comfortable and less confronting one.  In the emotional and challenging environment, this innovation provides patients with warmth and comfort – clarity and care.”

“The Excellence in Performance Award was presented by the Board Chair Jim McGowan to Luke Tung, and to our COVID Vaccination Implementation Team.

“Luke was the nominee for last year’s Innovation Award, and this year was recognised for his work with PAPRS – and the way he’s shared his clinical experience and been a subject matter expert during our COVID pandemic response.

“Our COVID Vaccination Implementation Team has been the perfect example of what multidisciplinary team can do. Their award was shared by infection control, pharmacy, nursing, admin, safety and quality, e-Health, facility services, engineering, finance, stores, education and training, security and many others.”

Louise said the Leadership Award had eight nominees this year.

“Ultimately though, the judges settled on two outstanding examples of leadership – both Nursing Unit Managers. Karen Chippindall was recognised for the way she led the patient care of a particularly complex case in recent months, and Lou Jose for her unwavering care, and devotion to her team members.

“The Values in Action Award was shared by three recipients this year – each for different reasons.”

Louise said the Facility Services Team was another essential team that was critical to making sure the hospital functioned each day.

“If it needs to be run, started, stopped, closed, opened, tested, or just needs to work – Janene’s team can be relied upon to make it happen.

“Jeanita Edwards is a role model for all of our administrative staff. She shared in the Values in Action Award this year in recognition of her empathy, compassion and professionalism – even when the hospital is at its busiest.

“Another of our NUMs, Fiona Packwood was the third recipient of the Values in Action Award this year, recognising her energy and willingness to go out of her way for others on her team.”

Louise said Jodi Dyer from the Ngarrama team received the Excellence in Integrated Care Award, for her work in making the maternity service more culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families attending and birthing at Redcliffe Hospital have significantly improved because of Jodi’s availability and passion for Ngarrama and her community.

“Anndrea Flint from the hospital’s Neonatal Unit won over five other nominees for the Excellence in Training and Education Award.  Andrea is well-known across our hospital community as one of our most dedicated, and knowledgeable clinicians. To those she works with, she is also known as an extremely generous teacher.

“Congratulations to all of our nominees and award recipients, and thank you again to our award sponsors QSuper.”