![\"Message](\"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/03\/exec-e-banners-COVID-19-Shaun-Drummond.jpg\" "\\"Message")
<\/span><\/div>24 March 2020 \u2013 COVID-19 (coronavirus)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n While the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, we too as a healthcare service are evolving to ensure business continuity during this pandemic. This is probably our last week to plan. Each week I will send you an email summing up the previous week\u2019s activities in our response.<\/p>\n Preparedness initiatives last week<\/strong><\/p>\n Our activity for the past week<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking after our people<\/strong><\/p>\n We have established a HR staff phone hotline and email, 3647 2819 or metronorthhr@health.qld.gov.au<\/a>, where staff can ask HR related questions including about leave provisions.<\/p>\n All non-essential and non-urgent training, meetings and events have been cancelled or postponed. We have also enacted physical distancing measures including using video conferencing for meetings instead of face to face. Please talk to your line manager if you are not sure what this means for you.<\/p>\n Our HR and Digital Metro North teams have developed guidance around flexible working arrangements and working from home which are available on our Metro North COVID-19 QHEPS<\/a> page.<\/p>\n We are also recruiting additional nursing and patient services staff. This week we are working on enhanced cleaning protocols above our usual high standards.<\/p>\n Staff and patients are encouraged to use an alternative voting method for this weekend\u2019s local government elections. More information can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Preparedness initiatives in the coming week<\/strong><\/p>\n Maximising our resources<\/strong><\/p>\n Personal protective equipment (PPE) stocks are being monitored and we are sourcing alternative suppliers to boost supplies. You can help by following our guidelines for correct PPE use. There is a section on PPE on the Metro North COVID-19 QHEPS<\/a> page.<\/p>\n Regards,<\/p>\n Shaun<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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