{"id":21231,"date":"2024-05-31T09:59:39","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T23:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/?p=21231"},"modified":"2024-06-06T08:56:13","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T22:56:13","slug":"ed-tpch-20240531","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/facility-messages\/ed-tpch-20240531","title":{"rendered":"Message from the Executive Director"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Tami

Tami Photinos, Executive Director<\/p><\/div>\n

With demands on our services remaining constant, I have been asked by a number of staff about how we can make TPCH a more fun and inclusive place to work, especially with the current pressures. It can certainly be a challenge having fun when we are busy, but our commitment is to making the hospital environment as positive as possible, so staff feel good about coming to work.<\/h4>\n

On Tuesday 18 June, we will be hosting a free staff breakfast in the Caf\u00e9 for the Common Good from 7am to 8.30am (or until the food runs out) as a gesture of the Executive team\u2019s appreciation for all the work being done by staff at TPCH at present. We look forward to seeing many of you there.<\/p>\n

We recently opened up an expression of interest in relation to our annual TPCH Charlies Week celebrations in October to encourage staff to offer their ideas and support to make this year\u2019s event as great as possible. This opportunity is still available so if you\u2019re interested in finding out more or getting involved please email: MetroNorth-TPCH-Communications@health.qld.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I’m also keen to hear from staff about other ways we can create a positive work environment and team culture at TPCH so welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please email your ideas to:\u00a0ExecDir-TPCH@health.qld.gov.au<\/a> or just come and approach me if you see me around the hospital.<\/p>\n

Executive update<\/h3>\n

This week is National Reconciliation Week where we reflect on our commitment to unity by acknowledging the unique history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.<\/p>\n

The word Reconciliation means understanding, compromise, bringing together and reunion. All of these meanings are important to us as a health care organisation and help guide us on how we can work together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and community to achieve health equity.<\/p>\n

To acknowledge the week, the Executive team attended a number of local events including a flag raising ceremony and a video screening of the Healing Foundation\u2019s Truth Telling. We also attended a lunchtime yarning circle with local Elders, community members and members of TPCH\u2019s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service team. This was a great opportunity to connect and hear stories and thoughts from the Elders and staff around reconciliation and how we need to walk together to achieve a future of equity, respect and understanding.<\/p>\n

\"Lily

Lily Sarra and Aaron Lamont<\/p><\/div>\n

I was also pleased to hear from our physiotherapy department who is supporting a young cadet, Lily Sarra. Lily, who is a proud Gureng Gureng woman, is currently in her fourth year of physiotherapy and second year of her cadetship with TPCH. It is great to support Lily in her career endeavours, with the cadetship giving her a good foundation to succeed in her clinical placements and build her confidence in dealing with patients. A great initiative!<\/p>\n

This year, TPCH will start developing its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) supported by the RAP Working Group. If you would like to be part of this working group please email:\u00a0Cultural Capability Officer TPCH@health.qld.gov.au<\/a> outlining your interest in supporting the development of the RAP.<\/p>\n

With the hospital in Tier 3, members of the Executive team have been undertaking regular walkarounds to areas to understand how services are managing and supporting the hospital\u2019s surge plans. We acknowledge that many areas have had to flex outside their normal scope in order provide the necessary care for patients and we continue to support these areas as best we can in the current climate.<\/p>\n

Protecting you this winter<\/h3>\n

With winter officially starting tomorrow, we are starting to see an increase in COVID, influenza and other respiratory viruses within our patient population.\u00a0 This means that as healthcare workers, we need to start thinking about what actions we can take to prevent transmission of these respiratory viruses. Some key steps to stay protected include:<\/p>\n